The Great Test
October 2, 2010
By Ernie Knoll
www.formypeople.org
In my dream, I stand facing the Herald, who has placed his hands on my shoulders. He has been talking to me, and I hear him call me by my heavenly name. He is explaining that in another dream he had shielded my eyes from seeing everything. However, he was instructed that this time I am to see and remember all that I am shown. He tells me that, although this is a dream and much is symbolic, all should understand the depth that the great deceiver will go to in his deceptions. The Herald says to understand that we must be aware of this and stand firmly grounded in what the Great Author has written through the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy by Ellen White. We are not to waste time with authors of another order. {1}
I am now taken to a house where no one is at home. As we walk around, the Herald says, “Each should strive for discernment in what they look upon and what they listen to. I first notice a Bible lying on the living room table and understand that it is used for family worship. What looks like very thick white smoke is rising from the Bible. The area around the “smoke” becomes bright. {2} The Herald says, “It should not be perceived that what you are seeing endorses the New Age act of burning incense. It will be better understood as we observe more.” Over to the right is a bookcase filled with many books. The titles include: The Great Controversy, The Desire of Ages, Early Writings, The Adventist Home, Child Guidance, Messages to Young People, Last Day Events, and several volumes of Testimonies for the Church. I see many more books written by Ellen White. The same white “smoke” rises from these books, which makes the area around the bookcase illuminate the darkness of the home. As I see so many of these books written by the same author, I wonder how anyone would want to read so many books by other authors.
As we continue walking throughout the house, there are other books that emanate a thick black “smoke.” The black seems to absorb any light that is near it, making the area become very dark. These books were written by many different authors. {3} I now notice more objects that emit black “smoke.” Some of these are simply objects to look at. One is a statue of a dragon; another is a round, crystal-like ball that sits close to a window and reflects the sunlight. I notice posters, pictures, and other items hanging on the walls, such as depictions of popular singers and celebrities or political figures. Each of these draws the mind away from God and emits black “smoke.” Both small and large objects emanate black “smoke” that detracts from the good books on the bookcase.
I am now shown individuals walking around the home. The Herald tells me that I stand as an observer and no one can see or hear us. I now notice someone reach over and pick up the family Bible. They are breathing in the white “smoke.” Others walk over and select one of the good books from the bookcase. Each now breathes in the white “smoke.” When others pick up books by a questionable author or gaze at certain pictures or posters, they inhale the black “smoke.” Others breathe it in from small items, which they do not realize are harmful to them. When they exhale, the “smoke” does not leave their bodies. Whether it is black or white, it stays in the body.
Before reading a book, a reader must ask what the purpose, ideas, and background are of the author. Who does this person really serve? The Herald explains that there are many authors who have written much, but Satan is the true author. He has used his well-chosen words to speak great truth, but he is very deceptive in his words. His books emit black “smoke,” which is his evil spirit. So many of these books appear to have the whole truth, yet they contain error. Sadly, even sincere Christians are deceived by these books, in spite of the fact that the whole truth is available if they will only search for it. Truth stands as a lighted beacon for all to see. Many who read and reread harmful books do not spend time reading what the Greatest Author has already prepared. They read only once from His Word that was given so freely, and then place it back on a shelf to collect dust. Yet a great blessing is received by those who repeatedly read God’s words. Blessed are those who look for messages from the Father’s throne and enjoy those wonderful words over and over again. All one has to do is ask for the guidance of the Comforter whom the Savior said He would send. Yet so many desire to read other than what has so graciously been provided by the heavenly Father.
Next the Herald explains, “Now is the time to compare line upon line. Each will be prepared and guarded against the plans of the great deceiver by studying what is written in God’s Word. Those who will not be deceived will follow the teaching of the only One who knows the future. No one need be deceived. The Master Reaper is coming to claim His prized crop—those who stand as perfect plants ready to be harvested in the still of the night. Know the voice and the hand of Him who holds the great harvesting sickle.”
The Herald now takes me to a place where I am facing to the east. He says, “Now it is time to show you something that was shielded from you before. Document all that you see and stand firm, knowing this is a dream to prepare those who are listening to the Holy Spirit’s voice. No one should be deceived by what you are now shown.”
As I look toward the east, I see many who stand looking with anticipation into a clear blue sky that has no clouds. They seem to already know about this coming event. As I look into the distant sky, I notice what looks like a round black hole that opens out more and more, similar to a trumpet shape. Many different angels of various sizes and appearances now fly from the middle of the black hole and fill in to the area that resembles the end of a trumpet. They have formed together as if to welcome someone very important. I now see that the middle of this large company of angels fills with a great brightness. As many angels blow trumpets and many others sing, those on the earth who are watching stare at the grandest event they have ever witnessed.
I now see one of a great and noble stature sitting upon a moving throne that resembles a golden fluid and is carried by angels who each have six living, golden wings. They sing of his wonderful creations throughout the universe and of his holiness and greatness. These angels sing in unison the words “holiest, holiest, holiest” over and over. Many around the world and many of different faiths begin to notice or hear about this grand event. While many watch the scene as it occurs, others around the world view it on television newscasts.
Many angels now form into a choir that begins to sing and lead the way to the earth. The singing is made to be holy and reverent, not like the unholy and irreverent music performed in the churches of today. As the angels and he who sits on the throne slowly descend, many on the earth fall to their knees and begin crying and praying. Many follow this descending procession as if their personal deliverer has come. As the procession continues on, I look closely at him who sits on the throne. I see love and compassion in his eyes but not the great love of the love of the love. I do not see my Savior. I am longing to see the eyes of my Jesus who looks at each with that great love. I tell the Herald that I am seeing the false coming and have seen enough. He responds that there is still much for me to see and requests that I continue faithfully reporting what I observe. As I continue watching, the angelic choir voices rise to a musical crescendo, which causes many to become filled with emotion.
As time proceeds on, I notice that much attention is given to that great moment when he who sits on the throne is able to step off the throne. It is as if every eye observes his foot touching the ground. Every television station has a camera that is transfixed to that moment when he steps off and places his foot on the earth. With orchestrated planning, the heavenly choir rises to a musical interlude that peaks to a perfect crescendo moment when he is about to place his foot on the ground. Angels with six wings hover over him in the sky. As that moment arrives, all music and singing cease, and all becomes quiet. As his foot becomes visible, all notice a scar on the top. When his foot touches the ground, a united cheer of those who stand on the earth, a resounding musical crescendo of those in the air, and a perfect, well-orchestrated, planned musical harmony fills the earth. All those who hear are caught up with emotion.
This noble being, who calls himself “the Christ,” stands so tall that he is easily seen. His well-tanned face is long, yet wide. His hair is white and brushed back. He is proportionately built and wears a long purple robe that almost touches the ground. Around his waist is a golden belt tied in a perfect knot with tassels on the ends that fall loosely on his right hip. Over his chest is what looks like a molded plate that resembles a perfectly muscled chest and abdominal area. I am wondering if it is actually his skin, because it moves as freely as if it is a part of himself rather than what he wears. It appears like living fluid metal, almost as if it emits heat or energy. He wears a crown with crowns inside of crowns that sits perfectly on his head. In his left hand, he holds a scepter. At the top of it is what appears to be a large crystal emitting a golden flame or ever-present heat. It also appears to be made of transparent, blood-red metal that moves in a continual fluid motion. In the middle where it is held are finely-wound silver threads.
I now notice the place where the grand visitation has decided to make their first contact—the great courtyard of the Vatican. I observe the pope approach with his entourage, and he is assisted as he kneels at the feet of the false Christ who is Satan. He kneels and kisses each of the feet of this imposter. Satan now reaches down and takes hold of the pope’s left hand, assisting him to his feet. Then taking the scepter in his left hand, he plunges it into the ground. As he now raises both hands into the air, elongated scars can be seen in each palm. He proceeds to proclaim, “It is I, the Christ. I have returned as I said I would.” As he speaks, people of different languages understand him perfectly. He continues by saying, “Blessed are those who have watched until this day. I will make all things new. I will visit and heal all those who are sick. I will spread before you a table, that all may freely eat. I will cause nations to lay down their weapons of death and love one another. There will be worldwide peace. I have loved you, and you are to love one another as I love you. All faiths will become united, and those who have been misled will now become unified. The Muslim will acknowledge that I am the Christ; they will acknowledge me as their god and savior. The Buddhist will lay down their Buddha, cease their beliefs, and acknowledge me as their god and savior. When I left before, I gave you a new commandment. I told you to love one another as I have loved you. Now that I have returned and this will be the seat of my home throughout the universe, I give you new commandments.”
I see him call to several angels, who remove from the left side of his throne a large placard that everyone who reads it instantly understands. Satan now states that he has changed the fourth commandment to commemorate this special day. As I look at the new fourth commandment, I read that he has called all to come together and worship on the first day of the week, to seek his name and receive a blessing on this new and very special day of his returning. With his left hand, he pulls his scepter from the ground. Many now watch as his feet leave the ground. He states in a clear resounding voice that he has a great work to do, and that all should be blessed on this special day. He begins moving through the air slowly at first and then quickly disappears with his retinue of angels.
Satan now arrives in a nearby country and begins to heal the sick. He approaches a building where many are sick. As he raises his staff in his left hand, with his right hand, he calls on those who are sick to rise from their beds and to worship and follow him. Yet those who have lost limbs or have artificial body parts remain unhealed in their beds. He goes to an area where many are hungry and commands his angels to prepare many tables with a great variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, breads, and meat. Satan calls everyone together to feast and says they will have more provided to them.
Next Satan goes to large, barren fields. As he plunges his staff into the ground, almost instantly I see various plants growing. I am made to know that those plants were already there before the great magician and deceiver did what he does best—deceive. I see him lift off the ground and travel to another country. As he performs miracle after miracle, many fall to their knees and worship him. Many marvel how at one moment he is in one country, then in the blink of an eye, he is seen and it is being reported, he is on a different continent in another part of the world. So many worldwide rejoice and sing with such peace. Almost everyone on the globe seems caught up in this great deception.
After a time, I see what I know to be horrific plagues and disasters in different areas around the world. Water is being contaminated so quickly that it is impossible to correct it. Weather conditions are out of control. Certain people are afflicted with different ailments. The false Christ is now unable to fix these things. Many are perplexed as to why he cannot. {4}
The Herald, who has been standing at my right side the whole time, tells me that most will be deceived. Yet all could avoid it, if they would spend time now preparing to know how the greatest deceiver works to deceive. Many will ignore what God has sent to prepare them for what is about to happen. The Herald reveals that the great gift in the Spirit of Prophecy has been ignored by many. He states that what God’s prophet, Ellen White, was instructed to write in these last days is ignored and thrown out as incorrect or archaic. It is clear that even the leadership of His end-time church has set aside the teachings that He has provided. No longer do His teachers prepare His people for what He has shown will happen. No longer do they teach with the Bible in one hand and the Spirit of Prophecy in the other. No longer do they prepare His sheep for His coming. No longer do they spend time in what He has written. Time is now spent in honoring man and not God. It is spent with Satan’s form of music rather than honoring God with His music. It is spent with entertainment, not in teaching and preparing the world for the great test.
The Herald puts his right hand on my left shoulder and tells me to prepare what I have been shown, but to understand this is one of many ways the great illusionist will deceive those who are not grounded. Many are satisfied with what man says instead of what God has said. The Herald tells me that it is very sad that many will be deceived because they fail to hear and listen to the soft, calling voice of the Great Comforter. They fail on all counts to watch and follow the teachings of the true Christ.
Be prepared, for soon the deception of all deceptions will play out, and even the most devout follower of Jesus Christ can be easily deceived. Prepare now, for the hour of your great test is upon you.
- Selected Messages, Book 1, p. 204
The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written.
- Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, pp. 337-338
The word of God should be thoroughly studied. All other reading is inferior to this. A careful study of the Bible will not necessarily exclude all other reading of a religious nature; but if the word of God is studied prayerfully, all reading which will have a tendency to divert the mind from it will be excluded. If we study the word of God with an interest, and pray to understand it, new beauties will be seen in every line. God will reveal precious truth so clearly that the mind will derive sincere pleasure and have a continual feast as its comforting and sublime truths are unfolded.
- Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 107-108
By many, man’s wisdom is thought to be higher than the wisdom of the divine Teacher, and God’s lesson book is looked upon as old-fashioned, stale, and uninteresting. But by those who have been vivified by the Holy Spirit it is not so regarded. They see the priceless treasure, and would sell all to buy the field that contains it. Instead of books containing the suppositions of reputedly great authors, they choose the word of Him who is the greatest author and the greatest teacher the world has ever known, who gave His life for us, that through Him we might have everlasting life.
Acts 19:19-20
Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
- 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
The Great Controversy (1888), pp. 624-625
The teachings of this false christ are not in accordance with the Scriptures. His blessing is pronounced upon the worshipers of the beast and his image,—the very class upon whom the Bible declares that God’s unmingled wrath shall be poured out.
Satan is not permitted to counterfeit the manner of Christ’s advent. The Saviour has warned his people against deception upon this point, and has clearly foretold the manner of his second coming. “There shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. . . . Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” [Matthew 24:24-27, 31; 25:31; Revelation 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17.] This coming, there is no possibility of counterfeiting. It will be universally known—witnessed by the whole world.
