The three main distractions which usually adversely affect potential candidates for heaven are spouses, houses, and material possessions, all of which are in and of themselves good, yet if not held in subjection to higher eternal interests, often cause Christians to lose focus, by mixing up their priorities. In both the old and new Testaments, these three elements are responsible for the failures of millions, who might have otherwise been saved. For example, we have the rich young ruler, who, because of his wealth and material possessions, turned away from Christ, and salvation even though he demonstrated a very keen interest in God’s kingdom of righteousness.
As the young ruler observed Jesus ministering to the multitudes, and blessing the children, his heart was moved to ask the question that’s so important to every soul, “What must I do to be saved”. But as Christ outlined the terms and conditions, and as the young man weighed the pros and cons, he came to the conclusion that the sacrifice of material wealth, and all that it entails, was too great, and the rest is history for the Bible says he turned away from God, and Christ, and his decision was never afterward reversed. Let’s read:
Matthew 19:13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray.
15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
Again, in the parable of the gospel invitation we see the same three issues becoming distractions, thus usurping the place Christ alone should have in our priorities. After the gospel invitation is given in the parable, the invitees begin to make excuses, which
demonstrate their esteem of eternal life. Different reasons are given by some, but the bottom line is that houses, spouses and lands mean more to them than what Christ has done for us on Calvary. Let’s read:
Luke 14: 16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many.
17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come, for all things are now ready.
18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
These three issues can potentially cause so much distraction, that they were actually included as a part of one’s enlistment declarations for war, since in the wisdom and knowledge of God, they could cause even soldiers to lose focus. Therefore, before a Hebrew could be permitted to fight in any war, he must be given an opportunity to withdraw his offer, because of several potential concerns, including the fear of temporal loss, and even of life itself. In other words, if his esteem of temporal things would cause him to prioritize them ahead of God’s work, he will prove to be a source of weakness, not a blessing, in times of national emergency. Let’s read:
Deuteronomy 20:1 When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies,
5 The officers shall speak unto the people, saying, what man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
6 And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.
7 And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.
8 And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.
Jesus also cautioned His followers against making houses, spouses and possessions the deciding factor when choosing to follow Him. Though these issues are important, yet they should be held subservient to discipleship, no matter what the cost. This is why Christ had no problem with answering Peter on the very same issues. Let’s read:
Mark 10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
In our case study today, we will review the effect these three issues had on the minds of Gideon and his men, after the call was made throughout Israel, to fight against the invading army. The Midianites had amassed hundreds of thousands of soldiers and chariots, obviously bent on Israel’s destruction, but God had provided deliverance through Gideon, who then sent out an urgent plea for help from all of the twelve tribes. In response 32,000 apparently valiant men enlisted. However, when they saw the size of the army they were going up against, the fear of temporal loss gripped most of them, and thus, a very probing question was posed, in order to find out their true sentiments. Let’s read:
Judges 7:2 And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.
3 Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 548>550] Those who were unwilling to face danger and hardships, or whose worldly interests would draw their hearts from the work of God, would add no strength to the armies of Israel. Their presence would prove only a cause of weakness. Because his numbers were so few compared with those of the enemy, Gideon had refrained from making the usual proclamation. He was filled with astonishment at the declaration that his army was too large. But the Lord saw the pride and unbelief existing in the hearts of His people. Aroused by the stirring appeals of Gideon, they had readily enlisted, but many were filled with fear when they saw the multitudes of the Midianites.
Gideon obeyed the Lord's direction, and with a heavy heart he saw twenty-two thousand, or more than two thirds of his entire force, depart for their homes. Again the word of the Lord came to him: “The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.” The people were led down to the waterside, expecting to make an immediate advance upon the enemy.
A few hastily took a little water in the hand and sucked it up as they went on; but nearly all bowed upon their knees, and leisurely drank from the surface of the stream. Those who took of the water in their hands were but three hundred out of ten thousand; yet these were selected; all the rest were permitted to return to their homes.
By the simplest means character is often tested. Those who in time of peril were intent upon supplying their own wants were not the men to be trusted in an emergency. The Lord has no place in His work for the indolent and self-indulgent. The men of His choice were the few who would not permit their own wants to delay them in the discharge of duty. The three hundred chosen men not only possessed courage and self-control, but they were men of faith. They had not defiled themselves with idolatry. God could direct them, and through them He could work deliverance for Israel.
This takes us back to the original mandate God gave to Gideon, and should cause us to understand the nature of the call. After assuring Gideon that he had been chosen, and that God would be with him, the angel then commands Gideon to do something that most modern-day televangelists would shrink from doing. He instructs Gideon to pledge his allegiance to the King of Kings by signally demonstrating God’s displeasure with the idolatry, and false worship of the day.
This command to Gideon would obviously put him at great odds with the community in which he lived, and since the local place of worship was owned and operated by his own father, the singular act would put him at risk of losing houses, spouses and lands. Thus, in obedience to the command of God, Gideon is now set to become the “Most wanted”, and the most unpopular in his city.
There are those who will preach the three angel’s messages, only if they can have some guarantee that their houses, spouses, and lands would remain intact. But if there is the possibility of interference, because of preaching the plain, cutting truths of the Bible, then many choose to present pleasing fables, or truths which will not offend, or step on anyone’s proverbial toes. Let’s read:
Judges 6:25 And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:
26 And build an altar unto the Lord thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.
27 Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the Lord had said unto him.
28 And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.
29 And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.
30 Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it.
34 But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.
Another trumpet is soon to sound, and the bullock of seven years old will be required to demonstrate God’s displeasure at the prevailing idolatry, and the false worship that has gripped most individuals and nations alike. But those Christians whose priorities are centered on houses, spouses, and lands will not bring strength to the cause of God in the last days, for they would esteem the comforts of life, and the approbation of men, of greater value, than putting themselves at risk for the cause of truth. Hence the reason why the following passages must be clearly understood in the context of what is scheduled to take place in 2017. Let’s read:
Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
11 And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
Catholic News Agency: “All Catholic faithful” are invited “to take up, recognize the signs of the times, the way of unity for overcoming divisions among Christians,” the pontiff said during the private audience with Lutheran archbishop Uppsala Antje Jackelen. Division, he said is not only in opposition “to the will of Christ, but is also a scandal to the world and causes damage to the holiest of causes.
The pontiff also acknowledged the upcoming anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, as well as the joint document “From Conflict to Communion” published by the Lutheran-Catholic commission for unity. He expressed his hope that this initiative would encourage further steps toward unity.
It is good to own houses and lands, and it is good to have one’s spouse, but those temporal concerns of life should in no way cause us to defer the sounding of the trumpet nor should we be watering down the plain truths of God’s word to please the sin-loving multitudes. The time is now, when God is calling for decisive action on the issues which pertain to false worship. Multitudes are in the valley of decision and the time is at hand when those who now claim to be Christians must make their allegiance known in no unmistakable terms.
The issues that have triggered moral decay in our day, and the violence now being done to the sacred institution of marriage, is to be laid out in plainest terms before the people, so that each person may have equal opportunity to make an intelligent, well-informed choice. But the true servants of God must not in any way, cause houses, spouses, and lands to deter them from speaking the truth. Let’s read:
[The Great controversy. pp 606>607] In every generation God has sent his servants to rebuke sin, both in the world and in the church. But the people desire smooth things spoken to them, and the pure, unvarnished truth is not acceptable. Many reformers, in entering upon their work, determined to exercise great prudence in attacking the sins of the church and the nation. They hoped, by the example of a pure Christian life, to lead the people back to the doctrines of the Bible.
But the Spirit of God came upon them as it came upon Elijah, moving him to rebuke the sins of a wicked king and an apostate people; they could not refrain from preaching the plain utterances of the Bible, doctrines which they had been reluctant to present. They were impelled to zealously declare the truth, and the danger which threatened souls. The words which the Lord gave them they uttered, fearless of consequences, and the people were compelled to hear the warning.
Thus the message of the third angel will be proclaimed. As the time comes for it to be given with greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to his service. The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of his Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them. The sins of Babylon will be laid open.
The fearful results of enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority, the inroads of Spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power, all will be unmasked. By these solemn warnings the people will be stirred. Thousands upon thousands will listen who have never heard words like these. In amazement they hear the testimony that Babylon is the church, fallen because of her errors and sins, because of her rejection of the truth sent to her from Heaven.
As the people go to their former teachers with the eager inquiry, Are these things so? the ministers present fables, prophesy smooth things, to soothe their fears, and quiet the awakened conscience. But since many refuse to be satisfied with the mere authority of men, and demand a plain “Thus saith the Lord,” the popular ministry, like the Pharisees of old, filled with anger as their authority is questioned will denounce the message as of Satan, and stir up the sin-loving multitudes to revile and persecute those who proclaim it.
As the controversy extends into new fields, and the minds of the people are called to God's down-trodden law, Satan is astir. The power attending the message will only madden those who oppose it. The clergy will put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light, lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command they will endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions.
The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and in this work, papists and Protestants unite. As the movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and decided, the law will be invoked against commandment-keepers. They will be threatened with fines and imprisonment, and some will be offered positions of influence, and other rewards and advantages, as inducements to renounce their faith.
This urgency calls for the bullock of seven years old, and thus it is fitting for us to end with the very same questions Gideon posed to his men, by the direction of God. The Lord is not stating that those who have houses, spouses, and lands, cannot be used; He is cautioning us against making these issues a priority in contrast to the urgent messages to be given at this time. Let’s read:
Deuteronomy 20:1 When thou goest out to battle,
5 The officers shall speak unto the people, saying,
what man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
6 And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.
7 And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.
8 And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word.
God bless!