2018

September 22, 2018

The Bible places great emphasis on the freedom of choice God has granted to us, for by it our eternal destiny is decided, and the chapters of our lives are shaped to a great extent, for good, or for evil by the choices we make, even if there are negative factors to contend with. Too often, our sinfulness is blown out of proportion to the point where we lose sight of the grace and power of God, which is given as an antivenin against the stings of the serpent.

We also need to be very careful with the teaching of generational curses, for even though our parents and grandparents may have set a sinful course of action in motion, yet we should never downplay or underestimate the power of God to stop sin dead in its track and reverse course in very many instances.

The Bible teaches us that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, and as was stated before, all means all.

But if we believe that generational curses are the inevitable, and that we do not have any choices in the matter, then what we believe will soon become reality, because what we believe affects what we’ll expect, and what we expect then becomes possible. Thus, if we believe our progenitors have set us in an irreversible course, we will find ourselves drifting downstream in their footsteps in whatsoever sins or habits they indulged or cultivated.

Every succeeding generation should do better than the previous one, reasoning soberly from cause to effect, learning from the mistakes of parents, while improving, and retaining the good they did, but at the same time, rejecting the evil. In other words, it is the will of God that children should be more God-fearing than their parents were, not less.

Cultivated and inherited tendencies to evil can and should be overcome by the grace of Christ. In other words, if my parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, in-laws, and outlaws were alcoholics, I do not have to be an alcoholic, because through Christ the buck can, and should stop at my doorstep. Then again, if my daddy was a player, and had a plethora of wives and concubines, there is absolutely no doctrine, or commandment which states that I am duty bound to walk in his shoes.

In fact, a great part of the instruction, and counsels given to children should include our own faults and mistakes, showing them where we went wrong, and the inevitable results which followed; at the same time bidding them to depart from evil by choosing wisely. In this way we would not appear to be self-righteous in their eyes; instead we would be able to empathize with them in their infirmities, they being encouraged and strengthened by the victories God gave us.

In fact, through the grace and power of God, and the freedom of choice given, coupled together with faithful parental instruction, Solomon the son of David could have had one female wife, and could have lived with her happily ever after. Absolutely! The problem is that a knowledge of his own failures kept David silent, when he should have been talking to, and instructing his sons. Past guilt should never cause parents to be muted in their instruction to their children. Let’s read:

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 723] There was a great change in David himself. He was broken in spirit by the consciousness of his sin, and its far-reaching results. He felt humbled in the eyes of his subjects. In his own house his claim to respect and obedience from his sons, was weakened. A sense of his guilt kept him silent when he should have condemned sin; it made his arm feeble to execute justice in his house.

The scripture unequivocally rejects the notion that we are born this or that way, with no way out of our sinful predicament, and with no recourse of action, because the freedom of choice is one of the most powerful tools, given to us by God to shape our own destiny. When we begin to excuse our choices using hereditary factors, we often lose sight of the power of God which can surmount every difficulty, large or small, and we will inevitably shift the responsibility of failure to others, God, or to present conditions, and thus, we become the sport of circumstances.

This is not to say that as believing Christians we are naïve to the difficulties or obstacles in the way, but we should never allow these adverse circumstances to blunt our potential, or to dampen our energies to succeed. Thinking like a conqueror means believing that with God, all things are possible. In fact, if we cultivate a skeptical, unbelieving mind, we actually prevent Jesus from doing miracles in our behalf. Let’s read:

Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

In this passage, a person’s willingness to believe is directly tethered to the opening up of possibilities, and herein lies our main weakness, for we too often allow conventional wisdom, scientific research, and logical reasoning to dictate the limits of what God can do. When Jesus used the “if”, He was directing the man to his freedom of choice to believe or not.

In our own personal experiences, we will need a no holds barred kind of faith to withstand the forces of logic against our souls, for satan specializes in logic, while Christ specializes in faith. Believing is not only based upon a preponderance of evidence, for it was Christ who once said, “Blessed are they who have not seen, yet still believe”. Believing is a deliberate choice we must make individually, especially when it comes to overcoming inherited tendencies to evil. Let’s read:

Mark 6:2 And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

The people of this district did not have a problem with the authenticity of Christ’s miracles, they were upset that an “ordinary” carpenter, who had built their cupboards and furniture could do them. But if a Rabbi dressed in sacerdotal garments who had his degree from one of the Ivy league universities, was to perform the same miracles, they might believe. Thus, social biases, and norms fed into their belief system, and before you know it, they were choosing not to believe, with the inevitable result. Let’s read:

Mark 6:5 And he could not there, do any mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

6 And he marveled because of their unbelief.

On the contrary, the Bible opens up to us the world of opportunity, in overcoming every challenge, and difficulty, through the merits and power of Christ. Now while it is true that parental wrong-doing often sets the stage for children to sin more easily, and in some cases may affect genetic factors, yet, in very many cases, the choices we make, together with the power of God can decidedly move the needle in the opposite direction. This is the genius of Christianity, given to all who believe. Let’s read:

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than

conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1st John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Joseph began adult life as a slave in a foreign land, having to learn a new language in a culture that was by no means favorable to his ethnicity. In addition, he did jail time, but that did not prevent him from becoming the manager of the prison where he was locked up. The grace and power of God which had always attended him, turned every difficulty into an opportunity, and thus he was victorious, in and out of prison.

Joseph could have chosen to grovel in the “Why me pit” of depression. He could have chosen to blame God for not protecting him from Potiphar’s wrath when he had stood firmly for the truth. Then again, he could have blamed his brothers for his present circumstance. Instead he chose to make the best of his situation by seeking to help and serve fellow his inmates, as evidenced by the following inquiry. Let’s read:

Genesis 40:1 And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt.

2 And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.

4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.

5 And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night.

6 And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad.

7 And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly today?

8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you.

The same issue of individual choice is brought to bear in circumstances where one’s grandparents or parents may have indulged in evil. Just because the progenitors did wrong does not mean that the kids are duty bound to do wrong too, regardless of their own choice. The genius of salvation is that through Christ every evil tendency, and practice can be put into reverse gear permanently. There will be sore conflicts, but it can absolutely be done. Let’s read:

Ezekiel 18:1 The word of the Lord came unto me again, saying,

2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?

3 As I live, saith the Lord God, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.

14 Now lo, if he beget a son that sees all his father's sins which he hath done, and considers, and doeth not such like,

15 And hath not lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbor's wife,

17 He shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live.

20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

God, is in these passages making direct reference to our freedom of choice, for if the son chooses not to follow in the evil ways of the father, the buck will absolutely stop at the son. This principle of personal choice applies across the board, not only for iniquity that was practiced by one’s parents, but also to the addictions that one may have inherited. To a great extent, these tendencies and evils can be uprooted and reversed by the power and grace of God.

Whether it be drug addiction, alcohol addiction, sex addiction, and the predispositions to such problems like diabetes, obesity, and cancer, the grace of God when engaged through faith and obedience can and will accomplish the impossible in many instances. It was God who inspired the words “I wish above all things that you prosper and be in health”, therefore we cannot conclude that the same God would not enable us to accomplish that which he Himself has wished for.

This issue of choice must be understood thoroughly because whatever we decide to do can affect the outcome at the end of life’s journey. Thus, we must embark on our main case study from the Bible, in which one father had practiced untold evil for very many years. After he died, his son came and did the exact same thing, and for all intents and purposes it would seem as if an irreversible course of action for the offspring had been set in motion. Let’s read:

2nd Kings 21:1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem.

2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the

Lord, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.

3 For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them.

4 And he built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord said, In Jerusalem will I put my name.

5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.

6 And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.

The scriptures tell us that after years of cultivating iniquity of the darkest hue, Manasseh repented and made great changes, but the collateral damage had already been done. In fact, the bulk of his years on this earth were spent doing evil, and as they often say, “Like father like son”, that is, if the sons choose to walk in their father’s evil footsteps. Evil example, and genetic predisposition do not coerce anyone to sin, for every propensity can be stopped at the gate of choice. Let’s read:

2nd Kings 21:18 And Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house, in the garden of Uzza: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.

19 Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem.

20 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh did.

21 And he walked in all the way that his father walked in, and served the idols that his father served, and worshipped them:

25 Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

But then, Amon has a son who “Considers” just like the Lord stated in Ezekiel. He considers the evil his progenitors did, and he reasons soberly from cause to effect, and then his decision is made: “Whatever my daddy, grandpa and grandma may have done in times past, I personally will not be following in their footsteps. He decides to serve the Lord through the freedom of choice, and the rest is history. Let’s read:

2nd Kings 21:25 Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

26 And he was buried in his sepulchre in the garden of Uzza: and Josiah his son reigned in his stead.

2nd Kings 22:1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem.

2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord and walked in all the way of David his father and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.

10 And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.

11 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.

12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,

13 Go ye, enquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.

14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, and they communed with her.

15 And she said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me,

16 Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read:

17 Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.

18 But to the king of Judah which sent you to inquire of the Lord, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard;

19 Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord.

20 Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.

Our progenitors too may have walked contrary to the will of God in times past. They may have eaten and drunken that which is forbidden by God, and as a result the offspring may be predisposed to obesity and diabetes and cancers of all sorts. Sexual sins, or predispositions may have taken root, and may have affected us genetically. But just as the young Josiah grabbed the bull by the horns, and put in place radical changes, just so, we too may grab our own bull by the horns through our freedom of choice.

If lollipops, candies, twinkies, and Haagen dazs ice-cream used to be an integral part of Manasseh’s daily menu, Josiah as his son must institute radical changes if he wants to cooperate with Christ in the restoration of health. He would need to clean out his refrigerator of all those items which caused the unhealthy state in his dad, for unless he does this, his prayers for health will go unanswered.

Then Josiah will have to do some much-needed research to see what lifestyle changes should be implemented. And as he studies the history of his fore-parents, and as he reasons soberly from cause to effect, he will have to put into practice the things which God will show him, for if he doesn’t, the text in James which says “I wish above all things that you prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers” will become an elusive dream.

Whatever the problem, or the issue might be, and whatever may be the latent tendency that has been transferred from father to son, the grace of God is given to break every chain, and every cycle of evil, so that the image of God may be reflected in our persons, internally and externally. But the choice is ours. It’s not satan’s, nor the voice of the popular majority, nor the church, nor our parents, uncles and in-laws. The choice is ours! We therefore close with a quote from the pen of inspiration. Let’s read:

[The Desire of Ages. pp 125] While Satan can solicit, he cannot compel to sin. He said to Jesus, “Cast Thyself down,” knowing that he could not cast Him down; for God would interpose to deliver Him. Nor could Satan force Jesus to cast Himself down. Unless Christ should consent to temptation, He could not be overcome. Not all the power of earth or hell could force Him in the slightest degree to depart from the will of His Father.

The tempter can never compel us to do evil. He cannot control minds unless they are yielded to his control. The will must consent, faith must let go its hold upon Christ, before Satan can exercise his power upon us.

Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith The Lord.

God bless!

How To Avoid Suicide. Sabbath Afternoon. 09/15/2018

September 15, 2018

The final act of committing suicide has been around since the fall of our first parents, but it has morphed into an epidemic worldwide. In ages past, very few people would do the unthinkable, for they loved life and recoiled from death. But quite surprisingly, the increase of knowledge of good and evil, and millions of inventions, have not been sufficient to stave off what is now being labeled by many in the medical field, as a mental health problem.

But when we study sacred history, we observe that many individuals in times past suffered with mental health problems, but the suicide rate was quite low. And therefore, it is necessary for us to investigate the root of the problem, and its scope, so that we may find Biblical answers and solutions. Before we begin, let’s take a look at some disturbing statistics, and trends in America, from the CDC.

[1] Suicide rates rose in all but one state between 1999 and 2016, with increases seen across age, gender, race and ethnicity, according to a report released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In more than half of all deaths in 27 states, the people had no known mental health condition when they ended their lives.

Case in point was the late Anthony Bourdain, who rose to national fame in the culinary industry, and who featured promiently in the television series “Parts Unknown”. At the time of his own suicide by hanging there were no narcotics in his system, from the toxicology report. He was someone who, from all appearances, seemed to have it made, yet he too took his own life, whilst filming a segment of the hit series.

[2] Nearly 45,000 suicides occurred in the United States in 2016. To put it in perspective, that’s fifteen times the amount of people who died on 9/11, and this raises the prospect that we may be our worst enemy. What is even more disturbing is that among people ages 15 to 34, suicide is the second-leading cause of death.

[3] The most common method used across all of the groups was firearms, and in half of the states, it has increased more than 30% among people age 10 and older.

[4] Suicides from opioid overdoses nearly doubled between 1999 and 2014, and data from a 2014 national survey showed that individuals addicted to prescription opioids had a 40 percent to 60 percent higher risk.

[5] The problems most frequently associated with

suicide are strained relationships; stress, involving work, or finances; substance use problems; physical health conditions; and recent or impending crises. After the financial crash of 2008, several persons committed suicide, when they saw no way out of their conundrum.

[6] Rates of self-inflicted death is 22% percent higher in veterans than in the general population.

In addition to the fore-mentioned causes, we now know for a fact that many legal prescription drugs on the market are responsible for inducing suicidal thoughts. Pharmaceutical drugs were supposed to save lives, but many are having an adverse effect, in driving folks to seriously contemplate taking their own lives. Let us think about that for a moment; we have a very toxic mix on our hands, with triggering mechanisms, and the wherewithal to make suicide as easy as possible.

Whatever may be the reason, and whatsoever may be the triggering mechanism, there are some facts we should always bear in mind, because human life is sacred, given to us by our Creator. Therefore, God will have us to understand that any person who will deliberately end their own life will never be saved in God’s kingdom, for they ended their life on a sinful note. And thus, because there isn’t a reversal, once the act has been committed, the possibility of any repentance is closed off permanently.

Another fact we should bear in mind is that Jesus never moves upon a person to take their own life. It is entirely impossible, for His mission to earth was to save life, not to kill. And thus, suicidal thoughts must be proceeding from any other source except from God. Let’s read:

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

This leads us to review a few important issues from the scriptures. The devil is the main driver behind suicidal thoughts. There are derivatives occurring indirectly downstream from him, such as opioids, depression, the example of prominent figures, and the thought that there is no other way out. But for all intents and purposes, satan is the originator of suicidal thoughts, to a greater or lesser degree.

Which leads us to question why would he desire persons to die by suicide? When he himself has not once contemplated the idea? The answer is simple, for if one dies in their sins, that’s one less person he has to pay for in the fires of hell. In fact, the general purpose of every temptation brought to the human family, is to try to get persons to pay for their own sins, which by default, automatically reduces the time he must spend burning.

Thus, it is for purely selfish reasons why the suicidal thought is infused into our minds, in the first place. For instance, after king Saul was tempted to disobey God on a number of occasions, the Holy Spirit finally left him, and then, in desperation, he turned to the devil for help. But to his utter dismay, he found out that his probation was closed and he was faced with only one of two bad options, either be killed by the enemy, or take his own life. Saul chose the latter. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 28:5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. 6 And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. 7 Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. 11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. 12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.

13 And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. 14 And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself. 15 And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answers me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

16 Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the Lord is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? 17 And the Lord hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the Lord hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbor, even to David. 18 Because thou obeyed not the voice of the Lord, nor did executed his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the Lord done this thing unto thee this day. 19 Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the Lord also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines. 20 Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel.

1st Samuel 31:3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers. 4 Then said Saul unto his armor-bearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armor-bearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore, Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. 5 And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.

Often in life persons are driven to the point where they believe God has forsaken them, and they are tempted to believe that there is no way out, other than to end their own life. Then when faced with only bad options, some chose to call it quits. This is a tactic often used by the adversary, who specializes in backing us into a corner, if we permit.

The fact is that in Saul’s case many opportunities for repentance and change were granted, as was also the case with Eli and his sons. But the Spirit of God, persistently resisted, finally leaves a person to the choices they have made, because the use of force is contrary to the principles of Christ’s kingdom. But even after a person’s probation may be closed, they are in many instances permitted by God to live, for as we stated before, God never ever drives any person to commit suicide. Never!

One of the inconvenient truths we have to grapple with is that the great adversary of souls has the ability to infuse negative thoughts into the human mind, and therefore, it’s important that when going through extreme pain, depression, or anxiety, that we take a step back and examine the nature of our thoughts.

The gateways to human minds were opened to evil through the first transgression, and ever since that fateful day, evil spirits have the freedom to infuse evil thoughts, even without being invited. This fact applies to both Christians and non-Christians, but it should not scare or alarm us, since everything stops at the threshold of personal choice.

The devils may induce and suggest evil thoughts, and they may tempt and annoy us; they may put a train of circumstances into motion to drive some to depression, but they cannot pull the trigger if we do not permit. Both the bullets and the firearms must be bought from a store by the person’s own choice.

Sometimes thoughts are the cogitations of our own minds, reacting to what we may have seen or heard in time past. There are also remorseful thoughts we experience when the history of certain failures are pulled up at random from our memory bank. Then there are thoughts that are infused by both good, and evil spirits. This fact is carefully documented in the scriptures and should be observed before we proceed. Let’s read:

Job 2:4 And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.

Obviously, the devil was the author of the thought!

1st Chronicles 21:1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. 2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.

Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Not because David and Peter wrote books in the Bible does it mean that they were exempt from being infused with evil thoughts at times for the principle of infusion applies equally to all human beings. But we have the assurance that Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, which means that under the direct influence, and inspiration of The Holy Spirit, they wrote what they wrote. But all of us are subject to the same, which should cause us to often examine our thoughts. Let’s read:

Ephesians 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

As it pertains to the next example, we will see that it is the same source which moved upon Saul, that moved Judas to commit the unthinkable. Judas was given the power to preach and cast out evil spirits just like the other disciples, but again, the issue of personal choice is what shaped his eternal destiny. Like king Saul every opportunity was granted him so that he could change course, but every effort by the Holy Ghost was beaten back persistently.

Then the devil finally took control of his mind, and the events which followed soon after, reveal that the author of his thoughts, was the same person who drove Saul to desperation. Every thought of taking one’s own life has its origins in the author of evil, who is described by Christ as a murderer from the beginning.

The commandment which says “Thou shalt not kill” applies equally to others as well as to ourselves, and therefore, deliberate suicide is a violation of that law. When Judas decided to end his own life, it was the adversary who infused the thought into his mind. Judas bought the rope from the store, and he committed the act, but the author of the evil thought was the devil. Let’s read:

John 13:21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 22 Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spoke. 26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. 30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

Matthew 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

The following therefore are Biblical ways to avoid suicide. It is critically important for us to follow the instructions given, especially if we are prone to be depressed, suffer from extreme anxiety, or may be suffering excruciating pain, or may be terminally ill. Whatever might be the situation, God can, and will help, if we trust in Him.

[1] Surrender ourselves fully to God. The mind of Christ given to us through The Holy Ghost will never lead us to contemplate any thought of taking our own lives. Let’s read:

1st John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2nd Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

[2] When in difficulty or depression, let prayer be our first resource. With the Christian there is no such thing as no way out. This particular thought is often infused by evil spirits into the minds of those who are on the brink. But there is always a way out. Always. Let’s read:

1st Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.

Psalms 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely, he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

[3] Wherever possible, avoid the constant use of prescription drugs, especially those which tend to induce suicidal thoughts. Those who by the grace of God, and who through obedience to His every word, are able to avoid the use of drugs, will have done to themselves and their families a very great favor.

Hence the reason why we say emphatically that the health message given to us and to the world, is one of the most precious truths ever given to mortals. Let’s read:

Jeremiah 8:22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?

Psalms 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

[4] Decide here and now, that come what may, we will never end our own life. Death may come when it may, but we must choose to refrain from doing that which is forbidden by God, who alone can give life. Whatever the situation that we may be going through, let’s always remember that our freedom of choice is one of the most powerful tools given us by God, so that we may chart safe paths for our feet.

Therefore, we will close with a promise of ongoing grace and strength to meet every challenge, and to overcome every difficulty, for God is faithful who has promised. Let’s read:

Isaiah 40:29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

God bless!

Overcoming Cursing. Sabbath Afternoon. 09/08/2018

September 08, 2018

Recently we studied about overcoming depression and porn, but this week we will study overcoming cursing, since it is also deeply rooted in our culture, and vernacular. One of the very first issues which is addressed by The Holy Spirit in conversion is that of speech, for it has an immediate, and direct effect on the influence Christians exude, as it pertains to our representation of The Lord. Porn is often something of a private, personal nature, and may not dishonor God publicly.

And whereas other sins may take time to get rid of, cursing misrepresents the kingdom of God from the first utterance by a Christian, and often the adverse effect on the minds of other people might never be erased. That’s why God usually addresses the sin of
cursing early on, in the process of our conversion.

As we all know, curse words have become common in our politics, in television shows, in our interaction with others, and at times even the news media have adopted the practice. It is very prevalent in movies, where indoctrination into evil often takes place. It has occurred in God-fearing persons in ages past, it was manifest in some of the disciples, and even the prophet Isaiah had a problem with it, until the grace of God granted him the victory.

Therefore, those of us who are still struggling with cursing may know for certain that it is not unique to us alone, but it’s one of those sins that have been in existence since after the fall of man. Several Bible characters have struggled with this problem and in many instances, it had become so deeply rooted in them that it became spontaneous, without thought or deliberate action. Thus, the scriptures tell us that we are not alone in this, or any other sin.

There is deliberate cursing, where some may try to make a point, and there is spontaneous cursing by which some sudden aggravation may cause us to trip a wire, and then there’s cursing for no reason, just because it has become our way of speaking. In all of these examples mentioned, we should always remember that God does not approve of it, and we as Christians must gain the complete victory over it, if we are to properly represent Christ’s kingdom. Let’s read:

James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

There is also an abstract form of cursing which is not audible, but which sometimes may occur in our thoughts. The words may not be vocalized, but they may be rankling in our minds. This form is also to be eliminated, for if it is cherished, one day it will spill over when the right set of circumstances converge. We should also understand that satan specializes in putting such circumstances in motion to bring about the adverse result. Let’s read:

Ecclesiastes 10:20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thoughts; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

[The Desire Of Ages. pp 353] The servants of Christ are not to act out the dictates of the natural heart. They need to have close communion with God, lest, under provocation, self rise up, and they pour forth a torrent of words that are unbefitting, that are not as dew or the still showers that refresh the withering plants.

This is what Satan wants them to do; for these are his methods. It is the spirit of Satan that is revealed in anger and accusing, but God's servants are to be representatives of Him. He desires them to deal only in the currency of heaven, the truth that bears His own image and superscription. They are to fix their eyes upon His loveliness. And the spirit that is kept gentle under provocation will speak more effectively in favor of the truth than will any argument, however forcible.

The above statement leads us to our first example of cursing as it occurred in one Christian. Peter was upset at Christ for allowing Himself to be arrested at the hands of the mob and because the storm is now brewing not only for Jesus, but also for His disciples, Peter decides to hang out with the wrong crowd, so that he wouldn’t be identified with Christ, thereby concealing his faith.

By so doing, he places himself on satan’s enchanted ground, and the devil is sure to make the most of the opportunity, by prompting his agents to get on Peter’s nerves. The devil has already observed that Peter is an impulsive person, who speaks when he should really be quiet, and who says things without thinking.

Furthermore, the devil has documented a number of occasions when the right set of circumstances, converging suddenly at once, have often triggered great irritation, and angry responses in Peter. Thus, he is going to set such a train of circumstances into motion, turning up the heat several notches to see if he could cause Peter to become unhinged, thus tempting Peter to doubt his own Christianity, whilst at the same time, causing major embarrassment to the kingdom of Christ.

This tactic is often used on us Christians as well, and regrettably, with too great success. Will he succeed in getting Peter to blow a fuse, and curse out some persons who have irritated him? Will Peter stand firm, and keep his cool? Or will he succumb to the increased pressure? Let’s read:

Matthew 26: 69 Now Peter sat outside in the palace: (the words “Sat outside” means that he was hanging out with the unruly crowd to disguise his faith, for fear of embarrassment. There Peter was, casually pretending to play dominos with those who were seeking to slay his Master, while on the inside he was burning up with rage and resentment. Then suddenly, without warning the devil takes a swipe.) “And a damsel came unto him saying, Thou also was with Jesus of Galilee”.

The crowd gasps in utter surprise and focus their gaze intently on Peter. They question if he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing among them, so in Peter’s mind, only a direct denial of Christ would stave off what could be an imminent attack by the mob. Startled, and surprised out of his comfort zone, he hated the idea of being exposed, so he does what some of us may do in similar situations. Let’s read:

Matthew 26:70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

But the devil will turn up the heat several notches, for now that the question has been raised, he has observed that Peter has become unhinged, so he prods him with another shot of sarcastic inquiry to see if he will flip. There are a lot of people flipping nowadays under pressure, and maybe, just maybe, Peter will deny any relationship with Christ, using a barrage of unbecoming words, since he seems to be greatly disturbed.

Most of us may be able to fend off a single round of aggravation from the enemy. We may quote a few texts, and pray earnestly, thereby surviving the first round. But very few Christians would be able to withstand a sustained campaign of irritation against our souls for we often become impatient and weary after just one or two bouts.

On this point, it is necessary for us to be reminded that the devils do not take a break from tempting us just because it is the Sabbath, because quite often, the irritation continues to follow us to church. Many of the temptations Christ encountered, which were specifically designed to try to irritate Him, occurred in church, as is often the case in our own personal experiences.

Multiple, and sustained irritations are launched to see if we will become discombobulated; and with each passing bout, we are increasingly tempted to let loose some choice words on the offender. But God desires that we see the real, invisible agencies behind all these situations, and pray, that sustained strength will be given to meet the sustained attacks for we are always to pray, and not faint. Let’s read:

Matthew 26:71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

Peter is now on the brink of cursing, for he is angry with Jesus for permitting the situation to come to this, especially with the knowledge that Christ can turn the tide instantly in His favor by a miracle. We too sometimes become upset with Jesus, if He does not employ His miraculous power to deliver us from adverse situations when we know He can. Just like Peter, we wonder why He sometimes allows those forces of evil to run riot, when He can diffuse the situation by a mere thought.

Thus, Peter is upset; he is angry at everybody. He is furious with those maids who just keep on following him around and harassing him and he’s upset at the paparazzi, and the news media, who are hounding him at every turn, with a ton of questions, putting their ungodly microphones in his face.

Therefore, the devil through human agents, comes in for the third and final round, for the principle of multiple assaults is a time-proven tactic, engaged quite often to wear our patience thin. Will he, or wont he succeed? Will Peter withstand the stress, or will he buckle on the brink, and blow a fuse in public? Let’s read:

Matthew 26:73 And after a while there came unto him those that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrays thee.
74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

Now that Peter has cursed out everybody in public, he looks around, and he sees a look of sadness on Jesus’ face. John who is sitting where Peter should be, near Christ, sits with his lower jaw open in utter unbelief at what he just heard, and the other church members, and the elders from Peter’s local church, who are present, immediately call for an emergency board meeting to discuss an urgent response to that which they have heard with their own two ears.

Filled with remorse, dismay, and anger at what has just transpired, and quite disappointed in his own self-righteousness Peter sinks into depression, and starts to break down with irrepressible crying. Then the devil, wishing to put the final nail in the coffin, immediately begins to infuse suicidal thoughts into Peter’s mind, if maybe he could finish him off once and for all.

When Christ warned Peter that satan desired to sift him like wheat, the word “sift” did not only mean to tempt severely, it meant to finish him off once and for all, as in six feet under. But that is next week’s Bible study “How to Avoid Suicide”. Let’s read:

Matthew 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out and wept bitterly.

[The Desire of Ages. pp713] A tide of memories rushed over him. The Savior's tender mercy, His kindness and long-suffering, His gentleness and patience toward His erring disciples,—all was remembered. He recalled the caution, “Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.” Luke 22:31, 32.

He reflected with horror upon his own ingratitude, his falsehood, his perjury. Unable longer to endure the scene, he rushed, heartbroken, from the hall. He pressed on in solitude and darkness, he knew not and cared not whither. At last he found himself in Gethsemane.

The scene of a few hours before came vividly to his mind. The suffering face of his Lord, stained with bloody sweat and convulsed with anguish, rose before him. He remembered with bitter remorse that Jesus had wept and agonized in prayer alone, while those who should have united with Him in that trying hour were sleeping. He remembered His solemn charge, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.”

He witnessed again the scene in the judgment hall. It was torture to his bleeding heart to know that he had added the heaviest burden to the Savior's humiliation and grief. On the very spot where Jesus had poured out His soul in agony to His Father, Peter fell upon his face and wished that he might die.

The situation pertaining to cursing was different however with Job, a man who is described as being a praying Christian. Job’s entire family seemed to be doing quite well, and Job, faithful to his charge as priest of his household, prayed day and night for his entire family, a noteworthy example that should be emulated in our day. But Job and his wife were not immune to cursing, if the right set of circumstances were to converge. Let’s read:

Job 1:8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

That challenge could not be made if the devils had not previously observed the words of some of Job’s family members when they were under pressure. It takes one who has been thoroughly purged from this sin, to refrain from cursing under any and every circumstance. Job’s wife had done well after the first deadly bout, for she had apparently maintained her cool after losing all her kids in one day.

And we must give credit where credit is due, for many of us would have stumbled in our faith if we were in her shoes. To lose one family member in an accident is traumatic enough, but to lose all of one’s children in the same day could drive us insane. In addition to this, several of their faithful servants bit the dust, as well as their favorite pets. So, we must say “Cheers” to Mrs. Job on how she handled the first round.

But with the utmost grief still taking its toll on her, and with their life savings practically wiped out, she is now on the verge of losing her faith, and her cool. In this state of mind, she becomes a ripe target for temptation. Will the devils succeed in their plots if they were to turn up the heat, in their attempts to spawn a barrage of curse words from Job and his wife? or will they stand their ground in the name of Jesus? Let’s read:

Job 2:3 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
4 And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.

Job 3:1 After this opened Job his mouth and cursed his day.

The next example consists of the habitual use of foul language, to the point where it has become a way of life. Isaiah was a prophet who was involved in ministry, but he too admitted that he had a habit of cursing, because the words “Unclean lips” covers a wide array of unbecoming words. His testimony, and the way in which he was given the victory are the reasons why we will use his experience as our main case study. Let’s read:

Isaiah 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

The keys to overcoming cursing, once and for all are embedded in the experience of Isaiah, for he takes us from the problem to an acknowledgement of the problem, to the only way we can be cleansed from this sin. Persons have erroneously concluded in our day that curse words are to be protected by the first amendment, and that the offensiveness of such is a matter of relativity.

Thus, as a blockbuster tell-all book was unveiled this past week, several expletive words were found to be published therein, and reproduced by the news media. The nation is therefore becoming more and more desensitized to profanity and it will, in the not too distant future, reach a point of no return, where it will be used freely in classrooms, newspapers and pulpits.

Therefore, if we truly desire cleansing from this sin we must observe closely what happened next, to brother Isaiah. Let’s read:

Isaiah 6:6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar.
7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

Like other sins, getting rid of cursing is something God has to do for us. We may try to refrain from using foul language, but because we speak out of the abundance of the heart, the spontaneous use of curse words is a reflection of the condition of our
hearts.

By the act of laying a live coal from off the altar on brother Isaiah’s mouth, is represented the miracle of cleansing which only Christ can do. The miracle was immediate, it was permanent, and it was also complete, for nowhere in the book of Isaiah does he ever reference this problem again. Therefore, if we are in Isaiah’s shoes, and, if like Peter we have not been entirely cleansed of cursing, we too will need the proverbial “Live coal”, the miraculous cleansing which God alone can give. Let’s read:

[Acts of The Apostles pp 39>40] God therefore in a miraculous manner supplied the deficiency of the apostles. The Holy Spirit did for them that which they could not have accomplished for themselves in a lifetime. From this time forth the language of the disciples was pure, simple, and accurate, whether they spoke in their native tongue or in a foreign language.

Of course, there were things Peter and Isaiah must do to safeguard the miraculous victory, as we also must do, whenever God grants us cleansing from cursing. Isaiah and Peter must from henceforth try to avoid secular movies and stand up comedies, if they know that vile language and expletives are to be expected. By beholding we become changed, and if we knowingly expose ourselves to profanity, the victory God once gave us will retrogress into oblivion.

Therefore, in closing, it is essential that we not only ask God for victory, but that we also do our best to maintain victory, for as Christ once said, “He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved”. The following passages should thus be remembered and considered, for they represent both the counsel and caution, coming from God to His people. Let’s read:

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Matthew 12: But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

God Bless!

Overcoming Porn. Sabbath Afternoon 09/01/2018

September 01, 2018

The problem of porn is much more widespread and pervasive than many people realize, or would like to admit, for it runs the entire gamut of our society’s political, secular, and religious systems, reaching as far as the higher echelons of society to the everyday John Doe on the street. It affects cabinet ministers, televangelists, politicians, clergy, bishops, priests, lay people, soldiers, students, deacons, pathfinders, lawyers, athletes, teens and elderly folk alike.

There are very many well-dressed deacons, elders, and regular church members who are, for all intents and purposes, in good and regular standing, as far as external behaviors go, but who are addicted to porn. Some could be found online in the wee hours of the morning, partaking of the forbidden fruit, and others can be found at the back of the parking lot of some notorious adult club.

Porn is deeply rooted in our culture, and is fostered in many ways, from advertisements on television, to billboard ads, to naked, graven images in churches, seducing the congregations to indulge the senses. It has now become a plague across the entire globe, it engulfs many individuals in soul-destroying habits, while others are being led into adultery, and other perversions which become difficult to overcome.

Thus, in order for us to get a proper understanding of the severity of the problem, we must first know what the Bible describes as being porn. According to the scriptures, porn is the sensual indulgence of seeing, or participating in the nakedness of anyone other than one’s spouse. This definition also covers virtual porn, live porn, printed exhibitions of porn, sexting, adult, and pedophile films, X-rated movies phone sex, and soap operas where sexually explicit
scenes are depicted.

This definition also includes advertisements where nakedness, or sexual imagery is used to sell items. Furthermore, whatever we may do, think, or say to promote the indulgence of nakedness, and sexually explicit material or activity with anyone or in any, other than our spouse, is porn. Before the internet and social media, and long before there were any televisions and movies, there was porn.

It has been around since after the fall of man, it was manifest in ages past among professed Christians or god-fearing men, and it continues in our day, being made much more readily available because of the information highways we have at our disposal. But one thing is certain, pornography is a deeply rooted problem in our society, and in our churches, and the many skeletons that are now falling out of some church closets, are just the tip of the iceberg. Let’s read:

Leviticus 18:7 The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
8 The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness.
9 The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, whether she be born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover.
10 The nakedness of thy son's daughter, or of thy daughter's daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover: for theirs is thine own nakedness.
11 The nakedness of thy father's wife's daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
12 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman. 13 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister: for she is thy mother's near kinswoman.
14 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt.
15 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son's wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.
16 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness.
17 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen: it is wickedness.
18 Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister, to vex her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her life time.
20 Moreover thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbor's wife, to defile thyself with her.
22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
23 Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.
24 Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you.
25 And the land is defiled, therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomits out her inhabitants.
26 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you.
28 That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you.
30 Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the Lord your God.

It becomes obvious from the passages above, that we have a major social and spiritual problem on our hands, and unless we address it from a scriptural perspective, it would continue to metastasize, and wreak havoc in high places and low. Therefore, God who is rich in mercy unto all those who call upon Him for help, will not only show us the extent of the problem, but will also provide the solution, so that, like David, Abraham, Judah, Solomon, Samson, and, Jacob, we too may gain the victory over porn.

Let us just say here that we are not coming to you as those who have graduated from higher schools of learning; instead we are coming to you live from the university of South Beach, a school from which few have escaped, let alone graduated.

Pornography always leads persons into some form of adultery, or sexual sin, for if we were to ask men who are thus afflicted, very many will confess that their adulterous rendezvous had its beginning in porn. The sensual thought led to the sensual act and before we knew it, we were trapped in the deadly cycle of seeing and doing, because every temptation is designed to lead to sin, as the end-product, every-one.

Thus, it was that Balaam seduced Israel into sin, for when his magic didn’t work, he turned to porn. As Israel stood upon the very borders of Canaan, they were invited to the sensual worship of the Moabites whose worship services were littered with naked images. And the worshippers themselves came to church in the most provocative clothing, so much so that indulgence took the place of repentance.

The Hebrews too, who were already disposed to porn, were all to willing to indulge their senses, and before long, the sensual worship with its attendant evils had overspread the camp. As we read the story we will observe that it was the leading men of the nation and the elders who were foremost in the sin, with the teenagers and young adults following on where they led the way. Let’s read:

Numbers 25:1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat and bowed down to their gods.
4 And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people.
6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
15 And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi.

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 455] At Balaam's suggestion, a grand festival in honor of their gods was appointed by the king of Moab, and it was secretly arranged that Balaam should induce the Israelites to attend. Great numbers of the people joined him in witnessing the festivities. They ventured upon the forbidden ground and were entangled in the snare of Satan.

Beguiled with music and dancing, and allured by the beauty of heathen vestals, they cast off their fealty to Jehovah.

The word “Vestal” means goddess; thus, if the Jews were beguiled with heathen vestals, it implies that those graven images were nude, and therefore, it was inevitable that pornographic thoughts, actions and indulgences were sure to follow. The Bible tells us that by beholding we become changed, and this principle applies to both good and evil.

Many people across the globe, both in the secular, and religious realms have become outraged at the priesthood, on account of the widespread, sexual crimes that have been going on for years. And while it is true that bishops, priests, and preachers ought to be accountable for those under their care, yet we should understand that it must be quite difficult for them to maintain pure thoughts, if they are always surrounded by naked images all day long, and have no wife to go home to. Let’s read:

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 455] As they united in mirth and feasting, indulgence in wine beclouded their senses and broke down the barriers of self-control. Passion had full sway; and having defiled their consciences by lewdness, they were persuaded to bow down to idols. It was not long before the poison had spread, like a deadly infection, through the camp of Israel.

The people seemed to be infatuated. The rulers and the leading men were among the first to transgress, and so many of the people were guilty that the apostasy became national.

The very same thing is being repeated in our day, for there is nothing new under the sun. The leading men of the Jews were foremost in the indulgence of porn, and because nations do not usually rise higher than their leaders, the problem went viral. Even in our day, several persons in positions of leadership and responsibility, have betrayed their sacred trusts through the indulgence of pornography, and related activities.

Wine, music, dancing and nudity is a toxic mix, and satan studiously brings together these elements to cause the most moral carnage to the unwary. As the song says “Red, red wine, goes to my head” because it affects our thought processes, and causes us to be insensitive to right and wrong. Then, temptations being readily available, it becomes easy to succumb
to what our fallen nature naturally craves for.

This toxic mix of music, dancing, wine and nudity is what caused the downfall of so many in Israel, it is what caused John to be beheaded, and this is what caused the idolatry at mount Sinai. Therefore, when some or all of these elements are brought together, sexual sins and porn are sure to follow. Let’s read:

Exodus 32:6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.
17 And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp.
18 And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.
19 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing.
25 And when Moses saw that the people were naked; for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame;
26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord's side?

Mark 6:17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.
18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.
19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:
21 And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee;
22 And when the daughter of Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
23 And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
24 And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
26 And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.
27 And immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison.

And many sincere Christians are now fast becoming quite disenchanted with the clergy, for what is now known to be a pervasive problem. Porn is therefore a radical problem, and it will require radical actions to overcome it. The following therefore are simple step by step instructions on how to overcome porn:

[1] Prayers of confession and pardon.
If we suffer with this problem, confessing that we do is the first step in gaining the victory, for it is an acknowledgement to God that we have sinned, and are in need of help. This then paves the way for God to minister grace and power to stop the indulgence of porn in us, and to keep us from retrogressing into the same, or a worst condition. We are not able, on our own to keep ourselves from falling, for only God can do this, so confession is needed.

In addition, our prayers on this matter can be quite simple and direct, such as “Lord, I have a problem with porn, and try as I might I just can’t shake it. I need your help, for I am weak, but you are strong” When we pray in sincerity and simplicity God will hear and answer, because Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Let’s read:

1st John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2nd Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

[2] Burning.
Any pornographic material, or videos we may have in our possession must be burned. Get some gasoline, preferably 93 octane, and burn them in a safe place. This act will not remove pornographic thoughts or tendencies from us, but it represents a statement of protest on our part against the evil. A mandatory step in the process of reconciliation to God is a personal protest against sin. Let’s read:

Acts 19:18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
19 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.
20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Symbolic burning also includes deleting any phone numbers that were previously used to contact any person involved with porn. It includes the removing of such websites from our favorite bar and blocking all adult film sites wherever and whenever possible. In other words, a proactive stand for righteousness must be made on a continuing basis so that Christ, and the devil may know that we mean business.

[3] Avoid the trigger points.
If we desire victory over porn we must do our very best to avoid the trigger points. Asking for victory and acting like a conqueror are two different things, but the one must compliment the other. Anything, anyone, anyplace, any activity that will suggest porn to our minds should be avoided wherever possible. In other words, asking God for victory, whilst we are deliberately choosing to hangout on South beach at night will render us vulnerable to the assaults of the enemy.

It is satan’s plan to surround us with porn, or other suggestive material, or even persons who dress in a pornographic manner, so that our minds are always engulfed with such themes, and especially with the advent of the internet, where porn is literally at our fingertips. Therefore, as we stand upon the brink of eternity, we will need to be particularly vigilant, lest we succumb to the trickle-down effect of what is now happening in high places.

Friends who talk of porn, and work associates who dwell on sensual topics will have to be informed of our abhorrence of such conversations. But when we countenance sexually explicit comments, and rude jokes by laughing when we should be frowning, the devil rightly interprets this as an assent to such talk, and as a general rule he will increase his assaults on our minds, and before you know it, we would be in darkness. Let’s read:

1st Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance.
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 460] Those who would not fall a prey to Satan's devices must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind should not be left to wander at random upon every subject that the adversary of souls may suggest.

[4] Avoid seclusion or reclusiveness.
Seclusion, and isolation tends to open the door to porn, with those who are struggling with this sin. On the other hand, frequent association with friends who speak, or dwell on uplifting themes, will be like therapy to the soul, for their words, and presence will tend to steer our minds in a different direction.

Evil spirits hunt like hyenas, they believe in isolating their prey before coming in for the kill. Therefore, our association with God-fearing persons will go a long way in helping to alleviate the temptations to indulge in porn. Let’s read:

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

[5] Avoid repetition:
Last but not least, it is important for us all to avoid repetition, for whenever sin is repeated it becomes more deeply lodged in our consciences. Habits are formed through repetition and characters are the result of habits formed. Therefore, whenever Jesus has granted us the victory over porn, it is critically important for us not to retrogress, by abiding in Him always. Let’s read:

Matthew 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

2nd Peter 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

In closing, we encourage any and everyone who has been bitten by the porn serpent, to arise and shine, for God will grant us grace, strength and sustaining power, to think and live like a conqueror. That being said, we leave with a promise of victory, for it is the will of God that we should fight to win, not lose. Let’s read:

1st Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

God Bless!

Overcoming Depression. Sabbath Afternoon 08/25/2018

August 25, 2018

Depression is not something unique to any one individual, for it is an experience which is common, and incidental to us mortals, living in a sinful world. If we were to ask most persons, they would be able to point to one, or several occasions in their lives when they experienced depression. From David to John, and from Job to the twelve disciples, and even Jesus Christ who knew no sin, all of us have suffered some form of depression.

The onset of depression takes place for different, and varying reasons, such as the death of a loved one, insurmountable debt, regret for a sinful course of action, or divorce proceedings, where a husband, wife and children are torn apart. With others, it may be disappointment with unfulfilled hopes, or it may be addiction to some soul-destroying habit that just won’t go away.

Again, the fear of the unknown, or the prospect of a grave, looming, difficulty may engulf our thoughts, and may take its toll on our minds and may begin to sap our energies to the point where it consumes us. Discouragement, self-pity, or an inferiority complex can also lead to depression, as well as the highs and lows experienced by those who use narcotics. Thus, whatever the reason or the cause, depression is one of the problems with which most persons are in one way or another affected.

While there are different triggering mechanisms for depression, the infusion of negative thoughts into a person’s mind is the tactic most often employed by the enemy of souls, for one purpose only, to get the person in question to give up on life, and to change course. Thereafter, the reaction often ranges from abandonment, taking of unnecessary risk, a loss of
faith, consuming large quantities of alcohol, and suicidal thoughts, among others.

With Christians however, depression is usually the result of a feeling that God has turned His back on us, or somehow has forgotten about us. This is the sentiment which was echoed by Christ when in His depression He cried out “My God My God, why has thou forsaken me?” In fact, God is always nearer to us at the times when we are weakest, even though it may not seem to be this way.

Here is where our faith must lay hold of the invisible arm of omnipotence, and trust God even though we cannot trace Him. One thing we all must remember, is that the ways in which God sees fit to bring about victory will not always align with our personal ideas and preferences, since in most instances we cannot see the end result from the beginning.

Another consideration we should bear in mind is that all things work together for the good of those who love God. All things, in and of themselves may not be good, but cumulatively, as a whole, they are pieces of a greater puzzle, which when put together produce a picture-perfect outcome. Patience, faith, obedience and trust in God are not usually developed when we are flying high on the mountain top.

These qualities are usually developed when we are in the valley, where the heat of the furnace is used to remove dross from our characters, to prepare us for some greater good which God has in mind. And therefore, like Christ, we must decide, during those times of perplexity, doubt and adversity that we will not let go our hold on God, for it is only He who can bring us forth victoriously on the other side.

Thus, for purposes of this study it is necessary for us to document from the scriptures, a few instances of depression, as experienced by God-fearing persons, so that we would understand that we are not alone in our individual situation.

[1] Joseph.
In the prime of his youth, Joseph seemed to have everything going for him, for he was his father’s favorite child, he was given a coat of many bright colors, and God gifted him with visions of future greatness. But then one day, without any warning, things took a turn for the worse, as far as he could see, for his brothers sold him into slavery, the most dreaded form of existence for a once-favored son. Few situations can be worse than being a slave in a land where one does not speak the language.

And as Joseph saw the tents of his father growing dim in the distance, he gave himself up to despair, and grief for in his mind, the sentiment uttered by Christ came alive, “My God, My God why hast thou forsaken me”. Yet, according to the Biblical record, God had not forsaken Joseph even for one moment, but was instead taking him through those necessary paces that were essential for Christian maturity. Let’s read:

Genesis 39:2 And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
21 But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.

If God through His providences did not separate him from his parents, they would have spoiled him, and could have prevented the very greatness God had prepared for him. Yet, no one saw this at that time, and if we were to ask anyone what they thought of God’s providence in Joseph then, most of us would be sure to dismiss it as being unnecessary.

God’s thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways, and were it left up to us, we will spoil most of the good God has intended for us. Joseph needed a lesson in humility, because the coat of many bright colors, as well as the visions God had given him, had been causing him to display an air of superiority in his interactions with his brothers, and even though he may not have been aware of it, had triggered the hatred and covetousness they then displayed. Let’s read:

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 213] With a trembling heart he looked forward to the future. What a change in situation—from the tenderly cherished son to the despised and helpless slave! For a time Joseph gave himself up to uncontrolled grief and terror. But, in the providence of God, even this experience was to be a blessing to him. His father, strong and tender as his love had been, had done him wrong by his partiality and indulgence.

This unwise preference had angered his brothers and provoked them to the cruel deed that had separated him from his home. Its effects were manifest also in his own character. Faults had been encouraged that were now to be corrected. He was becoming self-sufficient and exacting. He felt that he was unprepared to cope with the difficulties before him in the bitter life of a stranger and slave. Then his thoughts turned to his father's God.

[2] David.
David also was called by God to do a great work and to rule as king. God’s providences had guided him in his earlier years, with blessings and favors too many to mention. Yet, David too, experienced depression, when suddenly he became the most wanted man in the country, with king Saul hunting him relentlessly.

Negative thoughts were infused into his mind, fear for his life caused thoughts of certain death to take root and in his depression, he penned the following passages. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 20:3 And David said, as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.

Psalms 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
2 O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season and am not silent.

[3] Job.
Job too had his bout with depression. The scripture describes him as a perfect man, one who feared The Lord and hated evil. The experience of Job shows us that even a praying person may not be immune to depression, for it was when things were going well, that he had lost most of his family and possessions. Then, in his despair he utters the sentiment: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me”. Let’s read:

Job 3:1 After this opened Job his mouth and cursed his day.
2 And Job spake, and said,
3 Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived.
4 Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.
5 Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.
11 Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?
13 For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest.

Job 9:6 If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.
17 For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
18 He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.

[4] John.
John also had his experience with depression, for he was removed from active duty in his service for God and was cast into prison for doing the right thing, as was Joseph. Added to this, John could not fathom why Jesus would not come to look for Him, being his cousin, and The Messiah. Thus, many negative thoughts and unanswerable questions pervaded his mind, and severely shook his faith. Let’s read:

Luke 7:19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

[The Desire of Ages. pp 215>216] In his mission the Baptist had stood as a fearless reprover of iniquity, both in high places and in low. He had not counted his life dear unto himself, that he might fulfill his appointed work. And now from his dungeon he watched for the Lion of the tribe of Judah to cast down the pride of the oppressor, and to deliver the poor and him that cried.

But Jesus seemed to content Himself with gathering disciples about Him, and healing and teaching the people. He was eating at the tables of the publicans, while every day the Roman yoke rested more heavily upon Israel, while King Herod and his vile paramour worked their will, and the cries of the poor and suffering went up to heaven. To the desert prophet all this seemed a mystery beyond his fathoming.

There were hours when the whisperings of demons tortured his spirit, and the shadow of a terrible fear crept over him. Could it be that the long-hoped-for Deliverer had not yet appeared? How short the time since the Baptist had pointed to Jesus, and proclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” If John, the faithful forerunner failed to discern Christ's mission, what could be expected from the self-seeking multitude?

[5] Jesus.
Even Jesus was not immune to depression, for it was in the garden of gethsemane that He trembled on the brink, as he faced a life or death question for a sinful world, that for the most part, wouldn’t even appreciate the magnitude of His sacrifice. Satan also came in for the kill with his temptations, that it was all a set-up by the Father to get rid of Jesus.

God, The Father had revealed to Jesus that He had power to come from the grave, the only problem is that Christ would have to die first to exercise that power. But, in every instance where someone was to be resurrected, the one doing the miracle would be alive. But in this instance the miracle would be performed by the dead. Therefore, according to the devil’s logical reasoning, this must be a set-up. Let’s read:

John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

[The Desire of Ages. pp 753] Satan with his fierce temptations wrung the heart of Jesus. The Savior could not see through the portals of the tomb. Hope did not present to Him His coming forth from the grave a conqueror, or tell Him of the Father's acceptance of the sacrifice. He feared that sin was so offensive to God that Their separation was to be eternal.

Thus, the way in which Christ dealt with the infusion of negative thoughts and depression, is noteworthy, for we are to follow in His footsteps. Jesus clung to God in prayer until the final decision was made to move ahead with the plan of salvation. And it was only after he had surrendered fully to The Father’s will that His depression left Him. The following texts should be studied very closely. Let’s read:

Matthew 26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.
44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

[The Desire of Ages pp 693] God suffered with His Son. Angels beheld the Savior's agony. They saw their Lord enclosed by legions of satanic forces, weighed down with a shuddering, mysterious dread. There was silence in heaven. The worlds unfallen and the heavenly angels watched with intense interest as the conflict drew to its close. Satan and his confederacy of evil, the legions of apostasy, watched intently this great crisis in the work of redemption.

Very important question: What were they watching for? Answer: They were watching for Christ’s final decision, for until His decision was made irrevocably He would continue to be depressed. He must decide for Himself that He will trust in God, The Father no matter what, and then He could let go and let God.

When as Christians, we too may be experiencing a bout of depression, our firm decision must also be made to trust in God no matter what, and then we will be given the grace and fortitude to come forth as conquerors on the other side. Let’s read:

[The Desire of ages pp 690 & 693] The woes and lamentations of a doomed world rise before Him. He beholds its impending fate, and His decision is made. He will save man at any cost to Himself. He accepts His baptism of blood, that through Him perishing millions may gain everlasting life, and He will not turn from His mission. His prayer now breathes only submission: “If this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done.”

[The Desire of Ages pp 694] Christ's agony did not cease, but His depression and discouragement left Him. The storm had in nowise abated, but He who was its object was strengthened to meet its fury. He came forth calm and serene. A heavenly peace rested upon His bloodstained face.

Thus, from the instances we have reviewed, it is obvious that depression is not unique to any one person, whatever the reason or cause may be, but how we handle it makes all the difference. Thus, we are given several pointers in the Bible, to help us overcome depression, and if we were to follow the instructions as best we can, God will grant us grace to weather the storm. Let’s read:

[1] Pray without ceasing:
When we don’t feel like praying to God anymore, is when we need to pray even more. The devil will try to discourage us with logic and alternative plan B’s, and he will tempt us to think that it makes no sense to continue in prayer, but God’s instruction is for us to continue pressing on in faith, even if it seems as if no headway is being made. This first instruction is of critical importance for victory. Let’s read:

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit

Luke 18:1 And he spoke unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.

[2] Sing a Song.
The right type of spiritual songs go a long way in relieving the feelings of depression. In fact, we are told in the scriptures that songs of praise have the ability to drive away evil spirits and lighten moods. Therefore, spiritual songs of praise and thanksgiving should be sung or played whenever we are feeling down and out. Let’s read:

Matthew 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.
31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1st Samuel 16:15 And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold, an evil spirit troubles thee.
16 Let thy servants, seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to
pass, when the evil spirit is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.
17 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

[3] Bring to mind the many blessings and favors God has shown us during the sunny days of our Christian experience. Every Christian should have a diary, or a clear recollection of the many mercies and miracles God has done in our behalf in times past. When we are feeling depressed, or discouraged, it is good to bring such instances to memory, for by so doing the blessings of God are seen to vastly outweigh all the present difficulties. Let’s read:

Psalms 42:3 My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

Psalms 63:6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

Psalms 77:9 Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies?
10 And I said, I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.
11 I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

[4] Speak often with “Certain” friends.
Avoid withdrawal; instead, speak with friends who exude positive energy and thoughts, those friends who will encourage faith, hope and trust, instead of magnifying the problem. There are folks who dwell more on the darker side of life; some are prone to focus on curses, more than on blessings. Conversing with such friends in times of depression most often pulls down one’s spirit, instead of lifting up; but to speak with those of faith imparts positive energy. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 20:1 And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?
2 And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: it is not so.
4 Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.

Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

[5] Make a firm decision to trust in God, no matter what. In most instances, the reason why we may go through highs and lows during depression is that we may not have yet fully decided to stay the course with Jesus, regardless. The invisible intelligences of earth and heaven, both good and evil, are usually aware of this by close observation or watching, and until this is done, a resolute formidable mindset will continue to evade us. Let’s read:

Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
16 He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.

Psalm 56:2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

In closing, let no Christian say, think or believe that depression cannot be overcome, for the grace of God is given to us not to fight and lose, but to fight and win. Temptation and despair may take its toll, and we may shudder on the brink like Christ, but let it be known that faith is the victory that overcomes every trying and difficult challenge we may face. We therefore close with a passage which should be put to memory by all. Let’s read:

Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God bless!

Find Me A Wife. Sabbath Afternoon 08/18/2018

August 18, 2018

At the previous study we dealt with the importance of prayer, and the shining example of God’s ideal, in hearing and answering the requests of Abraham on behalf of his son, were highlighted. But now, we are going to drill down much deeper into the episode, for there are very valuable lessons, and instructions on how to go about finding a wife or a husband, in these days when it can be a challenge to find Mr or Miss “Right”.

Prayer is important, and is a necessary first step, as is compliance with any known duty, or instruction coming from The Lord in His word. But there some practical steps which must be taken, in cooperation with God, because any victory, hurdle, or challenge which we must surmount as Christians, should be dealt with in collaboration with God, for God never does for us what we can do for ourselves.

The tendency to pray and wait for answers without making any meaningful, well directed effort to find a spouse will not usually produce the desired results since the human agent has a part to play. This fact about the Christian life needs to be understood by all, so that our prayers will not savor of irrational exuberance, as is so often the case.

When God provided manna for the Hebrews, they were required to gather it every day, or else they would starve like everyone else who sat on their lees in their tents, hoping that an angel would be sent to spoon feed them. God blesses our efforts in searching for a spouse, and His will is made known on a pray as you go basis. Thus, the Bible shows us the right way to “Find me a wife” for it’s not God’s will that the man should be alone. Let’s read:

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Genesis 2:18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

Therefore, the same God who provided a wife for Adam will also provide us a spouse when we need, if we trust in Him but the following necessary steps should be taken so as to ensure good results. Four issues will be dealt with, and then we will close off with promises which encourage us to trust in God.

[1] Cooperation with God:

Genesis 24:10 And the servant took ten camels of his master and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.

Marriage is something of grave importance, with far reaching consequences for time, and eternity; thus, a diligent search must be made by those who seek to be married. With that said, Abraham’s servant saddled his camels and adopted the pray as you go method, for he understood that God will not just bring Isaac a wife on a chariot from heaven. Effort must be made in this direction.

Similarly, those who seek to be married should avail themselves of every opportunity to mingle whilst single, meaning that there must be socializing with like-minded persons on an ongoing basis. Whenever your local church or conference has social activities of any kind, there is an opportunity to meet with fellow believers, for a man who wants friends must show himself friendly.

[2] Character first:
Genesis 24:14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.

This was a test of character, not of good looks, a test of inner beauty, not outer beauty. Those who make external beauty their foremost concern in looking for a wife, are in much greater danger of infidelity, than those who choose a godly character as their standard. It does not mean that one should marry a person who has no physical attraction to him/herself, it’s just that externals should not be made the primary concern.

Beauty may fade with the passage of time, and it may be that health issues might take a toll on some persons in the future, but a godly character will stand the test of time. Therefore, in his quest, the servant of Abraham did not ask for a pretty face or excellent figure, he left that with God who knows how to give good gifts unto His children. Instead, he asked that the woman demonstrate kindness, and diligence, and a willingness to help strangers.

This would demonstrate that she would treat her new family with kindness and respect, and it will mean that she would not become a couch potato. The willingness to work, and to execute one’s duties with dispatch and zeal, is a good sign when looking for a companion, because the same effort that is put into temporal responsibilities, will also run as a common thread through one’s life experience. Let’s observe her character as we read:

Genesis 24:17 And the servant said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.

Sometimes instead of being overly concerned with finding the right person, we should try instead to be the right person, because our treatment of others, especially strangers is a reflection of who we really are at the core. This is what Solomon was alluding to when enumerating the virtues of a godly wife, which also applies to a godly husband. Let’s read:

Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou
excellest them all.
30 Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

[3] Proper financial planning:
Genesis 24:22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold.
52 And it came to pass, that Abraham's servant worshipped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth.
53 And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah.

Abraham’s servant was here sending an important message by the gifts he gave to Rebekah, that she would be well taken care of. If a man cannot afford to marry, he shouldn’t. Jacob was big on love, but he was low on finances, and thus as the custom was back then, he had to work, and show that he would be a fiscally responsible husband, who would take good care of his wife.

There is nothing worse than when both husband when wife are dead broke, when they have to stare at each other with a blank look on their faces for a lack of food on the table. Every man, and woman who is thinking of tying the knot, should strive for a noble independence, where they can stand on their own two feet, without the aid of relatives, wherever this is possible; and where it is not possible they should brace themselves for serious headwinds.

Some folks may have rushed into marriage without making ample financial preparation, and when the recessions came they were caught flatfooted. But since God is very practical in His instructions, there are necessary questions to be asked and addressed up front to stave off disaster, such as do you have a well-paying job? Do you have any rainy-day funds for those times when unexpected situations arise? Do you have good, or terrible credit?

Here in America, if a man is looking for a spouse but is working at Mc Donald’s for a minimum wage, that income will only go so far in meeting the very basic necessities of his own life, let alone the needs of an entire family. In the real world, it will be difficult to qualify for a mortgage, and other living expenses will almost certainly force such a person to depend on credit for existence.

His wife also may be forced to eat burgers and fries at his work place with employee discount, and it will be a challenge to go on a good vacation. His kids may also find themselves at the bottom of the food chain when it comes to such basic necessities as education, healthcare and food. Therefore, without proper financial planning up front, the stage is set for almost certain failure and problems, when such situations could have been avoided in some cases.

All of these and other financial questions were answered when Abraham’s servant gave Rebekah gold. Of course, there are situations where things may not have gone as planned, and for some reason beyond our control, some may have fallen on hard times. But as a general rule of thumb, wherever and whenever possible, proper financial planning should be done prior to marriage. That is the will of God.

[4] Purity:
Genesis 24:16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.

Isaac got a virgin, because he was a virgin. When a man is seeking a wife, he should be reasonable in his expectations of God, meaning, that if he was a player in times past, he should not expect one who has kept themselves pure. This is not to say that it cannot happen, for all things are possible, but what goes around often comes around in life, and if one has had sex outside of marriage, he or she would most likely be married to a person who has had sex outside of marriage.

In our day, satan has succeeded in stigmatizing chastity, and those who have swam upstream on this point are even regarded by some as being out of touch with reality. However, believe it or not, it is not God’s will that prospective spouses should sleep in the same bed, for although God has had mercy on many of us, yet His ideal remains the same for one and all. Let’s read:

Genesis 2: 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

In closing, let us always remember that it was God who originally implanted the desire for marriage, and companionship, and thus, in seeking a wife or a husband, we can safely confide and trust in Him, for He promises to give us the desires of our hearts, if all of the other prerequisites are put in place. Here are some promises from The Lord, that will help us to search diligently, believing we will find the one we may be looking for. Let’s read:

Matthew 7:9 What man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

1st John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Psalms 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

God Bless!

Teach Us To Pray. Sabbath Afternoon. 08/11/2018

August 11, 2018

As the disciples of Jesus beheld Him praying one day, they were awed with the intensity, and the earnestness of His appeals to God, The Father, and in response, one of them was moved to ask Jesus to teach us to pray. Christ responded immediately by outlining the basic way in which we should pray to God, even though He never intended that it should be repeated verbatim.

There are important highlights in the model prayer of which we should be cognizant. Firstly, we are shown the way to address God, then we are to pray for the interests of His kingdom, and then we are to recognize His sovereignty, asking that His will, and not ours be done. After submitting ourselves to His will, then our requests should be presented.

The spiritual and temporal concerns of life are also addressed, as are the issues of forgiveness of others and our own sins. Then Christ once again recognizes God’s sovereignty, by stating that all things come of Him, before closing. But Christ also warns us against using vain repetitions, as well as praying to impress others, including God, for God is not impressed with style or perfect language, for He looks on the heart, which makes all the difference. Let’s read:

Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

As the Bible teaches, prayer is the lifeblood of the Christian, the breath of our souls, by which we may communicate with God throughout the day, and in any given situation in which we find ourselves. And there are many mega-promises given us, which are intended to encourage everyone to pray. Some of these promises should be understood against the backdrop of other passages, so that our expectation in prayer will be in harmony with what is written.

One of the issues which should be very clear in our minds when petitioning God, is that whatsoever He has promised will certainly be fulfilled in due time, according to His will, and therefore, we should not pray in a manner that savors of doubt, ifs or maybes because the promises, and assurances God gives us are rock solid, and can be depended upon, where any pre-conditions are met. Let’s read:

2nd Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

1st John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.

And the response time is important too, for it’s not God’s will that our prayers should be hanging in limbo, with no expiration date. When everything else is in place, and any preconditions are met, God promises to grant us a speedy answer where He sees fit. Especially in cases of emergency, or when faced with situations which require a decision on our part. The Lord will not have us waiting in vain, for indefinite periods of time. Let’s read:

Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

But although millions of prayers are made daily, in very many cases they go unanswered, because of various reasons which we will address in the Bible. We all will like to know that God hears, and answers us when we pray, therefore, if are not getting any results, we should not sweep the matter under the rug, by using the age-old reason, God’s will be done, but we should rather ask ourselves why there is no answer.

In the model prayer, Christ prayed that God’s will be done in heaven and earth, and it is at this particular sticking point where many prayers fall flat. There is often a pulling and tugging between our will, and God’s will which then causes our prayers to fail, and there are other reasons given in the Bible of which we should be cognizant, for the stage must be set right to facilitate the answers to prayers. Let’s read:

[1] Misguided requests.
James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

[2] Despising reproof and counsels from God.
Proverbs 1: 28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me.
29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:
30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own
way and be filled with their own devices.
33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

[3] Harboring cherished sin.
Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.

[4] Practicing known evils.
Isaiah 1:15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
[5] Deliberately despising God’s law.
Proverbs 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

Conversely, if all the preconditions are met, and one approaches God’s throne of grace with the correct attitude, God is certain to hear and answer. Of this sort was the prayer of Abraham for his son Isaac, as marriage was being contemplated. And just as it is in our day, there seemed to be a scarcity of good persons to choose from. Thus, Abraham prayed to God, and it will be worthwhile for us to observe his attitude, and mindset as he prays. Let’s read:

Genesis 24:2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh.
3 And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell.
4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.
7 The Lord God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.
10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
12 And he said O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water.
14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon.
17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.
63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.
64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she
saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.
66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.
67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife.

And they lived happily ever after! However, even though Abraham and Eliezer prayed, Isaac’s prayer, his mindset, and attitude were critically important, because it was necessary for him to be walking in harmony with God’s instructions, not only on the issue of marriage, but also in all other issues. Let’s read:

Genesis 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife.

At forty years of age, we are not sure how many of us would have left the matter up to God, let alone having our parents have any say in the matter. The disposition to take advice from one’s parents, and from those who are advanced in years, means very much to God, especially when such individuals are God-fearing, and give counsel in harmony with His word.

In fact, the right attitude means so much to God, that a request may be presented unintelligibly, with bad English, incorrect language, or green verbs, and God will still hear and answer. The reason why we keep saying that God is A Spirit is because He is much more concerned with the heart, than with the variables that come with mere externals.

In other words, a humble person who can’t speak proper English will get answers to their prayers, while a person who may be puffed up with a sense of their self-importance, but who displays brilliant oratory, will walk away empty-handed. Thus, the attitude with which we pray often makes all the difference.

Now we turn to the other side of the issue, where many, if not most young adults believe that their parents should not interfere in their choices. Some become engaged in their teens to someone who has captured their affections, and because many do not know the difference between love and infatuation, they seal the deal before their parents can make any meaningful input.

And in many cases, even if the parents were to make some reasonable observation or objection, it is viewed as an encroachment on one’s freedom of choice. Such was the case with Samson, who was infatuated with a good-looking philistine, and since man looks on the outward appearance, he allowed externals to override sound judgment, as is so often the case.

Then, as his parents tried to make an observation, he asserted his right to choose, and demanded that they go along with his plans, for his song was “It’s my life”. Those who would not honor their parents in their decision-making processes, will most likely not honor God too, and as a result, many pray along selfish lines, hoping that God will sign off on what they have already determined to do anyway.

Such prayers are usually answered according to the person’s own will, and not according to God’s, for He sees that they have already made their minds up, with no wiggle room for additional guidance or instruction, and thus, like the Hebrews of old, He gives them their own desire. Our attitude in prayer has a whole lot to do with the answers we receive, for if we come with a childlike, submissive attitude, God can and will do great things for us.

But if we try to bully God into accepting what we have predetermined, then our decisions will take precedence, for God never inhibits a person’s freedom to choose. Never! Acknowledging God in all our ways does not mean informing God about what we have already planned to do, regardless of His input, and asking Him to sign off on our plans.

It means, asking His guidance on courses of action, with the attitude, and willingness to surrender our preconceived ideas, if they are not in harmony with His will. Prayers made with this attitude are always answered. Always. Let’s read:

Judges 14:1 And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.
2 And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.
3 Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.

Samson might have prayed about his engagement, but if he did, there were several issues present that would have caused his prayer to reach no higher than the roof. First of all, his choice was motivated by external beauty, not moral character, and being infatuated and charmed by her good looks, he did not acknowledge the claims of God pertaining to marriage.

His infatuation caused him to forget that a humble God-fearing Christian woman is better than a good- looking philistine with no character. And there are many such philistines roaming about nowadays. He also failed to honor his parents by even considering their advice, for the tenor of his response to them was more of a command than an inquiry. And if one abhors advice from God-fearing parents, they are most likely to refuse guidance from God.

Therefore, if Samson had prayed with these mixed up attitudes, he would most likely receive the go ahead to do as he pleased, for it’s obvious he was bent on doing his own thing. If we are dead set on having our own way, it’s best not to pray, for we will become even more frustrated when our prayers aren’t answered.

Thus, as stated before, an attitude of humility and a child-like submissive spirit is of utmost importance when seeking God’s guidance and His blessing. Also, if we are aware of God’s instructions in any matter, it’s important that we seek to align ourselves in His will, instead of asking Him to bless that which He has proscribed, for God never blesses what He has told us not to do.

In closing, let our prayers ascend to God in sincerity and in truth, and may our attitudes be of such that we are willing to listen to His voice, as it is in His word, or by any other providence He may choose to guide us. Whenever and wherever these essentials are put in place, God will hear and answer every prayer that comes from such persons. Let’s read:

2nd Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

God Bless!

Different Forms Of Lying. Sabbath Afternoon 08/04/2018

August 04, 2018

Lying, and all of its derivatives has now become the order of the day, and it has reached unprecedented levels, to the point where people are becoming very desensitized to the evil. Anywhere there is constant barrage of lies, and deviations from truth, there we may be certain that the forces of evil spirits are on the ground, taking up residence in the hearts of all who are prone to believe, and to tell a lie. Lying is a product of the devil, who is described as the father of it.

Therefore, whenever any type of falsehood is being practiced, whatever the reason, we may know with certainty that it is the principle of the kingdom of darkness at work. But sad to say, this practice has now become the order of the day in our society, to the point where many think it necessary to tell lies, in order to do business, to save face, and to avoid prosecution, among other reasons.

With human beings, the problem began after Adam and eve sinned in the garden of Eden, where they both blamed each other, and the devil for their sin. Blaming others for our wrongs is a form of lying, and once the trend was set in motion, it cascaded, and developed into a way of life for many persons. Even the patriarchs and the people of God were not immune to the syndrome, for it affects everyone in high and low places, in one way or another.

One of the derivatives of lying is that it produces, many other forms of lying, and morphs into modes of thought and action which then become a way of life for many. Advertisements as we know, are often pregnant with lies, but the ordinary John Doe is also prone to suffer from the same problem too.

Therefore, the following examples from scripture do constitute a mini catalog of the various forms of lies as practiced anciently, and currently, with some of the reasons, and excuses often given to justify the use of falsehoods. We will also observe that they run the entire gamut from “Necessary lies” to lying for no reason whatsoever. God help us! Let’s read:

[1] Lying to shift the blame to others.
Genesis 3:11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

[2] Lying to hide criminal evidence.
Genesis 4:9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
[3] Lying to protect oneself.
Genesis 12: 11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:
12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

[4] Lying to justify a previous lie. By the way, half-truths are whole lies!
Genesis 20:10 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?
11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake.
12 And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.

[5] Lying because of peer pressure.
Genesis 27:8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.
9 Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savory meat for thy father, such as he loveth:
10 And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.

[6] Acting out a lie.
Genesis 27:18 And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son?
19 And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy first born; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.

[7] Lying in testimonies, about God’s blessings.
Genesis 27:20 And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the Lord thy God brought it to me.

[8] Lying with good intentions.
Joshua 2:3 And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.
4 And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:
5 And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.
6 But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.

Important Note on lying with good intentions: Hebrews 11:31 By faith Rahab, perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace”. The words “By faith” in instances such as this, do not mean that God approved of her lies; instead, He honored her faith, but the method employed in the exercise of her faith does not bear the stamp of heaven, and we are nowhere in the Bible encouraged to use our good intentions as an excuse to lie.

[9] Lying to shift the focus from our own misdeeds.
Genesis 37:31 And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood;
32 And they sent the coat of many colors, and they
brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no.
33 And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.

[10] Spontaneous, or sudden lying.
Matthew 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
25 He saith, Yes.

Then on to our day, where lying can be traced on loans, and mortgage applications, lies are told to to cover extramarital affairs, lies are to be found on resumes, some lie to get a job, politicians lie to get elected, others exaggerate, some lie intentionally, some state facts in such a way as to favor a certain position over another. Lies are also to be found on tax returns, where phantom aunts and uncles, in-laws and outlaws arise from the grave in April, only to disappear into never-land after hefty refunds are received.

Lying often occurs by remaining silent in a certain situation, some lie by misrepresenting God, and by hiding our faith, and by changing TV channels when we hear our parents at the door. Worst of all, some people lie for no reason, for they take delight in the very atmosphere of falsehood. Therefore, The Lord through his servant defines it this way. Let’s read:

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 309] False speaking in any matter, every attempt or purpose to deceive our neighbor, is here included. An intention to deceive is what constitutes falsehood. By a glance of the eye, a motion of the hand, an expression of the countenance, a falsehood may be told as effectually as by words.

All intentional overstatement, every hint or insinuation calculated to convey an erroneous or exaggerated impression, even the statement of facts in such a manner as to mislead, is falsehood. This precept forbids every effort to injure our neighbor's reputation by misrepresentation or evil surmising, by slander or tale bearing.

Even the intentional suppression of truth, by which injury may result to others, is a violation of the ninth commandment.

One of the main causes of lying is a lack of faith in God. Abraham doubted God’s protection of himself and Sarah, and we too are often prone to doubt the promises of God in certain situations, thus resorting to lies to deliver ourselves. This was what had taken place with David on numerous occasions, where he doubted that God would protect him in certain dire situations, and afterward, as he reviewed his own history, he was inspired to write out the following passages. Let’s read:

Psalms 120:1 In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.
2 Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.
3 What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?
4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.
6 My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.

However, the Bible is clear upon this issue, for even though in times past it was indulged with apparent impunity, even by God-fearing persons, yet, in our day as we stand upon the brink of eternity, we must try by the grace of God to speak and live truthfully, for the characteristic of truthfulness is specifically pointed out in the book of Revelation, as one of the qualities of those who will be translated, because, throughout the pages of sacred history, God has voiced His abhorrence of a disposition to practice falsehood. Let’s read:

Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

2nd Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
3 Trucebreakers, false accusers,
5 Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Thus, we embark on a study of the history of David on this issue, for in many circumstances, his life experience was tarnished by the practice of lying. Therefore, as we observe his frailties, and our own, let us resolve by the grace of God, to permanently put these evils away, because the history of those who have gone before was written for us who are living in the last days.

Lying to protect ourselves in difficult, or dangerous circumstances is often overlooked by many as being a necessary evil, and even Christians may think that there is nothing wrong with it, once our motives are upright. But the word of God speaks clearly today to us, that there is never a good enough reason for us to resort to lying. This is where David stumbled over and over again until he asked God for cleansing, and because it has become so widespread, we will focus on this particular form.

David was going good for a while, trusting in God alone for deliverance from Saul, and God gave Him undeniable evidence that holy angels would protect him. But after satan launched multiple assaults via Saul against him, David’s patience and faith in God grew dim, and he turned to lying in various forms as a means whereby he may surmount the dangers he
faced. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 21:1 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?
2 And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know anything of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.

David most likely did no plan to lie to the priest of God, in so blatant a manner, so it must have been some unforeseen circumstance that caused him to switch gears on the spur of the moment. Often, we too may utter falsehoods, if satan throws us a curve ball suddenly, then we resort to lies. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 21:7 Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the Lord; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.

1st Samuel 21:10 And David arose and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.
11 And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands?
12 And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.
13 And he changed his behavior before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard.
14 Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to
me?
15 Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?

Thus, after having several close encounters with Saul, in what he saw as near-death experiences, a settled conviction rested upon his mind, that it was only a matter of time before he would fall by the sword of Saul. In his fear for his life, he may have forgotten that God had already anointed him king, but his faith in God was so severely shaken, that he failed to look beyond current circumstances.

Here’s an important lesson for us. Often, when our attention is fixed on current difficulties or dangers, the sure promises of God often fade into oblivion. It is at such times that we are often tempted to adopt lying as a form of self-deliverance, but we would be much better served if we were to bring to mind the many times God has delivered us in times past, and in most cases, the shadows that have enveloped our minds would be lifted. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 27:1 And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.
2 And David arose, and he passed over with the six hundred men that were with him unto Achish, the son of Maoch, king of Gath.

By turning to the enemies of God for help, David placed himself on satan’s enchanted ground, and the enemy would waste no time in making the most of the situation. When Christians encounter dangers or difficulties, we should never turn to the enemies of God for help. This advice will be of great value in the not too distant future, when the mark of the beast spreads across the land.

1st Samuel 27:8 And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.
9 And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.
10 And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Kenites.
11 And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines.
12 And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore, he shall be my servant forever.

1st Samuel 28:1 And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.

There we go again, because now that David is in the camp of the enemies of God, and they are about to make war on God’s people, it will be interesting to see how he will deal with this temptation. Will he join forces with God’s enemies, and thereby go to war against his own brethren, or will he lie his way out of his predicament? Christians should never ever turn to the enemies of God either for help or protection. Never!

Psalms 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

1st Samuel 29:2 And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rereward with Achish.
3 Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrews here? And Achish said unto the princes of the Philistines, Is not this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, which hath been with me these days, or these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell unto me unto this
day?
4 And the princes of the Philistines were wroth with him; and the princes of the Philistines said unto him, Make this fellow return, that he may go again to his place which thou hast appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he be an adversary to us: for wherewith should he reconcile himself unto his master? should it not be with the heads of these men?
6 Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the Lord liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favor thee not.
7 Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines.

Here was an opening which was provided directly by the providence of God, for David to disentangle himself form the snare satan had set for his feet. In this instance, God used the national prejudice of the philistines to have David in disdain, but poor David had become so accustomed to lying that even now, he felt that he must throw in a few white lies into the mix. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 29:8 And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, that I may not go fight against the enemies of my lord the king?
9 And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.
10 Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master's servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart.
11 So David and his men rose up early to return to the land of the Philistines.

Hear the word of The Lord now! Whenever we are in difficult or dangerous situations, there is no need to resort to lying to deliver ourselves, for God has solemnly promised to be with us until the end of the age. Even if we have brought trouble upon our own selves, we should not feel forced to lie, for if we choose that route we may become trapped in a cycle of lies that we will have to be modifying and changing to cover our tracks.

Thus, as we see what is transpiring on the national stage, and as we view the inevitable trickle-down effects, let us try by the grace of God to be found without guile in our mouths, for The Lord is able to take care of His people in any and every situation. Thus, we close with a promise that should be put to memory for it will come in handy whenever we may face any existential threats. Let’s read:

Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
10 Be still and know that I am God.
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
God Bless!

Overcoming Revenge. Sabbath Afternoon 07/28/2018

July 28, 2018

Revenge: The action of inflicting hurt, or harm on someone for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands. Synonyms include vengeance, retribution, retaliation, reprisal, requital, recrimination, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

It is never good to seek for revenge or to rejoice in retribution when our enemies may fall. The godly sentiment, after one’s adversaries take a hit should be sadness, and seeking restoration wherever it is possible. But for us to gloat over the failures of our adversaries, sends the wrong message, and it’s not akin to the Spirit of Christ. Hence the reason why the following passages should be memorized, and practiced, in co-operation with The Spirit of God. Let’s read:

Proverbs 24:17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
18 Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst give him drink.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Being a Christian does not in any way minimize our sense of justice, in fact, the understanding, and the practice of God’s laws and principles makes justice more acute, and well-balanced. But mercy is most often to be preferred, especially when dealing with any personal wrongs that may have been done to us because a disposition of being quick to forgive, and forget, the attitude of joy, and eagerness for reconciliation is well pleasing in God’s sight.

However, we must not believe that as Christians we would not experience feelings of revenge, for this is what natural human nature clamors for, whenever injustices or wrongs are done to us personally. If we experience these sentiments occasionally, that does not mean we are not Christians, but we are to resist these feelings, by asking God to remove them, and instead implant His grace, and His own Spirit in our hearts.

But those who erroneously conclude that they are invulnerable to these sentiments, in an unguarded moment, will blow a fuse. All of the 12 disciples had serious flaws in their character, for even John, who is described as the one closest to Jesus was found to be indulging revenge on different occasions. Christ therefore encouraged him not to travel down that road, for it eventually drives a person insane, as it did with king Saul.

Another point we must take into consideration is that satan launches multiple assaults on the same point, to wear our patience thin, if we seek to justify ourselves in a wrong course of action. The same is true for the sin of revenge, whenever it is indulged. Some Christians have been willing to forgive “Most” times, but there are some occasions when we may feel that the envelope has been pushed a little too far in a particular situation.

Thus, satan sits on our shoulders, waiting to point out several logical reasons why, in such and such a case, vengeance is warranted. However, no amount of pressure, or justification on our part will warrant a departure from the principle of pursuing peace on a personal level, for we are instructed in the most solemn manner, not to pursue revenge. Let’s read:

Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Proverbs 24:29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

David had his own personal battles to fight with the sin of revenge, for he went from partial indulgence, to resolute resistance, to full-blown reprisal when Nabal got under his skin. He was tempted over, and over again on the same point until he admitted that he had a problem, and turned decisively away from that course of action, by the grace of God. But it is not an easy victory to gain, for it goes against our natural grain.

David was being hunted like a wild animal by Saul, who was bent taking his life, and to all appearances it seemed as if The Lord had provided the perfect opportunity for him to take revenge. Even his most trusted soldiers, when evaluating the situations had concluded that The Lord was encouraging David to retaliate, but God was only proving him. There are times when logic points in one direction, but the will of God is in the opposite direction. As Christians we must know the difference. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 24:2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.
3 And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.
4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.
5 And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
6 And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.
7 So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way.
8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.
9 And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?
10 Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the Lord's anointed.
12 The Lord judge between me and thee, and the Lord avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
13 As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.
15 The Lord therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.

In this previous episode, David partially indulged in revenge, with the backing of his soldiers, but God reproved him for even cutting off Saul’s skirt. There are times when we too may have almost sinned on this point, but it is never advisable or safe to indulge temptation in the slightest degree, for revenge can become a slippery slope very quickly. Thus, another opportunity must be given for David to take a decisive stand against this evil. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 26:3 And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness.
7 So David and Abishai came to the people by night: and, behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but Abner and the people lay round about him.
8 Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time.
9 And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless?
10 David said furthermore, As the Lord liveth, the
Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish.
11 The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go.
12 So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them.

This second time around David was quite decisive in refusing to indulge even the thought, for he spoke against Abishai’s suggestion in definitive terms. It is worthy of note that in both instances, satan spoke through David’s most loyal friends, as he often does when trying to tempt us to depart from the straight and narrow path.

At such times even the providences of God may be misinterpreted by those who may have the best of intentions. Therefore, it’s important that the advice we accept must have God’s Spirit in it. This means that unless God has specifically instructed us to the contrary, His revealed will is to be followed to the letter, even if evidence to our senses may seem to indicate otherwise. There are critically important lessons to be learned in obedience.

When the jailhouse in which Paul and Silas were locked up was shaken by an earthquake, and the chains fell off their hands and feet, it was not God’s will that they should escape, because God had not specifically told them to do so, even though it may have seemed as if His providence was suggesting otherwise. They were to remain incarcerated until God gave them specific instructions in the matter.

But, even though David was victorious in the second episode, he had not gotten the complete victory for there were still some spots, some wrinkles, some leftovers of revenge in him. And if God left these untouched, they would grow under the cover of darkness, and ripen into active retaliation at some later time.

Therefore, God had to expose David’s core on the issue, guiding him to permanently relinquish any disposition to indulge revenge, no matter what the reason, for the Christian character must remain as pure gold, even when circumstances and situations may change. It is not God’s will that we be the sport of circumstances, because when Christ is dwelling in the heart by faith continually no dart that satan may hurl at us should stick. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 25:4 And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.
5 And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:
6 And thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity, Peace be both to thee, and peace be to thine house, and peace be unto all that thou hast.
7 And now I have heard that thou hast shearers: now thy shepherds which were with us, we hurt them not, neither was there ought missing unto them, all the while they were in Carmel.
8 Ask thy young men, and they will shew thee. Wherefore let the young men find favor in thine eyes: for we come in a good day: give, I pray thee, whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants, and to thy son David.
9 And when David's young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased.
10 And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.
11 Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?
12 So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings.
13 And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff.
21 Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good.
22 So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

1st Samuel 25:14 But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our
master; and he railed on them.
17 Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.
18 Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses.
23 And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground,
24 And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid.
26 Now therefore, my lord, as the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the Lord hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies,
and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal.
30 And it shall come to pass, when the Lord shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel;
31 That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the Lord shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid.
32 And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:
33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 308] “Thou shalt not kill”… All acts of injustice that tend to shorten life; the spirit of hatred and revenge, or the indulgence of any passion that leads to injurious acts toward others, or causes us even to wish them harm (for “whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer”); all these are, to a greater or less degree, violations of the sixth commandment.

Let us then try by the grace of God to resist the urge to indulge revenge, even in the slightest degree, for God desires that we serve Him in spirit and in truth always. We therefore close with a gentle reminder:

1st Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile.

God bless!

From Eden To Eden. Sabbath Afternoon. 07/21/2018

July 21, 2018

Some folks may have wondered about the different permissions, instructions, and what may seem on the surface to be a disconnect between what God’s stated ideals are, what He has permitted in certain instances, and what He expects of us now. Added to this conundrum, there are some who use the Bible to support their preferred views, and there are folks who may quote scripture in defense of a very strict adherence to the letter.

Therefore, without the knowledge, and the proper understanding of why God does what He does, we may find ourselves adrift upon an open sea, which accommodates liberal and conservative views, and everything else in between. It is thus necessary for us to study the Bible with a humble spirit, willing to be instructed by the sacred oracles, and making room for any discretionary moves God makes, or may have made to suit specific circumstances.

So, let’s give a very brief synopsis of the pertinent issue: The human race began in Eden, when God created man, and gave us His ideals for godly living. Sin came along, and ruptured our relationship with God, ushering in the interim period, in which there is back and forth, pulling and tugging between the will of God and our own desires, God permitting us to do things He did not necessarily agree with.

Salvation is then instituted and put in place through the death of Christ, thus paving the way for all who so desire to believe and prepare for the new earth. It is summed up in four words, From Eden To Eden. That said, it is without a doubt that different texts have sent different messages at times, and thus, we who are now living in the last days of earth’s history must have a clear understanding of what the will of God is for our specific generation.

The following are just a few illustrations of what is being referred to, and they will be divided up into three main categories: [1] God’s original ideal. [2] Everything else in-between. [3] His will for the “Now generation”. As we read, let us not grasp at any so-called loopholes, neither let us make provision for the flesh, rather, let us with an earnest spirit, seek to be aligned with God’s will for us now. Some of the passages make for difficult reading. Let’s read:

[1] Marital and social relationships:
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the
image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it…

Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

[2] Diet and foods:
Genesis 1:29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

The Sabbath and worship:
Genesis 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

[2] Everything else in-between:
Deuteronomy 24:1 When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favor in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.
2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife.

2nd Samuel 12:7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
8 And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.

Exodus 21:7 And if a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant, she shall not go out as the menservants do.
8 If she please not her master, who hath betrothed her to himself, then shall he let her be redeemed: to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no power, seeing he hath dealt deceitfully with her.
9 And if he have betrothed her unto his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters.
10 If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish.

Genesis 29:28 And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
29 And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
30 And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.

Genesis 30:1 And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
3 And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.
4 And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her.
Genesis 30:9 When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife.

Deuteronomy 12:20 When the Lord thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul longeth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.

Deuteronomy 14:21 If the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to put his name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which the Lord hath given thee, as I have commanded thee, and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.
23 And thou shalt eat before the Lord thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the Lord thy God always.
24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the Lord thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the Lord thy God hath blessed thee:
25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose:
26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household.

Leviticus 11:2 These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth.
3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.
4 Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
5 And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but
divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
6 And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.
7 And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.
8 Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.

Romans 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Judges 17:5 And the man Micah had an house of gods, and made an ephod, and teraphim, and consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.
6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Exodus 16:28 And the Lord said, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?
29 See, for that the Lord hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.

Ezekiel 20:13 But Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted.

[3] God’s will for the “Now Generation”:
Revelation 2:18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;
19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Here are just some of the reasons why we may see what may look like a disconnect between what God originally ordained, and what He permitted and did during the in-between period. Although we may not know every specific reason, yet, as a general rule of thumb, God honors the freedom of choice that He has blessed us with, even when it may go contrary to what is best for us. So, the following are the main reasons, why he permitted or did certain things that may seem contrary. Let’s read:

[1] Continual resistance to God’s revealed will:

Ezekiel 20:24 Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols.
25 Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live.

[2] Insisting on having our own desire:

Psalms 78:29 So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire.

Genuine ignorance of God’s revealed will:

Numbers 15:2 And if ye have erred, and not observed all these commandments, which the Lord hath spoken unto Moses,
24 Then it shall be, if ought be committed by ignorance without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bullock for a burnt offering, for a sweet savor unto the Lord, and one kid of the goats for a sin offering.
26 And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in ignorance.

Proverbs 4:19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

Therefore, believers who were living in adulterous relationships for many years, with several wives, such as Abraham, Jacob, David, Solomon, and the many other thousands of otherwise faithful people of God in times past will be saved in God’s kingdom, while those who are living in the “now generation”, who are standing as it were on the brink of eternity, will be lost eternally if we were to practice the same things as what Abraham and David did.

Those who have opportunity to make the needed changes through repentance, and a turning away from sin, but who point to the previous scriptural examples of God’s circumstantial permissions, to sustain themselves in a wrong course of action, will find themselves on the opposite side of the fence when Christ comes. In other words, David, Jacob, Abraham and Solomon will be celebrating with their harps, while those from the now generation who followed on in their footsteps will be lost.

Again, many Sunday keepers from days gone by will be saved in God’s kingdom. Such Christians may run the entire gamut, from Martin Luther, Zwingli, and John Knox to Calvin. They may include some of our own relatives and friends who were otherwise true to God, but upon whom the light of the Sabbath did not yet dawn. They will be saved when Jesus comes because they sincerely followed Jesus to the best of their knowledge.

However, after the truth about the Sabbath goes viral world-wide, and there remains no doubt as to its obligatory claims, then, if the “now generation” were to point to those past Christians, as a reason why they should continue worshipping on the first day of the week, then they will be lost in the final conflagration, for to whom much is given, much will be required.

Again, on the issue of diet, whatever we may have read in the Bible concerning God’s permissions for His people in former years, and whatever Paul may have wrote for the people of his day, if it is not in harmony with the health message for the “Now generation”, and if it is conflicted with information God has revealed through His servant for our day, it will become a snare whereby many will stumble and fall.

Thus, we must close with a passage of scripture which every true believer should observe, for it pertains especially to our generation, to whom the full glory of God’s will has been revealed. Let’s read:

Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained.
God bless!

Testing The Prophets. Sabbath Afternoon. 07/14/2018

July 14, 2018

One of the symptoms of these last days is that there would be a proliferation of false prophets across the land, in so much that Christ saw fit to warn us about their activities, their purposes, and their source. It is not good for us to believe any and every prophet or televangelist who claims to be God-sent, for as far as we know, none of them ever claimed to be sent by satan, yet according to the Bible, false prophets are much more numerous than the true.

It has always been the case that false prophets will outnumber those God-ordained servants, who try to turn the people from their sins. This is because it is stated in the scriptures that the false specialize in soothing itching ears, lulling the unwary into a false sense of security, and above all prophesying for the sake of gain.

Therefore, the children of God, the world over, are not to be ignorant of their devices, but it is our God-given duty to distinguish between the true and the false, with the purpose of embracing the good and rejecting the evil. The warnings God has seen fit to impart to us are given for very valid reasons, and no one can view them lightly except at the peril of their souls. Let’s read:

Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.

2nd Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 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.

The reason why there are so many false prophets is because they know what the multitudes desire to hear, and they feed them the things they desire, such as [1] Once saved always saved. [2] When you die you go to heaven. [3] God will bless you even if you live in deliberate violation of His revealed will. [4] God will heal you, regardless of your violation of the laws of health. [5] God will forgive any sin. Etc.

And there are several other smooth doctrines that are promoted and disseminated by false prophets such as the prosperity gospel, and the doctrine of freedom to do whatsoever one desires, because of Christ’s sacrifice; the doctrine of a second probation and the false prophecy that Christ will usher in His eternal kingdom beginning in Jerusalem.

These are just some of the smooth things itching ears crave, for they are in harmony with the carnal desires of man’s fallen nature, just as it was in days of yore. On the contrary, a true prophet isn’t usually welcomed, nor appreciated by the multitudes of people, because as a general rule of thumb, those messages sent by God do not appeal to what we
prefer to hear. Let’s read:

1st Kings 22:5 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord today.
6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
7 And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might enquire of him?
8 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.
12 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the Lord shall deliver it into the king's hand.
13 And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.
14 And Micaiah said, As the Lord liveth, what the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak.

Therefore, it behooves us to test the prophets, to see whether they are sent of God, or sent by satan, for the source makes the world of difference. The Bible has given us several smell tests that should be applied before we subscribe to the teachings of any prophet not found in the Bible; and the application of these tests are never to be regarded as a lack of faith, but as a guarantee that we are not being led blind-folded to perdition.

Test [1] Deuteronomy 13:1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,
2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;
3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

This is the first and foremost test given, for it has to do with the tendency to lead, or not to lead astray. In other words, if the tenor of a prophet’s words are of such as to lead us away from God, and if the end result of their teachings encourage disobedience, or rebellion against God, then that prophet is false and should be utterly rejected.

Test [2] Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Prophets who teach that God’s law is abolished are false prophets, plain and simple. It does not mean that they cannot change, but presently they are in the false category. God’s law is the only part of the Bible that was written in stone, to show its eternal nature, and therefore, if one comes along saying it is no longer binding upon men, then that person is striking directly at the foundation of The Lord’s government, and by their teaching, renders God’s plan of salvation null and void.

Test [3] Deuteronomy 18:21 And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?
22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

Be very, very careful with this one! False prophets have at times predicted future events precisely, and true prophets can predict events that do not come to pass. There are circumstantial prophecies, where the outcome depends on the response of the folks involved. Such was the case with the prophet Jonah, who was sent by God with a very specific prophecy which did not come to pass.

This did not make him a false prophet, because the response of the Ninevites had affected the outcome and therefore, the God-given prophecy was then to be rendered void. Again, Samuel had prophesied of Eliab, that the Lord’s anointed was before Him, yet it was not accurate, for at this specific time God had not said so.

This was Samuel’s own judgment being based solely on external evidences, however, Samuel made the correction as soon as The Lord instructed him. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 16:2 And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord.
3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.
6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.
7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

The tendency to hold God rigidly to His word, when He is dealing with frail human beings, could cause us to reject His true servants, if in some instances, everything may not add up squarely. Being a true prophet does not make him/her infallible, and thus, we should be willing to walk humbly with God, just in case we might need some wiggle room.

Some have made it their life work to search out for minor inconsistencies in the writings of Ellen white, and they point to these, as veritable proof that her writings are flawed, and therefore could never have been inspired. There will be a great awakening one day soon, when we may discover too late, that it is God who is perfect, and not man, through whom He channels His messages and instructions.

In the Bible, one gospel writer describes a situation where two blind men were healed by Jesus Christ. Another gospel writer says it was one blind man. If we were to quibble and stumble over these minor discrepancies in the prophetic writings, we would eventually reject not only Ellen white, but the Bible itself. The believing mind will accept what the Bible states in such instances, meaning that it was both one, and two blind men. Let’s read:

Matthew 9:27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.
28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

Mark 10:46 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.
47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
51 And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.
52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

In fact, when we examine God’s own testimony of Samuel, we discover that God gave him a perfect A rating. Similarly, when we read in the Bible that Job was a perfect man, it does not mean that Job didn’t have any faults or errors, it means that the overall tenor of his life tended to perfection. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 3:19 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

Therefore, it’s necessary for us to remember that the accurate fulfillment of prophecy is just one slice of the pie, when it comes to testing the prophets, the main test being the tendency to lead, or not to lead astray. If the general tenor of a true prophet’s work is to lead to God, to obedience to His laws, and to reverence His name and His word, then that prophet is in all likelihood valid.

Test [4] Physical phenomena:
Numbers 24:3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said.
4 He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open.

Acts 10:9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners and let down to the earth.

Acts 22:17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;
18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

Daniel 10: 4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption,
and I retained no strength.
9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me

It is often the case when in vision, that a prophet may not breathe. During such a time the he/she would be sustained solely by the power of God until the vision is complete. This phenomena may last up to several minutes, or hours as the case might be, thus giving evidence that God’s power is at work in the person who is thus exercised.

[C.E.T pp 11] He explained to the people that she did not breathe while in vision. Then he turned to Daniel 10:17 and read Daniel's experience while in vision: “There remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.” Elder White next invited those who cared to do so to come forward and examine Mrs. White. He always gave freedom for such an examination and was pleased if a physician was present who could examine her while in vision.

As the people pressed close, they saw that Mrs. White did not breathe, yet her heart continued to beat normally, and the color of her cheeks was natural. A mirror was brought and held before her face, but no moisture gathered on the mirror. Then they brought a candle and lit it and held it close to her nose and mouth. But the flame stood erect, without a flicker. The people could see that she did not breathe.

For two hours Mrs. White was in vision. For two hours she did not breathe. Then as the vision came to a close, she took a deep inhalation, paused for about a minute, breathed again, and soon was breathing naturally. At the same time she began to recognize her surroundings, becoming conscious of what was going on about her.

God in His mercy has given to His remnant people a goldmine of information, instruction, and counsels, ranging from the raising of children, health related issues, financial advice, and counsels on marriage and divorce. These instructions were given to shed light on matters that were previously obscured, or were hidden from view, or were barely understood.

In particular, the revelations thus given are meant to prepare God’s people to stand through the last great conflict on planet earth, for there are many instructions given on how to meet the coming crisis intelligently, strategic moves to be made, and how to prepare for the transition period, when we will move over to trusting in God alone, for our bread and water. Let’s read:

[L.D.E pp 99>100] Again and again the Lord has instructed that our people are to take their families away from the cities, into the country, where they can raise their own provisions, for in the future the problem of buying and selling will be a very serious one. We should now begin to heed the instruction given us over and over again.

Therefore, in testing the prophets, it is God’s will that we do so with the intention of receiving His words, which can save us from making grave errors.
God Bless!

Six Dispositions Of Saul. Sabbath Afternoon. 07/07/2018

July 07, 2018

The history of Saul, Israel’s first king, was written for those who were to come after, so that by a carefull study of his rise and fall, we in our turn might make straight paths for our feet. Saul was called to be the head of the nation, and at the outset he seemed to be a timid and humble person, for when it was time for his inauguration, he was found to be in hiding.

But apparent humility does not always prove to be genuine, because genuine humility is a by-product of the indwelling of The Holy Spirit, in cooperation with our freedom of choice. In other words, a really humble spirit is not a naturally occurring ingredient of human nature, and thus, it must be implanted by God, and carefully nurtured when God leads us in ways we may not necessarily agree with.

Saul’s initial opinion of himself was not accurate, and our opinions of ourselves are not correct either, therefore, it is God alone who can show us our real selves, by bringing us into difficult circumstances in which our weaknesses surface. Then, if we’ll accept the revelation of God by confessing our sins without making excuses, and blaming others, Jesus stands ready to forgive, forget, and to cleanse. Let’s read:

Psalms 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Our intellectual abilities would often drive us to make certain discretionary decisions, which in our own sight may seem as the right thing to do in such and such a situation. That’s all well and good, but a truly humble person will bow to the sovereignty of God whenever we must choose between our ways and God’s ways. In other words, humility will lead us to accept and follow God’s directions, even when we may think He is making a mistake. Let’s read:

Isaiah 66:1 Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.
2 For all those things hath mine hand made, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Psalms 119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

When the people of Amalek had attacked the men of Israel in the wilderness without being provoked, The Lord had then stated to Moses that the warlike tribe would be blotted from under the heaven. But because God is merciful, and takes no pleasure in the destruction of the wicked, He allowed time for grace, and repentance, if haply, like the Ninevites, they would somehow change course, and secure a reversal of coming judgment.

For four hundred years God’s sentence was put on hold, until His mercy could no longer overlook their stubborn rebellion, and therefore the time had now fully come for Him to execute judgment against the Amalekites. To Saul was given the explicit command by God through the prophet Samuel, to slay utterly everything and everyone that pertained to Amalek. But Saul disobeyed, and in his, sin six dispositions of Saul surfaced.

These dispositions are often found to be in many of us who are professed Christians, and therefore, as we read the sacred history of Saul’s fall, it should be with an introspect look, to see if we may have those same tendencies, and if so, we may find pardon and forgiveness while mercy still lingers, for God is in the business of restoration, not condemnation.

Christ does not point out our errors just to make us feel bad, for it is His purpose that we know our true selves, that we may see our need of cleansing, and if we so choose, He will forgive and restore. Christ’s way is a way of reconciliation, not of denunciation, and therefore, any sin which we truly confess will be truly be forgiven. Let’s read:

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Thus, as we embark upon the study of the turning point of Saul’s career, let us remember that these six dispositions which will be revealed, didn’t occur in a vacuum, but instead were cultivated, in spite of the most earnest efforts by God and Samuel to try to save Saul from irretrievable ruin. Let’s read:

[1] The disposition to use independent judgment.

1st Samuel 15:1 Samuel also said unto Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the Lord.
2 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.
3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
5 And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.
7 And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.
8 And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.

It is often the case that our own ways, methods and modes of thought and action would not be aligned with God’s, and therefore it’s important for us to be humble enough to surrender our own preconceived ideas whenever, and wherever they are found to be out of sync with God. In fact, the Christian’s life is an ongoing project to fully align our minds with the mind of God. That’s why the scripture says “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus".

Therefore, it’s important for us to decide in advance that if for some reason there is a clash of wills and ways, we would humbly bow to the sovereignty of God, knowing that He does, and knows what is best and right in any given situation. Two passages in the scriptures express this sentiment. Let’s read:

Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

[2] The disposition to blame others for our faults.

1st Samuel 15:13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the Lord: I have performed the commandment of the Lord.
14 And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?
15 And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.

It is never a good policy to blame others for errors we have made, because the journey to restoration begins with a candid acknowledgement of our sins, without seeking to incriminate others, without the use of excuses such as peer pressure, circumstances or the most famous one, “The devil made me do it”. Confession to God should never be done with the intent to implicate others. Let’s read:

Luke 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done
nothing amiss.

[3] The disposition to render partial obedience.

1st Samuel 15:16 Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord hath said to me this night.
19 Wherefore didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord?
20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

If Naaman had dipped only six times he would’ve remained with his leprosy, and if Joshua and the Hebrews had marched around Jericho only six times the city have remained standing. When the Jews gathered manner some gathered more, and some gathered less, but when they weighed it, somehow it boiled down to one omer.

That’s because partial obedience is no obedience at all, and if it is deliberate, then it is registered in the books of heaven as rebellion. Saul partially obeyed God’s command, but Samuel assessed his actions as witchcraft. In our day, those who deliberately obey only nine out of the ten commandments are out of sync with God, for He desires all or nothing. This is confirmed in the scriptures. Let’s read:

Deuteronomy 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:
2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

[4] The disposition to justify ourselves in sin.

1st Samuel 15:21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal.

In other words, what Saul was saying is that there are times when there are valid reasons to disobey God. It is often the case that some good may be accomplished via disobedience, but one thing is certain, God does not accept either the good that is done in such instances, or the reasons given. This is an issue that must be made crystal clear, for there are many who erroneously believe that God will be pleased if good is done the wrong way.

Cain may have brought the fruit of the ground with the reason that it was the vegetarian thing to do, or that it would avoid animal cruelty. And many drug dealers may make large contributions to their local churches, thereby providing much needed funds for charitable causes. In fact, Al Capone started one of the first soup kitchens in New York city during the great depression, and it is stated that he did more to help the people of Chicago than the state did.

Real people were helped in real time, and many hungry mouths were really filled, but according to Samuel’s evaluation given to Saul, the good that a person may intend to do will never atone for the disobedience that is done in the accomplishment of such goals. Good works do not make disobedience acceptable in God’s sight; that is one of the many delusions of the last days. Let’s read:

Deuteronomy 23:18 Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the Lord thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the Lord thy God.

Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

[5] The disposition to value praise above obedience.

1st Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Praise without obedience to God’s revealed will is flattery and should never be practiced in public or in private. In fact, if The Lord had to choose between obedience and praise, He would choose obedience any day, for praise will certainly follow after. In our day many people are loud on praise, but quite silent on obedience, and because of this Jesus cautions us not to go down that road. Let’s read:

Mark 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men….

[6] The disposition to confess only when caught.

1st Samuel 15:23 Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
24 And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
25 Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord.

We should never wait until we are forced to confess before doing so; instead, when the God speaks to our consciences, either through His word or through His Spirit, or even through the voice of a friend, we should rise to the occasion and confess our sins, for this will put us on the fast-track to restoration.

But for us to try to hide, and cover it up, and make excuses until we may be confronted or exposed will only prolong the process and this may cause us to question our own sincerity. The best time to confess to God, is when our consciences have been pricked, or as soon as we are aware of any wrong doing. To put it off gives the devil time and opportunity to do more damage. Let’s read:

Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end;
15 While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

After these six dispositions surfaced in Saul, there was still room for repentance and change if he so desired, but he allowed his wounded pride to cause bad feelings against Samuel to fester, because of the reproof God sent through His servant. And thus, God’s voice became less and less distinct in his soul, until, by hardening his own heart, The Spirit of God finally departed from him, and he was left to leader he had chosen.

When in our own Christian experience, any un-Christlike disposition surfaces, let us make haste to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and God who is quick to forgive and forget will begin the process of healing, just as soon as we confess. Thus, in closing, we are cautioned not to follow the ways of Saul and others who persisted in a wrong course, for the same God who saved Nebuchadnezzar, will heal the wounds of the weakest saint. Let’s read:

1st Corinthians 10: 11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

God Bless!

Led By The Spirit. Sabbath Afternoon. 06/30/2018

June 30, 2018

Being led by The Spirit does not only refer to doing exactly what is in the Bible, for although we are to live by every word of God, yet we must leave some wiggle room for The Holy Spirit to exercise His own discretion in various circumstances. Those who live by a strict adherence to the letter of the law, with no room for God to make changes, or to give more instructions, run the risk of misunderstanding the work of the Holy Ghost.

When the Bible states that God never changes, it is referring primarily to His character of love, which is the springboard for all His actions. Thus, although He never changes in character, yet at times He may change instructions if situations on the ground are different, or He may choose to exercise discretion in particular circumstances, as His wisdom may see fit.

It’s also important for us to remember that the path of the just is as the shining light that shines more and more until the perfect day, thus, if we were to restrict God only to what is written in the Bible, any other information, or instruction He may see fit to give us may be rejected on non-biblical grounds just as many folks in Christ’s day rejected His teachings.

For instance, we will read on numerous occasions where Christ would use the following words, “You have heard that it was said by them of old time, but I say unto you”. The word “But” involves a change in the way the people had understood certain truths, or it would involve additional light to be shed upon specific issues that had previously been given, but which needed to be elaborated on, or explained.

Therefore, it was necessary for Jesus to emphasize that He came not to change the law and prophets, but, for The moral law never changes; He was just broadening the understanding of what was already written. Some may have feared that His teaching would unseat scriptural truths, but Christ made clear that this was not the case. Let’s read:

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment.
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.

1st John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Up until the time of Christ, many in Israel may have thought themselves righteous in God’s sight, if they had merely refrained from literally killing someone. But the teaching of Christ reaches into the thoughts and intents, and emotions of the heart, and thereby showing that the evil thought that is harbored, and cherished, only waiting an opportune moment to be expressed, is just as bad as the evil act itself.

But if this additional light was refused on grounds that it was not written in the old testament, then the people would remain in darkness. In fact, when we look at the bulk of complaints against Christ by the religious authorities of His day, they were based on a perceived violation of the law, and that’s the reason why the scribes and pharisees often said to Christ: “Why do your disciples transgress the law”.

Therefore, if we would be willing to be led by The Spirit of God, we will need to leave some room for God’s discretion, additional information, and a mind that is humble enough to let God be God. In other words, if God sees fit to exercise His discretion in a particular way, or in certain matters, we should be willing to follow where He leads the way. Let’s read:

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

This leads us to a well-known story in the scriptures in which the prophet Jonah was sent to the city of Nineveh to preach a specific sermon. After trying to avoid the God-given task he afterward relented and went into the city declaring to the inhabitants that forty days were given before it would be destroyed. No caveats or conditions were given and none were advised as to what needed to be done to avert the crisis.

Forty days meant forty days, but the citizens of that city suddenly knew exactly what they needed to do, so from the king down to the peasant, everyone put on sackcloth and ashes and turned away from their sins. Thus, because the situation on the ground had changed, God responded by using His discretion and mercy, and did not do to them as He had purposed.

This change of plans in response to what the people did would have some ramifications, for Jonah may be seen by some as a false prophet. Not only this, but since God knows the future, why then did He give Jonah such a potent message, knowing that it would not come to pass? Would it cause any future threats of coming judgement to be taken lightly?

But all these questions, and others are beside the point, because, although God had given to Jonah a very direct and specific message, yet, being led by The Spirit would cause Jonah to make allowance for a change in strategy wherever warranted, even if he may be called a false prophet in the process.

In other words, if God has a choice between saving millions of people, and His word being viewed as false, so be it. His character of love did not change, but His word was changed because of the changing circumstances which had obtained. This is one of a number of difficulties people encounter with what may be written in the Bible. Again, we reiterate, we are to follow implicitly God’s word, but at the same time, let God be fully God.

Being led by The Spirit may at times involve changes to specific instructions God gave to us, but at such times the changes are to be the sole prerogative of God, and not of man. His discretion at this particular time may have caused Jonah to be looked upon as a false prophet, and he may have faced some sort of embarrassment, but if so, Jonah must still let God be God. Let’s read:

Jonah 3:1 And the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time, saying, 2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.
3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.
4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth,
and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

Jonah 4:1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.
2 And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country?
3 Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.
4 Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry?

Again, the discretion of God is made apparent in the experience of some of Israel’s kings. The Lord by His foreknowledge, saw that the Hebrews would ask for a king at some point in time and therefore He’s now going to lay down specific instructions, pertaining to how the king should govern, and behave himself. It was to safeguard both the king and the people that the following specifics were given. Let’s read:

Deuteronomy 17:4 When thou art come unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;
15 Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.
16 But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.
17 Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
18 And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites.
19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them.
20 That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.

That’s all well and good, being written in the Bible under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as are all the other passages that are written. However, we must leave some wiggle room for the Spirit to exercise His discretion, if He sees fit. We are not to demand an explanation from God, nor should we hold Him accountable if there is a change of strategy in certain circumstances, for we must let God be God.

Two passages in the context clearly show us that God reserves the right to make changes to what is written, at His own discretion, for that which He has spoken can override that which is written whenever He sees fit. Solomon was granted an abundance of riches, to the point where he became the wealthiest king who ever lived. And there were “Others”. Let’s read:

1st Kings 3:11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
13 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

The word “Gave” is a pretty disturbing word in the context, for it’s quite different than “Permit” where one might conclude that God allowed David to have several wives. Why God gave these wives to David we cannot tell, but if He so chose, we should all be humble enough to let God be God, allowing Him to use His discretionary prerogatives in the particular circumstance.

The same principle of allowing The Holy Spirit to use His discretionary prerogative is carried over into the New Testament, where there are several examples of it is written, being overridden by what God sees fit to do in given circumstances. Those who believed that it is written was set in stone, with no wiggle room for changes and adjustments, would be hard- pressed to believe that God was indeed leading.

Again, no explanation is given for why such changes were made even though they were directly contrary to what is written in the Bible, yet, it was The Holy Ghost who was leading. It is of critical importance for us to understand this, for as we enter those last, difficult days of earth’s history the same thing will be repeated, and we are warned in advance not to be too rigid, lest haply we be found to fight against God. Let’s read:

Acts 10:9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour.
10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and
fowls of the air.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.
15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with
them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ:
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

They of the circumcision are specifically mentioned, because in their minds, a terrible war was brewing, namely, what was written, as opposed to what The Holy Spirit is now directing them to do. This caught everyone by surprise, because the sudden overturn of a long held scriptural teaching has been tossed out the window. However, believe it or not, Peter and his company were being led by The Spirit of God. Let’s read:

Genesis 17:9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised.
14 And the uncircumcised man child who is not circumcised, shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

Luke 1:59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.

Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Acts 15:1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas;
23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner:
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Again, the same thing is repeated as the apostle is instructing young Timothy in regards to his ministry. Several exhortations, counsels, and instructions are given, among which is one brief word of advice on an issue of great importance and relevance to those living today and written under the inspiration of The Holy Spirit. Let’s read:

1st Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Fast-forward several centuries into the future, when there is an health epidemic raging across the globe, costing the lives of millions, and straining local and federal budgets to the point of exasperation. God now sees fit to give us additional info by His Holy Spirit, because circumstances have changed on the ground. His character is the same, but we must give Him some wiggle room to make adjustments, if His discretion so determines. Let’s read:

[Test. Vol 3 pp 211] Ministers should not neglect physical exercise. The poor health of some of our ministers is because of their neglect of physical exercise in useful labor.

[Ministry of Healing. pp 238] Inactivity is a fruitful cause of disease. Exercise quickens and equalizes the circulation of the blood, but in idleness the blood does not circulate freely, and the changes so necessary to life and health, do not take place. The skin becomes inactive. Impurities are not expelled as they would if the circulation had been quickened by vigorous exercise and the lungs fed with plenty of pure, fresh air.

It is therefore of critical importance for us to be willing to be led by The Spirit of God, for just as the path of the righteous is as the shining light which shines more until the perfect day, just so, God will lead those who are willing, to advancing light, for just as truth is progressive, our knowledge of God should also be increasing.

Therefore, we end with two passages of scripture, and a word of caution coming directly from the Spirit of God let’s read:

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

[Last Day Events pp 209>210] There is to be in the Seventh-day Adventist churches a wonderful manifestation of the power of God, but it will not move upon those who have not humbled themselves before the Lord and opened the door of the heart by confession and repentance.

In the manifestation of that power which lightens the earth with the glory of God, they will see only something which in their blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their ideas and expectations they will oppose the work. “Why,” they say, “should we not know the Spirit of God, when we have been in the work so many years?

God Bless!

Love Thy Neighbor. Sabbath Afternoon 06/23/2018

June 23, 2018

The exercise of godly love in practical ways is the sum total of Christianity, and yet, according to what is written in the Bible, it is lacking in Laodicea. The golden rule, forbearance with those who are out of the way, helping the less fortunate, and putting the interests of others first, are just some of the natural outgrowths of the indwelling of The Holy Spirit, and unless these virtues are actively exercised, the love of God in the soul will grow dim.

When Christ died on Calvary He died for all people of the earth, thus, because of His infinite sacrifice paid for our redemption, every person is extremely valuable in God’s sight, and as such they should be treated and regarded with respect, dignity and love. In other words, the way we esteem and treat others is a direct reflection of the way we value human life.

If a knowledge of the Bible does not lead us to love our neighbor, and our enemies, then our profession is vain, and will need to be touched by the grace of Christ. In fact, the destruction of Sodom was much more than a judgment against those abominable practices often referred to. The ill-treatment of the less-fortunate was one of a number of sins that had taken root in the doomed city. Let’s read:

Ezekiel 16:49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
50 And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore, I took them away as I saw good.

And the apostle Paul sums up the importance of uniform kindness, by showing us the way it is to be reckoned in heaven and on earth. Faith, miracles, and prophesying are all good, but without the gold of love as an undergirding principle, the former are of no value. Therefore, as we behold the perfection of Christ from day we should be asking God to mold and fashion us according to the great Pattern. Let’s read:

1st Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Many good things are mentioned in the passages, above, such as speaking in tongues, the gift of prophecy, martyrdom, faith, Biblical knowledge, and distributing goods to the poor. This last one is of particular interest, for above all others, it seems to be living proof that the love of God is alive and well in the soul.

But according to the apostle, it is quite possible to distribute food to the poor without being motivated by love. Therefore, he goes on to show how the law of love is exercised in real life, how the principle is to be intertwined in our daily experience, and what course of action we are to pursue whenever various situations come our way, which warrant the employ of charity.

1st Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

One day as Jesus was teaching the people, He was asked by a lawyer “who is my neighbor”, and Christ proceeded to relate a true incident that had taken place in the area. The lessons He gave from that experience not only describe who is our neighbor, but the example also demonstrates in real terms, how people who profess Christianity are to relate to others, regardless of religion, creed or race. Let’s read:

Luke 10:25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

There are several important lessons to be derived from this true story, and even though God does not condemn us wherever we have fallen short, yet He is appealing directly to the Christian churches, and individuals to adopt and practice that which He is teaching us.

Point [1] Our “neighbor” does not only include folks who live next door, it has much more to do with us showing kindness to those who are in need. In the story, the man who was stripped of his raiment, and beaten by thieves, was not known by the priest, the Levite, nor the Samaritan, a complete stranger to them all. Yet, because of his dire need, he became their neighbor. Let’s read:

Luke 10:30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.

“A certain man” means that his background, where he may have come from, his race, what church he attends, and all the circumstances surrounding his near death experience become irrelevant in this particular situation. He may have been a mayor, a lawyer, a politician, a bandit, or an immigrant, but one thing is certain, he was “A certain man” in need of help, and because of this, he became a neighbor.

Point [2] The priest and the Levite represent some of the religious people of the day, who may claim to know the Bible and it’s principles. But because faith without works is dead, their passing by on the other side demonstrated a callous disregard for human life. Whatever reason they may have come up with for not helping “A certain man” would not be valid in God’s sight, for their actions violated the Golden rule.

Professed Christians should demonstrate in their persons, a consistent and uniform benevolence that transcends racial biases and preferences. We should also be motivated by a selfless interest, manifested by Christ, and which seeks the benefit of humanity as opposed to those self-preservation modes of thought that put our own interests first. This truth is demonstrated in the next passages. Let’s read:

Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Point [3] Being a good neighbor can involve risk to the one who is thus disposed, for in the story of “A certain man” the good Samaritan could have been robbed and beaten by the very same thieves who had wounded the stranger. But the love of God in the soul does not cause apparent, or real risks to one’s person to deter him or her from doing good.

If we’d only do good when there is no risk involved, then we will need to have a talk with Christ, for the love that is born of God does not retreat in the face of danger, for Paul says, charity endureth all things. This truth was manifested in Jesus Christ, who came to save us from sin, and who was severely beaten in the process. Yet, compassion moved Him to endure all the evil done to His own person. Let’s read:

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Point [4] Being a good neighbor would involve us being willing to pay the price of being a neighbor, whenever, and wherever there may be costs. The good Samaritan not only ministered to the stranger in his immediate need, but he also made provision for his full recovery. Let’s read:

Luke 10:35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

As the richest nation on the planet, we should be more than willing to share the blessings God has so richly bestowed on us. Professing to be a majority Christian nation should have ripple effects both on a united and individual front.

In other words, just as the pilgrim fathers were once strangers, to whom God’s kindness was manifested, we who have now been recipients and beneficiaries should be willing to follow, where God has led the way. Let’s read:

Exodus 22:21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him.
22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.

Leviticus 19:9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.
10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.
33 And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.
34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land: I am the Lord your God.

Thus, in closing it is important for us to understand that there is a huge difference between profession and actual practice, when it comes to loving those who are less fortunate. Just as there are doctors without borders, there should be Christians without borders, meaning that the principle of love should transcend the nuances of race, origins, caste, social standing, or religion. In harmony with this Biblical mandate, we will close with quote from the servant of The Lord. Let’s read:

[Testimonies Vol. 5] The heart in which love rules will not be filled with passion or revenge, by injuries which pride, and self-love would deem unbearable. Love is unsuspecting, ever placing the most favorable construction upon the motives and acts of others. Love will never needlessly expose the faults of others. It does not listen eagerly to unfavorable reports, but rather seeks to bring to mind some good qualities of the one defamed.

“Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” Love not only bears with others’ faults, but cheerfully submits to whatever suffering or inconvenience such forbearance makes necessary. This love “never faileth.” It can never lose its value; it is the attribute of heaven. As a precious treasure it will be carried by its possessor through the portals of the city of God.

God Bless!

The Voice Of God. Sabbath Afternoon. 06/16/2018

June 16, 2018

Before the fall of man Adam and Eve enjoyed direct communion with God, but after the fall, the literal voice of God became a rare occurrence. From that time, one of the ways God spoke to us was through His Holy Spirit in our consciences, enlightening us as to right and wrong, and bidding us choose life. This is referenced to in the book of Genesis, where God through His Spirit had spoken to the antediluvians. Let’s read:

Genesis 6:1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.
3 And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

God also speaks to fallen man through His prophets, for His chosen servants are used to convey truths of great importance to persons, warnings, entreaties, exhortations to righteousness, and promises. God’s prophets are also sent by Him to tell His people, and anyone who will listen, events of the future that will have a direct impact on their lives. This fact is also certified in the scriptures. Let’s read:

Genesis 6:12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

It is worthy of note that God did not speak directly to the people; He sent his servant Noah with the message of coming doom, and it was up to the folks back then to believe. However, God’s word through His prophets is just as good as Him speaking to us, for His spoken word carries as much weight as that which comes through the utterances of His chosen servants, the prophets. Let’s read:

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

2nd Chronicles 36:15 And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place:
16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

The voice of God can also be heard in His created works, for they testify of His character, and of His ways and methods. In some instances where the earth, and nature has become degraded, His voice may be less distinct, however, as long as the earth remains, there will always be evidences of the voice of God through creation. Thus, His character and His will are often discerned, at least partially, through observing nature.

For instance, when the animals were entering the ark before the flood, they went in two by two and seven by seven, but with every type and breed, the voice of God was made plain, as it pertains to His established order. As the animals walked down the aisle into the ark there was not to be seen any two female cheetahs, and there were no two male dogs. Male and female went in after their kind. Let’s read:

Genesis 6:19 And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.
20 Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind.

Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

God has also spoken to us through Jesus Christ, who is the express image of His Person, and it’s through Christ that the greatest revelation of His voice can be heard. When in the new testament we read of such statements by Christ as “But I say unto you” that is the voice of God speaking distinctly through His Son to earth’s inhabitants. Let’s read:

Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

God also speaks to us through the pages of sacred writ, for it is His voice to all humanity, where each individual may learn of God’s will for our lives. The Bible contains more than enough information to get us from earth to heaven, and therefore, it should be the study of every intelligent, sincere person who is seeking for truth. Let’s read:

2nd Peter 1:19 We have also a more, sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Last, but not least, the voice of God can also often be heard through His providences or actions, which are designed to appeal to our intelligence. Studying the working of God should occupy very much of our time, because by so doing we become acquainted, and familiar with His ways, to the point where we will be better able to detect the true from the false, and it will become easier to be led by The Spirit.

Often when persons become confused as to what course of action to pursue, is because a diligent and consistent study of the works of God in nature, and through His providence is lacking. There are certain principles and methods God often adopts, and then there are some others which He never uses, and as Christians, we should know the difference between His voice, and the myriad of other voices out there.

God never employs competition, nor does He ever encourage any of His creatures to seek the first and highest place. With God, any person who does their very best by His grace is a winner, for the race is not for the swiftest neither is the prize of eternal life for the strongest. In other words, if by doing our best we end up at the top of our game, so be it, give God the praise, but for anyone to seek merely to be first is not godly.

Thus, wherever the principle of competition is at play, wherever “first come first served” is adopted, there we may be sure that the voice of God has not spoken. When we have public servants vying for a particular position, or office, and tearing each other to pieces in the process, let it not be said that God was behind it. He may have permitted it, but it does not originate through His voice. Let’s read:

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Matthew 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

However, on a personal level where we would need God’s guidance in everyday matters, His providence is what we rely on most often. We may not be able to hear His audible literal voice distinctly, and the Holy Spirit might be speaking clearly, but we may not be listening, and therefore what God does often makes our path forward more obvious.

By using the word “Providence” we are referring to the actions God takes, or the circumstances He may permit in certain instances to show us what course of action we should pursue, and how we ought to respond. These actions are described in the Bible as His voice, and thus, cumulatively speaking, all of the above-mentioned methods of God speaking to us mortals, are nestled under the umbrella of the words of Christ when He said “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceedeth from the mouth of God”.

This leads us to the core of our study because God’s providence often makes up the bulk of His voice, in trying to point us in a certain direction. If we were to listen patiently and humbly, we would be able to discern His voice when He speaks. We can draw our conclusions from several examples in the scriptures, where God may not say anything audibly per se, but His voice can still be distinctly heard, if we are keen on listening.

[Example # 1] The world back then is populated by about 7 billion people, according to some estimates, and their probation is about to close. The Lord has spoken to the antediluvians through His prophet Noah for 120 years, the masses of people refuse to listen, and the voice of God via His servant goes
forever silent to them.

Therefore, what He is now about to do through His providence is His voice, making the final appeal to man’s intelligence. This is the first example of what we’re referring to as God speaking clearly through His providences, thus demonstrating what ought to be done by those who care to listen. Let’s read:

Genesis 6:13 In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;
14 They, and every beast after his kind, and all the cattle after their kind, and every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind, and every fowl after his kind, every bird of every sort.
15 And they went in unto Noah into the ark, two and two of all flesh, wherein is the breath of life.
16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the Lord shut him in.

[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 97>98] Suddenly a silence fell upon the mocking throng. Beasts of every description, the fiercest as well as the most gentle, were seen coming from mountain and forest and quietly making their way toward the ark. A noise as of a rushing wind was heard, and lo, birds were flocking from all directions, their numbers darkening the heavens, and in perfect order they passed to the ark. Animals obeyed the command of God, while men were disobedient.

[Example #2] Moses is about to be sent into Egypt for the deliverance of the Hebrews, but he raises the prospect that they will not believe God has sent him. Therefore, the following miracles God gives are described as voices, which are His providences to the people designed to convince them of what they ought to do.

Again, God does not speak directly or audibly to the people, but instead employs miracles and the words of His servant. These should be sufficient to appeal to the intelligence of those who would listen. Let’s read:

Exodus 4:1 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee.
2 And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.
3 And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.
4 And the Lord said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:
5 That they may believe that the Lord God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.
6 And the Lord said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.
7 And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh.
8 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.
9 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.

[Example #3] The Hebrews have now left Egypt, but Pharaoh’s army is in hot pursuit. The Hebrews look behind them, and lo, in the distance there is a sight of glittering swords, chariots and an immense army. The courage of the people fail, and they now begin to murmur about what they infer as themselves being caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

Again, God does not say anything audibly to the people, but what He does next is His voice through His providential working designed to appeal to their intelligence, so that they may be reassured. God’s actions should be studiously observed, for in many instances we will be enabled to put two and two together, to arrive at obvious conclusions. Let’s read:

Exodus 14:10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.
11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever.
14 The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

[Example # 4] The Midianites have been terrified of the Hebrews and because of this they turn to magic to try and fend off what they view as an existential threat to their nation. Balaam is enlisted to curse the Hebrews, but God speaks directly to him in the night, warning him against such a course of action. He refuses to listen and insists that he must go.

God gives him leave, but the next circumstances are referred to as God’s voice through His providences, showing in the most graphic way what Balaam must do. These providences are designed to appeal to his intelligence, so that he could reasonably conclude that his intentions should be aborted.

But as is too often the case, the most undeniable evidences are insufficient to convince the prophet who is bent on doing his own thing. He persists to the point of insanity, even having a conversation with his animal, thus giving evidence of how blinded we can become if we refuse the providences God allows to come our way. Let’s read:

Numbers 22:9 And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?
10 And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying,
11 Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.
12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.
22 And God's anger was kindled because he went:
and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
23 And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
24 But the angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
26 And the angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the ass saw the angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay.

The same God of yesterday is still speaking through His providences, but are we listening. Would we like Balaam come out and kick against His providences, if we do not desire to go His route? When God has given unmistakable evidence of His will, would we bow to His sovereignty or will we like Balaam, insist on going in a different direction?

The 2300 day prophecy of Daniel came to an end in 1844, and God had predicted by His prophets that a few years prior to that time, there would be signs in the sun, moon and stars, portending some great event to take place in heaven. And just as it was with His providences in ages past, the essential pieces of the puzzle began to be moved into place. Let’s read:

Joel 2:31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.

Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.

Revelation 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

The 1755 Lisbon earthquake occurred in the Kingdom of Portugal on Saturday, 1 November 1755, the Catholic holiday of All Saints' Day, at around 9:40 am. The first shock was followed by an even more powerful second shock which sent buildings toppling down. According to reports, the tremors and the ground motions from this shock lasted for three-and-one-half minutes.

Gigantic fissures of up to 15 feet wide tore through the centre of Lisbon. Effects from the earthquake were far reaching. Severe shaking was felt in North Africa where the quake caused heavy loss of life in towns of Algeria and Morocco - more than 400 miles south of Lisbon. The town of Algiers was completely destroyed. Tangiers suffered great loss of lives and extensive damage.

The earthquake was particularly destructive in Morocco, where approximately 10,000 people lost their lives. Mosques, synagogues, churches, and many other buildings collapsed in Meknes, where there was heavy loss of life. In Europe the Lisbon earthquake caused considerable damage in Spain - particularly in Madrid and Seville. Shaking was felt in France, Switzerland, and Northern Italy, too.

However, the worst damage occurred in the south-west of Portugal. Lisbon and its inhabitants were particularly badly hit by the earthquake. In 1755, Lisbon was a great city legendary for its wealth, prosperity and sophistication, it was one of the most beautiful cities in Europe with an estimated population of 275,000. When the earthquake arrived, most of Lisbon's population were praying in six magnificent cathedrals. Within minutes, this great thriving city-port of Lisbon, capital of Portugal and of the vast Portuguese empire and seat of learning in Europe, was reduced to rubble.

The destruction caused by the earthquake was beyond description. Lisbon's great cathedrals, all full of worshipers - collapsed, killing thousands. Lisbon's whole quay and the marble-built Cais De Pedra along the Tagus disappeared into the river, burying with it hundreds of people who had sought refuge.

Within minutes fire spread and turned Lisbon into a raging inferno. Unable to run, hundreds of patients in the Hospital burned to death. The public squares filled with people but as the fire approached, these squares were abandoned, and the fire reached catastrophic proportions.
Two thirds of the city were destroyed by the flames that raged for five days. Immediately after the earthquake, many people fled to the waterfront, believing the area safe from fires and from falling debris from aftershocks. Some of them looked for safety on the sea by boarding ships moored on the Tagus River.

But about 40 minutes after the quake, an enormous tsunami wave engulfed the harbor and downtown. People were unaware of the danger and remained around the shoreline to observe the exposed seabed. The first tsunami wave was followed by two more waves which hit the shore, dragging people and debris out to sea and leaving exposed large stretches of the river bottom. Boats overcrowded with refugees capsized and sank.

By Tom de Castella BBC News Magazine
Three centuries ago in parts of North America, a strange event turned morning to night. It remains wreathed in mystery. Halfway through the morning the sky turns yellow. Animals run for cover and darkness descends, causing people to light candles and start to pray. By lunchtime night has fallen.

The Dark Day, as it's become known, took place on May 19, 1780 in New England and parts of eastern Canada. Some lawmakers in Connecticut believed it was the day of judgement. The sense that a decisive moment was afoot would have been bolstered by the fact that during the preceding days, the sun and moon glowed red.

nasa.gov/history
On the night of November 12-13, 1833, a tempest of falling stars broke over the Earth... The sky was scored in every direction with shining tracks and illuminated with majestic fireballs. At Boston, the frequency of meteors was estimated to be about half that of flakes of snow in an average snowstorm. Their numbers were quite beyond counting.

This 3rd phenomena coming just ten years before 1844 was a wakeup call to earth’s inhabitants, to let them know that the great investigative judgment was coming on board shortly. At this time several other pieces of providences were given. In different parts of the earth, several persons, who had no known connection to each other began preaching that God’s kingdom was near.

At this time also a prophet was raised up by God to explain certain truths of the Bible, and to bring to His remnant people, much pertinent information on a wide range of subjects, ranging from health and foods, to family relations and finances, to last day events, so that the remnant would be well prepared to meet God, and to be able to discern the working of antichrist, as the final conflict for our planet is to take center stage.

As in times past, God did not speak audibly to the people, but He gave much providences, and several confirmations which were designed to appeal to our intelligence. These, together with the evidences of truth given are meant to guide our feet in the way we should go, so that we would not stumble in darkness, as so many protestant churches have done.

And now brethren, it is left up to us to choose to believe, and act. God does not coerce the will, but He gives us a body of substantial evidence on which to base our faith. Let us therefore cultivate a heart to believe, for where there is no vision, the people perish.

God bless!

The 144,000. Sabbath Afternoon. 06/09/2018

June 09, 2018

The 144,000 in Revelation 14 are those faithful few who are chosen by God to carry the three angel’s messages to a dying world. But in particular, they are to deliver the third message, since the first two have been given since the autumn of 1844, and thereafter. The third angel’s message is the last, and final one to be given to earth’s inhabitants, and it is designed to permanently close human probation.

The third angel’s message is to be given at the very midnight of earth’s history, at a time when spiritual darkness like a thick cloud has overspread the land, when the evangelical, and protestant believers of our time have become disgusted by the traditions, forms and fables of the churches to the point where many have literally stopped attending church.

The dreaded mark of the beast would then have overspread the land, and the inhabitants of earth would then be called to choose between Christ and satan, truth and error, good and evil, righteousness and unrighteousness, the seal of God or the mark of the beast. It is at such a time that the servants of God will deliver to the world, heaven’s last call of mercy. Let’s read:

Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These
were redeemed from among men, being the first- fruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation….

The messages given to this group are of very grave import and represents God’s last message of mercy to a dying world. It is represented as the everlasting gospel because it carries eternal consequences for the last generation to live upon the planet. Those who are to give these messages are not to consider family relations, nor are they to be afraid of the face of man.

They are not to seek favor of any, nor should they alter the messages given them because of censure or applause, for the eternal destiny of millions of people depend upon their faithful execution of the commission given them. Indeed, it is never a good policy to alter God’s word to curry favor with the popular majority of the people.

A thus saith The Lord in its purest, unadulterated form is the only thing that will work in this crisis. Thus, we must turn to the scriptures to understand how God works in times of crisis, and what is to be expected from His chosen messengers, at a time when gross darkness has covered the earth, and the multitudes may seem to be engulfed in irretrievable ruin.

We will observe several important pointers, from the three examples given, and we will close with the message given to the 144,000 to give to the world. The following observations will be made from the examples given:

[1] All three instances pertain to a time of national apostasy when idolatry has taken deep root.
[2] The call to service will be given directly by God, for not everyone will be able to deliver such urgent and potent messages. Thus, their marching orders come to them directly from God.
[3] In consequence of the serious nature of their commission, they run the risk of alienating friends, families, and foes, but they must not be distracted
by potential consequences.
[4] The purpose of God’s commission to His chosen is to save as many of those who desire to be saved from irretrievable ruin.

Thus, we begin with Gideon, to whom The Lord appeared directly, at a time when national morale was low, and idolatry had overspread the land of Palestine. The hand of the oppressor was heavy upon Israel on account of their sins and backsliding, to the point where Gideon had to hide his food from the tribes that invaded the land. Let’s read:

Judges 6:1 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
7 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites,
8 That the Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus, saith the Lord
God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;
9 And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drove them out from before you, and gave you their land;
10 And I said unto you, I am the Lord your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
11 And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
12 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor.
14 And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

But before Gideon can be used to deliver Israel, he would have to put his money where his mouth is, by taking a definite stand against false worship, thus, showing in unmistakable terms whose side he is on. One of the problems with the church of Laodicea in our day is that many are not certain which side they are on, and it’s because of this indecision why some are described as being in a lukewarm condition.

Now, Gideon’s commission will have the potential to cause alienation in his own immediate family, in his neighborhood, and nationally, yet he must not in any manner alter what God has told him to do, even though it will stir up trouble. He is to obey implicitly, the voice of God, letting the chips fall where they may, and leaving the consequences in God’s hands.

What one’s family thinks is not to be brought into the equation, when deciding to obey God, because the first and foremost issue of importance is doing God’s will, without turning to the right hand or the left. This will almost certainly put those who are thus called, at odds with friends and family, yet they must pursue their course with unwavering, and firm integrity. 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.

The commission given the 144000 will not only put them at odds with friends, family and foes alike, it may actually put their safety in apparent jeopardy, because their commission will involve the tearing down of established religious institutions, traditions and mainstream forms of worship, and because of this, they will have to trust fully, and solely in the providence of God, not considering any inherent or potential risks to their own persons. Let’s read:

Judges 6:27 Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the Lord had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.
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.
The same scenario is repeated with Samuel, as he is given a terrible message pertaining to Eli and his house. At this time also there was national apostasy because of the vile actions fostered, and practiced by Eli and his sons. And just as it is in our day, folks began to stay away from church, because they had become discouraged by the greed and materialism exhibited by the spiritual guardians of the people.

1st Samuel 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.
13 And the priest's custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a flesh-hook of three teeth in his hand;
14 And he struck it into the pan, or kettle, or caldron, or pot; all that the fleshhook brought up the priest took for himself. So they did in Shiloh unto all the Israelites that came thither.
16 And if any man said unto him, Let them not fail to burn the fat presently, and then take as much as thy soul desireth; then he would answer him, Nay; but thou shalt give it me now: and if not, I will take it by force.
17 Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the Lord: for men abhorred the offering of the Lord.

Again, just like with Gideon, God speaks directly to Samuel and gives him a message of terrible import. To put it plainly, it’s bad news, for at its core is the close of probation for Eli and his household. After the grave message is given, Samuel cannot sleep, he awakes early the next morning, and does all of the outside chores, for he wants to avoid at all costs, being questioned by Eli, who is as a father to him.

He carries out the garbage, he mows the lawn, he sweeps the exterior of the temple and, he hangs the laundry out to dry, just to avoid any conversation with his “daddy”. But, finally Eli confronts him and asks him what the message is. Samuel trembles in his little boots.

Would he be faithful in telling Eli exactly what God told him, or would he water down the message to lighten the burden that will rest as a shadow on Eli’s brow? Remember, Eli and his sons are like family to young Samuel, and the message given him by God is that their probation will be permanently closed. It’s a ton of pressure resting on young Samuel, for his age.

Could God trust Samuel to deliver, or would he buckle under the terrible pressure resting on his young shoulders. Remember now, that this is his inaugural statement as a prophet, and his entire tenure could be molded or tainted by the way he executes this sacred trust.

Let’s say here, that no Christian person in their right mind, having Christ living within, would be eager to carry such a message; similarly, any person who is eager to deliver the third angel’s message certainly has something seriously wrong with their character. Like the message given to Samuel, the third angel’s message is bad news to those who will receive the mark of the beast regardless of the warnings given. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 3:10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
11 And the Lord said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of everyone that heareth it shall tingle.
12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.
13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.
14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering forever.
15 And Samuel lay until the morning and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.
16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.
17 And he said, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide anything from me of all the things that he said unto thee.
18 And Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.

Again, we have the experience of Elijah, who has been called directly by God to bring about reforms during a time of national apostasy. Idolatry has taken deep root, and the mainstream forms of worship are littered far and wide. The true worship of God, and the keeping of His commandments lie in ruins, and satan is at the head of the nation in the form of Jezebel, leading the inhabitants blindfolded to destruction.

Against this backdrop Elijah is sent with a terrible message from God, that is sure to put him at odds with friends, families and foes. More than this, the message God gives him will threaten the nation’s security, by bring commerce almost to a halt, and because of this, Elijah will become the most wanted man in the country, with a bounty on his head, and with his picture on billboards and fliers.

Will he be faithful, or will he be politically correct as he enters the palace of the then reigning king. Will he dumb down the message, or will he speak forth the words given him by God, without fear or favor. And what about his family and friends who might become the objects of ridicule, contempt, scorn and possibly persecution, as a result of the message.

Will they support Elijah in his course of action, or will they join with satan and Ahab in denouncing what they interpret as an affront to the citizenry? Can God trust Elijah to do His bidding, or will he, like so many pliant Aarons in our day, buckle under the terrible pressure of popular demand? Let’s read:

1st Kings 17:1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
2 And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, 3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.

1st Kings 18:7 And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, Art thou that my lord Elijah?
8 And he answered him, I am: go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.
9 And he said;
10 As the Lord thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, He is not there; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.
11 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah is here.

1st Kings 17:17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.
21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

The first and second angel’s messages are old news, being given around 1844 and increasing thereafter, but the third angel’s message which is to be given is the one that will close off probation for all of earth’s inhabitants. The first message which declares that the hour of His judgment has come referred directly to the investigative judgment which began in 1844, when Christ entered the most holy place.

The second message which declares that “Babylon is fallen is fallen”, refers firstly to the utter rejection of the first angel’s message by protestant churches; and the second fall was completed recently when Protestantism officially came to an end. Therefore, there is only one more shoe to drop, and that’s the third angel’s message, which warns of very severe consequences for those who subscribe to the beast in the near future.

And as it was with Gideon, Samuel, and Elijah, the dire message would be given at a time of national apostasy, when false forms of worship have taken root and the laws and commandments of God are being trampled in the dust.

It is against such a backdrop that God will again speak directly to certain individuals; persons who will not faint under the burden of carrying such a grave message, persons who will not curry favor with politicians or popular preachers, persons who will not be politically correct in delivering their God given message, and who will not allow family, foes, and friends to dissuade them from proclaiming the truth.

Just like it was with those whom God had called in times past, the 144,000 will certainly become the objects of universal execration, they will be put at odds with those whom they love dearly, and during that terrible time they will have to depend on God, and God alone for everything. However, the third angel’s message must be presented in its pure form so as not to leave anyone deceived as to its import. Let’s read:

Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation….

We will do a disservice if we did not spell out in clear terms what this third message means. Thus, in a simple question and answer format, the goods are laid bare for all to see. Using nothing but scripture, the word of God will explain itself.

Question: What will be the mark of the beast?
Answer: The mark of the beast will be a person’s allegiance given to the power that is pitted against Christ. The sign of allegiance to the Creator is the Sabbath, and therefore the mark of allegiance to the beast will be Sunday, the counterfeit sabbath, when it is enforced. Sunday is an ordinary working day which has no sanctity whatsoever. Let’s read:

Exodus 31:13 Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you.
14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you.

Isaiah 8:16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.

Isaiah 58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Question: How can one avoid taking the mark of the beast?
Answer: There is one way, and one way only, that is to have Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our lives, because when this is done, the keeping of all of God’s commandments will be a natural by-product.

If we are of the sort who try to avoid stepping on toes because of inconvenient truths given to us by God, we may be laid to rest before the final deluge, because the 144000 must deliver their God-given message without candy-coating it to suit itching ears. The disposition to water down cutting truths will put us at odds with God when He is ready to work in times of grave national peril.

The messages must be delivered in a distinct, and clear-cut manner, even if people might think the messengers judgmental, or pharisaical. None of our cautious methods, and reservations are to interfere with God’s work. If the 144000 are maligned and called names by the sin-loving multitudes, then so let it be.

The honor of God, and the faithful dispatch of duty must be their only watchword. Therefore, we close with a pertinent scripture, given to us to let us know of the urgency of the message, and the seriousness of the moment, if peradventure we may awake out of deep slumber, for now is our salvation much nearer than when we first believed. Let’s read:

Ezekiel 3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
God Bless!

Swimming Upstream. Sabbath Afternoon 06/02/2018

June 02, 2018

The gospel presented in our day by smooth talking preachers is often designed to candy-coat the real hurdles, challenges, and the battles which must be fought within the domain of the human heart. This is often done by minimizing the real dangers, and threats posed, not only by the adversary of souls, but also the greatest enemy, ourselves, for in too many instances we find that we are in agreement with the enemy of all righteousness.

Several cute sentiments have therefore been coined to make the straight and narrow path seem to be a breeze. For example: “Only believe”, which on the surface may seem to suggest that victory is attained by merely believing. While it is true that believing is the starting point, no one ever came to love their enemies by just believing.

To love one’s enemies will require persons to swim upstream, against the natural current of our fallen nature. It will include experiences where we have been treated wrongfully and despitefully, and then faced with the prospect of forgiving and loving the sinner who did us wrong. This is not natural or easy for any person to do, for it is not a part of who we are at the core, and therefore, must originate from outside of ourselves, even from Christ.

Every step of advance the Christian may attempt to make will be vigorously contested by the evil one. Character building is a work likened unto swimming upstream, for we will find ourselves going against our own natural grain whenever we try to do right. Those who are really desirous of gaining the victory over food will have a food fight on their hands, for it will be much easier to eat candy than salad.

Those who seek victory over impulsiveness, anger, and the urge to retaliate, will have to be patient in tribulation. It is not natural for us to render good for evil, and therefore, we will have to swim upstream through deliberate choice, coupled with the grace of Christ in order that the mind of Christ to be fully formed within.

Again, those who have difficulty in controlling their spending will have to find ways to restrict the habit of window shopping, for it is easier to spend than to save. Those who are addicted to their phones and electronic gadgets, to the point where the hour of prayer has lost its appeal, will have to put away the favorite gadgets for certain periods, so that study of the Bible, and prayer can have room to flourish.

It’s much easier to surf the internet, or watch your favorite game than to pray, for the natural man is not prone to do the right thing on his own. All those who must gain the victory over sexual sins will need to practice stern self-denial, for it’s easier to yield to feelings of euphoria than resist the urge to merge.

And those who are battling pride will have to go through some humiliating circumstances in order to reverse the natural impulse of serving self. But one thing is certain, every noble trait of character must be developed in the heat of the furnace, because a godly character can only be matured by swimming upstream. This is what Christ presented to the folks of His day, and this is what he is saying to us living in Laodicea.

Christianity without stern self-denial is like a bread without flour, for it is a delusion to believe that the easy way offered by the adversary will bring lasting results. When Christ faced the prospect of eating bread in the wilderness of temptation, the craving of natural human nature would have been easier to follow, than to continue languishing for the want of food.
But He set us the example by choosing the path of self-denial, a path that must be decided upon, and deliberately and consistently chosen if one desires to wear the crown of victory. Thus, as He was about to end the sermon on the mount, Christ warned us against accepting a Christianity that’s easy-going or cute, for this is serpent theology at best. Let’s read:

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

In other words, there ain’t no easy way to develop a Christlike character. Severe conflicts must be waged against cultivated, and hereditary tendencies to evil which are likened unto a military campaign against oneself. At every step of advance, we not only have satan to fend off, but we have our own selves as our greatest enemy, which is more often than not, in sync with evil. Let’s read:

Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

This leads us to the core of our study, for all of the disciples, just like ourselves had to battle self in a plethora of ways and circumstances, in which they often found themselves agreeing with serpentine philosophies and suggestions. Their seeking for the highest place, the disposition to retaliate when their feelings got hurt, and the tendency to fight fire with fire were all derivatives from the adversary of souls. Let’s read:

Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and be raised again the third day.
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

At first glance it may seem as if Peter was looking out for Christ’s interests, but when we dig a little deeper we discover that all of the disciples had a longing for a first place in the kingdom, and all that they hoped it would entail. Now if Jesus was to be killed, as He had predicted, that would dash their hopes and dreams of worldly greatness to pieces, and in Peter’s mind, he would have none of it.

It’s worthy of note that satan was the author of the thought, and it was made audible through Peter, for the adversary had found a corresponding chord in his heart. In other words, the thoughts of the devil, and the thoughts of Peter were actually in sync at that moment, and thus, he was able to use Peter as his mouthpiece. Let’s read:

Matthew 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

In swimming upstream, we will often need to take stock of ourselves to see if our thoughts are in sync with Christ or the serpent. Any thoughts of worldly grandeur and greatness do not emanate from the mind of Christ. In fact, the prosperity gospel that has become so popular in our day is a byproduct of serpentine philosophy and has nothing to do with the kingdom of God or His righteousness. Let’s read:

1st John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.

The health/wealth prosperity gospel, which many Christians and evangelicals are subscribing to, will call for firm resistance from true Christians, since there is now a mad rush being made for riches, in high places and low. Health and wealth have been two of the most successful temptations, designed to cause us to lose focus and requires stern self-denial.

The issue of health was presented by satan in the wilderness of temptation to Christ, as His health suffered because of His hunger and long fast. Satan insinuated that a God of love would never leave His son to die of hunger; that there must be a better or more convenient way out of His predicament.

To turn stones into bread would have been easier than to starve, according to serpentine philosophy. But Christ showed us by His example that it is better to starve doing God’s will, than to take the broad road of eating bread, or any forbidden thing for that matter, contrary to God’s will. Let’s read:

Matthew 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

However, when this failed, the adversary finally turned to wealth, by presenting the kingdoms of this world in all their grandeur and riches. And just as it was in days gone by, so it is now, for a careful scrutiny will reveal that the bulk of advertisements on TV, radio, and on the internet have to do with health, wealth, and material things. The very same advertisements were also presented to Christ. Let’s read:

Matthew 4: 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

These very two concerns were at the forefront of the minds of the people in Christ’s day, and when it was discovered that Jesus had the power to supply both, multitudes began to follow. Even the disciples themselves were not immune to the health/wealth gospel, because the Messiah which they expected was often portrayed as coming to bless His people with power, wealth, and deliverance. Let’s read:

John 6:1 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,
9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

We don’t know how Andrew, Peter’s brother knew exactly how many loaves and fishes were in the boy’s lunch bag, for to give a correct number one would have to do some counting. But let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. Suffice it to say that our focus in the kingdom of God should never be on the loaves and fishes, as is so often the case. Let’s read:

John 6:11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

[The Desire of Ages. pp 377] That crowning act is the assurance that the long-looked-for Deliverer is among them. The hopes of the people rise higher and higher. This is He who will make Judea an earthly paradise, a land flowing with milk and honey. He can satisfy every desire. He can break the power of the hated Romans. He can deliver Judah and Jerusalem. He can heal the soldiers who are wounded in battle. He can supply whole armies with food. He can conquer the nations and give to Israel the long-sought dominion.

John 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

Christians who desire to live victoriously in our day will have deliberate choices to make as it pertains to self-denial, an indispensable crucible incidental to following Christ. To go with the natural flow of human propensity and inclination will be a recipe for disaster and will cause those who subscribe to such teachings to end up in never land.

Grace, as well as supernatural power is promised to all who would seek them earnestly, but we must have a sense of our frailty, and inability to save our own selves. Whenever those inherited or cultivated tendencies to evil begin to tug at our heart strings, or wherever we may see ourselves prone to taking the broad easy way out, let us remember that the way of salvation was paved in self-denial.

It’s not enough for us to accept Christ nominally, for the kingdom of God within our hearts is to produce a new man, woman, boy, and girl. A study of God’s word everyday will give us an active reference point to discern between right and wrong, good and evil, and between truth and error.

But prayer and supplication to God will deliver the much needed grace and strength to help us in time of need and will aid us in the development of those habits, dispositions and attitudes which will become second nature over time. Thus, in closing we exhort everyone to take up his/her cross, following where Christ alone has led the way. Let’s read:

2nd Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1st Corinthians 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

God Bless!

Do Unto Others. Sabbath Afternoon 05/26/2018

May 26, 2018

It is a principle of life that what goes around comes around, and the way in which we deal with others, we ourselves will be dealt with. And even though as Christians we should never repay in kind, when we are illtreated, yet for some reason, the very same measure we use in interacting with other folk is the same measure that comes back to our doorstep.

Many of us have made grave mistakes, and errors in judgment in times past, but if we have had Christ in or hearts, being formed within, there must be made manifest, a substantial difference in our characters and habits, with the passage of many years. In other words, walking with Jesus for ten, twenty, or thirty years ought to translate into literal benefits for the kingdom of God, as well as for society.

When God says “Ye are my witnesses”, He is saying to the world that the professed Christian should be an exemplification of the principles, statutes, and laws of the Bible. And therefore, the fundamentals such as truthfulness, paying our bills on time, not writing bounced checks, together with honesty and integrity in our interactions with our fellowmen, are to be part of our everyday experience.

Some of the problems, adverse circumstances and actions which we receive from others, are often a reflection of our own dealing with others, and the root cause can often be traced back to the man in the mirror. Love begets love, friendliness produces friendliness, gossip breeds more gossip, and if we are quick to forgive and forget, others will be quick to forgive and forget, wrongs we have done.

If we have continuous problems collecting money we have worked hard for, it may be that we have a problem with paying our own bills promptly, for if we delay with others, others will delay with us. If we defraud others, we will be defrauded too, and if we are in the habit of not answering our cellphones when people call, we will find it difficult to get folks on the line when we need them most.

Again, if we forgive not men their trespasses, when we stand in need of forgiveness, we will discover it to be a rare commodity. Liars are met with lying lips and honesty is recompensed with honesty. Truthful words and actions tend to reproduce the same kind, and those who may cheat on their spouses will be cheated on themselves. If we gossip about others, the same thing will take place behind our backs. The Bible is pregnant with such teaching. Let’s read:

Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete it shall be measured to you again.

Proverbs 11:24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Genesis 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed.

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

If we sow corn, we will reap corn; but it is true in some cases, that we may not have done anything to trigger adverse reactions from others, against our own persons, but as a general rule of thumb, the same measure with which we deal with others is the same measure with which we will be dealt. It is not that God sets these actions and reactions in motion, it’s just the working out of the natural, and spiritual laws in the temporal realm. This fact of life is revealed in the scriptures, with the intent that we would reason soberly from cause to effect, and then make straight paths for our feet.

After David sinned by taking Bathsheba and slaying her husband, some other person would also take his wife, and family members dear to him would die as a direct result of his actions. But for David to believe that he would enjoy the pleasures of sin without the consequential reactions was a delusion.

In the old testament, laws were given to govern the human relationships, and the interactions between friends, neighbors, and families. And because God is just, as well as merciful, a tit for tat system was put in place so that those who were wronged could find redress in the judicial system. Thus, many examples were given so that the administration of justice will not be left to chance. Let’s read:

Deuteronomy 19:19 Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
20 And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.
21 But life shall go for life.

Exodus 21:24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

This brings us to the core of our study, for we must assess the Christian’s response to these teachings. In His sermon on the mount Jesus sought to teach the people about the spiritual nature of the Royal law, instead of focusing on the letter, for if we were to adopt the letter as it is written there would be a tendency to crave justice rather than craving mercy.

Therefore, it was necessary for Christ to show forth the far-reaching claims of God’s law of love, and to expound on those Royal principles given to govern the conduct of all who should desire the character, and The Person of Christ. In harmony with His amplified expositions, Jesus sought to show us the Royal way of interacting with others, in order that we may live in harmony with the principles of love, God’s own ideal as it were, which governs all the inhabitants of the unfallen worlds.

Thus, very often we will find these words being repeated: “But I say unto you”, denoting the sharp contrast between the Royal way of doing things, as opposed to what the strict letter of the law would require. Several examples of these contrasts are therefore given, that we may see the big difference between what is strictly just, and what is merciful and Christ-like.

We must remember that God delights in mercy, and as such, He prefers that we do the same. Many folks seem to be obsessed with justice, as is evidenced by the multitude of shows featuring judgment, such as Judge Judy, Judge Alex, Judge Mathis, divorce court, You be the Judge, etc. But God desires instead, that we be obsessed with mercy.

And while it is true that God is also just, He desires that we as Christians deal in the currency of heaven, by preferring mercy over justice. It is important to note in the following passages, that Christ is not doing away with what was written by them of old time, He is just highlighting the royal way of doing things.

Thus, as Christians, we’ll discover that there are two ways to live, and to interact with our friends, family and neighbors, either by adopting that which may be strictly just, or by subscribing to that which is godly and merciful. The choice is ours. Let’s read:

Matthew 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

Some theologians have erroneously concluded that Christ was here setting aside the laws of sowing and reaping, or what we refer to as tit for tat laws, given to the Hebrews anciently. However, nothing can be further from the truth, for what Christ did was to show the far-reaching claims of the law, and to establish the much more preferable royal law of love. Let’s read:

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Thus, the principle of repaying evil with good, which Christ is asking us to adopt is not fair, or even just, but it is merciful, it being a reflection of who God really is. If someone was to steal another person’s wallet with $1000.00, the just thing for the offender to do is to restore at least $1000.00. Human nature will crave restitution, while a godly character will be craving the redemption of the offender.

But for the innocent to forgive the debt is merciful, not just. Thus, even though the law of justice is still in place, Christ bids us choose the merciful, Royal route just as He so often does with us. This goes contrary to our fallen human nature, but it can be adopted and practiced through Christ. Let’s read:

Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink.

1st Corinthians 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong?

Christians should not deal retributively in the same currency as they are dealt, when wrongs are done, or committed against their persons. The buck has to stop with the Christian, or else the cycle of evil will continue. But we will often find that to accomplish this, we must go against our own natural grain, for it is not natural, nor easy for us to render good for evil.

Therefore, whenever mercy is to be preferred over justice, we will soon discover that we must pray like never before, so that the sincere spirit of Christ may pervade, and guide our thoughts and actions, or else, we will find ourselves acting the right part, but boiling with rage, enmity, and animosity on the inside.

One of the questions that will certainly arise in this presentation is the administration of justice as it may pertain to the Christian. Do we void justice for mercy’s sake, and are we never to seek recompense for injustices against our persons? We are not to be merciful to the point of stupidity, because kindness is not foolishness, and there is a limit even to God’s forbearance.

The thief on the cross was fully forgiven by Christ, and when Jesus returns the second time, he will be saved in God’s kingdom. However, because fellow citizens, friends, and neighbors had suffered on account of his robberies, he also had to suffer for his crimes, because God’s mercy does not make Him naïve to justice.

In fact, one of the byproducts of walking with Christ is the development of a keen sense of justice. But as a general rule of thumb, we are to defer to God to handle such matters as injustices against ourselves, in His own time and way. And if we truly have a deep relationship with Christ, we will think as He does, by not being obsessed with retribution, but rather being obsessed with redemption. Let’s read:

Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

1st Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.

In closing, it’s important for us to remember that we can choose strict justice, or we may choose the Royal route, but one thing is certain, however we treat others, it will return as the ocean tide to the shores of our own souls. Therefore, we close with a quote from the pen of inspiration, which should be remembered, and practiced by all. Let’s read:

[Test vol. 5] Love not only bears with others’ faults, but cheerfully submits to whatever suffering or inconvenience such forbearance makes necessary. This love “never faileth.” It can never lose its value; it is the attribute of heaven. As a precious treasure it will be carried by its possessor through the portals of the city of God.

God bless!

The Investigative Judgment. [3] Sabbath Afternoon. 05/05/2018

May 05, 2018

Revelation 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

This passage marks the close of human probation, when every case would have been decided for life eternal, or the second death. The verdicts from the courts above make no allowance for appeal, nor for a second probationary period for us to get our lives in order. Once the irrevocable decisions have been made, persons will continue to do just what they have become accustomed to do, whether good or evil.

Indeed, after the dust has settled, it will be found that heaven is a place of surprises, for there would be persons present on resurrection morning, whom many were not expecting to be present, and there will be persons missing, who were once working enthusiastically for the cause of Christ. This reality of surprises and disappointments was alluded to by Christ when He spoke candidly of the day of final accounts. Let’s read:

Matthew 7: 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there-at:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
21 Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine.

Therefore, it is imperative that we study the reason why very many professed Christians will have their names removed from the book of life. As was stated before, every individual who has taken the name of Christ, has had their names written in the book of life, to await roll call in the investigative judgment. Then, after a careful examination of their character and works, a determination is made either for life or death.

So, the question is “What can possibly cause names to be removed from the book of life, after Christ has died for our sins, and has given to us a new lease on life?” The answer can be found in a well-known text which explains how the sacrifice of Christ is made to be efficacious in a practical way, to those who claim to believe in Jesus. The promise thus made to every believer is conditional, which means that our choice will make all the difference. Let’s read:

1st John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness".

For confession and repentance to be acceptable to God it must be accomplished in harmony with The Holy Spirit, which leads us to genuine repentance. Therefore, it must of necessity contain the following three elements for it to be recognized and accepted in the courts above.

[1] An admission of guilt, without making excuses for our wrongs.
[2] A willingness to deal with the consequences of our actions.
[3] An earnest desire to permanently turn away
from our sins.
Without these three necessary components, human confession becomes merely an admission of facts.

The apostle Paul speaks quite candidly about Esau’s repentance, and to the surface reader, it may seem that his tears for what he had done were genuine. But in the courts above they were recorded as being crocodile tears, for they were tears of regret for the outcome, not for any admitted guilt on his part. Let’s read:

Hebrews 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

Question: Why was Esau’s confession and apparent repentance not acceptable in God’s sight?
Answer: It was missing the same three components mentioned above, without which, confession is just a mere admission of facts. There’s a huge difference between admitting guilt after one is caught, with no way out, without any compunctions of conscience, and admitting to sin when the Holy Ghost points it out in our conscience privately.

When Achan was found out, it was too late, for he missed the golden opportunity to confess, when he was granted time to do so, as the Holy Spirit spoke vividly in his conscience. True confession by Achan would have included a willingness to suffer the consequences of his actions. In fact, if indeed he had confessed when God would have granted him pardon, he might still have been stoned, for he had caused thirty six men to lose their lives in vain.

Similarly, with Judas, whom Christ pleaded with on numerous occasions, and whose privacy Jesus went to great lengths to protect, since God is not in the business of embarrassing anyone into repentance. The way in which Christ dealt with Judas is worthy of note, for He loathed to mention him by name, leaving the disciples to wonder who exactly He was referring to, when sin was pointed out. Let’s read:

John 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

Mark 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
7 For ye have the poor with you always, and when-soever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

John 12:4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

Why is John writing so blatantly, and exposing Judas as the real culprit by name? It is because Judas was already dead when John wrote, and therefore, John did not need to be concerned about embarrassing his fellow disciple into confessing hidden sins. Thus, as was stated previously, true repentance, and true confession will always include the following, which we will now elaborate on.

[1] An admission of guilt, without making excuses for our wrongs. Excuses such as: I was hungry, or I was tired, I happened to be in the wrong place, at that time I was broken financially, I was thirsty, and the most popular excuse; the devil made me do it. Thus, by making excuses we make ourselves the sport of circumstances, not considering that Christ never once offered any such excuses to depart from God’s will.

A person who habitually excuses his or her failures due to circumstances, cannot be trusted to stand firm for principle in cases of emergency. And faith that is not tested, cannot be trusted.

Thus, when the mark of the beast overspreads the land, the same disposition to make excuses would once again resurface: I took the mark because I was hungry. I had no other choice but to take the mark, because they cut my electricity, and I have children at home, who may die from the extreme humidity in South Florida. And on, and on, and on. Let’s read:

[G.C pp 489] If those who hide and excuse their faults could see how Satan exults over them, how he taunts Christ and holy angels with their course, they would make haste to confess their sins and to put them away.

Through defects in the character, Satan works to gain control of the whole mind, and he knows that if these defects are cherished, he will succeed. Therefore, he is constantly seeking to deceive the followers of Christ with his fatal sophistry that it is impossible for them to overcome.

[2] A willingness to deal with the consequences of our actions. Let’s read:
Luke 23: 39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee today, thou shalt be with me in paradise.

[3] An earnest desire to turn from our sins. Let’s read:
Luke 19:8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

Without these three essential elements, confession becomes just a mere admission of the facts. Some have stumbled over David’s confession, after he was confronted by Nathan the prophet, who spoke the words “Thou art the man”. David then and there admitted to the sins which were committed, but the fact is that he was responsive to the Holy Spirit pricking his conscience, long before he met Nathan. Let’s read:

Psalms 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer.
5 I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.
6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found.

But with Esau this was not the case, for he blamed everyone but himself for his sin, and he continued to make excuses for his failures. In addition to this, his sorrow was for the loss of the material benefits of the birthright, not for the sin of regarding it too lightly, for his after-history demonstrated that he had no desire to be reconciled to God. Let’s read:

Genesis 25:29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint.
30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus, Esau despised his birthright.

Genesis 27:30 And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac
had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
31 And he also had made savory meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me.
32 And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau.
33 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.
34 And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.
35 And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.
36 And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?
37 And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?
38 And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.
41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

When the final verdicts are handed down from the courts above, there will be many, who like Esau, did not rightly esteem what Christ had done for us on Calvary, and like Esau, they bartered away the immortal inheritance for some momentary pleasure or benefit. Thus, like Esau, many crocodile tears will flow, when some realize too late, what they have missed. Let’s read:

Matthew 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Therefore, now while we still have opportunity to confess and forsake our sins, now, whilst God’s day of grace is winding down to a close, let us rise to the occasion by leaving off the works of darkness, and putting on the armor of Christ’s righteousness, for now is our salvation much nearer than when we first believed.

David’s type of confession should be our own, for God’s work of grace in the heart is intended to keep us from repetitive sinning. And like David, if persons were to desire an entire change of heart, God will respond by doing what we cannot do for ourselves, by clothing us with the garments of Christ’s own righteousness, which not only covers, but saturates the believer. Let’s read:

Psalms 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

We close with a quote from the pen of inspiration, cautioning us not to lull ourselves into a false sense of security, by subscribing to cute doctrines, which portray Jesus as being too loving to dispense justice, for He is both The Lion, and The Lamb! Let’s read:

[G.C pp 491] The righteous and the wicked will still be living upon the earth in their mortal state—men will be planting and building, eating and drinking, all unconscious that the final, irrevocable decision has been pronounced in the sanctuary above. “So,” says the Savior, “shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” [Matthew 24:39.]

Silently, unnoticed as the midnight thief, will come the decisive hour which marks the fixing of every man's destiny, the final withdrawal of mercy's offer to guilty men. “Watch ye therefore; ... lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping.” [Mark 13:35, 36.] Perilous is the condition of those who, growing weary of their watch, turn to the attractions of the world.

While the man of business is absorbed in the pursuit of gain, while the pleasure-lover is seeking indulgence, while the daughter of fashion is arranging her adornments,—it may be in that hour the Judge of all the earth will pronounce the sentence, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.” [Daniel 5:27.]

God Bless!

The Investigative Judgment. [2] Sabbath Afternoon. 04/28/2018

April 28, 2018

God’s decision to save us eternally is a very serious decision, and it isn’t done lightly as some may seem to make it, for when once the decision is made by Christ, it becomes permanently irreversible. Thus, the utmost care, and most thorough investigation is done, before reaching such a conclusion. Heaven will not be placed in jeopardy anymore, by any who obey today and sin tomorrow, as an ongoing habit.

Thus, it becomes necessary for us to understand the blotting out of sins, for very many Christians may be found living with a false sense of security. There are many persons who were once forgiven, but who will be lost, because forgiveness of itself does not do much for a person, unless the necessary follow up procedure of cleansing from all unrighteousness is put into place, on a continuing basis. Let’s read:

Psalms 78:37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant.
38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.

1st Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

A president may grant pardon to a known criminal, but without a change of heart, the person remains just that, a pardoned felon. Former president, Bill Clinton pardoned very many criminals, but whether there was a change of heart is an entirely different question. Thus, it is through John, that The Holy Spirit reveals to us that the plan to rescue humanity is twofold in nature, as it pertains to our side of the equation.

Beginning with confession of sin, with genuine godly repentance, and then the work of cleansing us from all unrighteousness, the twofold work constitutes the original purpose for the plan of salvation. But to merely forgive us does not really accomplish much, and leaves us in the same condition as before. That is why when Jesus came to earth, His mission was clearly stated up front. Let’s read:

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

1st John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Therefore, in harmony with God’s original purpose, the work of blotting out our sins through the blood of Christ will take place, but only after it has been verified through the investigative judgment, that all who will be saved, have by their continual choices, accepted the atonement, and the life that must be commensurate with the life and teachings of Christ.

The teachings of cheap grace, without obedience, through freedom of choice, sells the plan of God’s salvation short, and will ultimately result in utter disappointment, to those who have subscribed to any such doctrine. Disobedience is what caused our first parents to fall, and therefore, it is by obedience to God that we demonstrate our loyalty.

Christ’s righteousness is a free gift, but it does not demonstrate one’s loyalty. It’s only through willing obedience that our loyalty is confirmed. Hence the reason why the doctrine which states that God’s law was nailed to the cross, strikes not only at the foundation of God’s government, but it effectively removes the means whereby loyalty is verified. Let’s read:

Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into
the city.

James 2:11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The previous passage is a qualified statement, for it is only those who do not walk after the flesh, that are covered by the blood of the Lamb, and whose sins will finally be blotted out. Thus, it behooves us to discover what walking after the flesh means. To walk after the flesh means to be governed by those impulses of fallen human nature that drive us in an
opposite direction to Christ.

Christians whose names are currently written in The Lamb’s book of life, but who continue to “walk after the flesh”, will have their names removed, because the blood of Jesus does not blot out cherished sin. In fact, sins are only blotted out when the work of the investigative judgment ends, not before. Sins are now covered, but not blotted out. Let’s read:

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you.

The blood of Christ will cleanse persons from all unrighteousness, only as we allow this necessary work to proceed. Hence the reason why our sins are only covered, until such time that our names are called in heaven, and the determination is made to make us eternally secure. Then it is that our sins are slated to be blotted out permanently, when Christ finishes His work of mediation in the sanctuary. Let’s read:

Leviticus 16:20 And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:
21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness.
22 And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.

G.C pp 485] The work of the investigative Judgment and the blotting out of sins is to be accomplished before the second advent of the Lord. Since the dead are to be judged out of the things written in the books, it is impossible that the sins of men should be blotted out until after the Judgment at which their cases are to be investigated.

As was stated previously on several occasions, it is quite easy to know if our sins are blotted out, for if we can remember any sin, it means that it has not been blotted out as yet. It’s that simple. The work of blotting out sins takes place in heaven, it is a deliberate act on God’s part, and has literal effects on earth, for if The Lord does not remember them, then we will not remember them either. Let’s read:

Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Hebrews 8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

[G.C pp 620] Had not Jacob previously repented of his sin in obtaining the birthright by fraud, God would not have heard his prayer and mercifully preserved his life. So, in the time of trouble, if the people of God had unconfessed sins to appear before them while tortured with fear and anguish, they would be overwhelmed; despair would cut off their faith, and they could not have confidence to plead with God for deliverance.

But while they have a deep sense of their unworthiness, they have no concealed wrongs to reveal. Their sins have gone beforehand to judgment and have been blotted out; and they cannot bring them to remembrance.

Psalms 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

This leads us to an important question pertaining to the investigative judgment, for we should be aware of how the blood of Jesus is applied to our account. For an answer we turn to the experience of the king of ancient Babylon, who had for years, set Himself up against the King of heaven.

He ordained counterfeit worship and punished any who did not subscribe to his dictates. But later on, after eating much grass, he sincerely repented by acknowledging the God of heaven, and that he had done wrong. By so doing, his name was recorded in the book of life, his sins were forgiven and covered, and if his choice remained permanent, then his sins would be blotted out permanently when Christ ends the investigative judgment. Let’s read:

Daniel 4:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.
3 How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.
19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar answered and said;
24 This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which is come upon my lord the king.
25 That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.
27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquility.
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation.
37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

However, if after some time the king of Babylon had returned to his old ways, if he returned to his pride, to his boasting, and to his oppression; the grace of Christ which forgave him when he acknowledged his sin and confessed to God, and the blood of Jesus which covered him would then be removed, and his name, his confessions, and all his good deeds would be erased permanently, because God only blots out the sins of those who remain forgiven. Let’s read:

Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

2nd Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Ezekiel 18:21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

Everyone who has ever named the name of Christ has had their names entered into the Lamb’s book of life, without exception. This applies equally to the sincere, and the insincere Christian. It is a standard procedure which takes place when one enters by faith into a covenant relationship with The Lord Jesus.

This includes such persons as the thief on the cross, and Judas Iscariot, both of whom were formerly registered in the book of life. In addition, the grace of God which brings salvation to all men, is given to every believer in the most literal sense. It is the gift of Christ’s righteousness, the robe that is not of human devising. What we do with that robe from the point of surrender onwards is what determines our eternal destiny.

It is often the case, that even after accepting the robe of Christ’s righteousness, and being covered by His blood, that there are spots and wrinkles in our lives which need to be addressed. This is done via sanctification, whereby God takes us through some experiences, or trials to show us where change is needed, and if we were to stay the course with Him every defect will be removed.

Often when clothes have been washed and dried, they come out looking and smelling clean, but alas some wrinkles remain. Whenever this is the case, there is one, and only one way to get rid of those wrinkles, and that’s to iron them out! Let’s read:

Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

Isaiah 48:10 Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.

[TBLJ 246] The furnace fires are not to destroy, but to refine, ennoble, sanctify. Without trial we would not feel so much our need of God and His help; and we would become proud and self-sufficient. In the trials that come to us we should see the evidences that the Lord's eye is upon us, and that He means to draw us to Himself.

God Bless!

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Overcoming Cursing. Sabbath Afternoon. 09/08/2018

Overcoming Porn. Sabbath Afternoon 09/01/2018

Overcoming Depression. Sabbath Afternoon 08/25/2018

Find Me A Wife. Sabbath Afternoon 08/18/2018

Teach Us To Pray. Sabbath Afternoon. 08/11/2018

Different Forms Of Lying. Sabbath Afternoon 08/04/2018

Overcoming Revenge. Sabbath Afternoon 07/28/2018

From Eden To Eden. Sabbath Afternoon. 07/21/2018

Testing The Prophets. Sabbath Afternoon. 07/14/2018

Six Dispositions Of Saul. Sabbath Afternoon. 07/07/2018

Led By The Spirit. Sabbath Afternoon. 06/30/2018

Love Thy Neighbor. Sabbath Afternoon 06/23/2018

The Voice Of God. Sabbath Afternoon. 06/16/2018

The 144,000. Sabbath Afternoon. 06/09/2018

Swimming Upstream. Sabbath Afternoon 06/02/2018

Do Unto Others. Sabbath Afternoon 05/26/2018

The Investigative Judgment. [3] Sabbath Afternoon. 05/05/2018

The Investigative Judgment. [2] Sabbath Afternoon. 04/28/2018

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