Daily Living

A Song in the Night

by

It happened in 1829 to a young girl by the name of Susanna Foster. She had a younger sister by the name of Elisa who lived to be very old, and she also had some brothers, one of which was Steven Foster, a famous song writer from the last century. Susanna was a very promising musician and singer, but while she was still young she contracted tuberculosis, a disease of the lungs. She was seriously ill and was expected to die. Some of her friends stayed up all night with her not knowing at the time, that it would be her last. At 4:30 in the morning, she awoke and sang a song. Her voice was clear and crisp; however, a short time after, she died, never to sing again.

Her family mourned her loss. Steven Foster was so young when she died that he never really got to know his sister personally, but the memory of her song on the night she died lived on.

There are often discouraging experiences in life that we simply do not understand. Some years ago another young woman with two young daughters and a little baby boy died. After having a surgery for cancer, she went through a course of chemotherapy and then had some other treatments in an effort to help her get better. She did not get better; she got worse. When you are only 29 years old and you have two beautiful girls and one beautiful baby boy, the last thing you want to do is die.

In the Bible, there is a story about a man who was told that he was going to die. The prophet Isaiah came to Hezekiah and told him to get his house in order; he was given forewarning. Hezekiah did not want to die right then so he turned his face towards the wall and he said, “Lord, I do not want to die.”

Hezekiah pleaded with the Lord that he would live a little longer and not die and the Lord answered his prayer and told him he would lengthen his life another fifteen years. A very sad thing happened in those fifteen years. Hezekiah had a child by the name of Manasseh. Manasseh was one of the most wicked kings that Judah ever had, and it was Manasseh who was responsible for martyring Isaiah the prophet. Because of the influence of Manasseh, the children of Israel were taken into captivity.

This was the terrible consequence that resulted because Hezekiah did not die at the right time, at God’s appointed time.

Sometimes it is hard to accept God’s will when we do not understand. This young lady, 29 years old, did not want to die either, but her condition got worse. The last time I saw her she was at church. She was so sick by that time that she was in a wheelchair and on oxygen. Her husband, standing beside her, too sad for words, just gave a nod of recognition. No words were exchanged; it was just too sad to say anything. Unknown at that time that was the last time I would see her alive; a few days later she died. I visited her husband with his three children and felt the emptiness and the hollowness inside the home. The light of that house was not there; his crown of rejoicing was no longer there.

“Do not marvel at this: because the hour is coming, in which all who are in the graves will hear his voice, And they will come out; those who have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, unto the resurrection of condemnation.“ John 5:28–29.

This young lady had deteriorated so much that she had to be taken to a hospital. They all knew she was dying but still every effort was made to try and save her life and help her to stay a little longer. As the evening grew on, her husband decided to stay there with her all that night. In the afternoon she had asked him, ”Who are all these people in my room?” He looked around and said, “I don’t see anybody; there’s nobody here.” She was insistent that there was, that the room was full of bright shining beings, and they were all around her bed, and they were all around the room. He did not see anybody.

Pretty soon it was supper time. Surprisingly, for being in her condition, she ate a good supper and after supper they had a wonderful conversation together. They did not know then, but it would be their last conversation together, and then she went to sleep.

This lady had prayed to the Lord, “Lord, if I have to die, because this is so distasteful to me leaving my children, please let me die in my sleep.” The Lord that night answered her prayer, and she went to sleep. About 5:00 o’clock in the morning her husband, who was sleeping in a chair by her bed, woke up with a start and he felt her and saw that she was not breathing. Ten minutes before, the nurse had checked on her and had seen that everything was fine. The doctors tried to resuscitate her, but it was too late; she was gone. She was only 29 years old, leaving two beautiful girls, a two year old baby boy, and a loving husband. Who can understand?

Life is so uncertain. At every opportunity show the people in your family the affection that you ought, so that if something should happen and they are taken suddenly from you, you will have some pleasant memories of the way you talked to them, and the way you treated them.

A physician was working in his office when his wife stopped by on her way to do some business downtown. She had wanted some time with him but was brushed off because he was “too busy.” A few minutes later he got a telephone call. A policeman was on the other end of the line informing him that his wife had been involved in a serious car accident. A few minutes before, he had been impatient and “too busy.” Would those words be the last he would ever speak to her, words of impatience?

What if something happened to somebody whom you love? Would the last words you spoke to them be words that you would want to remember? Always make sure that your parting words are a pleasant exchange and never impatient or fretful. Life is uncertain and none of us know how long we have our loved ones with us. We need to take advantage of every opportunity to show love and sympathy and affection to those we love.

“Home should be made all that the name implies. It should be a little heaven upon the earth, a place where the affections are cultivated instead of being studiously repressed. Our happiness depends upon this cultivation of love, sympathy, and polite courtesy to one another. The reason why there are so many hard-hearted men and women in our world, is because true affection has been regarded as weakness, and has been discouraged and repressed. The better part of the nature of those of this class was perverted and dwarfed in childhood; and unless rays of divine light can melt away their coldness and hard-hearted selfishness, the happiness of such is buried forever. If we would have tender hearts, such as Jesus had when he was upon the earth, and sanctified sympathy, such as angels have for sinful mortals, we must cultivate the sympathies of childhood, which are simplicity itself. Then we shall be refined, elevated, and directed by heavenly principles. We need to express love and affection in our homes so that our children don’t grow up to be hard-hearted.” The Review and Herald, June 22, 1886.

What kinds of words are we speaking with our spouse and with our children, with our brothers, with our sisters? If love and affection are not expressed in our homes, our children will grow up hard-hearted.

That Sunday morning I was on the way to the prison and needed to get all the sadness from my mind. The prisoners needed to be encouraged. I had been going to this jail for some time and I knew there would be between 15–25 inmates who would be there to sing songs and hear the gospel. Out of that jail ministry, there were people who had accepted Christ, some who had become Seventh-day Adventists, and I was going there to be an encouragement to them, to cheer them up. Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I’m going away. I’m going to prepare a place for you, and I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, ye may be also.” John 14:1–3.

Promises like this we would share with the people in the prison, and tell them there will be no jails in heaven. If you are saved, you will not be in any jails in heaven. There will not be any hospitals in heaven either, and there will not be any trouble in heaven. The prisoners loved to hear about heaven and they loved to sing the song, “Power in the Blood.”

Jesus left us an example as he comforted his disciples when they were in trouble. You can read in 11 Corinthians in the first chapter how Paul also comforted people who were in all kinds of trouble. Many people, while behind bars, reach out for hope of a better life, and Christians should be able to comfort them and give them hope making the prison a very fruitful field for evangelism.

As I was on my way to the jail, I was preoccupied with thoughts about these children who had just lost their mother from cancer. I just could not shake it out of my mind as I went up into the cell block that morning. One of the prisoners, whom I knew quite well, recognized a different expression on my face at once and asked, “What’s the matter with you, preacher?”

My purpose for being there that day was to encourage these people and not to tell them my troubles. He had asked a direct question, so not to tell a lie, I told him about my friend whose wife had just died from cancer, that she was only 29 years old with three children, two older girls and a little baby boy, two years old, and now this little baby boy, when he grows up, will not even be able to remember his mother.

That whole cell block went quiet. Though I was only talking to this man who had asked me the question, everybody else was listening. I came right up to the bar that divided us, and he came right up to the bar also, and he looked up into my face and then he began to tell me the story of his life.

He said, I have two older sisters, and when I was two years old my mother died from cancer. She was only 29 years old. When my mother died, my father could not cope and as a result became an alcoholic. There was nobody to take care of the children so we were separated. My two sisters were raised somewhere else and I was taken to an orphanage.

This man had heard the Gospel presented a number of times with never a response, but now, now all of a sudden, I understood what had happened to this boy, what had happened to this man. He had grown up deprived of a mother to love him, without the special tender love of a family and no one to express that love and sympathy and affection that is so needed. With his mother, whom he never knew, dead, and his father an alcoholic as a result, he had become hard-hearted, and as he became a man he had gotten into trouble with the law and ended up in jail.

Never before had this man responded after hearing the Gospel, but this time his heart was touched. I had been given the key to his heart and he had told me the story of his life and was now ready to respond and receive hope and comfort.

“The Lord hath done great things for us; [whereof] we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves [with him].” Psalm 126:3–6.

With all the prisoners still listening even though I was just talking to this one man, I asked him if his mother was a Christian. He said that his sisters had told him that she had been a Bible believing Christian. Then I asked him if he would like to see his mother again someday, and he said, “Yes.” I commenced to tell him how that could happen. Someday Jesus is going to come back to this world; He is going to come back from heaven. The Bible says that every eye is going to see Him and when He comes back, He is going to look down on this world, and He is going to say, “Awake you that sleep in the dust, awake and sing.” Isaiah 26:19.

I told him that when Jesus comes in the clouds and says, “Awake, awake, awake, ye that sleep in the dust and arise,” your mother is going to awake and come out of the grave, and she is going to look for you. If you surrender your heart and life to Jesus, you are going to be there. Your mother is going to look for you when she wakes up when Jesus comes.

By the way friend, when Jesus comes, is there anyone who is going to wake up and look for you? Are you going to be there? If you are there, then they are going to sing. It says in Isaiah, “Awake and sing, you that dwell in the dust.” Isaiah 26:19.

I believe one of the persons who will awake in the first resurrection and will look for me, is my father. My father died as a result of being hit by a car in April 2000. I remember when I was a small boy at home, over and over again I heard my father pray during family worship. He would ask the Lord that our family might be saved, without the loss of one. My father did not want anybody in his family to be lost. He continually worked for all people wherever he lived in the world to get the Gospel to them, but he always prayed that all his family would be saved.

Who is going to look for you? Are they going to sing? Are they going to have a song in the night because you are there?

In Isaiah 30:29 the Lord says that you are going to have a song in the night.

In Isaiah 21 it talks about the watchmen: “Watchmen, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning is coming, and also the night: if you will inquire, inquire: return, come.” Isaiah 21:11, 12.

The night of sin, friends, is almost over and the eternal morning is going to break very soon for the righteous. It will be eternal night for the wicked. So because the night of sin is about over and the morning is going to come soon, the watchman says, “If you return, inquire and come.”

The context of the verses in Isaiah 21 is the fall of Babylon. In Revelation 18, when Babylon falls, the morning is coming. That is one of the reasons why people are going to sing, because the night is over. They are going to have a song in the night because the night is just about over and the eternal morning is coming. With it, however, is also the night; eternal night for the wicked.

“Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times.” The Great Controversy, 464.

In order for the night of sin to end there must be a return to primitive godliness. As Jeremiah puts it, “Seek for the old paths.” Jeremiah 6:16.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things [are] noble, whatever things [are] just, whatever things [are] pure, whatever things [are] lovely, whatever things [are] of good report: if [there] is any virtue, and if [there] is anything praiseworthy,—meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8.

Come out from among them and be separate. God wants a peculiar people who reflect His image, a people who will return to primitive godliness, a people who will reject worldly ways and its entertainments, adornments, and lifestyles. God wants people who are not afraid to be known as Christians and turn away from harmful substances like alcohol, and delight in the Sabbath, the special day that God gave to man for rest and worship.

The worldly ways that have been allowed to fester in the church have caused confusion and strife. Proverbs 13:10 says, “By pride comes nothing but strife.”

The Lord is coming! He is going to end this night of sin and we are going to have a song. But the people who have the song are going to be the people who beforehand had an experience in primitive godliness.

Make sure you are among that group of people, the ones who have a song, ready to meet their Lord and Savior.

Pastor John Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by e-mail at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Old Flesh New Spirit

by

There is a serious and very bothersome mistake, which is made by many persons.

That mistake is made in thinking that when they are converted, their old sinful flesh is blotted out.

In other words, they make the mistake of thinking that they are to be delivered from the flesh by having it taken away from them altogether.

Then, when they find that this is not so, when they find that the same old flesh, with its inclinations, its besetments, and its enticements, is still there, they are not prepared for it, and so become discouraged, and are ready to think that they never were converted at all.

And yet, if they would think a little, they ought to be able to see that that is all a mistake. Did you not have exactly the same body after you were converted that you had before? Was not that body composed of exactly the same material—the same flesh and bones and blood—after you were converted as that of which it was composed before? To these questions everybody will promptly say “Yes.” And plainly that is the truth.

And now there are further questions: Was not that flesh also of exactly the same quality as before? Was it not still human flesh, natural flesh, as certainly as it was before?—To this also everybody will say “Yes.”

Then also a still further question: It being the same flesh, and of the same quality,—it still being human flesh, natural flesh,—is it not also still just as certainly sinful flesh as it was before?

Just here is where creeps in the mistake of these many persons. To this last question they are inclined to think that the answer should be “No,” when it must be only a decided “Yes.” And this decided “Yes” must be maintained so long as we continue in this natural body.

And when it is decided and constantly maintained that the flesh of the converted person is still sinful flesh, and only sinful flesh, he is so thoroughly convinced that in his flesh dwells no good thing that he will never allow a shadow of confidence in the flesh. And this being so, his sole dependence is upon something other than the flesh, even upon the Holy Spirit of God; his source of strength and hope is altogether exclusive of the flesh, even in Jesus Christ only. And being everlastingly watchful, suspicious, and thoroughly distrustful of the flesh, he never can expect any good thing from that source, and so is prepared by the power of God to beat back and crush down without mercy every impulse or suggestion that may arise from it; and so does not fail, does not become discouraged, but goes on from victory to victory and from strength to strength.

Conversion, then, you see, does not put new flesh upon the old spirit; but a new Spirit within the old flesh. It does not propose to bring new flesh to the old mind; but a new mind to the old flesh. Deliverance and victory are not gained by having the human nature taken away; but by receiving the divine nature to subdue and have dominion over the human,—not by the taking away of the sinful flesh, but by the sending in of the sinless Spirit to conquer and condemn sin in the flesh.

The Scripture does not say, Let this flesh be upon you, which was also upon Christ; but it does say, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5.

The Scripture does not say, Be ye transformed by the renewing of your flesh; but it does say, “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2. We shall be translated by the renewing of our flesh; but we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

The Lord Jesus took the same flesh and blood, the same human nature, that we have,—flesh just like our sinful flesh,—and because of sin, and by the power of the Spirit of God through the divine mind that was in him, “condemned sin in the flesh.” Romans 8:3. And therein is our deliverance (Romans 7:25), therein is our victory. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,” “A new heart will I give you, and a new Spirit will I put within you.” [Ezekiel 36:26, last part.]

Do not be discouraged at sight of sinfulness in the flesh. It is only in the light of the Spirit of God, and by the discernment of the mind of Christ, that you can see so much sinfulness in your flesh; and the more sinfulness you see in your flesh, the more of the Spirit of God you certainly have. This is a sure test. Then when you see sinfulness abundant in you, thank the Lord that you have so much of the Spirit of God that you can see so much of the sinfulness; and know of a surety that when sinfulness abounds, grace much more abounds in order that “as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Unbelieving Israel, not having the righteousness which is of faith, and so not appreciating the great sacrifice that the Heavenly Father has made, sought righteousness by virtue of the offering itself, and because of the merit of presenting the offering.

Thus was perverted every form of service, and everything which God had appointed to be the means of expression to a living faith, and which could not have any real meaning except by the living presence and power of Christ Himself in the life. And even this was not enough. For, not finding the peace and satisfaction of an accomplished righteousness in any of this, nor in all of it together, they heaped upon these things which the Lord had appointed for another purpose, but which they had perverted to purposes of their own invention,—they heaped upon these things ten thousand traditions, exactions, and hair-splitting distinctions of their own invention; and all, all, in a vain hope of attaining righteousness. For the rabbis taught what was practically a confession of despair, that “if but one person could only for one day keep the whole law and not offend in one point—nay, if but one person could but keep that one point of the law which affected the due observance of the Sabbath—then the troubles of Israel would be ended, and the Messiah at last would come.”—Farrar, “Life and Work of St. Paul,” 37. See also 36, 83. What could possibly more fittingly describe a dead formalism than does this? And yet for all this conscious dearth in their own lives, there was still enough supposed merit to cause them to count themselves so much better than other people that all others were but as dogs in comparison.

It is not so with those who are accounted righteous by the Lord upon a living faith freely exercised. For when the Lord counts a man righteous, he is actually righteous before God, and by this very fact is separated from all the people of the world. But this is not because of any excellence of his own, nor of the “merit” of anything that he has done. It is altogether because of the excellence of the Lord and of what He has done. And the man for whom this has been done, knows that in himself he is no better than anybody else; but rather in the light of the righteousness of God that is freely imparted to him, he, in the humility of true faith, willingly counts others better than himself. Philippians 2:3.

This giving themselves great credit for what they themselves had done, and counting themselves better than all other people upon the merit of what they had done—this were at once to land men fully in the complete self-righteousness of the Phariseeism. They counted themselves so much better than all other people that there could not possibly be any basis of comparison. It seemed to them a perfectly ruinous revolution to preach as the truth of God that “there is no respect of persons with God.” [Acts 10:34.]

And what of the actual life of such people, all this time? O, it was only a life of injustice and oppression, malice and envy, variance and emulation, backbiting and tale-bearing, hypocrisy and meanness; boasting of their great honour of the law, and through breaking the law dishonouring God; their hearts filled with murder, and the tongues crying loudly for blood of One of their brethren, yet they could not cross the threshold of a Roman tribunal “lest they should be defiled!” [John 10:28, last part.] Intense sticklers for the Sabbath; yet spending the holy day in spying treachery and conspiracy to murder.

What God thought and still thinks of all such ways as this, is shown plainly enough for our present purpose, in just two short passages of scripture. Here is His word to Israel—the ten tribes—while yet their day lingered: “I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. Though ye offer me burnt-offerings and your meat-offerings, I will not accept them; neither will I regard the peace-offerings of your fat beasts. Take thou away from Me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.” Amos 5:21-24.

And to Judah near the same time He said the same thing, in these words: “Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto Me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he-goats. When ye come to appear before Me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread My courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto Me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts My soul hateth; they are a trouble unto Me; I am weary to bear them. 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.

“Wash ye, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:10-18.

The Lord Himself had appointed these feast days and solemn assemblies, these burnt-offerings, meat-offerings, and peace-offerings; but now He says He hates them and will not accept them. Their fine songs, sung by their trained choirs, and accompanied with instruments of music, making a grand display,—all this that they got off for wonderfully fine music, He called “noise,” and wanted it taken away.

He has never appointed any feast days, nor solemn assemblies, nor sacrifices, nor offerings, nor songs, for any such purpose as that for which these were being used. He had appointed all these as the means of worshipful expression of a living faith by which the Lord Himself should abide in the heart and work righteousness in the life, so that in righteousness they could judge the fatherless and plead for the widows; and so that judgment could run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.

Songs sung in the pomp and stylish intonation of a vain show, are but “noise;” while the simple expression, “Our Father,” flowing from a heart touched by the power of a true and living faith and “spoken in sincerity by human lips, is music” which enters into the inclining ear (Psalm 116:2) of the Heavenly Father, and brings divine blessing in power to the soul.

This and this alone is what He had appointed these things for; and never, never to be used in the hollow pretense of a dead formalism to answer in righteousness for the iniquity of a carnal heart. Nothing but the washing away of the sins by the blood of the Lamb of God, and the purifying of the heart by living faith—nothing but this could ever make these things acceptable to Him who appointed them.

Even this side of the cross of Christ, which itself should be the everlasting destruction of it, the same dead formalism, and empty profession, has exalted itself, and has been the bane of the profession of Christianity everywhere. Very soon, unconverted men crept into the church and exalted themselves in the place of Christ. Not finding the living presence of Christ in the heart by living faith, they have ever since sought to have the forms of Christianity supply the lack of His presence, which alone can give meaning and life to these forms.

In this system of perverseness, regeneration is through the form of baptism, and even this by a mere sprinkling of a few drops of water; the real presence of Christ is in the form of the Lord’s supper; the hope of salvation is in being connected with a form of the church. And so on throughout the whole list of the forms of Christianity. Not content with thus perverting the divinely appointed forms of Christianity, they have heaped upon this, ten thousand inventions of their own, in penance, pilgrimages, traditions, and hair-splitting distinctions.

And, as of old, and always with mere formalists, the life is simply and continually, the manifestation of the works of the flesh,—strife and contention; hypocrisy and iniquity; persecution, spying, treachery, and every evil work. This is the Papacy.

This evil spirit of a dead formalism, however, has spread itself far beyond the bounds of the organized Papacy. It is the bane of the profession of Christianity everywhere today; and even the profession of the Christianity of the third angel’s message has not entirely escaped it. It is to be the world-wide prevailing evil of the last days up to the very coming of the Lord in glory in the clouds of heaven.

For, “this know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” II Timothy 3:1-5.

This all-prevailing form of godliness without the power, and which even denies the power, is the dead formalism against which we are to fight the good fight of living faith. The living faith which is brought to the world in the third angel’s message is to save us from being swallowed up in this worldwide sea of a dead formalism.

How is it with you individually to-day? Is yours a dead formalism, or a living faith? Have you the form of godliness without the power? or have you by living faith the living presence and power of the living Saviour in the heart, giving divine meaning, life, and joy to all the forms of worship and of service which Christ has appointed; and working the works of God and manifesting the fruits of the Spirit in all the life?

Except as the means of finding Christ the living Saviour in the word, and the living faith of Him, even this word itself, can be turned to a dead formalism now as it was of old when He was on the earth. He said to them then (Revised Version), “Ye search the Scriptures, because ye think that in them ye have eternal life; and these are they which bear witness of Me. And ye will not come to Me that ye may have life.” John 5:39, 40.

They thought to find eternal life in the Scriptures without Christ, that is, by doing it themselves. But “this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son,”—as we find Him in the Scriptures, and not in the words of the Scriptures without Him. For they are they that testify of Him. This is their object. Therefore, “he that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” I John 5:11, 12.

“True godliness elevates the thoughts and actions; then the external forms of religion accord with the Christian’s internal purity; then those ceremonies required in the service of God are not meaningless rites, like those of the hypocritical Pharisees.” Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, 219.

©Copyright 1995 TEACH Services, Inc.

Used with Permission. www.teachservices.com

The Family of God

by

David Pelzer was an abused child. He wrote about it in his book, A Child Called It, telling of his experiences from around the age of four until 12 years old. It became a New York Times best seller as was his second book, The Lost Boy, where it tells of his experiences up to about age 18.

The abuse this child suffered is incomprehensible. He lived in Sonoma County, California. The events in this book began in the early ‘70s. He was abused so severely by his mother, that Child Protective Services finally removed him from his home and placed him in a foster home. He says in his book, “There is not a doubt in my mind, that had I stayed with my biological mother much longer I would have definitely been killed.”

In the first chapter he tells about being sent out of the house when he was nine. He describes his feelings and the thoughts that flowed through his mind while walking down the sidewalk, not knowing where he would stay that night, not knowing where he would get anything to eat, not knowing anything, not knowing anybody. He described it this way: “I have no home. I am a member of no one’s family. I know deep inside that I do not now, nor will I ever, deserve any love, attention, or even recognition as a human being. I am a child called ‘it.’ I am all alone inside.”

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated instance. Throughout the United States, at present, there are millions of children like this with no home and no food, but not all of them are in as severe a case as he was.

As he walked down the street a long way from the home he was sent from, he sees homes where there are people who are laughing and he hears some of them listening to music. He tells what went through his mind when he heard and saw that. He says, “I wondered what it would be like to be welcomed in a home. I wondered what that would be like.”

He said, “I wish I was a real person.” When he was taken back to his parental home by the police department and was told he was at home the thought went through his mind, “Home? I have no home.”

Later, concerning foster children who have had the privilege to be adopted when the parents have developed attachments with the children, he said that to be adopted is the highest honor bestowed on a child who longs to become a member of a family.

The desire in this young boy’s heart was to be loved and to belong somewhere. He wanted to be a part of a family, and he didn’t have any. That desire, my friend, is the desire that God put into a human soul. That desire is not something that just developed or evolved; that is something that God put within you. Sin is the reason why so many have anxiety. They are in situations that are similar to David Pelzer’s.

When I talk to young people, I find that most are primarily interested in finding a life partner. They want to fall in love. They want to have a family. They want to be a family. In heaven there is nobody up there that does not belong to a family. Everybody belongs. Nobody is left out. There is nobody that has no place to go. That experience does not happen there. Lack of familial bond would not happen on this earth either, except for sin.

There is often a lot of talk about the second coming of Christ, and it is right that we should do that because, as Christians, we are pilgrims and strangers in this world. When Jesus comes, we are going to go home to our big family. We hope and pray that all of our family members here are going to be there with us.

Ellen White wrote, “Infinite love—how great it is! God made the world to enlarge heaven. He desires a larger family of created intelligences.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 1, 1081.

Why did God create this world? He wanted a larger family. He wanted you to be part of His family. Unfortunately, what is happening in this world is that the devil is trying to steal people from God’s family. He has been very successful. At the end of the world and after the millennium, the Lord is going to face the devil and the devil is going to have to face Him, and the Lord is going to ask the devil, Why have you robbed me of my subjects?

Ellen White tells us that the devil is not going to have anything to say.

My dear friend, if you are going to go home, where your real home and your real family are going to be, you need now to become part of God’s family, the royal family of God. Adam and Eve were initially part of an even larger part of the family, but because of sin they were cast out of the Garden of Eden. The plan of salvation was arranged so there would be a way to bring them and their children back.

Ellen White wrote, “He [God] created man [and woman] for happiness.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 290. There never would have been any unhappiness if we had not chosen to sin. Once man was cast out of the Garden of Eden, away from the protection of the evil one we found out what it is really like when you do not obey God and do His will. We find out there are all kinds of problems and we get into all kinds of trouble. One of those problems is the amount of abused and homeless children with no one to love them—no family.

The Bible says in 2nd Samuel 14:14, last part, that God “devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him.” Jesus died so that through His merits you could be redeemed from the guilt and power of sin and be adopted back into the family of God. That is the essence of the plan of salvation.

Galatians 4:4, 5 states: “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

That is what David Pelzer wanted so desperately. He tells how he was placed in several different foster homes, wondering if there would be anybody who would ever love him enough to adopt him and make him their child so he might have a family. It never happened.

Why is it that we need the adoption into the family of God? When Adam and Eve sinned, all of their children were born sons and daughters of the devil. You do not have to do anything to be lost. Everyone born is already lost, unless they are adopted. If you want to be a member of God’s family, not just a foster child but be adopted, consider the following:

Several Facts About the Family of God:
1    Who are God’s family here on this earth right now and how can one become part of it?

The Bible describes God’s family on this earth right now as His church. 1 Corinthians 12 is about the church. Verse 13 says, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body (the church)—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”

When a person is baptized with water it is a symbol of being baptized with the Holy Spirit. When you get baptized by water, you become a member of the professed church. But when baptized of the Spirit, you become a member of the real church and your name is written down in heaven. This needs an explanation so nobody misunderstands. There will be millions of people that have been baptized with water but will not be in heaven. However, not a single person will be lost that has been baptized by the Holy Spirit.

The water baptism is only a symbol of the real thing, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (See 1 Corinthians 12:13.) Ellen White explains it this way: “Through this simple act of believing God, the Holy Spirit has begotten a new life in your heart. You are as a child born into the family of God, and He loves you as He loves His Son.” Steps to Christ, 52. This is also explained by the story of the prodigal son. He did not have to be baptized before he could again be a member of his family. He repented of his lifestyle of sin. His heart had been changed by the Holy Spirit and he came to his father, who covered him with his own robe, symbolizing the robe of Christ’s righteousness.

2    Paul, writing to the Corinthian church, told them there was a condition to being adopted into God’s family. He said, “Therefore ‘come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.’ ‘I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty’ ” (2 Corinthians 6:17).

The unclean thing that has defiled our world is sin. The Lord says, I would like for you to be My son, My daughter, but you must separate yourself from sinful habits or I can’t trust to take you to heaven where all is pure.

3    You cannot be a star player. You have to be a team player. Romans 14:7 says, “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.”

That is a powerful verse. To have harmony in the family there needs to be team effort. There are no stars, just team players. No one member lives to himself; everyone must be considerate of others.

The devil’s temptation is for each family member to be concerned only about themselves, having no regard of how their decisions affect the other people in the family. All self-serving people will be expelled from the family of God. In that family nobody lives to himself.

4    You can never be a member of both God’s family and the devil’s family.

1 Corinthians 10:21 states: “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and the table of demons.”

Notice that this verse does not say not to. It says you cannot. My dear friends, Adam and Eve had access to the tree of life, but they could not have access to both the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Since they chose to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the human race has been eating from it ever since. We do not have access to the tree of life. Thus eventually we all die.

Friends, if it seems as if your prayers are not being answered and the Lord is not doing anything for you, check where you are sitting. Sometimes the reason for unanswered prayers is that you are praying to the Lord while sitting at the table of demons. The Lord is not going to answer your prayer while you are unwilling to leave the devil’s table.

5    “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:16, 17).

The Spirit of Prophecy states the following: “It is impossible for you to unite with those who are corrupt, and still remain pure.” The Review and Herald, January 2, 1900.

Notice it does not say you cannot unite, but if you do, it is impossible for you to remain pure.

6    What excluded Satan from the royal family? The devil started treating his Creator and his fellow angels in the wrong way and he had to be excluded from the kingdom of heaven. He started a war in heaven.

It says in James 3:13–16, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”

The devil became conceited and jealous of the Son of God. His self-seeking and envy disrupted the peace of heaven, causing other angels to be dissatisfied.

Do not think that it is not important how we treat other people in God’s family. It determines whether in the judgment we are allowed to stay in the family or not.

7    God gives people tests to see whether they are fitted to become members of the royal family.

When Jesus comes, His children, His family are going to be taken up to heaven and they will become members of what Ellen White calls the royal family. To remain part of the family, all must become fit to become members. All must not only be saved by the merit of Jesus, but also be fit. This being fitted has to do with the work of the Holy Spirit and is why Jesus said to Nicodemus that unless he was born of the Holy Spirit, there was no chance for him to be saved.

God allows us to be tested and if we fail the test He brings us around again to take the test again. By the way, I am very happy that when I have failed tests God does not give up on me and He allows retests.

If we understand that, we should thank God when we have trials and say, “Lord, help me to learn what I did not learn the last time. Please help me to learn this time what I am supposed to be learning from this trial.”

8    The members of God’s family must not be cold and unloving to others. They may have done many things and still be making all kinds of mistakes, but they must not be treated coldly. If they are part of the family, even if they have all kinds of defects yet, they must be treated with love and helped to overcome their defects. No one will overcome their defects while being given a discouraging cold shoulder.

9    It is impossible to get ready to go to heaven hibernating in a cave somewhere. All have to learn to be gracious and how to get along with the other people in God’s family. Those who do not learn that will not be going to heaven.

It is alarming to see the friction, fighting and strife that often exists among God’s professed people. It means that somebody somewhere in this church, in this family, is not yet ready to go to heaven.

Do not think that God has to have the church to save the world. He does not. One of the main reasons for the church is so that those preparing for heaven can learn how to get along with their brothers and sisters in the faith.

Just like the foster child, all of us want to belong. It is inherent to want a family. The ultimate joy is to be part of the family of God. However, to belong to His family, there are conditions to fulfill. God will never call anyone to enter heaven who will destroy the family or any family member.

Pray that you will be fitted to become part of the royal family in heaven.

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)

 Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

The Mind Will Be Hypnotized

by

No greater effort will be exerted by Satan in the last times than in the area of hypnotism. It is the most effective method of drawing men and women under his control and power. It is well known that some people are far more suggestible than others, and therefore much more vulnerable to hypnotic suggestion. It may well be that there are some so resistant to suggestion that no human being could hypnotize them. However, we must recognize that the master hypnotist, Satan, is able to hypnotize every single human being. There is only one way that we can have certainty that we will not be deceived by Satan, and that is by inviting Christ to take full control of our lives. Thus the Scripture says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5.

The mind of Christ could never be hypnotized by Satan, and therefore could not be deceived. If we invite Christ’s mind to be our mind, then that alone will preserve us from the hypnotic presentations of Satan. The servant of the Lord warned us:

“The experience of the past will be repeated. In the future Satan’s superstitions will assume new forms. Errors will be presented in a pleasing and flattering manner. False theories, clothed with garments of light, will be presented to God’s people. Thus Satan will try to deceive, if possible, the very elect. Most seducing influences will be exerted; minds will be hypnotized.” Maranatha, 59.

This passage is not talking about the world at large; it is talking about members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is fair to deduct that every individual on the face of this planet will be hypnotized by Satan with one group excluded—those whose names are written in the book of life.

In Satan’s last great effort, all are going to be deceived by his hypnotic influence and the influence of his representatives. Thus, there will be an apparent unison that will bring the world together to worship the Papacy, referred to as the beast power in Revelation 13.

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8.

Surely only mass hypnotism could lead the inhabitants of this world into one bond of worship. This brings together the Atheists and the Agnostics, the Animists, the Muslims, the Shintoists, the Taoists, the Buddhists, the Hindus, the Zoroastrians, the Protestants, the Catholics, and every non-committed person in the world. This will be the greatest mass-hypnotism of all ages. Sadly, myriads of those who once walked in the light of the Advent faith, but who have not surrendered their lives to Christ, will also be hypnotized at this point.

Almost ninety years ago Sister White sensed the great inroads of hypnotism in the Adventist Church: “This same hypnotic influence is seen working among our people today. Ever since my return to America a heavy burden has rested upon me. Everywhere I see the power of the enemy. Were it not for the armies of the Lord’s host, led by Michael, the destruction that Satan would be pleased to witness would come to the people of God. They would be discomfited and brought to shame. But the Lord will work for His people. He will not suffer them to be defeated.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 11, 248.

As the decades have passed, the intensification of Satan’s efforts to hypnotize have unquestionably led to more and more Adventists coming under his hypnotic spell. As men and women move more and more to the world, and less and less place their confidence in Christ, there are deep inroads of Spiritism in the church through the power of hypnosis.

As early as 1870, Sister White referred to the efforts of Satan to hypnotize God’s people. She remarked, “Some seem to have no power to keep their eyes open in meeting. Satan seems to mesmerize them when important truths are presented.” Review and Herald, March 29, 1870.

Thus the inroad of Spiritism into our church is not new.

Again during the first decade of this century, Sister White refers to the hypnotic influence exerted by Dr. Kellogg: “The men who sustain Dr. Kellogg are in a half-mesmerized condition, and do not understand the condition of the man. They honestly believe that he is to be trusted.” Arthur White, The Later Elmshaven Years 1905–1915, vol. 6, 72.

You may have wondered why it is that you can present the clearest, most unambiguous statement of the Bible or the Spirit of Prophecy to men and women, and somehow they do not seem to be able to understand its meaning or its significance, or they are able to rationalize it away. Surely already so many have been hypnotized by Satan that they cannot perceive the certainty of God’s truth.

“Satan is waiting to steal a march upon everyone who allows himself to be deceived by his hypnotism. He begins to exert his power over them just as soon as they begin to investigate his theories.” Medical Ministry, 101, 102.

This statement indicates the danger of even exploring areas of error and apostasy. Satan is there to try to draw us into his trap by the use of hypnotism. Colin remembers three of his former friends or colleagues, all of whom decided that they would help people who had moved away from the truth and who had accepted the evangelical concepts of the New Theology. All three of them have joined the ranks of these evangelicals. Rather than helping the one who was deceived, they were themselves equally deceived. It is a wholly unsafe practice to dabble in the artifices of Satan. One has an obligation personally to investigate; but once error is detected, it is unsafe to continue such a study.

Predicting what would take place right at the end of time the servant of the Lord said, “This entering in of Satan through the sciences is well devised. Through the channel of phrenology, psychology, and mesmerism, he comes more directly to the people of this generation, and works with that power which is to characterize his efforts near the close of probation. The minds of thousands have thus been poisoned, and led into infidelity.” Selected Messages, vol. 2, 351.

How important it is that we do not allow our minds to come under the control of others, for in so doing we are coming under the power of Satan.

“Satan often finds a powerful agency for evil in the power which one human mind is capable of exerting on another human mind. This influence is so seductive that the person who is being molded by it is often unconscious of its power. God has bidden me speak warning against this evil, that His servants may not come under the deceptive power of Satan. The enemy is a master worker, and if God’s people are not constantly led by the Spirit of God, they will be snared and taken.

“For thousands of years Satan has been experimenting upon the properties of the human mind, and he has learned to know it well. By his subtle workings in these last days, he is linking the human mind with his own, imbuing it with his thoughts; and he is doing this work in so deceptive a manner that those who accept his guidance know not that they are being led by him at his will. The great deceiver hopes so to confuse the minds of men and women, that none but his voice will be heard.” Selected Messages, vol. 2, 352, 353.

On a number of occasions Ellen White wrote testimonies to physicians who were using hypnosis and other mind control techniques. She indicated the danger of these, and yet today there are some of our Seventh-day Adventist doctors who are routinely exercising an hypnotic influence over their patients all in the name of medicine.

In Medical Ministry she wrote as follows:

“Now, my brother, I consider you to be in positive peril. I present this because I know that you are in great danger of being seduced by Satan. We are living in a time when every phase of fanaticism will press its way in among believers and unbelievers. Satan will come in, speaking lies in hypocrisy. Everything that he can invent to deceive men and women will be brought forward.

“Just in proportion as men lose their sense of the need of vital religion, so they become filled with common, earthly ideas, which they exalt as wonderful knowledge. Physicians who lose their hold on Christ become filled with ideas of their own, which they look upon as some wonderful science, to be brought into the medical profession as something new and strange.” Medical Ministry, 114.

Some Seventh-day Adventists have thought nothing about going to a hypnotist to seek help in psychological problems, and even for various forms of child and marriage counseling. But such is the work of Satan. We are to have nothing to do with these practices.

Colin recalls talking on the telephone in 1974 to John Roth, whose life was almost destroyed by his attendance at a mind-control program. Mr. Roth was at the time, an orthodox Jew and in middle-management in an oil company. Wanting to improve his status in life, he accepted the recommendation of a friend to attend a Silva mind control program. Having paid several hundred dollars for the program, he eagerly attended. The first night a very well-presented man stood before them and explained that we only use approximately six percent of all the neurons we have during our lifetime and that this program was to help to expand dramatically the use of the neurons in our brain.

It all sounded very good and Mr. Roth couldn’t wait until the second day. On the second day, all those who were in attendance were asked to imagine that they had a counselor and to decide what kind of questions they would like to ask such a counselor. By the third night the instructor was not talking about an imagined counselor, he was talking about “your counselor.”

Being an Orthodox Jew, Mr. Roth was rather disturbed by this and called his friend who invited him over to his place and told him that this was the best part of the program; that he got such wonderful advice from his counselor. He then asked Mr. Roth, “What question would you like me to ask my counselor?” Mr. Roth almost off-handedly said, “Ask your counselor what I will be doing in twelve months time.” He watched his friend go into a trance-like state, no doubt built upon auto-hypnosis. After a while he was deeply concerned by the obvious agitation of his friend, and wondered what was taking place. Shortly afterward, his friend came out of the trance-like state and said, “I don’t know what happened. My counselor has been so kind and so helpful to me, but when I asked your question all he did was curse and swear.” This did not encourage Mr. Roth, but having paid so much money for the course he attended the fourth and fifth nights. Before the program was over, they had been led into levitation and astral projection (out-of-body experiences).

Almost immediately Mr. Roth became ill; in fact, so ill that he had to be admitted to the hospital. But there the doctors could find no physical problem. And yet, clearly, his vital forces were diminishing and they had to concede that he was dying. This, you can understand, brought great worry to himself and to his wife. One night they were visited by Christian friends. The friends were shocked to see the state of Mr. Roth and as they talked with the wife, she told them what had taken place and that they had associated this sickness with the program that he had attended. The Christian friends said, “There is one answer to this, but you may not like it, and that is to pray in the name of Jesus.”

Eventually she agreed and they went back to the bedside of Mr. Roth and asked if he would agree, which he did. So that night they prayed in the name of Christ that he would be released from the satanic power that was destroying his life. Virtually immediately, he began to recover. The physicians could give no explanation for his recovery any more than they could of his original illness. The Roths accepted Christianity and Mr. Roth became a major speaker around the United States telling people of his salvation from the satanic influence over his life.

No doubt, some way, somehow, the spirit that was the counselor of his friend, who had cursed and sworn when asked what Mr. Roth would be doing in twelve months time, realized what would take place.

In his book, The Seduction of Christianity, David Hunt quotes one of the world’s leading occult authorities and historians, Manly P. Hall, who declared, “There is abundant evidence that in many forms of modern thought—especially the so-called ‘prosperity psychology’ ‘will power building’ metaphysics and systems of ‘high-pressure’ salesmanship —black magic has merely passed through a metamorphosis, and although its name may be changed, its nature remains the same.” David Hunt, The Seduction of Christianity, 14.

More and more Seventh-day Adventists seek worldly help for their spiritual problems, which often are designated emotional problems. In reality, these stress and emotional issues are the symptoms of a lack of spiritual depth in the life. What men and women need much more than human counselors and psychologists is the power of the indwelling Christ in the life.

Colin well knows the simple means that Satan uses to hypnotize people. As an undergraduate student of the University of Sydney, he studied a little into the areas of suggestion and hypnosis. One night, in a group of Adventist youth, he was asked if he could hypnotize. Foolishly, he responded, “Of course,” never thinking that anything would take place. As he chose one of the young ladies and used the very simplest of techniques that had been explained in class, he was terrified by the fact that she soon entered a deep hypnotic state. Also, the young people watching from the darkness outside the window were terrified when they saw what took place. They came rushing into the room, urging Colin to bring the young lady out of the hypnotic state. Colin was uncertain of what to do, but in the end, given the command to wake up, she did wake up. He had to ask the forgiveness of the Lord and to make a commitment never to allow such a thing to happen again.

Most people unfamiliar with hypnosis believe it is an extraordinarily difficult art. But in reality it is simple and commonly used today in all sorts of aspects of life, including advertising, interpersonal relations and counseling.

If ever there was time when God’s people needed the mind of Christ, it is now. Hypnotism is surely the strongest avenue to lead men and women to be deceived by Spiritism. Indeed, the two are indivisibly linked one with the other. God’s people are called to keep clear of any form of hypnotism, mind control or human methods of handling the problems and issues of life.

Escaping the Corruption of the World – Claiming the Promises

by

Peter’s second epistle opens with an incredible statement that on the surface seems simple and straightforward, but upon careful examination reveals a depth of spiritual insight that we may not fully understand until we receive the light of eternity.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as 

  1. His divine power
  2. has given to us
  3. all things
  4. that pertain to life and godliness,
  5. through the knowledge of Him
  6. who called us by glory and virtue,
  7. by which have been given to us
  8. exceedingly great and precious promises,
  9. that through these
  10. you may be partakers of the divine nature,
  11. having escaped the corruption
  12. that is in the world through lust.”
    2 Peter 1:2–4 NKJV

Let’s look at these verses phrase by phrase and try to gain at least a cursory understanding of the love the Lord has for us and the provisions that God has made for our salvation that Peter clearly understood and is attempting to share with the recipients of his second letter.

This letter was written “To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1). Surely that includes today’s children of Israel—Modern Israel.

In commenting on Peter’s second epistle, Inspiration makes the following statement:

“The apostle presents before the believers the ladder of Christian progress, every step of which represents advancement in the knowledge of God, and in the climbing of which there is to be no standstill. Faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity are the rounds of the ladder. We are saved by climbing round after round, mounting step after step, to the height of Christ’s ideal for us. Thus He is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” The Acts of the Apostles, 530.

Clearly the most notable aspect of Peter’s letter is Peter’s ladder, the ascension of which develops in us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. However, let’s examine closely what Peter wrote as an introduction to that wonderful key to salvation. In the opening lines of his letter, Peter actually states the result of our faithful climb before stating how to achieve those results.

In verse 3, Peter states that what we accomplish is done through “His divine power.” It isn’t perfectly clear if the antecedent of “His” is “God” or “Jesus our Lord,” as stated in verse 2, but it really doesn’t matter. Both entities are divine and both long for the salvation of mankind. As Jesus said in John 10:30, “I and My Father are one.”

Then Peter states that this power has given us some very precious gifts. We did nothing to deserve these gifts—else they would not be gifts. But what precious gifts they are: all things; but note that there is actually a qualifier for the “all things” that He has given us: it is indeed “all things” but only those things that pertain to life and godliness—not just some of the things that we need, but all things.

It is worthwhile to note, by the way, that twice in these verses, Peter notes the fact that the things we need for salvation are gifts. In verse 3 he tells us how we have been given these gifts: through divine power (which, you should remember, is infallible); and in verse 4 he confirms that it is through divine glory and virtue that we have been so lovingly gifted.

Then Peter explains how we obtain these things. Understand that a gift is not a gift until it is accepted by the receiver. Thus we obtain these gifts “through the knowledge of Him”—and note that it isn’t just anybody who has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness, but it is “Him who has called us by glory and virtue.” And who is this “Him” who called us? Again, it doesn’t matter whether the antecedent is God or Christ.  Jesus made it clear in John 8:19 (“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also”) and 14:9 (“He who has seen Me has seen the Father”) that their characters are exactly identical, and to know one is to know the other. Obviously we acquire that knowledge through a continuing, consistent, and thorough study of His word—in all of its manifestations.

Then comes other gifts in verse 4: “exceedingly great and precious promises.” Surely our hearts thrill with gratitude when we recognize that the pathway to heaven is open to us through these promises. In case we have difficulty grasping the assurance of these promises, Paul confirmed their significance in Hebrews 6:17, 18 when he wrote, “Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.”

That hope exists because (1) God cannot lie; (2) He deems us as heirs of His promises; (3) those promises and His counsel are immutable and unchangeable; (4) and He confirmed those promises by an oath “in which it is impossible for God to lie.”

The harmony of the truths expressed by the different Bible writers can be overwhelming sometimes.

Then Peter gives us two incredible results of the working of those promises in our lives when we accept and act on them.

First we become partakers of the divine nature. Just as Christ combined His divinity with humanity through the mystery of the incarnation, we have the incredible privilege of combining our humanity with His divinity and thereby being partakers of the divine nature.

In explaining the assumption of humanity by divinity, Inspiration wrote: “The doctrine of the incarnation of Christ in human flesh is a mystery, ‘even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations’ (Colossians 1:26). It is the great and profound mystery of godliness. ‘The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us’ (John 1:14).” Selected Messages, Book 1, 246.

Then explaining the assumption of divinity by humanity, Inspiration wrote: “Genuine faith appropriates the righteousness of Christ, and the sinner is made an overcomer with Christ; for he is made a partaker of the divine nature, and thus divinity and humanity are combined.” Faith and Works, 94.

Second and equally incredible, we are thus enabled—or given the power—to escape the corruption that is in the world through unsanctified desire, a longing for that which is forbidden, or lust.

Peter continues here a theme expressed in his first epistle in which he warned the sojourners and pilgrims on the narrow way to “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11).

After explaining the almost unbelievable results of a successful climb—the reality of being partakers of the divine nature—Peter then provides the progression necessary to achieve those results in verses 5 through 7—a passage that we are all familiar with:

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love” (2 Peter 1:5–7).

By claiming and acting on the promises given us through the Word, we have assurance confirmed by the oath of God Himself that salvation is within our reach. We can escape the corruption of the world and we can manifest the character of Christ perfectly.

John Pearson is the office manager and a board member of Steps to Life. He may be contacted by email at: johnpearson@stepstolife.org.

The Power of Christ’s Healing Love

by

Have you ever been hurt to such a degree that you act and make decisions without considering the possible results or outcome? Many people, amazingly even Christians, have fallen into such predicaments. I recently met a young lady who found herself in such a situation. As I made my way down the hillside on the way home, I saw a young woman walking toward the main road and offered her a ride. We began chatting in the car and she told me she was on her way to the local Catholic Church. As it was the Sabbath day, I had expected her to say she was going to a Seventh-day Adventist Church, and we began to talk about the difference between the two religions. As the conversation progressed I learned that she had, at one time, been a Seventh-day Adventist but had renounced Adventism after a disappointment suffered at the hands of the church where she had been a member. Her grandmother had become sick and no one from the church where she was a member, and regular attendee, made the effort to go and visit her. As she related the story to me, I could see the hurt still reflected in her teary eyes and I could hear the pain and disappointment in her voice! This had been the turning point in her life, and as a result, she explained, her Sabbath was now Sunday, and she felt happy and accepted by her Catholic church family.

What Cecile experienced transcended pain, it was caused by a lack of Christ’s divine love on the part of her church, and as a consequence of their behavior she responded out of the depth of her hurt. She had chosen the path of alienation, separation and rejection in response to what she had received.

It is a human response to withhold our love and shut ourselves away from those who hurt us, when instead, we should base our behavior on that of our Lord Jesus. He, our example in all things, never withheld his affection and love even from those who offended or hurt him.

“To love as Christ loved means to manifest unselfishness at all times and in all places, by kind words and pleasant looks. These cost those who give them nothing, but they leave behind a fragrance that surrounds the soul. The effect can never be estimated. Not only are they a blessing to the receiver, but to the giver; for they react upon him. Genuine love is a precious attribute of heavenly origin, which increases in fragrance in proportion as it is dispensed to others.” Letters to Young Lovers, 16.

“Christ’s love is deep and earnest, flowing like an irrepressible stream to all who will accept it. There is no selfishness in His love. In this heaven-born love is an abiding principle in the heart, it will make itself known, not only to those we hold most dear in sacred relationship, but to all with whom we come in contact. It will lead us to bestow little acts of attention, to make concessions, to perform deeds of kindness, to speak tender, true, encouraging words. It will lead us to sympathize with those whose hearts hunger for sympathy.” Ibid., 17.

While we should not needlessly expose ourselves to danger, at the same time we should not withhold our love from our enemies or from those who hurt us. We must remember that it is divine to continue giving of ourselves and our love to those who have hurt us. To love as Christ loved, this is our challenge as Christians and as a church. In the words of William Penn, Founder of the State of Pennsylvania, we are reminded that, “Love is the hardest lesson in Christianity but, for that reason, it should be most our care to learn it.” The New Dictionary of Thought, 375.

We may direct our minds to Him who has suffered more hurt than any mortal has or will ever suffer, for “He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities.” Isaiah 53:5. The Bible shows that “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” John 1:11. “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Isaiah 53:3. Incredibly, in spite of the hurt, wounds, pain, tears, rejection and lack of love that we as humans demonstrate to Jesus, our beloved Savior continues to remind us, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3.

It is no wonder George Matheson, the hymn writer, exclaimed, “O love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee.” It is no wonder Horatius Bonar penned these words, “O love of God, How strong and true! Eternal and yet ever new, uncomprehended and unbought, beyond all knowledge and all thought. O love of God, how deep and great, far deeper than man’s deepest hate; self-fed, self-kindled like the light, changeless, eternal, infinite. We read Thee best in Him who came to bear for us the cross of shame; sent by the Father from on high, our life to live, our death to die.”

Compared to the love God has shown us, our profession of Christianity and love for each other can only ever be a superficial and shallow representation. We must have Christ’s love reflected in us in order to share the hope of salvation with the world.

The Vulnerability of Love

True godly love is vulnerable and is always seeking for restoration and reconciliation. Yet, through the words of the English poet Martin Tupper, it can be seen that in spite of its vulnerability, “Love is the weapon which Omnipotence reserved to conquer rebel man when all the rest had failed. … There is not one human in a million, nor a thousand men in all earth’s huge quintillion whose clay heart is hardened against love.” Even while suffering on the cross Jesus demonstrated his Godly love and forgiveness in His prayer to His Father asking Him to forgive those who had bitterly hurt Him. He never stopped loving. He was able to continue loving in the face of hostility and antagonism because the love which he possessed, and which we as Christians should possess, is not earthly nor human, but God’s divine love shining through us. Human love is conditional, but the love of God survives in the face of rejection and allows us to continue loving even those who hurt us. “Love is of God. The unconverted heart cannot originate nor produce this plant of heavenly growth, which lives and flourishes only where Christ reigns.” Testimonies, vol 2, 135.

It is easy, as Christians, to use the excuse of having been hurt so badly and so often and draw into ourselves and forget about people as a way of dealing with challenges, instead of taking the example of Christ. Did Jesus stop loving those who had hurt him? The apostle Paul answers, “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another.” Romans 13:8. He further counsels, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21. The Roman Emperor and philosopher Marcus Antonius said, “It is the duty of men to love even those who injure them.” The New Dictionary of Thought, 375. Through the example Jesus gave us through His life on earth, we are shown that all men are entitled to our love, even those who are not our friends and those who hurt us.

Christ’s Principles of Love

We can examine two important aspects of Christlike love from the perspective of Jesus’ life. He suffered the most painful and humiliating treatment that could be inflicted on a human, and in spite of it all He was able to love His tormenters. In the first place His love builds a wall that surrounds the soul, and secondly His love has a healing power.

When we let the wall of Christ’s love surround our soul, it protects us from human pain and gives us the power to love and forgive those who hurt us. Speaking of this divine love, the wise man declares, “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.” Song of Solomon 2:4. From the pen of inspiration we read that, “The souls of those who love Jesus will be surrounded with a pure, fragrant atmosphere.” Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 1, 34.

Ellen White also tells us, “The activity of Satan’s army, the danger that surrounds the human soul, calls for the energies of every worker. But no compulsion shall be exercised. Man’s depravity is to be met by the love, the patience, the long-suffering of God.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 237. The love of God which surrounds the soul forms a bulwark, a defense which neutralizes Satan’s negative elements that bombard the soul, thus allowing us to find peace in Christ. “Everyone who truly loves God will have the spirit of Christ and a fervent love for his brethren. The more a person’s heart is in communion with God, and the more his affections are centered in Christ, the less will he be disturbed by the roughness and hardships he meets in this life.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 483, 484. This was the love that Christ lived and demonstrated in His time on earth. His divine love preserves the soul through the storms and crises that may arise on our spiritual journey, giving us the strength to face negative people and situations. It surrounds the soul as a wall of protection against human pain and damage allowing us to love the offender and pray as Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. When this divine principle is implemented in our lives, it is impossible to seek revenge because it is a love that neutralizes every ugly, evil, and satanic thing which threatens the soul. Ellen White tells us, “The heart in which love rules will not be filled with passion or revenge, by injuries which pride and self-love would deem unbearable.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 168, 169. When we learn to love as Christ loved, we are strengthened through Him and able to respond with love to those whose hurtful deeds attack us in the Devil’s attempt at discouragement.

Love’s healing power kept Christ in health of body, mind and spirit even though, “There was never one who walked among men more cruelly slandered than the Son of man. He was derided and mocked because of His unswerving obedience to the principles of God’s holy law. They hated Him without a cause. Yet He stood calmly before His enemies, declaring that reproach is a part of the Christian’s legacy, counseling His followers how to meet the arrows of malice, bidding them not to faint under persecution.

While slander may blacken the reputation, it cannot stain the character. That is in God’s keeping. So long as we do not consent to sin, there is no power, whether human or satanic, that can bring a stain upon the soul. A man whose heart is stayed upon God is just the same in the hour of his most afflicting trials and most discouraging surroundings as when he was in prosperity, when the light and favor of God seemed to be upon him. His words, his motives, his actions, may be misrepresented and falsified, but he does not mind it, because he has greater interests at stake. Like Moses, he endures as ‘seeing him who is invisible.’ ” Reflecting Christ, 366.

Divine love has the power to preserve and heal the one who possesses it, and this is how Christ was preserved in spite of all the hurt and rejection he sustained while on earth. He was daily vitalized by this plant of heavenly origin by being in constant connection with His Father—the source of true love. Ellen White says, “Only the love that flows from the heart of Christ can heal. Only he in whom that love flows, even as the sap in the tree or the blood in the body, can restore the wounded soul.

“Love’s agencies have wonderful power, for they are divine. The soft answer that ‘turneth away wrath,’ the love that ‘suffereth long, and is kind,’ the charity that ‘covereth a multitude of sins’ (Proverbs 15:1; I Corinthians 13:4, R.V.; I Peter 4:8, R.V.)—would we learn the lesson, with what power for healing would our lives be gifted! How life would be transformed, and the earth become a very likeness and foretaste of heaven!” Education, 114.

God shows us that as we connect ourselves to him through surrender to Jesus Christ, we are endowed with divine love—the fruit of the Holy Spirit. This divine principle preserves and heals us from the evils that encompass our soul, keeping us focused on His love, and in turn allowing us to love even our enemies. This love towards our enemies and those who have hurt us also provides healing for them in the way David says: “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3. “The law of the Lord [is] perfect, converting the soul.” Psalm 19:7. “The word employed, (converting) Meshibah, (Psalm 19:7) is used of restoring from disorder and decay, from sorrow and affliction, from death. The Law, by instructing men, restores them from moral blindness to the light which is theirs by nature, and, as a further consequence, in many cases, restores them from sin to righteousness.” Pulpit Commentary, vol. 8, 129.

When asked which of the commandments was the greatest, the Savior clearly showed us that the foundation of the law is love, saying, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second [is] like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37–40. Jesus also states in John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” In the keeping of the commandments we connect to a continual supply of the medicine of God’s divine love.

In the words of Ellen White, “When the gospel is received in its purity and power, it is a cure for the maladies that originated in sin. The Sun of Righteousness arises, ‘with healing in His wings.’ Malachi 4:2. Not all this world bestows can heal a broken heart, or impart peace of mind, or remove care, or banish disease. Fame, genius, talent—all are powerless to gladden the sorrowful heart or to restore the wasted life. The life of God in the soul is man’s only hope.

“The love which Christ diffuses through the whole being is a vitalizing power. Every vital part—the brain, the heart, the nerves—it touches with healing. By it the highest energies of the being are roused to activity. It frees the soul from the guilt and sorrow, the anxiety and care, that crush the life forces. With it come serenity and composure. It implants in the soul, joy that nothing earthly can destroy,—joy in the Holy Spirit,—health-giving, life-giving joy.” Ministry of Healing, 115. Christ was constantly healed by the power of God’s love and when we surrender fully and completely to him, we too will receive the vitalizing energy that can heal us from the buffeting of man and demons.

Love’s Forgiveness

The principle of forgiveness is embedded in divine love and is fully exemplified by God the Father and Jesus Christ. God made a covenant with humanity in order to forgive us—the offenders. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. This covenant of forgiveness is possible only through divine love. No human being can ever, or will ever, forgive another human being without having first experienced the love of God. If we have not fully surrendered to Christ in acceptance of the love He offers, we are not able to follow His example and forgive those who have hurt or offended us. Jesus says, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 13:34. Consequently, what we see displayed by the brethren in church, at home, and at work is love controlled by our human limits; a love that flourishes until one is hurt and then changes into resentment, anger and bitterness. Divine love is a wall that protects us from the toxic elements of sin so that they cannot harm the soul and makes forgiveness a joy and a delight. “Love is the fruit that is borne on the Christian tree, the fruit that is as the leaves of the tree of life for the healing of the nations.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 187.

This love protects the soul no matter how deep the wound, and prevents us from displaying unchristlike qualities. As human beings it is to be expected that we sometimes feel pain and sadness, yet by demonstrating the love of Christ through tribulation, we become divine agents for positive spiritual change in the lives of fellow human beings. The Holy Spirit supervises this process of transformation, thus establishing reconciliation between man and God, as well as between man and man.

A New Commandment

In His words to the disciples Jesus says to us, “A new commandment I give unto you.” John 13:34. “Why was this called ‘a new commandment’? The disciples had not loved one another as Christ had loved them. They had not yet seen the fullness of the love that He was to reveal in man’s behalf. They were yet to see Him dying on the cross for their sins. Through His life and death they were to receive a new conception of love. The command to ‘love one another’ was to gain a new meaning in the light of His self-sacrifice. In the light shining from the cross of Calvary they were to read the meaning of the words, ‘As I have loved you, that ye also love one another.’ ” The Review and Herald, June 30, 1910.

In conclusion we read the words of the disciple, John,

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” I John 4:7–12.

Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at: 718-822-3900.

Satan’s Seven Fear

by

“Satan trembled as he viewed his work. He was alone in meditation upon the past, the present, and his future plans. His mighty frame shook as with a tempest. An angel from Heaven was passing. He called him, and entreated an interview with Christ. This was granted him. He then related to the Son of God that he repented of his rebellion, and wished again the favor of God. He was willing to take the place God had previously assigned him, and be under his wise command. Christ wept at Satan’s woe, but told him, as the mind of God, that he could never be received into Heaven.”

The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 29

Multitudes believe they are acting out their own desires while they are really only following the promptings and ideas that Satan has given them and they are held captive by him. The apostle Paul instructs the servants of God how to offer them hope to breaking free. “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2 Timothy 2:25, 26).

Parents today are unwittingly killing their own children. The Bible says, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee” (Isaiah 49:15). The generation we live in today is one where, indeed, a mother will abandon her baby. Because of this can we not see that the Spirit of God is leaving this earth? People are not so easily impressed by the Spirit of God as in past times. We are living in perilous times.

Many people are captives of the enemy of souls. The Bible says that Jesus came not only to set the captives free but to preach the acceptable year of deliverance (Isaiah 61).

Under this idea of captivity, the following are seven fears that Satan has, as outlined in the Spirit of Prophecy.

  1. Satan fears that he will lose a captive

In the book, In Heavenly Places, three of Satan’s fears are revealed, but we will take them one by one.

“If Satan sees that he is in danger of losing one soul, he will exert himself to the utmost to keep that one. And when the individual is aroused to his danger, and, with distress and fervor, looks to Jesus for strength, Satan fears that he will lose a captive and he calls a reinforcement of his angels to hedge in the poor soul, and form a wall of darkness around him, that heaven’s light may not reach him.” Ibid., 253.

This is why prayer is so important—praying for family and for those who are despitefully using us. Many people are captive in their thoughts and speaking the words of Satan. We must pray that individuals receive gospel light.

There is a promise in Isaiah for those who are trusting in Jesus. In Isaiah 49:25 we are told: “Even the captives of the mighty [devil] shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.”

Continuing, In Heavenly Places, Ellen White wrote: “Around every tempted soul there are angels of God, ready to lift up the standard of righteousness, if the tempted one will only show a spirit of resistance to evil. Each may be an overcomer. Christ has in our behalf withstood the fiercest temptations of the enemy.” Ibid.

We can take courage that Jesus has power to deliver the captives. We must pray that heavenly light will be shed upon the captives so that they may make a decision for gospel truth. Pray that they may have the opportunity to hear evidences of the gospel that they may be free from the captivity of Satan.

  1. Satan fears the strength and power of Christ

“But if the one in danger perseveres, and in his helplessness casts himself upon the merits of the blood of Christ, our Saviour listens to the earnest prayer of faith, and sends a reinforcement of those angels that excel in strength to deliver him. Satan cannot endure to have his powerful rival appealed to, for he fears and trembles before His strength and majesty.” Ibid.

This does not say this person feels strong in himself, but in his helplessness he calls out for help to the One who has trod this path before us. The Bible tells us in James 2:19 that the devil fears and trembles at His power. “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” Satan fears Christ—he is no match for the Godhead.

  1. Satan fears the sound of fervent prayer

“At the sound of fervent prayer, Satan’s whole host trembles. … And when angels, all-powerful, clothed with the armory of heaven, come to the help of the fainting, pursued soul, Satan and his host fall back. … The great Commander in heaven and earth has limited Satan’s power.” Ibid.

Satan knows that fervent prayer and the power of God can cause powerful angels to come in and protect those that fear the Lord. Oh, how we need that protection. Remember that when one angel came from heaven, the earth shook and the evil angels fell back. We can claim this power. In Acts 16:25, 26 it says, “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.”

These men were tortured and chained but they were praying and singing praises “… and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.” Satan’s power was checked.

The spiritual application here is that you can open the prison house through the medium of prayer and belief in God. Singing these praises will find that in these seasons of refreshing, we may be set free from the prison house. Paul and Silas, upon praying and singing, were released and they are able to go at liberty. The power of the Holy Spirit will come in and do the work petitioned for in prayer. Evil angels fall back because they are fearful at the sound of fervent prayer.

  1. Satan fears the name of Jesus

“We cannot save ourselves from the tempter’s power; he has conquered humanity, and when we try to stand in our own strength, we shall become a prey to his devices; but ‘the name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe’ (Proverbs 18:19).” The Desire of Ages, 131.

“Satan trembles and flees before the weakest soul who finds refuge in that mighty name.” Christ Triumphant, 219.

Remember, the name of the Lord is not just the name Jesus, but it is the character of God. We must pray in the name of Jesus and in the character of Jesus. We must do His will. He says, why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not My will. Some do seemingly good things but do not have the character of or a relationship with Jesus. It is imperative that we have faith and works combined.

  1. Satan fears the messages spoken by faithful preachers

Mark 16:17, 18 NKJV states: “And these signs shall follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Paul was not harmed when bitten by a serpent because he was doing the will of God. In Bible lands serpents were everywhere and always a danger. The Bible says that Satan fears the name of Jesus. When the word is spoken by faithful preachers, Satan tries to corrupt them morally and socially so their messages will become ineffective.

  1. Satan is also fearful of the faithful preaching of the Word

“Satan trembles when the voice of God speaks through His instruments, giving cautions and warnings, and rebuking sin.” The Review and Herald, June 20, 1882. How often do we hear messages of warnings today? Satan does not want messages of caution and warnings to be preached.

“As the birds are ready to catch up the seed from the wayside, so Satan is ready to catch away the seeds of divine truth from the soul. He fears that the word of God may awaken the careless, and take effect upon the hardened heart. Satan and his angels are in the assemblies where the gospel is preached. While angels of heaven endeavor to impress hearts with the word of God, the enemy is on the alert to make the Word of no effect.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 44.

The dilemma of distraction makes the word of God of no effect. People are often seen text messaging in church or in the middle of a study or their phone will ring. Some will distract individuals as the word is going forth and possibly the word which that person may verily need falls on inattentive ears.

Just as in the days of Noah, the word was there, but the people were distracted—they were eating and drinking, and being merry. In the present day it is the distractions of Facebook, Amazon Prime, Instagram, or the like. As in the days of Noah, these things keep the mind thinking of evil continually, leaving no time to think about God’s word. The people were busy then and they are also busy now. The dilemma of distraction is one of Satan’s means of trying to turn away the attention of the one who is moved to seek the Saviour.

“With an earnestness equaled only by his malice, he tries to thwart the work of the Spirit of God. While Christ is drawing the soul by His love, Satan tries to turn away the attention of the one who is moved to seek the Saviour. He engages the mind with worldly schemes. He excites criticism, or insinuates doubt and unbelief. The speaker’s choice of language or his manner may not please the hearers, and they dwell upon these defects. Thus the truth they need, and which God has graciously sent them, makes no lasting impression.” Ibid., 44, 45.

  1. Satan fears the true work of repentance, of revival and reformation among Seventh-day Adventists

The book The Great Controversy, must be distributed. We have been counseled to distribute this book widely so that people would understand the events coming upon the world. Unfortunately, it has been condensed into a booklet called The Great Hope. Every reference to the man of sin being the pope has been removed. Every reference to the reformers is gone. Every identifying mark of the beast has been removed. Every idea of the Sunday laws has been removed. All these identifying marks have been expunged, and this is called “the great hope!”

Has not the sin and the widening gap of apostasy become even greater under this error of revival and reformation? Satan loves a counterfeit. Even under the guise of revival and reformation, Satan can be working stealthily to cause us to compromise the preaching of the gospel and allow him to pluck away the power and impressions of the Holy Spirit that rest upon our heart. To allow even the idea of asking God for repentance, asking God to create in us a clean heart, seems a thing of the past. It seems like people do not want to do this anymore. Why? Because they would be out of harmony with the world and with the church.

To be in harmony with God in these days, whether you be old or young, would put you out of harmony with the world and, often, the church as well.

“There is nothing that Satan fears so much as that the people of God shall clear the way by removing every hindrance, so that the Lord can pour out His Spirit upon a languishing church and an impenitent congregation.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 124.

Brothers and sisters, be careful of these calls to pray for the latter rain and for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, when there is no message for repentance. What power will answer the prayer for spiritual power when there is no call for repentance? Only Satan can answer that kind of prayer. And according to the book, Early Writings, 50, he will most certainly come if we do not understand the true work of repentance and enter into the Most Holy Place experience. If we do not understand that and we are asking for grace and power, even the Spirit of God, Satan will come and answer that prayer with all types of deceptions.

We have lost sight of the true gospel because the faithful ministers have become few. It is hard to find individuals who are preaching the straight truth that would save a soul. What would happen if people start reading the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy? “There is nothing that Satan fears so much as that the people of God shall clear the way by removing every hindrance.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 124.

But if those hindrances are hidden, and we are preaching peace and safety, and there is no idea how to identify those hindrances and no call to remove them, then Satan has nothing to fear … absolutely nothing.

She continues: “If Satan had his way, there would never be another awakening, great or small, to the end of time. But we are not ignorant of his devices. It is possible to resist his power. When the way is prepared for the Spirit of God, the blessing will come.” Ibid.

What others do is not the issue, but only what we are doing. If we ask God for power, if we come to Him and ask for grace, He will send all of heaven to help us, to strengthen us, to give us the means, not only to preach the gospel but to make it so that the whole world can hear.

God can use those who pray and ask God for grace that there may be some type of revival and so it can be done in His name.

“Satan can no more hinder a shower of blessing from descending upon God’s people than he can close the windows of heaven that rain cannot come upon the earth. Wicked men and devils cannot hinder the work of God, or shut out His presence from the assemblies of His people, if they will, with subdued, contrite hearts, confess and put away their sins, and in faith claim His promises. Every temptation, every opposing influence, whether open or secret, may be successfully resisted, ‘not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts’ (Zechariah 4:6).” Ibid.

There is nothing Satan fears more than that we would, through faithful preachers and faithful preaching, through trusting in the name of Jesus and His mighty power, be removed from his captivity. He trembles at the thought that we be revived and reformed, not by shielding ourselves and putting up walls against repentance, but understanding the true work of repentance and reformation, so that we don’t see the reforms of the church as legalism, but as a manifestation of the love of God. We will not look at the law of God, the Ten Commandments as a burden but as a love letter, a letter of strength and assurance to us. We want to be kept unspotted from the world. We cannot do this by our own power but only through His grace. God said, “I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage” (Exodus 20:2). He says you will not have any other god but Me. You will not lie or steal and you will keep my Sabbath day (verses 3, 16, 15, 8–11). All of these things then become promises of victory.

What if we don’t see our true condition and the need of prayer? What if we don’t recognize through our Laodicean blindness the promises of God available to strengthen us on one side or show us our true condition on the other? If we pray that our eyes be opened to have a deeper understanding of our true need, and pray to understand the truth and avoid the moral darkness that surrounds us and the evil that presses in around the world and the church members, we would have the victory that Satan is so fearful that we may gain.

We need to be a group of people who come together and pray for more grace and for more power as we see the day approaching.

Do you see your need? Do you see the power that is available over Satan and how ready God is to send angels and His Spirit and faithful ministers to help us understand His Word?

God, in His great mercy for us and through His understanding of our great need, has given us the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. What shall we do with these things, especially as we see the day of His coming approaching?

 John Cofer was a speaker at the Steps to Life camp meeting in 2013. He continues to serve in the Lord’s vineyard through his ministry, The Gospel of Truth (www.gospeloftruth.org).

The Wedding Garment

by

When God looks at the Laodicean church of Revelation 3:15–18, He sees a people who are neither cold nor hot; they think they are rich and in need of nothing, but they make God sick. In fact, so much so that He will spue them out of His mouth. Their condition appears appalling but there is still hope for them if they buy “gold tried in the fire” and anoint their “eyes with eyesalve, that they may see” their need.

We are encouraged when we read in Revelation 19:7–9 that there is a small company within the Laodicean church who have heeded this counsel and availed themselves of the righteousness of Christ. It says, “and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints: And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”

Every normal individual wants to wear good apparel to cover his or her body in a manner that is representative of Christian standards of morality. No Christian in his right mind would want to appear before God improperly dressed. Yet some are totally unaware of their wretched appearance and so blind that they are actually unaware that they are naked.

How could this be? God’s last day servant tells us how such a thing could take place. “The knowledge of our state as God views it, seems to be hidden from us. We see, but perceive not, we hear, but do not understand; and we rest as unconcerned as if the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, rested upon our sanctuary. We profess to know God, and to believe the truth, but in works deny Him. Our deeds are directly adverse to the principles of truth and righteousness, by which we profess to be governed.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 84.

Christ advises us to take certain steps that will place upon us the proper clothing that will cover our nakedness. The problem is we do not see for we are blind because we have not surrendered our will to the Saviour. The fact is Christ does not live within the life. Such individuals do not possess His perfect character which He developed while on earth as a human being and which He offers to us as a free gift.

Our condition as God sees it is hidden from us so that we perceive it not. We hear His voice describing our condition, but we do not understand. Many are naked of God’s garments. They want God’s way but they want it their way. “When Adam and Eve sinned the covering of light, God’s clothing, disappeared. Perceiving they were naked they tried to fashion clothing for themselves from fig leaves and this is what the transgressor of God’s law has done ever since this time. They have worn the garments of their own devising, by works of their own they have tried to cover their sins, and make themselves acceptable with God.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 311. God cannot accept us if we wear our own clothing, for our clothing reveals our nakedness. Without the divine clothing that God has provided for us, He cannot save us, for we are spiritually unclothed.

This is exactly why God could not save the Jewish nation when Jesus lived here on earth among them. “It was this that proved the ruin of the Jews, and it will prove the ruin of many souls in our own day. Thousands are making the same mistake as did the Pharisees whom Christ reproved at Matthew’s feast. Rather than give up some cherished idea, or discard some idol of opinion, many refuse the truth which comes down from the Father of light. They trust in self, and depend upon their own wisdom, and do not realize their spiritual poverty. They insist on being saved in some way by which they may perform some important work. When they see that there is no way of weaving self into the work, they reject the salvation provided.” The Desire of Ages, 280.

This is why God has declared of Laodicea that they are wretched, miserable, poor, and blind, and naked because they are following man’s divisive teachings instead of being clothed in obedience to God’s word.

God’s Clothing

Now it’s time for some vital questions. What is God’s clothing? How do we put it on and keep it clean? These questions must be answered, for we are about to enter the new earth and no one will go there if they are naked in God’s sight.

The clothing which is designed by God is spoken of as the robe of Christ’s righteousness, but many have overlooked the fact that Christ’s righteousness consists of two parts. One, the robe of Christ’s imputed righteousness, and the other, the wedding garment of imparted righteousness. Both garments must be worn to be acceptable in God’s sight and approved for heaven and some day sit with Christ on His throne.

This lovely gift from Christ when placed upon us provides us with forgiveness and justification before God because we are now covered with Christ’s righteousness, not our own righteousness which is but filthy rags. As we examine the fabric of this garment we find it to be imputed, meaning to be attributed vicariously. This simply means that the condition of the sinner is now assumed by another, which Christ called a born-again experience, for when we are clothed with Christ’s righteousness, we can then stand before God justified as though we had never sinned. This condition gives us a legal right to possess heaven because it legally satisfies the requirements of God’s eternal law.

Once the filthy garment has been exchanged for Christ’s robe of righteousness in the sinner’s life, he is now in a position to put on the second article, which is called the wedding garment. This is also a gift from Christ to the forgiven sinner and it is imparted to sanctify, to make holy, the person’s character. This is clearly explained in the chapters of Christ’s Object Lessons, beginning on page 307. Here we told that the article of clothing is called a garment, the robe of heaven, and as you examine the texture, it is referred to by Ellen White as our character. “It is in this life that we are to put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness. This is our only opportunity to form characters for the home which Christ has made ready for those who obey His commandments.” Ibid., 319. The moment we put this garment on we begin the sanctification process, which, if consistently followed daily by faith in Christ we shall be recognized in God’s sight as perfect, making us fit to live in heaven with Him.

Perhaps you have never thought of Christ’s righteousness as two separate garments, but note how Inspiration indicates that there are two garments, for it is always referred to as being in the plural. “He is waiting to strip them of their garments stained and polluted with sin, and to put upon them the white robes [plural] of righteousness.” Steps to Christ, 53.

“Only those who are clothed in the garments [that’s plural again] of His righteousness will be able to endure the glory of His presence when He shall appear with ‘power and great glory’ (Matthew 24:30).” The Review and Herald, July 9, 1908. So in comparing the robe of light which surrounded the first sinless parents to the garments we must put on, Ellen White has stated in Christ’s Object Lessons, 310, “The robe of light was a symbol of their spiritual garments.”

Again speaking of Christ’s willingness to clothe the repentant sinner, we read in The Great Controversy, 415: “Christ could stoop to raise unnumbered multitudes from the abyss of ruin and clothe them with the spotless garments [plural] of His own righteousness.”

“Clothed in the glorious apparel of Christ’s righteousness, they have a place at the King’s feast. They have a right to join the blood-washed throng.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 315.

Did you catch that phrase apparel of Christ’s righteousness? Since Christ’s righteousness involves two garments we should be very careful to be sure that we are clothed with both garments, because He is coming soon and unexpectedly, and we must be appropriately attired to rise in glory with Him.

In Revelation 16:15 He tells us, “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments [plural], lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Plainly is seen that the righteous garments which Christ provides are 1) the robe of justification which is imputed to the repentant sinner and, 2) the wedding garment of sanctification imparted to those forgiven and justified and willing to cooperate with Christ in the development of a Christ-like character.

“Righteousness within is testified to by righteousness without. He who is righteous within is not hard-hearted and unsympathetic, but day by day he grows into the image of Christ, going on from strength to strength. He who is being sanctified by the truth will be self-controlled, and will follow in the footsteps of Christ until grace is lost in glory.” The Review and Herald, June 4, 1895.

In clear words we are told: “The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed; the righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven, the second is our fitness for heaven.” Ibid.

Oh what precious gifts God has made available to us, especially to those longing to be saved. We should be proclaiming this message of Christ’s righteousness and justification and sanctification everywhere we go, for this is indeed the third angel’s message.

“All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world. It is the third angel’s message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 92.

Christ’s righteousness, both justification and sanctification, are the clothing necessary to be worn by a candidate for heaven. This is God’s prescription for naked Laodicea and it is a prescription to be taken by the individual.

“The work of preparation is an individual work. We are not saved in groups. … He will examine the case of each individual with as close and searching scrutiny as if there were not another being upon the earth. Everyone must be tested and found without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.” The Great Controversy, 490.

Now when God says Laodicea, He means you and me, for we are the church. Let us carefully consider our individual spiritual condition, for the scriptures tell us that the majority within the church are unaware of their personal condition. Remember, we have all sinned. We must never forget what happened to our first parents who sinned.

“When sin entered, they [Adam and Eve] severed their connection with God, and the light that had encircled them departed. Naked and ashamed, they tried to supply the place of the heavenly garments by sewing together fig leaves for a covering.

“This is what the transgressors of God’s law have done ever since the day of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. … They have worn the garments of their own devising, by works of their own they have tried to cover their sins, and make themselves acceptable to God.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 311.

God is permitting the shaking which is now taking place within the church to awaken the sleepers to their nakedness so that they put on the clothing that God is anxious to provide to enable them to stand before our God, fully clothed in the righteousness of Christ, justified and preparing unto perfection by the sanctification process. We are to be arrayed in the garments of heaven: “… in the fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints” (Revelation 19:8).

There is no doubt that most everyone reading these words has experienced the effects of wearing the first garment where you have repented of your sins and have been forgiven and by faith, believed in Jesus Christ who has justified you before His Father as though you have never sinned. So there’s no doubting that you have received the imputed righteousness of Christ because you accepted Christ as your personal Savior. But what about this second garment which has to do with our character?

“It is the righteousness of Christ, His own unblemished character, that through faith is imparted [meaning, given] to all who receive Him as their personal Saviour.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 310. This imparted gift will transform our character, making our character Christ-like.

“Righteousness is holiness, likeness to God, and ‘God is love’ (1 John 4:16). It is conformity to the law of God, for ‘all Thy commandments are righteousness’ (Psalm 119:172), and ‘love is the fulfilling of the law’ (Romans 13:10). Righteousness is love, and love is the light and life of God. The righteousness of God is embodied in Christ. We receive righteousness by receiving Him.

“Not by painful struggles or wearisome toil, not by gift or sacrifice, is righteousness obtained; but it is freely given to every soul who hungers and thirsts to receive it. ‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy, and eat, … without money and without price.’ ‘Their righteousness is of Me, saith the Lord,’ and ‘This is His name whereby He shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness’ (Isaiah 55:1; 54:17; Jeremiah 23:6).” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 18.

Character has to do with our moral constitution, our peculiarities, our qualities. If Christ is to conform our character to His character, we must therefore partake of His divine nature. In Selected Messages, Book 1, 374, it says, “In order that we may have the righteousness of Christ, we need daily to be transformed by the influence of the Spirit, to be a partaker of the divine nature.” And why is it so important to be a partaker of divine nature? Because by this power we can gain the victory over every sin.

“He [Christ] makes an end of the controlling power of sin in the heart, … for it is necessary that every believer should be delivered from pollution, as well as from the curse and condemnation of the law. … for Christ works within us, and His righteousness is upon us.” Ibid., 395.

Then these words: “Without this no soul will be entitled to heaven.” Ibid.

That should cause us to think. So the wedding garment when worn gives us Christ’s character and this means victory over every sin. This is why we must bring our character into conformity to Christ’s character so we can stop sinning before He comes. Sanctification is a gift of God to each one who will cooperate with Him. His character is to become our character. Without this garment no one will be fitted for heaven. So I ask you sincerely, are we permitting Christ to impart His pure, spotless character, His divine nature, to us?

Consider how sanctification is tailored to fit the individual. First, it is God’s gift. It is free for the asking. Secondly, it requires a hard, stern battle with self every day, through and by the grace of God. “Christ has given us no assurance that to attain perfection of character is an easy matter. A noble, all-around character is not inherited. It does not come to us by accident. A noble character is earned by individual effort through the merits and grace of Christ. God gives the talents, the powers of the mind; we form the character. It is formed by hard, stern battles with self. Conflict after conflict must be waged against hereditary tendencies. We shall have to examine ourselves closely, and allow not one unfavorable trait to remain uncorrected.

“Let no one say, I cannot remedy my defects of character. If you come to this decision, you will certainly fail of obtaining everlasting life. The impossibility lies in your own will. If you will not, then you can not overcome. The real difficulty arises from the corruption of an unsanctified heart, and an unwillingness to submit to the control of God.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 331.

We have a perfect right to the imputed righteousness. This garment of justification gives us a title to possess heaven, but in order to possess heaven we must also have a fitness for heaven, which is sanctification.

This is the difference between the Seventh-day Adventist church and all other Protestant churches. The other churches claim to have received the imputed righteousness, that is, they accepted Jesus. Therefore they are forgiven and they are justified. They’ve only put on the first garment. But the Laodicean church of Christ is to put on both garments. Not only are we to have a title to heaven, having received forgiveness and justification, but we are to put on a wedding garment tailored to each individual so that our humanity can be combined with divinity. Are you grasping this mighty wonder? For as it was experienced by Christ, so it may happen to you.

“Christ’s humanity was united with divinity, and in this strength He would bear all temptations that Satan could bring against Him, and yet keep His soul untainted by sin. And this power to overcome He would give to every son and daughter of Adam who would accept by faith the righteous attributes of His character.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 223.

Praise God! Can we comprehend such a gift? God giving us power, the same power He gave to His Son? We too can then live above sin if we will permit the sanctification process to develop within us a Christ-like character. When the imputed righteousness of Christ is received by the repentant sinner it is then possible for Christ to impart through the Holy Spirit His pure spotless character to the believer, thus placing the wedding garment upon Him. So it is that we become partakers of the divine nature which enables us to overcome just as Christ overcame, having developed a perfect Christ-like fitness for heaven.

But the problem of Laodicea is an alarming problem, for so many seem to be content with only the robe of forgiveness and justification, giving them a title to heaven. But friend, a title to heaven is worthless until we take possession of heaven, which involves obtaining a fitness for heaven, an experience gained only through the sanctification process. We all agree we have been born with a sinful nature, but given the wedding garment tailored to our perfection by divine nature, we can possess a power to overcome as Christ overcame.

Here’s where new theology and the truth differ. The new theology would have you believe that because you inherited a sinful nature you are going to sin till Jesus comes. This is a most dangerous and damnable teaching that is being promoted by the devil himself, but God gives us both the imputed and the imparted gift of righteousness so that the following statement can be fulfilled in our lives: “The obedience that Christ rendered God requires from human beings today.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 282.

Since His power of divinity is to be ours, a few words of caution are now in order.

“Let not God be dishonored by the declaration from human lips, ‘I am sinless; I am holy.’ Sanctified lips will never give utterance to such presumptuous words.” The Acts of the Apostles, 561.

“If we do not progress, if we do not place ourselves in an attitude to receive both the former and the latter rain, we shall lose our souls.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 306.

“The ripening of the grain represents the completion of the work of God’s grace in the soul. By the power of the Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be perfected in the character. We are to be wholly transformed to the likeness of Christ.” Ibid., 506.

But, “Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection.” Ibid.

“As we seek God for the Holy Spirit, it will work in us meekness, humbleness of mind, a conscious dependence upon God for the perfecting latter rain.” The Faith I Live By, 334.

You see, the seeds of grain must have received the former rain to germinate and continue to mature. They must be watered by the latter rain until the characters are perfected in Christ’s likeness. It is encouraging to learn from Steps to Christ that such growth in Christ is as effortless and natural as the growth of flowers (see the chapter “Growing Up Into Christ”).

“Let no one despair of gaining the victory. Victory is sure when self is surrendered to God.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 1, 1095.

That tells me that I can do it and that you can do it. But we must depend on God and not on man’s word, for we must have heaven’s robes upon us to cover our nakedness.

“The Scriptures plainly show that the work of sanctification is progressive. When in conversion the sinner finds peace with God through the blood of the atonement, the Christian life has but just begun. Now he is to ‘go on unto perfection’ (Hebrews 6:1).” The Great Controversy, 470. Therefore, let us recognize that God has placed both justification and sanctification in their proper order. Both are of faith and both are necessary in God’s plan for saving man. Remember, the nakedness found in Laodicea is largely because of an improper understanding of justification and sanctification. The vast majority are satisfied with forgiveness and justification only. They feel no need of sanctification, of developing Christ-like characters.

May God help each of us to lay hold on and to put on the robes of justification and sanctification, for we cannot continue to hold on to one sin and be saved. Our commitment must be inclusive, absolute, and complete.

[All emphasis supplied.]

For more than fifty years, Lawrence Nelson served the Seventh-day Adventist Church as a church pastor, evangelist, and then in Conference, Union, and General Conference leadership. When God laid upon him the responsibility to “tell it like it is” to alert the people how the church was leading them into the worldwide ecumenical movement, he was forbidden to preach in any church within the Oregon Conference. Elder Nelson passed to his rest on April 18, 2012.

Finding God’s Plan for My Life

by

Heaven is a place of order where angels have definite assignments prepared and given to them by God Himself. However, Lucifer convinced one third of the angels that if they sided with him in the revolt, they could have freedom to do as they pleased. This rebellion caused a war in heaven which resulted in the rebels being thrown out.

God has a definite plan for the life of every person in this world and the sooner that plan is realized the better it will be for all. There is no time to waste by giving half of your life to the devil. Of course, God accepts genuine repentance after years of disobedience, but think of the wasted years and what could have been accomplished by surrendering your whole life from your youth.

In order to be motivated to look and find the Lord’s plan for one’s life, a person has to be convinced that God’s plan is better than any he could develop himself. After all, God knows better than you or me, He made us and knows what we are capable of and has been around much longer. He sees the big picture of what He wants to accomplish and where we fit in His plan.

“Not without a purpose does God send trial to His children. He never leads them otherwise than they would choose to be led if they could see the end from the beginning, and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as workers together with Him. He subjects them to discipline to humble them, to lead them, through trial and affliction, to see their weakness and draw near to Him.” In Heavenly Places, 267. Regarding the mystery of the martyrdom of John the Baptist, a mystery so dark that we cannot comprehend or explain it, Ellen White wrote a similar statement. (See The Desire of Ages, 224.)

After the fall, loyal angels continued to perform their assignments and today our lives are dependent on the faithful completion of those assignments. We are told in The Great Controversy, 512 and 513 that “A guardian angel is appointed to every follower of Christ. These heavenly watchers shield the righteous from the power of the wicked one.” This shield is crucial for our protection from the enemy who would destroy every one of God’s children if he could.

Remember the story of Job. Satan accused him of serving God only because of the protection and benefits Job had received. He knew that God had put a hedge of protection around Job. The same is true of all God’s children.

“Today as in the past, all heaven is watching to see the church develop in the true science of salvation. The Lord Jesus is among men. His angels walk among us unrecognized and unacknowledged. … His angels, thousands upon thousands and ten thousand times ten thousand, are commissioned to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. They guard us against temporal evil and press back the powers of darkness, else we should be destroyed. …

“Every believer who constantly realizes his dependence on God has his appointed angel, sent from heaven to minister to him. The ministry of these angels is especially essential now, for Satan is making his last desperate effort to secure the world.” In Heavenly Places, 101.

What a comfort to know that we are never alone. Ellen White wrote, “I have seen the tender love that God has for His people, and it is very great. I saw angels over the saints with their wings spread about them. Each saint had an attending angel. If the saints wept through discouragement, or were in danger, the angels that ever attended them would fly quickly upward to carry the tidings, and the angels in the city would cease to sing. … But if the saints fixed their eyes upon the prize before them and glorified God by praising Him, then the angels would bear the glad tidings to the city, and the angels in the city would touch their golden harps and sing with a loud voice, ’Alleluia!’ and the heavenly arches would ring with their lovely songs.” Early Writings, 39.

The protection of God’s children by the angels of heaven is real. “His [God’s] angels are appointed to watch over us, and if we put ourselves under their guardianship, then in every time of danger they will be at our right hand. When unconsciously we are in danger of exerting a wrong influence, the angels will be by our side, prompting us to a better course, choosing words for us, and influencing our actions.” My Life Today, 302.

As God’s children we have a right to ask to be under their direction and guardianship. Paul says in Hebrews 1:14, “Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” When in trouble, your guardian angels will choose the words and impress you what to speak. “Today … heavenly messengers are passing through the length and breadth of the land, seeking to comfort the sorrowing, to protect the impenitent, to win the hearts of men to Christ. …

“Angels are ever present where they are most needed. They are with those who have the hardest battles to fight, with those who must battle against inclination and hereditary tendencies, whose home surroundings are the most discouraging.

“Heavenly beings are appointed to do their work of ministry—to guide, guard, and control those who shall be heirs of salvation.” My Life Today, 303.

Again we read, “Every redeemed one will understand the ministry of angels in his own life. The angel who was his guardian from his earliest moment; the angel who watched his steps, and covered his head in the day of peril; the angel who was with him in the valley of the shadow of death; who marked his resting place, who was the first to greet him in the resurrection morning—what will it be to hold converse with him, and to learn the history of divine interposition in the individual life, of heavenly cooperation in every work for humanity?

“All the perplexities of life’s experience will then be made plain. Where to us have appeared only confusion and disappointment, broken purposes and thwarted plans, will be seen a grand, overruling, victorious purpose, a divine harmony.” Ibid., 367.

How exciting to know that one day we will meet the representative of Jesus, the ministering spirit who was assigned to be our constant life companion, the one who has seen all, yet still loves us, encouraged us in our disappointments to remain faithful and then to explain to us every “Why” that has ever perplexed us.

How Can I Find Out God’s Plan for My Life?

When I was a young minister, I was privileged to work with Harold William who was a very godly evangelist. Ellen White visited his father’s home when his father was just a boy and told his parents that God had selected the boy to be a minister. He grew up with this knowledge.

God sometimes will select people to do things when they are very young. Jeremiah 1:4, 5 states: “Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.’ ”

God knew all about what His plan was for Jeremiah before he was born. We do not know how old Jeremiah was before God told him, but in verse 6 it says, “Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.”

Jeremiah considered himself not old enough and without enough training for the task. But the Lord told him not to think that way. Verses 7 and 8 say, “ ‘You shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord.”

The Bible records the story of Hannah who was barren and desperately wanted to have a child. So, she prayed to the Lord. In 1 Samuel 1:11, it says, “Then she made a vow and said, ‘O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.’ ” He was to live by the Nazarite vow and God heard her prayer. In 1 Samuel 1:20, it says, “So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, ‘Because I have asked for him from the Lord.’ ”

In verse 22, it says, “But Hannah did not go up to the temple, for she said to her husband, ‘I will not go up until the child is weaned; then I will take him, that he may appear before the Lord and remain there forever’ ” (literal translation).

So, when the child had been weaned, about three years old, she brought him to the Lord, and “lent him to the Lord; as long as he should live” (verse 28, literal translation). I think this is one of the youngest children on record who was removed from his parental home while he was still a very young child and dedicated to the Lord.

Samuel is spoken of in the Bible as one of the most illustrious men that has ever lived. God had planned a special work for Samuel.

Before the fall of Lucifer, God had a plan for him. His assignment was to be the covering cherub. God had plans for all of the angels. He had a plan for Jeremiah before he was born and a plan for Samuel. God has a plan for every single person. If you are wise you will want to find out what God’s plan is for you, but how are you going to find it?

Elder William’s father was constantly told by his parents as he was growing up that God had selected him to be a minister. When Elder William got to be a young man, he decided he didn’t want to be a minister. We human beings are a stubborn lot. He was very intelligent and wanted to be a physician. He went to Loma Linda and took a medical course and became a physician. After graduation, before you can actually practice medicine, you are required to take a state board examination to become licensed to practice. So a time was scheduled to take the examination so he could practice in California.

He wasn’t worried about the exam having breezed through medical school with not a problem. However, when the day came that he was to take the state board medical examination, he got such a violent fever that he could not take the exam. That’s crazy, he thought; I am never sick. What’s going on? So he rescheduled. When the day came for that examination he came down with another violent fever preventing him again from taking the test. During this time the Holy Spirit was working on his heart and he knew now without a doubt what the Lord’s plan was for his life work. Eventually he said, OK Lord, I know You want me to be a minister so I’ll be a minister.

With confidence in his career change, he went to the conference officials in a Midwestern state and told them he was convicted that the Lord wanted him to be a minister. They told him to go to a particular city where there was no church and start evangelistic meetings. If he succeeded in raising up a church of a hundred people, he could be the pastor of that church.

The Lord had to take him over some rocky roads because like Jonah, he did not want to know the Lord’s plan for his life. He thought he had more wisdom and better ideas than the Lord had; so, he started out on a different career path. There is nothing wrong with being a physician, but it is wrong if the Lord has other plans for your life.

Genesis 12:1–3 says, “Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ ”

The Lord came to him with a promise and also a test. And that’s always the way it is. In Hebrews 11:8, 9 is his test. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

Abraham could not explain what he was going to do. All he knew was that the Lord had told him to go. Relatives thought he was crazy. After all, who goes on a trip without knowing where they are going? But “By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.”

“Relying upon the divine promise, without the least outward assurance of its fulfillment, he abandoned home and kindred and native land, and went forth, he knew not whither, to follow where God should lead. …

“It was no light test that was thus brought upon Abraham, no small sacrifice that was required of him. There were strong ties to bind him to his country, his kindred, and his home. But he did not hesitate to obey the call. He had no question to ask concerning the land of promise—whether the soil was fertile and the climate healthful; whether the country afforded agreeable surroundings and would afford opportunities for amassing wealth. God has spoken, and His servant must obey; the happiest place on earth for him was the place where God would have him to be.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 126.

That last sentence contains a tremendous secret. If the happiest place on earth for you is the place where God wants you to be, He will make known where that place is.

We are told: “Many are still tested as was Abraham. They do not hear the voice of God speaking directly from the heavens, but He calls them. …” Ibid.

The question is, How does He call them? How can you find God’s plan for your life?

1  “… by the teachings of His word.” Ibid. If your plan is contrary to God’s word you are on the wrong track.

2 “… the events of His providence.” Ibid. These are often events that happen in your life that are unplanned and often unexplained that indicate that God is leading you in a certain direction for His own purpose.

We are told: “They may be required to abandon a career that promises wealth and honor, to leave congenial and profitable associations and separate from kindred, to enter upon what appears to be only a path of self-denial, hardship, and sacrifice.” Ibid., 126, 127.

God’s plan for each life involves His plan for the whole universe. God is winding up the plan of salvation and it will soon be over. “Looking down the ages, He has counted His workers.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 25. Are you one of that number?

God’s plan for your life will have something to do with the finishing of His work because that is what He is doing in this world today. Not all have been called to be a minister. Not all are to be a physician, or a nurse, or a teacher. But whatever your line of work, God’s plan for you will involve something to do with finishing His work.

“He calls them away from human influences and aid, and leads them to feel the need of His help, and to depend on Him alone.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 127.

Abraham is called the father of the faithful.

3 There is a call to be obedient to the light you have. God will only give more light as you put into practice that which you do know. “God has a claim on us and all that we have. His claim is paramount to every other. And in acknowledgment of this claim, he bids us render to him a fixed proportion of all that he gives us. The tithe is this specified portion. By the Lord’s direction it was consecrated to him in the earliest times. The Scriptures mention tithing in connection with the history of Abraham. The father of the faithful paid tithes to Melchisedec, ‘priest of the Most High God’ (Genesis 14:18).” The Signs of the Times, April 1, 1875.

4 To know God’s plan for your life, you must be a faithful Christian in your family. “God judges a man by what he is in his family. Abraham is called the father of the faithful. ‘I know him,’ said the Searcher of hearts, ‘that he will command his children and his household after him’ (Genesis 18:19).” Notebook Leaflets from the Elmshaven Library, vol. 1, 92.

5 Take your position at your post of duty. “To every one of His appointed agencies the Lord sends the message: ‘Take your position at your post of duty, and then stand firm for the right.’ ” Testimonies, vol. 8, 203. Even children have responsibilities and jobs they can do in their homes.

Jesus said, “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). God will not give some great work to the person who is slothful in small duties.

6 All are called to minister to others in some way. “Our Lord teaches that the true object of life is ministry. Christ Himself was a worker, and to all His followers He gives the law of service.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 326.

God’s plan is that we all be workers. “The toiling beast of burden answers the purpose of its creation better than does the indolent man. God is a constant worker. The angels are workers; they are ministers of God to the children of men. Those who look forward to a heaven of inactivity will be disappointed; for the economy of heaven provides no place for the gratification of indolence.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 280.

7 Advance the cause of God by your personal effort and talents. “When a minister who has labored successfully in securing souls to Jesus Christ abandons his sacred work in order to secure temporal gain, he is called an apostate, and he will be held accountable to God for the talents that he has misapplied. When men of business, farmers, mechanics, merchants, lawyers, etc., become members of the church, they become servants of Christ; and although their talents may be entirely different, their responsibility to advance the cause of God by personal effort, and with their means, is no less than that which rests upon the minister. The woe which will fall upon the minister if he preach not the gospel, will just as surely fall upon the businessman, if he, with his different talents, will not be a co-worker with Christ in accomplishing the same results. When this is brought home to the individual, some will say, ‘This is an hard saying’ (John 6:60); nevertheless it is true, although continually contradicted by the practice of men who profess to be followers of Christ.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 468, 469.

8 Consecrate yourselves to God. “All may fill their appointed places in God’s great plan. The Lord accepted Samuel from his very childhood, because his heart was pure. He was given to God, a consecrated offering, and the Lord made him a channel of light.” Now notice the next sentence: “If the youth of today will consecrate themselves as did Samuel, the Lord will accept them and use them in His work.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 537.

9 The Lord’s army consists only of volunteers. No one is drafted or forced in the Lord’s work. Surrender the will to the Lord and He will open opportunities which you never dreamed possible. Humbly fulfill the role that God has chosen for you.

“When men exalt themselves, feeling that they are a necessity for the success of God’s great plan, the Lord causes them to be set aside.” The Desire of Ages, 436.

The proud will be set aside and someone more dedicated, and maybe even less talented, will be fitted for the job.

10 Fill the responsibilities of the present. God uses people in all fields of work. “Let us remember that while the work we have to do may not be our choice, it is to be accepted as God’s choice for us. Whether pleasing or unpleasing, we are to do the duty that lies nearest. …

“If the Lord desires us to bear a message to Nineveh, it will not be as pleasing to Him for us to go to Joppa or to Capernaum. He has reasons for sending us to the place toward which our feet have been directed.” The Ministry of Healing, 472, 473.

Remember, “Our plans are not always God’s plans. He may see that it is best for us and for His cause to refuse our very best intentions, … But of one thing we may be assured, He will bless and use in the advancement of His cause those who sincerely devote themselves and all they have to His glory.” Ibid., 473.

“The voice of duty is the voice of God—an inborn, heaven-sent guide. Whether it be pleasing or unpleasing, we are to do the duty that lies directly in our pathway. …

“It is the little things of life that develop the spirit and determine the character. … Every day a good or bad brick is placed in the structure [of your character]. … Therefore, in looking for great things to do, neglect not the little opportunities that come to you day by day. He who neglects the little things, and yet flatters himself that he is ready to do wonderful things for the Master, is in danger of failing altogether. Life is made up, not of great sacrifices and of wonderful achievements, but of little things.” In Heavenly Places, 226.

In a nutshell, to know and follow more closely God’s plan of life is

  • to do our best in the work that lies nearest
  • to commit our ways to God
  • to watch for the indications of His providence

These are rules that ensure safe guidance in the choice of an occupation. If you follow those rules, your guidance in the choice of an occupation is guaranteed for God will guide you.

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)
Pastor John J. Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

The Sabbath

by

The Blessings of Sabbath Keeping

Marvelous blessings have been promised for each one who keeps the Sabbath holy.

When the Sabbath was instituted in the Garden of Eden after six days of creating this earth, there was great joy in heaven. The next day, the seventh day, was set aside as a day of rest, a weekly reminder given to man as a blessed day in which he could honor his Creator in the form of worship. In Job 38:4–6 God asks Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Who determined its measurements? Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone?” God here is referring to the time when the Sabbath was instituted. Notice verse 7: “When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Here it is made plain that there are many intelligences in the universe beside those in this world. Revelation also gives reference to these intelligences in other worlds: “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them!” Revelation 12:12.

This world is the only one in God’s creation that has fallen into sin and because of that, we are quarantined from the rest of the universe. God has put a wall of separation between us so that we cannot visit unfallen worlds. But the day is coming for those who are saved when it will be possible to travel all over the universe and visit unfallen worlds.

God’s Creative Power

At the conclusion of creation week, “God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it [made it holy].” Genesis 1:31; 2:1–3. God Himself marked the beginning of the first Sabbath which came at the end of the first week of creation. The Bible does not teach that this world came into existence through long ages of time but came into existence in the literal seven days of creation. Psalm 33 tells how the world was created: “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” “For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” Verses 6, 9. The creator God is the One we worship.

That same creative power was demonstrated when Jesus was here on earth. At the tomb of Lazarus when Jesus spoke, “Lazarus, come forth” (John 11:43), and he who was dead came forth.

There are approximately one trillion cells in our body and each one of these cells has a spark of life, an electrical charge, which changes when a person dies. When Jesus said, “Lazarus, come forth,” a trillion cells came to life. That same power was involved in the creation of the world, which the Sabbath commemorates.

The Christian religion is a miracle religion. The Sabbath is a sign, first of all, that you worship God as the Creator. Our world is marred by sin which has fractured our relationships, not only with God but also with each other. People are living in broken homes with broken hearts and with broken relationships. If there ever was a time when the human family needed a Creator, one Who can speak and change people’s lives, it is today. The Sabbath is a sign, a sign of a relationship. It is a sign of worshipping God as the Creator. All of the patriarchs kept the Sabbath—Adam, Noah and Abraham, even before the commandments were given to Moses on the mount. The Sabbath commandment begins with, Remember (Exodus 20:8). The Sabbath was not instituted at Sinai, but rather a reminder of something that was established at creation. God has placed a limit on human work. He says that six days are for you to do all your work, but you are not to work on the Sabbath. Verses 9, 10. In His wisdom, God knew there would be some workaholics who would work eight days a week if they could and expect the same of their children or employees, but no one could be happy spending all their life working. He, therefore, placed a limit on work and said to do it all in six days, but on the seventh day you need to rest.

Keeping the Sabbath changes homes and also marriages. There are many people today who never spend much time together. God did not ordain that sin should exist, but He foresaw its existence and He placed a check on the separation that selfishness would bring into families. In many families, the husband and father is gone from home all week and He said, There is one day a week that you are not to be out doing your work and gaining your livelihood—you are to rest.

What are we to do on this day of rest?

“Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you. You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’ And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.” Exodus 31:13–18.

The Sabbath is a sign of relationship, a sign that we worship God as the Creator and that we honor His law and government. It is also a sign that God will sanctify and make us holy and obedient. In the book of Numbers we see some of the blessings that God has promised to those who keep the Sabbath. If we are keeping the Sabbath, we can claim this promise for ourselves, and it is one of the most wonderful promises that God has ever laid in record in His holy book.

“This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.’ So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:23–27. That promise is only for Sabbath keepers. Another promise given to those who keep the Sabbath is, “The Lord will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways. Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord, and they shall be afraid of you. And the Lord will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give you. The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them.” Deuteronomy 28:9–13.

In Psalm 95:1–7, we find a call to worship on the Sabbath. “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, And the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; And His hand formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand.” (Compare verses 7–11 with Hebrews 3 and 4.) If you keep the Sabbath, God is your Shepherd and you are the sheep of His pasture; He has promised to take care of you. Some of the most wonderful promises found in the Bible are given to those who keep the Sabbath.

The world, influenced by the man of sin, has sought to tear the Sabbath from its place in God’s law and replace it with a common working day. A breach has been made in God’s law, as was foreseen in Bible prophecy. Daniel 7, 8 and 11 make it very clear that it was the Roman power that made a breach in God’s law, but the Bible also predicts that there will be some people in the last days who will repair this breach. “Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The restorer of Streets to Dwell in.” Isaiah 58:12. Notice who is going to be the repairer of the breach: “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your own pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the Lord honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words, Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Verses 13, 14. Those who keep the Sabbath and call it a delight will be the repairers of the breach. God wants the Sabbath to be a delight. We can never get out of the Sabbath that delight, if we are trampling on it; if we are doing our own ways, finding our own pleasure, or speaking our own words.

Relationships where little attention is shown to each other causes separation. Spend more time with the Lord and get to know Him. He has set aside one day in seven each week. The Bible says, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11. If you want joy in your life look at the last part of verse 11: “At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” If you want joy and pleasure in your life then spend time with the Lord.

God has set His seal upon His royal requirement and the Sabbath is going to be the issue in the great conflict soon to take place in our world. Soon, Sabbath observance will be the sign of obedience to God’s government. The sign of rebellion or the mark of the beast will be Sunday observance. The Bible predicted thousands of years ago that Sabbath keeping will be the issue at the end of the world.

Blessing for Home and Family

The Sabbath is truly a test of faith. Many are concerned that they will not be able to provide for their families if they cannot work on the Sabbath, but Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:25–33.

If you keep the Sabbath and put God first, He has promised to supply your every need. This is not always accomplished in the way in which we expect, and many people have lost jobs or been threatened to lose them because of keeping the Sabbath, but God has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing. He has access, not only to the resources of this world, but also to all the resources of the universe, and more. If necessary He can create resources to supply your need. Millions of Israelites were fed in the desert for forty years with Moses leading them. There were no gardens, no supermarkets, no stores, no orchards, no grain fields, no farms—nothing but desert, yet none of God’s people went hungry. God stands behind every promise that He has made and it is impossible for Him to lie (Hebrews 6:18).

Genesis 1:5 says that, “The evening and the morning were the first day.” So is the evening and the morning the commencement of the seventh day, the Sabbath. “From evening to evening [sunset to sunset], you shall celebrate your Sabbath.” Leviticus 23:32, last part. The idea that the day begins at midnight is not Biblical and came from the pagan Roman Empire.

How do we get ready for the Sabbath?

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8. The only person who can keep the Sabbath holy is a person who is holy. We do not have holy flesh, but we can develop a holy character—one that is in harmony with God’s law. Thus a spiritual preparation is involved in getting ready for the Sabbath, for we cannot keep it holy if we have any sin on our conscience.

Before the Sabbath, review your actions over the past week and confess any wrongs, encouraging family members to do the same. As any differences are confessed and forgiven, all grudges will be let go and love and acceptance will be experienced in the family circle benefiting all. Once you have chosen to obey God, to do His will and confess any sins, you can be certain there is One in heaven who is your Advocate. “These things I write unto you,” John said, “that you sin not, And if any man sin, we have an Advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous.” I John 2:1. He is willing to forgive and cleanse, making you clean and then you can keep the Sabbath holy. “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16.

In many of our families today, healing is needed because hearts are broken and relationships are fractured. The Sabbath was given as a sign that God is our Sanctifier, that He will re-create our lives and make us holy. It is when we are made holy that we become happy. Confessing sins done one to another before the Sabbath mends broken relationships and changes everything.

The Sabbath is a memorial of creation and a weekly reminder of the re-creation of the new man who has been born again. That, to my understanding, is the most important preparation for the Sabbath. We must be sanctified to keep the Sabbath holy and this must be prepared for by confessing our sins and praying for one another that we may be healed.

Friday, the sixth day of the week, is the special preparation day for the Sabbath. “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.’ ” Exodus 16:23. Cleaning homes and food preparation is to be done the day before. This does not mean that it is wrong to warm food on the Sabbath. God commanded a Sabbath rest for all and by preparing food beforehand allows all to worship freely without any burden.

How To Present Ourselves on the Sabbath

Sabbath, as we read in Psalm 95, is the day God ordained that we should come into His presence for worship. If one had an appointment to talk to the United States president or the British monarch at 9:30 in the morning they certainly would not wear the same clothes they had just worn while changing the oil in their car. In fact, they would put on the best and cleanest that they had available. So, when we come into God’s presence to worship, it is the most special event and we should be neat and trim, pure within and without.

“On Friday let the preparation for the Sabbath be completed. See that all the clothing is in readiness and that all cooking is done. Let the boots be blacked and the baths be taken. It is possible to do this. If you make it a rule you can do it. The Sabbath is not to be given to the repairing of garments, to the cooking of food, to pleasure seeking, or to any other worldly employment. Before the setting of the sun let all secular work be laid aside and all secular papers be put out of sight.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 355.

Let all bitterness and wrath and malice be expelled from the soul before the Sabbath begins. The mind as well as the body should be withdrawn from worldly business. To keep the Sabbath holy means eternal salvation. By putting away all bitterness and malice and being reconciled to our brethren, either in the church or at home, we are coming into harmony with the God of creation. We are preparing for our eternal home where there will be no strife, or bitterness or malice. There will be no hatred, animosity, or cold, hardhearted feelings. Heaven is a place to be desired. The Sabbath was given even to sinful man as a reminder of what heaven is like and as an encouragement to prepare to be ready for that place. “Therefore the Lord God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever’; but now the Lord says: ‘Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.’ ” 1 Samuel 2:30. This is a wonderful promise that you can claim. If you have ever been in trouble and had a problem in your home, in your marriage or with your children that seemed to be totally unworkable unless a miracle should happen then claim this promise, “Those who honor Me, I will honor.” Divine power will come to your rescue and heal your life. The Lord says, “Those who honor Me, I will honor.” That promise is for the Sabbath keepers.

The Sabbath a Family Day

The Sabbath was designed to be a family day, a time we spend with the Lord and with each other at home. First, as already mentioned, if we have sinned, we need to confess to each other. After this come together in family worship to begin the Sabbath. Worship can be one of the happiest times in your family. Read stories from the Bible, making it age appropriate, and sing praises to God. Encourage the playing of instruments if available. These special family worship times bond families together. When Jesus was on earth He was often found singing praises to His heavenly father. And don’t forget to pray; communication with heaven is the lifeline of power in the Christian.

On Friday nights, do not go to bed late so you will not wake up fresh and alert Sabbath morning for the special blessing that the Lord has for those who worship Him on His holy day. It is always easy and a temptation to lie in and have a lazy day on Sabbath but this is not what God intended. Consider Who is present when you come to the house of worship on the Sabbath day. The Lord of glory is present to bring His blessings, accompanied by His holy angels. How offensive would it be in the presence of Jesus to fall asleep and miss the blessing of the Word preached that day.

A Delightful Day for the Children

Children need to be helped to keep the Sabbath with enjoyment. Family worships should be kept interesting and not too long that they overrun the attention span of the children. Encourage them to bring their Bibles to worship, allowing them to read one, two or three verses. Sing a song that is familiar and that they enjoy, and have prayer together. By yourself, you can pray as long as you please, but if you have a family and children, keep prayers short and specific, not to weary the children, and should be no longer than the example that Jesus gave. Study this model prayer in Matthew 6:9–13 and pattern your prayer after it.

The Sabbath is a time to spend with our children and families, or if we do not have a family of our own, it is a time to spend with the family of God and with our friends. It can be one of the happiest and most blessed times of the week.

The Sabbath in Heaven

What a happy thought and one of my favorite topics to think about. Consider the number of relatives and friends who you cannot visit on Sabbath because they have died. In heaven all are going to come together, every Sabbath, to worship the Lord (Isaiah 66:22, 23). We are going to be organized there as families. It is going to be a wonderfully happy and blessed time.

When I was a child growing up, on Friday nights my father would pray for our family that we would all be saved without the loss of one. God wants to save all of our families, without any losses. For that to be the case we all must be there. It is important to be saved so that in heaven your family will not be short even one. The Sabbath is a family time to be together with those you love best and those who love you best and would just not be the same if one were missing.

Nature Study

God created the Sabbath after the six days of creation. A time was set aside for the study of what He had made. This is a wonderful occupation for the Sabbath, especially in pleasant weather to study creation and the Creator who made it.

There are many different aspects of nature to enjoy that appeal to each one’s interest. Some enjoy observing birds, while others enjoy studying the stars. Watch the new growth in spring and enjoy the fragrance and beauty of the flowers in summer. Point out the amazing diversity and describe to the children God’s great work of creation, that everything was created holy and beautiful for our enjoyment.

The Sabbath is a time when we can explain to our children the plan of salvation. Tell them that God so loved the world that when sin entered He had a plan already prepared so that we could be redeemed. He sent His only begotten Son to save us because He loved us so much. Tell the children the story of Bethlehem, the story of the child Jesus and how He behaved while still a child—that He was obedient to His parents and an example of obedience to all who will be saved in the kingdom of heaven (Luke 2:51). Teach them that Jesus knows about all of their trials, temptations and struggles and is ever ready to help them.

Children love stories, so tell them Bible stories and how Jesus has worked in your own life and family. We have nothing to fear for the future unless we forget the way the Lord has led us in the past. Make the Sabbath the most enjoyable day of the week for yourself and your family, a time of delight. In that way our homes and our hearts will be healed and we will have the joy that was given to the first human family.

This world at present with all its crime and debauchery is a nightmare. Sin has brought disaster and unbelievable unhappiness which has ruined everything, but God has a plan to remake this world the way He originally designed it to be.

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.” Isaiah 65:17.

Notice what Isaiah 65:18–20 says: “But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying. No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, Nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; For the child shall die one hundred years old, But the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed.” These next verses refer to the new earth. “They shall build houses and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” Verses 21, 22.

That is a place to be desired. “ ‘They shall not labor in vain, Nor bring forth children for trouble; For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the Lord, And their offspring with them. It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, The lion shall eat straw like the ox, And dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,’ Says the Lord.” Verses 23–25.

Do you want to be there? The Sabbath is a foretaste of what heaven will be like. “ ‘For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me,’ says the Lord, ‘So shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me,’ says the Lord.” Isaiah 66:22, 23.

I want to challenge you today to make a decision and say, “Lord, I am going to follow—I am going to obey You and I am going to be there.”

Sometime ago I was visiting a man in prison whose mother had died when he was very young. This man was not a Christian but I asked him the question, Would you like to see your mother again?

He said that he would and that his mother had been a Christian. I told him that someday soon Jesus is going to come in the clouds of the sky in the same way that He left. When He comes, He is going to look down on this world with His hands outstretched and say: “Awake, Awake, Awake, you that sleep in the dust and arise.” When He speaks those words every child of God who has died will come back to life. Millions and millions of people, from all generations all over the world, will instantly come to life. It will be one of the greatest demonstrations of divine power that has ever been displayed in all eternal ages. Jesus has already demonstrated that power once when He raised Lazarus.

I told this man that when Jesus speaks those words his mother will wake up and she will look for him.

Someday soon when Jesus comes, there is going to be somebody, maybe several people, looking for you. They are going to look for you and be so happy if you are there and you will be able to spend eternity together. You will keep the Sabbath forever with all of God’s children, but if you are not there, they will be sad.

God created us to be sociable creatures and not just to exist as separate little atoms. When one chooses to follow God in the way of obedience by keeping His Sabbath, it will have an effect on other people in the family, on friends and it will also influence other people to be obedient to God and to be ready for His soon appearing.

Who will be looking for you on that great day? Don’t disappoint them.

Remember, eternal salvation is involved in keeping the Sabbath holy. The Sabbath will be a time of great delight throughout eternity. Make sure you are there!

Pastor John Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by e-mail at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: (316) 788-5559.