Editorial

Editorial – The Time of Uncertainty

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We are living in times of great uncertainty; economic turmoil has enveloped the entire world, natural disasters are accelarating, and crime rate is increasing. There is an intensified volatility in almost every variable that humankind is subjected to, which causes great concern for many. In these times it is more important than ever to remember the words of Jesus: “Let not your heart be troubled.” John 14:1. “See that you are not troubled.” Matthew 24:6. I would like to give you a few promises to abate your worry.

Troubles today are diversified, but Jesus has passed over the ground before us, and we need not have uncertainty. His invitation is, “Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. The divine promise is, “I [will be] with him in trouble.” Psalm 91:15.

When you are true to yourself, no adverse power will be able to destroy your peace. Your communion with God will be uninterrupted. If you fear God, you need not live in uncertainty. If you please Him you will secure everything you need.

The devil is in the business of bringing insecurity to the people of God by introducing false theories and false science, especially spiritualistic theories. But if you cling to the evidence that your Bible is the Word of God and act and live by every word, you will be safe and walk confidently.

The pen of inspiration states it like this, “The dark hours of trial are to come to everyone as a part of his education for higher work, for more devoted, consecrated effort. … Before the great trouble shall come upon the world such as has never been since there was a nation, those who have faltered and who would ignorantly lead in unsafe paths will reveal this before the real vital test, the last proving, comes, so that whatsoever they may say will not be regarded as voicing the True Shepherd. The time of our educating will soon be over. We have no time to lose in walking through clouds of doubt and uncertainty because of uncertain voices.” Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 1002.

Editorial – The Time of Uncertainty

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Do you know anything that is not true that most people believe? History is full of examples of people who were willing to die or fight for something that we know today is not reality. It is not that people do not think. It is that they cannot stop thinking. The issue with this is what they take for thought is often just the present delusion that is compounded by the media and continual reinforcement by the spoken opinions of their friends. A middle-aged person who has paid attention to the past should have hundreds of examples in his memory. Nowhere is this more dangerous than in the predictions of people who have never had documented visions or dreams from God. The amount of material predicting the future today is greater than ever before. We need to learn lessons from the mistakes of the past. In my library I have two books published about 1972. It is predicted in these books that by 1976 America will be under the control of the Soviet Union, and our money will be totally worthless. The author pointed out how to survive and prosper in such a situation (with commodities that he was selling). In 1953 the stock market was supposed to crash within a year or two (we did have a recession). The same was predicted in 1964, 1966, and again in 1969. In the national press there was talk about a repeat of the 1930s. In 1973 and 1974 the same thing was forecasted. Adventists have talked about the world coming to an end at numerous points in time: 1944, 1959, 1961, 1964, 1979, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2007. What effect do all these false predictions have on on God’s chosen people? One thing that it does is to turn our young people into practical skeptics. It is one of the reasons for the general malaise and an attitude of utter apathy that is seen in Adventism today.

Inspired: “Our position has been one of waiting and watching, with no time proclamation to intervene between the close of the prophetic periods in 1844 and the time of the Lord’s coming. We do not know the day nor the hour, or when the definite time is, and yet the prophetic reckoning shows us that Christ is at the door.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 16, 178.

Editorial – Doubting Prophet

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The word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “ ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me’ (Jonah 1:1, 2). …  As the nature of this commission, with all its difficulties and seeming impossibilities loomed up before Jonah, he began to question the wisdom of the call. As he questioned, he forgot that the God whom he served was all-wise and all-powerful, and he began to doubt whether he should undertake to carry out such a commission. While he hesitated, still doubting, Satan overwhelmed him with discouragement. Seized with a great dread, he ‘rose up to flee unto Tarshish.’ Going down to Joppa, and finding there a ship ready to sail, ‘he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish’ (Jonah 1:3).” The Review and Herald, December 4, 1913.

About six weeks later after a most successful evangelistic campaign in Ninevah, “When Jonah learned of God’s purpose to spare the city that had corrupted its ways b efore him, he should have cooperated heartily in this merciful design. But he yielded to his inclination to question and doubt, and, as the result, was once more overwhelmed with discouragement, and lost sight of the interests of others in his concern over himself. He felt as if he would rather die than live to see the wicked city spared; and in his dissatisfaction he exclaimed, ‘Now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.’ ”  Ibid., December 11, 1913.

Through some trial of discouragement, is the devil keeping you from doing what God wants you to do and has instructed you to do in His Word?

“Satan attacks us at our weakest points, but we need not be overcome. However severe or unexpected the attack, God has provided help for us, and in His strength we may conquer. … The hour of man’s necessity is God’s opportunity. He sees our danger and provides help for us.” In Heavenly Places, 262.

“God loves His purchased possession, and He longs to see them overcome the discouragement with which Satan would overpower them. Let no thought of unbelief afflict your souls; for unbelief acts as a paralysis upon the spiritual energies. Do not magnify your difficulties, but keep the Lord in your remembrance, watching unto prayer.” The Signs of the Times, September 10, 1896.

Editorial – How the Holy Spirit Works

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The Saviour’s eye penetrates the future; He beholds the broader fields in which, after His death, the disciples are to be witnesses for Him. His prophetic glance takes in the experience of His servants through all the ages till He shall come the second time. He shows His followers the conflicts they must meet; He reveals the character and plan of the battle. He lays open before them the perils they must encounter, the self-denial that will be required. … They are to contend with supernatural forces, but they are assured of supernatural help. All the intelligences of heaven are in this army. And more than angels are in the ranks. The Holy Spirit, the representative of the Captain of the Lord’s host, comes down to direct the battle.” The Desire of Ages, 352.

“Those who see Christ in His true character, and receive Him into the heart, have everlasting life. It is through the Spirit that Christ dwells in us; and the Spirit of God, received into the heart by faith, is the beginning of the life eternal. Ibid., 388.

“At all times and in all places, in all sorrows and in all afflictions, when the outlook seems dark and the future perplexing, and we feel helpless and alone, the Comforter will be sent in answer to the prayer of  faith. Circumstances may separate us from every earthly friend; but no circumstance, no distance, can separate us from the heavenly Comforter. Wherever we are, wherever we may go, He is always at our right hand to support, sustain, uphold, and cheer.” Ibid., 669.

“In describing to His disciples the office work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus sought to inspire them with the joy and hope that inspired His own heart. … It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world’s Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church. Ibid., 671.

Editorial – The Work of the Holy Spirit

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“The work of the Holy Spirit is immeasurably great. It is from this source that power and efficiency come to the worker for God; and the Holy Spirit is the comforter, as the personal presence of Christ to the soul. He who looks to Christ in simple, childlike faith, is made a partaker of the divine nature through the agency of the Holy Spirit. When led by the Spirit of God, the Christian may know that he is made complete in Him who is the head of all things. As Christ was glorified on the day of Pentecost, so will He again be glorified in the closing work of the gospel, when He shall prepare a people to stand the final test, in the closing conflict of the great controversy. …

“The people of God are to be called out from their association with worldlings and evil-doers, to stand in the battle for the Lord against the powers of darkness. When the earth is lightened with the glory of God, we shall see a work similar to that which was wrought when the disciples, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaimed the power of a risen Saviour. …

“They [those deceived by the enemies of Christ] said one to another, ‘This is the very One who was accused of gluttony, of eating with publicans and sinners; the One who was bound, and scourged, and crucified. We believe in Him as the Son of God, the Prince and Saviour.’ The revelation of Christ by the Holy Spirit brought to them a realizing sense of His power and majesty, and they stretched forth their hands unto Him by faith, saying, ‘I believe.’ Thus it was in the time of the early rain; but the latter rain will be more abundant. …

“O that we as a people might humble our hearts before God, and plead with Him for the endowment of the Holy Spirit! If we came to the Lord in humility and contrition of soul, He would answer our petitions; for He says that He is more willing to give us the Holy Spirit than are parents to give good gifts to their children. Then would Christ be glorified, and in Him we should discern the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” The Review and Herald, November 29, 1892

Editorial – Without Knowing It

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“I am a most unhappy man. I have unwittingly ruined my country. A great industrial nation is controlled by its system of credit. Our system of credit is concentrated. The growth of the nation, therefore, and all our activities are in the hands of a few men. We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated governments in the civilized world. No longer a government by free opinion, no longer a government by conviction and the vote of the majority, but a government by the opinion and duress of a small group of dominant men.”

Those are words spoken approximately 95 years ago by Woodrow Wilson when he realized what he had helped to bring about in 1913 with the creation of the Federal Reserve banking system. When those words were spoken it was apparently too late for the government to take control of the money. Ellen White spoke just a few years before this about the “centralizing of wealth and power; the vast combinations for the enriching of the few at the expense of the many.” Education, 228. She also said that men would try in vain to put business operations on a more secure basis. (See Testimonies, vol. 9, 13.)

But there is something far more distressing than the problems that the world is having because of selfish and unwise monetary practices. Looking down to the end of the millennium, the prophet wrote, concerning the lost, “It is now evident to all that the wages of sin is not noble independence and eternal life, but slavery, ruin, and death. The wicked see what they have forfeited by their life of rebellion. The far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory was despised when offered them; but how desirable it now appears. ‘All this,’ cries the lost soul, ‘I might have had; but I chose to put these things far from me. Oh, strange infatuation! I have exchanged peace, happiness, and honor, for wretchedness, infamy, and despair.’ All see that their exclusion from Heaven is just. In their lives they declared, We will not have this Jesus to reign over us.” Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, 483, 484. Do not let the devil beguile you out of your eternal inheritance so that you are unwittingly lost.

Editorial – Without Knowing It

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God’s people are affected more than they realize by the topics in the public press and media. There are topics being promoted by various individuals on the Internet with YouTube videos and other communications that are designed to raise alarm. As Adventists, we know that the end of the world is coming, but we need to be rational in our decisions and not act on the latest Internet gossip.

For several years now the Adventist people have been troubled by the frenzy that develops over these rumors. This barrage of messages are claimed to be directly from God. Of course, the “inside” or “secret” information cannot be documented, leaving no way for validation. The people distributing these communications worldwide cannot substantiate any evidence that the original source people actually had visions in the Biblical sense. (See Numbers 12:6; Isaiah 8:19, 20.)

It is not the part of prudence to believe any e-mail that comes around claiming to have as its source any secret society. This is not the way that God communicates the truth to His people. It is time for us to pray. It would be well if God’s people, in the face of these uncertain times, would go to the Lord, in prayer and say, “Lord you know what is going to happen and I earnestly pray that you will teach me, not only how I can serve you today, but also what you would have me do with my money, time, and every resource that you have placed in my hand. I am opening my heart to you, Lord, to be directed as you see fit; please lead me in just the way you would have me go today.”

Editorial – Prayer Calendar

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What are you praying for this year? Often our prayers tend to be quite self-centered. We pray for healing from a physical or emotional problem or for a better financial situation or some other personal desire. But if we are going to become Christlike, we must ask ourselves, “How did Jesus pray?” It is true that He prayed for Himself, but even these prayers were so that He could gain the victory over His temptations and win the right to give eternal life to you and me. When Jesus prayed, it was for the benefit of others. (See John 17.)

Below is a list of a few things that we should be praying for this year.

  1. Although we should pray for all men (I Timothy 2:1), we should especially pray for “kings and all who are in authority.” I Timothy 2:2. Some people seem to be so busy making judgments about the government that prayer for our leaders is far from their minds. We cannot be criticizing and deriding government and praying for those very same people simultaneously, can we? Christians are to be praying for all those burdened with the responsibility of governing. This would include all legislators, judges, juries, and leaders of government services.
  2. We should pray for our enemies and those who spitefully use us. (Luke 6:27, 28.) It is true that in the final generation the devil is going to deceive the whole world (Revelation 12:9; 14:13, 14; 16:13, 14; 18:23), but vengeance is not our job. Our job for those who persecute us and attempt to destroy us is to pray for them—that God perhaps might grant them repentance so that they might know the truth and escape from the snare of the devil.
    (II Timothy 2:25, 26.)
  3. Pray for every person who is attempting to communicate the gospel. (Ephesians 6:19; Hebrews 13:18.)
  4. Pray for professed Christians who do not yet give evidence that they are converted. (Luke 22:31, 32.)
  5. Pray for more gospel workers. (Matthew 10:37, 38.)
  6. Pray for mercy. (Luke 18:13.)
  7. Pray that you will not fall into temptation. (Luke 22:40.)
  8. Pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 11:13.)
  9. Pray for God’s professed people and for those whom you know individually. (II Thessalonians 1:11; James 5:16.)

Editorial – Christ our Example

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Jesus lived in a country whose government was immoral in every sense of the word. The historians have referred to Rome as the sewer of the nations. “The government under which Jesus lived was corrupt and oppressive; on every hand were crying abuses,—extortion, intolerance, and grinding cruelty. Yet the Saviour attempted no civil reforms. He attacked no national abuses, nor condemned the national enemies. He did not interfere with the authority or administration of those in power. He who was our example kept aloof from earthly governments. Not because He was indifferent to the woes of men, but because the remedy did not lie in merely human and external measures.” The Desire of Ages, 509.

If you are a Christian, Jesus is your example in all things. Our work as Christians is to spread the good news of the gospel. When this is accepted it will change every aspect of life and bring harmony and peace. Unless the gospel is accepted, no legislation or civil reforms can solve the problems of human society. Our job as Christians is not to interfere with government by stirring up opposition to those in power, but rather to present the remedy to those in government and those in private life.

Bad behavior, whether it is adultery, stealing, killing, lying or dishonor, or rebellion against human or divine authority, cannot be obliterated by force. Even if the behavior is changed as the result of fear of punishment, the heart still has the same evil passions and desires. As long as the heart is evil there will be evil speech and evil actions, no matter what type of government is in power.

“To be efficient, the cure must reach men individually, and must regenerate the heart.” The Desire of Ages, 509.

“Not by the decisions of courts or councils or legislative assemblies, not by the patronage of worldly great men, is the kingdom of Christ established, but by the implanting of Christ’s nature in humanity through the work of the Holy Spirit. ‘As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.’ John 1:12, 13. Here is the only power that can work the uplifting of mankind. And the human agency for the accomplishment of this work is the teaching and practicing of the word of God. …

Now, as in Christ’s day, the work of God’s kingdom lies not with those who are clamoring for recognition and support by earthly rulers and human laws, but with those who are declaring to the people in His name those spiritual truths that will work in the receivers the experience of Paul: ‘I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.’ Gal. 2:20.” The Desire of Ages, 509, 510.

Editorial – A look at the Future

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“From that which God has shown me, a great number will be saved from among the Catholics. There has been but little done for them except to make them appear in the worst light.” Sermons and Talks, vol. 2, 41.

The future will be much different than many have supposed, and the only way to understand what is really going to happen is to study inspired writings. Here is some of the counsel that we have received:

“First of all then, I urge that supplications and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men for kings and all who are in authority.” I Timothy 2:1, 2, first part.

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority … Honor the king.” I Peter 2:13, 17.

It is not our work to attack individuals or institutions.

“The time will come when unguarded expressions of a denunciatory character, that have been carelessly spoken or written by our brethren, will be used by our enemies to condemn us. These will not be used merely to condemn those who made the statements, but will be charged upon the whole body of Adventists. Our accusers will say that on such and such a day one of our responsible men said thus and so against the administration of the laws of this government. Many will be astonished to see how many things have been cherished and remembered that will give point to the arguments of our adversaries. Many will be surprised to hear their own words strained into a meaning that they did not intend them to have. Then let our workers be careful to speak guardedly at all times and under all circumstances. Let all beware lest by reckless expressions they bring on a time of trouble before the great crisis which is to try men’s souls.” Counsels to Writers and Editors, 69.

The less we make direct charges against authorities and powers, the greater work we shall be able to accomplish, both in America and in foreign countries.

Do not speak to them one word of censure. Do not blame and condemn them. “We have nothing whereof to boast. We grieve the Lord Jesus Christ by our harshness, by our unchristlike thrusts. We need to become complete in Him.” Ibid, 63.

The world is becoming more and more violent, and soon God’s people will have to endure suffering as a result, but we need to be sure that we do not unnecessarily increase the suffering of God’s people in the world by communicating even the truth in a spirit that will be interpreted as follows:

“We shall force them to the conclusion that the doctrine, we profess cannot be the Christian doctrine since it does not make us kind, courteous, and respectful.” Ibid,71.

How much has been said that has turned souls to bitterness and gall against the truth.

“Words that should have been a savor of life unto life have been made a savor of death unto death by the spirit which accompanied them.” Ibid., 66.