Editorial

Editorial – Times of Terror

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In A.D. 31 Jesus said concerning the last days just before His second coming, “And there will be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity [or without resources], the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear, and for the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.” Luke 21:25, 26.

In 1904 Ellen White published this statement: “Transgression has almost reached its limit. Confusion fills the world, and a great terror is soon to come upon human beings. The end is very near. We who know the truth should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 28.

The twentieth century fulfilled the prediction about a great terror coming upon human beings. There were the communist revolts and revolutions starting shortly after 1900. World War I broke out and, twenty years later, World War II with a depression between. Between the late 1940’s until 1989 we experienced the rise of totalitarism that covered more than half the world. The number of people violently killed by the two world wars totaled around 80 million and more than 100 million have been violently killed by totalitarian revolutions.

But as frightening as the twentieth century was, the twenty-first century is starting out to be worse. Without going into the details of the global troubles in the natural world, the economic world, the religious world, and the military world, that you probably already know about, let us look at what God has counseled us in regard to the time in which we are living:

“Every hand should be outstretched to help the hand that is doing something for the Master. The time may come when the hands that have upheld the feeble hands of another may, in turn, be upheld by the hands to whom they ministered. God has so ordered matters that no man is absolutely independent of his fellowmen.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 496.

“Faith is the clasping of the hand of Christ in every emergency.” Gospel Workers, 262.

“The hand of Christ can reach the veriest sinner, and bring him back from transgression to obedience; but no Christianity is so lofty that it can soar above the requirements of God’s holy law.” The Signs of the Times, March 31, 1890.

“God says to His people, ‘Press together, press together; that you may not be destroyed as were the inhabitants of Jerusalem.’ ” Ibid., October 31, 1900.

“We are to unify, but not on a platform of error.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 15, 259.

Editorial – Why is There Constant Trouble in the Churches?

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One of the major reasons for it is the lack of a meek and quiet spirit amongst God’s professed people around the world. Unless this is acquired, that person will never be in the kingdom of heaven. (See Matthew 5:5.) Examine yourself to see whether you have a meek and quiet spirit.

“You have brought upon yourself many grievances that could have been avoided had you possessed a meek and quiet spirit. You provoke contention; for when your will is crossed, your spirit rises for conflict. Your disposition to rule is a constant source of trouble to yourself. Your nature has become jealous and distrustful. You are overbearing, and stir up strife by faultfinding and hasty condemnation. You have so long cultivated a spirit of retaliation that you continually need the grace of God to soften and subdue your nature. The dear Saviour has said: ‘Bless them that curse you,’ ‘and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you’ (Matthew 5:44).

“Dear sister, I was shown that you bring darkness into your own soul by dwelling upon the mistakes and imperfections of others. You will never have their sins to answer for, but you have a work to do for your own soul and for your own family that no other can do for you. You need to crucify self and to check the disposition to magnify your neighbors’ faults and to talk thoughtlessly. There are subjects upon which you may converse with the very best results. It is always safe to speak of Jesus, of the Christian’s hope, and of the beauties of our faith. Let your tongue be sanctified to God, that your speech may be ever seasoned with grace.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 134, 135.

It is appropriate to fast and pray for John 17 to be fulfilled among God’s professed people. When it is, we will have no more strife and contention among us. “Every branch draws its nourishment from the same source. When we are branches of the true Vine, there will be no quarreling among us, no strife for the supremacy, no disparaging of one another.” The General Conference Bulletin, April 25, 1901.

“Oh, if the church would arise, and put on her beautiful garments, the righteousness of Christ, what a change would be realized in her influence, and in her spiritual condition! The jealousies and fault-finding, the heart-burnings, the envy and dissensions, the strife for supremacy, would cease.” The Review and Herald, October 12, 1886. (See James 3:13–18.)

Editorial – Sinners in Zion, part 1

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Zion is one of the hills on which the city of Jerusalem is built. Since the ark of God with the Shekinah glory was transferred to Zion (by David) it was referred to as the place where God dwelt. Jeremiah 8:19, Psalm 76:2. Jerusalem in the Old Covenant was the type of the heavenly Jerusalem and Zion in the New Covenant. The people of God, His chosen, would therefore be referred to as the people of Zion as is done repeatedly in scripture—”Say to Zion you are my people.” Isaiah 51:16.

The church, when triumphant will stand on the heavenly mount Zion. Hebrews 12:22, 23. Zion contains the chief cornerstone of the spiritual building that we call the church. Ephesians 2:19-22, I Peter 2:5,6.

The 144,000, after their deliverance from the death decree described in Revelation 13:15-17, will stand on this same heavenly mount Zion. Revelation 14:1.

In the Bible, whether talking about the earthly Jerusalem (the Old Covenant Zion), or the heavenly Jerusalem (the New Covenant Zion), Zion represents not as much a place as a people, specifically the people who profess to be the people of God and are acknowledged by Him as His people. For example, “the Lord has comforted his people and will have mercy on His afflicted. But Zion said, the Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee. Behold I have graven you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” Isaiah 49:13-16. “The Lord shall comfort Zion.” Isaiah 51:3. Zion is asleep and is commanded to awake and be loosed from captivity. Isaiah 52:1. As soon as she travails, a nation is brought forth. Isaiah 66:8. To ask the way to Zion, Jeremiah 50:5, is to ask how to become part of God’s chosen people. It is only in Zion that there will be deliverance in the last days. Joel 2:32, Obadiah 17.

In the last days God has declared that He is jealous for Zion with a great jealousy, that He will return and dwell in Jerusalem, and it will be called a city of truth. Zechariah 8:2,3. When God talks about coming to dwell in Zion He is talking about coming and dwelling among His people, His church. The church is the holy city spoken of in Revelation 11:2,3. To sinners our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29. When God comes to Zion what will happen to sinners in Zion when the greatest spiritual battle of all time arrives—the most momentous crises of the ages? What will happen to those who are trying to build Zion with bloodshed? Micah 3:10

The prophets give us awesome answers to these questions. Here is one answer from the pen of Ellen White:

“In our largest churches the greatest evils exist, because these have had the greatest light. They have not a true knowledge of God, and of Jesus Christ whom he has sent. The leaven of unbelief is working, and unless these evils which bring the displeasure of God are corrected in its members, the whole church stands accountable for them. The deep movings of the Spirit of God are not with them; the glorious presence of the King of saints, and his power to cleanse from all moral defilement, are not manifest among them. Many come to the assembly as worshipers, like the door upon its hinges. They understand not the true application of the Scriptures, nor the power of God. They have eyes, but they see not; ears have they, but they hear not; they continue in their evil ways yet regard themselves as the privileged, obedient people who are doers of the word. A carnal security and ease in Zion prevail. Peace, peace, is sounded in her border, when God has not spoken peace. They have forfeited the terms of peace; there is reason for an alarm to be sounded in all ‘my holy mountain.’ The sinners in Zion should be afraid, in a time when they do not expect it, sudden destruction will surely come upon all who are at ease.” Review and Herald, December 23, 1890.

Friend, do not let the most momentous crises of the ages pass by. If you are at ease should you not be alarmed? If you are not engaged in the controversy over Zion, will the prophecy be fulfilled in you, that many will not wake up until it is too late? Early Writings, 71. Zion must awake, put on the beautiful garments, and entering into the final conflict, contend with the sons of Greece. Zechariah 9:13.

The End

Editorial – The Goal

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Jesus . . . gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a special people.” Titus 2:13, 14. “They are without fault before the throne of God.” Revelation 14:5. She will be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:27. Without spot and blameless. 2 Peter 3:14.

This is the goal to be attained by everyone who will be saved, and it is possible for us all, “being confident of this very thing that He who has begun a good work in you will finish it unto the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6.

Concerning the goal Ellen White comments much:

“The result of union with Christ is purification of heart, a circumspect life, and a faultless character. Yet those who have attained to this degree of Christian perfection are the last to claim that they have any merits of their own.” Signs of the Times, March 10, 1887.

“The thorough work of preparation must go on with all who profess the truth, until we stand before the throne of God without fault, without a spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. God will cleanse you if you will submit to the purifying process.” Maranatha, 90.

“When tempted to murmur, censure, and indulge in fretfulness, wounding those around you, and in so doing wounding your own soul, oh! let the deep, earnest, anxious inquiry come from your soul, Shall I stand without fault before the throne of God? Only the faultless will be there. None will be translated to heaven while their hearts are filled with the rubbish of earth. Every defect in the moral character must first be remedied, every stain removed by the cleansing blood of Christ, and all the unlovely, unlovable traits of character overcome.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 705.

While we must keep our eye on the goal we must never be discouraged if we should stumble on the way:

“Cease the contemplation of others’ mistakes and errors. We should remember that our own ways are not faultless. We make mistakes again and again . . . No one is perfect but Jesus.” That I May Know Him, 136.

“No one is perfect but Jesus. Think of Him and be charmed away from yourself, and from every disagreeable thing, for by beholding our defects faith is weakened. God and His promises are lost from sight.” Manuscript Release, vol. 11, 263.

“Jesus loves His children, even if they err. They belong to Jesus and we are to treat them as the purchase of the blood of Jesus Christ. Any unreasonable course pursued toward them is written in the books as against Jesus Christ. He keeps His eye upon them, and when they do their best, calling upon God for His help, be assured the service will be accepted, although imperfect. Jesus is perfect. Christ’s righteousness is imputed unto them, and He will say, Take away the filthy garments from him, and clothe him with change of raiment. Jesus makes up for our unavoidable deficiencies. Where Christians are faithful to each other, true and loyal to the Captain of the Lord’s host, never betraying trusts into the enemy’s hands, they will be transformed into Christ’s character. Jesus will abide in their hearts by faith.” Letter, 17A, 1891.

“We may take courage, and believe that we shall overcome every imperfection of character. Our Redeemer has taken our nature, fought our battles, and in his name we shall conquer. Human nature may take hold of the strength of God, and be victorious.” Youth’s Instructor, December 28, 1899.

“When He sees men lifting the burdens, trying to carry them in lowliness of mind, with distrust of self and with reliance upon Him, He adds to their work His perfection and sufficiency, and it is accepted of the Father. We are accepted in the beloved. The sinner’s defects are covered by the perfection and fullness of the Lord our righteousness. Those who with sincere will, with contrite heart, are putting forth humble efforts to live up to the requirements of God, are looked upon by the Father with pitying, tender love; He regards such as obedient children, and the righteousness of Christ is imputed unto them.” Our High Calling, 51.

“All who desire to be among the number who will stand before God without fault must begin without delay the practical work of overcoming. The Lord permits trials to come in order that we may be cleansed from earthliness, from selfishness, from harsh un-Christlikeness of character. He desires to create in every heart a deep and earnest longing to be cleansed from every stain of sin, that we may come forth purer, holier, and happier from every trial which He permits. Our souls become darkened by selfishness, but if we can only see Jesus, there will be a dying to self. Changes will be made in word and action.” Upward Look, 298.

The End

Editorial – The Confusion: Babylon

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The devil tries to push people into an extreme and if that does not succeed he will attempt to push them to an opposite extreme. (See Testimonies, vol. 5, 644.) Often when we are under attack by the devil we do not know it. We think that we are just studying and learning about something—following is one current example: We have known for over 100 years that the condition of Laodicea described the condition of the professed people of God. We were also told in 1897 that we were on the track of Romanism. (See Testimonies to Ministers, 362.) We were warned in 1886 that we could become a sister of Babylon and we were warned in 1893 (the same time period) not to call the second advent movement Babylon. Whether the professed people of God will become part of Babylon in the future is not the key issue—the key issue is that if we do not recover from our Laodicean condition when the plagues fall it will be just as bad for Laodicea as for Babylon, notice:

“Will the churches heed the Laodicean message? Will they repent, or will they, notwithstanding that the most solemn message of truth—the third angel’s message—is being proclaimed to the world, go on in sin? This is the last message of mercy, the last warning to a fallen world. If the church of God becomes lukewarm, it does not stand in favor with God any more than do the churches that are the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Those who have had opportunities to hear and receive the truth and who have united with the Seventh-day Adventist church, calling themselves the commandment-keeping people of God, and yet possess no more vitality and consecration to God than do the nominal churches, will receive of the plagues of God just as verily as the churches who oppose the law of God. Only those that are sanctified through the truth will compose the royal family in the heavenly mansions Christ has gone to prepare for those that love Him and keep His commandments.” Manuscript Release, vol. 19, 176. [All emphasis supplied.]

“It is now the duty of God’s commandment keeping people to watch and pray, to search the Scriptures diligently, to hide the word of God in the heart, lest they sin against him in idolatrous thoughts and debasing practices, and thus the church of God become demoralized like the fallen churches whom prophecy represents as being filled with every unclean and hateful bird.” Review and Herald, May 17, 1887

“When Jerusalem was divorced from God it was because of her sins. She fell from an exalted height that Tyre and Sidon had never reached. And when an angel falls he becomes a fiend. The depth of our ruin is measured by the exalted light to which God has raised us in His great goodness and unspeakable mercy. Oh, what privileges are granted to us as a people! And if God spared not His people that he loved, because they refused to walk in the light, how can He spare the people whom He has blessed with the light of heaven in having opened to them the most exalted truth ever entrusted to mortal man to give to the world?” Manuscript Release, vol. 2, 319, 320

Forgetting the warnings to Laodicea, some people say, if the Seventh-day Adventist church is not Babylon, I will not worry. Returning to a Laodicean condition, they are in a worse condition now than before hearing anything about revival and reformation. Some will never wake up until the plagues begin to fall. (See Early Writings, 71.)

What has happened? The devil pushed individuals hard in an attempt to force them to believe that the Adventist church is Babylon but finally someone convinces them that the church structure is not Babylon. Immediately the devil pushes them to the opposite extreme. They are victimized by “either—or” thinking: If it is not Babylon, all must be well within the borders of God’s professed people. ( It is like saying, everybody that does not have cancer is in perfect health.)

No longer are these in the category of those who “will not hold their peace to obtain the favor of any.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 210. These people will still be holding their peace when the plagues began to fall. One result of this shaking that is going on in many minds is this idea—if the church structure is not Babylon, then there is no need to worry, just wait and the Lord will correct all problems. If you value your soul do not forget the warnings that God has given to Laodicea.

Editorial – When You Fear to Send You Child to Church

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1 – Why is the church to be organized and what will it eventually demonstrate?

“The church is God’s appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God’s plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to ‘the principalities and powers in heavenly places,’ the final and full display of the love of God.” Acts of the Apostles, 9. [All emphasis supplied.]

(This final and full display of the love of God will take place during the loud cry of the third angel. See Testimonies to Ministers, 50.)

2 – Will there ever be a time when we should just be sowing the gospel seed and not seeking to reap the harvest, because of the condition of the church?

“They [the church] are embarked so long as time shall last upon an enterprise of mercy.” Sons and Daughters of God, 265

“The instruction Christ gave His disciples when He was among them He gave for the encouragement of His followers to the end of time . . . Today He commissions His workers, ‘Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’ ” Signs of the Times, December 20, 1899

“The Saviour’s commission to the disciples included all the believers. It includes all believers in Christ to the end of time.” Desire of Ages, 822

“The figure which Paul uses of the temple erected on the foundation stone is to represent the work of God’s servants to the end of time . . . He who neglects to teach the truth in its purity, will gather converts who are not holy in heart and life. He is bringing material that will not stand the test. In the day of God he will suffer loss. Though it is possible that those who have spent the best of life in teaching error may, by repentance and faith, be saved at last, yet their work is lost. Their life has failed of the good results that might have been secured. Souls have gone down to ruin, who, by a faithful presentation of the truth, might have been saved. Says the apostle, ‘Let every man take heed how he buildeth.’ ” Sketches from the Life of Paul, 159, 160

3 – What should we do for our young people when God’s professed church manifests a low grade of piety?

“They simply have the name of Christians but are not fitted for the work of God, and never will be until they are born again, and learn the A.B.C. in true religion of Jesus Christ. There is a little hope in one direction: Take the young men and women, and place them where they will come as little in contact with our churches as possible, that the low grade of piety which is current in this day shall not leaven their ideas of what it means to be a Christian.” (Written to S. N. Haskell, 1892.) Manuscript Release, vol. 12, 333

4 – What should these young people do, who are to be brought in contact as little as possible with the churches?

“Brother and Sister Haskell have rented a house in one of the best parts of the city, and have gathered round them a family of helpers, who day by day go out giving Bible readings, selling our papers, and doing medical missionary work. During the hour of worship, the workers relate their experiences. Bible studies are regularly conducted in the home, and the young men and young women connected with the mission receive a practical, thorough training in holding Bible readings and in selling our publications. The Lord has blessed their labors, a number have embraced the truth, and many others are deeply interested.” Review and Herald, September 7, 1905

“A similar work should be done in many cities. The young people who go out to labor in these cities should be under the direction of experienced, consecrated leaders . . . This work is to be carried forward on a higher plane of individual responsibility than ever before.” Review and Herald, September 7, 1905

The End

Editorial – The Voice of God, part 2

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It has always been difficult for God’s professed people to recognize the voice of God among them in the present. The voice of God through past time in former prophets and messengers is recognized, but the present messengers are usually despised. Examples of this are: the Jews rejected the prophets over and over and killed them but “revered” them after their death. (See Matthew 23.) In Christ’s day the Pharisees claimed to believe the whole Old Testament but rejected the voice of God among them. The same was true for the Christian church—a large contingent rejected Paul while he was alive, but revered him in later ages. (See II Timothy 4:9-16.) The same has been the true with Seventh-day Adventists in recognizing the voice of God today. The question is: will you be one of those select few that recognizes the voice of God today and chooses to obey it?

“I inquire: Do you believe that the testimonies of reproof which have been given you are of God? If you really believe that the voice of God has spoken to you, pointing out your dangers, do you heed the counsels given? Do you keep these testimonies of warning fresh in your minds by reading them often with prayerful hearts? The Lord has spoken to you, children and youth, again and again; but you have been slow to heed the warnings given. If you have not rebelliously braced your hearts against the views that God has given of your character and your dangers, and against the course marked out for you to pursue, some of you have been inattentive in regard to the things required of you…” Testimonies, vol. 3, 362, 363

Just as Ezekiel was told to bear a message to the people whether they would hear or not, so Ellen White was told to bear a message, yet not to attempt to prove that it was the voice of God:

“I fell asleep, and in the night season I was taught of God. My guide said, ‘I have a work for you to do. You must speak the words given you by the Lord. After these words have been spoken, your duty here is done. You are not required to enter into detail before individuals, whatever may be their position or work, if they do not recognize the voice before individuals, whatever may be their position or work, if they do not recognize the voice of God in the message He gives you to bear in His name. All your efforts to remove their doubts will be of no avail if they gather the clouds of darkness about their souls. If you enter into particulars, you weaken the message. It is not you speaking, but the Lord speaking through you. Those who want to know the will of God, who do not desire to follow their own will and judgment, will be easily entreated. They will be ready to discern the right way.’” Upward Look, 339

We each individually have a responsibility to recognize the voice of God when it speaks to us.

“What voice will you acknowledge as the voice of God? What power has the Lord in reserve to correct your errors, and show you your course as it is? What power to work in the church? You have, by your own course, closed every avenue whereby the Lord would reach you. Will he raise one from the dead to speak to you?” Testimonies for the Battle Creek Church, 50

If we do not recognize the voice of God given in the Spirit of Prophecy to His remnant people, it is prophesied that we will not escape the snares for these last days. Neglecting or rejecting the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy is not a minor matter—it will prove to result in the loss of the soul for many Seventh-day Adventists. For the honest seeker plenty of evidence of their origin is available, but even the resurrection from the dead would be to no avail for many in modern Israel. (See Luke 16:19-31.)

Through his Holy Spirit the voice of God has come to us continually in warning and instruction, to confirm the faith of the believers in the Spirit of Prophecy. “Repeatedly the word has come, Write the things that I have given you to confirm the faith of my people in the position they have taken. Time and trial have not made void the instruction given, but through years of suffering and self-sacrifice have established the truth of the testimony given. The instruction that was given in the early days of the message is to be held as safe instruction to follow in these its closing days. Those who are indifferent to this light and instruction must not expect to escape the snares which we have been plainly told will cause the rejecters of light to stumble, and fall, and be snared, and be taken. If we study carefully the second chapter of Hebrews we shall learn how important it is that we hold steadfastly to every principle of truth that has been given.”

Editorial – The Voice of God, part 1

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Since the fall of man in Eden, the tempter has been most successful in reaching men when he is able to deceive them into thinking that his voice is the voice of God. “Men must be in close connection with God, or the enemy will interpose himself between them and God, that they will take his suggestions as the voice of God.” 1888 Messages, 939

In order to avoid being shaken out of with any device of our adversary who is much wiser than we are, we must know with certainty the voice of God and then obey it.

Many times in the book of Genesis God spoke to individuals but in Exodus, He speaks not only to individuals but to the entire world from Mount Sinai in giving His Law. “The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. Psalm 68:8. Amid the most terrific convulsions of nature the voice of God, like a trumpet, was heard from the cloud. The mountain was shaken from base to summit and the hosts of Israel, pale and trembling with terror, lay upon their faces upon the earth. He whose voice then shook the earth has declared, ‘Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.’ ” Patriarchs and Prophets, 340. Concerning what He spoke, He declares “My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.” (The Ten Commandments are called is covenant. See Deuteronomy 4:13; 5:22.)

Any voice with any message can be compared to the Law of God. God’s voice will never contradict His Law and any voice that does contradict His Law is not His voice no matter what claim may be made. It is this stabilizing knowledge that will be one of the main factors that will keep the elect from being deceived in the times of trouble just ahead. (See The Great Controversy, 622-626.) There are mysteries in the Bible that the wisest minds cannot fathom, but this is not true concerning the law of God. “There is no mystery in the law of God. The feeblest intellect can grasp these rules to regulate after the Divine Mode.” Review and Herald, September 14, 1886

But God’s voice is heard not only in the Ten Commandments. “Do we receive the testimony of the Scriptures as the voice of God? Through the Scriptures, the voice of God comes to us as veritably as it came to Israel when He spoke on Sinai in the audience of all the people. How many of us regard it in this light? If we did regard it thus, what a change would be seen in our daily words and actions. With what reverence and awe would we search the Word of God to know the truth, the medium through which the souls sanctification is accomplished.” Signs of the Times, April 6, 1891. If we could fully realize the truth of this statements, how the Holy Bible would be prized. It would be considered the greatest of any material possession that could be acquired in this world. It would be realized that this Book allows us to have an audience with our Maker Who holds the destiny of every living thing in His hands and has in this Book graciously shown to us how to live so as to obtain life’s best results.

“The Lord has uttered His voice in His Holy Word. Those blessed pages are full of instruction and life, harmonious with truth. They are a perfect rule of conduct. Instructions are given, principles are laid down, which apply to every circumstance in life, even though some particular case may not be stated. Nothing is left unrevealed which is essential to a complete system of faith and a correct line of practice. Every duty that God requires at our hands is made plain…None will err from the right path who meekly and honestly take the Bible as their guide, making it the man of their counsel.” Our High Calling, 36

There are other ways in which the Lord speaks to the children of men, but it is basic to understand that the voice of God will never contradict the Scriptures, especially the Ten Commandments. If the voice of any person, organization, or group of persons, no matter how many miracles are performed or how many signs and wonders, are worked proclaims a message contrary to the established and certain vice which has stood the test of many centuries of criticism and abuse and has given unmistakable evidence of its source, the we may know that, however pleasing, this voice is neither the voice of God nor speaking for God. (See Matthew 7:21-23.)

Editorial – The Crisis Issue at the End of the World

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When Jesus came to our world to become our Savior and Redeemer, the second table of the law of God—the last six commandments—were often ignored, while God’s professed people exalted in their keeping of the first four commandments and avoiding idolatry, which had been the plague of God’s professed people up until the time of the Babylonian captivity. This can be seen over and over in the gospels (see for example Mark 3:1–6).

But in the last days, the situation is reversed. We know this from studying Revelation 13. There will be great emphasis on loving your fellow man but there will be a rebellion against the first table of the law, which commands us to love God with all our heart and mind. If I do love God with all my heart, I will never commit idolatry. However, according to Revelation 13 we will be commanded to worship an image.

Does the Bible emphasize the fact that law-keeping versus law-breaking will be the issue in the last days and that the special issue will involve the first four commandments? It does. Here is a little of the evidence:

  1. The difference which distinguishes God’s children from the rest of the world in the last days is that God’s children in the last days will be commandment keepers in contrast with those who worship the beast and the image to the beast and who receive the mark of the beast (Revelation 14:9–12; 13:14–17). Worshiping any image is a violation of the second commandment.
  2. The saved from the last generation will be those who do not worship the beast, the image, and receive the mark of the beast (Revelation 15:2; 20:4).
  3. Nobody can be saved who is a violator of the second commandment unless he repents and is converted and forsakes that sin. Notice the warnings about this in 1 Corinthians 6:9; Revelation 21:8; 22:15.
  4. A deliberate attempt to change God’s times and His law is a special identifying mark of the apostasy of the latter days according to Daniel 7:25. The only times in God’s law are the times mentioned in the fourth commandment, the longest commandment of the ten and the one that has been almost universally broken since ancient times. And yet this commandment for thousands of years has been the sign that distinguishes God’s true people from all others. (See Exodus 31:12–17. Compare Ezekiel 20.)

Editorial – What God Has Joined, part 3

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Instead of trying to find a way to be able to violate God’s counsel and still be saved, the converted Christian will be seeking to bring every aspect of his life into harmony with the divine standard. If Jesus truly has our heart, we will be willing to suffer inconvenience, and even hardship, rather than dishonor our Redeemer by disregarding His revealed will. All of the universe is watching to see who we deem worthy of the greatest honor and whether or not we are trustworthy and faithful servants. The one who is saved is one who swears to his own hurt (as many have done in their marriage vows) and changes not. (See Psalm 15.)

“I have received a letter from your husband. I would say that there is only one thing for which a husband may lawfully separate from his wife or a wife from her husband, and that is adultery.

“If your dispositions are not congenial, would it not be for the glory of God for you to change these dispositions? . . .

“My sister, you cannot please God by maintaining your present attitude. Forgive your husband. He is your husband, and you will be blessed in striving to be a dutiful, affectionate wife. Let the law of kindles be on your lips. You can and must change your attitude.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, 161.

Following an editorial like this one, we will no doubt receive many letters and calls. However, please let me tell you in advance, as we have told many others, we do not believe that any church, or any human being, has the prerogative to determine morality—a determination as to what is right and what is wrong. God has revealed the standard of morality in His Law and in the explanations of that Law given us in the inspired writings. While we can share with you these messages, we dare not venture to advise you as to the course that you must follow.

“Oh,” somebody might say, “mine is a special case.” No matter now singular it is, all that a Protestant pastor can do is read what the Word of God says that is applicable. While we fully believe in the grace of God over people in complicated situations, let us be careful that we do not abuse the grace of God and outrage the Holy Spirit (see Hebrews 10:26), thereby losing our soul. Over and over again the apostle Paul urged upon Christians not to deceive themselves. If the record book in heaven reveals that the divorce you are contemplating was made from selfishness, all of the reasons in the world will be of no avail in excusing you from following God’s revealed will. What will you say in the day when the Lord asks you why you were not afraid to put asunder that which He had joined together? How will you escape a verdict that you are a traitor against the divine government and not subject to the Lord of heaven?

“The last great day is right upon us. Let all consider that Satan is now striving for the mastery over souls. He is playing the game of life for your souls. Will there be sins committed by you on the very borders of the heavenly Canaan? Oh what revealings! The husband will know for the first time the deception and falsehood that have been practiced by the wife whom he thought innocent and pure. The wife for the first time will know the case of her husband, and the relatives and friends will see how error and falsehood and corruption have been clustering about them; for the secrets of all hearts will stand revealed. The hour of Judgment is almost here,—long delayed by the goodness and mercy of God. But the trump of God will sound to the consternation of the unprepared who are living, and awaken the pale nations of the dead.” Review and Herald, May 24, 1887.

The root of the apostasy that led to the Dark Ages was the idea that something could be added or taken away from the Word of God by the church or the clergy. This concept was the very fountain from which flowed the errors of Babylon. (See The Great Controversy, 289, 290.) If we ever condone that which God has not condoned, we will be in serious trouble indeed.

“We must as a people arouse and cleanse the camp of Israel. Licentiousness, unlawful intimacy, and unholy practices are coming in among us in a large degree; and ministers who are handling sacred things are guilty of sin in this respect. They are coveting their neighbors’ wives, and the seventh commandment is broken. We are in danger of becoming a sister to fallen Babylon, of allowing our churches to become corrupted, and filled with every foul spirit, a cage for every unclean and hateful bird; and will we be clear unless we make decided movements to cure the existing evil?” Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, 188.