Editorial

Editorial – Walk Worthy of the Vocation

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From eternal ages it was God’s purpose that every created being should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator. Because of sin, humanity ceased to be a temple for God. Darkened and defiled by evil, the heart of man no longer revealed the glory of the divine One.

God designed that the temple at Jerusalem should be a continual witness to the high destiny open to every soul. But the Jews had not understood the significance of the building. They did not yield themselves as temples for the divine Spirit. In cleansing the temple from the world’s buyers and sellers, Jesus announced His mission to cleanse the heart from the defilement of sin—from the earthly desires, the selfish lusts, the evil habits that corrupt the soul.

No man can of himself cast out the evil throng that have taken possession of the heart. Only Christ can cleanse the soul-temple. But He will not force an entrance. He says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him” (Revelation 3:20). He will come, not for one day merely; for He says, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and … they shall be My people” (II Corinthians 6:16). His presence will cleanse and sanctify the soul, so that it may be a holy temple unto the Lord, and “an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22).

We ourselves must suffer the ills of violated law. We must answer to God for our habits and practices [sic]. Therefore the question for us is, how shall I, claiming to be a Christian, treat the habitation God has given me?

It is not he who merely enjoys righteousness, that is righteous, but he who does righteousness. Holiness is not rapture; it is the result of surrendering all to God; it is doing the will of our Heavenly Father. Religion consists in doing the words of Christ; not doing to earn God’s favor, but because, all undeserving, we have received the gift of His love. Christ places the salvation of man, not upon profession merely, but upon faith that is made manifest in works of righteousness.

To live by the word of God means the surrender to Him of the whole life. There will be felt a continual sense of need and dependence, a drawing out of the heart after God. Prayer is a necessity; for it is the life of the soul. It is secret communion with God that sustains the soul-life.

(Excerpts from A Habitation for the Spirit, The Review and Herald, December 31, 1908.)

Bible texts are from the New King James Version.

Editorial – Liberty

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Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” II Corinthians 3:17.

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13.

One of the ways to distinguish the true Christ from Antichrist is that the true Christ brings liberty but Antichrist brings bondage:

“Only by terrible struggles has the right of religious liberty been maintained. When the stake and the scaffold proved ineffectual to destroy the Reformation in Germany, popery summoned her armies, the Catholic States banded together to crush out Protestantism, and for thirty years the tempests of war swept over these now fertile plains and populous cities. At the opening of the thirty years war, in 1618, the country had reached a high state of prosperity. It is said that at that time the methods of cultivation were fully equal to those of 1818. ‘Germany was accounted a rich country. Under the influence of a long peace its towns had enlarged in size, its villages had increased in number, and its smiling fields testified to the excellence of its husbandry. The early dew of the Reformation was not yet exhaled. The sweet breath of that morning gave it a healthy moral vigor, quickened its art and industry, and filled the land with all good things. Wealth abounded in the cities, and even the country people lived in circumstances of comfort and ease.’ Since the Reformation, a school had existed in every town and village in which there was a church, and a knowledge of reading and writing was generally diffused among the people. The Bible had found its way into their houses. The hymns of Luther were sung in their churches and their homes.

“But during the terrible years that followed, all this was changed. Foreign soldiery, savage and blood-besmeared, traversed the country, marking their course by pillage, fire, and murder. The greatest imaginable horrors were so common that it was a matter of surprise when they failed to be perpetrated. At the approach of the troops, the terror-stricken people sought safety in one-fiftieth of the population remained, and there were regions left without inhabitant.

“Such was the spirit of popery in the seventeenth century, and such is her spirit today. Let Rome but gain the power, and our own favored land would witness scenes like those that covered Germany with heaps of slain, and made her harvest fields a lair for the wild beasts.” Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists (1886), 176, 177.

Editorial – Our Greatest Foe

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Facts that all should know:

  1. Satan is a diligent Bible student.
  2. Satan knows the important truth that it is essential for the people to receive.
  3. His “study is to divert minds from the great truths given to prepare them for what is coming upon the world.” See Testimonies, vol. 8, 292.

“After the passing of the time in 1844, we had fanaticism of every kind to meet. … 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. … The most sorrowful thought of all is that under his deceptive influence men will have a form of godliness, without having a real connection with God.” Excerpts from Ibid., 292–294.

What is this truth that is so essential to receive and that will prepare a people for what is coming on the world? It is the truth found in the Three Angels’ Messages of Revelation 14. The truth of these messages gives understanding to the subject of the sanctuary in heaven in connection with the 2300 days, which is the foundational knowledge of the first angel’s message. It uncovers the mystery of who Babylon is in the last days, who the beast is, who the image is and what is the mark of the beast as described in Revelation 14:9–11. Then, most importantly, you will understand the commandments of God and what constitutes the faith of Jesus.

“The third angel’s message is infallible. It is to unite a people to do a special work, preparing them with perfection of character to unite in one great family in the mansions Christ has gone to prepare for those who love Him.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 15, 362.

A.T. Jones preached many sermons on the faith of Jesus at the 1895 General Conference but here it is in a nutshell: “ ‘The faith of Jesus’ (Revelation 14:12). It is talked of, but not understood. What constitutes the faith of Jesus, that belongs to the third angel’s message? Jesus becoming our sin-bearer that He might become our sin-pardoning Saviour. He was treated as we deserve to be treated. He came to our world and took our sins that we might take His righteousness. And faith in the ability of Christ to save us amply and fully and entirely is the faith of Jesus.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 172.

Editorial – A Solemn Warning

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While Ellen White was in Europe, on December 8, 1886, she wrote a forceful letter to the president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and to Elder S.N. Haskell. Following are a few sentences from this letter:

“I think of His great sorrow as He wept over Jerusalem, exclaiming, ‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not’ (Luke 13:34)! God forbid that these words shall apply to those who have great light and blessings. In the rejecting of Jerusalem it was because great privileges were abused, which brought the denunciation upon all who lightly regarded the great opportunities and precious light that were entrusted to their keeping. Privileges do not commend us to God, but they commend God to us. No people are saved because they have great light and special advantages, for these high and heavenly favors only increase their responsibility. …

“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? …

“Internal corruption will bring the denunciations of God upon this people as it did upon Jerusalem. Oh, let pleading voices, let earnest prayer be heard, that those who preach to others shall not themselves be castaways. My brethren, we know not what is before us, and our only safety is in following the Light of the world. God will work with us and for us if the sins which brought His wrath upon the old world, upon Sodom and Gomorrah and upon ancient Jerusalem, do not become our crime. …

“Salvation is not to be baptized, not to have our names upon the church books, not to preach the truth. But it is a living union with Jesus Christ, to be renewed in heart, doing the works of Christ in faith and labor of love, in patience, meekness, and hope.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 319–326.

Editorial – Need for Greater Zeal in Soul Winning

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In 1892 Ellen White wrote to Elder S. N. Haskell from Australia about her burden for missionary work. In this letter she points out as she does many times in her writings the difference between the professed Christian who is only a nominal believer and the one who is actually converted, living the new Life in Christ and used by Him for the salvation of others. She points out in this letter that it is sometimes necessary to take the young people away from the churches they have been attending. You will find the whole letter in Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 329–338.

“He who interposes between the professed Christian and his wholehearted service to God, takes the form of an idol, and the most grievous sin of idolatry is idolatry itself. …

“Were the church living by faith, had the oil of faith been in their vessels with their lamps, their guilty repose would end. …

“Many in America who can, might move their families into different towns and cities and there lift the standard of truth. …

“Sins of a grave character are cherished in our borders, and unless there is an awakening such as we have not seen for some time, which will convict and convert professed Sabbathkeepers, they will die in their sins. …

“Now, those who have had years in this same experience, know not God nor Jesus Christ whom He has sent, and should such go forth as representatives of Jesus Christ? These men will never give the right mold to other minds; they have not grown up to the full stature of men and women in Christ. 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. …

“I can but feel deeply over the indifference of those who claim to be the repositories of sacred truth. They seem to be blinded in the way they view sin. They cannot see afar off, and have forgotten they were purged from their old sins. Why? Because they did not advance in the knowledge of the truth. They did not practice the truth; they were not sanctified through the truth. …

“Jesus has provided for every emergency. If they will walk where He leads the way, He will make rough places plain.”

Editorial – The First Day Controversy

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The First Day Controversy

Thoughts on Acts 20:7 when the disciples came together to break bread.

This verse is repeatedly used to support Sunday worship in place of the Sabbath.

Luke speaks clearly when identifying a religious custom—examples, Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2. In Acts 20:7, the meeting was not “according to their custom.”

It was a night meeting on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7, 8). In the Bible, the dark part of the day is the first part of the day and the light part of the day is the last part (see Leviticus 23:27–32). Therefore the meeting was held on what we call today Saturday night, the evening before the first day of the week.

On the first day of the week (Sunday) about daybreak Paul appointed his companions to sail around the coast to Assos (about 40 miles) while he went to Assos on foot (about 20 miles cross country). From there they sailed to Mitylene (another 40 miles). So on Sunday Paul first walked 20 miles before sailing 40 miles while his companions sailed about 80 miles.

No Christian obeys a moral precept on the basis of the example of the Apostles or the practice of early Christians. The apostles were subjects and not masters of moral obligation. Moral duties derive from the will of God and not from the example of either prophets, priests, apostles or the church. The apostles point us to Jesus as our example and not themselves: “Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” I Peter 2:21; “You be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” I Corinthians 11:1; “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” I John 2:6. Jesus Christ is the one and only example for men to follow. He says “follow me.” Take my yoke upon you and learn of me (Matthew 11:29). I am the door. He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way the same is a thief and a robber (John 10:7, 8). Jesus is the only person Who is the example to be followed by men.

There is no example of Jesus keeping the first day of the week instead of the Sabbath. He never commanded it or authorized it. On the other hand, for the keeping of the seventh day we have the commandment of God (Exodus 20:8–11; Genesis 2:3), the example of the living God and the example of the Lord Jesus Christ both in heaven and on earth (Genesis 2:3; Luke 4:16; John 15:10), both as Creator and Redeemer. There is neither command nor example for keeping any other day.

Editorial – Do Not Be Deceived

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Many people have imagined that they will easily be able to discern the last great deceptions that Satan will bring on the world. They know what the Bible says about the manner of Christ’s second coming; they know which day is the Bible Sabbath; they know what happens to a person when he dies. So they think that they are safe from being deceived. This was the exact condition and mindset of the Jews at the first advent of Christ.

If you have felt that you were safe because of your familiarity with the word of God, hopefully the following inspired statements should help you to realize that unless the Lord shields you by His Holy Spirit and unless you are a serious Bible student, you will be deceived. Remember that the person who is deceived does not know that he is deceived. If he did know, he would no longer be deceived.

“Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive.” The Great Controversy, 625.

“If permitted, he [Satan] would sweep the entire race into his net. Were it not for the interposition of divine power, not one son or daughter of Adam would escape.” Ibid., 534.

“The path of error often appears to lie close to the path of truth. It is hardly distinguishable from the path that leads to holiness and heaven. But the mind enlightened by the Holy Spirit may discern that it is diverging from the right way. After a while the two are seen to be widely separated.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 290, 291.

“If there was ever a time when we should watch and pray in real earnest, it is now. Many apparently good things will need to be carefully considered with much prayer, for they are specious devices of the enemy to lead souls in a path which lies so close to the path of truth that it will be scarcely distinguishable from it. But the eye of faith may discern that it is diverging, though almost imperceptibly, from the right path. At first it may be thought positively right, but after a while it is seen to be widely divergent from the way which leads to holiness and heaven. My brethren, I warn you to make straight paths for your feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way.” Evangelism, 590.

Editorial – Fault Finding, A Vision By Ellen White

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The divine counsel to us is to “say nothing to wound or grieve, except in necessary reproof of sin.” Review and Herald, October 16, 1883. “Last night I was in a sleepless state much of the time. Many representations passed before me. One was a scene in a council meeting where several were present. One man arose and began finding fault with one of his brethren. I looked at the speaker’s garments, and saw that they were very undesirable.

“Another person arose and began to state his grievance against a fellow laborer. His garments were of another pattern, and they, too, were undesirable. Still another, and yet another arose, and uttered words of accusation and condemnation regarding the course of others. Every one had some trouble to speak of, some fault to find with some one else. All were presenting the defects of Christians who are trying to do something in our world; and they declared repeatedly that certain ones were neglecting this or that or the other thing, and so on.

“There was no real order, no polite courtesy in the meeting. In their anxiety to speak, some crowded in while others were still talking. Voices were raised in an effort to make all hear above the din of confusion. The dress of the speakers was unbecoming and grotesque. This, I was shown, was a representation of defective character. When many had spoken, One of authority appeared, and repeated the words: ‘Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what judgment ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of tine own eye; and then thou shalt see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.’

“O, how can Christians afford to speak words of criticism and fault-finding,—words that stir up the worst passions of the human heart? The talent of speech is too precious a gift to be abused in this way. Let us refrain from uttering any words that would stir up a spirit of antagonism or retaliation. When irritated, let us remain silent.

“In this council meeting that I saw in the visions of the night, Christ Himself was present. An expression of pain came over His countenance as one after another would come forward, with uncouth dress, to expiate upon the faults of various members of the church.

“Finally the heavenly Visitant arose. So intent where those present on criticizing their brethren, that it was with reluctance that they gave Him opportunity to speak. He declared that the spirit of criticsm, of juding one another, is a source of weakness in the church today. Things are spoken that should never find utterance. Every one who by word of mouth places an obstruction in the way of a fellow Christian, has an account to settle with God.

“With earnest solemnity the Speaker declared: ‘The church is made up of many minds, each of whom has an individuality. I gave My life in order that men and women, by divine grace, might blend in revealing a perfect pattern of My character, while at the same time retaining their individuality. No one has the right to disparage the individuality of any other human mind, by uttering words of criticism and fault-finding and condemnation.’

“These words He repeated with solemn earnestness; and then He turned and grasped a standard, and held it aloft. From this standard, in burning letters, clear and distinct, gleamed God’s Law. The Speaker declared: ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.’
“As the light from the uplifted standard flashed upon these men in council, they shrank from it as if it were a burning flame. Some prostrated themselves; some turned and went away.
“As I looked upon the scene, the names of the fault-finders appeared before them, and opposite each name were written out the faults of the erring one. None were free from defects of character. In the light of the uplifted standard, all were guilty. . . .

“All who love God supremely will love their neighbor as themselves. The keeping of the new commandment is to the believer a step heavenward. That which will give God’s people the supremacy is obedience to the injunction, ‘These things I command you, that ye love one another.’ ‘Neither pray I for these alone,’ Christ said, ‘but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.’

“‘These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.’” Review and Herald, September 20, 1906.

Inspired: Unless we live Christ’s life of obedience, our profession is worthless. Review and Herald, August 2, 1906.

 

Editorial – The United States of America in Prophecy

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In the 18th century John Wesley said that we do not know who the two-horned beast is but we expect it to arise soon. A beast in Bible prophecy represents a religious or civil power or nation (see Daniel 7:23).

The power described in Revelation 13:11–17 had the following characteristics:

  1. It was to be arising at the time that the first beast (in verses 1–10) was going into captivity (see context in verses 10 and 11). In other words, it was to be arising in 1798.
  2. It was to arise out of the earth; that is, in a territory previously unknown or unoccupied by peoples, nations, and languages (see Revelation 17:15).
  3. It was to have two horns as a lamb when arising, indicating youthfulness (a young nation, thus it could not refer to the nations of Europe or Asia or Africa) and gentleness or peacefulness.
  4. Since there were no crowns on the horns of this beast, it could not be of a monarchical government.
  5. This beast would be a government where the power is in the hands of the people (see Revelation 13:14).
  6. It would have to be a non-Catholic country because it causes the people who occupy its territory to worship the first beast, which denotes Catholicism.
  7. This power would perform great signs or miracles by which he would deceive the people dwelling on the earth (Revelation 13:13, 14). These great miracles used to deceive the whole earth are ascribed in Revelation 16:13, 14 to the spirits of demons. Spiritualism will become a controlling power in the United States through the use of miracles.
  8. This beast would exercise all the authority of the first beast (Rome) in his presence (Revelation 13:12). The authority of the first beast was the authority granted him by the dragon (Revelation 13:2) and the authority granted by the Roman Empire through Justinian to the papacy was authority over all churches (“You are the head of all Holy Churches” [letter from Justinian to the pope AD 533]).  It is distinctly stated in Revelation 13:12 that this power will cause the peoples of the earth to worship the first beast; so we expect in the future to see the United States attempt to force all peoples to worship the papacy by acknowledging the papal rest day instead of God’s rest day commanded in the ten commandments.

Editorial – What Really Counts?

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“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10. One of these days, the things that have seemed to matter to people are going to suddenly change. When the judgment begins, the only thing that will really matter then is, “Do I have on the wedding garment? Am I ready?” “In the day of final judgment, when every man shall be judged according to the deeds done in the body, nothing will seem to have existence but character and the law of God. Man will be stripped of everything but the character he has formed.” Review and Herald, February 12, 1901

“His eyes were as a flame of fire, which searched His children through and through. Then all faces gathered paleness, and those that a God had rejected gathered blackness. Then we all cried out, ‘Who shall be able to stand? Is my robe spotless?’ Then the angels ceased to sing, and there was some time of awful silence.” Maranatha, 289.

We will either be ready or we will not, and it will be too late to change then.

“When we become children of God, our names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, and they remain there until the time of the investigative Judgment. Then the name of every individual will be called, and his record examined by Him who declares, ‘I know thy works.’ If in that day it shall appear that all our wicked deeds have not been fully repented of, our names will be blotted from the book of life, and our sins will stand against us. If the professed believer becomes self-confident, if in word or spirit he breaks the least precept of God’s holy law, he misrepresents Jesus, and in the Judgment the awful words will be spoken, ‘blot out his name from the book of life; he is a worker of iniquity.’ But the Father pities the self-distrustful, God-fearing soul, harassed though he may be with doubts and temptations. Jesus pleads for him, and confesses his name before the Father and His holy angels.” Signs of the Times, August 6, 1885

“Satan will work to quench the light God has for every soul, by casting his shadow across the pathway to intercept every ray of heavenly light. He knows that his time is short. The people of God must cleave to God, else they will lose their bearings. If they cherish hereditary and cultivated traits of character that misrepresent Christ, while professedly His disciples, they are represented by the man coming to the gospel feast without having on the wedding garment, and by the foolish virgins which had no oil in their vessels with their lamps. We must cleave to that which God pronounces to be truth, though the whole world may be arrayed against it.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1179

Sometimes people think that getting ready has to do with right theology; and while wrong theology can certainly result in wrong actions and, therefore, in a person being lost, theology is not really the determining factor. “Those whom Christ commends in the Judgment, may have known little of theology, but they have cherished His principles.” The Desire of Ages, 638

What are these principles that Ellen White is speaking about? “Christ is ever showing mercy, ever seeking to win by the revealing of His love. He can admit no rival in the soul, nor accept of partial service; but He desires only voluntary service, the willing surrender of the heart under the constraint of love. There can be no more conclusive evidence that we possess the spirit of Satan than the disposition to hurt and destroy those who do not appreciate our work, or who act contrary to our ideas.” Ibid., 487

How do we relate to those who do not appreciate us, or who act contrary to our ideas? James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven on the Samaritans. (See Luke 9:54.) “Oh,” someone says, “I would never do that;” but, “the tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” James 3:6

There will be many professed Christians in the day of judgment who will be able to profess to having done great things in the cause of God but who will find out that their words have barred them from eternal life.

The End