Bible Study Guides – Preparing for Eternity

September 23, 2012 – September 29, 2012

Key Text

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48.

Study Help: Selected Messages, Book 3, 427.

Introduction

“If we would have health, we must live for it. If we perfect Christian character, we must live for it.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 241.

1 DIET REFORM, A PROGRESSIVE PLAN

  • During the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th, what test would have been too early for Seventh-day Adventists? Why? Ecclesiastes 3:1.

Note: “My brother, you are not to make a test for the people of God upon the question of diet.” Medical Ministry, 288.

“We do not mark out any precise line to be followed in diet. …

We are not to make the use of flesh food a test of fellowship. …

The time has not yet come to prescribe the strictest diet.” Testimonies, vol. 9, 159, 163.

  • What plan were God’s people instructed to follow concerning the diet reform? I Corinthians 10:31.

Note: “As we near the close of time we must rise higher and still higher upon the question of health reform and Christian temperance.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 112.

“Let the diet reform be progressive. Let the people be taught how to prepare food without the use of milk or butter … because disease in animals is increasing. … The time is near when … the whole animal creation will groan under the diseases that curse our earth.” Ibid., vol. 7, 135.

2 IN THE EARLY 1900s

  • What caution was recommended in the early 1900s?

Note: “As I preach the gospel to the poor, I am instructed to tell them to eat that food which is most nourishing. I cannot say to them: ‘You must not eat eggs, or milk, or cream. You must use no butter in the preparation of food.’ The gospel must be preached to the poor, but the time has not yet come to prescribe the strictest diet.” Testimonies, vol. 9, 163.

  • What appeal was made at the 1901 General Conference Session?

Note: “We want the pervading truth of God’s word to get hold of every one of our people before this conference is over. We want them to understand that the flesh of animals is not the proper food for them to eat. Such a diet cultivates the animal passions in them and their children. God wants us to educate our children in right habits of eating, dressing, and working. He wants us to do what we can to repair the broken-down machinery.” The General Conference Bulletin, April 12, 1901.

  • Because the health message was rejected by many in the leadership, what warning did God give to the church in 1903? What additional warning did the Lord send them?

Note: “God does not endorse the efforts put forth by different ones to make the work of Dr. Kellogg as hard as possible in order to build themselves up. God gave the light on health reform, and those who rejected it rejected God. One and another who knew better said that it all came from Dr. Kellogg, and they made war upon him.” The General Conference Bulletin, April 6, 1903.

“If church members do not act the part God has assigned them, the movement of health reform will go on without them, and it will be seen that God has removed their candlestick out of its place.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 13, 339.

3 PREDICTED CHANGES

  • Name some prophecies of dietary changes for the remnant:

1884: “Use less and less meat, until it is not used at all. If meat is discarded, if the taste is not educated in that direction, if a liking for fruits and grains is encouraged, it will soon be as God in the beginning designed it should be. No meat will be used by His people.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 407.

1890: “Again and again I have been shown that God is trying to lead us back, step by step, to his original design—that man should subsist upon the natural products of the earth. Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet. We should ever keep this end in view, and endeavor to work steadily toward it.” Counsels on Health, 450.

1898: “The Lord would bring His people into a position where they will not touch or taste the flesh of dead animals. Then let not these things be prescribed by any physicians who have a knowledge of the truth for this time. There is no safety in the eating of the flesh of dead animals, and in a short time the milk of the cows will also be excluded from the diet of God’s commandment-keeping people.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 411.

1899: “The light given me is that it will not be very long before we shall have to give up using any animal food. Even milk will have to be discarded. Disease is accumulating rapidly. The curse of God is upon the earth, because man has cursed it. The habits and practices of men have brought the earth into such a condition that some other food than animal food must be substituted for the human family. We do not need flesh food at all. God can give us something else.” Ibid., 384, 385.

  • What standard must be reached by those who are preparing for the coming of Christ? Matthew 5:48; Philippians 3:14–16.

Note: “Do you imagine you can leave off sin a little at a time? Oh, leave the accursed thing at once! Hate the things that Christ hates, love the things that Christ loves.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 327.

“Holiness is the foundation of God’s throne; sin is the opposite of holiness; sin crucified the Son of God. If men could see how hateful sin is, they would not tolerate it, nor educate themselves in it. They would reform in life and character.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 145.

4 PROGRESSING TO PERFECTION

  • According to God’s plan for those who are preparing to be in His kingdom, for what reasons are they to do away with meat eating? Romans 8:22.

1884: “A positive injury is done to the system by continuous meat eating. There is no excuse for it but a depraved, perverted appetite. You may ask, Would you do away entirely with meat eating? I answer, It will eventually come to this, but we are not prepared for this step just now. Meat eating will eventually be done away. The flesh of animals will no longer compose a part of our diet; and we shall look upon a butcher’s shop with disgust.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 407.

1898: “We cannot now do as we have ventured to do in the past in regard to meat eating. It has always been a curse to the human family, but now it is made particularly so in the curse which God has pronounced upon the herds of the field, because of man’s transgression and sin. The disease upon animals is becoming more and more common, and our only safety is in leaving meat entirely alone.” Ibid., 412.

1902: “Those who claim to believe the truth are to guard carefully the powers of body and mind, so that God and His cause will not be in any way dishonored by their words or actions. The habits and practices are to be brought into subjection to the will of God. We are to give careful attention to our diet. It has been clearly presented to me that God’s people are to take a firm stand against meat eating.” Ibid., 383.

1902: “Those who use flesh meat disregard all the warnings that God has given concerning this question. They have no evidence that they are walking in safe paths. They have not the slightest excuse for eating the flesh of dead animals.” Ibid.

1905: “The moral evils of a flesh diet are not less marked than are the physical ills. Flesh food is injurious to health, and whatever affects the body has a corresponding effect on the mind and the soul.” Ibid.

1905: “We shall soon reach a time when we must understand the meaning of a simple diet. The time is not far hence when we shall be obliged to adopt a diet very different from our present diet.” Medical Ministry, 281.

5 A PERFECTED PEOPLE

  • With whom must true reformation begin in the church? II Thessalonians 3:9; I Corinthians 9:27; 11:1.

Note: “The ministers must be converted before they can strengthen their brethren. They should not preach themselves, but Christ and His righteousness. A reformation is needed among the people, but it should first begin its purifying work with the ministers. …

“One important part of the work of the ministry is to faithfully present to the people the health reform as it stands connected with the third angel’s message as part and parcel of the same work. They should not fail to adopt it themselves, and should urge it upon all who profess to believe the truth.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 469, 470.

“Can we possibly have confidence in ministers who at tables where flesh is served join with others in eating it?” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 402.

“When the third angel’s message is received in its fullness, health reform will be given its place in the councils of the conference, in the work of the church, in the home, at the table, and in all the household arrangements. Then the right arm will serve and protect the body.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 327.

  • How do we know that the required reformation must be completed before the coming of Christ? Acts 3:19–21; Philippians 1:6; II Peter 3:14.

Note: “Those who have received instruction regarding the evils of the use of flesh foods, tea and coffee, and rich and unhealthful food preparations, and who are determined to make a covenant with God by sacrifice, will not continue to indulge their appetite for food that they know to be unhealthful. God demands that the appetites be cleansed, and that self-denial be practiced in regard to those things which are not good. This is a work that will have to be done before His people can stand before Him a perfected people.” Testimonies, vol. 9, 153, 154.

“Only those who are living up to the light they have will receive greater light.” Testimonies to Ministers, 507.

“It is the Lord’s purpose that His people shall be a sanctified, purified people.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 13, 47. …

Extra Reading

“The exhortation of the apostle is, ‘Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded’ [James 4:8]. It is by engaging in this work, and by exercising living faith in God that we are to perfect Christian character. The work of cleansing the soul temple and preparing for Christ’s appearing must be done while we are in this world of temptation. Just as Christ finds us in character when He comes, so we shall remain.

“We should make daily advancement in the work of character building. When we try to separate from us our sinful habits, it may at times seem that we are tearing ourselves all to pieces; but this is the very work that we must do if we would grow up unto the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus, if we would become fit temples for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. … After we have truly repented of our sins and done all that we can to overcome them, He would have us manifest a calm, unyielding trust in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour.

“If we make an entire surrender to Him, leave our life of sin and passion and pride, and cling to Christ and His merits, He will fulfill to us all that He has promised.” The Signs of the Times, September 29, 1887.

“There [in the earth made new] man will be restored to his lost kingship, and the lower order of beings will again recognize his sway; the fierce will become gentle, and the timid trustful. ‘The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. … They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain’ (Isaiah 11:6–9), saith the Lord.” The Review and Herald, July 1, 1915.

© 2005 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.