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An Open Book With a Message

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January 4 – 10, 2026

Key Text

“He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the earth.” Revelation 10:2

Study Help: Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 113–115; The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 971

Introduction

“The book that was sealed was not the book of Revelation, but that portion of the prophecy of Daniel which related to the last days.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 105

Sunday

1 THE BOOK OF DANIEL

1.a. What was God’s command concerning the visions given to Daniel? Daniel 12:4

 

Note: “In the past teachers have declared Daniel and the Revelation to be sealed books, and the people have turned from them. The veil whose apparent mystery has kept many from lifting it, God’s own hand has withdrawn from these portions of His word.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 113

1.b. How does the instruction regarding Daniel’s visions reveal the time in which we are living? Daniel 12:9; Revelation 10:2, first part

 

Note: “In the Revelation the Lion of the tribe of Judah has opened to the students of prophecy the book of Daniel, and thus is Daniel standing in his place. He bears his testimony, that which the Lord revealed to him in vision of great and solemn events which we must know as we stand on the very threshold of their fulfillment.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 109

“The book of Daniel is now unsealed, and the revelation made by Christ to John is to come to all the inhabitants of the earth. By the increase of knowledge, a people is to be prepared to stand in the latter days.” Ibid., 105

Monday

2 OVER LAND AND SEA

2.a. What is symbolized by the position of Christ in relation to the earth and the sea? Revelation 10:2, last part; Matthew 28:18, last part

 

Note: “The mighty angel who instructed John was no less a personage than Jesus Christ. Setting His right foot on the sea, and His left upon the dry land, shows the part which He is acting in the closing scenes of the great controversy with Satan. This position denotes His supreme power and authority over the whole earth.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 971

2.b. What else does that position of Christ represent while He is holding the open book in His hand? Romans 10:17, 18

 

Note: “The angel of Revelation 10 is represented as having one foot on the sea and one foot on the land, showing that the message will be carried to distant lands, the ocean will be crossed, and the islands of the sea will hear the proclamation of the last message of warning to our world.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 107, 108

Tuesday

3 THE LOUD VOICE

  1. a. How is Christ speaking to the world? Revelation 10:3, first part; Isaiah 55:3, 6, 7

Note: “The controversy has waxed stronger and more determined from age to age, and will continue to do so, to the concluding scenes when the masterly working of the powers of darkness shall reach their height. Satan, united with evil men, will deceive the whole world and the churches who receive not the love of the truth. But the mighty angel demands attention. He cries with a loud voice. He is to show the power and authority of His voice to those who have united with Satan to oppose the truth.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 971

3.b. Against what dangers are we warned? Hebrews 3:15; 4:1; 12:25

 

Note: “It is far more easy to profess and resolve than to perform. Like ancient Israel, many covenant to cleave unto the Lord, and serve Him, and then soon forget their vows, and join with the ungodly in the pursuits of worldly gain or pleasure. We should be jealous of ourselves, lest we depart from God. ‘For if they escaped not who refused Him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven?’ The blessings and privileges which we enjoy place us under the most solemn obligation to improve these gifts to the glory of our Creator. They should inspire in our hearts love to God, and an earnest determination to obey His requirements. Let us not become self-confident or presumptuous.” The Signs of the Times, June 9, 1881

Wednesday

4 THE SEVEN THUNDERS

4.a. What happened after the seven thunders uttered their voices? Revelation 10:4

 

Note: “After these seven thunders uttered their voices, the injunction comes to John as to Daniel in regard to the little book: ‘Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered.’ These relate to future events which will be disclosed in their order.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 971

“The special light given to John which was expressed in the seven thunders was a delineation of events which would transpire under the first and second angels’ messages. It was not best for the people to know these things, for their faith must necessarily be tested.” Ibid.

4.b. What is the significance of the statement that time will be no longer? Revelation 10:5, 6

 

Note: “In the order of God most wonderful and advanced truths would be proclaimed. The first and second angels’ messages were to be proclaimed, but no further light was to be revealed before these messages had done their specific work. This is represented by the angel standing with one foot on the sea, proclaiming with a most solemn oath that time should be no longer.

“This time, which the angel declares with a solemn oath, is not the end of this world’s history, neither of probationary time, but of prophetic time, which should precede the advent of our Lord. That is, the people will not have another message upon definite time. After this period of time, reaching from 1842 to 1844, there can be no definite tracing of the prophetic time. The longest reckoning reaches to the autumn of 1844.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 971

“There will never again be a message for the people of God that will be based on time.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 188

“Time has not been a test since 1844, and it will never again be a test.” Early Writings, 75

Thursday

5 A MISTAKEN CONCLUSION

5.a. What prophecy, in the book of Daniel, reached to the autumn of 1844? Daniel 8:14. How are we to calculate prophetic time? Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6

 

Note: “All felt that upon the events therein foretold depended their brightest expectations and most cherished hopes. These prophetic days had been shown to terminate in the autumn of 1844. In common with the rest of the Christian world, Adventists then held that the earth, or some portion of it, was the sanctuary. They understood that the cleansing of the sanctuary was the purification of the earth by the fires of the last great day, and that this would take place at the second advent. Hence the conclusion that Christ would return to the earth in 1844.” The Great Controversy, 409

“The 2300 days had been found to begin when the commandment of Artaxerxes for the restoration and building of Jerusalem went into effect, in the autumn of 457 B.C. Taking this as the starting point, there was perfect harmony in the application of all the events foretold in the explanation of that period in Daniel 9:25–27. Sixty-nine weeks, the first 483 of the 2300 years, were to reach to the Messiah, the Anointed One; and Christ’s baptism and anointing by the Holy Spirit, A.D. 27, exactly fulfilled the specification. In the midst of the seventieth week, Messiah was to be cut off. Three and a half years after His baptism, Christ was crucified, in the spring of A.D. 31. The seventy weeks, or 490 years, were to pertain especially to the Jews. At the expiration of this period the nation sealed its rejection of Christ by the persecution of His disciples, and the apostles turned to the Gentiles, A.D. 34. The first 490 years of the 2300 having then ended, 1810 years would remain. From A.D. 34, 1810 years extend to 1844.

‘Then,’ said the angel, ‘shall the sanctuary be cleansed.’ All the preceding specifications of the prophecy had been unquestionably fulfilled at the time appointed.” Ibid., 410

5.b. What words of Christ have often had an application among the people of God, including in 1844? John 16:12

 

Note: “The appointed time had passed, and the Lord had not appeared. The believers knew that God’s word could not fail; their interpretation of the prophecy must be at fault; but where was the mistake?” The Great Controversy, 409

“God had led His people in the great advent movement; His power and glory had attended the work, and He would not permit it to end in darkness and disappointment, to be reproached as a false and fanatical excitement. He would not leave His word involved in doubt and uncertainty. Though many abandoned their former reckoning of the prophetic periods, and denied the correctness of the movement based thereon, others were unwilling to renounce points of faith and experience that were sustained by the Scriptures and by the witness of the Spirit of God. They believed that they had adopted sound principles of interpretation in their study of the prophecies, and that it was their duty to hold fast the truths already gained, and to continue the same course of Biblical research. With earnest prayer they reviewed their position and studied the Scriptures to discover their mistake.” Ibid., 410, 411

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

  1. Why is it important for us to study the book of Daniel?
  2. In a practical sense, what should the position of Christ’s two feet in John’s vision mean to us?
  3. What is the significance of Christ’s “loud voice” for each of us personally?
  4. What is meant by the declaration that “there should be time no longer” (Revelation 10:6)?
  5. How are we to calculate the 2300-day prophecy?
  6. What does God want us to realize in our days?

 Copyright 1997, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ”

by

The First Angel’s Message

December 28, 2025 – January 3, 2026

Key Text

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John.” Revelation 1:1

Study Help: The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 954, 955; The Acts of the Apostles, 568–573, 581–584

Introduction

“The whole Bible is a revelation; for all revelation to men comes through Christ, and all centers in Him. God has spoken unto us by His Son, whose we are by creation and by redemption.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 953

Sunday

1 THE ANGEL WITH THE RAINBOW

1.a. Explain the source of the book of Revelation, and its purpose for us today. Revelation 1:1

 

Note: “Christ came to John exiled on the Isle of Patmos to give him the truth for these last days, to show him that which must shortly come to pass. Jesus Christ is the great trustee of divine revelation. It is through Him that we have a knowledge of what we are to look for in the closing scenes of this earth’s history. God gave this revelation to Christ, and Christ communicated the same to John.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 953

1.b. What did John see above the head of the mighty Angel shown in vision between the sixth and seventh trumpets? Revelation 10:1. Why is this significant?

 

Note: “The mighty angel who instructed John was no less a personage than Jesus Christ.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 971

“A rainbow is represented in Heaven round about the throne, also above the head of Christ as a symbol of God’s mercy encompassing the earth. When man by his great wickedness provokes the wrath of God, Christ, man’s intercessor, pleads for him, and points to the rainbow in the cloud, as evidence of God’s great mercy and compassion for erring man; also, the rainbow above the throne and upon His head emblematical of the glory and mercy from God resting there for the benefit of repentant man.” Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 3, 75

Monday

2 THE RAINBOW

2.a. Right after the Flood, what promise did God make to Noah and all his descendants? Genesis 9:11–15. What lesson should we as parents teach our children in connection with the rainbow?

 

Note: “It was His [God’s] design that as the children of after generations should see the bow in the cloud, and should inquire the reason of this glorious circle that compasseth the earth, that their parents could explain to them the destruction of the old world by a flood, because the people gave themselves up to all manner of wickedness, and that the hands of the Most High had bended the bow, and placed it in the clouds, as a token that He would never bring again a flood of waters on the earth. This symbol in the clouds was to confirm the belief of all, and establish their confidence in God, for it was a token of divine mercy and goodness to man. That although God had been provoked to destroy the earth by the flood, yet His mercy still encompasseth the earth. God says, when He looked upon the bow in the cloud He will remember. He would not have us understand that He would ever forget; but He speaks to man in his own language, that man may better understand Him.” Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 3, 74, 75

“We may rejoice in hope, for the bow of God’s covenant is over us. He never will forget the children of His care. How difficult for the mind of finite man to take in the peculiar love and tenderness of God, and His matchless condescension when He said, ‘I will look upon the bow in the cloud, and remember thee.’ ” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 1, 1091

2.b. What is round about the throne of God? Revelation 4:3

 

Note: “In the rainbow above the throne is an everlasting testimony that ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish. …’ Whenever the law is presented before the people, let the teacher of truth point to the throne arched with the rainbow of promise, the righteousness of Christ. The glory of the law is Christ; He came to magnify the law, and to make it honorable. Make it appear distinct that mercy and peace have met together in Christ, and righteousness and truth have embraced each other.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 5, 1133

Tuesday

3 THE HEAVENLY MESSENGER

3.a. How does John describe the appearance of the Son of God? Revelation 1:13–15

 

Note: “Richly favored was this beloved disciple. He had seen his Master in Gethsemane, His face marked with the blood drops of agony, His ‘visage… marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.’ Isaiah 52:14. He had seen Him in the hands of the Roman soldiers, clothed with an old purple robe and crowned with thorns. He had seen Him hanging on the cross of Calvary, the object of cruel mockery and abuse. Now John is once more permitted to behold his Lord. But how changed is His appearance! He is no longer a Man of Sorrows, despised and humiliated by men. He is clothed in a garment of heavenly brightness. … His voice is like the music of many waters. His countenance shines as the sun.” The Acts of the Apostles, 582

3.b. Besides the rainbow, what other particulars did John notice in the appearance of the mighty Angel? Revelation 10:1. Why could these visions of Christ bring joy to John—and to us?

 

Note: “As a personal being, God has revealed Himself in His Son. The outshining of the Father’s glory, ‘and the express image of His person,’ Jesus, as a personal Saviour, came to the world. As a personal Saviour He ascended on high. As a personal Saviour He intercedes in the heavenly courts. Before the throne of God in our behalf ministers ‘One like unto the Son of man.’ Hebrews 1:3; Revelation 1:13.

“Christ, the Light of the world, veiled the dazzling splendor of His divinity and came to live as a man among men, that they might, without being consumed, become acquainted with their Creator. Since sin brought separation between man and his Maker, no man has seen God at any time, except as He is manifested through Christ.” The Ministry of Healing, 418, 419

Wednesday

4 DIRECT INTERVENTIONS

4.a. How did Christ reveal Himself to Saul? Acts 9:3–8

 

Note: “Filled with fear, and almost blinded by the intensity of the light, the companions of Saul heard a voice, but saw no man. But Saul understood the words that were spoken, and to him was clearly revealed the One who spoke—even the Son of God. In the glorious Being who stood before him he saw the Crucified One. Upon the soul of the stricken Jew the image of the Saviour’s countenance was imprinted forever. The words spoken struck home to his heart with appalling force. Into the darkened chambers of his mind there poured a flood of light, revealing the ignorance and error of his former life and his present need of the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.” The Acts of the Apostles, 115

4.b. Describe the intervention of Christ in behalf of the three young Hebrews in the fiery furnace. Daniel 3:23–25

 

Note: “The Lord did not forget His own. As His witnesses were cast into the furnace, the Saviour revealed Himself to them in person, and together they walked in the midst of the fire. In the presence of the Lord of heat and cold, the flames lost their power to consume.” Prophets and Kings, 508, 509

Thursday

5 CHRIST’S INTEREST IN OUR BEHALF

5.a. What can we learn from Christ’s appearance to Abraham and to Joshua? Genesis 18:22–33; Joshua 5:13–15

 

Note: “Two of the heavenly messengers departed, leaving Abraham alone with Him whom he now knew to be the Son of God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 139

“To reduce Jericho was seen by Joshua to be the first step in the conquest of Canaan. But first of all, he sought an assurance of divine guidance, and it was granted him. Withdrawing from the encampment to meditate and to pray that the God of Israel would go before His people, he beheld an armed warrior, of lofty stature and commanding presence, ‘with his sword drawn in his hand.’ To Joshua’s challenge, ‘Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?’ the answer was given, ‘As Captain of the host of the Lord am I now come.’ The same command given to Moses in Horeb, ‘Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy,’ revealed the true character of the mysterious stranger. It was Christ, the Exalted One, who stood before the leader of Israel.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 487, 488

 

5.b. As Christ desires to lead us to heavenly Canaan, what lessons should we learn from the experience of ancient Israel? Acts 7:37, 38; 1 Corinthians 10:1–6, 11

 

Note: “The ten holy precepts spoken by Christ upon Sinai’s mount were the revelation of the character of God, and made known to the world the fact that He had jurisdiction over the whole human heritage.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 1, 1105

“Shrouded in the pillar of cloud, the world’s Redeemer held communion with Israel. Let us not say, then, that they had not Christ. When the people thirsted in the wilderness, and gave themselves up to murmuring and complaint, Christ was to them what He is to us—a Saviour full of tender compassion, the Mediator between them and God. After we have done our part to cleanse the soul temple from the defilement of sin, Christ’s blood avails for us, as it did for ancient Israel.” Ibid., Vol. 6, 1061

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

  1. Why can we trust the book of Revelation?
  2. How does the symbol surrounding Christ’s throne offer us hope?
  3. Why should the appearance of Christ in heaven bring us encouragement?
  4. What examples reveal that Christ has manifested Himself to men?
  5. How can we best summarize God’s plan for each of us today?

Copyright 1997, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

Recipe – Tempeh Breakfast Sausage

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Tempeh

Tempeh is basically a cousin to tofu. Although tofu and tempeh are crafted from soybeans, tempeh may very well be the antithesis of tofu. While tofu offers a smooth, creamy texture, tempeh is chewy and crumbly. Tofu has a bland, rather neutral taste out of the package, while tempeh is savory and slightly nutty.

These stark flavor and texture differences are all rooted in tempeh’s unique production process made by fermenting soaked, boiled, dehulled whole soybeans for roughly 35 hours and then compressing it into a firm, dense block.

Fermentation is the natural process by which bacteria and yeast break down sugars. This puts tempeh, and other fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut, in the category of probiotic foods which are beneficial for gut health. As one of the healthiest fermented foods one can eat, tempeh reportedly helps boost good gut flora, which can help fight inflammation and more serious health conditions like obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Type 11 diabetes.

In our bodies, the enzymes lipase, protease, and amylase convert fat into fatty acids, proteins into amino acids, and starches and carbohydrates into simple sugars respectively. This digestive process of conversion is critical for the metabolic absorption of our food. This is exactly what the beneficial bacteria are doing for us when tempeh is made. In effect, the soaking and fermenting process used to make tempeh becomes more immediately nutritious for consumption and is more easily digested by our bodies. Then key vitamins and minerals, like iron, B12, magnesium, and folic acid—that were locked up in protein complexes are freed, making them more available when we eat tempeh.

Sources: shape.com/healthy-eating/diet-tips/tempeh-nutrition; projectumami.net/pages/health-benefits/of-tempeh

Recipe – Tempeh Breakfast Sausage

Ingredients

8 oz. tempeh, broken up

2 Tbs. whole wheat flour or any flour

2 Tbs. vegetable broth

1-2 Tbs. maple syrup, or to taste

1 Tbs. miso paste

1 tsp. dried sage or poultry seasoning

½ tsp. dried rosemary

⅛ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

½ tsp. salt, or to taste

Process

Place all ingredients into a food processor. Pulse until well combined but still with a chewy, somewhat chunky texture, adding more herbs if desired. Shape into eight similar-sized balls, then flatten into patty size onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through. Serve with tofu scramble, waffles, pancakes, or enjoy as a breakfast sandwich.

Demon Possession and Music

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“And there was war in heaven: Michael and His angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:7–10

The devil and his angels have been present in the earth ever since that time. Evidence of their presence and activity may be found throughout the entire history of the Bible, particularly during the time when Christ was on earth, where we find numerous accounts of Christ casting demons out of people.

Their activity has not only continued to our day but has intensified. “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:12

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Which Spirit Possesses You?

The devil did not invent spirit possession. Jesus offers us oneness with Him. This is the kind of possession God has planned for fulfillment and happiness in our lives. Satan always counterfeits every good thing, and in this case, he uses the very mechanisms to take control of man that God has provided for us to have complete possession by Him.

What is involved is the influence of some supernatural being in the lives of people. In order for this to take place, some form of communication must occur in the form of the transfer of thoughts and feelings. Consider the following statement: “The brain nerves that connect with the whole system are the medium through which heaven communicates with man and affects the inmost life.” Education, 209. God created in us a mechanism whereby the Holy Spirit can communicate directly with each of us. This is a Biblical concept: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16

Spirit Possession and the Mind

However, if one submits to the suggestions of an evil spirit, possession by that evil spirit will take place. It is reasonable to think that the mechanism, designed by God for communication with the Holy Spirit, may be taken over by evil spirits. William Sargant, a British psychiatrist, studied extensively the work of witch doctors, voodoo priests, and faith healers. He compared their methods with hypnotic trances and rock music festivals. Specifically, attention is diverted and fatigue sets in. Eager anticipation and high expectation of ecstasy also play a role. Individual will power is weakened. (See William Sargent, The Mind Possessed: a Physiology of Possession, Mysticism and Faith Healing, Harper & Row, NY, 1974.)

  1. Wade examines transcendental meditation, hypnosis, glossolalia, and spiritism in connection with possession. He concludes: “It is my personal conviction that the normal human brain is capable of experiencing the functional relation to the Holy Spirit by a mechanism which is misused to achieve hypnotic trance. … This mechanism may be surrendered to the control of an evil spirit as occurs in voodoo spirit possession; or a human hypnotist may intrude into the relationship when he casts a spell over his subject.” T. E. Wade, Spirit Possession, Gazelle Publications, Auburn, CA, 1991, 47

Ellen White strongly opposed the use of hypnotism: “The theory of mind controlling mind was originated by Satan. … It opens a door through which Satan will enter to take possession both of the mind that is given up to be controlled … and of the mind that controls.” The Ministry of Healing, 243

Spirit Possession and Music

Having established that spirit possession does take place, the possibility of the role of music in possession may be examined. Satan has always been highly involved with music, beginning in heaven. “Satan had led the heavenly choir.” The Story of Redemption, 25. This suggests that Satan is the most intelligent being regarding music in our world. He knows how to make the best use of it to achieve his ends. He does things with music that seem strange and even impossible.

The search for the use of music in devil possession resulted in finding two main avenues. One is the use of beats in music to call the spirits or gods. The other is the altered state of consciousness.

Music Beats

Much has been said and written by many people about the harmfulness of the beats in rock music. One of the most important reasons it is harmful is because it calls the demons. This use of music goes way back in African history. It is also found in Indian history. The author has, in her possession, tapes of songs to the oldest known, original gods of India. These come from Tamil in the southern part of India and go back to the early time of Indian history.

From these countries, and particularly from Africa, the music and religion spread in the world because of the dispersion of people in slavery. Even though slaves, people preserved their loyalty to their religion through whatever means they could. There are three main religions which are still extant which grew out of this dispersion. In Haiti, it is called Voodoo. In Cuba, it is called Santeria, and in Brazil, it is called Candomble. In each of these religions, as in African and Indian religions, specific rhythms are used to call specific gods. This is the purpose of the rituals performed. Drums are played, there is dancing. A certain rhythm is played, depending on which god is desired, and that god comes and possesses individuals. The same exact rhythms, found in African and Indian music, are also used in rock music and in music used in meetings of faith healers. It seems as though the god is willing to come whenever called by anyone. Does the god come to celebration churches when the god’s rhythm is played in Christian rock music, even though the people present do not realize that they are calling a god? There is quite a strong consensus that the god does come.

The story is told of a family where the husband liked very much to listen to Christian music radio stations (country gospel and contemporary Christian). His wife, however, did not appreciate this music, so she banned her husband with the music to a bedroom with a closed door. As time went on, strange things occurred in their house. There were odd noises, and things moved unexpectedly. When she learned that the beat in rock music calls the demons, she said, “That is the answer. My husband’s music is calling the spirits into our house.” So, they determined to stop the music, and immediately the strange occurrences also stopped. They did not know that they were calling gods into their house.

Ritual Songs

Music is a necessary part of the rituals, a primary purpose of which is to accomplish a state of possession by one or more of the gods.

The role of the drums is to call the gods and thus bring on spirit possession, which is the ultimate purpose of most rituals. Drums are usually played in a battery of three. The largest drum is played by the master drummer and is the most important, because it is specific in spirit possession. Specific rhythms correspond to specific gods.

It is the rhythm identified with each god that is a primary instrument in summoning him and no worship of the gods is possible without the rhythms that call and speak for the god. (See Harold Courlander, A Treasury of Afro-American Folklore, Crown Publishers, Inc., NY, 1976.)

The drums have the primary religious function of calling the gods, and thus of bringing on spirit possession. (See G. Behague, “Patterns of Candomble Music Performance: an Afro-Brazilian Religious Setting,” Performance Practice Ethnomusicological Perspectives, Greenwood Press, CT, 1984, 231.)

In all of these religions, we find a spirit possession which is echoed, primarily through the beat of the music, in rock music, in faith healing, and in churches of all persuasions through Christian rock music, contemporary Christian music, and country gospel. The devil has done a good job of infiltrating our culture, including our Christian culture, with spirit possession, which may be very real, even though people do not realize that it is happening to them.

Altered State of Consciousness

The other main stream technique, in which the devil uses music to bring about spirit possession, is that of the altered state of consciousness.

“Thoughts naturally flit across the mind, and considering an idea generally brings up related thoughts. Occultists teach that, by visualization and concentration, this natural flow of thoughts can be interrupted. As this occurs, subjects slip into an altered state of consciousness which we have identified as the corridor of the mind.” Wade, Op. cit., 74, 75. This is called by various names such as illumination, enlightenment, trance, tuning in, and hypnotism.

Wade further states: “Any type of concentration on sensual stimulation may alter consciousness. Music with a strong rhythm, or concentration on the relaxation of different parts of the body, can induce it. The apparently innocent concentration on a mental image of Jesus standing in your favorite spot can bring the same effect.” Ibid.

Before proceeding, it is important to understand the ways in which music facilitates an altered state of consciousness. One important element of the process is called entrainment. In 1665, the Dutch scientist Huygens noticed that if two clocks were placed next to each other, they would soon begin ticking synchronously and so was discovered the Law of Entrainment. Rhythms in close proximity will entrain. Because of entrainment, music is often used beneficially to control heart rate and other rhythms in the body. Since this is true, it is also possible to use the rhythm of sound to control the rhythm of brainwaves.

Neuro-chemical cortical brain activity may be measured. A set of descriptors has been developed and identified as Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta.

Beta is predominantly present when the individual is attending to a task, particularly such a task as mathematics. This is also the state of the brain during critical thinking. When Alpha is predominant, the individual is in a relaxed state. There are some claims that hypnotism takes place in higher levels of Alpha. One description is alert relaxation. The Theta condition is extremely relaxed. Meditation conditions could take place here. Lower levels might include approaching sleep. Delta is the sleep condition. It is an extremely low level of brain activity.

Neurons are constantly firing at various rates all over the brain, but one of these levels may be predominant at any given time under given circumstances. Brain waves are vibrations measured in Hertz (Hz), or cycles per second.

Vibrations

Music is also vibration, which is measured in cycles per second or Hertz, which determines frequency or pitch.

Another element, which the devil employs in his arsenal, is that of difference tones. This is a phenomenon commonly explained in the psychology of music texts whereby a phantom tone is heard. Under certain conditions, when two tones are sounded simultaneously, a tone equal to the difference in Hz (cycles per seconds) between the two tones may be heard even though it is not being played. If tones of 100 Hz and 106 Hz were sounded, a phantom tone of 6 Hz might be heard. Or if a C and a G above it were played simultaneously, the C an octave lower might be heard.

To combine these three (entrainment, difference tones and brain-waves), consider the following: notes producing difference tones of very low or small frequency could be played and embedded just below the audible sound of the music. When the listener hears the music the embedded difference tones (although inaudible to him) will entrain with the listener’s brainwaves, thus controlling them or causing them to match the difference tones. Without realizing what is happening to him, the listener’s brain waves may be led to an Alpha, Theta, or Delta state according to the whim of the controller. Some believe that the devil has been using techniques such as these since the beginning of the world and is still using them.

It has been suggested that control by the use of musical effects was used by the Sumerians: “The Sumerians ruled that land [Babylon] from about 3500 BC to 2000 BC when hegemony [leadership] then passed to the Semitic Babylonians who took over their culture. … That culture included cuneiform writing, a sexagesimal system of mathematics (based on 60 instead of 10), a pantheon of deities, a considerable literature, and a fund of musical instruments important enough to be classed among the divine principles. … And it is the Babylonian development of the greatest system of musical ritual in any ancient religion which makes it imperative that we not neglect possible associations between her mathematics, her music, and her religion.” Ernest McClain, The Myth of Invariance, the Origin of the Gods, Mathematics and Music From the Rg Veda to Plata, Nicholas-Hays, Inc., York Beach, MA, 1984, 130, 131

Music and Babylon

In ancient Babylon, there is the example of instruments used to signal the people to worship the golden image. “That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up.” Daniel 3:5. It seems reasonable to think that the instruments served more of a purpose than just a signal. Mrs. White says, “The appointed day came, and at the sound of entrancing music the vast company ‘fell down and worshiped the golden image.’ ” Christ Triumphant, 177. Speaking further of this, she says, “Force is the last resort of every false religion. At first it tries attraction, as the king of Babylon tried the power of music and outward show.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, 976

“The ancients knew how to use music to elicit a mystical experience. … Everything remains on the level of the emotions and the nervous system. Even today, thanks to the media, we can witness the effect of music on the masses. Singers and musicians exercise tremendous power over crowds of adoring fans. We no longer need lyrics or a coherent message to convince others. The phenomenon has even invaded religious communities. In reaction to the cerebral frigidity of traditional services, certain denominations have fallen into the other extreme. They spoon-feed and wash down the message by the continuous purring of background music. Believers, transported by the spirit, shout and cry out in delirious enthusiasm. Such an approach considers reflection unnecessary and outdated. It only smiles at absolute judgments. This episode in the book of Daniel warns us against a strictly emotional religion. Emotions can be a part of the religious experience only when united with reflection and thought. Adoration must involve the whole being, and to neglect one aspect could lead to bowing before an idol. Likewise, in the plain of Dura, the preachers of Babel do not waste time in dry demonstrations or arguments. Music suffices to trigger adoration, and its adherents live strictly in the present. Several times the passage explicitly stresses the dimension of the present.” Jaccques B. Doukhan, Secrets of Daniel, Review and Herald Publishing, Hagerstown, MD, 2000, 48, 49

Goddess Worship

A large part of goddess worship was the use of the hand drum to call the spirits.

Tibetan bells, or Tin-sshas, have been used in Buddhist meditation practice for many centuries. The two bells, which are rung together, are slightly out of tune with each other. The different tones between them lie somewhere between four and eight cycles per second. This is exactly in the range of the brain waves created during meditation and helps shift the brain to these frequencies. Tibetan bells are experiencing popularity in western culture at the present time. (See Don Campbell, Music Physician for Times to Come, Quest Books, Wheaton, IL, 1991, 228, 229.)

All this leads to the present. Twentieth-century people discovered the ancient usage of difference tones and entrainment and successfully used them to produce an altered state of consciousness.

A man named Monroe first discovered the use of specific frequencies to entrain the brain. He discovered that certain frequencies, which were in the same spectrum as brain waves, could produce entrainment of brain waves. These are too low for the human ear to hear, but by using higher sounds he could produce difference tones. “If the frequencies of two sound sources are applied separately, one to each ear, a binaural beat frequency is created. As explained above this is not an actual sound, but only a frequency difference between two actual sounds. The sound is heard within the brain itself, the binaural beat frequency is created by both brain hemispheres working simultaneously. The entrainment or frequency following response did not take place only in the area of the brain responsible for hearing, or only in the left or right hemispheres: the entire brain resonated, the waveforms of both hemispheres becoming identical in frequency, …” thus achieving an altered state of consciousness. Campbell, Op. cit.

Subliminal Programming

There is a phenomenon in meditation techniques. The music on meditation tapes use two technologies: sound phasing and subliminal programming.

The subliminals use such messages as: I am one. I am love. I am peace. I am the source of my experience. I am existence … consciousness … ecstasy … peace. These are mantras that have come down through the centuries, which make up a very holistic program of non-dual, I-Consciousness.

Sound phasing is defined as “a vibrate sound, a tone that contains two tones, the top and bottom of the vibration. Phasing is the interval between the tones. The sound we call the interval is heard only in the brain. Your brain creates that sound from the two tones.” Patrick Harbula, Sounds of Transformation: A talk with Brother Charles, Meditation, 2(4), 1987, 20–29. This, of course, is difference tones.

Guarding the Mind

Tone wave generators have been built which can insert different tones in desired musical carriers. They are called binaural tone generators. They are available for anybody to purchase and are very easy to use. This means that this technique which can open the mind to demon possession is readily available to any that choose to use it. It is to be found in videotapes, cassette tapes, etc., which are being used.

The only protection available to counteract these wiles of Satan is found in Isaiah 26:20, which speaks about the present days: “Come, My people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.”

“The darkest hour of the church’s struggle with the powers of evil is that which immediately precedes the day of her final deliverance. But none who trust in God need fear … .” Prophets and Kings, 725

Reproduced from Historic LandMarks of Adventism, March 2004.

Juanita McElwain earned her PhD in Music Therapy from Florida State University. She has taught music on all levels from preschool to college graduate. She has worked as a music therapy clinician with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Her areas of expertise in research include the effects of music on brain waves and the effects of music on headache. She has given numerous seminars on the power of music, which include good and bad effects of music, rock music, sensual music, music in worship and mind control through music throughout the United States and in Europe. She and her husband are presently retired in West Virginia. She may be contacted by e-mail at: juamce@meer.net

The Octopus

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The octopus is an eight-legged mollusk with 300 species and is classified as a Cephalopoda. It is bilaterally symmetric with two eyes on the top of its head, and a beaked mouth at the center point of its eight legs. It has a closed circulatory system keeping its blood inside the blood vessels. It has three hearts:

  • Systemic – circulates blood around the body. It becomes inactive when the octopus is swimming.
  • Gill – these two branchial hearts pump blood through the gills.

Its blood contains the copper-rich protein haemocyanin to transport oxygen, making the blood viscous (thick) and requires greater pressure to pump it throughout the body. This protein is why its blood is blue.

The average lifespan of an octopus is four years.

The thing we likely know best about the octopus is that when it is in danger, it shoots ink with a water jet from an ink sac under its digestive gland. The ink passes through glands that mix it with mucus so that it ends up as a dark blob surrounding it. Melanin makes the ink black.

The arms are lined with suckers (suction cups) used for gripping, manipulation, catching prey, and movement. The Giant Pacific Octopus has 280 suckers on each arm (2,240 total). Each sucker has two parts:

  • Infundibulum – the fleshy, outer rim that is flexible and capable of changing shape, conforming to different surfaces.
  • Acetabulum – the hollow, dome-shaped center that acts like a plunger.

Being an invertebrate (a creature without vertebrate), the octopus can deform its shape to allow it to squeeze through small spaces and gaps. If you have ever seen a video of an octopus working its way through a very small hole on a boat to get away, you would have to agree it’s a little creepy. They trail their arms behind them to propel themselves by water jet propulsion.

With thousands of “specialized cells” under its skin, the octopus is master of disguise. These cells are called chromatophores and help the octopus to change color in an instant. In addition, it has tiny areas of skin called papilli that extend or retract changing the texture of its skin to match its surroundings. The most impressive shape-shifter is the Mimic octopus. This fellow doesn’t copy its surroundings; it disguises itself as another animal, the kind predators avoid. It contorts its body, modifies its behavior, and arranges its arms in a way that allows it to impersonate a wide variety of venomous animals—lionfish, banded sole, and sea snakes to name a few. Unlike pretending to be a rock, this impersonation allows the octopus to move away from danger.

The octopus has a complex nervous system and excellent eyesight. Studies have found that they are among the most intelligent and behaviorally-diverse invertebrates.

The octopus is compared with a dog in terms of intelligence. In experiments, the octopus has solved mazes and performs tasks for food rewards. They are able to get in and out of containers. A lab had an octopus in a tank and in a separate tank other fish. The fish kept disappearing, so they installed a video camera and discovered that the octopus was escaping its tank, opening the lid of the fish tank, eating all the fish, replacing the lid, and returning to his own tank. Octopus also use tools—rocks, broken shells, broken glass, and bottle caps.

They also have the ability to recognize people. At the University of Otago in New Zealand, a captive octopus took a dislike to one of the staff. Every time she passed his tank, he squirted her with a jet of water. Seattle Aquarium biologists tested a group of octopus over a period of two weeks. One person fed the group regularly. Another touched them with a bristly brush. At the end of the test, the octopuses had determined that the one who fed them was nice and they behaved differently with that person than they did with the mean person. This proved that an octopus is capable of distinguishing between individuals, even when they wear the same clothes.

The most amazing thing about the octopus is that it has nine brains:

  • Central brain – located in the frontal area of its head in a donut shape around the esophagus. This brain is responsible for sending high-level signals to the arms.
  • Mini-brains – one for each of its eight arms. The arms of the octopus are directed by a mini-brain specific to it, each arm performing a different task. The arms can punch, lift, and pull up to 100 times the octopus’ own weight. They also touch, dig, and catch prey.

In a way, the octopus is like us with God. We all have our individual brains and we live according to their directions, but if we are connected to God, our “mini-brains” can follow His directions.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5

“God permits every human being to exercise his individuality. … Those who desire to be transformed in mind and character are not to look to men, but to the divine Example. God gives the invitation, ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.’ By conversion and transformation, men are to receive the mind of Christ. Everyone is to stand before God with an individual faith, an individual experience, knowing for himself that Christ is formed within, the hope of glory.” The Signs of the Times, September 3, 1902

Sources: nhm.ac.uk/discover/octopuses-keep-surprising-us-here-are-eight-examples-how; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octopus; animalsfyi.com/why-do-octopuses-have-9-brains-8-arms-3-hearts-and-blue-blood-surprising-facts; aquariumwhisperer.com/octopus-suction-cups]

Did You Know?

The octopus has feelings and can feel pain.

Pacific striped octopus use scare tactics to catch their prey. It creeps up to its prey, taps it on the shoulder causing it to jump away from the arm that touched it into the seven waiting arms.

What’s with the Hair?

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You wouldn’t know it to look at me today, but I used to have red hair. All my life, with but a few exceptions, when I suffered from pain, I simply bucked it up, as my mother would say, and lived with it. Headaches, sciatic pain, surgery pain, you name it, I just lived with it. I often wondered how and why I had such a high threshold of pain.

Recently, I was talking with a nurse in the doctor’s office about pain, and I commented that I had been reading about pain and redheads. She confirmed it was true that redheads can bear more pain.

What is it about redheads, often called gingers, that provides us with the ability to suffer higher levels of pain?

“Research has shown that people with red hair perceive pain differently than others.” Notice they use the word perceive rather than feel.

Perception involves the brain’s interpretation of the signals the body sends to it indicating it has suffered an injury or is experiencing discomfort. Perception is the telegram the brain receives that says, “I fell down. I think I’ve broken my leg.”

Feeling, however, is the actual sensation (the pain) the body is experiencing. Pain behaviors—rubbing, guarding, sighing, grimacing, crying—can lead a person to perceive they are experiencing more pain than someone who does not engage in these behaviors and, therefore, feels less pain.

So, what do gingers have that others do not? It’s in the genes. We have a variant of the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene which controls the production of melanin. Melanin is also the primary pigment that determines skin color. The cells that make melanin produce two forms—eumelanin and pheomelanin. Redheads mainly produce pheomelanin.

Anecdotal evidence has also shown that redheads might require additional anesthesia during medical procedures. I know that’s true first hand. I woke up during a couple of procedures, but went quickly back under once the anesthesiologist administered additional medication.

Sources: nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/study-finds-link-between-red-hair-pain-threshold; pmc.ncbi.nih/gov/articles/PMC5350021

Speaking of hair, have you ever wondered why the hair on your head and chin grow continually, while the hair on the body seems to grow to a certain length and then stops?

The life cycle of the hair on our heads consists of three phases: anagen, catagen, and telogen. The anagen phase can take up to seven years. The catagen phase is a transitional phase. Hair growth begins to slow down and finally stops. This takes two to three months. The last phase, telogen, is a resting phase. Hair growth stops, and hair begins to fall out and new hair takes its place. This takes about three months.

Body hair goes through the same three phases however, it is the duration of the anagen phase that makes the difference. Approximately every four to six months the hair stops growing, falls out and new hair takes its place. A much shorter growth period than the three to seven years for head hair. Variations in phase duration and the speed at which hair grows can vary with gender and race. For instance, a woman’s head hair grows faster than a man.

Source: thecosmetist.com/why-your-body-hair-will-never-grow-as-long-as-your-head-hair.

Did You Know?

The record for the longest hair in the world goes to a Vietnamese man named Tran Van Hay. Because of health issues, he was unable to cut his hair for 50 years, so it grew to be 22 feet and weighed just over 22 pounds. He would wear it in a giant dreadlock, wrapping it around his head multiple times. Source: biographs.org/tran-van-hay

Story – A Cry for Help in the Jungle

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William Butler, founder of the Methodist missions in India, was fleeing from Bareli, North India, with his wife and little ones. The terrifying news of the Sepoy mutiny at Meerut and then at Delhi had come, and no time was to be lost in getting to Naini Tal, a European hill station in the Himalaya Mountains. Native bearers were engaged to carry the doolies (palanquins). In these rode Mrs. Butler, whose health was precarious, and the two children, with the baggage.

They had entered the Terai, a jungle region at the foot of the mountains “reeking with malaria, and the haunt of tigers and elephants,” Dr. Butler, in his Land of the Vedas, says. “The rank vegetation stood in places like high walls on either side. At midnight we reached that part of it where the bearers are changed. The other palanquins had their full complement of men; but of the twenty-nine bearers for whom I paid, I could find only nine men and one torch-bearer; and this, too, in such a place!

“Darkness and tigers were around us; the other palanquins were starting one after another, each with its torch to frighten away the beasts, the bearers taking advantage of the rush to extort heavy baksheesh [a payment such as a bribe].”

Rendered desperate, Dr. Butler put the two children in one palanquin with Mrs. Butler. He ran after a man with a cart, who was disappearing up the road, and compelled him to turn his bullocks and take on board the servant Ann and the little baggage they were taking in their flight.

Then the doctor turned to watch the bearers start on with Mrs. Butler and the children. But not one stirred. “They were exhausted by extra work, and might have even fairly refused to carry two children with a lady; and to have taken either of them on the bullock cart was impossible. Delay seemed ruinous to the only plan by which I could get them on at all.

“If the two men refused the burden, and left, they would take with them, for their own protection, the only torch there was, which belonged to them, and we should have been left in darkness, exposed to the tigers and the deadly malaria. …

“It was an awful moment. For a few minutes my agony was unutterable; I thought I had done all I could, and now everything was on the brink of failure. I saw how ‘vain’ was ‘the help of man,’ and I turned aside into the dark jungle, took off my hat, and lifted my heart to God. If ever I prayed, I prayed then. I besought God in mercy to influence the hearts of these men, and decide for me in that solemn hour. I reminded Him of the mercies that had hitherto followed us, and implored His interference in this emergency. My prayer did not last two minutes, but how I prayed in that time!

“I put on my hat, returned to the light, and looked. I spoke not; I saw my men at once bend to the dooly; it rose, and off they went instantly, and they never stopped a moment, except kindly to push little Eddie in, when in his sleep he rolled so that his feet hung out.”

On they went through the dark night, and on through the jungle, and out at last into the safety of the mountain passes. Dr. Butler knew that it was the Lord’s own interference that had turned the hearts of those heathen coolies when he had exhausted every human resource in vain.

“God is the refuge of His saints,

When storms of sharp distress invade.”

My Favorite Prayer Stories, Joe L. Wheeler, by William Butler and W. A. Spicer, ©2015, 29, 30

The Privilege of Being a Christian

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Many in our world seem to think that to be a Christian is to step down very low, getting upon a very low level. But this is a very mistaken idea. What is it to be a Christian? It is to be like Christ. Who is Christ? The Son of the living God. He is the One who wrought out the plan of salvation for the fallen race. Every blessing we have comes through this Source, through Jesus Christ. Anyone who would entertain the idea that it is a great sacrifice to become a Christian should remember, when seated around the family board partaking of the bounties there, that all these blessings come from Jesus Christ. …

We want to cultivate living faith in God. We want to have our eyes turned away from the attractions of this earth and centered upon heaven and heavenly things. We do not want the earth to intervene between us and God, but we want an eye single to the glory of God. We talk of heaven and of its blessing, and it would be a great loss to lose it.

Well then, if it is so lovely, so desirable, bring it into this life. Bring it into your families and educate your children not to live for this world but for the future, immortal life. You want to weave Jesus into their experience from their very childhood, and teach them [that] Jesus will help them to overcome their evil desires. …

We don’t want to make Jesus ashamed of us. There are many ways we can dishonor Christ—by the love of self, love of the world, what shall we eat, what shall we drink, and wherewithal shall we be clothed? Christ has promised to provide for us if we will only put our trust in Him. But all this will pass away if you educate yourselves to wait upon Christ, and you can reflect light to all around you.

Now, in the place of talking of these things and dwelling upon them, turn your mind to the paradise of God and the riches and glory that is to be given to the saints of the Most High God. If this is to be our home, why should we not talk about it? If you are to join the heavenly choir and sing the praises of God in heaven, why not learn to sing them here? You never can sing them there unless you learn them here. How much praise do you give to God? …

You see how the world treated Jesus. Does it treat you any better than it did Jesus? If you have conformed your life to Jesus, you will have the privilege of being a light bearer to the world. Why? Because you represent Him in character, you are saying, “Behold Him.” By precept and example you are representing Christ. And He is not ashamed to call you His brethren. I appreciate the favor of God more than all the praise that men or women could bestow upon me in this world.

I love Jesus. I see in Him matchless charms. I hold up before you the Man of Calvary. I want you to become acquainted with Him. And if you bring Him into your daily life, let me tell you, you will lose sight of the little perplexities here. Jesus says, “Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” There is rest in Jesus. And if you see poor souls fretting and worrying, it is because they have not the yoke of Jesus on. Perhaps in that extra ruffle and that extra trimming they have neglected to let Jesus in. Says He, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).

You can have a little heaven here below if you will only get your eye fixed upon God—not looking at Christ half the time and at the world the other half. When you live for God He will put His everlasting arms beneath you, and then He says, “My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Do you believe it? I can testify this is so. By my past experience I can testify that I would not have one trial less, one sorrow less, for Paul says, “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen” (2 Corinthians 4:17, 18). We want to look at the things of eternal interest, that we may think seriously in regard to what use we have made of our reasoning powers, whether we have tried to strengthen them with idle things that we cannot take with us when we shall be caught up to meet Christ in the air.

We want to learn the lesson that Christ has told us we must learn—meekness and lowliness of spirit. And we want to be fitting [up] that we may have an abundant entrance into the city of God, that we may have a life that measures with the life of God. Everything compared with this is of no consequence compared with that which God has in store for us if we will only do His will. …

Has He given you power? Give it to Him. All your body and soul belongs to God; give it to Him. In the place of devoting all your time to the pleasures of this world, in eating and drinking and dressing, give it to God. And the light God has given you, use it to bring souls to God. Remember that Daniel says, “They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever.” …

A little longer and we shall see the King in His beauty. The work will be over and we shall hear the words, “Child, come up higher. Enter into the city and have a right to the tree of life, and behold the matchless charms of Jesus.” Will you be there? Will the crown of glory be placed upon your brow? Will the white robe of righteousness be placed upon you? Shall we eat of the tree of life?

God grant that we shall everyone be there. You cannot afford to lose this. Sermons and Talks, Vol. 2, 31–38

It’s the Little Things

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So often we consider the little things as unimportant, but everything we overcome draws us closer to our Saviour and helps us to be prepared for the next thing He brings our way. This life is our battlefield for overcoming the temptations that Satan throws at us.

For many years, Rob Hagar created the crossword puzzles used in the LandMarks magazine. He has graciously given permission to use his testimony.

“As a young man, I learned that caffeinated drinks were not good for the human body, so I didn’t drink them. Years later, during a personal crisis, I developed a liking for a particularly popular, sugary, caffeinated drink and it became a regular habit. Later, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and this provided me with a good ‘excuse’ for drinking this drink since it kept me going every day after lunch and when driving. The Holy Spirit kept reminding me that I should quit, but I had fallen asleep several times at the wheel and ran off the road and in one accident I totaled my vehicle. This convinced me that I needed caffeine, and I adapted my thinking to accept it as a necessary ‘medicine’ to keep me alive. However, our longsuffering Saviour would not let me have peace of mind and continually reminded me that the human body works best without artificial stimulation.

“I want to thank Jesus for the incredible, unbelievable patience and love He has shown me. He left the incomprehensible glory that He had in heaven to suffer loneliness, sleeplessness, hatred, rejection, and even the most severe physical pain. All this that I might have the opportunity for an infinitely better life with Him in His home if I would only choose to obey Him and follow Him.

“Recently, a friend reminded me that only those ‘who would rather die than commit a wrong act’ will be permitted to live with holy beings in a place so wonderful, so beautiful, so awesome, so filled with real joy that I cannot even imagine how happy I’ll be there with Him and His family. Our Saviour, in His mercy, allowed me to see that in my own strength it is impossible for me to resist Satan’s temptations. But by His grace, He has promised to provide His strength to me for each day. I’ve tried to quit this habit many times over the years, but apparently without really trusting Jesus to help me resist the temptation.

“Now, however, I finally can say, ‘Lord, I cannot resist the feeling that I must have this drink unless You change my heart so that I can yield to You to change my desire. I wish only to follow You, not my warped, sinful thinking, so in Your strength, I’m not going to drink any more caffeine.’ The first few days were hard, but now I can say that God Himself, through His grace, has cured me, and I no longer have this irresistible desire for those drinks.

I can now testify that He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. No longer must I live under a constant cloud of guilt for not living up to the light that I have. Finally, I am experiencing that “peace that passes all understanding!”

“Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 159

To God Be the Glory!!

The Man Who Would Not Give Up

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Several examples are given in the Bible of men and women who would not give up. One outstanding example of this is found in the Old Testament, and because this man would not give up, you will meet him in heaven someday, if you are saved. The Holy Spirit is working on your heart, but you have to make the decision to never give up. There have been (and still are) people who have found themselves in a situation where they could be saved, but they gave up, and they lost out. There are several such examples in the Bible, but here, we want to learn about the person who would not give up, and who was saved as a result.

This Bible story is about one of the most well-known men in the entire Bible, and you have probably read the story of his life in the book of Genesis. This man was a miracle child. His father’s wife had been unable to have children. After 20 years, his father prayed, “Lord, you promised that we would have children, and through us all the world would be blessed. My wife cannot conceive. What am I going to do?” The Lord answered his prayer (Genesis 25:21), and his wife became pregnant with twins.

But these two babies were rambunctious, fighting inside her womb. She went to the Lord concerned, and He told her that two nations, two peoples struggled within her body, and that one would be stronger than the other when they became men (Verses 22, 23).

When these twin sons were born, the coloring of the first was red, so in Hebrew, they named him Edom or red. In English, he is called Esau (Verse 25). When the younger was born, the Bible says that he grabbed hold of his brother’s heel. In Hebrew, he was named Yàaqob or heel grabber. In English, he is called Jacob. The name heel grabber implied a person of cunning, someone to be wary of because he will take advantage of you. That is exactly the kind of person Jacob became.

Firstborn Responsibilities

Until modern times, it has been the custom—not just with the children of Isaac and Abraham, but throughout the Middle East—that the firstborn had certain responsibilities which the other children did not have. For example, the firstborn was to be responsible for the welfare of their parents and to support them in their old age. When the firstborn became an adult, he or she was expected to resolve their siblings’ problems. Because the firstborn child had these extra responsibilities, it was an ancient custom that, when the father’s inheritance was divided among his children, the firstborn was to receive a double portion.

Isaac had only two children, so it is easy to calculate. If the firstborn received a double portion, it would mean that the firstborn would receive two-thirds of the family estate and the other child would be given one-third.

Theft and Deceit

Jacob was just a few minutes younger, but he was the heel grabber, a smart businessman, one who knew how to take advantage of circumstances. He knew when the opportunity was ripe.

One day, Jacob while caring for the flocks and herds, he made a lentil stew. Esau, who had been hunting, returned ravenously hungry and, smelling the savory dish Jacob had prepared, said, “Please give me something to eat. I am so hungry; I am about to die.”

Jacob recognized a golden opportunity, and he responded: “I will give you a bowl of stew, if you will sell me your birthright.” Talk about a deal! Isaac was a very wealthy man. One-third of his estate would be worth several hundred thousand dollars in today’s money. How would you like to double your net worth for a bowl of lentils? That was one expensive meal. A slave to his appetite, Esau agreed. “I will do it.” He said. It was a foolish thing for Esau to do, but it was a sharp thing for Jacob, although a very wicked thing.

Are you aware of the meaning of the eighth commandment? If I sell you something for much more than it is worth, because you are ignorant and do not know any better, I have stolen from you. And if I buy something from you for much less than it is worth, because you do not know its worth, I have stolen from you. Jacob stole from his brother. He was a thief in the worst sense, because he stole from his own family. But it got worse. He eventually deceived his own father.

Jacob stole from his brother and deceived his own father. It is terrible to steal from your own brother, and it is just as bad or worse to lie and deceive your own father. God did not keep Jacob from having to bear some very terrible consequences for those two sins all the rest of his life.

When reading the Bible, people could say, “These are the chief characters of the Bible, and look at all of the awful things they did.” But what they do not see is that the chief characters of the Bible paid a terrible price for the horrible sins they committed. The Bible teaches that sin always has consequences.

Esau became very angry with Jacob, and it is not difficult to understand why. How would you feel if you had just lost several hundred thousand dollars to your brother—cheated out of it because you were nearly out of your mind with hunger? Would you become angry? I have seen people become angry for a lot less than that!

Esau said, “I am going to do away with him. Instead of getting one-third of the inheritance, as I am now supposed to receive, I will get the whole thing.” And Jacob had to flee from home, never to see his parents again.

The Whole Inheritance

In 1955, the very first airliner with a bomb on board crashed. At that time, it was not mandatory for air travelers to go through security before boarding an airplane. A passenger bought his or her ticket, deposited their baggage, walked through a door, and got on the plane. I have done that, and I have seen my father do it many times. The world then was not as wicked as it is today.

This airplane came down in a field near Longmont, Colorado, within ten miles of where my family lived. A bomb in the baggage compartment had exploded, killing everyone on board. An investigation revealed that a man, whose mother was traveling on this plane, had hidden a bomb in her luggage. He had a time clock on the bomb, timed to explode over the Rocky Mountains. He planned that the plane would go down in the Rocky Mountains, and it would be considered just an accident. Everything would be completely destroyed; no one would know what had actually happened. But the plane departed late. Consequently, the timer went off, the bomb exploded, and the plane crashed in a field 15-20 miles east of the Rocky Mountains.

Why had this man performed such a deadly act? He did not want to wait for his mother to die a natural death; he wanted to receive his mother’s life insurance—his inheritance—right then.

That was Esau’s problem. He wanted his inheritance, and he thought, “Jacob stole my inheritance from me. I will not only get back a double portion; I will get the whole thing.” So, Jacob had to flee for his life. He went to his mother’s brother, Laban, and served him for 20 years (Genesis 28–30).

20 Years of Guilt

Picking up the story in Genesis 31, we find that Jacob, now a fugitive, had been serving Laban for 20 years. He had come to Laban with nothing, but the Lord had blessed him, and he had become a very wealthy man. Laban’s sons were jealous of all the wealth that Jacob had acquired. They said, “He has taken all of our father’s wealth.”

Laban had deceived Jacob, so instead of having one wife, he had two, and Jacob’s entire life was troubled. Laban’s deception and the trouble that resulted from having two wives were a consequence of his sin and he knew it. The sin that he had committed against his brother and father bothered his conscience all those 20 years. That entire time he thought, “I would not be in this situation if I had not deceived my father and robbed my brother.”

Return to Your People

Then the Lord gave Jacob instruction to return to his people: “Jehovah spoke to Jacob, ‘Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.’ ” (Verse 3). Jacob was anxious about returning home. Esau lived back home.

Jacob called Rachel and Leah out into the field and talked with them. They agreed that Jacob and his household should follow God’s counsel (Verses 4, 14–16). Believing that Laban would not let him go, he left secretly while Laban was away shearing his sheep. Jacob packed up—lock, stock, and barrel—and left Uncle Laban’s land. Because of the thousands of cattle, sheep, and goats, they were unable to travel very fast, so when Laban learned they were gone, he was able to easily overtake them. God had intervened on Jacob’s behalf regarding Laban, and the two parted peaceably. The first part of God’s promise was accomplished.

Close to Home

Can you imagine the tumultuous thoughts in Jacob’s mind, as he drew close to his journey’s end? For the last 20 years, Jacob had lived in a faraway land. During that time, Esau assumed that, as a consequence of Jacob’s absence, he, Esau, would inherit everything upon Isaac’s death. But now Jacob returns. Jacob owns two-thirds of the inheritance. Esau’s net worth would drop by over 60 percent when Jacob returned home. This is also on Jacob’s mind. He knows that the reason he is in this difficult situation is because of his own sin. He knows what is going through Esau’s mind.

Interests of Brothers

Let’s look at the difference between Esau and Jacob. They both wanted the birthright. The birthright involved more than a double portion of the family’s wealth. It also involved a blessing. The one holding the birthright would become the progenitor (ancestor) of the Messiah. Esau wanted the double portion of property and worldly wealth, but Jacob wanted the blessing, to be the progenitor of the Messiah.

Jacob, actually, in spite of all his character deficiencies and faults, was a very, very remarkable person. He chose spiritual blessings over temporal blessings, a rare type of person in this world.

Jacob knew his return would excite fear in his brother’s heart and that Esau could do him great injury. He thought that Esau could decide even now to take revenge against him and kill him, taking the entire inheritance for himself.

Gifts of Appeasement

So, as Genesis 32 tells us, in an effort to appease Esau, Jacob sent very expensive gifts to him, worth many, many thousands of dollars today, including a large herd of cattle. After delivering the cattle, Jacob’s servants returned and told Jacob that Esau was on his way, with 400 men, to meet Jacob (Verses 3–6). Verse 7 tells us that Jacob was “exceedingly afraid and distressed.” In fact, the entire encampment—wives, children, and servants alike—were terrified of what Esau would do.

Jacob did everything he could. He continued to send expensive gifts to Esau. He divided his family into two camps, so that if the people of one camp were killed, the others might be able to flee. Yes, Jacob did everything he could, but he knew that it was not enough. Jacob and his family were about to meet Esau’s wrath.

Divine Help Needed

Jacob was a shrewd businessman and knew how to make deals. But those skills were useless now. There was no business deal that he could make that would get him out of this, and he knew that unless the Lord intervened on his behalf, it was going to be all over.

Jacob was standing in the realization that there was nothing he could do to save himself. This is a reality we also must learn. We cannot be good, keep God’s commandments, nor be made ready for heaven on our own. It doesn’t matter how smart and shrewd a person we are.

Just as Jacob realized he needed divine help, we must know that we cannot save ourselves by anything we do. Divine power must be operating in our lives or we are lost. The Bible is very clear about this. We may try our whole lives, but we will never be able to develop enough self-control or power; we can never make ourselves a good person.

I have been a preacher for a long time, and I learned long ago that I am a lot more afraid of the good people than of the bad people. People who think they are good do not realize that, as the Bible says, the “heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked.” Jeremiah 17:9. The bad people at least know they need help.

Jacob was a smart man, but the Lord allowed him to suffer the consequences of his actions, and thereby recognize that unless he had divine help, it was all over. The sooner that you and I learn that lesson, the better off we will be.

To be continued …

[Bible texts quoted are literal translation.]

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