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Food – Red Beans Take the Cake

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Different beans affect our bodies in different ways. That is why we need a variety. Everybody knows that beans are a great source of protein but many forget about the other added benefits of beans. Look at the quote from Jonny Bowden, Ph.D.

“[Red beans] are loaded with antioxidants. The USDA’s [United States Department of Agriculture] ranking of foods by antioxidant capacity lists small dried red beans as having the highest antioxidant capacity per serving size of any food tested; in fact, of the four top-scoring foods, three were beans (red beans, red kidney beans, and pinto beans). Many bean varieties have a lot of folic acid (especially adzukis, black-eyed peas, lentils and pinto beans), which have serious benefits for the heart; there’s also magnesium, iron, zinc, and potassium and—especially in red kidney beans—an important enzyme-enhancing mineral called molybdenum.

“Beans are also a good source of protein, typically containing 15 g per cup. And unlike most commercial animal protein sources, they don’t come with any steroids, hormones, or antibiotics.” The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, pg. 84, Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S.

Recipe – Simple Pasta Salad

Ingredients

4 cups (approx.) small pasta, cooked

2 cups red or kidney beans, cooked

10 cherry tomatoes (approx.), chopped

1 red or green bell pepper, chopped

1 can olives, sliced

Process

Combine all and add Italian dressing and a little salsa. Stir and serve.

Life Sketches – Courageous Journey

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Have you ever been anxious while on a journey wondering whether or not you would reach your destination and what would happen when you arrived? These kinds of problems also happened to Bible characters.

In Acts 20 and 21 the Bible records the last journey that the apostle Paul made to Jerusalem. It took a long time, with several ships making several stops, and involving several meetings. Acts 21 gives the following record of the journey after the ship set sail. It says, “We came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo. And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem” (verses 1, last part–4).

One of the interesting things we find when we study the history of the apostolic church during the first century is that in those days, the church had not yet apostatized. The church was pure, and as a result, throughout the world it had the ministration, guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit. In Colossians the first chapter, Paul talks about the spread of the gospel and he says that the gospel has been preached to every creature under heaven (verse 23) and that was in just 20 or 30 years, an example of what can happen when the Holy Spirit is guiding the church.

The time came when by departing from the truth of the Bible and by imitating heathen rites and customs, the church lost the spirit and power of God. The church no longer had the gift of prophecy. However, in the first century, the church was guided by the Holy Spirit and when Paul visited this place, the disciples told him through the Spirit that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

The Bible says, “When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed. When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home. And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Now this man [that is, Philip] had four virgin daughters who prophesied” (Acts 21:5–9).

There were many evangelists, prophets, and apostles in the early apostolic church. Philip was the first one who had been able to break away from Jewish customs to go and preach the gospel to the Gentiles, not treating them as though the truth of the gospel was only for the Jewish people. He went down to Samaria and through his preaching, a multitude of the Samaritans had become Christians. Paul and Philip had a lot in common. They both ministered and preached to the Gentiles.

While Paul was visiting with Philip during the last days of freedom that he would enjoy for a long time, they were visited by another prophet. It says, “As we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, ‘Thus says the Holy Spirit, “So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles” ’ ” (verses 10, 11).

Now this was a fearsome prophecy, not just that Paul would be bound by the Jews, but that he was going to suffer the horrors of a Roman imprisonment. Agabus told Paul that he would be delivered to the Gentiles, indicating that he was to be turned over to the Roman authorities. “Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, ‘What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’ So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, ‘The will of the Lord be done’ ” (verses 12–14).

Paul had been warned many times that if he went to Jerusalem, the Jews would deliver him to the Romans and he would suffer Roman imprisonment. Why was it that the apostle Paul felt, in spite of all these perils and dangers, that he had to go to Jerusalem? He wanted to heal a schism, a division in the Christian church that has never been totally healed, even to the present day. It was a division that occurred between Jews and Gentiles over certain theological teachings. There were Jews who had become Christians and had held on to certain Jewish customs and had therefore opposed the apostle Paul in teaching the Gentiles that they no longer needed to observe the ritual laws of the Jews. The Judaizing Christians also had gone all over the world stirring up division and trouble in every church that Paul had raised up.

Paul desperately wanted to try and heal this schism that had developed between the groups of Christians. He believed that the Jewish rites and ceremonies pointed forward to the Messiah and since the Messiah had come, and fulfilled them there was no more need of animal sacrifices or observance of feast days.

Not only were many of the Christians still practicing these rites and ceremonies, but even were some of the apostles and elders. Because of his teaching on this subject, Paul was known by many Christians all over the world at that time as a teacher of dangerous doctrines. He was the focal point of attack himself, but he desired to bring healing between the different churches. One of the things he did, since many of the Jewish Christians were in poverty as a result of accepting Christianity, he had gone to the different Gentile churches and persuaded them to give money to help the poor Jews in Judea. When he came on this last journey, he had a large sum of money for their support. He also brought with him representatives from the principle churches in the world to give these offerings to the Jewish Christians. He was willing to take any kind of danger necessary to try and heal this schism.

This is why he said he was ready to die, if that was what it would take for the churches to have unity. When they saw that he could not be persuaded otherwise, they said, “the will of the Lord be done.” The Bible continues, “After those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem. Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge. And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present” (verses 15–18).

Here he is, meeting with the elders to present to them the large sum of money that he has raised from the Gentile churches to help the poor Jewish Christians. Paul knows well that if he goes down to Jerusalem he will be captured, bound, and delivered to the Romans. Since his conversion, his visits to Jerusalem had always been accompanied with anxiety. As he was in the city, he would look at the synagogue where he used to worship and at the apartment of the high priest where he had received his commission to go to Damascus. This was the very spot where he himself had debated with Stephen and approved his martyrdom. He would recollect his former life, especially this time, his last journey to Jerusalem, and as he thought about what had happened to Stephen at his own consent, he wondered, “Will I meet the same fate as Stephen met here on this journey?”

He had never walked the streets of Jerusalem with as sad a heart as this time, because he knew he would find few friends and many enemies. In the crowds that were there for the feast, there were thousands of people, who, if you even mentioned his name, would be excited to madness and fury. This was the city which had been the murderer of the prophets, that had rejected and crucified the Son of God, and over which there now hung threatenings of divine wrath. As the apostle Paul remembered how bitter his own prejudice had been against the followers of Christ, he felt the deepest pity for his deluded countrymen, yet he had little hope he would be able to benefit them, because they had the same blind wrath which had once burned in his own heart, and which was now telling with untold power upon the hearts of a whole nation against him.

The apostle Paul could not count upon even the sympathy and the support of his own brethren in the Christian faith. The unconverted Jews had so closely followed upon his track and had not been slow to circulate the most unfavorable reports at Jerusalem, and these reports concerning Paul and his work, communicated both personally and by letter, had affected even the apostles and elders in the Christian church. Some had received these reports as true, making no attempt to contradict them or manifest any desire to harmonize with him.

But yet, in the midst of all these discouragements, the apostle was not in despair, because he was trusting that the same voice he had heard on the Damascus road that had spoken to his own heart would speak to the hearts of his countrymen. Have you ever wondered why that voice doesn’t speak more to men today? Friend, that voice is trying to speak today, but many people are so busy and the noise in their life is so loud that they don’t hear the still small voice speaking in the conscience.

Read the story of Elijah. God does not usually speak to people in a whirlwind, or a fire, or an earthquake. His usual method of speaking to mankind is through what is called “the still small voice,” the voice of the Holy Spirit in the conscience. Is your life so loud and is there so much noise in your life that you don’t have any time to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to your conscience?

The next day after he arrived at Jerusalem, Paul had a meeting with the elders. It says, “On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry” (verses 18, 19). The apostle related how that in the worldwide center of heathenism, Ephesus, the Holy Spirit had used him to raise up a very large church. He also told about his experiences with the churches in Galatia, in what we call Turkey today. He told about his experiences with raising up the church in Corinth. He had to tell certain disagreeable things that Judaizing teachers had done to the churches in Galatia and Corinth which had caused him to write some very severe letters to these churches. He told them in detail what had been done, and when they found out, they could not help but see that the signet of God was upon his ministry, and that the Holy Spirit had worked through him in a marvelous way to raise up Christian churches and convert people from heathenism to the gospel all over the world.

“When they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, ‘You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law’ ” (verse 20). Now when the apostle Paul made known to the elders in Jerusalem all of these churches and Gentile believers he had raised up, and they presented the gifts, which was much more than they had anticipated, this was the golden opportunity for the apostles, the elders, and the leaders to confess that they had been prejudiced, and that they should lay their prejudices aside and acknowledge the work of the apostle Paul as being of God. But, instead of confessing their own errors and their own prejudices, and acknowledging that God had been at work in the ministry of the apostle Paul, they threw the burden wholly back upon Paul to solve the problem between the Jews and the Gentiles.

In fact, they actually asked the apostle Paul to do something that would be conceding that he had gone too far in his teaching the Gentile Christians that they did not need to do anything about observing the ceremonial law. Notice the council that they gave. It says, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law [the ceremonial law of Jewish rites and ceremonies]; but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law [that is, the ceremonial law]. But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality” (verses 20–25).

They hoped that if the apostle Paul would make this concession, it would solve the problem. They were saying that if a Jew becomes a Christian, he should still keep all of the Jewish rites and ceremonies. But if a Gentile becomes a Christian, then it is not necessary. This is directly contrary to what the apostle Paul taught. Read the book of Romans. Read the book of first Corinthians. Read the book of Galatians. Not only was it directly contrary to what Paul taught but it was directly contrary to what they themselves had agreed to at the Jerusalem council (see Acts 15). Yet, the apostle Paul conceded, and this is very difficult today for some people to understand. Why would Paul make this concession, which was so contrary to what he had written and taught wherever he went? He wanted desperately to solve the division, to bring harmony among the Christians all over the world so there would not be this continual division and strife between the Gentile and Jewish Christians.

However, Paul conceded more than he should have, for this concession was not in harmony with his teachings. It was not in harmony with the firm integrity that had been manifested in the past in his character. We have to remember that his advisors were not infallible, and though some of these men wrote parts of Scripture under the Spirit of God, yet when not under its direct influence, they sometimes erred. It should be remembered that on one occasion, the apostle Paul withstood Peter to his face in public, because Peter was acting a double part. Because Paul had such a great desire to be in harmony with his brethren, so much tenderness of heart toward the weak in faith, and so much reverence for the apostles who had been with Christ while He had been on the earth, so much reverence for James, the brother of the Lord, and so much a desire to be all things to all men, it is less surprising then, that he deviated from his normal strict integrity to try to conciliate and placate his Jewish brethren and bring harmony into the church.

Unfortunately, this decision on his part did not solve the problem at all but hastened his own capture and imprisonment. Dear friend, whether you’re an apostle, or church leader, whoever you are, it never pays to deviate from strict integrity, even when pressed with anxiety on a courageous journey.

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)

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

Health – Nature’s Substitute for Penicillin

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When one thinks about penicillin, the words infection, disease and doctors’ offices usually come to mind. But if you have a natural mind, one of the first things that come to mind is garlic. Raw garlic has many wonderful health properties. It is not eaten readily because we do not want to offend the people around us with its lingering strong odor. But when you do not feel well and want to avoid sharing germs with others, that is an especially good time to pull out the garlic.  As you read the following you will understand why it is called Russian penicillin.

Stinky Fresh crushed garlic

Garlic has a potent history. According to the NYU (New York University) Langone Medical Center:

From Roman antiquity through World War I, garlic poultices were used to prevent wound infections. The famous microbiologist Louis Pasteur performed some of the original work showing that garlic could kill bacteria. In 1916, the British government issued a general plea for the public to supply it with garlic in order to meet wartime needs. Garlic was called Russian penicillin during World War II because, after running out of antibiotics, the Russian government turned to this ancient treatment for its soldiers.

Fresh crushed garlic is the star of nature’s antibiotic, and the “fresh” part here is very important. Minced garlic in a jar will not do. When fresh garlic is crushed, a chemical reaction that causes sulfenic acid is set off. But sulfenic acid is unstable and breaks down steadily into another unstable compound called allicin, which has a strong antibiotic property. Let the fresh minced or crushed garlic sit for about 15 minutes before using it in order to build up a greater amount of allicin (which is what we want here).

Spicy Cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper is a very powerful spice that, like garlic, has been used for its health benefits throughout history.

According to Dr. Patrick Quillin, author of The Healing Power of Cayenne Pepper, he says,

“Cayenne pepper has been prized for thousands of years for its healing power. Folklore from around the world recounts amazing results using cayenne pepper in simple healing and in baffling health problems. But cayenne pepper is not just a healer from ancient history. Recent clinical studies have been conducted on many of the old-time health applications for this miracle herb. Again and again, the therapeutic value of cayenne pepper has been medically validated.”

The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations states that cayenne pepper fights infection and inflammation, and the University of Maryland Medical Center has reported that the capsaicin in cayenne peppers may offer an effective treatment for ear infections.

Sweet Raw honey

While, I really do just try to put raw honey in absolutely everything I make, it has a real purpose here. First of all, it makes the garlic and cayenne go down easier, but most importantly, raw honey boosts immune function, and has strong anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.

In Jethro Kloss’s book, Back to Eden, (1982), page 216, he says, “Red pepper is one of the most wonderful herb medicines we have. We do wonderful things with it that we are not able to do with any other known herb. It should never be classed with black pepper, vinegar, or mustard. These are irritating, while red pepper is very soothing. While red pepper smarts a little, it can be put in an open wound either in a fresh wound or an old ulcer, and it is very healing instead of irritating; but black pepper, mustard, and vinegar are irritating to an open wound and do not heal. Red Pepper is one of the most stimulating herbs known to man with no harm or reaction.”

I am very thankful for the little things which God has provided for us in times of illness.

How does this work exactly?

  • Combine 1 crushed garlic clove (that has been sitting out for 15 minutes) with one teaspoon raw honey and ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Take about ¼ of the mixture into your mouth and swallow it down with a sip of warm tea or water. Do this until the mixture is gone.
  • As you would with a prescribed antibiotic, you should do this 2-3 times daily and continue for a day or two after the symptoms disappear.
  • Of course, seek medical attention if your symptoms are not alleviated.

https://bodyunburdened.com/natures-antibiotic-a-natural-virus-infection-fighter/

Question & Answer – How Did Simeon describe the baby Jesus?

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“Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against …” (Luke 2:34). [Emphasis supplied.]

“ ‘Behold,’ Simeon had said, ‘this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against.’ They must fall who would rise again. We must fall upon the Rock and be broken before we can be uplifted in Christ. Self must be dethroned, pride must be humbled, if we would know the glory of the spiritual kingdom. The Jews would not accept the honor that is reached through humiliation. Therefore they would not receive their Redeemer. He was a sign that was spoken against.” The Desire of Ages, 56, 57.

“Many who have never been placed in positions of trial appear to be excellent Christians, their lives seem faultless; but God sees that they have traits of character that must be revealed to them before they can perceive and correct them. Simeon prophesied under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and said unto Mary in reference to Jesus: ‘Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed’ (Luke 2:34, 35). In the providence of God we are placed in different positions to call into exercise qualities of mind calculated to develop character under a variety of circumstances. ‘Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all’ (James 2:10). Professed Christians may live unexceptionable lives so far as outward appearance is concerned; but when a change of circumstances throws them into entirely different positions, strong traits of character are discovered, which would have remained hidden had their surroundings continued the same.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 55, 56.

“ ‘Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene’ (John 19:25). As Christ’s mother stood by the cross upon which He hung, she realized the truth of the words spoken by Simeon, when he took the infant Saviour in his arms and blessed him. ‘Mine eyes have seen Thy salvation,’ he said, ‘which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel. … Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed’ (Luke 2:30–32, 34, 35).

“That time had come. The hearts of the persecutors, the revilers, the murderers, were indeed revealed. Attributes which form character were developed. Unbelieving Israel took sides with the first great apostate.” The Review and Herald, December 28, 1897.

Keys to the Storehouse – Ask Yourself!

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In reality, people often think themselves much more ready for the heavenly country than is actually true. Hearts are deceived as to their true condition—in fact, many of us think that we are ready for Jesus to come, but we are farther away than we think. Consider if Christ were to appear today. Would you, in your current spiritual condition, find yourself out of place or be able to blend in with holy beings?

“Suppose that today Christ should appear in the clouds of heaven, who … would be ready to meet Him? Suppose we should be translated into the kingdom of heaven just as we are.

  • Would we be prepared to unite with the saints of God, to live in harmony with the royal family, the children of the heavenly King?
  • What preparation have you made for the judgment?
  • Have you made your peace with God?
  • Are you laboring together with God?
  • Are you seeking to help those around you, those in your home, those in your neighborhood, those with whom you come in contact that are not keeping the commandments of God? …
  • Are we getting ready to meet the King?” Maranatha

And then the question is asked:

  • “If it were possible for us to be admitted into heaven as we are, how many of us would be able to look upon God?
  • How many of us have on the wedding-garment?
  • How many of us are without spot or wrinkle or any such thing?
  • How many of us are worthy to receive the crown of life? . . . Position does not make the man. It is Christ formed within that makes a man worthy of receiving the crown of life, that fadeth not away.”

“I was pointed to the remnant on the earth. The angel said to them, ‘Will ye shun the seven last plagues? … If so, ye must die that ye may live. Get ready, get ready, get ready. Ye must have a greater preparation than ye now have. … Sacrifice all to God. Lay all upon His altar—self, property, and all, a living sacrifice. It will take all to enter glory.’ …

“If you are right with God today, you are ready if Christ should come today.” Ibid.

Are you right with God today?

Heavenly Father: Prepare our hearts and actions to meet with You in the very near future. Open our eyes to the spots and wrinkles in our words and actions that will keep us out of heaven. Give us the courage to turn away from self and the devil’s ways and to walk only in heavenly places. Amen.

Children’s Story – A Modern Raven

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The most wonderful answer to prayer that I ever saw was that of a poor Mohammedan widow, who, with her children, was starving.

I had closed the White Memorial Hospital in Pasrur, India, for two months. One day, I decided to open it, and, taking with me my assistant, a young Indian girl, we drove in the evening to put the hospital and dispensary in order. As my decision was made suddenly, I took with me only a small five-cent loaf of bread and some butter. The next morning at five o’clock, we ate most of the bread and butter.

We were so anxious to open to patients the next day that we worked on till two o’clock that afternoon, forgetting our need of food. Then, becoming weak and faint, I sent the assistant to prepare some Indian bread and greens for herself, telling her I would take what was left of the bread and butter we had in the morning.

Later, I drew a small table to the edge of the veranda, and sat down to my bread and butter. My Indian assistant drew a native bedstead close to the veranda, with her bread and greens on a brass plate, and also made ready to eat.

She had just seated herself, but had not yet touched her food, when a big black mountain crow, or raven, flopped down on her. He took one side of the bread in one claw and the opposite side in the other claw. Then he carefully brought his feet together and took up the vegetables.

It is not uncommon for crows to steal food from our plates when we sit outside, but they generally fly into a tree near by and caw and brag. This bird acted differently, and although both of us were most indignant, we watched him with interest. Up into the clear sky he went, over the hospital, across the city, on, on, till only a speck, when he seemed to sink and vanish. I shared my bread and butter with my assistant, and we finished the work. Then we opened up to patients the next day.

I cannot recall whether it was one or two days later that we saw a poor, weak woman coming in the gate, carrying a baby in her left arm, and a child of two or more on her right hip. Two other children came trailing after her, snatching at her clothes whenever they could to help themselves along. She staggered to the veranda and sank exhausted to the floor. We revived her, and asked from what she suffered.

“I am a Mohammedan widow,” she said. “My husband died six months ago, and left me with these four children. My children and I have been starving. For three days we had nothing to eat. I prayed, oh, how I prayed to Mohammed; but Mohammed never cares for women and children. Then I prayed to the gods of the Hindus, but they, too, never care for women and children. Then I threw myself on the ground and clasped my hands as the Christians do, and I cried, ‘O God of the Christians, send food to us, that my children may not die.’

“While praying, a crow dropped down and swept my head with its wings and flew away. I lifted my head and looked. There before me lay a beautiful piece of bread and some vegetables. I took the food, and my children and I ate.

“Some of the village women came past me as we ate, and asked me where I got the food. I told them the crow had brought it. ‘That is not a poor man’s food,’ they said. ‘That has come from some one of the better class.’

“ ‘I know the tender-hearted doctor who has a hospital at Pasrur,’ one woman said. ‘I think if you go to her, she will take you in and care for you.’ I started at once. Sometimes we got a ride, sometimes we walked, but we are here.”

My assistant thanked God that she had been counted worthy to give her dinner to answer this woman’s prayer. It was her food, without a doubt, that the crow had carried to the starving widow and her children.

True Education Reader, ©1931, Maria White, M.D., 354–356.

“Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).

Pen of Inspiration – God is at the Helm, Brethren

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He who gave being to the world has not lost His power of sovereignty. He still presides over the world. It is His prerogative to speak out His purposes. By His Son, the Mediator between God and man, these purposes are executed, and the Holy Spirit gives them effect. The awful confusion in the world has been brought about because the way of the Lord has not been followed, because man has set up his human judgment against the law of Him who created the world. Men have undertaken to please and glorify themselves, to set themselves above truth and above God.

Daniel writes: “I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And He said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand” (Daniel 12:7–10).

This world is a theatre. The actors, the inhabitants of the world, are preparing to act their part in the last great drama. God is lost sight of. There is no unity of purpose, except as parties of men confederate to gain their ends. God is looking on. His purposes in regard to his rebellious subjects will be fulfilled. The world has not been given into the hands of men, though God is permitting the elements of confusion and disorder to bear sway for a season. A power from beneath is working to bring about the last great scenes in the drama—Satan coming as Christ, and working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in those who are binding themselves together in secret societies. Those who are yielding to the passion for confederation are working out the plans of the enemy. The cause will be followed by the effect.

Transgression has almost reached its limit. Confusion fills the world, and a great terror is soon to come upon human beings. And the end is very near. We who know the truth should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise.

God permits men to work out the purposes He would have saved them from had they kept His commandments. When in the face of light and evidence, they refuse to obey, they must reap the harvest of the seed they have sown. “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand” (Daniel 12:10). The wicked have chosen Satan as their leader. Under his control the wonderful faculties of the mind are used to construct agencies of destruction. God has given the human mind great power, power to show that the Creator has endowed man with ability to do a great work against the enemy of all righteousness, power to show what victories may be gained in the conflict against evil. To those who fulfill God’s purpose, for them will be spoken the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25:23). The human machinery has been used to do a work that is a blessing to humanity; and God is glorified.

But when those to whom God has entrusted capabilities give themselves into the hands of the enemy, they become a power to destroy. When men do not make God first and last and best in everything, when they do not give themselves to Him for the carrying out of His purposes, Satan comes in, and uses in his service the minds that, if given to God, could achieve great good. Under his direction, they do an evil work with great and masterly power. God designed them to work on a high plane of action, to enter into His mind, and thus to acquire an education that would enable them to work the works of righteousness. But they know nothing of this education. They are helpless. Their powers do not guide them aright; for they are under the enemy’s control.

The way to holiness and heaven is found in the path of obedience. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Bible Training School, February 1, 1903.

The Judgment

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For nearly six thousand years of sin this world has stood as a dark blot in the universe of God. And yet through it all the light of His mercy has shone clear and bright, and the work of redemption has gone steadily forward. And when this work shall be finished, there will have been gathered from the dwellers of all the ages a host of those who have been true to God, who shall people this earth according to the original plan of the Creator.

When the warfare between good and evil is ended, the sharpest line of demarkation [sic] will be drawn “between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not” (Malachi 3:18). This will be a clean world, with the stains of sin and the blot of sinners forever removed.

It is therefore evident that a time must come when the cases of all who have lived shall come in review, and their future destiny be finally settled. This is the time of judgment so many times mentioned in the word of God. Paul says that “we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Romans 14:10).

This judgment will not be arbitrary. The God of heaven knows the character of every human being, and when his life work is ended He could pass upon his future for weal or woe without the formalities of a future judgment. But the evil outcome of sin must be complete as an object lesson to unfallen worlds. God’s righteousness has been called in question by Satan. It must be revealed in the closing up of this world’s history. Throughout the ages of eternity God’s justice and mercy, as manifested in His dealings with Satan and sinners, must stand vindicated, hence the final judgment will be very real, and its scenes hosts of heavenly angels and the redeemed of earth will participate.

Of this great day we read that God “hath appointed a day [time or period], in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained [Jesus Christ]; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).

The judgment cannot, therefore, take place at the death of each individual, as some suppose, for a “day,” or set time, has been fixed when this work shall be undertaken. And Paul, in his powerful argument before Felix, “reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgement to come” (Acts 24:25). [Emphasis supplied.] Hence in the days of Paul the judgment had not taken place, nor was it then in session.

The Books of Heaven

In order that the investigation of the judgment may be unquestioned and complete, the lives of all men are written in the books of heaven. From the records found in these books will the future of all who have lived on this earth be decided.

Concerning the books of record and the throngs that take part in this great assize, we read, “Thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened” (Daniel 7:10).

Of the fate of the millions who have lived and died John writes, “And the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Revelation 20:12).

The Book of Life

In the foregoing text reference is made to “the book of life.” This to the Christian is the most important volume in all the universe of God. It is the roster of all the faithful of all the ages. In it are written the names of all who have undertaken the service of God. No other names are entered upon its pages.

Day by day the guardian angel bears to heaven the record of those whose names are written in the book. Their sins are recorded upon the debit side. As sins are confessed and wrongs made right, “pardon” is written opposite the transgression.

And so, the life record grows. Happy is the mortal whose debits of sin are balanced by the “pardons” of forgiveness. Awful is the fate of him who starts in the service of God, but falters in his course. For him the record of the “book of life” will not be clear. The debit side will not be balanced by the “pardons” of the credit side. The names of such will be blotted out of the book of life in God’s great judgment day.

Although our names may be once written in the book of life, they may, in the day of judgment, be stricken from its pages. Of the one who does not continue in well doing, John writes, “God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:19).

Only those whose names are retained in the book of life can enter the gates of the New Jerusalem. “There shall in no wise enter unto it [the New Jerusalem] any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27).

The names of all the overcomers will be retained in this wonderful book. “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess His name before my Father, and before His angels” (Revelation 3:5).

Counted with Sinners

“The righteous may turn from their service of God, lose the reward for all the service they have rendered, and at last be numbered among the sinners. Right doing is our normal service. No balancing up between right and wrong will be made, and no general average will be struck. A godly life will give us a home in heaven. A failure to overcome will bring punishment for every sin committed.

“The foregoing conclusion is evident from the statement in Ezekiel 3:20: ‘When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity … he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered.’

“In the judgment the names of such will be stricken from the book of life, and they will be called upon to answer for their sins with the rest of the wicked.”

From the foregoing it will be seen that the judgment for which the book of life is the basis has to do only with those who have undertaken the service of God. This investigative judgment must take place before Jesus comes, for at His coming He brings the reward for the overcomers, and fulfills all the promises made to them. Hence their cases must then have been decided.

Of the great final reward our Lord has sent us word through the prophet John: “Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12).

The righteous receive their reward when Jesus comes, and their judgment takes place first, while that of the wicked takes place at a later period. Hence Peter, in prophetic view of the consummation of the Christian’s hope, exclaims, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear” (1 Peter 4:17, 18)?

John, viewing this same scene, writes, “And the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that Thou shouldest give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear Thy name, small and great” (Revelation 11:18).

The foregoing texts have to do with the judgment and reward of the saints. It takes place during the last days of anger, strife, and commotion among the nations of earth. It is the investigative judgment of all the dead who have ever started in the service of God, and will determine who have been overcomers in the warfare with sin and Satan.

The cases of the living righteous will come up for review as probation ceases. And when completed, the fiat will go forth, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still” (Revelation 22:11). The days of repentance are past, the righteous are sealed for the kingdom of God, and the judgment of the wicked will follow to determine what their punishment shall be.

The Judgment

On the subject of the judgment, C. P. Bollman comments as follows:

“In the investigative judgment ‘God [the Father] is Judge Himself,’ as declared in Psalm 50:6. In the plan of salvation the Son undertook ‘to present faultless before the presence of His [the Father’s] glory with exceeding joy’ (Jude 24) a sufficient number of the children of Adam to fill this earth according to the original plan of God.

“Therefore, as the closing act of His priesthood, Christ presents His work to the Father for His approval. The book of life is opened, and each name passes in review before the Father, and those who have proved true, and are presented by the great Advocate, are accepted by the Father as fit subjects of the eternal kingdom.

“At this judgment the saints are not present, except by the record of their lives and in the person of their Advocate, who says, ‘Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands’ (Isaiah 49:16).

“With the conclusion of the investigative judgment our Lord’s service as a priest ceases. Then is fulfilled that which is written in the second Psalm: ‘Ask of Me, and I shall give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel’ (Psalm 2:8, 9).

“For six thousand years the earth has groaned under the burden of sin. She has not enjoyed her sabbaths as she would had sin not entered. Therefore, when the Lord comes, ‘the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy: for He shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land’ (Zephaniah 1:18).

“ ‘Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste. … The land shall be utterly … spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word’ (Isaiah 24:1, 3).

“ ‘I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled’ (Jeremiah 4:25).

“And here it may be said of the whole earth, even as it was of Palestine, ‘Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate’ (Leviticus 26:34).

“This condition continues for a thousand years. The wicked are all dead—slain at the second coming of Christ. The righteous have been taken to heaven, there to reign with Christ a thousand years. During this time the saints sit upon the thrones of judgment; for it is at this time that judgment is given to the people of God. (See Revelation 20:4.)

“If it is asked why to human beings is given such a part in the judgment, we reply, Unquestionably that there may be no lingering doubt in any mind of the righteousness of God. The judgment will leave no question in the mind of any created intelligence as to the justice of divine government. ‘For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops’ (Luke 12:2, 3).

“ ‘Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after’ (1 Timothy 5:24). The sins of those who have turned to the Lord with sincere repentance and confession, go before and are blotted out in the investigative judgment. But the sins that men have clung to, though concealed from their fellow men, are known to God, and in judgment of the wicked they will stand revealed to all loyal intelligences.

“In that day the Christian mother will know why her idolized son is not saved. The God-fearing wife will know why her professedly pious companion is not in the kingdom of heaven.”

The next event is the coming of the Lord from heaven. The text proceeds, “And, behold, I come quickly” (Revelation 22:12). The cases of all the righteous have been settled. Jesus comes to earth, the righteous dead are raised, the living who are tried and true are changed, and all are caught up in the clouds in the air and wing their way to the New Jerusalem in the home of God. The apostle Paul loved to dwell upon these scenes of the triumph of the saints. He writes, “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17).

There will be two resurrections. The first is of the righteous when Christ comes, of which John writes, “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power” (Revelation 20:6).

The second resurrection is of all the wicked of all the ages. “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished” (verse 5). This positively implies that at the end of the thousand years the wicked will be raised.

Judgment of the Wicked

During this thousand years the righteous will be in the courts of heaven engaged with the Father, the Son, and the myriads of holy angels, in the judgment of wicked men and fallen angels. We read, “And I saw thrones, and they [the saints] sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: … and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4). This thousand years of judgment covers the period between the two resurrections—that of the righteous and that of the wicked.

The saints have a prominent part to act in the judgement of the wicked. In Daniel’s vision of the future of God’s people, he saw the time when “judgment was given to the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom” (Daniel 7:22).

And Paul, in reproving those of the Corinthian church who went to law against the brethren, writes, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels [the angels who sinned and were driven out of heaven]? how much more things that pertain to this life” (1 Corinthians 6:2, 3)?

The Executive Judgment

In the end of the thousand years, at the conclusion of the judgment of the wicked, the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven (Revelation 21:2), to become the capital city of the new earth.

Then the wicked dead are raised and come up around the city. And then from His throne, high and lifted up, the great Judge, the Son of God, to whom the Father has committed all judgment (John 5:22), announces the decisions of the heavenly court.

First addressing those upon His right hand, the position of favor, that is, inside the city, He says, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world” (Matthew 25:34).

Then turning to those outside the city, He utters the fearful sentence, “Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (verse 41).

Then follows the execution of the sentence. Filled with madness, the wicked array themselves against the city as though to take it by force. The prophetic record of the scene, as presented to John in vision, says, “And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them” (Revelation 20:9). This is the second death spoken of in Revelation 20:6.

But of the righteous it is written, “When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it” (Psalms 37:34, last part). “Unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 4:2, 3).

“Then, O my Lord, prepare

My soul for that great day;

O, wash me in Thy precious blood,

And take my sins away.”

A Few More Years Shall Roll,
Horatius Bonar, 1842.

Past, Present, and Future, James E. White, ©1909, 393–402.

Contending Churches

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Toward the close of Jesus’ earthly ministry, He cleansed the temple and reminded the leaders of the church, “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Matthew 21:13). We can remember that at the beginning of His earthly ministry, Christ had done a similar work, “… Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise” (John 2:16). Notice carefully that in both instances Jesus used the possessive pronoun “My,” “My house,” “My Father’s house.”

However, in the closing days of His ministry Jesus wept over Jerusalem. He no longer said that the Jewish Church was His or His Father’s house but instead that it was the house of the Jews and their leaders! “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate” (Matthew 23:37, 38). Why was this so? What had happened?

“Israel as a nation had divorced herself from God. The natural branches of the olive tree were broken off. … Hitherto He had called the temple ‘My house’ or ‘My Father’s house,’ but now, as the Son of God should pass out from those walls, God’s presence would be withdrawn forever from the temple built to His glory. Henceforth its ceremonies would be meaningless, its services a mockery.” The Desire of Ages, 620.

Consequently, Jesus established His off-shoot church, the Christian church, the Apostolic church, the Early church. The servant of the Lord wrote the following: “The Jewish leaders thought themselves too wise to need instruction, too righteous to need salvation, too highly honored to need the honor that comes from Christ. The Saviour turned from them to entrust to others the privileges they had abused and the work they had slighted. God’s glory must be revealed, His word established. Christ’s kingdom must be set up in the world. The salvation of God must be made known in the cities of the wilderness; and the disciples were called to do the work that the Jewish leaders had failed to do.” The Acts of the Apostles, 16.

Yet, in spite of the fact that Jesus separated Himself from the then established church and organized His self-supporting church, this action did not abate the wrath of the priests and rulers of Judaism. They did everything in their power to destroy this new church.

That which the Hebrew people were taught, which they had forgotten and failed to practice, was displayed in the life of Jesus while He was among them. His life and teachings formed the bedrock of His new off-shoot church and yet it was not really new.

“In His wandering throughout the country, He urged the people to mend their manner of life. In the spirit of the ancient prophets of Israel, He inveighed (protested) against the exploitation of the poor by the rich, and the stranglehold which formalism seemed in His eyes to be establishing on religion. He taught the fatherhood of God and human brotherhood, the infinite capacity of repentance to secure forgiveness of sin, the possibility of holiness even for the humblest and least learned, the certainty of life everlasting for those whose faith was complete and unquestioning, the equality of the powerful and lowly before the Divine throne.” History of the Jewish People, Cecil Roth, 142.

The author further states, “When He perished upon the cross, it was to be imagined that His influence would die with Him, as was the case with so many of His contemporaries.” Ibid.

 But the resurrection morning made all the difference for His followers. It validated the reality of His new church. Judaism as God’s true church had faded away in the distant past, and confirmed that there is no other name given among men whereby sinners must be saved but by the name of the risen Lord!

We see that, from its inception, the larger population of Christ’s self-supporting Christian church, was predominantly Jewish. Hence Jewish teachings dominated the Jesus movement. While the term, “Jewish Christianity” carries other meanings, the more significant definition refers to the earliest levels of the Christian church, where Christians were those who had been born Jews but had come to accept Jesus as the Messiah/Christ.

Notice carefully that in order for these Jews to receive salvation they had to separate themselves from apostate Judaism, which had been left desolate, and join the new movement. This church was not an entirely new religion but a reshaping of the old Jewish religious system.

The famous historian Augustus Neander wrote, “Christianity was the new creation which had its germ in Judaism. In common with Judaism, it possessed not only the character of a revealed religion, as opposed to the religion of nature in heathenism, but also the basis of a theocracy, and yet it was something entirely new. It was in short a principle which aimed at the transformation of all that existed. The least among those who shared in this new creation was to be greater than the greatest among the prophets. It was at once the dissolution and fulfillment of Judaism. … It would be requisite to see how, while Judaism was to meet with its fulfillment in Christianity, at the same time the distinct religious principle which Judaism had till now maintained was to be dissolved. Christianity must be rightly understood, both in its close connection with the preparatory elements of Judaism, and also in its opposition to the same.” Neander’s Church History, vol. 1, 469, 470.

Because there were two contending church groups, each saying that they were the True Church, the great struggle for many New Testament Jews was to decide which group was in truth God’s church. Yet, it should not have been that difficult to decide, because one group was a fully established, well-recognized church system while the other was just an up-start. In the minds of both the leaders and the people of Judaism, the Jewish church was the “true church” of God and nothing would ever change that fact! The question that they had to answer was, What do we do about this “off-shoot” group? We will annihilate it!

Yet, within the sphere of this new church there were plans for great expansion. Jesus was working silently to help those who were truly sincere to identify His church and decide accordingly. In the providence of God, a Jewish tent-maker named Saul of Tarsus was selected, chosen for this great work of further laying deep the roots of Christianity in the then known world.

Ellen White wrote concerning Saul, “Saul of Tarsus was a Jew, not only by descent, but by the stronger ties of lifelong training, patriotic devotion, and religious faith. Though a Roman citizen, born in a Gentile city, he was educated in Jerusalem by the most eminent of the rabbis, and diligently instructed in all the laws and traditions of the Fathers. Thus he shared, to the fullest extent, the hopes and aspirations, the lofty pride and unyielding prejudice, of his nation. He declares himself to have been ‘a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless’ (Philippians 3:5, 6). He was regarded by the Jewish leaders as a young man of great promise, and high hopes were cherished concerning him as an able and zealous defender of the ancient faith.” Sketches from the Life of Paul, 10.

This man was bitterly opposed to the off-shoot church because he, like many of his contemporaries, was affected by the false teaching which asserted that Judaism was the source and dispenser of salvation. Saul firmly believed that God was obligated to the Jewish people, as well as to their religious system, Judaism. It was a repugnant thought, as far as Saul was concerned that God would reject Judaism and raise up another church to carry on His biddings. Ellen White informs us that “In common with his nation, Saul had cherished the hope of a Messiah who should reign as a temporal prince, to break from the neck of Israel the Roman yoke, and exalt her to the throne of universal empire. He had no personal knowledge of Jesus of Nazareth or of His mission, but he readily imbibed the scorn and hatred of the rabbis toward One who was so far from fulfilling their ambitious hopes; and after the death of Christ, he eagerly joined with priests and rulers in the persecution of His followers as a proscribed and hated sect.” Ibid.

The Holy Scripture states, “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:1–6).

The book, The Acts of the Apostles, pages 123 and 124, brings to our attention this fact: “The news of Paul’s conversion had come to the Jews as a great surprise. He who had journeyed to Damascus ‘with authority and commission from the chief priests’ (Acts 26:12) to apprehend and persecute the believers was now preaching the gospel of a crucified and risen Saviour, strengthening the hands of those who were already its disciples, and continually bringing in new converts to the faith he had once so bitterly opposed.”

It took a direct encounter with Jesus to unshackle Paul’s mind from the false teaching that Judaism was the source of salvation. “With his burning faith, his unquenchable courage, his strong personal fascination, he was an incomparable propagandist. Few Jews have ever influenced the world to the same extent. It was due to him probably more than to any other person that Christianity assumed the form that we now know it, and ultimately swept the world. Paul undertook a succession of missionary journeys to win disciples for the new cause.” History of the Jewish People, 143, 144.

Inspiration tells us that “This wonderful conversion of Saul demonstrates in a startling manner the miraculous power of Christ in convicting the mind and heart of man.” Sketches from the Life of Paul, 27.

As we delve deeper into Paul’s experience, it is quite evident that there was a significant change which took place in Paul’s life. Therefore we need to ask this question: What was Paul converted from and what was he converted to? The answer is clear. After encountering Jesus Christ, the Founder of His new church, Paul gave up Judaism entirely and became a committed member of His self-supporting church and a dedicated follower of Christ. Though it is impossible to state exactly what happened, the central feature of Paul’s conversion was certainly his vision of the risen and exalted Christ. It convinced him that Jesus was risen from the dead and exalted as Lord in heaven, as the Christians claimed. It also was proof that Jesus had been crucified wrongfully. Hence the curse, “… he that is hanged is accursed of God” (Deuteronomy 21:23) did not apply, and His death could be understood as a sacrifice on behalf of humanity.

As an adherent of this unpopular and unrecognized church, Paul was determined to undo the damages he had done to it by putting all his energies to work to further establish the Christian church. Wherever he went to preach the gospel of Christ, he went with the express purpose of establishing self-supporting churches to the honor of Christ. Dr. Philip Schaff records that “The Pauline epistles are pastoral addresses to congregations of his own founding except that of Rome.” History of the Christian Church, vol. 1, 750.

Ellen White also tells us, “It is recorded that Paul labored a year and six months in Corinth. His efforts, however, were not exclusively confined to that city, but he availed himself of the easy communication by land and water with adjacent cities, and labored among them both by letter and personal effort. He made Corinth his headquarters, and his long tarry and successful ministry there gave him influence abroad as well as at home. Several churches were thus raised up under the effort of the apostle and his co-laborers.” Sketches from the Life of Paul, 109.

The apostle Paul established self-supporting churches in Phrygia, Galatia, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Ephesus, Colossae, and Corinth (Acts 15:36–Acts 18).

The question may be asked, Why is it that Paul and his associates had to separate themselves from the established church and raise up self-supporting congregations? Certainly there were occasions when the apostle and his associates were allowed to speak in the synagogues, but the Jewish priests and leaders were moved by envy and jealousy which led them to oppose the teachings of the apostles and shut them out of the synagogues (Acts 13:14–46).

Ellen White wrote, “The synagogues were closed against the apostles; but private houses were thrown open for their use, and public buildings of the Gentiles were also used in which to preach the word of God.” Sketches from the Life of Paul, 51. (See examples of house churches in the New Testament: Acts 8:3; Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 1:2.)

Another question we may ask is, Did the leaders of these new churches have the authority to raise up self-supporting congregations? Yes, “To the early church had been entrusted a constantly enlarging work—that of establishing centers of light and blessing wherever there were honest souls willing to give themselves to the service of Christ.” The Acts of the Apostles, 90.

Inspiration informs us that, “The Jewish leaders had supposed that the work of Christ would end with Him; that when His voice was no longer heard, the excitement would die out, and the people would return to the doctrines and traditions of men. But instead of this, they witnessed the marvelous scenes of the day of Pentecost. The disciples, endowed with a power and energy hitherto unknown, preached Christ to the vast multitude that from all parts of the world assembled at the feast. Signs and wonders confirmed their words; and in the very stronghold of Judaism, thousands openly declared their faith in Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified malefactor, as the promised Messiah.” Sketches from the Life of Paul, 10, 11.

The Scriptures reveal that after the ascension of Christ, the early Christian church grew rapidly and the members of this off-shoot church enjoyed great success. The believers were united (Acts 2:1; Acts 5:12). Multitudes were added to the church daily (Acts 5:14). The Holy Spirit was present both in the lives of the members and in the administration of the church (Acts 2:4; Acts 8:29; Acts 6:1–7; Acts 9:31).

The words of Doctor Luke sum it up correctly, “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold” (Acts 4:32–34). 

“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:46, 47).

In Testimonies, vol. 5, 166, we read, “In the early church Christianity was taught in its purity; its precepts were given by the voice of inspiration; its ordinances were uncorrupted by the device of men. The church revealed the spirit of Christ and appeared beautiful in its simplicity. Its adorning was the holy principles and exemplary lives of its members. Multitudes were won to Christ, not by display or learning, but by the power of God which attended the plain preaching of His word.”

As we have seen, the Jewish church made a fatal mistake by believing and teaching that their church organization was “the true vine.” Consequently, they rejected the Founder of the church who had declared, “… upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Sadly, this is the very same mistake that the Seventh-day Adventist Church organization is making today!

If you and I were living during the time of the early church we would understand even better the animosity that was cherished by the priests, leaders, and members of Judaism towards the off-shoot churches raised up by Jesus and His followers. The one consuming desire of the leaders of the established church system was to destroy all the new churches by whatever means possible, because as they saw them, they were but a farce, a counterfeit, a nuisance. As a matter of fact, the highest honor that a Jew could do to his church organization would be to covertly destabilize and destroy these fanatical, heretical groups. The question therefore that I would like us to ponder is, Is it any different in our day?

The Jewish leaders and their followers did not cease their diabolical purpose during the ministry of Paul. As they saw the success of these new churches led by Paul and the other apostles, it was their settled desire to destroy these leaders just as they had hoped that by crucifying Jesus, by smiting the Shepherd, the sheep would scatter. The Bible tells us, “Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also” (Acts 12:1–3).

The apostle Paul did not understand the psychology of the church system he belonged to. While he was a member, he joined in their destructive work of harming Jesus’ new church, believing he was doing the Lord’s biddings (Acts 9:1, 2). He was an accomplice in the stoning of Stephen, a mighty leader of Jesus’ self-supporting church (Acts 7:58). When Paul finally separated from Judaism, he not only witnessed the animosity and hatred of the Jewish priests, leaders, and people towards the church that Jesus had established, but also towards himself. At times the priests and leaders would relentlessly pursue and do great harm to both its leaders and members. At other times they would prevail upon the civic leaders/officers and citizens to incite them to offend the church of Jesus Christ. (See Acts 9:22, 23; Acts 14:19; Acts 17:5; Acts 21:27–35; Acts 23:12; 2 Corinthians 11:24–26.)

It was Paul who wrote these words: “And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth” (Hebrews 11:36–38).

God’s message to our brothers and sisters in the SDA church organization is found in Mark 9:38–41 and The Desire of Ages, 437, 438. “And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in Thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in My name, that can lightly speak evil of Me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in My name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward” (Mark 9:38–41).

“James and John had thought that in checking this man they had had in view their Lord’s honor; they began to see that they were jealous for their own. They acknowledged their error, and accepted the reproof of Jesus, ‘Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in My name, that can lightly speak evil of Me’ (Mark 9:39). None who showed themselves in any way friendly to Christ were to be repulsed. There were many who had been deeply moved by the character and the work of Christ, and whose hearts were opening to Him in faith; and the disciples, who could not read motives, must be careful not to discourage these souls. When Jesus was no longer personally among them, and the work was left in their hands, they must not indulge a narrow, exclusive spirit, but manifest the same far-reaching sympathy which they had seen in their Master.

“The fact that one does not in all things conform to our personal ideas or opinions will not justify us in forbidding him to labor for God. Christ is the Great Teacher; we are not to judge or to command, but in humility each is to sit at the feet of Jesus, and learn of Him. Every soul whom God has made willing is a channel through which Christ will reveal His pardoning love. How careful we should be lest we discourage one of God’s light bearers, and thus intercept the rays that He would have shine to the world!” The Desire of Ages, 437, 438.

 Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at: 718-882-3900.

The Prayers from Babylon

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Often people feel that God does not hear or answer their prayers. In this article we will see how you can be assured of answered prayer and why the prayers of some people are not answered.

John 9:31 says, “Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.” Proverbs 28:9 says, “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination.” And Psalm 66:18: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.”

God gives a warning message to the people today who are in spiritual Babylon. He says, “ ‘Go forth from Babylon! Flee from the Chaldeans! With a voice of singing, declare, proclaim this, utter it to the end of the earth; say, “The Lord has redeemed His servant Jacob” ’ ” (Isaiah 48:20)!

Jeremiah had a lot more to say about this. “Move from the midst of Babylon, go out of the land of the Chaldeans; and be like the rams before the flocks” (Jeremiah 50:8). “The voice of those who flee and escape from the land of Babylon declares in Zion the vengeance of the Lord our God, the vengeance of His temple” (verse 28).

“Flee from the midst of Babylon, and every one save his life! Do not be cut off in her iniquity, for this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance; He shall recompense her” (Jeremiah 51:6).

“Babylon was a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, that made all the earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; therefore the nations are deranged. … We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed. Forsake her, and let us go everyone to his own country” (verses 7, 9).

And in verse 45, he said, “My people, go out of the midst of her! And let everyone deliver himself from the fierce anger of the Lord.”

These messages recorded in the Old Testament are repeated for the last time in the book of Revelation. The second angel said, “And another angel followed, saying, ‘Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication’ ” (Revelation 14:8).

Even more to the point, Revelation 18:1 to 4 says, “After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory.

“And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, ‘Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury.’ And I heard another voice from heaven saying, ‘Come out of her, My people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.’ ” This by the way is the voice of Jesus Christ, Himself.

We know from these Scriptures that during the end time, the time in which we are living, many of God’s children will be in Babylon and are called to get out of there and go back to Zion or spiritual Jerusalem. Jeremiah says, “You who have escaped the sword, get away! Do not stand still! Remember the Lord afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind” (Jeremiah 51:50).

“ ‘In those days and in that time,’ says the Lord, ‘The children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together; with continual weeping they shall come, and seek the Lord their God. They shall ask the way to Zion, with their faces toward it, saying, “Come and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that will not be forgotten.” My people have been lost sheep, their shepherds have led them astray, they have turned them away on the mountains. They have gone from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place. All who found them have devoured them; and their adversaries said, “We have not offended, because they have sinned against the Lord, the habitation of justice, the Lord, the hope of their fathers” ’ ” (Jeremiah 50:4–7).

The children of Israel, of course, are God’s children, those who make a profession of the Christian faith. There is a lot of confusion within the religious world today regarding the true Israel. However, the Bible makes it clear in Galatians 3:28 and 29 where it says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

All who profess Christianity, whether Jew or non-Jew, are part of spiritual Israel. But to those Jews who refuse to accept Christ, Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it” (Matthew 21:43).

Babylon is going to be destroyed and God’s people, all those who profess Christianity and who are still in Babylon, are called out or they will be destroyed with it.

What does it mean to be in Babylon, and what does it mean to come out? In The Great Controversy, page 384, Ellen White quotes a Presbyterian theologian, Thomas Guthrie, from his book titled The Gospel in Ezekiel, page 237. She wrote, “Concerning the separation of the Presbyterian Church from Rome, Dr. Guthrie writes: ‘Three hundred years ago, our church, with an open Bible on her banner, and this motto, “Search the Scriptures,” on her scroll, marched out from the gates of Rome.’ ” Then he asks the significant question: “Did they come clean out of Babylon?” Notice the word “clean” is in italics in the original. If not, they are still in Babylon.

Adventists have preached that Babylon represents those religious organizations or churches that practice lawlessness and also teach people to break the law of God. The reason for terming these organizations Babylon is because of their violation of the longest commandment, which is found right in the heart of the ten commandments (Exodus 20:3–17).

We read in Jeremiah 50 that in the last days, God’s people are going to flee from Babylon. An important concept to understand is that Babylon, in Bible prophecy, represents a way of life that is in violation with the law of God.

Paul said, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord, ‘Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you’ ” (2 Corinthians 6:14–17).

Then He says, “ ‘I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty” (verse 18).

What is this Babylonian way of life?

Babylon is not just some system or organization, but a way of life that is practiced by it. Some characteristics of Babylon are:

  1. It shows no mercy or consideration to other people. The Bible says, “I was angry with My people, I have profaned My inheritance, and given them into your hand. You showed them no mercy; on the elderly you laid your yoke very heavily” (Isaiah 47:6). James 2:13 says that the person who does not show mercy will not receive mercy.
  2. It is given to pleasure. “Therefore hear this now, you who are given to pleasures, who dwell securely, who say in your heart, ‘I am, and there is no one else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, nor shall I know the loss of children’; But these two things shall come to you in a moment, in one day: the loss of children and widowhood. They shall come upon you in their fullness because of the multitude of your sorceries, for the great abundance of your enchantments” (Isaiah 47:8, 9).

Pleasure itself is not wrong, but there are both righteous and unrighteous pleasures. The Bible talks about people who have pleasure in unrighteousness in 2 Thessalonians 2:9–12.

  1. It is involved in a multitude of sorceries and an abundance of enchantments.

“Stand now with your enchantments and the multitude of your sorceries, in which you have labored from your youth—perhaps you will be able to profit, perhaps you will prevail” (Isaiah 47:12).

Babylon is engaged in pleasure that involves sorcery, which is contact with evil spirits or teachings of the devil.

  1. It is a destroyer of God’s people. “Because you were glad, because you rejoiced, you destroyers of My heritage, because you have grown fat like a heifer threshing grain, and you bellow like bulls” (Jeremiah 50:11).

Also, “As Babylon has caused the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon the slain of all the earth shall fall” (Jeremiah 51:49).

  1. It contends against God’s people. “You have indeed been trapped, O Babylon, and you were not aware; you have been found and also caught, because you have contended against the Lord” (Jeremiah 50:24).
  2. It is full of mixed peoples. “A sword is against their horses, against their chariots, and against all the mixed peoples who are in her midst; and they will become like women. A sword is against her treasures, and they will be robbed” (Jeremiah 50:37).
  3. It made the nations drunk. “Babylon was a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, that made all the earth drunk (with her philosophy). The nations drank her wine; therefore the nations are deranged” (Jeremiah 51:7).
  4. It is very wealthy. Jeremiah 51:13 says, she is “abundant in treasures,” and also, there are several texts that say Babylon is full of covetousness and pride. (See Jeremiah 50:31 and 32.)
  5. It destroys. “ ‘Behold, I am against you [Babylon], O destroying mountain, who destroys all the earth,’ says the Lord. ‘And I will stretch out My hand against you, roll you down from the rocks, and make you a burnt mountain’” (Jeremiah 51:25). Compare this with the second trumpet in Revelation 8 and 9.
  6. It is full of violence. “Let the violence done to me and my flesh be upon Babylon, the inhabitant of Zion will say, ‘and my blood be upon the inhabitants of Chaldea’” (Jeremiah 51:35)!

Verse 46 says, “Lest your heart faint, and you fear the rumor that will be heard in the land (a rumor will come one year, and after that, in another year a rumor will come, and violence in the land, ruler against ruler).”

The characteristics of Babylon can be simply summarized:

  • She is given to pleasures.
  • These pleasures involve sorcery, that is, contact with evil spirits.
  • She is full of violence.

This is contrary to the characteristic of heaven, about which we are told: “Violence shall no longer be heard in the land” (Isaiah 60:18). That being the case, it would eliminate much of the popular entertainment and sports events that so occupy the minds and so much time of the people now. People often spend hours being entertained by things they would never dream of being involved in themselves. Can you imagine Jesus participating and enjoying things that He condemned? We are told that He could not see a wrong act without feeling pain.

We are living in the last days. It is time to quit playing games and think seriously about getting ready for Jesus to come. Many, even though they are part of the remnant church and believe the three angels’ messages, are deceived being mentally still in Babylon. If you enjoy watching sin, then sin still has an attraction for you. You still have the spirit of Babylon and are called to get out.

Sorcery, practiced in its many varied ways, has always been the devil’s religion. It always involves secrecy where only the initiated really know what is going on. People participate in it claiming its innocence.

My dear friend, there are many people who tell us they are Christians preparing for the second coming of Christ while their feet are still planted on the road to destruction. There is much more to getting out of Babylon than leaving some church organization that is disobeying the fourth commandment. The philosophy of Babylon has to be eliminated from the mind in order to be free.

Prayers from those who stubbornly refuse the call of Jesus to come out of Babylon will not be answered. The Bible describes it this way: “Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us’ ” (Luke 23:30)!

Ellen White wrote, “Satan is playing the game of life for their [the youth’s] souls, taking from them the talents that God has given them, and placing in their stead his own evil attributes. It is his effort to lead men to ignore God. He seeks to engross and absorb the mind so completely that God will find no place in the thoughts. He does not wish people to have a knowledge of their Maker, and he is well pleased if he can set in operation games and theatrical performances that will so confuse the senses of the youth that God and heaven will be forgotten.” The Review and Herald, October 3, 1912.

In another writing she said, “There are amusements which we cannot approve, because Heaven condemns them—such as dancing, card-playing, chess, checkers, &c. These amusements open the door for great evil. Their tendencies are not beneficial, but their influence upon the mind is to excite and produce in some minds a passion for those plays which lead to gambling, and dissolute lives. All such plays should be condemned by Christians. Something should be substituted in the place of these amusements. Something can be invented, perfectly harmless.” Ibid., October 8, 1867.

“Card playing should be prohibited. The associations and tendencies are dangerous. The prince of the powers of darkness presides in the gaming room and wherever there is card playing. Evil angels are familiar guests in these places.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 652.

“I cannot believe a true follower of Christ will touch a card for amusement, nor read novels, nor attend balls and theaters. If they have learned of Him who is meek and lowly of heart, they will have disrelish for former pleasures and amusements.” The Review and Herald, February 20, 1866.

O friend, consider the destination for which you are preparing by the choices you make day by day.

“Satan has invented many ways in which to squander the means which God has given. Card-playing, betting, gambling, horse-racing, and theatrical performances are all of his own inventing, and he has led men to carry forward these amusements as zealously as though they were winning for themselves the precious boon of eternal life.” Ibid., March 31, 1896.

“Dancing, as practiced at the present day, is detrimental to the health of soul and body. Theater-going, dancing, card-playing, gambling, inebriety, are all steps in the path of vice and dissipation.” The Signs of the Times, February 23, 1882.

Some years ago, I got much pleasure flying airplanes. After my brother and his family were killed in an airplane crash, my feelings were changed. Flight instructors teach you that your attitude will determine your altitude. The same is true in a spiritual sense, your attitude will determine whether you are heading up or down.

Please do not think that I am teaching that people should not enjoy any recreation or amusements.

Ellen White wrote in 1867, “I saw that our holidays should not be spent in patterning after the world, yet they should not be passed by unnoticed, for this will bring dissatisfaction to our children. On these days when there is danger of our children partaking of evil influences, and becoming corrupted by the pleasures and excitement of the world, let the parents study to get up something to take the place of more dangerous amusements. Give your children to understand you have their happiness and best good in view.

“Let families unite together and leave their occupations which have taxed them physically and mentally, and make an excursion out of the cities and villages a few miles into the country.” The Review and Herald, October 8, 1867.

For optimal health, time must be set aside for recreation and relaxation. As in every life decision, there are choices to be made whether righteous or unrighteous.

Jeremiah 51:50 says, “You who have escaped the sword, get away! Do not stand still! Remember the Lord afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind.” Jerusalem is a word that means, city of peace. Why is Jerusalem at peace? Because the people in Jerusalem keep God’s commandments. Jeremiah 50:20 says, “ ‘In those days and in that time,’ says the Lord, ‘The iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found; for I will pardon those whom I preserve.’ ”

Jerusalem, the city of peace is a desirable place. The devil wants you to believe that it is impossible to reach that state, but it says in Jeremiah 50:20, “ ‘In those days and in that time’ says the Lord, ‘The iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found; for I will pardon those whom I preserve.’ ”

My dear friend, the most important decision you can make while probation is still open and Jesus is calling, is which way you are headed. Be among those people who, in the end, live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)

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