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Cleansing the Soul Temple

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“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple; and He healed them.”
Matthew 21:12–14

Notice that it was after Jesus cleansed the temple, declaring it a house of prayer, that the blind and the lame came into the temple to be healed.

In Counsels on Diets and Foods, 25, Ellen White says, “In order to be purified and to remain pure, Seventh-day Adventists must have the Holy Spirit in their hearts and in their homes.” Keep that in mind. It goes on to say, “The Lord has given me light that when the Israel of today humble themselves before Him, and cleanse the soul temple from all defilement, He will hear their prayers in behalf of the sick.” Then, when we pray, He will hear.

Our churches are inundated with folks who are sick. Apparently our prayers are not being heard in behalf of the sick. Inspiration says, “He will hear their prayers in behalf of the sick, and will bless in the use of His remedies for disease. When in faith the human agent does all he can to combat disease, using the simple methods of treatment that God has provided, his efforts will be blessed of God.” Ibid. That promise is fulfilled when “the soul temple is cleansed from all defilement.”

In the very beginning of Christ’s work, He cleansed the temple (Matthew 21:12). At the end of His work, He said, “Your house is left unto you desolate.” Matthew 23:38.

The first chapter in the book The Ministry of Healing is called “Our Example.” If we are going to conduct evangelistic efforts, and if we are going to live a life according to heaven’s plan, we must pattern ourselves after the Great Gospel Medical Missionary. His example is our example. We need not study any other example but His.

Matthew 10 describes the mission of the church. One thing I learned in more than 30 years of evangelism is that many times we put our little placards out and our announcements, and we hope people will come. But I noticed that before Jesus began to do any public evangelism, He set the pathway; He put together a team.

The worst thing that can be done is to start an effort that cannot be finished. It is the worst thing, to get people excited and then not have any workers to work the field. I remember years ago we planted an acre of watermelon, honeydew melons, and cantaloupe on one of the pieces of property where we are living, about 25 miles from the ministry. Looking down from a helicopter I could see how organized and neat the rows were; it was pretty. That was a lot of effort for two families; what were we thinking? I tell you, the deer had a good time! That experience let me know that we planted far more than what we were able to manage and harvest. So, why start something that cannot be finished? It would be best not to start.

In Matthew 10:1, the Bible says, “And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power.” He gave them what? That word power here means authority. He gave them authority. His own credentials came from God, and He gave this authority to His disciples.

Healing and Religion

Healing and religion are inseparable. My faith, my belief is the very basis of my position in dealing with health, and the two cannot be separated. The State has no right to interfere with that position. The only church that is recognized by the State to practice natural remedies is the Church of Scientology. We are a called people who have been entrusted with the saving truths that this world needs, and part of our religious experience is the ministry of healing. But legally we cannot carry out a health work apart from being licensed as allopathic doctors. Every religion has a healing message, whether it is Hindu, Buddhism or Confucius. Because we have been running a facility for years in the state of Tennessee, I have studied the laws pertaining to that state. The law they call “alternative medicine,” or naturopathy or naturopathic medicine says, “Anyone using sunlight, water, botanical plants, that has not been licensed is subject to a $500.00 fine every time they practice this.” Sunlight, exercise, water—those are part of the eight laws of health! The ministry we operated in Florida had to be closed down in Lake City, because just to talk about or tell a person to eat fruit, grains, nuts, and vegetables was against the law.

God has given the church the mission; notice what the Bible says: “He gave them power [authority] against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.” Matthew 10:1. The same God that called those twelve is the same God living today. “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach [that is the gospel], saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand, Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” Verses 5–8.

Jesus said to preach the gospel and heal the sick. The mission of the church is to carry out the gospel connected with the health message. The health message is not the gospel, but it is the right arm. The arm is useless without a body! God has given this church spiritual gifts, as listed in I Corinthians 12:1–11, and specifically the gift of healing (verse 9). But most of us don’t believe those gifts; we have been falsely educated believing that this work is entrusted only to those who have been qualified as a physician.

Everyone should understand this house that God has built, your body, and the natural laws that govern it. The health message breaks down prejudices. At Missionary Education and Evangelistic Training (M.E.E.T.) Ministry, Huntingdon, Tennessee, we talk about movements. When you don’t have a movement, biologically, you become constipated. We belong to a movement, and all who are not moving are going to become spiritually constipated, which creates an environment for bacteria to grow. The Adventist Church is not only a church, not just another denomination, but we are also a movement. We have to be about God’s business.

There is going to be trouble in the land, much more than there is today, so pray. God has given the church the tools, the gift of healing, to preach the gospel with the medical missionary work. This is true healing based on faith, not to be mistaken by a false faith healing practiced by some popular churches today.

“And it came to pass on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before Him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude.” Luke 5:17–19

There was such a crowd of people that the man’s friends were blocked from bringing him in to Jesus. We too sometimes can crowd people out by our attitudes, with our thinking, with our lifestyle and other things that can prevent people from coming to Jesus. But this man’s friends did not give up, and they took the palsied man to the rooftop where they tore the roof open so they could let him down to Jesus. The Bible says Jesus looked up and saw their faith (verses 19, 20). This means I can bear up my own family, my community, my church, my wife or whoever, in the arms of my faith, and I can present them to Jesus and give Him the prerogative to divinely intervene in their lives.

I am here today as the result of my own mother bearing me up in the arms of her faith. And I remember one of my former workers that had been with us 14 years, and she prayed for her mother for 30 years to come into this message. She finally accepted the truth a little while before she died. Do not give up! If you have the faith of Jesus Christ, do not get anxious or sick over those folk, but bear them up in arms of faith, especially if they are old and you cannot preach to them anymore. Live the life yourself, bearing them up in your arms of faith, and watch God do something miraculous. Like my mother used to pray, “God, save the boy. Whatever it takes, save the boy.” And God sure did a work on me. My knees got weak, old arthritis moved in and stopped me cold. Did God answer my mother’s prayer? Yes He did, when He saw her faith.

“And when He saw their faith, He said unto him, ‘Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.’ ” Verse 20. Now understand this, healing and forgiveness go hand in hand, because sickness is the result of sin. This is not to say that you might have committed an act of injustice to bring it about. If there was no sin, there would be no cancer and no diabetes. So my focus as a medical missionary is to see people get well, but what good does it do for man to be free from sickness, and go to hell? God is not in the business of making healthy sinners. He wants to save people.

Now notice this in verse 21: “And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” Now remember, the presence of God was there to heal, and here are leaders reasoning in their heart, questioning Jesus’ authority. They are about ready to impede the healing process. “But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?” Verses 22, 23.

I ask the same question to you. Which is easier for Jesus to do? To say, “Thy sins be forgiven thee,” or “pick up thy bed and walk”? Sin, healing and forgiveness are all tied together. There is nothing too hard for God. In order to have healing, there has to be forgiveness. So the Pharisees began to reason in their heart, because they were not in the same place that Jesus was. They were trying to prevent the healing, and that’s what takes place in the church. There are those who question the authority of God, and that often prevents the healing.

We have people who simply do not believe, who question, or who say, “That does not work,” or “God did not say that. You cannot use this; that is not of God.” No Scripture reasons are offered, just opinions. But we do not base our moves on opinions. It must be, “Thus saith the Lord.” It is not, “Thus saith the church” or “Thus saith the state.” It is only “Thus saith the Lord.”

Jesus Casts out the Evil Spirit

In Mark 9:17–25 it says, “And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto Thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to Thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. He answereth him and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto Me. And they brought him unto Him: and when he saw Him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And He asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if Thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.’ ” Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.” And we understand the story how it ended.

In verses 28, 29 it says, “And when He was come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And He said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but prayer and fasting.” Prayer and fasting. Healing crisis. We are holding on to known sin in our lives; we are not communing with God; we are sinners. The power of God is in every occasion such as this present to heal. God said in Matthew that, “My house shall be called the house of prayer.” He was quoting Isaiah 56:7. There is power in prayer. We need to become men and women of prayer. Less talking and more prayer and we will find there is healing power.

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye might be healed.” Now notice what the Bible says: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16. What kind of man? When we think of a righteous man, we think about a person who is living up to the light. We are not talking about a person who is holding on to known sins.

In the work that we are called to do, we cannot afford to have our prayers not heard in behalf of the people with whom we are dealing. I must take inventory of my own life. Lord, search my heart and see if there is any sin in me. Know my thoughts; Father, I do not want my prayers to be hindered. (See Psalm 139:24; I Peter 3:7.)

“Satan is enraged at the sound of fervent prayer, for he knows that he will suffer loss.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 295. If we want to shake Satan’s kingdom, let us be men and women of fervent prayer. When God flooded the earth with water, the devil feared for his life. By fervent prayer we will transfer our anxiety from us to Him.

God Restores

“God is just as willing to restore the sick to health now as when the Holy Spirit spoke these words [Psalm 107:17–20] through the psalmist. And Christ is the same compassionate physician now that He was during His earthly ministry. In Him there is healing balm for every disease, restoring power for every infirmity. His disciples in this time are to pray for the sick as verily as the disciples of old prayed. And recoveries will follow; for ‘the prayer of faith shall save the sick’ [James 5:15]. We have the Holy Spirit’s power, the calm assurance of faith, that can claim God’s promises. The Lord’s promise, ‘They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover’ (Mark 16:18), is just as trustworthy now as in the days of the apostles.” The Ministry of Healing, 226.

We are still living in the days of the apostles. We are His people, and there needs to be power in God’s church. We should become the head and not the tail. And once again, we can bear them up in the arms of our faith.

“It presents the privilege of God’s children, and our faith should lay hold of all that it embraces. Christ’s servants are the channel of His working, and through them He desires to exercise His healing power.” Through whom? Through us! He didn’t say through just certain people, He said, “Through them He desires to exercise His healing power. It is our work to present the sick and suffering to God in the arms of our faith. We should teach them to believe in the Great Healer.

“The Saviour would have us encourage the sick, the hopeless, the afflicted, to take hold upon His strength. Through faith and prayer the sickroom may be transformed into a Bethel.” Ibid.

Keep it Simple and Live It

I tell our staff at our little lifestyle center that’s why we keep it small and simple. I tell them it is not just about the herbs, it is not about the fever bath, it is not about all that we cleanse. As soon as clients walk on these grounds, they should know that they are in the presence of God. And when you walk into that room, they should sense the presence of God with you. It is not your herbs, it is not your vitamins, it is the Spirit that empowers you, and we have seen results of that, whether they are Jehovah’s Witnesses, whether they are atheists, they come out of that place serving God.

That is the key. Every facility should become a Bethel, and those people who minister are the ones that make it that way. You can have all the experience, all the medical techniques, and all the herbs, but if the spirit of God is not working, it avails nothing. “The prayer of faith will move the arm of God.” The Signs of the Times, September 4, 1879. When God’s arm moves, all heaven and earth have got to shake; then you tell me, if my prayer can move the arm of God, nothing is impossible.

Prayer the Key

The prayer life of Jesus was in constant communing with God. He could not function without communing with His Father. It was not two-minute prayers. He agonized; He stayed there; it was a dialog with God, and He was embraced. That is the prayer life that we all need, an intense prayer life. And you know what hinders our prayers? If we regard iniquity in our heart, if we have ought against a brother over anything, God will not hear our prayers (Psalm 66:18).

We need to be cleansed, for judgment first begins at the house of God. God wants to remove every encumbrance. We are living in the great Day of Atonement when our sins are by confession and repentance to go beforehand to judgment. God does not now accept a tame spiritless testimony from His ministers, for such a testimony would not be present truth. The message for this time must be meat in due season to feed the church of God. But Satan has been seeking gradually to rob this message of its power that the people may not be prepared to stand in the Day of the Lord.

At this time, while we are living in the antitypical day of atonement, Christ has come into His temple; He wants to cleanse the temple from all that separates us from God—our sins, jealousy, murmuring—so we can be one with Him. He will purify the sons of Levi as silver (Malachi 3:1–3). It takes fire and water to purify silver. God says He wants to purify you, He wants to see a reflection of Himself in you.

“When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 69. Christ is looking for the picture of Himself in you. He’s not looking so much for many more buildings to be erected, but for a portrait of Himself in you.

Leper Cleansed

“And it came to pass, when He was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought Him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” Luke 5:12. When the leper said to Jesus, “If thou wilt,” he said, “Jesus, You can choose to make me clean, if You want to.” He didn’t ask, “Is it possible?” He said, “Lord, You can make me clean.” So we need to understand that God can make us clean, and we know it is His will.

I want you to notice something in verse 13: “And He put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.” How long did it take for Jesus to cleanse the leper? He did it immediately. I hope we can get this point.

Of all the diseases to which mankind is heir, there is none more loathsome than leprosy. I remember seeing a documentary on a leper colony. We saw a leper smoking his cigarette and fire was burning his finger, but the man could not feel the fire. Leprosy gets to the very nerves and desensitizes. The individual lives for years with this dread disease slowly eating away portions of his body until he longs for death as a relief. The trials we experience are nothing compared to that. From the earliest times, leprosy has been a type of sin. It is a very fitting type. It is of that loathsome spiritual disease which destroys the soul.

When God’s voice speaks to us, or when the word of God convicts us, and we say, “Not now, Lord,” every time we violate our conscience it becomes dead, dead, dead. Sin eats us away while we do not even feel it. It is not safe to ignore the voice of God. Leprosy is a very contagious disease and everything the leper touches is contaminated. Sin is also a dreadful disease and the earth, the air, and the water are all cursed by its touch. It affects our flesh, our garments, and our home. Leprosy affects every aspect of our lives. In the book of Jude 23, it says that we have spots in our flesh—selfishness, pride; flesh deals with our character, who we are. Therefore, this leprosy of sin, affects our moral disposition. It contaminates our whole life.

Leprosy a Type of Jealousy

We read in Numbers 12:1–15 the story of Miriam the sister of Moses. The illustration here is of her complaining and murmuring that caused her to become leprous. So, leprosy is a type of jealousy and murmuring. God will not hear our prayers in behalf of the sick while ever we suffer with the leprosy of sin. He wants to cleanse us first and then use us to help others.

Leprosy a Type of Covetousness

We find in II Kings 5:1–27 the story of Naaman who was a leper. The prophet Elisha told him to go and dip in the Jordan seven times, and he came out whole. Elisha refused the payment that Naaman offered him, but not Elisha’s covetous servant who caught up with Naaman, lied and accepted gifts on Elisha’s behalf. The gifts did him no good. Leprosy is a type of covetousness. If we are holding on to covetousness desiring something that does not belong to us, we have leprosy.

In Leviticus 13:45, the leper had to go around and put his hand over his mouth, meaning that the very breath that he breathed was contaminated. Our words, if we are not careful how we speak, can hurt somebody, because life and death is in the tongue.

It is our tongue, our words, our influence that are contagious. They affect the whole person. Our tongues and our whole lives need to be cleansed. God wants to remove the leprosy out of our characters, move into our body temples and bring healing so He can hear our prayers.

Jesus said, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9. Do not continue to hold on to known sin, such as pride, selfishness, self-exaltation, or any resentment but pray, “Father turn the tables; please, cleanse this temple so I can become a house of prayer. I want my life to be a dwelling place.”

Cleansing the Leper

Two birds were to be taken to the priest. One was to be killed in an earthen vessel over water and the other was to be dipped in the blood before being set free. (See Leviticus 14:4–7). The bird that was set free represents you and me, dipped in the blood of that dead bird which represents Jesus. The work of Christ in cleansing the leper from his terrible disease is an illustration of His work in cleansing the soul from sin. The man who came to Jesus was full of leprosy, and the deadly poison permeated his whole body. The disciples sought to prevent their Master from touching him, for he who touched a leper became unclean himself. But in laying His hands upon the leper, Jesus received no defilement. His touch imparted life-giving power, and the leper was cleansed.

Thus it is with the leprosy of sin which is deep-rooted and deadly and impossible to be cleansed by human power. “The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores.” Isaiah 1:5, 6.

Now notice this: “But Jesus, coming to dwell in humanity, receives no pollution. His presence has healing virtue for the sinner. Whoever will fall at His feet, saying in faith, ‘Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean,’ shall hear the answer, ‘I will; be thou made clean’ [Matthew 8:2, 3].” The Desire of Ages, 266.

This statement is so dear to my heart. It says, “In some instances of healing, Jesus did not at once grant the blessing sought. But in the case of leprosy, no sooner was the appeal made than it was granted. When we pray for earthly blessings, the answer to our prayer may be delayed, or God may give us something other than we ask, but not so when we ask for deliverance from sin.” Ibid.

You can pray for a car, for a van, for a house, and God may say, “Wait,” but when it comes down to sin in our life, God does not wait. He is ready to answer instantly.

“It is His will to cleanse us from sin, to make us His children, and to enable us to live a holy life. Christ ‘gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.’ [Galatians 1:4].” Ibid.

We can be made whole. God will hear our prayers.

Thomas Jackson is a health evangelist and Director of Missionary Education and Evangelistic Training (M.E.E.T.) Ministry in Huntingdon, Tennessee. He may be contacted by email at: godsplan@meetministry.org or by telephone at: 731-986-3518.

My Journey for Jesus

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It was about twelve years after being baptized in 1977 that I heard about our incredible health message. I had become a vegetarian when I joined the church, but did not understand how much more there was to learn. Giving up meat was one thing, but I still used some processed foods, sometimes eating cakes, pies, ice cream, chocolate, cheese and many other “so called” tasty treats. I had no idea about the laws of health.

Accompanied by my husband Peter, we attended some Country Living Seminars run by some dedicated Seventh-day Adventist folk. Some of these people had started up simple health clinics where they were helping people with lifestyle changes and natural remedies. This is when we learned about the Adventist health message. Immediately we became vegan vegetarians. Leaving behind all the little indulgences, we started to eat whole plant foods, avoiding refined foods and all unhealthy fats. Cheese was very hard to let go for my German born husband. I became fascinated with this totally new way of preparing food, reading as much as I could about natural health and healing. There was so much to learn. Choosing to eat only two meals each day and experiencing the benefits, we have done this ever since. Peter encouraged me that if I was really interested in learning about this, I needed to take a course and get some specific training. There being no such training available in the area I live in, Australia, created some difficulty. So, unable to train at an institution, I searched for a correspondence course, which on completion, enabled me to become a Christian natural health instructor.

It was not long after that I rallied some of the members of my small church, and we began to teach the eight laws of health while running vegan vegetarian cooking programs in our community. I have been teaching these for many years now, and they have developed into a program I call Natural Home Remedy classes which have become quite popular. We show how poultices can act in so many different ways by using simple things like potato, charcoal, cabbage, onions, garlic, comfrey and slippery elm, to help heal many of their health problems.

One lady was excited when, after coming to our class, she used a potato poultice to heal a leg ulcer on her neighbour’s elderly mother. Usually leg ulcers are hard to heal, but with persistence, as well as alternating different poultices, it healed in about four months. People love to be shown simple remedies for common ailments like coughs, asthma, bronchitis and earache. One man tried the cayenne poultice on his gout and was healed after three applications. The class is shown how to break up tumours and cysts using castor oil. The poultice session always amazes people. They cannot believe that such simple remedies actually work. I have countless testimonies of people who have used these remedies and have been helped by them.

As these programs were being shared I realized that a newsletter was needed to advise the folk when additional programs would be running. So, the Back to Eden Health Newsletter was started with the aim of sharing this wonderful health message, educating people, sharing healthy recipes (I have published my own recipe book), providing information and suggesting ways to improve their health. The quarterly newsletter is primarily designed for those starting out on their new lifestyle journey.

This program grew and people began to call, asking me to share in their communities. More ideas were sought after and different programs have been developed. With such an interest in poultices, more have been added—bentonite clay, aloe vera, honey, epsom salts, sodium bicarbonate, coconut oil, skin brushing, olive oil and honey and more. Sharing the testimonies of those who have used these remedies makes it easy to interweave into the presentation how God has placed healing properties in many of these simple remedies. As they are used by faith, He blesses them.

Another interest began and I became very interested in the use of herbs, so I enrolled in Dr. Christopher’s School of Health, obtaining the Nutritional Herbologist Certificate. It is such a pleasure to share with others how simple garden weeds can be used to supplement health, taken either internally or used as poultices. God has placed healing properties in many simple garden herbs and others that grow wild. We have shown many how to make green drinks using edible green plants or weeds from their garden, which are simple and inexpensive yet very healthy.

Other classes are conducted for sourdough bread-making, how to make sprouts and kefir, ointments and oils while introducing the health laws from the Bible. This involves how we, as Seventh-day Adventists, have been given a health message, and science is now validating what we have been teaching for over 150 years.

Another program that remains very popular is teaching how to use simple hydrotherapy treatments for conditions such as migraines, pleurisy, period pains and insomnia, to mention just a few. One very impressive treatment is the hot and cold fomentations on the back to relieve severe back pain. We have some incredible experiences of people with debilitating back pain who, after being treated, the pain is either lessened considerably or relieved completely.

What an incredible health message we have. I have a burden to share this with others, because I know many Seventh-day Adventists do not realize or appreciate the wonderful health message we have. It is so much more than just becoming a vegetarian. God has given us this message so that we all can become home medical missionaries and help to relieve pain and suffering in those around us. I want to encourage people to start where they are. God has placed all of us in circumstances that are unique to ourselves. We all need to know and become competent in using these remedies on our families and ourselves and then share them with neighbours and friends. The sick and suffering are everywhere. God calls us to start sharing what we know. I have experienced how He takes us as we are and increases our talents as we use what we have.

Some think that one day a cure will be found for cancer and disease. They are looking for an elusive discovery and think this will end their health problems. They do not realise that God has already given the cure to us—we call them the eight laws of health. I love the counsel God has given our church through Ellen White. Yet some seem to think that keeping these laws of health are optional. The more I study and learn about our health message, the more I am convicted that we will be blessed with good health if we follow it very carefully. God wants those who are waiting for the Lord’s return to be health reformers. “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” III John 1:2 NKJV.

I know God has blessed during these years. Currently I am involved in teaching a weekly class for a group of about fifteen, one cooking program a month, plus other special programs when I am invited. Has this been easy? Not always. For many of these programs I must do most of the advertising and organizing as well as speaking. Sometimes a few friends and my husband will help. Why do I continue? I am doing it for Christ, and He has asked us to share what we know with others.

We have all been given a commission. “And we should teach others how to preserve and to recover health. For the sick we should use the remedies, which God has provided in nature, and we should point them to Him who alone can restore. It is our work to present the sick and suffering to Christ in the arms of our faith. We should teach them to believe in the Great Healer. We should lay hold on His promise, and pray for the manifestation of His power. The very essence of the gospel is restoration, and the Saviour would have us bid the sick, the hopeless, and the afflicted take hold upon His strength.” The Desire of Ages, 824.

“The Lord has a work for women as well as for men. They may take their places in His work at this crisis, and He will work through them. If they are imbued with a sense of their duty, and labor under the influence of the Holy Spirit, they will have just the self-possession required for this time. The Saviour will reflect upon these self-sacrificing women the light of His countenance, and will give them a power that exceeds that of men. They can do in families a work that men cannot do, a work that reaches the inner life. They can come close to the hearts of those whom men cannot reach. Their labor is needed.” (Emphasis supplied.) Welfare Ministry, 145.

Kaye Sehm lives with her husband in Albury, NSW Australia. She loves sharing our wonderful health message by running seminars and cooking schools promoting the way to health. She also presents classes on the many simple home remedies God has given us. Visit Kaye’s website www.kayesrecipesandremedies.com or contact her by email at: backtoeden@aapt.net.au.

The Key to Salvation

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“Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a High Priest, Who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and Who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.”

Hebrews 8:1, 2.

The book of Hebrews is going to be the basis of this study. Reading this book with a new and stirring understanding of the “everlasting covenant” made by God the Father and Jesus “from the foundation of the world,” the book has taken on intense new life, as if rather than seeing through a mirror darkly, I am seeing and understanding the message, “face to face” (Hebrews 13:20; The Desire of Ages, 637; I Corinthians 13:12). The historical background to the book of Hebrews is very interesting. This book was written by Saul of Tarsus, a Greek Jew, a very Jew of Jews, by his own admission and statement, and blameless when it came to Pharisaical laws. Saul was young. He was a brilliant student. He was thoroughly educated in the Old Testament scripture and had a strict upbringing in the Jewish Pharisaical traditions of the day. He was also a fierce persecutor of the followers of Jesus … until …

In union with the rest of the Jewish leaders, (Saul) “Paul had vainly looked for a Messiah to deliver the nation from the bondage of foreign kings.” Sketches from the Life of Paul, 257.

“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., 10.

But then came a day, a momentous, earth-shattering day in Saul’s life. He met Jesus, the Jesus he had been persecuting in the form of His followers. And in that moment Paul learned the lesson of a lifetime.

For 4,000 years, ever since the entrance of sin into this world, people had lived with a promise of hope, a promise of reconciliation with God. This promise, this plan, was given many different names, including the covenant and the plan of redemption.

From the fall of Adam when mankind was given “the first intimation of redemption … in the sentence pronounced upon Satan in the garden” (Patriarchs and Prophets, 371), God sought to communicate this plan, this covenant, with His beloved creation. The angels taught Adam and Eve, and the patriarchs and prophets of this plan. God illustrated the covenant through the sacrificial system of the patriarchs, and then later through the earthly sanctuary. Those early men and women who understood this plan accepted it, as Hebrews 9 says, by faith. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” Hebrews 11:1, 2.

In order for this plan, this covenant, to be fulfilled, to be effective, to work for these ancients, the one true sacrifice must be made. Until the moment that it was made, the covenant was not secure. The ancients understood this situation. Yet, by faith, they believed.

If we take the Bible at its word as the infallible word of God as they did, Jesus could have failed in His mission. If He had failed in the smallest particular, then where would this covenant, this plan of redemption, be? These men of old understood this situation, and by faith, accepted the promise of a Redeemer. For 4,000 years, the patriarchal sacrifices, and later the earthly sanctuary, pointed to this one great event in history, not only in our world but in the entire universe. For 4,000 years men of faith looked forward to the securing of this great covenant, through the offering of the One true sacrifice. These great men of old understood the covenant. They understood that Jesus had to leave the heavenly courts. They knew that He had to live and die as a man and as God. Until He did, this promised remedy to the grim problem of sin, this covenant, was not secure. It would take nothing less than Jesus’ death to ratify it and make it forever unfailing.

When Paul met Jesus of Nazareth on that momentous day, he, in those moments, was taught of God, and through tracing down the history of the Jewish prophecies realized that the moment of final, total, irrevocable victory, the securing of the promised covenant, came when Jesus cried, “It is finished” (John 19:30). The promise of redemption was now irrevocable. In Jesus’ death and resurrection, Paul now recognizes the fulfillment of the hopes, the faith, the anticipation of the prophets of old. In this revelation, Paul is electrified. The promise, the covenant, the plan of redemption is secure.

No longer is it to be accepted by faith as something in the future. The True Sacrifice has been made. The covenant is secure. Paul cannot contain himself. The book of Hebrews is a pouring out of joyous celebration, and a powerful exhortation to the Jews that the man they condemned and crucified as a criminal was indeed the “Lamb of God,” verily “God in the flesh” (The Desire of Ages, 385, 311), the Messiah to which they had looked with eager anticipation, and even further, their only hope of salvation and eternal life.

Paul iterates and reiterates throughout the book that now Jesus is in the true sanctuary in heaven. No longer need they look to the future through the symbols of the sacrificial services. No longer need they go through the earthly priest as mediator for their sins. The one true mediator has made the ultimate sacrifice and is now, in person, in reality in the heavenly sanctuary, pleading their case before the Father in heaven.

I think it is difficult for us to realize the import of what Paul experienced, and the intensity of interest that he has in gaining the understanding of his countrymen, his friends and colleagues of this vital truth. Over and over he speaks of Jesus, the true High Priest, the true mediator, the One “sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven” (Hebrews 1:3). This theme recurs throughout the book.

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1–3.

“For this reason He had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.” Hebrews 2:17, 18. Just a note here, it says “that He might make atonement.” It was not done at the cross; it was still future.

“Therefore, since we have a great High Priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14–16. “Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, He confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain [into the Most Holy Place], where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a High Priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:16–20.

“Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest truly meets our need—One who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself.” Hebrews 7:23–27.

“Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a High Priest, Who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and Who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being. Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this One also to have something to offer. If He were on earth, He would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. … But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which He is Mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.” Hebrews 8:1–6. And there are so many more.

But from these few, you can understand the fervency and intensity of Paul’s words. Paul “got it”; like the quote shared at the beginning, he knew that, “The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every other in the whole book clusters, is the redemption plan, the restoration in the human soul of the image of God.” Education, 125. And Paul wants his friends to understand. Over and over he presents Jesus as the way to salvation, the One and only true High Priest, the One true sacrifice. Over and over he states that no longer need people offer earthly sacrifices for their sins. Jesus is in heaven and now they can go directly to Him. Now, says Paul, is the reality. Now everything that has been promised for 4,000 years is certain, is secure. The true sacrifice has been made, and the covenant has been ratified. It is secure. Can you imagine the import of that message to Paul and to the Jews of his time?

At one time Paul exhorts his fellow believers saying, “We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!” Hebrews 5:11, 12. We do not want that message to be true also of us.

We need to grasp the depth of this message. Oh, how I believe if we grasped how truly profound this message really is, if we lived it, breathed it, believed it as Paul did, this message would, as Acts 17:6 KJV, says, turn “the world upside down.” For as surely as the Bible says it, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 KJV.

“The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every other in the whole book clusters, is the redemption plan, the restoration in the human soul of the image of God. From the first intimation of hope in the sentence pronounced in Eden to that last glorious promise of the Revelation, ‘They shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads’ (Revelation 22:4), the burden of every book and every passage of the Bible is the unfolding of this wondrous theme—man’s uplifting—the power of God, ‘which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ I Corinthians 15:57.

“He who grasps this thought has before him an infinite field for study. He has the key that will unlock to him the whole treasure house of God’s word.” Education, 125, 126.

I entreat you today to learn this message and to share it with this sin-sick world that is steeped in misery and woe without the knowledge of a Saviour. Because indeed, “We do have such a High Priest, Who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and Who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.”

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

Brenda Douay is a staff member of Steps to Life. She may be contacted by email at: brendadouay@stepstolife.org.

The Science of Salvation

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Throughout the Spirit of Prophecy there are 181 statements about the science of salvation.

Science refers to a system of acquiring knowledge and uses observation and experimentation to describe and explain natural phenomena. It is very exacting and very particular and follows a certain set of rules and gets the same result each time. The meaning of the word salvation is being saved. So, from what are we being saved? Here are some of the things that you are being saved from and the result:

  • saved from sin—receive purity of life
  • saved from suffering—receive health
  • saved from the things of this world—receive heaven
  • saved from Satan—receive Jesus
  • saved from the troubles of this earth—receive peace

The basis of the science of salvation is summed up this way: “Christ crucified, Christ risen, Christ ascended into the heavens, Christ coming again.” Gospel Workers, 159.

This science of Christ crucified, Christ risen and Christ ascended into heaven should be constantly in the forefront of our minds and the subject of our conversation. A little time spent contemplating on the love of the Father and what Christ went through for us, and His crucifixion, would soften our hearts and keep us from sinning.

I remember an illustration I heard a long time ago that I have often pondered. If there was some sin that you really wanted to commit and Jesus was standing there and He said to you, “You go ahead and do that, but first pound these nails into my hands,” could you do that? If it became a reality to us that Jesus suffered this way at the crucifixion, it would prevent us from many sins that we so easily fall into. We are told in Hebrews 12:1, “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.” The only way that can become a reality is if we stop and contemplate what Christ suffered to help us overcome sin.

One of the first things in the science of salvation is to get a sense of what salvation costs. It cost the life of the Son of God. Christ suffered the cruelest death. When we contemplate that and realize it was because of love—He loves us and He wants us to be saved—that He did this. He has given guidelines to follow for our safety, and living in accordance with them, we are sure of our safety. If we take Christ into our lives and have Him the bulwark against sin, we can be sure that we can overcome. Christ’s death freed us from the condemnation of sin, but that is not the end of the story. He also was risen. Besides the sorrow there is a great joy. There is the great promise and the great understanding that because He was raised, we also will be raised. If we are faithful and accept Him into our lives so that His suffering and crucifixion free us from sin, then when He comes again and raises those who have gone to sleep and saves those who are still alive, we will be among that group. That is the goal of each one of us, and that really is salvation. This is the science of salvation working when we are saved in that way. Then we talk about Christ when He ascended into heaven. That is where faith comes in—we have to believe that He is really up there, sitting at the right hand of God. It takes faith to believe He is there for us and hears every prayer. Each thing that we think and do is part of the life of Christ. His thoughts are always on His people that He paid for at such a cost. The great goal of His life and the goal of heaven is to have each one of us saved and to be with Him for eternity. If we are going to reach that goal, we must follow Him in the steps He has taken. We will have to accept Him as a personal being in our lives. If we can sense the presence of Christ in our lives, it will prevent us from falling into sin and temptation. We constantly need to remember that Jesus is real, and if we ask, His presence will be with us at all times. The goal of each Christian is to live the life with Jesus and for Jesus, to experience this wonderful gift from heaven that we may become like Him. By beholding Christ we will be like Him (II Corinthians 3:18).

That Christ was crucified for our sins should humble every soul. Remember, humility does not mean you are down there crawling on the ground. Humility means you accept what comes to you as coming from the Lord and react to it as Jesus would react to it. Each one of us needs that humble experience, and we need to come close to Him.

There is a description in the little book, Education, 263, that helps us realize what Jesus has done for you and me. It says, “Those who think of the result of hastening or hindering the gospel think of it in relation to themselves and to the world. Few think of its relation to God. Few give thought to the suffering that sin has caused our Creator. All heaven suffered in Christ’s agony; but that suffering did not begin or end with His manifestation in humanity. The cross is a revelation to our dull senses of the pain that, from its very inception, sin has brought to the heart of God. Every departure from the right, every deed of cruelty, every failure of humanity to reach His ideal, brings grief to Him. When there came upon Israel the calamities that were the sure result of separation from God—subjugation by their enemies, cruelty, and death—it is said that ‘His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.’ ‘In all their affliction He was afflicted: … and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old.’ Judges 10:16; Isaiah 63:9.”

Ellen White contemplates that from the very inception of sin Christ has suffered the act of crucifixion. He suffers for each sin and for each sinner. And when you think of the suffering that goes on in heaven, we should do all we can to finish this work so that suffering can be brought to an end.

When our names are brought up in heaven, in the judgment, those for whom He has forgiven sins, He holds up His hands before God and says, “My blood, My blood” for that sinner. And He goes through the feeling of the crucifixion all over again. If we once realize what sin has cost heaven and is costing this earth, we will want to be done with it and completely take it out of our lives, and that really is the science of salvation—the overcoming of every sin and having our hearts prepared for that great day that the Lord has planned for us. He has something planned for each one, and if you disappoint Him, it hurts. It hurts deeply. If you think that sometimes you are disappointed on this earth, you know how it can hurt, but the heart of God, as much more great, as much more wonderful as He is to us, that much more He suffers.

Each one of us should be striving for the goal. The foundation of all true science is found in the Bible. And the science of salvation should be the basis for our study. The Bible is the mine where we search for the riches of Christ. And so the foundation for the science of salvation can be found in this Word and all of these promises are true. And all of these promises are for you and for me. If we would remember the promises and remember what Jesus has gone through for us, our lives can soon be perfected in such a way that we will be ready to go home with Him. That is the ultimate result of the science of salvation—that our lives are a perfect mirror of the life of Christ. He is waiting, longing for His character to be reflected perfectly in His church; then He will come. (See Christ’s Object Lessons, 69.)

Contemplate and think upon Jesus watching down here, trying to help us and in His longing, He loves us with a love that is greater than anything on earth; if we contemplate that soon He is going to take us up there and we will see Him face to face, we soon will have the wonderful experience of realizing the love of God.

All that He requires of us is to take Him into our lives. He will purify us, and soon we will be ready to go home. That is the great goal for which we are living.

Ruth Grosboll, matriarch of Steps to Life, lived a long life in the service of her Master. She served as a missionary nurse in Myanmar, formerly Burma. In her later years she held the position of receptionist and correspondent at Steps to Life Ministry, blessing many people with her heartfelt, encouraging letters. She is sadly missed to this day.

Lives of Unfaithfulness

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There are hundreds of millions of people in the world today, and have been in times past, who believe there is an infallible church. But, there is no such thing.

The first church I have studied about in history that believed this was the Jewish church. “The Jewish people cherished the idea that they were the favorites of heaven, and that they were always to be exalted as the church of God. They were the children of Abraham, they declared, and so firm did the foundation of their prosperity seem to them that they defied earth and heaven to dispossess them of their rights. But by lives of unfaithfulness they were preparing for the condemnation of heaven and for separation from God.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 294.

The Jews were confident that they were the true church and always would be. They defied earth and heaven to deprive them of their rights. But heaven had a response to that kind of self-confidence and sent them a message and a messenger to shake them out of their self-complacency. You can read it from the Bible in a sermon that John the Baptist preached. This is what he said in Matthew 3:7–12: “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.” For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.’ ”

The Jews were the descendants of Abraham and claimed the right to the covenant that God made with Abraham (Genesis 17). God promised Abraham that He would be God to his children and that they would be His people and He promised to Abraham’s children special blessings.

Some people would say that there is a lot of sin in the church. But even though that is the case, the church is going to go through, because the Lord has promised us, through the prophet Jeremiah that the church is going to go through no matter how much sin is in it. “Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for a light by day, the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, Who disturbs the sea, and its waves roar (the Lord of hosts is His name): If those ordinances depart from before Me, says the Lord, then the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before Me forever. Thus says the Lord: ‘If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, says the Lord.’ ” Jeremiah 31:35–37.

And they would read that and they would say, “Do you see here what the prophet Jeremiah said? He said, ‘As long as the sun is in the sky and the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, that long, the children of Israel are going to remain.’ ” So, is the sun still in the sky? Well, yes. Does the moon still come up at night? Well, yes. Are the stars still in the sky? Well, yes. Then if that is so, we are God’s people.

What they did not understand was, Who is the real Israel? I have been told, with great confidence by Adventist ministers, that the Jewish nation was God’s people right up until Matthew 23:38 and 39. This belief is contrary to the words of Jesus and the words of John the Baptist who told them not to even think they were Abraham’s children. It is no wonder so many Adventists have been deluded on this point, because many of our ministers have the very same delusion that the Jews had in the time of John the Baptist.

The Jewish leaders were so deluded that just before Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, in 70 A.D.,

“The leaders of the opposing factions at times united to plunder and torture their wretched victims, and again they fell upon each other’s forces and slaughtered without mercy. Even the sanctity of the temple could not restrain their horrible ferocity. The worshipers were stricken down before the altar, and the sanctuary was polluted with the bodies of the slain. Yet in their blind and blasphemous presumption the instigators of this hellish work publicly declared that they had no fear that Jerusalem would be destroyed, for it was God’s own city.” The Great Controversy, 29.

Ellen White goes on to say that right until the time the Romans came in and slaughtered them all, plowed and totally destroyed the whole city, they thought that Jerusalem could not be destroyed because they were God’s people and Jerusalem was God’s city. Over a million people lost their lives because of that delusion. They really believed they were God’s people and could prove it from the Bible.

In the book, The Desire of Ages, 107, Mrs. White explains very clearly what John the Baptist, who, according to Jesus, there was not anyone born of women greater than him (Matthew 11:11), was talking about. He clearly defined who the church is and who the people of God really are.

“ ‘And now also,’ said the prophet, ‘the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire’ [Matthew 3:10]. Not by its name [Israel], but by its fruit, is the value of a tree determined. If the fruit is worthless, the name cannot save the tree from destruction.” John declared to the Jews that their standing before God was to be decided by their character and life and not whether they could trace their genealogy. John the Baptist taught that profession was worthless, and if their lives and characters were not in harmony with God’s law, they were not His people. That principle is still true today.

God had called the Jewish nation and their mission was to represent Him on the earth. However,

“The people whom God had called to be the pillar and ground of the truth had become representatives of Satan.” Ibid., 36.

A very sober message was given to the church of today that in these last closing days of earth’s history ministers are going to have to give a message that is even straighter than that given by John the Baptist. One wonders how this can be possible when John the Baptist addressed the leaders of the Jewish church, calling them a bunch of poisonous snakes and not to even think they were children of Abraham. In other words, do not think that you are the church just because of your heritage.

Jesus said, “ ‘I know that you are Abraham’s descendants [according to the flesh] but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.’ They answered and said to Him, ‘Abraham is our father’ [the same argument they used with John the Baptist]. Jesus said to them, ‘If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father.’ Then they said to Him, ‘We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.’ ” John 8:37–44.

Notice what Jesus is saying here. He first acknowledges that they are the physical descendants of Abraham, but He says, “You are not really the children of Abraham.” Why? “You do not have the same character or the same religious experience that Abraham had; you don’t have the same connection with God that Abraham had, so spiritually, you are not the children of Abraham at all. Your spiritual father is the devil.” This is the same thing that John the Baptist said. It is character that counts and not profession.

Ellen White explains this same concept:

“The Pharisees had declared themselves the children of Abraham. Jesus told them that this claim could be established only by doing the works of Abraham. The true children of Abraham would live, as he did, a life of obedience to God. They would not try to kill One who was speaking the truth that was given Him from God. In plotting against Christ, the rabbis were not doing the works of Abraham. A mere lineal descent from Abraham was of no value. Without a spiritual connection with him, which would be manifested in possessing the same spirit, and doing the same works, they were not his children.

“This principle bears with equal weight upon a question that has long agitated the Christian world—the question of apostolic succession.” The Desire of Ages, 466, 467.

Apostolic succession is the theological theory that God gave the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven to the apostle Peter, and he was the first bishop of Rome, passing the keys on to the next bishop of Rome, right on down to the two hundred and sixty-fifth one we have today. The theory goes that the bishop of Rome has authority over the church because the keys given to Peter have been passed on right to this present day.

“Descent from Abraham was proved, not by name and lineage, but by likeness of character. So the apostolic succession rests not upon the transmission of ecclesiastical authority, but upon spiritual relationship. A life actuated by the apostles’ spirit, the belief and teaching of the truth they taught, this is the true evidence of apostolic succession. This is what constitutes men the successors of the first teachers of the gospel.” Ibid., 467.

The successors of the first teachers of the gospel are the people who have the same spirit that they had, those who teach the same things that they taught. The Jews misunderstood who it was that truly represented Israel. They thought that by making a profession and joining their church, then you were part of Israel. But John the Baptist said no, a profession without a corresponding character is nothing.

If what was true then is still true now, then a true Seventh-day Adventist is not just somebody who makes a profession of the Adventist faith; it is somebody whose character backs up his or her profession. “God is honored, not so much by the great number, as by the character of those who serve Him. He appreciates moral worth. He draws the dividing line between those who bear His name by profession, and those whose character shows them to be His children.” The Signs of the Times, June 30, 1881. That is an interesting statement. Let us think that through.

It says that God “draws a dividing line.” Now this dividing line, by the way, is drawn through every church. Every professing Christian is either on one side or the other of this dividing line. On one side are those who bear His name by profession, and on the other side are those whose character shows them to be His children. Jesus is coming soon, and there are many people who have been deceived into thinking that by their profession they will be saved. We do not believe that. We believe that a character that is in harmony with it must back up the profession. The New Testament is full of instruction on this point. Look for example in the book of Titus. Paul wrote to the young minister about problems they were having with some people who were professing to be Christians. Notice the problem: “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.” Titus 1:16.

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly [that is, without being intoxicated], righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” Titus 2:11–14.

The message that the apostle preached was not a message that you could be saved by profession of faith alone when your character was out of harmony.

So who is Israel?

“But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called.’ That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God [those who make a profession]; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed [those whose character is in harmony with their profession].” Romans 9:6–8.

Let me repeat, God has drawn a dividing line in our church, and every single one of us who professes the Adventist faith is on one side or the other of that dividing line. Paul emphasizes this over and over again to the Roman church. “He is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.” Romans 2:28, 29.

Again, saying it about as plain as it can be said: “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (as it is written, ‘I have made you a father of many nations’) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.” Romans 4:13–17.

If you belong to Christ, you are Abraham’s seed, you are Israel. That is what Paul said to the Galatians, in Galatians 3. If you have been baptized into Christ, if you belong to Christ, you are Abraham’s seed. You are Israel, and even if you can claim a genealogy that goes all the way back to Abraham, if you do not believe in Christ, you are not Abraham’s seed.

“Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.” Galatians 3:7.

In Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, 204, there is a statement that was written to Seventh-day Adventist physicians, but it applies to all of us. It says, “A profession of Christianity is not sufficient to constitute us Christians. We must each have the character manifest by our divine Pattern.”

There is a dividing line in the Adventist church. If you profess the Adventist faith, you are on one side or the other of the dividing line. On what side are you? The Christian religion is the most attractive and spiritual of all religions. The reason is that in the Christian religion Jesus Christ makes decisions in your behalf on the basis of your choice, the decisions that you make in your mind, and not just by going through some ritual.

If you want to follow Jesus, not just by profession but actually learn how to live His life, to become like Him, God will hear that, and He will answer that prayer. John said, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” I John 3:2.

It will be a terrible disaster to come to the Day of Judgment and find yourself on the wrong side of the great divide. Choose today the right side; Jesus is waiting to answer your plea for help to save you.

(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 Free Seventh-day Adventist Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by email at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Editorial – Unity, Inspired Counsel

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“All your little differences, which arouse the combative spirit among brethren, are devices of Satan to divert minds from the great and fearful issue before us. The true peace will come among God’s people when through united zeal and earnest prayer the false peace that exists to a large degree is disturbed. Now there is earnest work to do. Now is the time to manifest your soldierly qualities; let the Lord’s people present a united front to the foes of God and truth and righteousness. …

“When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the early church, ‘the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul’ (Acts 4:32). The Spirit of Christ made them one. This is the fruit of abiding in Christ. …

“We have need of divine illumination. Every individual is striving to become a center of influence, and until God works for His people, they will not see that subordination to God is the only safety for any soul. His transforming grace upon human hearts will lead to unity that has not yet been realized, for all who are assimilated to Christ will be in harmony with one another. The Holy Spirit will create unity.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 20.

“Sanctification, unity, peace—all are to be ours through the truth. The belief of the truth does not make men gloomy and uncomfortable. If you have peace in Christ, His precious blood is speaking pardon and hope to your soul. Yes, more, you have joy in the Holy Spirit, through accepting the precious promises.” Our High Calling, 329.

“Humble yourself before God. Come into right connection with Him by yielding to the creating power of the Holy Spirit. Then will be seen in the church the unity that is of value in God’s sight. There will be sweet harmony, and all the building, fitly framed together, will grow up into an holy temple in the Lord. The church will have that faith that shows that it is genuine because it works by love and purifies the soul. A hand-to-hand and heart-to-heart interest will be shown in building up the old waste places.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 2, 19, 20.

“Wherein lies the strength of the church? In unity, in humility, in perfect adherence to the Word of the Lord. In selfish superiority, men would take the throne, as if there was no God to direct and to give power to His workers.” Spalding and Magan Collection, 289.

Bible Study Guides – The Final Remnant

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December 23, 2012 – December 29, 2012

Key Text

“The end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” I Peter 4:7.

Study Help: Testimonies, vol. 5, 711–718; The Great Controversy, 613–634.

Introduction

“We need to pray as we never have prayed before for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, for if there was ever a time when we needed this baptism, it is now.” The Upward Look, 346.

1 A SUBJECT OF PRAYER

  • What is truly our most pressing need at the present hour? I Peter 4:7; Zechariah 10:1.

Note: “It is a part of God’s plan to grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow did we not thus ask.” The Great Controversy, 525.

“A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work. There must be earnest effort to obtain the blessing of the Lord, not because God is not willing to bestow His blessing upon us, but because we are unprepared to receive it. Our heavenly Father is more willing to give His Holy Spirit to them that ask Him, than are earthly parents to give good gifts to their children. But it is our work, by confession, humiliation, repentance, and earnest prayer, to fulfill the conditions upon which God has promised to grant us His blessing. A revival need be expected only in answer to prayer. While the people are so destitute of God’s Holy Spirit, they cannot appreciate the preaching of the Word; but when the Spirit’s power touches their hearts, then the discourses given will not be without effect. Guided by the teachings of God’s Word, with the manifestation of His Spirit, in the exercise of sound discretion, those who attend our meetings will gain a precious experience, and returning home, will be prepared to exert a healthful influence.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 121.

2 PERILS OF TODAY

  • As we near the end, why must we pray for ourselves and others to be fortified against the deadly deceptions of spiritualism? Revelation 13:11–14; 18:21–23.

Note: “There are few who have any just conception of the deceptive power of Spiritualism and the danger of coming under its influence. Many tamper with it merely to gratify their curiosity. They have no real faith in it and would be filled with horror at the thought of yielding themselves to the spirits’ control. But they venture upon the forbidden ground, and the mighty destroyer exercises his power upon them against their will. Let them once be induced to submit their minds to his direction, and he holds them captive. It is impossible, in their own strength, to break away from the bewitching, alluring spell. Nothing but the power of God, granted in answer to the earnest prayer of faith, can deliver these ensnared souls.” The Great Controversy, 558.

  • How are we to escape today’s intense dangers? II Corinthians 3:18; 11:3, 4.

Note: “We are in continual danger of getting above the simplicity of the gospel. There is an intense desire on the part of many to startle the world with something original, that shall lift the people into a state of spiritual ecstasy, and change the present order of experience. There is certainly great need of a change in the present order of experience; for the sacredness of present truth is not realized as it should be, but the change we need is a change of heart, and can only be obtained by seeking God individually for His blessing, by pleading with Him for His power, by fervently praying that His grace may come upon us, and that our characters may be transformed. This is the change we need today, and for the attainment of this experience we should exercise persevering energy and manifest heartfelt earnestness. We should ask with true sincerity, ‘What shall I do to be saved?’ We should know just what steps we are taking heavenward.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 187, 188.

  • How does God illustrate His help to us? Exodus 19:4; Deuteronomy 32:11, 12.

3 OPPRESSION SOON TO COME

  • How are we to prepare for the coming crisis? Revelation 7:1–3; 13:11, 13–17.

Note: “We are not ready for the issue to which the enforcement of the Sunday law will bring us. It is our duty, as we see the signs of approaching peril, to arouse to action. Let none sit in calm expectation of the evil, comforting themselves with the belief that this work must go on because prophecy has foretold it, and that the Lord will shelter His people. We are not doing the will of God if we sit in quietude, doing nothing to preserve liberty of conscience. Fervent, effectual prayer should be ascending to heaven that this calamity may be deferred until we can accomplish the work which has so long been neglected. Let there be most earnest prayer, and then let us work in harmony with our prayers. It may appear that Satan is triumphant and that truth is overborne with falsehood and error; the people over whom God has spread His shield, and the country which has been an asylum for the conscience-oppressed servants of God and defenders of His truth, may be placed in jeopardy. But God would have us recall His dealings with His people in the past to save them from their enemies. He has always chosen extremities, when there seemed no possible chance for deliverance from Satan’s workings, for the manifestation of His power. Man’s necessity is God’s opportunity. It may be that a respite may yet be granted for God’s people to awake and let their light shine. If the presence of ten righteous persons would have saved the wicked cities of the plain, is it not possible that God will yet, in answer to the prayers of His people, hold in check the workings of those who are making void His law? Shall we not humble our hearts greatly before God, flee to the mercy seat, and plead with Him to reveal His mighty power?” Testimonies, vol. 5, 713, 714.

“Especially should we, with unwavering faith, seek God for grace and power to be given to His people now. We do not believe that the time has fully come when He would have our liberties restricted. … [Revelation 7:1, 3 quoted.] This points out the work we have now to do. A vast responsibility is devolving upon men and women of prayer throughout the land to petition that God will sweep back the cloud of evil and give a few more years of grace in which to work for the Master. Let us cry to God that the angels may hold the four winds until missionaries shall be sent to all parts of the world and shall proclaim the warning against disobeying the law of Jehovah.” Ibid., 717, 718.

4 THE TIME OF TROUBLE

  • How will God’s people experience the time of trouble? Jeremiah 30:5–7.

Note: “The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger—a faith that will not faint though severely tried. The period of probation is granted to all to prepare for that time. Jacob prevailed because he was persevering and determined. His victory is an evidence of the power of importunate prayer. All who will lay hold of God’s promises, as he did, and be as earnest and persevering as he was, will succeed as he succeeded. Those who are unwilling to deny self, to agonize before God, to pray long and earnestly for His blessing, will not obtain it. Wrestling with God—how few know what it is! How few have ever had their souls drawn out after God with intensity of desire until every power is on the stretch. When waves of despair which no language can express sweep over the suppliant, how few cling with unyielding faith to the promises of God.” The Great Controversy, 621.

“Though God’s people will be surrounded by enemies who are bent upon their destruction, yet the anguish which they suffer is not a dread of persecution for the truth’s sake; they fear that every sin has not been repented of, and that through some fault in themselves they will fail to realize the fulfillment of the Saviour’s promise: I ‘will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world.’ Revelation 3:10. If they could have the assurance of pardon they would not shrink from torture or death; but should they prove unworthy, and lose their lives because of their own defects of character, then God’s holy name would be reproached.

“On every hand they hear the plottings of treason and see the active working of rebellion; and there is aroused within them an intense desire, an earnest yearning of soul, that this great apostasy may be terminated and the wickedness of the wicked may come to an end. But while they plead with God to stay the work of rebellion, it is with a keen sense of self-reproach that they themselves have no more power to resist and urge back the mighty tide of evil. They feel that had they always employed all their ability in the service of Christ, going forward from strength to strength, Satan’s forces would have less power to prevail against them.

“They afflict their souls before God, pointing to their past repentance of their many sins, and pleading the Saviour’s promise: [Isaiah 27:5 quoted]. Their faith does not fail because their prayers are not immediately answered.” Ibid., 619, 620.

5 POINTS TO REMEMBER

  • When will prayer no longer be needed? I Corinthians 13:12. Until then, what should we always keep in mind? John 15:14–16; II Thessalonians 3:1–5.

Note: “Those who, through faith in the merits of the blood of Christ, have clean hands and a pure heart, will receive the white robe, the crown of righteousness, and the life that will run parallel with the life of God. There is no limit to the blessings that we may receive in answer to sincere, fervent prayer. The love of God to fallen man is measureless, and if our Father sees that we will not be lifted up with the blessings He has power to bestow upon us, but will receive them with humble and grateful hearts, He will abundantly grant unto us our requests. He says: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened’ [Matthew 7:7, 8].” The Signs of the Times, December 23, 1889.

“We are sometimes tempted to think that the promise, ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you,’ is not fulfilled unless the answer comes immediately when the request is made. It is our privilege to ask for special blessings, and to believe that they will be given us. But if the blessings asked for are not immediately granted, we are not to think that our prayers are not heard. We shall receive, even if the answer is delayed for a time. In carrying out the plan of redemption, Christ sees enough in humanity to discourage Him. But He does not become discouraged. In mercy and love He continues to offer us opportunities and privileges. So we are to rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” The Youth’s Instructor, April 6, 1899.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 What is necessary in order to receive the promised Holy Spirit in fullness?

2 Why do we need to pray about some dangers intensifying in these last days?

3 How can prayer make a difference with regard to the inevitable Sunday crisis?

4 What do the remnant’s prayers in the time of trouble reveal about priorities?

5 Is there a time when prayer is not necessary?

© 2003 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Bible Study Guides – The Early Church

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December 16, 2012 – December 22, 2012

Key Text

“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.” Romans 12:12.

Study Help: Testimonies, vol. 8, 9–29; The Acts of the Apostles, 9–16.

Introduction

“We are to find our strength just where the early disciples found their strength: ‘These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.’ Acts 1:14.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 140.

1 THE UPPER ROOM EXPERIENCE

  • What was the last thing Jesus promised His disciples before ascending to heaven? Acts 1:6–9.
  • What, then, was the first thing the disciples did before starting their mission? Acts 1:10–14. Describe the results. Acts 2:1–4, 41.

Note: “In obedience to the word of their Master the disciples assembled in Jerusalem to wait for the fulfillment of God’s promise. Here they spent ten days, days of deep heart searching. They put away all differences and drew close together in Christian fellowship. … At the end of ten days the Lord fulfilled His promise by a wonderful outpouring of His Spirit.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 15.

“Would it not be well for you to seek the Lord as the disciples sought Him before the day of Pentecost? After Christ’s ascension, His disciples—men of varied talents and capabilities—assembled in an upper chamber to pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit. In this room ‘all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication’ [Acts 1:14]. They made thorough work of repentance by confessing their own sins. Upon them was laid no burden to confess one another’s sins. Settling all differences and alienations, they were of one accord, and prayed with unity of purpose for ten days.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, 368.

2 UNCTION FROM ON HIGH

  • What can we learn from the disciples’ action when the chief priests and rulers threatened Peter and John because of their powerful witness for Christ? Acts 4:24–33.

Note: “By the grace of Christ the apostles were made what they were. It was sincere devotion and humble, earnest prayer that brought them into close communion with Him. They sat together with Him in heavenly places. They realized the greatness of their debt to Him. By earnest, persevering prayer they obtained the endowment of the Holy Spirit, and then they went forth, weighted with the burden of saving souls, filled with zeal to extend the triumphs of the cross. And under their labors many souls were brought from darkness to light, and many churches were raised up.

“Shall we be less earnest than were the apostles? Shall we not by living faith claim the promises that moved them to the depths of their being to call upon the Lord Jesus for the fulfillment of His word: ‘Ask, and ye shall receive’? John 16:24. Is not the Spirit of God to come today in answer to earnest, persevering prayer, and fill men with power? Is not God saying today to His praying, trusting, believing workers, who are opening the Scriptures to those ignorant of the precious truth they contain: ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world’? Matthew 28:20. Why, then, is the church so weak and spiritless?

“As the disciples, filled with the power of the Spirit, went forth to proclaim the gospel, so God’s servants are to go forth today. Filled with an unselfish desire to give the message of mercy to those who are in the darkness of error and unbelief, we are to take up the Lord’s work. He gives us our part to do in co-operation with Him, and He will also move on the hearts of unbelievers to carry forward His work in the regions beyond. Already many are receiving the Holy Spirit, and no longer will the way be blocked by listless indifference.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 32, 33.

  • How did the early church cooperate with God’s plan to miraculously keep His messengers of truth on active duty? Acts 12:1–17.

Note: “Only the sense of God’s presence can banish the fear that, for the timid child, would make life a burden. … Let him read how to Peter, in prison and condemned to death, God’s angel appeared; how, past the armed guards, the massive doors and great iron gateway with their bolts and bars, the angel led God’s servant forth in safety.” Education, 255, 256.

3 THANKFULNESS AND REVERENCE

  • With what kind of attitude did Paul and Silas pray when rudely cast into prison at Philippi, and how did this touch the heart of the jailer? Acts 16:16–34.

Note: “Paul and Silas suffered the loss of all things. They suffered scourging, and were in no gentle manner thrown upon the cold floor of a dungeon in a most painful position, their feet elevated and fastened in the stocks. Did repinings and complaints then reach the ear of the jailer? Oh, no! From the inner prison, voices broke the silence of midnight with songs of joy and praise to God. These disciples were cheered by a deep and earnest love for the cause of their Redeemer, for which they suffered.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 406.

  • How did Peter’s attitude promote God’s glory in Joppa? Acts 9:36–42.

Note: “Directing that the weeping friends be sent from the room, he [the apostle] kneeled down and prayed fervently to God to restore Dorcas to life and health.” The Acts of the Apostles, 132.

What did God impress Ellen White to state regarding our attitude in prayer?

Note: “Where have our brethren obtained the idea that they should stand upon their feet when praying to God? One who has been educated for about five years in Battle Creek was asked to lead in prayer before Sister White should speak to the people. But as I beheld him standing upright upon his feet while his lips were about to open in prayer to God, my soul was stirred within me to give him an open rebuke. Calling him by name, I said, ‘Get down upon your knees.’ This is the proper position always.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 311.

  1. Of what did the apostle Paul see fit to remind us, and why? Hebrews 12:28, 29.

Note: “Some think it a mark of humility to pray to God in a common manner, as if talking with a human being. They profane His name by needlessly and irreverently mingling with their prayers the words, ‘God Almighty’—awful, sacred words, which should never pass the lips except in subdued tones and with a feeling of awe.” Gospel Workers, 176.

4 THAT TRUTH MAY BE SPREAD

  • How far-reaching were the answers to the prayers of Cornelius and Peter? Acts 10:1, 2, 9–16, 25–35.

Note: “From the case of Cornelius we may learn a lesson that we would do well to understand. The God of heaven sends His messengers to this earth to set in operation a train of circumstances which will bring Peter into connection with Cornelius, that Cornelius may learn the truth. Through angel ministration Peter is brought into cooperation with the inquiring souls who have all things in readiness to hear the truth and receive advanced light. …

“The conversion of Cornelius and his household was only the first fruits of a harvest to be gathered in from the world. From this household a widespread work of grace was carried on in a heathen city.” Evangelism, 558.

  • What did the apostles in Jerusalem do when they heard that God’s word had been received in Samaria? Acts 8:14–17.

Note: “We are no more secure from false teachers now than they were in the apostles’ days; and, if we do no more, we should take as special measures as they did to secure the peace, harmony, and union of the flock. We have their example, and should follow it. Brethren of experience and of sound minds should assemble, and following the Word of God and the sanction of the Holy Spirit, should, with fervent prayer, lay hands upon those who have given full proof that they have received their commission of God, and set them apart to devote themselves entirely to His work. This act would show the sanction of the church to their going forth as messengers to carry the most solemn message ever given to men.” Early Writings, 101.

  • What specific duty do we all have toward our ministers, evangelists, and Bible workers who labor in the Lord’s vineyard? Ephesians 6:18–20.

Note: “Those who do not go from place to place to labor, can take hold of the arm of God by living faith. They can pray that the God of heaven will help those who are carrying the truth to others.” The Review and Herald, June 29, 1886.

5 KEEPING THE CONNECTION

  • What sums up the prayer life of the early church, and how is this to encourage us? Romans 12:12.

Note: “When we read the lives of men who have been eminent for their piety we often regard their experiences and attainments as far beyond our reach. But this is not the case. Christ died for all; and we are assured in His word that He is more willing to give His Holy Spirit to them that ask Him than are earthly parents to give good gifts to their children. The prophets and apostles did not perfect Christian character by a miracle. They used the means which God had placed within their reach; and all who will put forth the same effort will secure the same results.” The Sanctified Life, 84.

  • What does Peter imply as a hindrance to men’s prayers? I Peter 3:7. How else are we warned of prayers hindered? Psalm 66:18; Proverbs 28:9; Isaiah 58:1–5.

Note: “[Isaiah 58:1–3 quoted.]

“A people are here addressed who make high profession, who are in the habit of praying, and who delight in religious exercises; yet there is a lack. They realize that their prayers are not answered; their zealous, earnest efforts are not observed in heaven, and they earnestly inquire why the Lord makes them no returns. It is not because there is any neglect on the part of God. The difficulty is with the people. While professing godliness, they do not bear fruit to the glory of God; their works are not what they should be. They are living in neglect of positive duties. Unless these are performed, God cannot answer their prayers according to His glory. In the case of offering prayer for Sister F, there was confusion of sentiment. Some were fanatical and moved from impulse. They possessed a zeal, but not according to knowledge.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 147.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 What should be the first thing we do before going to witness?

2 How did John and Peter become so powerful in Christ?

3 Are you thankful in all things?

4 How can we help our ministers in their work?

5 What elements in the prayers of the early believers are still lacking in our own?

© 2003 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Bible Study Guides – The Prayers of Christ

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December 9, 2012 – December 15, 2012

Key Text

“Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.” Hebrews 5:7.

Study Help: Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 102–122; The Desire of Ages, 419–425, 685–697; Testimonies, vol. 4, 528–530.

Introduction

“As a man He [Jesus] supplicated the throne of God, till His humanity was charged with a heavenly current that connected humanity with divinity. Receiving life from God, He imparted life to men.” Education, 80, 81.

1 THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST

  • What should we realize about Christ’s life on earth, and how can it encourage and strengthen us in our daily struggles? Hebrews 5:1–10; 4:14–16.

Note: “The Majesty of heaven, while engaged in His mission, was often in earnest prayer. He did not always visit Olivet, for His disciples had learned His favorite retreat, and often followed Him. He chose the stillness of night, when there would be no interruption. Jesus could heal the sick and raise the dead. He was Himself a source of blessing and strength. He commanded even the tempests, and they obeyed Him. He was unsullied with corruption, a stranger to sin; yet He prayed, and that often with strong crying and tears. He prayed for His disciples and for Himself, thus identifying Himself with our needs, our weaknesses, and our failings, which are so common with humanity. He was a mighty petitioner, not possessing the passions of our human, fallen natures, but compassed with like infirmities, tempted in all points even as we are. Jesus endured agony which required help and support from His Father.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 508, 509.

“The groves and mountains were His [the Redeemer’s] places of retreat for prayer, and frequently whole nights were spent in communion with His Father.” Lift Him Up, 32.

2 THE LORD’S PRAYER

  • What deep spiritual mystery were the disciples eager to understand more fully, and how did Jesus gratify their request? Matthew 6:5–13; Luke 11:1–4.

Note: “[Luke 11:1 quoted.] The prayer that Christ gave to His disciples in answer to this request is not made in high-flown language, but expresses in simple words the necessities of the soul. It is short and deals directly with the daily needs.” Testimonies, vol. 9, 278.

“Christ impressed upon His disciples the idea that their prayers should be short, expressing just what they wanted, and no more. He gives the length and substance of their prayers, expressing their desires for temporal and spiritual blessings, and their gratitude for the same. How comprehensive this sample prayer! It covers the actual need of all. One or two minutes is long enough for any ordinary prayer. There may be instances where prayer is in a special manner indited by the Spirit of God, where supplication is made in the Spirit. The yearning soul becomes agonized and groans after God. The spirit wrestles as did Jacob and will not be at rest without special manifestations of the power of God. This is as God would have it.” Ibid., vol. 2, 581.

  • With what illustration does God want us to view His tender regard for us, even in our sinful, erring condition? Matthew 7:7–11.

Note: “God regards us as His children. He has redeemed us out of the careless world and has chosen us to become members of the royal family, sons and daughters of the heavenly King. He invites us to trust in Him with a trust deeper and stronger than that of a child in his earthly father. Parents love their children, but the love of God is larger, broader, deeper, than human love can possibly be. It is immeasurable. Then if earthly parents know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more shall our Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?

“Christ’s lessons in regard to prayer should be carefully considered. There is a divine science in prayer, and His illustration brings to view principles that all need to understand. He shows what is the true spirit of prayer, He teaches the necessity of perseverance in presenting our requests to God, and assures us of His willingness to hear and answer prayer.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 142.

3 PRAYERS IN SOLITUDE

  • Why did Christ pray after feeding the five thousand? Matthew 14:21–23.

Note: “The Saviour knew that His days of personal ministry on earth were nearly ended, and that few would receive Him as their Redeemer. In travail and conflict of soul He prayed for His disciples. They were to be grievously tried. Their long-cherished hopes, based on a popular delusion, were to be disappointed in a most painful and humiliating manner. In the place of His exaltation to the throne of David they were to witness His crucifixion. This was to be indeed His true coronation. But they did not discern this, and in consequence strong temptations would come to them, which it would be difficult for them to recognize as temptations. Without the Holy Spirit to enlighten the mind and enlarge the comprehension the faith of the disciples would fail. It was painful to Jesus that their conceptions of His kingdom were, to so great a degree, limited to worldly aggrandizement and honor. For them the burden was heavy upon His heart, and He poured out His supplications with bitter agony and tears.” The Desire of Ages, 379.

  • For what did Jesus pray at the mount of transfiguration? Mark 9:1–9.

Note: “Stepping a little aside from them [the disciples], the Man of Sorrows pours out His supplications with strong crying and tears. He prays for strength to endure the test in behalf of humanity. He must Himself gain a fresh hold on Omnipotence, for only thus can He contemplate the future. And He pours out His heart longings for His disciples, that in the hour of the power of darkness their faith may not fail. … Now the burden of His prayer is that they may be given a manifestation of the glory He had with the Father before the world was, that His kingdom may be revealed to human eyes, and that His disciples may be strengthened to behold it. He pleads that they may witness a manifestation of His divinity that will comfort them in the hour of His supreme agony with the knowledge that He is of a surety the Son of God and that His shameful death is a part of the plan of redemption.

“His prayer is heard. While He is bowed in lowliness upon the stony ground, suddenly the heavens open, the golden gates of the city of God are thrown wide, and holy radiance descends upon the mount, enshrouding the Saviour’s form.” The Desire of Ages, 419–421.

4 PRAYERS MOST POIGNANT

  • For what does our Saviour continually plead in our behalf, and why must we cultivate a deep appreciation of it? Luke 22:31; John 17:1–26.

Note: “Think of Christ, the adored of angels, in the attitude of a suppliant. He was a mighty petitioner, seeking at the hands of the Father fresh supplies of grace, and coming forth invigorated and refreshed, to impart His lessons of assurance and hope. … His prayer rises to all heaven in our behalf. …

“The disciples often witnessed Christ kneeling in prayer, their hearts broken and humbled. As their Lord and Saviour arose from His knees, what did they read in His countenance and bearing? That He was braced for duty and prepared for trial. Prayer was a necessity of His humanity, and His petitions were often accompanied with strong crying and with agony of soul as He saw the necessities of His disciples, who, not understanding their own dangers, were often, under Satan’s temptations, led away from duty into wrongdoing.

“Christ’s life was pure and undefiled. He refused to yield to the temptations of the enemy. Had He yielded on one point, the human family would have been lost. Who can tell the agony that He endures as He sees Satan playing the game of life for the souls of those who claim to be His disciples, and sees them yielding point after point, allowing the soul’s defenses to be broken down? We can form no conception of the agony that He endures at this sight. One soul lost, one soul given up to Satan’s power, means more to Him than the whole world.” In Heavenly Places, 76.

“The hosts of God are interested in the humble, praying man, who dares not make a move without first coming in prayer into the presence of God to counsel with the Omnipotent. True missionary work can be done only in the spirit of the first Missionary who visited our world. He was often in prayer to His Father, and at times presented His petitions with strong crying and tears, pleading that the power of God might save those who knew not that they needed salvation. We must have the spirit that actuated Christ, that led Him to entreat and persuade the rebellious to come unto Him. Even when men turn away from us in hardness of heart, refusing the gift of eternal life, we are to imitate the example of Christ. He did not look with indifference upon those who slighted and rejected Him.” The Review and Herald, July 4, 1893.

5 GETHSEMANE AND THE CROSS

  • What decisive prayers near the end of Jesus’ life should deeply influence our life, and why? Matthew 26:36–46; Luke 22:39–46; 23:33, 34.

Note: “How often was He [Christ] alone in fervent prayer, on the mountainside or in the retirement of the garden, pouring out His supplications with strong crying and tears. How perseveringly He urged His petitions in behalf of sinners! Even on the cross He forgot His own sufferings in His deep love for those whom He came to save. How cold our love, how feeble our interest, when compared with the love and interest manifested by our Saviour! Jesus gave Himself to redeem our race; and yet how ready are we to excuse ourselves from giving all that we have for Jesus. Our Saviour submitted to wearing labor, ignominy, and suffering. He was repulsed, mocked, derided, while engaged in the great work which He came to earth to do.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 385.

“With strong crying and tears He [Christ] sent His petitions to heaven, that His human nature might be strengthened, that He might be braced to meet the wily foe in all his deceptive workings, and fortified to fulfill His missions of uplifting humanity. To His workers He says, ‘I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done.’ John 13:15.” The Ministry of Healing, 500.

“The value of a soul, who can estimate? Would you know its worth, go to Gethsemane, and there watch with Christ through those hours of anguish, when He sweat as it were great drops of blood. Look upon the Saviour uplifted on the cross. Hear that despairing cry, ‘My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?’ Mark 15:34. Look upon the wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet. Remember that Christ risked all. For our redemption, heaven itself was imperiled. At the foot of the cross, remembering that for one sinner Christ would have laid down His life, you may estimate the value of a soul.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 196.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 What example did Christ give us while on earth?

2 What fresh thoughts can we gain from re-examining the Lord’s Prayer?

3 What were the main themes of the prayers which our Saviour uttered?

4 What continual petition does Christ plead for us?

5 How can we cultivate greater earnestness at the foot of the cross?

© 2003 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Bible Study Guides – In Times of Sickness

by

December 2, 2012 – December 8, 2012

Key Text

“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” James 5:15.

Study Help: Testimonies, vol. 2, 145–150; The Ministry of Healing, 225–233; Selected Messages, Book 2, 53–61.

Introduction

“When you neglect to offer prayer for the sick, you deprive them of great blessings; for angels of God are waiting to minister to these souls in response to your petitions.” Medical Ministry, 195.

1 LOOKING TO THE MASTER HEALER

  • What should we learn from the main difference between the cases of Hezekiah and Asa when they were sick? II Kings 20:1–7; II Chronicles 16:12, 13.
  • Name one important element in full restoration to good health. James 5:14, 15; Matthew 9:2–8. What was Ellen White’s overall experience in helping the sick?

Note: “You can speak often to the sick of the Great Physician who can heal the diseases of the body as verily as He heals the sickness of the soul. Pray with the sick, and try to lead them to see in Christ their Healer. Tell them that if they will look to Him in faith, He will say to them, ‘Thy sins be forgiven thee’ [Matthew 9:2]. It means very much to the sick to learn this lesson.” Medical Ministry, 196, 197.

“Multitudes have heard me speak, and have read my writings, but no one has ever heard me claim to work miracles. I have at times been called upon to pray for the sick, and the word of the Lord has been verified. [James 5:14, 15 quoted.] Christ is the great miracle worker. To Him be all the glory.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 54.

  • What interesting example shows that even when Christ lived on earth, He did not always heal people instantly, in only one step? Mark 8:22–25.

2 AVOIDING A REAL TEMPTATION

  • Of what must we be aware when praying about disease? Matthew 7:15–23; 24:23–25; Proverbs 28:9.

Note: “Men under the influence of evil spirits will work miracles. They will make people sick by casting their spell upon them, and will then remove the spell, leading others to say that those who were sick have been miraculously healed. This Satan has done again and again.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 53.

“The apostles of nearly all forms of spiritism claim to have power to heal. They attribute this power to electricity, magnetism, the so-called ‘sympathetic remedies,’ or to latent forces within the mind of man. And there are not a few, even in this Christian age, who go to these healers, instead of trusting in the power of the living God and the skill of well-qualified physicians. The mother, watching by the sickbed of her child, exclaims, ‘I can do no more. Is there no physician who has power to restore my child?’ She is told of the wonderful cures performed by some clairvoyant or magnetic healer, and she trusts her dear one to his charge, placing it as verily in the hand of Satan as if he were standing by her side. In many instances the future life of the child is controlled by a satanic power which it seems impossible to break.” Prophets and Kings, 211.

“Satan gives his power to those who are aiding him in his deceptions; therefore those who claim to have the great power of God can only be discerned by the great detector, the law of Jehovah. The Lord tells us if it were possible they would deceive the very elect. The sheep’s clothing seems so real, so genuine, that the wolf cannot be discerned only as we go to God’s great moral standard and there find that they are transgressors of the law of Jehovah.” The Review and Herald, August 25, 1885.

“The way in which Christ worked was to preach the Word, and to relieve suffering by miraculous works of healing. But I am instructed that we cannot now work in this way, for Satan will exercise his power by working miracles. God’s servants today could not work by means of miracles, because spurious works of healing, claiming to be divine, will be wrought.

“For this reason the Lord has marked out a way in which His people are to carry forward a work of physical healing, combined with the teaching of the Word. Sanitariums are to be established, and with these institutions are to be connected workers who will carry forward genuine medical missionary work. Thus a guarding influence is thrown around those who come to the sanitariums for treatment.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 54.

3 CONDITIONS TO FULFILL

  • What conditions are attached to God’s promises of healing? Isaiah 58:6–11.

Note: “In the case of Sister F, there needed to be a great work accomplished. Those who united in praying for her needed a work done for them. Had God answered their prayers, it would have proved their ruin. In such cases of affliction, where Satan has control of the mind, before engaging in prayer there should be the closest self examination to discover if there are not sins which need to be repented of, confessed, and forsaken. Deep humility of soul before God is necessary, and firm, humble reliance upon the merits of the blood of Christ alone. Fasting and prayer will accomplish nothing while the heart is estranged from God by a wrong course of action. [Isaiah 58:6, 7, 9–11 quoted.]” Testimonies, vol. 2, 145, 146.

  • What factors are essential in praying for the sick? James 5:16.

Note: “In the word of God we have instruction relative to special prayer for the recovery of the sick. But the offering of such prayer is a most solemn act, and should not be entered upon without careful consideration. In many cases of prayer for the healing of the sick, that which is called faith is nothing less than presumption.

“Many persons bring disease upon themselves by their self-indulgence. They have not lived in accordance with natural law or the principles of strict purity. Others have disregarded the laws of health in their habits of eating and drinking, dressing or working. Often some form of vice is the cause of feebleness of mind or body. Should these persons gain the blessing of health, many of them would continue to pursue the same course of heedless transgression of God’s natural and spiritual laws, reasoning that if God heals them in answer to prayer, they are at liberty to continue their unhealthful practices and to indulge perverted appetite without restraint. If God were to work a miracle in restoring these persons to health, He would be encouraging sin.

“It is labor lost to teach people to look to God as a healer of their infirmities, unless they are taught also to lay aside unhealthful practices. In order to receive His blessing in answer to prayer, they must cease to do evil and learn to do well. Their surroundings must be sanitary, their habits of life correct. They must live in harmony with the law of God, both natural and spiritual.” Gospel Workers, 215, 216.

4 A WISE AND JUST LIFEGIVER

  • What must be considered by all who are blessed with health? Luke 12:47, 48.

Note: “If, after so much light has been given, God’s people will cherish wrong habits, indulging self and refusing to reform, they will suffer the sure consequences of transgression. If they are determined to gratify perverted appetite at any cost, God will not miraculously save them from the consequences of their indulgence. They ‘shall lie down in sorrow.’ Isaiah 50:11.

“Those who choose to be presumptuous, saying, ‘The Lord has healed me, and I need not restrict my diet; I can eat and drink as I please,’ will erelong need, in body and soul, the restoring power of God. Because the Lord has graciously healed you, you must not think you can link yourselves up with the self-indulgent practices of the world. Do as Christ commanded after His work of healing—‘go, and sin no more.’ John 8:11. Appetite must not be your god.” Testimonies, vol. 9, 164.

  • What should we keep in mind even when death is imminent? Revelation 14:13.

Note: “We know that God hears us if we ask according to His will. But to press our petitions without a submissive spirit is not right; our prayers must take the form, not of command, but of intercession.

“There are cases where God works decidedly by His divine power in the restoration of health. But not all the sick are healed. Many are laid away to sleep in Jesus. … [Revelation 14:13 quoted]. From this we see that if persons are not raised to health, they should not, on this account be judged as wanting in faith.” The Ministry of Healing, 230.

“I was shown that in case of sickness, where the way is clear for the offering up of prayer for the sick, the case should be committed to the Lord in calm faith, not with a storm of excitement. He alone is acquainted with the past life of the individual and knows what his future will be. He who is acquainted with the hearts of all men knows whether the person, if raised up, would glorify His name or dishonor Him by backsliding and apostasy. All that we are required to do is to ask God to raise the sick up if in accordance with His will, believing that He hears the reasons which we present and the fervent prayers offered. If the Lord sees it will best honor Him, He will answer our prayers. But to urge recovery without submission to His will is not right.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 147, 148.

5 ESSENTIAL POINTS WHEN PRAYING

  • What key thoughts should be always remembered in our prayers for the sick? I John 2:1; Lamentations 3:33; Psalm 103:13, 14.

Note: “Present these thoughts to the persons who come asking for your prayers: We are human; we cannot read the heart or know the secrets of your life. These are known only to yourself and God. If you now repent of your sin, if any of you can see that in any instance you have walked contrary to the light given you of God and have neglected to give honor to the body, the temple of God, but by wrong habits have degraded the body which is Christ’s property, make confession of these things to God. Unless you are wrought upon by the Holy Spirit in special manner to confess your sins of private nature to man, do not breathe them to any soul.

“Christ is your Redeemer; He will take no advantage of your humiliating confessions. If you have sin of a private character, confess it to Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man. [I John 2:1 quoted.] If you have sinned by withholding from God His own in tithes and offerings, confess your guilt to God and to the church, and heed the injunction that He has given you: ‘Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse.’ Malachi 3:10. …

“Praying for the sick is a most solemn thing, and we should not enter into this work in any careless, hasty way. Examination should be made as to whether those who would be blessed with health have indulged in evilspeaking, alienation, and dissension. Have they sowed discord among the brethren and sisters of the church? If these things have been committed they should be confessed before God and the church. When wrongs have been confessed the subjects for prayer may be presented before God in earnestness and faith, as the Spirit of God may move upon you.” Counsels on Health, 373, 374.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 Where should we direct the thoughts of the sick?

2 Are all healings from God?

3 What are the conditions for healing?

4 How can we maintain health?

5 Name some essential points in prayer for the sick.

© 2003 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.