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Everyone a Watchman

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So far as his opportunities extend, everyone who has received the light of truth is under the same responsibility as was the prophet of Israel to whom came the word: “Son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at My mouth, and warn them from Me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.” Ezekiel 33:7–9

Are we to wait until the fulfillment of the prophecies of the end before we say anything concerning them? Of what value will our words be then? Shall we wait until God’s judgments fall upon the transgressor before we tell him how to avoid them? Where is our faith in the word of God? Must we see things foretold come to pass before we will believe what He has said? In clear, distinct rays light has come to us, showing us that the great day of the Lord is near at hand, “even at the doors.” Let us read and understand before it is too late.

We are to be consecrated channels, through which the heavenly life is to flow to others. The Holy Spirit is to animate and pervade the whole church, purifying and cementing hearts. Those who have been buried with Christ in baptism are to rise to newness of life, giving a living representation of the life of Christ. Upon us is laid a sacred charge. The commission has been given us: “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:19, 20, margin. You are dedicated to the work of making known the gospel of salvation. Heaven’s perfection is to be your power.

Testimonies, Vol. 9, 20, 21

Story – A Boy Who Was Wanted

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“Well, I found out one thing,” said Jack, as he came to his mother. He was hot, tired, and dusty.

“What is that?” she asked.

“That there are a great many boys in the world.”

“Didn’t you know that before?”

“Partly; but I didn’t know there were so many more boys than are wanted.”

“Why do you think there are more than are wanted?”

“Because I have been ’round and ’round till I am worn out, trying to find a place to work. Wherever I go, there are more boys than places. Doesn’t that show that there are too many boys?”

“Not exactly,” said his mother, with a smile. “It depends entirely on the kind of boy. An honest, dependable boy is always wanted somewhere.”

“Well, if I am that boy, I wish that I knew that I was wanted.”

“Patience, patience, my boy. In such a great world as this is, with so many places and so many boys, it is no wonder some of them do not find their places at once. But be sure, dear,” as she laid her hand on his arm, “that every boy who wants a chance to do fair, honest work will find it.”

“That’s the kind of work I want to do,” said Jack. “I don’t want anybody’s money for nothing. Let me see, what have I to offer? All the schooling and all the wits I have been able to get up in thirteen years; good, stout hands, and a civil tongue.”

“And a mind and heart set on doing faithful duty,” suggested his mother.

“I hope so,” said Jack. “I remember Father used to say: ‘Just as soon as you undertake to work for anyone, you must bear in mind that you have sold yourself for the given time. Your time, your strength, your energy, are his, and your best efforts to seek his interests in every way are his due.’ ”

The earnest tone in which the boy spoke seemed to give assurance that he would pay good heed to the words of the father whose counsel could no more reach him.

For two or three days longer Jack had reason to hold his opinion that there were more boys than the world wanted, at the end of which time he met a businessman who, questioning him closely, said, “There are a great many applications for the place, but a large number of the boys come and stay a short time, and then leave if they think they can do a little better. When a boy gets used to our route and customers, we want him to stay. If you will agree to stay at least three years, we will agree to pay you three dollars a week as errand boy.”

“That is just what I wanted to do, sir,” said Jack, eagerly. So he was installed, and proud enough he was to bring his wages home every week, and realize that, small as they were, the regular help was of great value to his mother.

It is not to be wondered at that the faithful carrying out of his father’s admonition after a while attracted the attention not only of his employers, but of others with whom he was brought in contact in the pursuit of his duties. One day he was asked into the office of Mr. Lang, a gentleman to whom he frequently carried parcels of value.

“Have you ever thought of changing your situation?” asked Mr. Lang.

“No, sir,” said Jack.

“Perhaps you could do better,” said the other. “I want a boy who is quick and intelligent, and who can be relied on; and, from what I see of you, I think you are that sort of boy. I want you to drive a delivery wagon, and will pay you five dollars a week.”

Jack’s eyes opened wide.

“It is wonderfully good pay for a boy like me, I am sure. But I promised to keep on with Mr. Hill for three years, and the second year is only just begun.”

“Well, have you signed a regular agreement with Mr. Hill?”

“No, sir; I told him I would stay.”

“You have a mother to assist, you told me. Could you not tell Mr. Hill that you feel obliged to do better, when you have a chance?”

“I don’t believe I could,” said Jack, looking with his straight, frank gaze into the gentleman’s face. “You see, sir, if I broke my word with him, I should not be the kind of boy to be relied on that you want.”

“I guess you are about right,” said Mr. Lang, with a sigh. “Come and see me when your time is out; I dare say I shall want you then.”

Jack went home very much stirred by what had been said to him.

After all, could it be wrong to go where he would do so much better? Was it not really his duty to accept the position? He could then drive the wagon instead of trudging wearily along the streets. They had never felt so hot and dusty as they did just now, when he might escape from the tiresome routine. Might, but how? —By the sacrifice of his pledged word; by selling his truth and his honor. So strongly did the reflection force itself upon him that when he told his mother of the offer he had received, he merely added, “It would be a grand good thing if I could take it, wouldn’t it, Mother?”

“Yes, it would. Some boys would change without thinking of letting a promise stand in their way, but that is the kind of boy who, sooner or later, is not wanted. It is because you have not been that sort of boy that you are wanted now.”

Jack worked away, doing such good work, as he became more and more accustomed to the situation, that his mother sometimes wondered that Mr. Hill, who seemed always kindly interested in him, never appeared to think of raising his pay. This, however, was not Mr. Hill’s way of doing things, even though he showed an increasing disposition to trust Jack with important business.

So the boy trudged through the three years, at the end of them having been trusted far more than is usually the case with errand boys. He had never forgotten the offer made by Mr. Lang, and one day, meeting that gentleman on the street, ventured to remind him that his present engagement was nearly out, adding, “You spoke to me about driving the wagon, sir.”

“Ah, so I did; but you are older now and worth more. Call around and see me.”

One evening, soon after, Jack lingered in Mr. Hill’s office after the other errand boys had been paid and had gone away.

“My three years are up tonight, sir,” he said.

“Yes, they are,” said Mr. Hill.

“Will you give me a recommendation to someone else, sir?”

“Well, I will, if you are sure that you want to leave me.”

“I did not know that you wanted me to stay, but”—he hesitated, and then went on— “my mother is a widow, and I feel as if I ought to do the best I can for her, and Mr. Lang told me to call on him.”

“Has Mr. Lang ever made you an offer?”

Jack told him what Mr. Lang had said nearly two years before.

“Why didn’t you go then?” asked Mr. Hill.

“Because I had promised to stay with you; but you wouldn’t blame me for trying to better myself now?”

“Not a bit of it. Are you tired of running errands?”

“I’d rather ride than walk,” said Jack with a smile.

“I think it is about time you were doing better than either. Perhaps you think that you have been doing this faithful work for me through these years for next to nothing; but if so, you are mistaken. You have been doing better work than merely running errands. You have been serving an apprenticeship to trust and honesty. I know you now to be a straightforward, reliable boy, and it takes time to learn that. It is your capital, and you ought to begin to realize it. You may talk to Mr. Lang if you wish, but I will give you a place in the office, with a salary of six hundred dollars for the first year, with the prospect of a raise after that.”

Jack did not go to see Mr. Lang, but straight to his mother, with a shout and a bound.

“You’re right, you’re right, Mother!” he cried. “No more hard work for you, Mother. I’m wanted, you see, wanted enough to get good pay! All the hardest part is over.”

Stories Worth Re-reading, RHPA, ©1913, 264–268

The Beginning of Religion – A Lie About the Immortal Soul

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Religious diversity in the world is vast. From the very beginning of civilization, religions have played a significant role in the lives of both societies and individuals. Specific beliefs have determined the understanding of the metaphysical reality, which has always had its impact on the way of life and its quality for individuals.

Despite the multitude of different religions in the world, there is a certain religious doctrine that has exerted and continues to exert a profound influence not only on the religious world, but also on the broader cultural landscape. This common element, a denominator that connects almost all Christian denominations, Judaism, Islam, as well as Eastern and pagan religions, is the belief in the immortality of the soul. This belief dates back to the very beginnings of human civilization. Therefore, if we want to understand the origins of human religious systems, we need to go back to the dawn of humanity—to the garden of Eden—specifically to the conversation between Eve and Satan.

The Primordial Lie of Satan

God had instructed the first humans that their lives depended on obedience to the rules of life established by Him as their Creator. God said “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:16, 17 ESV. However, when Eve was confronted by Satan in the form of the serpent, he questioned God’s direction, saying, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” Eve’s response was that God had told them to eat freely of all the trees of the garden except for this one tree. And if they ate, or even touched, the fruit, they would die. But Satan then replaced what God had said with a lie of his own, “You will not surely die.” Genesis 3:1–4 ESV

Contagious Idea

Satan’s lie became the beginning of the theory of unconditional human immortality. The adversary of God was the creator of the idea that humans can live eternally independent of God, regardless of divine law. When deceived by Satan’s lies, humans sinned by rebelling against God, choosing independence from Him. God was no longer at the center of human life; instead, it was human ego. Convinced by the devil of their uniqueness and the greatness of their own “self,” humans believed that the ego could survive the death of the body, that it was something distinct from their physical tissue, which was subject to degradation and ultimately death, and therefore, that the ego is and must be immortal. For the tainted human nature influenced by sin, the idea that the immaterial “self” is immortal is incredibly tempting, attractive, and highly contagious. Consequently, the majority of Christianity did not resist it. How did it happen that the idea of the immortality of the human soul, which contradicts the words of God, became part of Christian doctrine?

Ancient philosophy

In the realm of Western civilization and culture, the concept of a self-existent, immaterial, spiritual, and immortal soul, which is widespread in, among others, the Roman Catholic Church and many Protestant denominations, appeared in Christianity primarily through Greek philosophical concepts, specifically through the philosophy of Plato.

Theories and Views

Plato argued that a human being consists of two fundamental elements: an immortal soul and a mortal body. Therefore, Plato’s concept of the soul is a form of dualism. Dualism suggests that a human being is not a homogeneous entity but rather composed of multiple elements, specifically that the structure of a human being consists of two fundamental components: the soul or spirit and the body.1 The issue is that Plato’s concept of the soul is not solely a product of his philosophical reasoning but has its origins in the mystical religious beliefs of Orphism, which Plato refined and elaborated upon. Hence, Plato’s concept of the soul has a distinctly (false) religious origin.

Mysteries of the Mysteries

The word mystery comes from the Greek mysterion, which originally meant “dedicated rite” and later became associated with “secrecy” or “hidden knowledge.” The Romans translated myein as initiare, which means “to introduce to something” (from initium, meaning “beginning”). The process of initiation was called initiatio. Therefore, initiation was understood as receiving knowledge, and by extension, transitioning into a new form of religiosity. Initiation distinguished mystery cults from the commonly accepted and practiced religion.2 Mysteries were, therefore, rites of passage or entry—an initiation into another reality, a spiritual reality.

Mystical Platonism

In ancient Greece, alongside the official state religion practiced publicly and privately, there existed ancient mystery cults with pre-Greek origins. These cults showed influences from Egyptian and Eastern spirituality. Mystery cults had a significant impact on shaping Greek spirituality and philosophy because Greek philosophy is an integral part of Greek spirituality. What distinguishes Greek philosophies is their specific experiential foundation, rooted in a particular kind of experience. Philosophical experience defines the spirit of philosophy. Therefore, it can be said that the philosophy of Plato, as well as the entire Platonic philosophy, is profoundly mystical and, as such, adopts and continues the tradition of Greek mysteries.3 It was the Orphic mysteries in particular that allowed Plato to recognize the spiritual essence in humans above all else, with all the consequences that follow. According to Plato, “… if any one of us is to have pure knowledge of anything, he must get rid of the body and contemplate things by themselves with the soul by itself. Then, I suppose, it will be plain that we shall attain to that which we desire and shall achieve that goal which we have in view, if there is a goal of this kind.”4

Updating an Old Lie

The Orphics held a doctrine of the immortality and divinity of the soul, a motif that is very clearly present in Plato’s teachings about the soul. Plato describes the soul as being most similar to what is divine and immortal, accessible only to thought, having a single form, indivisible, and always self-identical.5 The Orphics believed in an immortal, divine soul trapped in an impure body. According to Orphic belief, the body is merely a prison and a tomb for the true, spiritual human being. Liberation from this bodily imprisonment is necessary to return to the divine sphere of the universe. Orphic mysteries promised humans a return to the world of the gods, provided they purify themselves from bodily attachments.6 When we explore Orphic beliefs, it is easy to hear echoes of the devil’s lie in the garden of Eden. After all, Orphic beliefs contain the conviction that the immaterial essence of humans—the soul—certainly does not die because it is immortal. Through mysteries, the human soul can attain enlightenment and recognize its divine nature. “The serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ ” Genesis 3:4–5 ESV. Just as Greek mysteries updated Satan’s old lie in the ancient world, the New Age movement has, through its beliefs, updated the devil’s lie for our modern times. Consequently, contemporary culture and popular culture are permeated with the belief in the immortal soul, as observed almost daily in news articles, social media posts, and common entertainment venues.

Platonic dualism

All elements of the mysterious religion of the Orphics can be found in Plato’s philosophy except for the Orphic cult and rituals. Plato simply rationalized Orphic mysticism to fit the needs of his philosophy. In Plato’s view, reality always had a dualistic structure. In the world of Platonic thought, there is a duality of ideas and things, and even more significantly, an anthropological dualism of the soul and the body. Such an approach causes the soul, as immaterial and immortal, to be in sharp contrast to the mortal and material body. The union of the soul with the body is unfavorable for the soul because the body is its prison and tomb. This opposition is extremely radical because the body is a punishment for the soul, a place where it undergoes penance as in a prison. The body becomes the worst enemy of the soul, serving as its tomb. With death, the liberation of the soul from the body begins. According to Plato, the body undergoes decay, but the soul is independent of it and exists eternally after its destruction. The existence of the soul is both eternal and everlasting because it has no beginning or end.7 Therefore, Plato presents himself as a deeply religious man who, fascinated by the world of Orphic mysteries and beliefs, appears more as a mystic than a philosopher dealing with the realm of reason.

Death in Plato’s Philosophy

For Plato, death is the separation of the soul from the body. To put it more vividly, it is the liberation of the soul from the body. Therefore, for Plato, death is a good thing to strive for because only through death can the soul return to the divine realm. It would be amusing, as the philosopher says, “for a person who has worked on himself all his life to be as close to death as possible while alive, to then recoil when it comes to him? Isn’t that funny?”8 There can be no greater contrast between Plato’s view of death as a good thing, as a friend, and the perception of death in the Bible.

Death in the Bible

Death is described in the Bible as evil (Deuteronomy 30:15 ESV), a curse (Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV), bitterness (Ecclesiastes 7:26), terror (Psalm 55:4, 5), darkness and shadow (Psalm 107:10), and an enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26 ESV). Death, as the opposite of life, is portrayed as an adversary and something foreign to God. The Bible addresses death because it is a profound issue intertwined with life. In the Hebrew Bible, death is understood as the end of life’s symptoms, the end of existence. It is essential to emphasize that death was not perceived merely as the act of dying, but primarily as a state. Death elicited fear because in death, a person lost their relationship with God, which was most terrifying for the Hebrews.9

What is the state of the deceased according to the word of God? The deceased do not possess any of the three attributes that define existence: mind, emotions, and will. In the deceased, there are no cognitive processes: “When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.” Psalm 146:4 ESV. Therefore, “the dead know nothing.” Ecclesiastes 9:5 ESV. The deceased have no emotions: “Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 9:6 ESV. The deceased have no will because after death: “in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.” Ecclesiastes 9:10 BSB. This state of nonexistence is euphemistically referred to as “sleep” in the Bible.10 Furthermore, the meaning of the word Sheol is “grave” or “burial place” in the sense of the state of death, not a place for the spirits or souls of deceased people.11 Death as the “sleep in the dust of the earth” is a direct consequence of the biblical understanding of the mortality of the soul (nefesh), which is a psychophysical unity of a person.

Biblical Anthropology

What characterizes the Hebrew concept of a human being is the absence of a dualism between the soul and the body. In Genesis 2:7 KJV, we find the fundamental biblical definition of a human being, a paradigm that is characteristic of the entire Hebrew thought on humanity. “The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” This text does not state that God breathed a soul into the man’s nostrils but “the breath of life.” Similarly, it does not say that the man became an immortal soul but a “living being” or a “living soul.” Thus, human beings do not possess a soul as a substantially different entity from their body; a human being is a living soul. According to the Bible, God first formed the body of the human being from the dust of the ground, which includes material and organic elements. Later, He breathed life into it, and in this way, the human being began to exist, becoming a living being.

Biblical equation

The way God created humans can be presented as a biblical equation as follows: dust of the earth (material elements) + breath of life = a living being, a living soul, a living body, a human. In the Hebrew language, “living soul” and “living body” are synonymous.12 Therefore, the Bible conceives of a human being as a holistic entity comprising the body, mind, and spirit. Just imagine the far-reaching implications that the Platonic concept of a human being has for theology, psychology, epistemology (philosophy of knowledge), and popular culture. On the other hand, consider how the biblical holistic concept of a human being could impact the understanding of these areas of life if it had not been rejected by nearly all of Christianity.

Death as a friend versus death as an enemy

To ensure that our considerations of Plato’s and the Bible’s concepts are not too tedious and overly academic, let me present to you, dear readers, two radically different approaches to death by two historical figures: Socrates and our Lord Jesus Christ. Oscar Cullmann described it as follows in his excellent essay: “Is there a greater contrast than that between Socrates, who, like Jesus on the day of His death, is surrounded by His disciples but full of sublime calm, discusses with them the topic of immortality, and Jesus, who a few hours before His death trembles and shudders and begs His disciples not to leave Him alone? The Letter to the Hebrews, which, more than any other New Testament text, emphasizes the full divinity (Hebrews 1:10) and full humanity of Jesus, surpasses even the synoptic accounts in its description of Jesus’s fear of death. In chapter 5:7, it states that Jesus, with loud cries and tears, offered up prayers and supplications to the One who could save Him. Therefore, as the Letter to the Hebrews says, Jesus cried out and wept before His death! There, serene and composed Socrates, discussing the immortality of the soul; here, Jesus, crying out the words of the psalm, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ And He dies with an inarticulate cry (Mark 15:37). This is not death ‘as a friend.’ This is death in all its horrifying dread. It is truly ‘the last enemy of God,’ as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:26, and that is exactly where the complete opposition between the Greek world on one hand, and Judaism and Christianity on the other, reveals itself … . Nothing better illustrates the radical difference between the Greek doctrine of the immortality of the soul and the (Hebrew) Christian doctrine of resurrection than this [contrast] between Socrates and Jesus.”13

Hope of Christians

The word of God does not teach that humans have immortal souls. The Bible teaches that only God is immortal and possesses immortality: “Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:17 BSB. All other beings have life solely through Him. Scripture says, “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 1 John 5:12 BSB. The alternative to this truth is Satan’s lie: “You will not surely die.” Genesis 3:4 BSB. Through this lie, the immortality of the soul became the cornerstone of all non-biblical (and therefore devil-inspired) religions. It is a fundamental element of spiritualism. Without it, there would also be no doctrine of hell and purgatory, the hidden purpose of which is to portray God as a cruel monster. Jesus clearly said that the alternative to eternal life is death (“to perish”): “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ESV.14 Immortality can only be obtained through the resurrected Jesus Christ, “who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:10 BSB). This will happen at the resurrection of the dead: “We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 BSB

References:

1  M. Jędraszewski, Antropologia filozoficzna Prolegomena i wybór tekstów, Saint Wojciech Library, Poznań 1991, p. 151

2  M. Giebelova, Tajemství antických kultů, published by Dialog, Liberec 2009, p. 12

3  P. Świercz, Jednośc wielości – Świat, człowiek, państwo w refleksji nurtu orficko-pitagorejskiego, published by Silesian University, Katowice 2008, p. 19

4  Platon, Dialogi, Fedon, trans. W. Witwicki, Publishing Union Verum, Warsaw 2007, p. 237

5  Ibiden, p. 235B

6  K. Pawłowski, Misteria i filozofia, Scientific society KUL, Lublin 2007, p. 29

7  Platon, Dialogi, Fedon, trans. W. Witwicki, Publishing Union Verum, Warsaw 2007, p. 238

8  Ibiden, p. 238

9  R. Rumianek, Rozumienie śmierci w Starym Testamencie, Warsaw Theological Studies XIV 2001, p. 31, http://fides.org.pl/dlibra/doccontent?id=242&dirids=1

10  J. Dunkel, Apokalipsa, Orion Plus 2001, pp. 110, 111

11  Ibiden, p. 297, cf. L. E. Froom, The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, Review and Herald,Washington, D.C. 1966, t.1, p. 162

12  R. L. Odom, Czy twoja dusza jest nieśmiertelna, tłum. R. Jarocki, published by Signs of the Times, Warsaw 2000, p. 8

13  E. Piotrowski, T. Węcławski, Praeceptores Teologia i teologowie języka niemieckiego, wydawnictwo Poznańskie, Poznań 2005, p. 402 cf. O. Cullman, Unsterblichkeit der Seele und Auferstehung der Toten, trans. E. Pieciul, Tcheologische Zeitschrift 12 (1956), p. 134-136

14  J. Dunkel, Apokalipsa, Orion Plus 2001, pp. 299

Marcin Watras lives in Katowice, Poland. He is interested in the philosophy of religion and trends in society. He works for the European Union.

No Excuse

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Years ago, there was a comedian who portrayed a character that would often say, “The devil made me do it!” The character used this as an excuse for having done things that they knew they shouldn’t do. How many of us use the same excuse, whether we realize it or not? It seemed funny when spoken as part of the comedian’s skit, but there is nothing funny about sin or making excuses for it.

The Bible tells us that none of us is good, not one (Psalm 14:3), that the human heart seeks only to do evil (Genesis 6:5). Why is mankind so bad? Because our first parents chose to believe a lie rather than to trust in their Creator, and as a consequence they were changed and sin entered the world. This is made clear in the Spirit of Prophecy, “The beginning of yielding to temptation is in the sin of permitting the mind to waver, to be inconsistent in your trust in God. The wicked one is ever watching for a chance to misrepresent God and to attract the mind to that which is forbidden.” Mind, Character and Personality, Vol. 1, 31

God had created Adam and Eve in His own image, to be like Him. But disobedience changed them, and their nature became selfish and proud, self-serving and rebellious. Since this change in man’s nature, he naturally is, and seeks to do, evil. Man’s natural sinful tendencies lead him to pursue, nurture, just plain work hard at developing cultivated sins—things such as drinking alcohol, gambling, breaking the Sabbath, adultery, covetousness, jealousy, conceit, pride, and many other things.

James 1:14 describes it this way: “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” Since Adam and Eve sinned, each subsequent generation is born to want to do evil and Satan is more than happy to help us continue living that way. “Why is there so much misery and suffering in the world today? Is it because God loves to see His creatures miserable? Oh, no! It is because the immoral habits of man have weakened his physical, mental, and moral powers.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 9, 234

Satan has at his disposal a large arsenal that he uses against us with great effectiveness. To begin with, he hates God. God loves us so much that He gave His Son to save us, so consequently, Satan hates us, too. He will do anything and use any means to keep us under his control. He deceives, lies, manipulates, promises, accuses, forces, berates, insinuates, demeans, and tempts. He has spent the last 6,000 years mastering the art of temptation and wielding the other weapons in his armory.

“If he can, he will fasten the mind upon the things of the world. He will endeavor to excite the emotions, to arouse the passions, to fasten the affections on that which is not for your good; but it is for you to hold every emotion and passion under control, in calm subjection to reason and conscience. Then Satan loses his power to control the mind.” Mind, Character and Personality, Vol. 1, 31

First of all, let’s look at what sin is not. Temptation is not sin. You can be tempted all day long, but if you do not yield to temptation, then you have not sinned. Yielding to temptation is sinning.

How many times have you thought your life was all but wasted because of all the sinful things you have done, the wrong choices you have made, the many times you have turned to do your desires rather than to follow God? A hundred times? A thousand? How many times have you thought, “How in the world can God even want me after all I’ve done?” That’s devil talk. Satan is telling you that God cannot love you because you are too bad.

Read the following quotation carefully and, maybe, read it again, “The strongest temptation is no excuse for sin. However great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul, transgression is our own act. It is not in the power of earth or hell to compel anyone to sin. The will must consent, the heart must yield, or passion cannot overbear reason, nor iniquity triumph over righteousness.” Maranatha, 225

Did you get that? You cannot be compelled to sin against your will! You can’t even blame it on the devil. If you or I sin, it is a result of our own action.

“It is not because there is any flaw in the title which has been purchased for you that you do not accept it. It is not because the mercy, the grace, the love of the Father and the Son is not ample, and has not been freely bestowed, that you do not rejoice in pardoning love. … If you are lost, it will be because you will not come unto Christ that you might have life.” Our Father Cares, 92

“ ‘According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.’ Then if you are lost, you will be left without excuse.” Peter’s Counsel to Parents, 11

“Temptation is not sin unless it is cherished. Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, will fill the soul with peace and abiding trust. ‘When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him’ [Isaiah 59:19].” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 2, 343

The devil knows us very well. He knows how to tempt us and he will find every possible way to do it. I grew up watching television—what we called good, wholesome family shows in those days—kid shows, nature shows, and family movies. However, as I got older I began to watch other programs. This opened a whole Pandora’s box of worldly things to see and hear and wonder about. There was hardly a day that went by that the TV wasn’t on in my house, even if I wasn’t watching it. I used the excuse that it provided me with company.

The negative influence that TV programs and movies have had on my life is incalculable. So many of my likes and dislikes, the things that drove many of my decisions in life can, to a large degree, be traced back to the hours and hours I spent watching television. All of these did their work over the years to diminish my desire for prayer and Bible study, and also provided the devil with fertile material to use against me. “Decisions may be made in a moment that fix one’s condition forever. … But remember, it would take the work of a lifetime to recover what a moment of yielding to temptation and thoughtlessness throws away.” My Life Today, 322. Think of all the days and hours thrown away that can never be retrieved again and how much work is now required in order to recover.

“By a momentary act of will you may place yourself in the power of Satan, but it will require more than a momentary act of will to break his fetters and reach for a higher, holier life. The purpose may be formed, the work begun, but its accomplishment will require toil, time, and perseverance, patience, and sacrifice. The man who deliberately wanders from God in the full blaze of light will find, when he wishes to set his face to return, that briars and thorns have grown up in his path, and he must not be surprised or discouraged if he is compelled to travel long with torn and bleeding feet. The most fearful and most to be dreaded evidence of man’s fall from a better state is the fact that it costs so much to get back. The way of return can be gained only by hard fighting, inch by inch, every hour.” Ibid.

These are all sobering thoughts and quotations, but my purpose for this writing is not to discourage or cause anguish of heart. Yes, we are tempted. Yes, we have yielded, but, praise God, we don’t have to yield. “There is no excuse for man to remain in transgression and sin, because strength has been provided for him in Jesus, that he may overcome. The God of heaven Himself is working by His Spirit.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 9, 233. Imagine! God Himself is working on your behalf to make us strong enough to resist temptation.

Christ came to this world to pay the penalty for sins on behalf of every man, woman, and child, but He also came to live the very life that God has promised to every man. God doesn’t just say, “Do this.” Or “Be this.” No. He says I have shown you the way, walk in it. I have provided everything you will need, including My promise that you will be able to do it (Christ’s Object Lessons, 333).

“Not only did Christ give explicit rules showing how we may become obedient children, but He showed us in His own life and character just how to do those things which are right and acceptable with God, so there is no excuse why we should not do those things which are pleasing in His sight. …

“In Him was found the perfect ideal. To reveal this ideal as the only true standard for attainment; to show what every human being might become; what, through the indwelling of humanity by divinity, all who received Him would become—for this, Christ came to the world. He came to show how men are to be trained as befits the sons of God; how on earth they are to practice the principles and to live the life of heaven.” Our Father Cares, 310

“We are ever to be thankful that Jesus has proved to us by actual facts that man can keep the commandments of God, giving contradiction to Satan’s falsehood that man cannot keep them. The Great Teacher came to our world to stand at the head of humanity, to thus elevate and sanctify humanity by His holy obedience to all of God’s requirements showing it is possible to obey all the commandments of God. He has demonstrated that a lifelong obedience is possible. Thus He gives men to the world, as the Father gave the Son, to exemplify in their life the life of Jesus Christ.” Lift Him Up, 170

Some have said that Christ did this because He was God. But if Jesus had had a single advantage that is not available to us, how could we follow what He says, live as He lived?

“We need not place the obedience of Christ by itself as something for which He was particularly adapted, by His particular divine nature, for He stood before God as man’s representative and [was] tempted as man’s substitute and surety. If Christ had a special power which it is not the privilege of man to have, Satan would have made capital of this matter. The work of Christ was to take from the claims of Satan his control of man, and He could do this only in the way that He came—a man, tempted as a man, rendering the obedience of a man.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 6, 340

“Our Lord was tempted as man is tempted. He was capable of yielding to temptations, as are human beings. His finite nature was pure and spotless, but the divine nature that led Him to say to Philip, ‘He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father’ also, was not humanized; neither was humanity deified by the blending or union of the two natures; each retained its essential character and properties.

“The divine nature, combined with the human, made Him capable of yielding to Satan’s temptations. Here the test to Christ was far greater than that of Adam and Eve, for Christ took our nature, fallen but not corrupted, and would not be corrupted unless He received the words of Satan in the place of the words of God. To suppose He was not capable of yielding to temptation places Him where He cannot be a perfect example for man, and the force and the power of this part of Christ’s humiliation, which is the most eventful, is no instruction or help to human beings.” Ibid., Vol. 16, 182, 183

“Obedience is the outgrowth and fruit of oneness with Christ and the Father. …

“Bear in mind that Christ’s overcoming and obedience is that of a true human being. In our conclusions, we make many mistakes because of our erroneous views of the human nature of our Lord. When we give, to His human nature, a power that it is not possible for man to have in his conflicts with Satan, we destroy the completeness of His humanity. His imputed grace and power He gives to all who receive Him by faith. The obedience of Christ to His Father was the same obedience that is required of man.” Ibid., Vol. 6, 340, 341

Wait, I am to give the same obedience to God as Christ gave? How is that possible?

“Man cannot overcome Satan’s temptations without divine power to combine with his instrumentality. So with Jesus Christ, He could lay hold of divine power. He came not to our world to give the obedience of a lesser God to a greater, but as a man to obey God’s holy law, and in this way He is our example.

“The Lord Jesus came to our world, not to reveal what a God could do, but what a man could do, through faith in God’s power to help in every emergency. Man is, through faith, to be a partaker in the divine nature, and to overcome every temptation wherewith he is beset. The Lord now demands that every son and daughter of Adam through faith in Jesus Christ, serve Him in human nature which we now have.

“The Lord Jesus has bridged the gulf that sin has made. He has connected earth with heaven, and finite man with the infinite God. Jesus, the world’s Redeemer, could only keep the commandments of God, in the same way that humanity can keep them. ‘Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.’ 2 Peter 1:4. …

“… by thinking and talking of Jesus we become charmed with His character, and by faith we become changed from character to character. ‘And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.’ … We must practice the example of Christ, bearing in mind His Sonship and His humanity. It was not God that was tempted in the wilderness, nor a god that was to endure the contradiction of sinners against himself. It was the Majesty of heaven who became a man—humbled Himself to our human nature.” Ibid., 341, 342

Because of the example set forth in the life of Jesus Christ we “need not retain one sinful propensity. …

“Christ was obedient to every requirement of the law. …

“By His perfect obedience He has made it possible for every human being to obey God’s commandments. When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah.

“Through the plan of redemption, God has provided means for subduing every sinful trait, and resisting every temptation, however strong.

“The strongest temptation is no excuse for sin. However great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul, transgression is our own act. It is not in the power of earth or hell to compel anyone to sin. The will must consent, the heart must yield, or passion cannot overbear reason, nor iniquity triumph over righteousness. …

“As we partake of the divine nature, hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong are cut away from the character, and we are made a living power for good. Ever learning of the divine Teacher, daily partaking of His nature, we cooperate with God in overcoming Satan’s temptations. God works, and man works, that man may be one with Christ as Christ is one with God. Then we sit together with Christ in heavenly places. The mind rests with peace and assurance in Jesus.” Maranatha, 225

“By faith and prayer all may meet the requirements of the gospel. No man can be forced to transgress. His own consent must be first gained; the soul must purpose the sinful act, before passion can dominate over reason, or iniquity triumph over conscience. Temptation, however strong, is no excuse for sin.” The Signs of the Times, February 8, 1883

“The work to which Christ calls us is to the work of progressive conquest over spiritual evil in our characters. Natural tendencies are to be overcome. … Appetite and passion must be conquered, and the will must be placed wholly on the side of Christ.” The Review and Herald, June 14, 1892

Friends, this is good news. Never again do you have to feel like a failure. Never again do you have to believe that you are too great a sinner and therefore are unable to change. Never again will the devil be able to say that you are his.

“If you will stand under the bloodstained banner of Prince Emmanuel, faithfully doing His service, you need never yield to temptation; for One stands by your side who is able to keep you from falling.” Maranatha, 225

David is an example of one who was tempted, and who yielded with grave and horrible consequences. When darkness was brought upon his soul by his sins with Bathsheba and his desire to have her at all cost, he offered no excuse. Immediately, he accepted responsibility for what he had done and the painful results that would follow.

“David awakens as from a dream. He feels the sense of his sin. He does not seek to excuse his course, or palliate his sin, as did Saul; but with remorse and sincere grief, he bows his head before the prophet of God, and acknowledges his guilt. …” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 2, 1023

Christ met Satan, a defeated foe, and prevailed. “The humanity of Christ received the fallen foe and engaged in battle with him. He was sustained in the conflict by divine power just as man will be sustained by his being a partaker of the divine nature. He gained victory after victory as our Champion, the Captain of our salvation … .

“All heaven rejoiced because humanity, the workmanship of God, was placed in an elevated scale with God by the signal victory gained. Christ was more than conqueror, leaving the way open that man may be more than conqueror through Christ’s merits, because He loved him. …” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 16, 183, 184

“Temptation and trial will come to us all, but we need never be worsted by the enemy. Our Saviour has conquered in our behalf. Satan is not invincible. … Christ was tempted that He might know how to help every soul that should afterward be tempted. Temptation is not sin; the sin lies in yielding. To the soul who trusts in Jesus, temptation means victory and greater strength.” Our High Calling, 87

Do you want to walk with Jesus in truth and righteousness? Then claim the promise “It is not in the power of earth or hell to compel anyone to sin.” It is in the time of trial and temptation that we are able to measure our faith in God and the firmness of our character.

“Do not say, ‘It is impossible for me to overcome.’ Do not say, ‘It is my nature to do thus and so, and I cannot do otherwise. I have inherited weaknesses that make me powerless before temptation.’ In your own strength you cannot overcome, but help has been laid upon One that is mighty. …

“God has given His Holy Spirit as a power sufficient to subdue all your hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong-doing. By yielding the mind to the control of the Spirit, you will grow into the likeness of God’s perfect character, and will become an instrumentality through which He can reveal His mercy, His goodness and His love.

“Whatever may be your defects, the Holy Spirit will reveal them, and grace will be given you to overcome. Through the merits of the blood of Christ you may be a conqueror, yes, more than a conqueror. Will you who read these words resolve never again to excuse your defects of character by saying, ‘It is my way’? Let no one again declare, ‘I cannot change my natural habits and tendencies.’ Let the truth be admitted into the soul, and it will work to sanctify the character.” The Youth’s Instructor, October 2, 1902

“All the satanic legions cannot injure you unless you open your soul to the arts and arrows of Satan. Your ruin can never take place until your will consents. If there is not pollution of mind in yourself, all the surrounding pollution cannot taint or defile you.” Our Father Cares, 96, 97

“I must continually have my strength in God. My dependence must not waiver. No human agency must come between my soul and my God. The Lord is our only hope. In Him I trust, and He will never, no never, fail me.” That I May Know Him, 266

Judy Rebarchek is the managing editor of the LandMarks magazine. She may be contacted by email at: judyrebarchek@stepstolife.org

Confession. When?

by

Let’s begin with the big question: How are a person’s sins forgiven?

The basic principle regarding the forgiveness of sins is that to be forgiven, we must be willing to forgive (Matthew 6:14, 15).

Say someone has done a terrible thing against me, and I decide that it is just so awful that there is no way I can forgive them. I might say, “You don’t understand how bad this was. I just can’t forgive them.”

Jesus left us an example so that we would know what to do under such a circumstance. After the soldiers had driven the nails through His hands and feet, after they had raised the cross to savagely drop into the hole prepared for it, did Jesus say, “This is just too much. I cannot possibly forgive them for this, the crown of thorns, the torture and humiliation. I just can’t.”?

No. With tears streaming down His bloodied face, His body consumed with pain, His heart crying out for each and every person who stood beneath the cross as well as those throughout all time, He pleaded, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Regardless of how bad the hurts, the wrongs, and the harm that our fellow humans may do to us or we may do to them, I am confident that we will experience nothing in this world that is worse than what Jesus experienced in His life—in the judgment hall, as He watched Peter’s betrayal, and as He hung on Calvary’s cross—suspended between heaven and earth to pay a price we could not pay. And yet, He pled for the souls of the very ones who rejected Him and caused Him so much pain.

So, to be forgiven, we must be willing to forgive those who have wronged us no matter how serious the wrong may be. But we also must repent from our own sins if we want to be forgiven.

The Jews believed that if something disastrous happened to a person, it meant that he was a terrible sinner and God had sent this disastrous thing as punishment for his sins. Even today, a person might be sick with cancer and someone will say, “I wonder what they did wrong?” This belief is recorded in John 9. We find the story of a man blind from birth, and when the disciples saw the man, they asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Verse 2. But Jesus’ response, found in verse 3, was clear: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.” Consider what Jesus’ words imply. The man was blind his entire life until the day came when Jesus gave him sight, and in doing so, the glory of God was revealed to, in, and through him—a wonderful thought to consider.

We see this same principle in the book of Job. The Lord tried to teach the human race through the story of Job not to assume someone is a terrible sinner just because some disaster happened to them. We read in Job that the Lord called him, “blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.” Job 1:1

The Lord gave Satan the opportunity to bring all kinds of hardships, disasters, and sorrow to Job, and when Job’s friends came to “comfort” him, the theme of their conversation was, “Job, you must have been or done something very bad, otherwise these terrible tragedies would not have befallen you.” But the Lord said that Job was a righteous man and none of these troubles came because he was a great sinner.

We find a similar circumstance in Luke 13. The Jews were wondering about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. Jesus’ response was, “ ‘Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered such things? I tell you, no, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.’ ” Verses 2, 3

Or what of the 18 who died when the tower in Siloam fell and killed them. “ ‘Do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.’ ” Verses 4, 5

Jesus is saying, “If you want to be saved, you must repent.”

“Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19

In Acts 26, we find Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus. In his speech to King Agrippa, he said, “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God and do works befitting repentance.” Verses 19, 20. Everywhere Paul went, he preached the need for repentance.

Speaking to the people in Athens, Paul says, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30

Repentance is to be sorry for sin, so sorry that we will quit sinning. Repentance requires sorrow for sin, but it also requires a turning away from it. If I lie, then I must be sorry for the lie, I must go to those I lied to and tell the truth and make amends, I must confess to God and ask for forgiveness for the lie, and then I must not lie again.

The English word repentance is derived from the Greek word metanoia (verb=metanoew). The word is formed from two words meta which means “after” or “change” and noew which means “to think” suggesting the meaning “afterthought” or “a change of mind.” Before repentance we think that sin is wonderful, but after repentance the mind is changed so that we can see just how terrible sin is.

Repentance is the first step in having our sins forgiven, but what leads us to repent? “Or do you despise the riches or the goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” Romans 2:4. How does the goodness of God lead us to repentance? “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3. When a person goes to the cross, he or she is able to see what sin is really like, to see what it really does. It took the death of Jesus to save us from sin, our sin.

Have you spent any time thinking about Jesus on the cross, thinking about what it meant that He was willing to and why He did go? As you ponder it, see it in your mind’s eye—the beating, the crown of thorns, the nails piercing His feet and hands, the blood flowing down His body—your mind begins to change; sin doesn’t seem so wonderful when you stand at the foot of the cross, when you gaze up at your crucified Lord, when you hear Him say, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” This is where the conversion of men’s hearts and minds takes place. Here is where we see the true heinousness of sin.

How can man’s natural love for sin be taken out of his heart and replaced with a sanctified hatred for it? “The preaching of the cross is to us that are saved the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18. To those who are lost, the cross is foolishness. But to the saved, it is the power of God to change lives so that repentance can take place.

“No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation.” The Desire of Ages, 555. Genuine repentance means living a life of righteousness rather than one of sinfulness, and results in a reformation in the life. Sorrow for sin cannot be forced, but if you will spend time in your devotions at the cross, your mind and life, your opinions and feelings about sin, and all sinful behavior will be changed. “The cross speaks life, and not death, to the soul that believes in Jesus. Welcome the precious life-giving rays that shine from the cross of Calvary.” In Heavenly Places, 52

The next step in genuine repentance is confession. “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13. We all need mercy, but we will not be given mercy until we first confess and forsake our sins.

“Confess your trespasses to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

What a wonderful promise! God stands behind every promise that He has made. Our problem is not that God does not forgive. The problem is that we do not confess. Without confession, there is no forgiveness.

When I became a minister, I preached for many years, but did not preach on confession. I thought that it was so simple, everybody knew it. I had learned 1 John 1:9 when I was a child and have known it for as long as I can remember. And I thought that other Christians knew it, too, so I never preached about it.

But after a number of years, I began to realize that there were people who had been Christians, Seventh-day Adventists, for many years, who had never confessed their sins. They felt that because they had been Christians for so long, they just didn’t need to do it anymore.

I knew a man, not that long ago, who had been a Christian for over 50 years. He and a relative had a very sharp difference of opinion on something and it resulted in some not-so-kind words between them. The man thought that maybe he ought to confess it, but instead he said, “Well, I guess I just won’t be able to go to heaven, because I can’t confess it.” This man would rather risk eternal life than to confess a sin. How many Christians are there in the world today who are willing to leave their sins unconfessed and lose eternal life?

The Bible and Inspiration explain in great detail how important it is to confess our sins if we want to be forgiven. Remember, without forgiveness we will not reach heaven, and we cannot be forgiven if we do not confess our sins.

Let me start with a quotation from an article on child training. I have often wondered if one of the reasons adult Christians find it so difficult to confess their sins is because they were not taught as children to do it.

“Children are to be taught to be respectful to their parents and to one another. Thus they learn to be respectful to God. They are to be taught to appreciate the abilities God has given them, and to remember that Christ’s love for them calls for the surrender of all to Him. They are to be taught to do right because it is right; to control self, to be kind, loving, and gentle; to forget self in the effort to help others.

“Parents, do all in your power to keep disagreements out of the home circle. If the children quarrel remind them that God has said, ‘Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.’ Teach them never to let the sun go down on angry feelings or sin unconfessed.” The Signs of the Times, April 23, 1902

What wonderful counsel! Never to let the sun go down on our anger without confession. Every day, as the sun begins its descent below the skyline, we should all ask ourselves the question, “Have I sinned against anyone today that I need to confess?” This is a principle that we should early teach our children.

“At eventide when the children would gather together before going to bed, we would talk over the happenings of the day. Possibly during the day one of the children had said, ‘Mother, someone has done thus and so to me.’ I had replied that when we all come together in the evening, we could talk it over. When evening came, they had all had time for reflection, and they did not feel inclined to bring charges against one another. They would say, ‘Mother, I have done thus and so,’ and the tears would start from their eyes, as they would add, ‘I feel as though I would like to have you ask the Lord to forgive me. I believe He will.’ And then we would bow in prayer, and confess the sins of the day, and pray for forgiveness.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 7, 270. This was Mrs. White’s practice with her children. This is how to raise a child to be a Christian.

We should never go to bed and go to sleep with an unconfessed sin. What if I have a sin that I have left unconfessed for months, maybe even years? What if it is a very serious sin? The good news of the gospel is that big and little sins alike can be forgiven. Whatever sin is in your life, Jesus wants to forgive it and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness.

The following is an excerpt from a letter Mrs. White wrote to a woman who had been living as a mistress, living in the sin of adultery, for a long time.

“I again address you not to fail in this time which is the crisis of your life, to take the only right course left for you to take. The stronghold of sin is in the will. Put your will on God’s side of the question; place yourself no longer in the position of a sinner, a harlot. You may not see clearly how you will obtain deliverance from the sins which have been cherished and strengthened with repetition. The only way is to confess your sins, forsake them, and believe that Jesus will pardon you.

“Your deliverance is to be found in Christ, and in Him alone. Your temper and your pride must die, and Christ live in you, else you are still in the bondage of sin and iniquity. You must humble your heart before God, and Jesus will pity and save you. …

“You have been living in adultery so long that sin does not appear heinous to you. You love sin. If now you want to leave sin, you must forever renounce it. … You must not hide or excuse your sins, but you must arise and make haste to confess your sins, and save your soul by seeking the forgiveness of your sins.” Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, 140, 141

This is a letter written to an old man in a similar circumstance. “The sands of your life are nearly run out, and now if you will come to God just as you are, without one plea but that He has died to save the chiefest of sinners, you will find pardon, even in this the eleventh hour. Man must cooperate with God. Christ did not die to have the power to cover transgression unrepented of and unconfessed. Not all sins are to be confessed publicly, but some are to be confessed alone to God and the parties that have been injured.” Ibid., 133

Ministers find it difficult to confess their sins because they are supposed to be “men of the cloth.” People don’t think of them as sinners. Therefore, they don’t think of themselves as sinners either.

This statement is from a letter written to the General Conference Committee and the Medical Missionary Board on August 11, 1902. “Dear Brethren: A wonderful work could have been done for the vast company gathered in Battle Creek at the General Conference of 1901, if the leaders of our work had taken themselves in hand. Had thorough work been done at this conference; had there been, as God designed there should be, a breaking up of the fallow ground of the heart by the men who had been bearing responsibilities; had they, in humility of soul, led out in the work of confession and consecration, giving evidence that they received the counsels and warnings sent by the Lord to correct their mistakes, there would have been [one] of the greatest revivals that there has been since the day of Pentecost.

“But the work that all heaven was waiting to do as soon as men prepared the way was not done. For the leaders in the work closed and bolted the door against the Spirit’s entrance. There was a stopping short of entire surrender to God. Hearts that might have been purified from error were strengthened in wrongdoing. The doors were barred against the heavenly current that would have swept away all evil. Men left their sins unconfessed. They built themselves up in their wrongdoing and said to the Spirit of God, ‘Go thy way for this time; when I have a more convenient season, I will call for thee.’

“The Lord calls for the close self-examination to be made now that was not made at the last General Conference when He was waiting to be gracious. The present is our sowing time for eternity. We must reap the fruit of the evil seed we sow, unless we repent the sowing, and ask for forgiveness for the mistakes we have made.” The Kress Collection, 95

“Those who, given opportunity to repent and reform, pass over the ground without humbling the hearts before God, without doing faithful work in putting away that which He reproves, will become hardened against the council of the Lord Jesus.” Battle Creek Letters (1928), 56

“If a brother does you a wrong, you are not to retaliate by doing him a wrong. If you have done him a wrong, you must go to him, and ask him to forgive you. You must not let an injury to your brother remain unrepented of, and unforgiven, for even one night.” The Review and Herald, August 14, 1888

It doesn’t matter who you are or what your position is, if you have made mistakes, if you have sinned, those sins must be confessed. As soon as it is brought to your knowledge that you have done something wrong, the heart must be humbled, and you must confess it, or you will be lost. Unconfessed sin is unforgiven sin.

When the devil sinned, he tried to justify himself. When Adam and Eve sinned, they tried to justify themselves. This is common among the unrepentant. Mistakes are made and rather than repent, the natural human tendency is to justify, with a prideful heart seeking to prove itself right. But genuine repentance does not seek to justify sin; instead, with a humbled heart, it confesses its mistakes. This is one of the primary ways you can know if you have truly repented or not.

“There are those who are supposed to be excellent men, but they have some flaw in their character which, under special temptation becomes as a dead fly in the ointment. The whole character will be perverted by one unconfessed sin.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 13, 190

All excuses for sin are in vain and they will be in vain in the Day of Judgment. To be saved, we must have a Christlike character, but if we have one unconfessed sin, our whole character will be perverted, unfit for heaven.

“What souls are there here who will have their sins unforgiven and their names blotted out of the book of life? We do not know what we are doing. If we have unclean hands we cannot enter heaven.” The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 158. There is only one way that we are able to enter heaven—if we make a full and complete confession of all our sins.

“All sin unrepented of and unconfessed, will remain upon the books of record. It will not be blotted out. It will not go beforehand to Judgment, to be canceled by the atoning blood of Jesus. The accumulated sins of every individual will be written with absolute accuracy and the penetrating light of God’s law will try every secret of darkness. …

“The day of final settlements is just before us.” The Review and Herald, March 27, 1888

Some might say that we should love people, have compassion for people, that we shouldn’t be too hard on people. If they confess, it could cause a lot of trouble in their home or work or school, so we shouldn’t push them to do something that would cause trouble and unhappiness in their lives.

We all will have to face the Day of Judgment. The truth is, unconfessed, unforsaken sins will not be forgiven, they will not be blotted out of heaven’s books of record, so we must confess our wrongdoings now, or we, along with all the wicked of the world, will confess them before the universe at the end of the millennium.

“… Errors and unconfessed sins stand registered in heaven and will not be blotted out until [we comply] with the instructions, the directions in the word of God: ‘Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.’ ” Testimonies, Vol. 4, 241

When I was 19 years old, I heard an elderly minister preach about when he became a Christian. Before he became a Christian, he had been a traveling salesman. He worked a specific region of the United States. On many occasions, he had lied in order to help sell his product.

He went through his records and began writing letters of confession to his customers. When he was finished, he had written 726 letters, but his conscience was clear.

Can you imagine it, going to bed tonight, closing your eyes, and falling asleep with a clear conscience? You cannot comprehend how hard it is to confess until you decide to do it. It takes backbone, but it is wonderful when it is done and you know that your conscience is clear.

“Whatever the character of your sin, confess it. If it is against God only, confess only to Him. If you have wronged or offended others, confess also to them, and the blessing of the Lord will rest upon you. In this way you die to self, and Christ is formed within. Thus you may establish yourself in the confidence of your brethren, and may be a help and blessing to them.” The Review and Herald, December 16, 1890

We have two choices: confession or cover up. For those who find it difficult to confess, the Holy Spirit will bring back to us, again and again, our sins and errors until we confess.

“If when the Lord reveals your errors you do not repent or make confession, His providence will bring you over the ground again and again. You will be left to make mistakes of a similar character, you will continue to lack wisdom, and will call sin righteousness, and righteousness sin. The multitude of deceptions that will prevail in these last days will encircle you, and you will change leaders, and not know that you have done so. …

“The Lord reads every secret of the heart. He knows all things. You may now close the book of your remembrance, in order to escape confessing your sins: but when the judgment shall sit, and the books shall be opened, you cannot close them. The recording angel has testified that which is true. All that you have tried to conceal and forget is registered, and will be read to you when it is too late for wrongs to be righted. Then you will be overwhelmed with despair. O, it is a terrible thing that so many are trifling with eternal interests, closing the heart against any course of action which shall involve confession!” Ibid.

The question must now be asked, “Are there any sins you still must confess?” If the answer is yes, then begin now, for your soul is in peril. Whatever the Lord brings to your remembrance, confess it and your record will be clean, and when Jesus comes, your garment of character will be spotless and you will be able to go home with Him.

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

The Promise of the Melchizedek Priesthood

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In the epistle to the Hebrew Christians, the apostle Paul states seven times that God has made Christ a High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. He also makes it clear that no one was ever made perfect by the Levitical priesthood as far as the conscience is concerned, and no sin has ever been forgiven by a priest who descended from Levi (Hebrews 10).

So it was necessary that another Priest should come who could do what the descendants of Aaron could never do. What is the function of a priest? He offers gifts and sacrifices for sin (Hebrews 5). It is through the services of a priest that sins are forgiven, but the Levitical priests could not forgive sin, as we saw in the preceding paragraph. However, no one will go to heaven who has his sins forgiven only.

Do not misunderstand. No one can go to heaven unless their sins are forgiven, but it is necessary that more be done for you than just forgiveness of your sins. In order to go heaven, your sins must be taken away—removed from you completely. The person who has had his sins forgiven is still a sinner even though he has been justified, or forgiven, and is accounted innocent.

The sin itself, the degradation from sin, must be removed. No earthly priest ever has or ever will be able to do this for you, but Jesus can and it must happen if you are to be with Him in heaven.

Paul says that Jesus came to put away sin (Hebrews 9). This is the miracle of salvation that everyone who goes to heaven must have. Only the services of a priest after the order of Melchizedek can do this for you.

No one can be saved by a human priest, that is why Jesus said, “ ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’ ” John 14:6

The Melchizedek priesthood is all powerful and can save any sinner (Hebrews 7:25).

Have you asked Him to save you?

Bible Study – Organization of the Melchizedek Priesthood

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January 21 – 27, 2024

Key Text

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the Forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:19, 20

Study Help: The Desire of Ages, 411–416

Introduction

“Melchizedek was not Christ, but he was the voice of God in the world, the representative of the Father.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 409

Sunday

1 TO BE LIKE OTHER NATIONS

1.a. How did Israel change God’s system of order from the leadership of priests and judges? 1 Samuel 8:4–9

Note: “The prophet [Samuel] was reproved for grieving at the conduct of the people toward himself as an individual. They had not manifested disrespect for him, but for the authority of God, who had appointed the rulers of His people. Those who despise and reject the faithful servant of God show contempt, not merely for the man, but for the Master who sent him. It is God’s words, His reproofs and counsel, that are set at nought; it is His authority that is rejected.

“The days of Israel’s greatest prosperity had been those in which they acknowledged Jehovah as their King—when the laws and the government which He had established were regarded as superior to those of all other nations. Moses had declared to Israel concerning the commandments of the Lord: ‘This is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ Deuteronomy 4:6. But by departing from God’s law the Hebrews had failed to become the people that God desired to make them, and then all the evils which were the result of their own sin and folly they charged upon the government of God. So completely had they become blinded by sin.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 605

Monday

2 MAN’S FOLLY AND GOD’S MERCY

2.a. Why did God permit Israel to have a king? Hosea 13:11

Note: “The Lord had, through His prophets, foretold that Israel would be governed by a king; but it does not follow that this form of government was best for them or according to His will. He permitted the people to follow their own choice, because they refused to be guided by His counsel. Hosea declares that God gave them a king in His anger. Hosea 13:11. When men choose to have their own way, without seeking counsel from God, or in opposition to His revealed will, He often grants their desires, in order that, through the bitter experience that follows, they may be led to realize their folly and to repent of their sin. Human pride and wisdom will prove a dangerous guide. That which the heart desires contrary to the will of God will in the end be found a curse rather than a blessing.

“God desired His people to look to Him alone as their Law-giver and their Source of strength. Feeling their dependence upon God, they would be constantly drawn nearer to Him. They would become elevated and ennobled, fitted for the high destiny to which He had called them as His chosen people. But when a man was placed upon the throne, it would tend to turn the minds of the people from God. They would trust more to human strength, and less to divine power, and the errors of their king would lead them into sin and separate the nation from God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 605, 606

2.b. As a result of the new system of organization following the pattern of other nations, what happened to Aaron’s rod? 2 Chronicles 5:10

2.c. After which priesthood order did Jesus begin His work in the heavenly sanctuary? Hebrews 6:19, 20; 7:12, 28. How was this a fulfillment of prophecy? Psalm 110:1–4; Hebrews 9:11, 12

Note: “When Christ expired on the cross, crying with a loud voice, ‘It is finished,’ His work was completed. The way was laid open, the vail was rent in twain. Man could approach God without sacrificial offerings, without the service of earthly priests. Christ Himself was a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Heaven was His home. He came to this world to reveal the Father.” The Signs of the Times, August 16, 1899

Tuesday

3 THE PRIESTHOOD AND FOUNDATION

3.a. How was the Melchizedek priesthood superior to the Levitical, and why is it so significant? Hebrews 7:1–11, 22–24, 27, 28

Note: “He [Christ] is a true high priest, for after enduring humiliation, shame, and reproach, after being crucified and buried, He was raised from the grave, triumphing over death. He is a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 12, 398

3.b. In the order of the Melchizedek priesthood, are there other priests associated with the High Priest? 1 Peter 2:5–9; 5:1–4

3.c. What is the basis of this church governed by the Melchizedek priesthood? Matthew 16:13–19; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 3:11

Note: “Christ is the foundation of every true church.” Testimonies, Vol. 9, 147

“In the presence of God, and all the heavenly intelligences, in the presence of the unseen army of hell, Christ founded His church upon the living Rock. That Rock is Himself—His own body, for us broken and bruised. Against the church built upon this foundation, the gates of hell shall not prevail.

“How feeble the church appeared when Christ spoke these words! There was only a handful of believers, against whom all the power of demons and evil men would be directed; yet the followers of Christ were not to fear. Built upon the Rock of their strength, they could not be overthrown.” The Desire of Ages, 413

3.d. Why was it impossible for this Rock to be Peter? Matthew 16:21–23

Note: “ ‘The keys of the kingdom of heaven’ are the words of Christ. All the words of Holy Scripture are His, and are here included. These words have power to open and to shut heaven. …

“The Saviour did not commit the work of the gospel to Peter individually. At a later time, repeating the words that were spoken to Peter, He applied them directly to the church.” The Desire of Ages, 413, 414

Wednesday

4 PURE, UNADULTERATED TRUTH

4.a. Upon whom is Christ’s church founded? Matthew 16:16, 17

Note: “ ‘Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven.’ The truth which Peter had confessed is the foundation of the believer’s faith.” The Desire of Ages, 412

4.b. How does God’s word identify the Truth? John 14:6

Note: “Christ is the complete system of truth.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 198

4.c. What danger must be faced by those who profess to believe the truth? 1 John 3:3; 2:21; 2 John 9–11

Note: “This is the danger to which the church is now exposed—that the inventions of finite men shall mark out the precise way for the Holy Spirit to come. Though they would not care to acknowledge it, some have already done this. And because the Spirit is to come, not to praise men or to build up their erroneous theories, but to reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment, many turn away from it. They are not willing to be deprived of the garments of their own self-righteousness. They are not willing to exchange their own righteousness, which is unrighteousness, for the righteousness of Christ, which is pure, unadulterated truth. The Holy Spirit flatters no man, neither does it work according to the devising of any man. Finite, sinful men are not to work the Holy Spirit. When it shall come as a reprover, through any human agent whom God shall choose, it is man’s place to hear and obey its voice.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 64, 65

4.d. Because the world is in intense darkness, how does God reveal truth to individuals? Proverbs 4:18

 Note: “He [Christ] made the church the depositary of sacred truth. He left His church a stewardship of sacred truth, and it is the work of the church to carry forward His mission of saving the world. He is the Sun of Righteousness, who is to impart bright rays to His followers; and they, in turn, are to shed His light upon others.” The Review and Herald, June 30, 1896

Thursday

5 “GUIDE YOU INTO ALL TRUTH”

5.a. Since the true church is built on the pure truth, what does that church indeed become? 1 Timothy 3:15; Ephesians 2:19, 20

Note: “God is leading out a people to stand in perfect unity upon the platform of eternal truth. Christ gave Himself to the world that He might ‘purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.’ This refining process is designed to purge the church from all unrighteousness and the spirit of discord and contention, that they may build up instead of tear down, and concentrate their energies on the great work before them. God designs that His people should all come into the unity of the faith.” Testimonies, Vol. 4, 17

“We are to unify, but not on a platform of error.” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 15, 259

5.b. What assurance comes to all who determine to do God’s will at any cost? John 7:17. How is this also a challenge? John 5:39

Note: “Whoever is with singleness of purpose seeking to do God’s will, earnestly heeding the light already given, will receive greater light; to that soul some star of heavenly radiance will be sent to guide him into all truth.” The Great Controversy, 312

5.c. How can we find the pure truth? John 16:13

Note: “The wheat develops ‘first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.’ The object of the husbandman in the sowing of the seed and the culture of the growing plant is the production of grain. He desires bread for the hungry, and seed for future harvests. So the divine Husbandman looks for a harvest as the reward of His labor and sacrifice. Christ is seeking to reproduce Himself in the hearts of men; and He does this through those who believe in Him. The object of the Christian life is fruit bearing—the reproduction of Christ’s character in the believer, that it may be reproduced in others.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 67

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1    Why did the Israelites become restless without a king, and how did God fulfill their stubborn demand?

2    Since Jesus was not a Levite from the generations of Aaron, why is He able to be our High Priest?

3    Who is the true foundation of the believer’s faith?

4    What kind of truth are we to build upon as our eternal foundation?

5    As we try to fulfill Christ’s prayer before His crucifixion, can we unite with individuals or groups who are rejecting present truth?

Copyright 2008, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

Bible Study – A Budding Staff with Almonds

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January 14 – 20, 2024

Key Text

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Bring Aaron’s rod back before the Testimony, to be kept for a sign against the rebels, that you may put their complaints away from Me, lest they die.” Numbers 17:10

Study Help: Patriarchs and Prophets, 400–405

Introduction

“God mercifully condescended to give the host of Israel another evidence, one calculated to correct their perverted judgment.” The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, 305

Sunday

1 EACH LEADER WITH A ROD

1.a. Throughout Old Testament times, of what has the rod been a symbol? Psalm 110:2; Isaiah 11:1–4

1.b. As each leader in Israel was to present a rod, in what manner did God have the leadership of Aaron specifically identified? Numbers 17:1–4, 6, 7

Note: “By divine direction each tribe prepared a rod and wrote upon it the name of the tribe. The name of Aaron was upon that of Levi. The rods were laid up in the tabernacle, ‘before the testimony.’ ” Patriarchs and Prophets, 403

1.c. What specific miracle was to identify God’s chosen representative to the priesthood, and what was it designed to do? Numbers 17:5, 8, 9

Monday

2 A SYMBOLIC MEMORIAL AND PROPHECY

2.a. How was Aaron’s priesthood confirmed as a reminder for future generations? Numbers 17:10–13

Note: “[In causing Aaron’s rod to bud and bear almonds,] God … wrought a miracle which was sufficient to silence the complaints of the Israelites, and which was to be a standing testimony that God had settled the priesthood upon Aaron. All the remarkable changes in the rod occurred in one night, to convince them that God had positively distinguished between Aaron and the rest of the children of Israel. After this miracle of divine power, the authority of the priesthood was no longer called in question. This wonderful rod was preserved to be frequently shown to the people, to remind them of the past, to prevent them from murmuring, and again calling in question to whom the priesthood rightfully belonged.

“After the children of Israel were fully convinced of their wrong, in unjustly accusing Moses and Aaron as they had done, they saw their past rebellion in its true light, and they were terrified. They ‘spake unto Moses, saying, Behold we die, we perish; we all perish.’ They are at length compelled to believe the unwelcome truth that their fate is to die in the wilderness. After they believed that it was indeed the Lord who had said that they should not enter the Promised Land, but should die, they then acknowledged that Moses and Aaron were right, and that they had sinned against the Lord, in rebelling against their authority. They also confessed that Korah, and those who perished with him, were sinners against the Lord, and that they had justly suffered his wrath.” The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, 305, 306

2.b. Who is our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary? Hebrews 8:1–5

Note: “The Chief Shepherd is looking down from the heavenly sanctuary upon the sheep of His pasture.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 273

“Now is the time when the Lord is testing character, weighing moral worth in the balances of the sanctuary. Oh, let us seek the gold tried in the fire, let us seek the white raiment of Christ’s righteousness, that the shame of our nakedness do not appear, and anoint our eyes with the heavenly eyesalve, that we may discern the working of God.” The Review and Herald, July 28, 1891

Tuesday

3 A PREPARATORY WORK

3.a. What work was done by John the Baptist prior to Christ’s first advent? Matthew 3:2; John 3:27–30

Note: “In this age, just prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven, such a work as that of John is to be done. God calls for men who will prepare a people to stand in the great day of the Lord. The message preceding the public ministry of Christ was: ‘Repent, publicans and sinners; repent, Pharisees and Sadducees; “repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” ’ As a people who believe in Christ’s soon appearing, we have a message to bear—‘Prepare to meet thy God.’ Amos 4:12. Our message must be as direct as was the message of John. He rebuked kings for their iniquity. Notwithstanding that his life was imperiled, he did not hesitate to declare God’s word. And our work in this age must be done as faithfully.” Testimonies, Vol. 8, 332, 333

3.b. What work is to be done in these closing days of earth’s history? Isaiah 58:1; Amos 4:12

Note: “With no elaborate arguments or fine-spun theories did John declare his message. Startling and stern, yet full of hope, his voice was heard from the wilderness: ‘Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ [Matthew 3:2]. With a new, strange power it moved the people. The whole nation was stirred. Multitudes flocked to the wilderness. …

“In order to give such a message as John gave, we must have a spiritual experience like his. The same work must be wrought in us. We must behold God, and in beholding Him, lose sight of self.

“John had by nature the faults and weaknesses common to humanity; but the touch of divine love had transformed him. When, after Christ’s ministry began, the disciples of John came to him with the complaint that all men were following the new Teacher, John showed how clearly he understood his relation to the Messiah, and how gladly he welcomed the One for whom he had prepared the way.” Gospel Workers, 54–56

Wednesday

4 PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

4.a. What type of experience is necessary for those who will be ready when Jesus comes? Isaiah 57:15; John 1:29

Note: “John had risen to the height of self-abnegation. He sought not to attract men to himself, but to lift their thoughts higher and still higher, until they should rest upon the Lamb of God. He himself had been only a voice, a cry in the wilderness. Now with joy he accepted silence and obscurity, that the eyes of all might be turned to the Light of life.

“Those who are true to their calling as messengers for God will not seek honor for themselves. Love for self will be swallowed up in love for Christ. They will recognize that it is their work to proclaim, as did John the Baptist: ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’ John 1:29. They will lift up Jesus, and with Him humanity will be lifted up.” Testimonies, Vol. 8, 333, 334

4.b. How did John manifest true self–denial when he heard that many of his followers had gone after Jesus? John 3:22–30

Note: “The soul of the prophet [John], emptied of self, was filled with the light of the Divine. In words that were almost a counterpart of the words of Christ Himself, he bore witness to the Saviour’s glory. ‘He that cometh from above,’ he said, ‘is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: He that cometh from heaven is above all. … For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him.’ John 3:31, 34

“In this glory of Christ all His followers are to share. The Saviour could say: ‘I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me.’ John 5:30. ‘And,’ declared John, ‘the Father giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him.’ So with the followers of Christ. We can receive of heaven’s light only as we are willing to be emptied of self. We can discern the character of God, and accept Christ by faith, only as we consent to the bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ. To all who do this, the Holy Spirit is given without measure. In Christ ‘dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him.’ Colossians 2:9, 10.” Testimonies, Vol. 8, 334

Thursday

5 MODERN KORAHS

5.a. Though prophecy shows that men like Korah will exist in the last days, what does God require from His true watchmen? 2 Timothy 4:1–4

Note: “ ‘The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.’ The apostle [Paul] does not here refer to the openly irreligious, but to the professing Christians who make inclination their guide, and thus become enslaved by self. Such are willing to listen to those doctrines only that do not rebuke their sins or condemn their pleasure-loving course. They are offended by the plain words of the faithful servants of Christ and choose teachers who praise and flatter them. And among professing ministers there are those who preach the opinions of men instead of the word of God. Unfaithful to their trust, they lead astray those who look to them for spiritual guidance.” The Acts of the Apostles, 504, 505

5.b. By giving needed reproof, what kind of opposition did both Jesus and the apostles face? John 8:40; 2 Peter 2:1–3; Jude 11. How does this relate today to the Spirit of Prophecy? Revelation 12:17; 19:10

Note: “He [Paul] was set for the defense of the church. He was to watch for souls as one that must render account to God, and should he not take notice of the reports concerning their state of anarchy and division? Most assuredly; and the reproof he sent them was written just as much under the inspiration of the Spirit of God as were any of his epistles. But when these reproofs came, some would not be corrected. They took the position that God had not spoken to them through Paul, that he had merely given them his opinion as a man, and they regarded their own judgment as good as that of Paul.

“So it is with many among our people who have drifted away from the old landmarks and who have followed their own understanding. What a great relief it would be to such could they quiet their conscience with the belief that my work is not of God. But your unbelief will not change the facts in the case. You are defective in character, in moral and religious experience. Close your eyes to the fact if you will, but this does not make you one particle more perfect. The only remedy is to wash in the blood of the Lamb.

“If you seek to turn aside the counsel of God to suit yourselves, if you lessen the confidence of God’s people in the testimonies He has sent them, you are rebelling against God as certainly as were Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, 65, 66

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1    How did God miraculously resolve the debate over church leadership?

2    Where was Aaron’s rod placed as a reminder for future generations?

3    In the spirit of Elijah and John the Baptist, what work is to be done before the coming of Christ?

4    Describe the character of the messengers that God wants to use in these difficult last days.

5    Today, what is the clearest manifestation of the Korah leadership?

“The best efforts of the meekest man upon the earth could not quell [the Hebrews’] insubordination. The unselfish interest of Moses was rewarded with jealousy, suspicion, and calumny. His humble shepherd’s life was far more peaceful and happy than his present position as pastor of that vast congregation of turbulent spirits. Their unreasonable jealousies were more difficult to manage than the fierce wolves of the wilderness. But Moses dared not choose his own course and do as best pleased himself. He had left the shepherd’s crook at God’s command and in its place had received a rod of power. He dared not lay down this scepter and resign his position till God should dismiss him.” Testimonies, Vol. 3, 342, 343

“Ministers of the gospel sometimes do great harm by allowing their forbearance toward the erring to degenerate into toleration of sins and even participation in them. Thus they are led to excuse and palliate that which God condemns, and after a time they become so blinded as to commend the very ones whom God commands them to reprove. He who has blunted his spiritual perceptions by sinful leniency toward those whom God condemns, will erelong commit a greater sin by severity and harshness toward those whom God approves.” The Acts of the Apostles, 504

Copyright 2008, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

Bible Study – Leadership With Reproof

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January 7 – 13, 2024

Key Text

“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits.” Proverbs 16:2

Study Help: Testimonies, Vol. 4, 227–240

Introduction

“To those who are in the wrong, and deserving of reproof, there is nothing more pleasing than to receive sympathy and praise.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 397

Sunday

1 A PERSISTENT REBELLION

1.a. How did Moses respond to the rebellion that Korah had incited against him—but above all, against God? Numbers 16:4–7

1.b. How did Dathan and Abiram respond when Moses sent for them? Numbers 16:12

Note: “They [the Israelites] did not realize the necessity of seeking pardon of God for their grievous sin. That night of probation was not passed in repentance and confession, but in devising some way to resist the evidences which showed them to be the greatest of sinners. They still cherished hatred of the men of God’s appointment, and braced themselves to resist their authority. Satan was at hand to pervert their judgment and lead them blindfold to destruction.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 402

1.c. How did those involved in the rebellion view themselves? Numbers 16:2, 3

Note: “The charge that the murmurings of the people had brought upon them the wrath of God was declared to be a mistake. They [the conspirators] said that the congregation were not at fault, since they desired nothing more than their rights; but that Moses was an overbearing ruler; that he had reproved the people as sinners, when they were a holy people, and the Lord was among them.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 397

Monday

2 SELF–DECEIVED

2.a. What principle did Korah violate? Luke 14:8–11

Note: “Korah had cherished his envy and rebellion until he was self-deceived, and he really thought that the congregation was a very righteous people, and that Moses was a tyrannical ruler, continually dwelling upon the necessity of the congregation’s being holy, when there was no need of it, for they were holy.” The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, 300

2.b. Knowing God’s law, what mistake did the rebels make? 2 Corinthians 10:12

Note: “These rebellious ones [Korah and his company] had flattered the people in general to believe that they were right, and that all their troubles arose from Moses their ruler, who was continually reminding them of their sins. The people thought that if Korah could lead them and encourage them and dwell upon their righteous acts, instead of reminding them of their failures, they should have a very peaceful, prosperous journey, and he would without doubt lead them, not back and forward in the wilderness, but into the Promised Land. They said that it was Moses who had told them that they could not go into the land, and that the Lord had not thus said.” The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, 300

2.c. What is a source of trouble for people with similar issues as those raised by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram? 1 Kings 22:5–8

Note: “Korah reviewed the history of their [the congregation’s] travels through the wilderness, where they had been brought into strait places, and many had perished because of their murmuring and disobedience. His hearers thought they saw clearly that their troubles might have been prevented if Moses had pursued a different course. They decided that all their disasters were chargeable to him, and that their exclusion from Canaan was in consequence of the mismanagement of Moses and Aaron; that if Korah would be their leader, and would encourage them by dwelling upon their good deeds instead of reproving their sins, they would have a very peaceful, prosperous journey; instead of wandering to and fro in the wilderness, they would proceed directly to the Promised Land.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 397, 398

Tuesday

3 SELF–INFLICTED BLINDNESS

3.a. Confronted with the deceptions faced in Christian warfare, how do people tend to view themselves? Proverbs 3:7; 12:15; 16:2; 21:2

Note: “They [the Israelites] had been flattered by Korah and his company until they really believed themselves to be very good people, and that they had been wronged and abused by Moses. Should they admit that Korah and his company were wrong, and Moses right, then they would be compelled to receive as the word of God the sentence that they must die in the wilderness. They were not willing to submit to this, and they tried to believe that Moses had deceived them. They had fondly cherished the hope that a new order of things was about to be established, in which praise would be substituted for reproof, and ease for anxiety and conflict. The men who had perished had spoken flattering words and had professed great interest and love for them, and the people concluded that Korah and his companions must have been good men, and that Moses had by some means been the cause of their destruction.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 401, 402

3.b. In order to convince themselves of a lie, how was the land of Egypt described by the people? Numbers 16:12, 13

Note: “They [the rebels] accused Moses of being the cause of their not entering the Promised Land. They said that God had not dealt with them thus. He had not said that they should die in the wilderness. They would never believe that He had thus said; but that it was Moses who had said this, not the Lord; and that it was all arranged by Moses to never bring them to the land of Canaan. They spoke of his leading them from a land that flowed with milk and honey. They forgot in their blind rebellion their sufferings in the land of Egypt, and the desolating plagues brought upon that land. But they now accuse Moses of bringing them from a good land, to kill them in the wilderness that he might be made rich with their possessions. They inquired of Moses, in an insolent manner, if he thought that none of all the host of Israel were wise enough to understand his motives, and … to have him lead them about like blind men as he pleased, sometimes toward Canaan, then back again toward the Red Sea and Egypt. These words they spoke before the congregation, and utterly refused to any longer acknowledge the authority of Moses and Aaron.” The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, 298, 299

Wednesday

4 THE SHOWDOWN

4.a. Who gathered the entire congregation for the deciding event to determine true leadership? Numbers 16:14–19. Describe the contrasting attitudes.

Note: “It was evident that the sympathies of the people were with the disaffected party; but Moses made no effort at self-vindication. He solemnly appealed to God, in the presence of the congregation, as a witness to the purity of his motives and the uprightness of his conduct, and implored Him to be his judge. …

“It was not Moses who assembled the congregation to behold the defeat of Korah and his company, but the rebels, in their blind presumption, had called them together to witness their victory. A large part of the congregation openly sided with Korah, whose hopes were high of carrying his point against Aaron.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 399, 400

4.b. Although encouraged at first by the solidarity with the majority of the Israelite leaders, why was a division created between the subversive leadership and the congregation? Numbers 16:20–27

Note: “The chief rebels saw themselves abandoned by those whom they had deceived, but their hardihood was unshaken. They stood with their families in the door of their tents, as if in defiance of the divine warning.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 400

4.c. By what miraculous event did God reveal that these apostates were determined to defy His will? Numbers 16:28–35

Note: “Satan caused them [the rebels] to reject God as their leader, by rejecting the men of God’s appointment. Yet while in their murmuring against Moses and Aaron they blasphemed God, they were so deluded as to think themselves righteous, and to regard those who had faithfully reproved their sins as actuated by Satan.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 403

“God had given overwhelming evidence that He was leading Israel. But Korah and his companions rejected light until they became so blinded that the most striking manifestations of His power were not sufficient to convince them; they attributed them all to human or satanic agency. … . It was this act that sealed their doom. They had committed the sin against the Holy Spirit.” The Review and Herald, November 12, 1903

Thursday

5 TRUE LEADERSHIP

5.a. How do we know that not all the children of Korah were supportive of his rebellion? 1 Chronicles 6:33–38. What is another name for Shemuel? 1 Chronicles 6:28, 33

5.b. What lessons did Israel need to keep in memory as a result of this experience? Numbers 16:36–40

5.c. What spirit did all Israel show after the punishment of the rebels? Numbers 16:41–43

Note: “The same thing was done by the people, who the day after the destruction of the men who had deceived them, they dared to attribute His judgments to Satan, declaring that through the power of the evil one, Moses and Aaron had caused the death of good and holy men.” The Review and Herald, November 12, 1903

5.d. How did Moses and Aaron show their true spirit as leaders when the plague began to destroy the remaining participants in the rebellion? Numbers 16:44–50

Note: “The guilt of sin did not rest upon Moses, and hence he did not fear and did not hasten away and leave the congregation to perish. Moses lingered, in this fearful crisis manifesting the true shepherd’s interest for the flock of his care. He pleaded that the wrath of God might not utterly destroy the people of His choice. By his intercession he stayed the arm of vengeance, that a full end might not be made of disobedient, rebellious Israel.

“But the minister of wrath had gone forth; the plague was doing its work of death. By his brother’s direction, Aaron took a censer and hastened into the midst of the congregation to ‘make an atonement for them.’ ‘And he stood between the dead and the living.’ As the smoke of the incense ascended, the prayers of Moses in the tabernacle went up to God; and the plague was stayed; but not until fourteen thousand of Israel lay dead, an evidence of the guilt of murmuring and rebellion.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 402, 403

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1    What type of deception poses the greatest danger to believers?

2    Similar to the prevalent modern thinking, what was the new method of labor that the people expected in the new order to be established by Korah?

3    To what extent did self-deception lead the people in their remembrance of the land of Egypt?

4    How does the experience of Korah show that children do not necessarily follow in the footsteps of their parents?

5    What can we learn from the experience of Moses and Aaron during the height of the plague?

Copyright 2008, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

Bible Study – Rebellion at the Border

by

The City of Refuge

December 31, 2023 – January 6, 2024

Key Text

“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:23

Study Help: Patriarchs and Prophets, 395–399

Introduction

“As we approach the close of time, as the people of God stand upon the borders of the heavenly Canaan, Satan will, as of old, redouble his efforts to prevent them from entering the goodly land.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 457

Sunday

1 TWO ITEMS MISSING!

1.a. What three items were inside the ark of the covenant? Hebrews 9:3, 4

1.b. What articles were in the ark when the temple was built in Jerusalem? 2 Chronicles 5:10

Note: “God promised Solomon, if he would remain faithful, and his people would obey all His commandments, that that glorious temple should stand forever in all its splendor, as an evidence of the prosperity and exalted blessings resting upon Israel for their obedience.

“Because of Israel’s transgression of the commandments of God and their wicked acts, God suffered them to go into captivity, to humble and punish them. Before the temple was destroyed, God made known to a few of His faithful servants the fate of the temple, which was the pride of Israel, and which they regarded with idolatry, while they were sinning against God. He also revealed to them the captivity of Israel. These righteous men, just before the destruction of the temple, removed the sacred ark containing the tables of stone, and with mourning and sadness secreted it in a cave where it was to be hid from the people of Israel because of their sins, and was to be no more restored to them. That sacred ark is yet hid. It has never been disturbed since it was secreted.” The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, 414

Monday

2 THE HEAVENLY ARK COMPLETE

2.a. What was revealed to God’s people about the heavenly sanctuary in 1844? Revelation 11:19

Note: “God’s people are now to have their eyes fixed on the heavenly sanctuary, where the final ministration of our great High Priest in the work of the judgment is going forward—where He is interceding for His people.” Evangelism, 223

“In the holiest I saw an ark; on the top and sides of it was purest gold. On each end of the ark was a lovely cherub, with its wings spread out over it. Their faces were turned toward each other, and they looked downward. Between the angels was a golden censer. Above the ark, where the angels stood, was an exceeding bright glory, that appeared like a throne where God dwelt. Jesus stood by the ark, and as the saints’ prayers came up to Him, the incense in the censer would smoke, and He would offer up their prayers with the smoke of the incense to His Father. In the ark was the golden pot of manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of stone which folded together like a book.” Early Writings, 32

2.b. How are God’s people to give the trumpet a certain sound? 1 Corinthians 14:7, 8

Note: “Satan has laid every measure possible that nothing shall come among us as a people to reprove and rebuke us, and exhort us to put away our errors. But there is a people who will bear the ark of God. Some will go out from among us who will bear the ark no longer. But these cannot make walls to obstruct the truth; for it will go onward and upward to the end. In the past God has raised up men, and He still has men of opportunity waiting, prepared to do His bidding—men who will go through restrictions which are only as walls daubed with untempered mortar. When God puts His Spirit upon men, they will work. They will proclaim the word of the Lord; they will lift up their voice like a trumpet. The truth will not be diminished or lose its power in their hands. They will show the people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 411

Tuesday

3 RESPONSIBILITIES IN LEADERSHIP

3.a. Who appointed Moses and Aaron to their responsibilities? Exodus 3:7–10; 4:14–17

Note: “Moses heard the call from heaven to exchange his shepherd’s crook for the rod of authority; to leave his flock of sheep and take the leadership of Israel. The divine command found him self-distrustful, slow of speech, and timid. … But he accepted the work, putting his whole trust in the Lord.” The Ministry of Healing, 475

“God appointed Moses to lead out His people from their bondage in the land of Egypt. … Moses was their visible Leader, while Christ stood at the head of the armies of Israel, their invisible leader. If they could have always realized this they would not have rebelled and provoked God in the wilderness by their unreasonable murmurings.” The Review and Herald, March 3, 1874

3.b. What example shows our responsibility toward those whom God has called to be leaders? Against whom are we rebelling if we reject them—particularly when principle is not involved? 1 Samuel 24:5, 6, 10; 26:9; 1 Timothy 5:17

Note: “The conduct of David toward Saul has a lesson. By command of God, Saul had been anointed as king over Israel. Because of his disobedience the Lord declared that the kingdom should be taken from him; and yet how tender and courteous and forbearing was the conduct of David toward him!” The Ministry of Healing, 484

“To neglect or despise those whom God has appointed to bear the responsibilities of leadership in connection with the advancement of the truth, is to reject the means that He has ordained for the help, encouragement, and strength of His people.” The Acts of the Apostles, 164

3.c. How long are we responsible for carrying out specific tasks that God has appointed to us? Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 9:16

Note: “The humble shepherd’s life of Moses had been far more peaceful and happy than his present position as leader of that vast assembly of turbulent spirits. Yet Moses dared not choose. In place of a shepherd’s crook a rod of power had been given him, which he could not lay down until God should release him.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 396

Wednesday

4 WANTING CONTROL

4.a. Who was Korah? Numbers 16:1; Exodus 6:18, 20

Note: “Korah, the leading spirit in this movement, was a Levite, of the family of Kohath, and a cousin of Moses; he was a man of ability and influence.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 395

4.b. While holding a high position in the government of Israel, what additional position did Korah want? Numbers 16:8–10

Note: “Though appointed to the service of the tabernacle, he had become dissatisfied with his position and aspired to the dignity of the priesthood.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 395

“The Lord knew that Korah was rebellious at heart, and was secretly at work against Moses in the congregation of Israel, although his rebellion had not yet developed itself. … Korah was not satisfied with his position. He was connected with the service of the tabernacle, yet he desired to be exalted to the priesthood. God had established Moses as chief governor, and the priesthood was given to Aaron and his sons. Korah determined to compel Moses to change the order of things, whereby he should be raised to the dignity of the priesthood. To be more sure of accomplishing his purpose, he drew Dathan and Abiram, the descendants of Reuben, into his rebellion.” The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, 296

4.c. How does one arrive at such a position of rebellion? Proverbs 16:18; 27:4; 1 Timothy 6:4

Note: “Korah and his fellow conspirators were men who had been favored with special manifestations of God’s power and greatness. They were of the number who went up with Moses into the mount and beheld the divine glory. But since that time a change had come. A temptation, slight at first, had been harbored, and had strengthened as it was encouraged, until their minds were controlled by Satan, and they ventured upon their work of disaffection. Professing great interest in the prosperity of the people, they first whispered their discontent to one another and then to leading men of Israel. Their insinuations were so readily received that they ventured still further, and at last they really believed themselves to be actuated by zeal for God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 396, 397

Thursday

5 GREATER FOLLY WHEN FOREWARNED

5.a. How did Korah approach Moses regarding leadership? Numbers 16:1–3

Note: “A deep-laid conspiracy was formed, the result of a determined purpose to overthrow the authority of the leaders appointed by God Himself.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 395

“Jealousy had given rise to envy, and envy to rebellion. They [Korah, Dathan, and Abiram] had discussed the question of the right of Moses to so great authority and honor, until they had come to regard him as occupying a very enviable position, which any of them could fill as well as he. And they deceived themselves and one another into thinking that Moses and Aaron had themselves assumed the positions they held.” Ibid., 397

5.b. How does God refer to rebellion? 1 Samuel 15:22, 23. What should our attitude be toward those in responsibility? Hebrews 13:5, 17

Note: “It is hardly possible for men to offer greater insult to God than to despise and reject the instrumentalities He would use for their salvation. The Israelites had not only done this, but had purposed to put both Moses and Aaron to death.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 402

5.c. How does God prepare us to face temptation? 1 Corinthians 10:11–13. What event did God allow to warn Israel? Numbers 12:1–16

Note: “He who reads the secrets of all hearts had marked the purposes of Korah and his companions and had given His people such warning and instruction as might have enabled them to escape the deception of these designing men. They had seen the judgment of God fall upon Miriam because of her jealousy and complaints against Moses.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 396

5.d. Had Moses incited a rebellious attitude in the people by an overbearing type of leadership or rule? Numbers 12:3

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1    Has the ark, taken away at the time of the Babylonian captivity, ever been restored to God’s people?

2    When God places individuals in a leadership role in His church, when are they free to leave such responsibilities?

3    As relatives of Moses and Aaron, for what offices did Korah, Dathan, and Abiram yearn?

4    What kind of leader was Moses?

“The discontented ones said that these leaders [Moses and Aaron] had exalted themselves above the congregation of the Lord, in taking upon them the priesthood and government, but their house was not entitled to distinction above others in Israel; they were no more holy than the people, and it should be enough for them to be on a level with their brethren.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 397

Copyright 2008, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.