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Food – The Living Cucumber

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A beneficial way to build your body with live foods is by incorporating into your diet as many raw foods each day as you can and include the wonderful cucumber. Consider the following:

Cucumbers, like watermelons, are 95 percent water, keeping the body hydrated and the inner temperature regulated. They are also effective in assisting the body to flush out toxins.

Cucumber skin contains a high amount of vitamin C, which is about 10 percent of the recommended daily allowance so leave on as much as possible. If you do like your cucumbers peeled, the skin has other qualities. It can be used to relieve sunburn and mild skin irritations with an affect similar to that of aloe vera. There are some research indications that cucumbers can even stimulate hair growth. Herbalists recommend cucumber juice to reduce puffiness around the eyes and to calm down acne.

Cucumbers can either relieve acid indigestion and heartburn or cause it, depending on the individual. They are a good source of dietary fiber. www.gardeningchannel.com/the-health-benefits-of-cucumbers/

Cucumber History

Cucumber plants naturally thrive in both temperate and tropical environments, and generally require temperatures between 60–90°F (15–33°C). For this reason, they are native to many regions of the world. The first cucumbers were likely to have originated in Western Asia (and perhaps more specifically in India) or parts of the Middle East. Cucumbers are mentioned in the legend of Gilgamesh—a Uruk king who lived around 2500 B.C. in what is now called Iraq and Kuwait. It was approximately 3,300 years later when cucumber cultivation spread to parts of Europe, including France. And it was not until the time of the European colonists that cucumbers finally appeared in North America in the 1500s.

Today, the states of Florida and California are able to provide U.S. consumers with fresh cucumbers for most of the year (from March through November). Imported cucumbers from Mexico are commonly found in groceries during the winter months of December, January, and February. In California alone, about 6,600 acres are planted with slicing cucumber varieties and 4,400 with pickling cucumbers. Worldwide, China is by far the largest producer of cucumbers, and provides about two-thirds of the global supply. Iran, Turkey, Russia, Egypt, Spain, Mexico, the Ukraine, Japan, Indonesia, and the U.S. all participate in the world cucumber market, with an especially high number of exports coming from Iran, Mexico, and Spain. Annual production of cucumbers worldwide is approximately 84 billion pounds.

www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=42

Children’s Story – Learning to Work

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God has made man to find his greatest happiness and satisfaction in useful labor. It is the duty of every man to work. The idle man who wastes his time and his life is of no use to himself or to others. He often gets into bad habits and sins that if he were busy would not tempt him. The man who is too lazy to work for his living is the most ready to beg or to steal.

In ancient Israel, even the children of a king were taught some useful trade and to work with their hands.

In old Germany, all the boys of the royal family were taught some useful trade.

One of the ancient kings of Egypt made a law that all his people should come before their rulers once a year, and prove that they knew some trade by which they could earn their living. Any man who could not do so was put to death.

There was at one time a custom among the people of Holland that was meant to prevent idleness. When a man was found begging, who was able to work, he was seized, and put into a pit, into which water was allowed to run through a pipe.

At the bottom of the pit there was a pump to get rid of the water. But it was hard work to pump out the water that poured in; and if the man had stopped pumping, he would certainly have been drowned.

It was great fun for those who passed by to see an idle tramp forced to work in spite of himself and a few hours of this punishment was enough to cure a very lazy man. When he was quite worn out, he was ready enough to promise to work for his living in the future.

But it is not enough that a man should learn some kind of work. He should apply himself to his work with a will, and not waste his spare minutes or half hours. “Work while you work, and play while you play,” is a good rule for old people as well as young people.

There is no better habit than that of early rising, and this, like all other habits, is most easily formed in youth. A great French writer tells us how he managed, by the help of his servant, to get up early in the morning, and thus save much of his time.

“When I was young,” he says, “I was so fond of sleep that I lost half my time. My servant Joseph did all he could to help me to break off my lazy habit, but at first without success.

“At last I promised him five shillings every time he could make me get up at six o’clock. He came the next morning at that hour, and did his best to rouse me; but I only spoke roughly to him, and then went to sleep again.

“The next morning he came again, and this time I became so angry that he was frightened. That afternoon I said to him, ‘Joseph, I have lost my time, and you have not won your five shillings. You do not understand your work; you should think only of that I have promised you, and never mind how angry I am.’

“Next morning, he came again. First I begged him to leave me alone, then I grew angry, but it was of no use; he made me get up, very much against my will.

“My ill-humor did not last long after I was awake, and then I thanked Joseph, and gave him his five shillings. I owe to Joseph at least a dozen of the books I have written.”

Young readers, don’t wait until you have such a bad habit as that. Don’t wait until you have to pay someone to get you out of bed in the morning. Start today and determine that you will learn to rise early, and use your hours wisely. You will never regret the good habit.

Storytime Treasury, compiled by P. G. Temple, Harvestime Books, Altamont, Tennessee 37301.

Health – Seasoning Alternatives

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“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?”

Luke 14:34 NIV

Salt is essential, but too much can cause medical problems

Salt has a fascinating history. At times it has been used as currency and has even been used as a reason to start a war. It is a natural component of seawater and today it is mined from areas where water has evaporated long ago. Dietary salt provides the body with sodium, which is essential for life. Although consuming sodium in appropriate amounts is necessary, when you take in too much, it can cause a serious imbalance in the body, raising the risk for several potentially serious medical problems.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends healthy adults consume no more than 2,400 milligrams of sodium daily, equivalent to 6 grams of table salt or about 1 teaspoon. If you have or are at risk for high blood pressure, consume only 1,500 milligrams daily. Use less salt at the table or substitute salt-free herbs and spices, and check condiment labels for salt content. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables over processed types and rinse salted canned vegetables before serving.

Some (Additional) Seasoning Alternatives

Many of us realize the harmful effects of using too much salt, but don’t really know how to season without it. Here is a basic list of different herbs and in what foods they can be used to create a pleasant flavor. So, next time you’re cooking something, think before you shake in the salt, and try using some culinary herbs. You will open up a new and pleasant taste sensation.

HERBS FOR REPLACING SALT
Asparagus lemon juice, tarragon Lima Beans sage, savory
Beans mustard, savory, mint, chili pepper Potatoes parsley, chives, oregano, rosemary, paprika, savory, tarragon
Broccoli garlic, oregano, dill Green salads and dressings basil, garlic savory, mint, lemon juice
Cabbage dill, caraway Soups bay leaves, celery seeds, marjoram, basil, rosemary, chervil
Cauliflower caraway, dill, oregano, basil, garlic, savory, tarragon, lemon juice Soybeans dill, garlic, thyme, parsley
Coleslaw caraway, dill,mustard, turmeric Squash savory, tarragon, coriander
Fruit lemon juice, coriander Tomatoes basil, bay leaves, rosemary, oregano, garlic, celery seeds
Garbanzo cayenne, garlic, parsley Zucchini garlic, basil, marjoram
Green beans dill, lemon juice, savory

 

ADDITIONAL SEASONING ALTERNATIVES
Basil Sweet basil is a favorite in tomato dishes. The delicate taste enhances spreads, dressings casseroles, soups, and salad dressings.
Celery Because celery is naturally rich in sodium, it is a good choice for a salt-free novice. Both the seeds and leaves add zip to coleslaw, potato salad, cooked vegetables, tomato dishes, dressings, tofu, stews, and soups.
Coriander The seed of this hardy annual may be added to cookies, pies, rolls, fruit crisps, etc., and also bean dishes.
Cumin This seed is a common ingredient in chili and bean dishes. The unique flavor grows on one the more it is used.
Dill Weed Chop it into garden salads, spreads, potato salad, soupls, and stews. Dill seeds add a fresh flavor to breads, tofu, legume dishes, and bean salads.
Fennel Both the seeds and leaves taste pleasantly of licorice, Use it in entrees, green salads, cream soups, potatoes, beets, and pastries.
Garlic In salad dressings, soups, dips, sauces, and Italian recipes, garlic can’t be beat. Add it finely minced to all types of legumes, and vegetable dishes.
Marjoram, sweet This attractive herb tasting of thyme (only stronger and sweeter) is most versatile. Include it in vegetables, soups, stews, salad dressings, and green salads.
Mint Add a touch of mint to new potatoes and peas. Also, use it sparingly in bean and lentil dishes, eggplant, casseroles, carrots, split pea soup, and Mid-Eastern dishes.
Oregano As a salt replacement, oregano ranks high. Use it in pizza and lasagna sauce, bean soup, and vegetables.
Paprika Add this herb, loaded with vitamins A and C, to stews, sauces, soups, green vegetables, potato salad, and coleslaw.
Parsley Add lots of this bright green herb full of vitamin C to sauces, dips, salad dressings, breads, tofu, soups and vegetables. Parsley is a good breath sweetener.
Rosemary Include it in pasta sauce and tomato dishes. Use it lightly with rice, herb bread, stuffing, and peas
Sage Strong flavored, it peps up bean soup, tofu, bread, dressings, and some casserole dishes.
Savory, summer Its biting flavor goes with stuffing, beans and peas, tofu dishes and dressings.
Tarragon Essential to “finest herbs, it helps relieve salt-craving. Add it to soups, herb spreads, salad dressings, beets, green beans, celery, potatoes, and tomato dishes.
Thyme This herb has an affinity for soups, tomato juice, spaghetti sauce, stews, stuffing, tofu, and most vegetables.

God’s Plan From S.A.D. Standard American Diet, to G.L.A.D. God’s Life Activating Diet, Natural Foods Cookbook.

Question & Answer – Spewed Out – Meaning of

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What does it mean to be “ spewed ” out of His mouth as stated in Revelation 3:16, and what could be the cause?

Ellen White clearly interprets the meaning of this in Testimonies, vol. 6, 408: “The figure of spewing out of His mouth means that He cannot offer up your prayers or your expressions of love to God. He cannot endorse your teaching of His word or your spiritual work in anywise. He cannot present your religious exercises with the request that grace be given you.”

Our Father in heaven so loved this world that He gave Jesus to us as our Mediator and Saviour. (See John 3:16). A mediator is a go-between. If, because you have continually failed or refused to walk in the light of His word and have no repentance and sorrow for sin and no turning away from the ways of this world, then you will be “spewed” out of His mouth.

“To those who do not practice it, the word of God is a dead letter. Christ says of such, ‘I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue [spew] thee out of my mouth’ (Revelation 3:15, last part, 16). He cannot present their case to the Father. If they realized that they were sinners, He could plead in their behalf, and the Lord would arouse them by His Holy Spirit. But they are worse than dead in trespasses and sins. They hear the Word, but make no application of it to themselves; instead, they apply the Word spoken to their neighbors.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 963.

Some consequences of being “spewed” out:

  • God will not hear because Jesus is not interceding for you.
  • Your prayers or your expressions of love to the Father will not be received.
  • His approval of you even if teaching His word will not be received.
  • Your requests for grace will not be presented before the Father and thus never received.
  • Your case before the Father will not be mediated.

Without Jesus, we have no way to communicate with God the Father. So to be spewed out is to be in a hopeless situation.

A Warning Sign – “If the professed people of God find their hearts opposed to the straight work of God, it should convince them that they have a work to do to overcome, or be spewed out of the mouth of the Lord.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, 225.

Inspiration – A Needed Reform

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If Seventh-day Adventists practiced what they profess to believe, if they were sincere health reformers, they would indeed be a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. And they would show a far greater zeal for the salvation of those who are ignorant of the truth.

Greater reforms should be seen among the people who claim to be looking for the soon appearing of Christ. Health reform is to do among our people a work which it has not yet done. There are those who ought to be awake to the danger of meat eating, who are still eating the flesh of animals, thus endangering the physical, mental, and spiritual health. Many who are now only half converted on the question of meat eating will go from God’s people, to walk no more with them.

In all our work we must obey the laws which God has given, that the physical and spiritual energies may work in harmony. Men may have a form of godliness, they may even preach the gospel, and yet be unpurified and unsanctified. Ministers should be strictly temperate in their eating and drinking, lest they make crooked paths for their feet, turning the lame—those weak in the faith—out of the way. If while proclaiming the most solemn and important message God has ever given, men war against the truth by indulging wrong habits of eating and drinking, they take all the force from the message they bear.

Those who indulge in meat eating, tea drinking, and gluttony are sowing seeds for a harvest of pain and death. The unhealthful food placed in the stomach strengthens the appetites that war against the soul, developing the lower propensities. A diet of flesh meat tends to develop animalism. A development of animalism lessens spirituality, rendering the mind incapable of understanding truth.

The word of God plainly warns us that unless we abstain from fleshly lusts (I Peter 2:11), the physical nature will be brought into conflict with the spiritual nature. Lustful eating wars against health and peace. Thus a warfare is instituted between the higher and the lower attributes of the man. The lower propensities, strong and active, oppress the soul. The highest interests of the being are imperiled by the indulgence of appetites unsanctioned by Heaven.

Great care should be taken to form right habits of eating and drinking. The food eaten should be that which will make the best blood. The delicate organs of digestion should be respected. God requires us, by being temperate in all things, to act our part, toward keeping ourselves in health. He cannot enlighten the mind of a man who makes a cesspool of his stomach. He does not hear the prayers of those who are walking in the light of the sparks of their own kindling (Isaiah 50:11).

Common Errors in Diet

Intemperance is seen in the quantity as well as in the quality of food eaten. The Lord has instructed me that as a general rule we place too much food in the stomach. Many make themselves uncomfortable by overeating, and sickness is often the result. The Lord did not bring this punishment on them. They brought it on themselves, and God desires them to realize that pain is the result of transgression.

Daily abused, the digestive organs cannot do their work well. A poor quality of blood is made, and thus, through improper eating, the whole machinery is crippled. Give the stomach less to do. It will recover if proper care is shown in regard to the quality and quantity of food eaten.

Many eat too rapidly. Others eat at one meal varieties of food that do not agree. If men and women would only remember how greatly they afflict the soul when they afflict the stomach, and how deeply Christ is dishonored when the stomach is abused, they would deny the appetite, and thus give the stomach opportunity to recover its healthy action. While sitting at the table, we may do medical missionary work by eating and drinking to the glory of God.

To eat on the Sabbath the same amount of food eaten on a working day, is entirely out of place. The Sabbath is the day set apart for the worship of God (Exodus 20:4), and on it we are to be specially careful in regard to our diet. A clogged stomach means a clogged brain. Too often so large an amount of food is eaten on the Sabbath that the mind is rendered dull and stupid, incapable of appreciating spiritual things. The habits of eating have much to do with the many dull religious exercises of the Sabbath. The diet for the Sabbath should be selected with reference to the duties of the day on which the purest, holiest service is to be offered to God.

Eating has much to do with religion. The spiritual experience is greatly affected by the way in which the stomach is treated. Eating and drinking in accordance with the laws of health promote virtuous actions. But if the stomach is abused by habits that have no foundation in nature, Satan takes advantage of the wrong that has been done, and uses the stomach as an enemy of righteousness, creating a disturbance which affects the entire being. Sacred things are not appreciated. Spiritual zeal diminishes. Peace of mind is lost. There is dissension, strife, and discord. Impatient words are spoken, and unkind deeds are done; dishonest practices are followed, and anger is manifested—and all because the nerves of the brain are disturbed by the abuse heaped on the stomach.

What a pity it is that often, when the greatest self-denial should be exercised, the stomach is crowded with a mass of unhealthful food, which lies there to decompose. The affliction of the stomach afflicts the brain. The imprudent eater does not realize that he is disqualifying himself for giving wise counsel, disqualifying himself for laying plans for the best advancement of the work of God. But this is so. He cannot discern spiritual things, and in council meetings when he should say Yea, he says Nay. He makes propositions that are wide of the mark, because the food he has eaten has benumbed his brain power.

Relation of Health Principles to Spirituality

The failure to follow sound principles has marred the history of God’s people. There has been a continual backsliding in health reform, and as a result God is dishonored by a great lack of spirituality. Barriers have been erected which would never have been seen had God’s people walked in the light.

Shall we who have had such great opportunities allow the people of the world to go in advance of us in health reform? Shall we cheapen our minds and abuse our talents by wrong eating? Shall we transgress God’s holy law by following selfish practices? Shall our inconsistency become a byword? Shall we live such unchristianlike lives that the Saviour will be ashamed to call us brethren (Hebrews 2:11)?

Shall we not rather do that medical missionary work which is the gospel in practice, living in such a way that the peace of God can rule in our hearts? Shall we not remove every stumblingblock from the feet of unbelievers, ever remembering what is due to a profession of Christianity? Far better give up the name of Christian than make a profession and at the same time indulge appetites which strengthen unholy passions.

God calls upon every church member to dedicate his life unreservedly to the Lord’s service. He calls for decided reformation. All creation is groaning under the curse. God’s people should place themselves where they will grow in grace, being sanctified, body, soul, and spirit, by the truth. When they break away from all health-destroying indulgences, they will have a clearer perception of what constitutes true godliness. A wonderful change will be seen in the religious experience.

The apostle plainly states that those who reach a high standard of righteousness must be temperate in all things. The Lord sends this message to His people: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly: so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (I Corinthians 9:24, 27).

“It is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying, But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof” (Romans 13:11–14).

The Review and Herald, May 27, 1902.

Keys to the Storehouse – Blinded Eyesight

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Are you blinded with your eyesight? Many times our sight seems to get in the way of spiritual things. Bartimaeus was blind. He had a need—he wanted to see. One day he heard a multitude pass by and he asked what it meant. We read in Luke 18:37–43 the story. He was told “that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by” (verse 37). He knew that this might be his last opportunity to receive sight. And so, “he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me” (verse 38). Did the people around him help him or hinder him? “And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more. Thou Son of David, have mercy on me” (verse 39).

Bartimaeus had a need and even though he was blind, he knew by faith that Jesus could heal him. He refused to allow that moment to pass and as he called Jesus heard him. “Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto Him: and … He asked him, Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.”

“It is only when the sinner feels the need of a Saviour, that his heart goes after the One Who can help him. … The poor, the afflicted and distressed, followed after Him, to receive the help and comfort which they could not find elsewhere. Blind Bartimaeus is waiting by the wayside …

  • Throngs of people who possess their sight are passing to and fro,
  • but they have no desire to see Jesus” [blinded eyesight]. The Review and Herald, March 15, 1887.

Do the things of this world blind your eyes that you feel no need to look to Jesus? “One look of faith would touch His heart of love, and bring them the blessings of His grace;

  • but they know not the sickness and poverty of their souls, and
  • they feel no need of Christ.

Not so with the poor blind man. His only hope is in Jesus. …” Ibid. The blind man was waiting and watching and though he was blind, he could see through the eye of faith and nothing could prevent him from calling out to Jesus. “The by-standers … try to silence him, but he cries the more vehemently, ‘Thou Son of David, have mercy on me!’

  • This appeal is heard.
  • His persevering faith is rewarded.
  • Not only is physical sight restored, but the eyes of his understanding are opened.
  • In Christ he sees his Redeemer, and the Sun of Righteousness shines into his soul.

All who feel their need of Christ as did blind Bartimaeus, and who will be as earnest and determined as he was, will, like him, receive the blessing which they crave.” Ibid.

Do you feel your need of Jesus?

Father: Do not allow me to be blinded by the things in this world, which cause me to think that I have no need of Jesus. Remove the worldly and restore my sight that I may again receive the bright rays of the Sun of Righteousness into my soul just as my brother, Bartimaeus, received that life and light. I want to see Jesus. Amen.

Current Events – Spiritualism about to take world Captive

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Various forms of Spiritualism are about to take the world captive.

Or have they already?

“Spiritualism is about to take the world captive. There are many who think that Spiritualism is upheld through trickery and imposture, but this is far from the truth. Superhuman power is working in a variety of ways, and few have any idea as to what will be the manifestations of Spiritualism in the future.”

Evangelism, 603.

  1. K. Rowling’s fictional wizard, Harry Potter, has been so successful that a commercial empire has been built on Ms Rowling’s creation. The masses are far more interested in fairy tales than reality. Toys, games and movies have been produced and now the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” is about to get a little bigger with the second fun-park being built in Florida based on the book’s theme.

Some of the features of the new park are advertised in the following manner:

“Hang with animatronic goblins, purported to be not the friendliest of creatures. If you ring their bells, they look right at you. Creepy!”

“If hunger strikes you while wandering Diagon Alley, don’t fret. The Leaky Cauldron (an eatery) awaits you.”

“If the, ahem, ‘darker arts’ are more your thing, head over to Knockturn Alley and check out Borgin and Burkes and the creepy ‘Hand of Glory.’ “

Two wand shops are situated at the parks “so you can double up on all your wand-related needs to get your hands on an interactive wand and make some magic.”

This is described as “totally and completely magical.”

The Harry Potter books may be seen as a high-water mark in the industry but there have been fresh surprises since their publication. The books now being devoured on buses and trains concern a romance between a young woman and a vampire. Like the Harry Potter books, Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight first became popular in a place on the fringes of Hollywood’s consciousness: not Britain this time but America. The four-book series by Ms. Meyer has sold half as many copies in America as the Harry Potter series, according to Nielsen BookScan.

Sources:
www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Parks/Wizarding-World-Of-Harry-Potter.aspx; www.economist.com/node/15108711

Heavenly Celebrations

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Scripture and Inspiration tell us of great celebrations that take place in heaven, all a part of different phases of the plan of redemption or the new covenant. An understanding of the setting of these celebrations, their purposes and how they relate to us here on earth will enable us to more fully understand God’s wonderful plan for man’s redemption. Some of them have already taken place and some are to take place in the future. To understand these celebrations we need to understand the covenant God made with man.

“The covenant of grace was first made with man in Eden, when after the Fall there was given a divine promise that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head. To all men this covenant offered pardon and the assisting grace of God for future obedience through faith in Christ. It also promised them eternal life on condition of fidelity to God’s law. Thus the patriarchs received the hope of salvation.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 370.

The covenant was a plan by the Father and the Son to free the fallen race from sin and restore mankind to the kingdom of glory. Obedience and freedom from sin are requirements for us to return to that kingdom.

“This same covenant was renewed to Abraham in the promise, ‘In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed’ (Genesis 22:18). This promise pointed to Christ.” Ibid.

“Though this covenant was made with Adam and renewed to Abraham, it could not be ratified until the death of Christ. It had existed by the promise of God since the first intimation of redemption had been given; it had been accepted by faith; yet when ratified by Christ, it is called a new covenant. The law of God was the basis of this covenant which was simply an arrangement for bringing men again into harmony with the divine will, placing them where they could obey God’s law.” [Emphasis author’s.] Patriarchs and Prophets, 370, 371.

This new covenant is called by different names—Abrahamic covenant, plan of salvation, plan of redemption, among others. In Revelation 14:6 in the first angel’s message it is called the everlasting or eternal gospel because it was made between the Father and the Son, two eternal beings.

This covenant is wholly a product of divine creation. John 3:14–17 states: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” Because of the love of God and His Son for the pinnacle of their creation, they formed this covenant so that whoever believes and follows its terms and conditions can be restored to the kingdom of glory.

We are told that there is a sanctuary connected with this covenant. “ ‘Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man’ (Hebrews 8:1, 2). Here is revealed the sanctuary of the new covenant.” The Great Controversy, 413.

Another statement confirms this: “The term ‘sanctuary,’ as used in the Bible, refers first, to the tabernacle built by Moses, as a pattern of heavenly things; and, secondly, to the ‘true tabernacle’ in heaven, to which the earthly sanctuary pointed. At the death of Christ the typical service ended. The ‘true tabernacle’ in heaven is the sanctuary of the new covenant.” Ibid., 417.

The weight of evidence shows that the foundation of the Christian faith is this covenant, and its terms are carried out by Christ in the sanctuary in heaven. The two are interlocked. Everybody who is saved will have their name pass through that sanctuary and have his or her sins confessed and atoned for by the blood of Christ.

“The plan of salvation had been laid before the creation of the earth; for Christ is ‘the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world’ (Revelation 13:8); yet it was a struggle, even with the King of the universe, to yield up His Son to die for the guilty race. But ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life’ (John 3:16). Oh, the mystery of redemption! the love of God for a world that did not love Him! Who can know the depths of that love which ‘passeth knowledge’ (Ephesians 3:19)? Through endless ages immortal minds, seeking to comprehend the mystery of that incomprehensible love, will wonder and adore.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 63.

There are seven celebrations which take place over a period of time in heaven involving this covenant.

Celebration No. I. The Institution of the Covenant with Adam and Eve in heaven.

The whole universe is intensely interested in the carrying out of this great plan of salvation. All heaven watched with great anxiety as Satan, in the guise of a beautiful serpent, engaged Eve in conversation. With great sorrow they watched Eve and then Adam eat of the forbidden fruit. The angels loved Adam and Eve and they offered to pay the penalty for their transgression. They were so anxious to have the covenant ratified that we could be saved that they were willing to give their lives.

“The angels prostrated themselves at the feet of their Commander and offered to become a sacrifice for man (but they were created beings and could not meet the requirements of that covenant). …

“Christ assured the angels that by His death He would ransom many, and would destroy him [Satan] who had the power of death. He would recover the kingdom which man had lost by transgression, and the redeemed were to inherit it with Him, and dwell therein forever. Sin and sinners would be blotted out, nevermore to disturb the peace of heaven or earth.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 64, 65.

With that good news the first celebration took place. “Then joy, inexpressible joy, filled heaven. The glory and blessedness of a world redeemed outmeasured even the anguish and sacrifice of the Prince of life. Through the celestial courts echoed the first strains of that song which was to ring out above the hills of Bethlehem ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men’ (Luke 2:14). With a deeper gladness now than in the rapture of the new creation, ‘the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy’ (Job 38:7).” Ibid.

All heaven is interested in the recovery of mankind to Eden. Thus the first celebration in the universe was connected with the great plan of salvation. This time of rejoicing, this celebration, was based on promises that the covenant would be ratified and on the promise that by confession and separation from sins the blood of Christ would atone for them.

Celebration No. II. The Birth of Jesus

Angels came to earth to announce the birth of Jesus.

“Above the hills of Bethlehem are gathered an innumerable throng of angels. They wait the signal to declare the glad news to the world. Had the leaders in Israel been true to their trust, they might have shared the joy of heralding the birth of Jesus. But now they are passed by.” The Desire of Ages, 47. These leaders of the church were looking for a Saviour to deliver them, not from sin, but from the control of the Pagan Roman Empire. So the angels passed them by.

“In the fields where the boy David had led his flock, shepherds were still keeping watch by night. Through the silent hours they talked together of the promised Saviour, and prayed for the coming of the King to David’s throne. ‘And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord’ (Luke 2:10, 11). …

“The heavenly messenger had quieted their fears. He had told them how to find Jesus. With tender regard for their human weakness, he had given them time to become accustomed to the divine radiance. Then the joy and glory could no longer be hidden. The whole plain was lighted up with the bright shining of the hosts of God. Earth was hushed, and heaven stooped to listen to the song – ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men’ (Luke 2:14).” Ibid., 47, 48.

The same song that the angels sang at the institution of the covenant 4,000 years earlier they sang again to these shepherds.

“Oh that today the human family could recognize that song! The declaration then made, the note then struck, will swell to the close of time, and resound to the ends of the earth. When the Sun of Righteousness shall arise, with healing in His wings, that song will be re-echoed by the voice of a great multitude, as the voice of many waters, saying, ‘Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth’ (Revelation 19:6).” Ibid.

This song will be the theme of the new covenant from the beginning to the end of the execution of the plan of salvation.

“The story of Bethlehem is an exhaustless theme. In it is hidden ‘the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God’ (Romans 11:33).” Ibid.

Celebration No. III. Opening of the Holy Place

After Jesus had provided His blood by His sacrifice on Calvary, He ascended to heaven. The story of this celebration is found in Revelation 4:2–6 and 9–11: “At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing.” Here is described the Father sitting on His throne surrounded by 24 of the highest officials in the government of heaven. The seven lamps in the earthly sanctuary were found in the first apartment of the holy place.

“There are cherubim and seraphim. The commanders of the angel hosts, the sons of God, the representatives of the unfallen worlds, are assembled. … all are there to welcome the Redeemer. They are eager to celebrate His triumph and to glorify their King.” The Desire of Ages, 834.

“Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures. … Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.’ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him Who sits on the throne and Who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him Who sits on the throne, and worship Him Who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being.’ ” Revelation 4:6–11.

The scene continues into chapter 5. In the first four verses John tells about a little book in the hand of the one sitting on the throne. No one can be found who can open it. John begins to weep because he wants to know what is in that book. Then the scene changes in verse five:

“Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah [Jesus], the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’ Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne” (verses 5, 6).

Jesus had ascended to the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary after His resurrection. This celebration was all about receiving Jesus and His appearance reminds John of the crucifixion—of the Lamb slain on the cross.

The Desire of Ages picks up this story of Revelation 4 and 5 beginning at page 833. “All heaven was waiting to welcome the Saviour to the celestial courts. As He ascended, He led the way, and the multitude of captives set free at His resurrection followed. The heavenly host, with shouts and acclamations of praise and celestial song, attended the joyous train.

“As they drew near to the city of God, the challenge is given by the escorting angels –

‘Lift up your heads, O ye gates;

And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors;

And the King of glory shall come in’ (Psalm 24:7).

“Joyfully the waiting sentinels respond,

‘Who is this King of glory?’

“This they say, not because they know not who He is, but because they would hear the answer of exalted praise –

‘The Lord strong and mighty,

The Lord mighty in battle!

Lift up your heads, O ye gates;

Even lift them up, ye everlasting doors;

And the King of glory shall come in’ (verses 8, 9).

“Then the portals of the city of God are opened wide, and the angelic throng sweep through the gates amid a burst of rapturous music.” The Desire of Ages, 833.

All heaven is celebrating that Jesus has come home. This is quite a contrast from when He left the earth and a few disciples gathered to watch Him ascend, not really understanding what was taking place. God desires that His church on earth be celebrating in harmony with His church in heaven.

“There is the throne, and around it the rainbow of promise. There are cherubim and seraphim. The commanders of the angel hosts, the sons of God, the representatives of the unfallen worlds, are assembled. … all are there to welcome the Redeemer. They are eager to celebrate His triumph and to glorify their King.” Ibid., 834.

The scene changes again and the celebration now seen is the inauguration of Jesus as High Priest in the sanctuary of the new covenant in heaven following His ascension in A.D. 31. Notice what happens:

“But He waves them back. Not yet; He cannot now receive the coronet of glory and the royal robe. He enters into the presence of His Father. He points to His wounded head, the pierced side, the marred feet; He lifts His hands, bearing the print of nails. He points to the tokens of His triumph; He presents to God the wave sheaf, those raised with Him, as representatives of that great multitude who shall come forth from the grave at His second coming. He approaches the Father, with whom there is joy over one sinner that repents; who rejoices over one with singing. Before the foundations of the earth were laid, the Father and the Son had united in a covenant [of grace] to redeem man if he should be overcome by Satan. They had clasped Their hands in a solemn pledge that Christ should become the surety for the human race. This pledge Christ has fulfilled. When upon the cross He cried out, ‘It is finished’ (John 19:30). He addressed the Father. The compact had been fully carried out. Now He declares: Father, it is finished. I have done Thy will, O My God. I have completed the work of redemption. If Thy justice is satisfied, ‘I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am’ (John 19:30; 17:24).

“The voice of God is heard proclaiming that justice is satisfied. Satan is vanquished. … The Father’s arms encircle His Son, and the word is given, ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him’ (Hebrew 1:6).” Ibid.

The disciple John was enamored with the scene. The appearance of Jesus has changed from that of a Lamb looking as if it had been slain to that of a high priest.

“I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands (the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary) and among the lampstands was someone ‘like a son of man,’ dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of rushing waters. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.” Revelation 1:12–16.

Jesus no longer appears like a Lamb slain. When He went in before the Father, He was changed and inaugurated as High Priest and now had the authority to take and open the book that no one, according to verses 1–4, could open.

“He went and took the scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. [The highest officials in the government of heaven now bow down before the newly inaugurated High Priest. In this inauguration ceremony Jesus has been elevated above all the leaders of the universe except God the Father.] … And they sang a new song: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.’ ” Revelation 5:7–10.

Now that the covenant is established, anyone can go to Jesus in the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary, confess his sins, dedicate himself to Christ and receive eternal life through the atoning blood of Christ.

“Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who is slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!’ ” Revelation 5:11–13.

The whole universe now praises God the Father and Jesus the Lamb for establishing the great plan of salvation, the new covenant. This is undoubtedly the greatest celebration thus far in the great controversy between Christ and Satan in carrying out the plan of salvation.

“With joy unutterable, rulers and principalities and powers acknowledge the supremacy of the Prince of life. The angel host prostrate themselves before Him, while the glad shout fills all the courts of heaven, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing’ (Revelation 5:12).

“Songs of triumph mingle with the music from angel harps, till heaven seems to overflow with joy and praise. Love has conquered. The lost is found. Heaven rings with voices in lofty strains proclaiming, ‘Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever’ (Revelation 5:13).

“From that scene of heavenly joy, there comes back to us on earth the echo of Christ’s own wonderful words, ‘I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God’ (John 20:17). The family of heaven and the family of earth are one. For us our Lord ascended, and for us He lives. ‘Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them’ (Hebrew 7:25).” The Desire of Ages, 834, 835.

The next celebration is even greater in glory and magnificence than this one.

Celebration No. IV. Opening of the Most Holy Place, the Investigative Phase of the Judgment and the Wedding of the Lamb

In The Great Controversy, 426, we are given information about this fourth celebration.

“In the summer and autumn of 1844 the proclamation, ‘Behold, the Bridegroom cometh’ (Matthew 25:6), was given. … The coming of the bridegroom, here brought to view, takes place before the marriage.”

Daniel 7:9, 10 and 13 talks about this great celebration: “As I looked, ‘thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was a white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.’ ”

This passage describes the coming of the Bridegroom to the wedding. In The Great Controversy, 427, it states: “Christ, as stated by the prophet Daniel, will receive from the Ancient of Days in heaven, ‘dominion, and glory, and a kingdom’ (Daniel 7:14).”

We know that the Bridegroom came to the Ancient of Days on October 22, 1844, but the wedding does not take place until after the close of probation.

“He ‘shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne.’ Not now ‘upon the throne of His glory;’ the kingdom of glory has not yet been ushered in. Not until His work as a mediator shall be ended will God ‘give unto Him the throne of His father David,’ a kingdom of which ‘there shall be no end’ (Luke 1:32, 33).” Ibid., 416.

We now understand that the period of the investigative judgment is a preparation time for the wedding. At its close Jesus will receive the New Jerusalem, the capital of His kingdom, “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:2.

“The marriage represents the reception by Christ of His kingdom. The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and representative of the kingdom, is called ‘the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’ Said the angel to John: ‘Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’ ‘He carried me away in the spirit,’ says the prophet, ‘and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God’ (Revelation 21:9, 10.” Ibid., 426.

Daniel 7:14 tells us, “He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”

“At the appointed time the Bridegroom came, not to the earth, as the people expected, but to the Ancient of Days in heaven, to the marriage, the reception of His kingdom. ‘They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut’ (Matthew 25:10).

“They were not to be present in person at the marriage; for it takes place in heaven, while they are upon the earth. The followers of Christ are to ‘wait for their Lord, when He will return from the wedding’ (Luke 12:36).” The Great Controversy. 427.

At the second coming, Jesus will gather His people to attend the wedding banquet. “He will receive the New Jerusalem, the capital of His kingdom, ‘prepared as a bride adorned for her husband’ (Daniel 7:14; Revelation 21:2). Having received the kingdom, He will come in His glory, as King of kings and Lord of lords, for the redemption of His people, who are to ‘sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob,’ at His table in His kingdom (Matthew 8:11; Luke 22:30), to partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Ibid., 426.

“ ‘He shall bear the glory’ (Zechariah 6:13). To Christ belongs the glory of redemption for the fallen race. Through the eternal ages, the song of the ransomed ones will be: ‘Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood … to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever’ (Revelation 1:5, 6).” Ibid., 416.

What a wonderful Saviour we have Who gives us this picture of what is happening and to share with us the joy that is taking place in heaven. Our hearts can be part of these celebrations, as we understand the word of God and the Spirit of Prophecy. There are three more celebrations to come. Are you preparing your heart to be part of them? A future article will provide details of those glorious events.

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

Maurice Hoppe is Director of the Steps to Life training programs and a member of the Steps to Life Board. The Training Program for Ministers and Church Leaders is a correspondence course that prepares individuals to serve as pastors or Bible workers. Preparing for the Final Conflict is a correspondence course for the laity. Both of these courses teach present truth that will be an anchor for the soul during the storm of opposition and persecution just ahead. He and his wife also have a correspondence course offered through Revelation Ministry. He can be contacted at: mauricehoppe@stepstolife.org.

Repent and Be Baptized

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Many people who are convicted of their sins and long to be restored to harmony with God are burdened because they have absolutely no idea how to do this and have no one to show them. The little book Steps to Christ, explains how to have an experience with Jesus Christ. Beginning with God’s love for man, it teaches to behold Him daily by reading about His life from birth to the cross and then to the resurrection. As we behold Him, we will see our need of a Saviour and will be brought to repentance. Without Christ we are nothing; it is impossible to surrender our sins without Him.

Preaching Christ brings conviction to those who hear. “Now when they heard this [Peter’s preaching], they were pricked (convicted) in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:37, 38).

Peter gave the answer to those who had a desire to be right with God, “Repent, and be baptized.”

True repentance is a sorrow for sin and a turning away from it in the heart, which is only possible when sin is seen in its true sinfulness. Repentance is a gift from God and it is He Who places this gift within us as we daily commune with Him.

Repentance is not merely a feeling as some may believe. Some may think that repentance is crying or mourning over sin; however, often times this mourning is because of a fear of punishment. Some may come before God crying and pleading for forgiveness because they have been caught in sin and now fear the punishment, i.e., they have committed adultery and their spouse has found out and they feel bad and ask for forgiveness from their spouse and from God. But had they not been caught, would they be asking for forgiveness? Sin is a matter of the heart.

Esau is an example of this. He gave up his birthright for a morsel of food and when he realized what he had done, he cried and lamented, but it was not a true sorrow for what he had done. He was sorrowful because he had lost the blessing (Genesis 25:29–34).

We also see the example of Judas who, when he had betrayed the Son of God, confessed to Christ that he had sinned and betrayed Him (Matthew 27:3, 4). That was not a true confession and Judas was not converted. He had beheld Christ and he was convicted many times, but he did not surrender that of which he was convicted. He saw the love of God and loved Jesus, but he held on to his sin, his pride, and his love of money. When he got up to leave after eating the last supper with the other disciples, he turned his back on Christ and headed right out into the darkness. At that point it was too late for him; he had completely surrendered himself to Satan. After he had led the soldiers to arrest Jesus and Jesus made no attempt to escape, he became frightened. He then realized what he had done and sensed that he would be severely punished. His experience was not true heart sorrow; his confession was forced from a sense of guilt.

True repentance recognizes and acknowledges that it was our sins that put Christ on that cruel cross. Personally feeling responsible for causing the death of Christ will cause hearts to be changed.

King David had a relationship with Jesus but he fell because he failed to watch and pray. Unknowingly, he had slowly let go of the hand of God and found he had no strength to resist the temptation before him. This happened gradually. We do not come to Christ and are holy all of a sudden, and in the same way we do not fall all of a sudden. It is a gradual process. When David let go of the hand of God, he committed a sin, which led him to take another man’s wife. In an attempt to conceal his sin, he gave orders for her husband to be placed in the thick of battle so that he would be killed. Nathan the prophet was sent to him and on hearing a parable relating to himself, David was truly convicted of his sin and brought to repentance (II Samuel 11).

Psalm 51 gives us the expression of David’s heart, for he truly had an experience with God. Verse 1 says, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.” David had experienced and knew the love of God. Verse 3 says, “For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” This was true repentance—an acknowledgment of sin without making excuse.

When God went into the garden looking for Adam and Eve after they sinned, he asked Adam what he had done. God wanted him to confess his sin but instead he blamed his wife. “This woman that you made for me caused me to sin” (Genesis 3:12). When God asked Eve, “What have you done” (verse 13)? She blamed the serpent. Ultimately, the blame went back to God for making the serpent; neither acknowledged their sin but instead blamed others.

Many spend their lives blaming others for their sin but true repentance acknowledges that we have sinned against none other than the spotless Son of God, Jesus Christ.

We have been playing the blame game since the Garden of Eden. We cannot make excuses for sin. We will be held accountable for the opportunities that we had to learn truth but rejected it. God gives us many opportunities to repent.

The Bible goes on to say in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” When the word create is used in Genesis, we see God creating the world through His word. He spoke and it was. He could have created the world in one day but He took six. So when we ask God to create in us a clean heart, we must realize that this creation comes through His word. As we read and behold Him in His word, the change will become manifest in us. This is a daily experience, drawing closer to God by yielding, surrendering, beholding and praying.

Over our lives we have developed habits. There are also hereditary things that need overcoming. In coming to Christ we surrender these heart sins. It is not just the way we eat or speak or who we hang out with but also includes the deep things of the heart, the bitterness, the lingering resentment, the lying and jealousy, these so-called small sins that are not always obvious. Nothing is small in the sight of God—sin is sin. We must desire God to create in us a new heart that we may be born again. We need a new mind because when we come to God, we come as we are with our old habits. The difference is that now we have power through Christ Jesus to overcome. Do not be discouraged if you slip. As we surrender our life to Jesus day by day with the plea to “create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me,” He will answer that heart cry.

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit” (verse 12). When we experience true repentance we will say, “Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee” (verse 13). Before we can lead others to Christ, we need this conversion experience. There are people today who are lost because they cannot find someone to lead them in the right direction. We need to be that witness. Instead of going to church to find somebody who we think is holy, or trying to find somebody to call a hypocrite, we can be that witness, beholding Jesus instead of the defects of others.

Looking upon Christ is like looking upon the sun in its meridian glory. When we look away, all that we see is the image of the sun in everything that we look upon. But if we remove our eyes from the sun long enough, the old images will be restored. While looking upon Christ, the Son of God, His image will be in our mind. Thus when we look at others, we will see the image of Jesus Christ in them.

By beholding we become changed (II Corinthians 3:18). By constantly beholding sin in others and constantly speaking error, those things will become manifest in us. Talk faith and cultivate those things that are true, honest, just, pure and lovely and continue to meditate on these things (Philippians 4:8).

Stay constantly in touch with God by offering prayers to Him; when you are alone or when you are working, stay in communication. You may not at all times be able to get on your knees to pray, but speak to God in your mind and in that way you will not focus on the sins of the world or on your own sins. We must have this experience so that we can be a witness for Christ. “Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee” (Psalm 51:13).

Hearts must yield to the Holy Spirit. To yield means to make a decision. The same power we use to sin is used to surrender hearts to Christ. When we are in a situation where we are tempted, it is decision time. We can yield to that temptation or yield to the voice of the Holy Spirit. When we yield to God, He then has permission to take control and to bring us into harmony with His thoughts.

The plan of salvation is to restore us back to harmony with God, the condition of Adam and Eve before their fall, covered with the glory of God. That glory is His character. When Moses asked God to show him His glory, He revealed His character. He made His goodness pass before him. God wants us to have His image restored in us. It can only be manifested and restored by cooperation with His plan of salvation. Our salvation is not dependent upon our works but secured by our humanity and Divinity working together.

When Jesus was on this earth, He was constantly in communion with the Father, fully depending upon the power He drew from Him. This must be our experience—dependence on that same power. Every day we must ask God for a fresh supply of His grace and as we yield to His Spirit, our conscience will be quickened, made alive, and will discern the depth and sacredness of His holy law. Those things that were once dark will become light—our understanding now being quickened.

As we yield to God, He draws us to Him and we begin to see sin as it is in the Light (James 4:8). We will see sin through the eyes of Christ and begin to loathe it. Beholding the love of God, we will desire to be cleansed from our sins. Our prayer will be, “Lord, what must I do to be saved?” It is a false belief that you must first repent before coming to Christ. Some know they have things in their life that must be put away and think they need to get right with God first before giving God their heart. That is not correct. We need to come to God just as we are, because we have no power in ourselves to overcome sin.

Prior to the fall, Adam and Eve had dominion over the earth but after they sinned, Satan then had dominion and power over them. They had absolutely no power to overcome sin. Christ, in His mercy, had pity upon the fallen race and knew that unless He paid for our sins, our situation would be hopeless. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and God’s law demands the life of the sinner but by Jesus taking our place, all of the power of heaven is available to us if we would simply ask.

In Matthew 11:28–30 we are given an invitation: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Heavy laden refers to the yoke of bondage, the yoke of sin that is upon us. The invitation continues, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” This yoke of Jesus is the yoke of rest. Jesus wants to have this exchange with us. He wants us to behold Him by studying His word, His life, and His character. We simply do not have time to read things that are not going to help us spiritually. We must begin by studying the love of God, sitting like Mary at the feet of Jesus. There is a work to do, as Martha did, but we must first learn of Christ, become converted, and give Him our hearts. We must ask to be purified through the blood of Jesus. This He has promised to do. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). All He asks of us is our sin-polluted hearts.

“… and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29, last part, 30). Here is an invitation from Christ for us to give Him our burdens and He will give us His rest. Many lives are so busy with even the Lord’s work that they neglect time with Christ. Soon Jesus will say to them, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23). Do you know Christ? Jesus said to His disciples, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).

John 12:32 says, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” The sad thing is that Jesus was lifted up on that cross and only a few will respond. If we do not resist we will be led to the experience of true repentance and Jesus will be revealed to us as that Lamb of God Who died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3). It is only at the cross and only as we see what sin has done to Christ that we have a little understanding of the plan of redemption. We must respond as God draws our hearts to Him. God does the work in the heart. As we respond to that drawing our outward actions will reveal the results. As we spend a thoughtful hour and behold the life of Christ, specifically the closing scenes, a ray of light will shine into our hearts and a transformation will truly begin (see The Desire of Ages, 84). The thief on the cross was converted because he beheld the Saviour and His love. The thief had no choice but to witness how Jesus was treated in the judgment hall, being spat upon and mocked. At the first he joined in with the crowd, but as He saw the response of Jesus he marveled at His love. Christ came to this earth to reveal His Father’s character of love to the world and to give us power to overcome sin as He did (Luke 23:39–43).

Many inquire, why, if He is a God of love, is there so much sin in the world; why didn’t He just get rid of Satan; why did He even create him? Since sin came into existence God allows things to take place so that the true nature of sin is revealed. Had Satan been eliminated, the angels would then have worshiped God out of fear. Satan’s character had to be fully developed for other created beings to see the result of sin. It was only at the cross that the heavenly host of angels saw the true character of Satan and the hatred exhibited toward their loving Master. God wants us to see the difference in character. When the thief heard Christ say, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34), he was convicted that this truly was the Son of God. The thief asked the Lord to remember him and prepare a place for him (verse 42). By beholding the scenes on Calvary and witnessing the love of God the thief was converted. He repented and was assured of salvation.

We may have this same experience by beholding and recognizing Jesus as our personal Saviour. He died for a world that did not love Him. Do not be one of those who resist His love.

Revelation 22:17 says, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Christ is addressing us personally so that He can fill the void in our hearts. Ask God for the power to stay focused and as you continue to study and behold the word of God, it will become living bread and living water to your soul. Before his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul thought he kept God’s law. With an impeccable outward appearance, he went about killing and persecuting those who were following Christ. Through his blindness, the glory of God shined into his heart and he was convicted of his sin, bringing him to repentance. He was converted. God constantly draws our hearts. His Holy Spirit changes the hearts of those who respond.

Stephen stood before the leaders of the church and preached Christ. Though they were deeply convicted, they did not want to hear the word of God. Aware that he was about to die, Stephen looked up to heaven and saw the Son of man standing beside the right hand of the Father (Acts 7:55, 56). Saul, later Paul, saw the glory in Stephen’s face and could not get this out of his mind. After Stephen was dead, Saul’s conviction kept him from peaceful sleep. Enquiring of the church leaders of the validity of Stephen’s speech, he was told that Stephen was wrong in his interpretation of Scripture. A Pharisee, Saul wanted to believe the teaching of the church, but God would not allow his conviction to go. On the road as he was about to enter Damascus, he was blinded by a brilliant light. Jesus spoke to him and Saul responded, “Lord, what will you have me to do” (Acts 9:6)? For three days he was blind. Because the Scriptures were in his mind, he was able to analyze them to determine that it truly was the Son of God Who had paid him a visit. He knew that it truly was the Messiah that the Jews had been waiting for Whom he had encountered, the Promised One Who came to deliver us from our sins. He was changed from that experience and given a new name. Saul became Paul. He had experienced true repentance. He blamed nobody for his sins but acknowledged that he had sinned against the spotless Son of God. Once converted, he went about preaching and many were converted. When you behold God’s glory, you will see yourself in a different way and understand that you cannot do anything without Christ and will long to have this new experience that God wants to give you.

As Daniel described his vision in Daniel 10:8, he wrote, “Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.” When Daniel saw the Lord’s glory, he had no strength left in him. Daniel’s experience with God continued to deepen. This can also be our experience.

The closer we come to God the more we will see our sinfulness. Like looking in a mirror, the closer you get to it the more clearly you see the flaws in your face. As we behold Him and come closer to Him the light shows us our deformities and that we are nothing without God. There is no good in us and it is only as we behold Christ that we can have this experience.

Many excuse their sins saying, “God knows my heart,” or “We can’t keep God’s law.” Christ did not come from heaven to pay the penalty for our sins so that we could continue in sin. He came because there was no other way for us to be saved. We cannot make ourselves better. “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil” (Jeremiah 13:23)? No matter how hard we try, we cannot change ourselves.

There is a difference between “being tempted” and “entering into temptation.” Satan is the “accuser of the brethren” (Revelation 12:10) wanting you to believe you are a hopeless sinner. But raise your eyes to heaven and recognize that Christ came and died for sinners and became righteousness for you.

Make it personal; hold tight the hand of God. Do not procrastinate putting off things you should be doing today. A time is coming when God will no longer strive with man and all will be left to the desires of their hearts. Life is uncertain; today is the day of salvation (11 Corinthians 6:2) and it is very dangerous to put off a commitment to the Lord.

Every wrong character trait or sinful desire cherished will eventually neutralize the power of the gospel. We need to come before God asking Him to search our hearts. Psalm 139:23, 24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” The word of God searches hearts. It is a light and convicts. It is not to be read as a rebuke for others but to provoke you to examine your own life. Ask God to search your heart. The Word says, “lead me in the way” (Psalm 139:24). This is a prayer asking for complete surrender and dependence upon God. Day by day go before God in the morning and commune with Him. Do not let the thoughts and cares of this world distract you from communing with Him.

We do not have much time. We need to behold Christ. Repentance is a gift which God will give to us if we come to Him in prayer and sincerely ask. It is the will of God for us to repent. Claim His will. He loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son. Let’s take the time to behold that love and to share it with our families.

Today is the day. If you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts (Hebrews 4:7). Today is the appointed day for you to make a decision.

Maria Cofer works with her husband, John, who is currently engaged in establishing training schools under the name, The Schools of the Prophets for the youth. They have established a digital media company to create and promote video media teaching the unique message of Adventism using social media such as Facebook and Youtube. 

The Forgotten Token-The Rainbow of Promise

by

“Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, ‘Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth. I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth.’ God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant which I am making between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all successive generations; I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. It shall come about, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow will be seen in the cloud, and I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and never again shall the water become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the cloud, then I will look upon it, to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.’ And God said to Noah, ‘This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.’ ” Genesis 9:8–17 NASV

In the book Education, 125, we are told that the central theme of the Bible is the redemption plan. It is the burden of every passage, every book of the Bible. Steps to Christ, 90, instructs us to study each passage of the Bible until we understand what it means and how it relates to the plan of salvation. It is with this council and goal in mind that we turn to our study of the story of Noah and the covenant and the rainbow.

Typically as we think about the story of Noah and the rainbow, the covenant spoken of was simply a promise that never again would the whole earth be destroyed by a flood. But if we study this passage as instructed—that is, in the light of the new covenant or plan of salvation—we find it has a broader significance than we realize, and such beauty unfolds to our minds as we have never imagined.

When you look at a drop of water, all that is seen is a clear liquid object, plain, small, colorless, but let a little sun shine through it and the brilliance of a rainbow splashes across the sky! When one takes a passage that appears to be just a story of God or one of His servants, and views that story or passage through the Sun of Righteousness, the center of the new covenant, truths open up and refract into brilliance like the rainbow in the sky.

As you read about Noah and his family during the time of the flood, try to imagine yourself there living through it with them. Hear the violence of the water bursting forth, the noise as trees, buildings, massive rocks hurl about in the shrieking wind. Genesis 7:11, 12 relates, “In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.” This was no gentle rain, or even a torrential downpour. It was a violent outpouring of water, from earth as well as from sky. Inspiration paints the picture this way: “Water appeared to come from the clouds in mighty cataracts. Rivers broke away from their boundaries, and overflowed the valleys. Jets of water burst from the earth with indescribable force, throwing massive rocks hundreds of feet into the air, and these, in falling, buried themselves deep in the ground. …

“As the violence of the storm increased, trees, buildings, rocks, and earth were hurled in every direction. … Satan himself, who was compelled to remain in the midst of the warring elements, feared for his own existence.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 99.

“It often seemed to the family within the ark that they must perish, as for five long months their boat was tossed about, apparently at the mercy of wind and wave. It was a trying ordeal.” Ibid. 105. People who have been through a severe storm or earthquake or some severe event such as this report that just ten or fifteen minutes in that situation seems like an eternity, but imagine five months!

Continuing the story in Genesis 7, we find they were in the ark for one year and ten days. What had taken place during that time? Genesis 7:21–23 explains, “Every living thing that moved on land perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; people and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.”

Imagine the extreme trauma they experienced. The flood wiped out every single human being; relatives, dear friends, people with whom they had pled to enter the ark and be saved. As the angel swung open that massive door and they stepped across the threshold, not an animal greeted them. Not an insect buzzed. Not a bird sang as they left the ark, viewing what must have looked to them like an alien planet. Visualize if you can the extreme change—from a populated, civilized culture, the earth itself rich in verdure and beauty, to an utterly void, desolate, empty, chaotic, devastated landscape.

That lonely family must have suffered anxiety. Not only did they have the trauma of the total destruction of society and the natural world, but as time went on those faithful ones watched the unbelievable and rapid spread of the very thing that had precipitated the flood in the first place—wickedness and evil. Noah and his family clearly understood why God had sent the flood. They knew it was a direct consequence of the wickedness and evil of the world—the rejection of God’s great plan of salvation, His covenant to man to redeem him.

God understood the situation in which Noah and his family found themselves. He understood their trying ordeal—the fear for their lives through those long five months of storm that made even Satan fear. He knew that storm clouds, rolling thunder, and the flash of lightning would cause fear in their hearts that it might happen again as soon as they saw rise again the wickedness that caused the destruction in the first place. So God, in His mercy, His love, His tender care for His faithful servant, did not leave their fears unaddressed. In fact, He gave them a radiant, recurring token as a sign and a pledge to them to address their concerns:

  1. the promise of an escape from the consequences of wickedness and evil (in other words, His “everlasting covenant”)
  2. the fear of a universal flood.

In Genesis 9:8–17, seven times—that is an interesting number, is it not—God reminded them of His everlasting covenant. Seven times He reassured them that there was an escape for all who will accept it from the curse and consequences that sin has brought. He yearned for their allegiance, their acceptance of His merciful plan. Note these beautiful words of inspiration about the rainbow: “The rainbow of God’s promise … [is] a pledge of God’s mercy to every repentant, believing soul. It is an everlasting testimony that ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life’ (John 3:16). It declares to the whole world that God will never forget His people in their struggles with evil.” The Home Missionary, November 1, 1893. Not only that, but in the midst of reminding them of His covenant, God reassures them that never again will a flood cover the entire face of the earth.

“The Lord has said, ‘I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. … And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you, and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh’ (Genesis 9:13–15). In the rainbow above the throne is an everlasting testimony that ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life’ (John 3:16). Whenever the law is presented before the people, let the teacher of the truth point to the throne arched with the rainbow of promise, the righteousness of Christ.” The Review and Herald, December 13, 1892.There is another beautiful reality to the rainbow that had never occurred to me before: it shows the intimate connection between heaven and earth.

“The One who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.” Revelation 4:3. “I saw another strong angel coming down out of heaven, clothed with a cloud; and the rainbow was upon His head, and His face was like the sun, and His feet like pillars of fire.” [Emphasis added.] Revelation 10:1 NAS.

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

It is not alone on this earth where the rainbow shines forth in color and brilliance. A rainbow is in heaven; one around the throne, and another upon the head of Jesus. These are symbols of God’s mercy that encompasses the earth for the benefit of man. And now, even more, we find that mortal men are not the only ones gazing at this beautiful sight. Think of, contemplate, understand the following:

“In heaven the semblance of a rainbow encircles the throne and overarches the head of Christ. The prophet says, ‘As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about [the throne]. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Jehovah’ (Ezekiel 1:28). The revelator declares, ‘Behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. … There was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald’ (Revelation 4:2, 3). When man by his great wickedness invites the divine judgments, the Saviour, interceding with the Father in his behalf, points to the bow in the clouds, to the rainbow around the throne and above His own head, as a token of the mercy of God toward the repentant sinner.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 107.

So we see Jesus looking upon the bow, pointing to it interceding with the Father on behalf of the repentant sinner. In fact, we read further that it was through Jesus Himself that the bow was bent in the sky.

“The world’s Redeemer looks upon it; for it was through His instrumentality that this bow was made to appear in the heavens, as a token or covenant of promise to man. God Himself looks upon the bow in the clouds, and remembers His everlasting covenant between Himself and man. … The bow represents Christ’s love which encircles the earth, and reaches unto the highest heavens, connecting men with God, and linking earth with heaven.

“As we gaze upon the beautiful sight, we may be joyful in God, assured that He Himself is looking upon this token of His covenant, and that as He looks upon it He remembers the children of earth, to whom it was given. Their afflictions, perils, and trials are not hidden from Him. We may rejoice in hope, for the bow of God’s covenant is over us. He never will forget the children of His care. How difficult for the mind of finite man to take in the peculiar love and tenderness of God, and His matchless condescension when He said, ‘I will look upon the bow in the cloud, and remember thee’ (Genesis 9:16).” Our High Calling, 314.

Does this not give a very intimate connection between heaven and earth? Not only do we see a bow in the cloud, but we are told that there is a rainbow around the throne in heaven and one around Jesus’ own head. It surely speaks of the tenderness and love with which the Father and Jesus view their children on this earth, that the former would share with the latter the beauty of the very things that are in heaven, to remind them of the new covenant made on their behalf.

In speaking of the rainbow and Noah, Inspiration says, “With the assurance given to Noah concerning the Flood, God Himself has linked one of the most precious promises of His grace: ‘As I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith Jehovah that hath mercy on thee’ (Isaiah 54:9, 10).” [Emphasis added.] Patriarchs and Prophets, 107.

Oh, how much God loves us, to give us such beautiful reminders of His mercy and His love, that at the same time serve as solemn reminders of the consequences of rejecting that love—because along with the rainbow comes the cloud, the storm in which we see illustrations of the penalty awaiting the rejecters of His covenant.

“The rainbow spanning the heavens with its arch of light is a token of ‘the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature’ (Genesis 9:16). And the rainbow encircling the throne on high is also a token to God’s children of His covenant of peace.

“As the bow in the cloud results from the union of sunshine and shower, so the bow above God’s throne represents the union of His mercy and His justice. To the sinful but repentant soul God says, Live thou; ‘I have found a ransom’ (Job 33:24).” Education, 115.

“In the gospel of Christ Jesus, proclaimed by the angels as glad tidings of great joy, the terms of salvation were fully revealed. The law stands in all its original force and purity; not one jot or tittle was to be set aside or altered; for the law is the transcript of the character of God. But the Lord made a covenant of grace whereby his mercy is extended to fallen man, and provision is made so ample and powerful that souls ruined by the fall may be uplifted to glory, honor, and immortality. ‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life’ (John 3:16). Encircling the throne of God is the rainbow of the covenant, a symbol of the pledged word of God that He will receive every sinner who gives up all hope of eternal life on the ground of his own righteousness, and accepts the righteousness of the world’s Redeemer, believing that Christ is his personal Saviour, able to save him from his sin, and to keep him from falling. Unless Christ is the ground of our hope, we shall not inherit eternal life.” The Signs of the Times, September 5, 1892.

“A covenant has been entered into by the Father and by the Son to save the world through Christ. ‘For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life’ (John 3:16). No power save that of Omnipotence could make such a covenant. The rainbow above the throne is a token that God through Christ binds Himself to save all who believe in Him. The covenant is as sure as the throne, and His throne is established in righteousness. Then why are we so unbelieving, so distrustful? Why doubt so frequently, and trust God so fitfully? Whenever we come to the throne of God to ask His mercy, we may look up, and behold the rainbow of promise, and find in it assurance that our prayers shall be answered.” Ibid., October 10, 1892.

What marvelous promises we have. Why indeed “doubt so frequently, and trust God so fitfully” when we are told that “whenever we come to the throne of God to ask His mercy, we may look up, and behold the rainbow of promise, and find in it assurance that our prayers shall be answered.”

Friends, over and over again we read of the rainbow, a sign of God’s great plan of redemption, the new covenant, a sign of His mercy and His justice. This new covenant is such an integral part of the Bible, in fact, the very foundation. Inspiration tells us that this covenant, the redemption plan, is the central theme, the burden of every book and every passage of the Bible. It also tells us that if we understand that the new covenant is the central theme we have (not a key, but) “the key that will unlock to him the whole treasure house of God’s word.” Education, 126. And the rainbow is a sign of this covenant, sent by God to give us hope, courage, strength, a reminder of His love.

The compassion God exhibited to Noah in giving the rainbow in the cloud as a promise, a covenant, when Noah was in such need of reassurance, of comfort, of confidence in His God, is really the new covenant in shadow or example. My friends, are we storm tossed and traumatized by sin and its consequences, whether it be our own sin, or the results of 6,000 years of sin? Absolutely! Does our God understand our situation? Absolutely! “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 NASV.

Are the promises given to Noah also given to us? Is that rainbow of promise arched across the sky meant for you, for me? “The rainbow above the throne is a token that God through Christ binds Himself to save all [not just Noah and his family, not just your neighbor, or your friend at church] who believe in Him. The covenant is as sure as the throne, and His throne is established in righteousness. Then why are we so unbelieving, so distrustful? Why doubt so frequently and trust God so fitfully? Whenever we come to the throne of God to ask His mercy, we may look up, and behold the rainbow of promise, and find in it assurance that our prayers shall be answered.” The Signs of the Times, October 10, 1892.

But my friends, just as the antediluvians had no hope whatsoever in themselves, they had to enter the ark (God’s way for their salvation) or be lost, so we must give up all thought that anything we might do may save us. We must trust only to the mighty power of our Saviour and Redeemer, for He tells us, “ ‘Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool’ (Isaiah 1:18). The gift of life has been freely, graciously, joyously offered to fallen man. Encircling the throne of God is the rainbow of promise, that God will receive every sinner who gives up all hope of eternal life on the ground of his own righteousness, and accepts the righteousness of the world’s Redeemer, believing in Christ as his personal Saviour. It is when the sinner realises [sic] that he is without hope, lost, condemned to eternal death, incapable of doing anything to redeem himself, but accepting of Christ as his complete Saviour, that the word of God is fulfilled, when He says, ‘I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more’ (Hebrews 8:12).” Messenger, May 10, 1893. So look on the rainbow. Remember God’s everlasting covenant; accept of His mercy and love; enter the ark of His salvation, the new covenant … and live.

Oh, my friends, when you look at the beautiful bow in the cloud, will it ever seem the same to you again? I certainly hope not. There are so many illustrations and applications in this story that we have just scratched the surface. Take the time to study them on your own until you know what illustrations mean, more and more fully, and what they have to do with the great new covenant God and Jesus made and carried out on our behalf. When we gaze in awe upon the beauty of the rainbow arched across the heavens, remember, let us tell our children, our friends, and let us recount the meaning of that bow—a sign of God’s everlasting covenant to recreate in us His image if we but yield to His Lordship in our lives. Let us remember that our Redeemer Himself looks at and points to the very rainbow we are gazing on in wonder and admiration. And let us commit ourselves totally to His loving, tender care, soul, body and mind. Let us consecrate ourselves completely to Him and He will keep us through the storms of life as surely as He kept the faithful Noah and his family through the flood.

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

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