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Health – The Forgotten Sunflower Seed

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When I was a little girl, I loved to chew on salted, roasted sunflower seeds. In fact, I would chew the whole thing, seeds and shells. Yes, I would choke every so often before I realized it is much easier to chew just the seed without the shell, even though it took a little longer having to first remove the shell. When I had children of my own, I found it amusing to watch my son also chew the whole thing, seed and all. I am sure we received some good roughage through it all! There are some really great benefits you can receive from the humble sunflower seed as its nutrient content is tremendous. The George Mateljan Organization, a not-for-profit foundation, published the following health information on this little seed:

Health Benefits

Looking for a health-promoting snack? A handful of sunflower seeds will take care of your hunger, while also enhancing your health by supplying significant amounts of vitamin E, magnesium and selenium.

Anti-Inflammatory and Cardiovascular Benefits from Sunflower Seeds’ Vitamin E

Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vitamin E, the body’s primary fat-soluble antioxidant. Vitamin E travels throughout the body neutralizing free radicals that would otherwise damage fat-containing structures and molecules, such as cell membranes, brain cells, and cholesterol. By protecting these cellular and molecular components, vitamin E has significant anti-inflammatory effects that result in the reduction of symptoms in asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, conditions where free radicals and inflammation play a big role. Vitamin E has also been shown to reduce the risk of colon cancer, help decrease the severity and frequency of hot flashes in women going through menopause, and help reduce the development of diabetic complications. …

Sunflower Seeds’ Phyto-sterols Lower Cholesterol

Phytosterols are compounds found in plants that have a chemical structure very similar to cholesterol, and when present in the diet in sufficient amounts, are believed to reduce blood levels of cholesterol, enhance the immune response and decrease risk of certain cancers.

Phytosterols’ beneficial effects are so dramatic that they have been extracted from soybean, corn, and pine tree oil and added to processed foods, such as “butter”-replacement spreads, which are then touted as cholesterol-lowering “foods.” But why settle for an imitation “butter” when Mother Nature’s nuts and seeds are a naturally rich source of phytosterols—and cardio-protective fiber, minerals and healthy fats as well?

In a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers published the amounts of phytosterols present in nuts and seeds commonly eaten in the United States.

Sesame seeds had the highest total phytosterol content (400-413 mg per 100 grams), and English walnuts and Brazil nuts the lowest (113 mg/100grams and 95 mg/100 grams). (100 grams is equivalent to 3.5 ounces.) Of the nuts and seeds typically consumed as snack foods, sunflower seeds and pistachios were richest in phytosterols (270-289 mg/100 g), followed by pumpkin seeds (265 mg/100 g).

Calm Your Nerves, Muscles and Blood Vessels with Sunflower Seeds’ Magnesium

Sunflower seeds are a good source of magnesium. Numerous studies have demonstrated that magnesium helps reduce the severity of asthma, lower high blood pressure, and prevent migraine headaches, as well as reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Magnesium is also necessary for healthy bones and energy production. About two-thirds of the magnesium in the human body is found in our bones. Some helps to give bones their physical structure, while the rest is found on the surface of the bone where it is stored for the body to draw upon as needed.

Magnesium counterbalances calcium, thus helping to regulate nerve and muscle tone. In many nerve cells, magnesium serves as nature’s own calcium channel blocker, preventing calcium from rushing into the nerve cell and activating the nerve. By blocking calcium’s entry, magnesium keeps our nerves (and the blood vessels and muscles they enervate) relaxed. If our diet provides us with too little magnesium, however, calcium can gain free entry, and the nerve cell can become over-activated, sending too many messages and causing excessive contraction. Insufficient magnesium can thus contribute to high blood pressure, muscle spasms (including spasms of the heart muscle or the spasms of the airways, symptomatic of asthma), and migraine headaches, as well as muscle cramps, tension, soreness and fatigue.

Improved Detoxification and Cancer Prevention from Sunflower Seeds’ Selenium

Sunflower seeds are also a good source of selenium, a trace mineral that is of fundamental importance to human health. Accumulated evidence from prospective studies, intervention trials and studies on animal models of cancer has suggested a strong inverse correlation between selenium intake and cancer incidence. Selenium has been shown to induce DNA repair and synthesis in damaged cells, to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells, and to induce their apoptosis, the self-destruct sequence the body uses to eliminate worn out or abnormal cells. …

Its selenium richness is another reason that sunflower seeds can make a good snack.

Source: http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/selenium

These good tasting, crunchy seeds are good for your body. There are many ways you can use the sunflower seed. One way would be to sprout the raw seed and increase its vitamin/mineral values. Just soak the seeds in a jar overnight or for about 8 hours. Cover the jar with a sprouting lid or piece of nylon so the water can easily be drained. Turn the jar on its side with a slant so any leftover moisture can drain. Rinse and drain a couple of times each day. After two days, you should see little sprouts appear. A good length to let them grow before eating is about ¼ to ½ inch so they do not become bitter. The sprouts can be eaten in salads, blended with your vegetable smoothies, or simply add chopped olives and your favorite salad dressing for a side dish or healthy snack and enjoy!

These seeds are God’s gift to you. They are a product straight from the beautiful sunflower which has bathed in the sunlight and absorbed all of its health promoting properties. Enjoy the health benefits from these simple little seeds.

John Huss and the Reformation in Prague

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The Reformation that began in England as the result of the teachings of John Wycliffe was not restricted to England. Though the work appeared to have stopped with the translation of the English Bible, such was not the case. Though Wycliffe had passed from the field of action, the seed he had sown remained and was yet to emerge in a distant land. Oceans could not stop the spread of truth, nor could national boundaries prevent its triumph. In the year 1400, Jerome of Prague returned to his homeland from England, bringing with him the writings of Wycliffe. It was this seed of truth that opened the eyes of John Huss.

Bohemia and Moravia correspond to what is now the western most part of the Czech Republic. It is believed that Christianity first entered this area in the wake of the armies of Charlemagne (742–814), who established his rule over most of western and central Europe. These Western missionaries, ignorant of the Slavonic tongue, could really effect little conversion of the Bohemian people beyond a nominal acceptance of Christianity. “Accordingly we find the King of Moravia, a country whose religious condition was precisely similar to that of Bohemia, sending to the Greek Emperor, about the year 863, and saying: ‘Our land is baptized, but we have no teachers to instruct us, and translate for us the Holy Scriptures. Send us teachers who may explain to us the Bible.’” Wylie, History of Protestantism, vol. 1, 131.

As a result, the Bohemian church, though adopting Eastern ritual, remained under the jurisdiction of Rome. Later, as the schism between the Eastern and the Western Churches fully developed, the Greek liturgy was discouraged by Rome and the Latin rite was introduced. At length, in 1079, Pope Gregory VII issued a bull forbidding the Oriental ritual to be used any longer, or for public worship to be celebrated in the common language. This order effectively closed every church and Bible in Bohemia. So far as instruction in truth was concerned, total night had set in.

At this dark hour, when it appeared that the Christianity of the nation would completely disappear, the arrival of the Waldenses and Albigenses, fleeing from persecution in Italy and France, breathed new life into the movement. They spread themselves in small colonies all over the Slavonic countries, making their headquarters in Prague. Thought they did not dare to preach publicly, they were zealous evangelists and carried the truth from door to door, keeping the truth alive for two centuries before John Huss appeared.

Because Bohemia was so far removed, it was difficult for Rome to enforce its commands. In many places worship continued to be celebrated in the tongue of the people. Powerful nobles were, in many cases, the protectors of the Waldenses and native Christians who brought prosperity to their lands. All through the fourteenth century these Waldensian exiles continued to sow the seed of pure Christianity in Bohemia.

There were three pioneers of truth who preceded Huss in Bohemia. The first, John Milicius, or Militz, was a man of learning and an eloquent preacher. Whenever he appeared to speak, he addressed the people in the common tongue; and the cathedral was thronged. In hope of finding rest for his soul by fasting, he made a trip to Rome. Upon his arrival, he was shocked to find that the scandals he had spoken out against in Prague paled in comparison to the enormities that were practiced in Rome. In departing, he wrote over the door of one of the cardinals, “Antichrist is now come, and sitteth in the Church.” Ibid., 132.

No sooner had he returned home than the archbishop of Prague, under orders of the pope, placed him in prison. Soon, however, murmurs began to be heard among the citizens; and fearing an uprising, the archbishop released him after a short incarceration. He lived to die in peace at eighty years of age in 1374.

With the passage of time, papal persecution was instigated against the confessors in Bohemia. They no longer dared to celebrate communion using the cup openly but sought retreat in private homes or the yet greater concealment of woods and caves. Finally, in 1376, the stake was decreed against all who dissented from the established rites.

John Huss was born in 1373 in the village of Hussinetz on the edge of the Bohemian Forest. He took his name from his birthplace. His father died while he was yet young. Having completed his education at the provincial school, his mother took him to Prague. There at the university he received his Bachelor of Arts in 1393, Bachelor of Theology in 1394, and Master of the Arts in 1396. Two years later, he entered the church and rose rapidly to distinction until the queen, Sophia of Bavaria, selected him as her confessor.

It was in 1402 that Huss’ career really began when he was appointed the preacher at the Chapel of Bethlehem. At this time, the level of morality had sunken to an extremely low level. In addressing these abuses, Huss aroused opposition, but the queen and archbishop acted as his protectors, and he continued to preach.

The Bethlehem Chapel was founded by a certain citizen of Prague in 1392 with the stipulation that the preaching of the Word of God was to be in the mother tongue. In presenting the Bible truth to his listeners, Huss himself grew in faith and understanding. When he began to study the works of Wycliffe, he found himself not altogether opposed to the reforms Wycliffe proposed.

In preaching from the Bible, Huss had begun a movement the significance of which he little realized. Having placed the Bible above the authority of pope or council, he had, without realizing it, entered upon the road of Protestantism, though at the time he had not thought of breaking with the Church of Rome.

One of the events that took place and which helped to encourage the intercourse between England and Bohemia was the marriage of Richard II of England, to Anne, sister of the king of Bohemia. On the death of the princess, the ladies of her court, on their return to their native land, brought with them the writings of Wycliffe, whose follower their mistress had been.

About this time (1404), two theologians from England, graduates of Oxford and disciples of the gospel, arrived in Prague. They came planning to hold public disputations, and they chose as their opening wedge the primacy of the pope. The country was scarcely prepared to be open to such a message and the authorities promptly put a stop to their efforts in that direction. As they considered what avenue they might take to pursue their purpose, an idea presented itself. Both of these would-be missionaries had studied art as well as theology and they proceeded to demonstrate their skill in drawing in the corridor of the house in which they were staying. On one wall they portrayed the humble entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. On the other they displayed the more royal magnificence of a pontifical procession. There was seen the pope, dressed in his pontifical robes, the Triple Crown on his head, with trumpeters proclaiming his approach. Many were drawn to gaze upon the contrasting pictures. Such excitement was stirred that the artists deemed it prudent to withdraw for a time.

Among those who came to gaze at this antithesis of Christ and Antichrist was John Huss. The effect that it had upon him led him to a more careful study than ever of the writings of Wycliffe. He could not, however, accept the sweeping measure of reform that was advocated by him. The idea of overturning the hierarchy and replacing it with the simple ministry of the Word was an idea so revolutionary as to make him draw back.

One of the things that helped to open Huss’ eyes was the presentation of relics and the lying wonders that were attributed to them. Many doubts were expressed regarding the cures, and the archbishop ordered an investigation into the truth of the matter. As a result, it was discovered that all of the miracles were impostures. In the summer of 1405, under threat of excommunication, all preachers were enjoined to publish to their congregations the episcopal prohibition of pilgrimages.

The events that were transpiring in Prague could not long escape the notice of Rome. In response, Pope Alexander V issued a bull commanding the archbishop of Prague to burn all the books written by Wycliffe. Upwards of 200 volumes, beautifully written and elegantly bound, some of which were ornamented with precious stones, were burned to the tolling of bells. Their beauty and costliness showed that their owners were men of high standing, and their number reflected on how widely the writings of the English Reformer had been circulated in Prague alone.

This act further inflamed the zeal of Huss, and his sermons now attacked indulgences as well as the abuses of the hierarchy. A summons now arrived from Rome demanding that Huss appear in person to defend his doctrines. To obey was certain death. The king, the queen, the university, and many other persons of rank and influence united in sending an embassy requesting the pope to dispense with Huss’ personal appearance, allowing him to be heard by legal counsel. The pope refused to listen and went on to condemn him in absentia, laying the city of Prague under interdict.

On every side there were tokens of doom. The church doors were locked; corpses lay by the wayside awaiting burial. The images which stood at the street corners were covered with sackcloth or laid prostrate on the ground.

A tumult was beginning to disturb the peace; and Huss, following the command of Jesus, when persecuted in one place, fled to another. Leaving Prague, he retired to his native village where he enjoyed the protection of the territorial lord, who was his friend. From there he traveled to the surrounding towns and villages, preaching the gospel as he went.

“The mind of Huss, at this stage of his career, would seem to have been the scene of a painful conflict. Although the Church was seeking to overwhelm him by her thunderbolts, he had not renounced her authority. The Roman Church was still to him the spouse of Christ, and the Pope was the representative and vicar of God. What Huss was warring against was the abuse of authority, not the principle inself. This brought on a terrible conflict between the convictions of his understanding the claims of his conscience. . . . This was the problem he could not solve; this was the doubt that tortured him hour by hour. The nearest approximation to a solution, which he was able to make, was that it had happened again, as once before in the days of the Saviour, that the priest of the Church had become wicked persons, and were using their lawful authority for unlawful ends.” Ibid. 139. It is doubtful that even as he stood at the stake that Huss had the clearness of sight that Wycliffe had developed. He was unable to separate in his mind the true church from the organized structure that represented to him the ship in which all were to obtain safety.

Gradually things quieted in Prague and an uneasy calm settled in. Huss longed to return to his post in the Chapel of Bethlehem. Upon his return, he spoke even more boldly against the tyranny of the priesthood in forbidding the preaching of the gospel.

About this time, the Lord brought Jerome into Huss’ life. Jerome, a Bohemian knight, had returned from having spent some time at Oxford where he had imbibed of Wycliffe’s teachings. As he passed through Paris and Vienna, he challenged the learned men of these universities to dispute him in the matter of faith. As a result, he was thrown into prison but made his escape and returned to Bohemia to spread the doctrines of the English Reformer.

Though much alike in their great qualities and aims, Huss and Jerome differed in minor points to be sufficiently diverse to compliment each other. Huss was the more powerful character while Jerome was the more powerful orator. Their friendship and affection for each other grew and continued unbroken until they were united in death.

About this time, three popes were all contending for supremacy, filling Christendom with strife and tumult. Each, casting about to find means with which to raise armies to support his claim to St. Peter’s chair, offered for sale the blessings of the church. The bishops and lower levels of the clergy, quick to learn from the example set them by the popes, enriched themselves by simony. Of the practices of piety, nothing remained but a few superstitious rites. The words of the prophet certainly applied. “And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.” Isaiah 59:14.

While this is truly a distressing and melancholy spectacle, perhaps it was necessary that the evil should more fully develop and manifest itself that the eyes of men might be opened and they might see that, “It was indeed a ‘bitter thin’ that they had forsaken the ‘easy yoke’ of the Gospel, and submitted to a power that set no limits to its usurpations, and which, clothing itself with the prerogatives of God, was waging a war of extermination against all the rights of men.” Ibid., 141. As long as men believed that the church was the ship of salvation by which all must stand—the ark of God, which would weather every storm to arrive at last at the heavenly shore—the supremacy of Rome was assured. As long as this delusion was systematically taught and fondly received, reformation was impossible.

As Huss contemplated the frightful condition of society and the church, he was led to study more deeply the Bible and the writings of the early church fathers. He began to see more clearly how far the church had digressed from the purity of doctrine that had once been delivered to the saints. It was at this time that he wrote his treatise On the Church, a work that revealed the extent of his emancipation from the shackles of church authority.

This tract was soon followed by another entitled The Six Errors. In this tract, he set forth a list of errors of the Roman Church, which included: 1) the error of transubstantiation; 2) the confession required of all church members as to their belief in the saints and the pope; 3) the pretension of the priests to remit the guilt and punishment for sin; 4) the implicit obedience required of all to their ecclesiastical superiors; 5) the failure to make a distinction between a valid excommunication and one that is not; and 6) simony.

About this time, the war between the popes reached such a level that it threatened to engulf a divided Bohemia. The king and priesthood of the nation supported John XXIII, while the common people and many of the leading citizens sided with Ladislaus, King of Hungary, who supported Gregory XII. As Huss viewed the contending factions, he spoke plainer and more boldly with every passing day. The scandals which multiplied around him no doubt aroused his indignation, and the persecutions he endured no doubt strengthened him in purpose. In the midst of this turmoil, the archbishop placed Prague under interdict and threatened to continue the sentence so long as Huss remained in the city. He was persuaded that if Huss should retire, the movement would go down and the war of factions would subside in peace. In this, however, he was deceived. Two ages were struggling together, and movement was now beyond the power of any man to control.

Huss, fearing that his presence in Prague might embarrass his friends, again withdrew to his native village. It was from there that he wrote for the first time the prophetic words that were later to be repeated, each time taking a more exact and definite form. “’If the goose’ (his name in the Bohemian language signifies goose), ‘which is but a timid bird, and cannot fly high, has been able to burst its bonds, there will come afterwards an eagle, which will soar high into the air and draw to it all the other birds.’” Ibid., 143.

It was pleasant to lave the strife of Prague for the quietude of his birthplace. Here he could devote himself to study and communion with God and reflect on the result of the work that he had begun. He had been able to partially emancipate his country from the darkness of error. One more act remained for him to perform—the greatest and most enduring of all. As the preacher of Bethlehem Chapel, he had largely contributed to the emancipation of Bohemia; but as the martyr of Constance, he was to largely contribute to the emancipation of Christendom.

 

Question & Answer – What does Circumcision represent? What does it have to do with today?

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Part of the conditions of God’s covenant with Abraham required all males born to both him and his descendants to be circumcised on the eighth day. This was to serve as a constant reminder that they had been separated from other nations to be God’s special people.

“He then required of Abraham and his seed, circumcision, which was a circle cut in the flesh, as a token that God had cut them out and separated them from all nations as His peculiar treasure. By this sign they solemnly pledged themselves that they would not intermarry with other nations, for by so doing they would lose their reverence for God and His holy law, and would become like the idolatrous nations around them.” The Story of Redemption, 146, 147.

“By the act of circumcision they solemnly agreed to fulfill on their part the conditions of the covenant made with Abraham, to be separate from all nations and to be perfect. If the descendants of Abraham had kept separate from other nations, they would not have been seduced into idolatry. By keeping separate from other nations, a great temptation to engage in their sinful practices and rebel against God would be removed from them. They lost in a great measure their peculiar, holy character by mingling with the nations around them. To punish them, the Lord brought a famine upon their land, which compelled them to go down into Egypt to preserve their lives. But God did not forsake them while they were in Egypt, because of His covenant with Abraham. He suffered them to be oppressed by the Egyptians, that they might turn to Him in their distress, choose His righteous and merciful government, and obey His requirements.” Ibid.

Though God’s covenant with Abraham remains the same today and physical circumcision is no longer required as an act of separation for God’s people, the symbol represents a circumcision of the heart. Sin is to be cut away, eradicated from the life. When God circumcises our hearts, He gives to us a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26, 27). He puts His Holy Spirit within us so that we will walk in His ways and not in the ways of the world. With a new heart we are born again. We are His people, sojourners in this world, looking forward to the heavenly kingdom and the mansions that He has gone to prepare for us (John 14:2, 3).

Circumcision is an outward sign of an inward attitude and commitment. “Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, circumcise your hearts, you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem.” Jeremiah 4:4 NIV.

Inspiration – How to Defeat Satan

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What are the issues in this great struggle between good and evil? Why has Satan been so successful in confusing so many people? How can we deal with our doubts and overcome them?

The great controversy between Christ and Satan, that has been carried forward for nearly six thousand years, is soon to close; and the wicked one redoubles his efforts to defeat the work of Christ in man’s behalf and to fasten souls in his snares. To hold the people in darkness and impenitence till the Saviour’s mediation is ended, and there is no longer a sacrifice for sin, is the object which he seeks to accomplish.

When there is no special effort made to resist his power, when indifference prevails in the church and the world, Satan is not concerned; for he is in no danger of losing those whom he is leading captive at his will. But when the attention is called to eternal things, and souls are inquiring, “What must I do to be saved (Acts 16:30)?” he is on the ground, seeking to match his power against the power of Christ and to counteract the influence of the Holy Spirit.

The Scriptures declare that upon one occasion, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan came also among them (Job 1:6), not to bow before the Eternal King, but to further his own malicious designs against the righteous. With the same object he is in attendance when men assemble for the worship of God. Though hidden from sight, he is working with all diligence to control the minds of the worshipers. Like a skillful general he lays his plans beforehand. As he sees the messenger of God searching the Scriptures, he takes note of the subject to be presented to the people. Then he employs all his cunning and shrewdness so to control circumstances that the message may not reach those whom he is deceiving on that very point. The one who most needs the warning will be urged into some business transaction which requires his presence, or will by some other means be prevented from hearing the words that might prove to him a savor of life unto life.

Danger in Neglecting Bible Study and Prayer

Again, Satan sees the Lord’s servants burdened because of the spiritual darkness that enshrouds the people. He hears their earnest prayers for divine grace and power to break the spell of indifference, carelessness, and indolence. Then with renewed zeal he plies his arts. He tempts men to the indulgence of appetite or to some other form of self-gratification, and thus benumbs their sensibilities so that they fail to hear the very things which they most need to learn.

Satan well knows that all whom he can lead to neglect prayer and the searching of the Scriptures, will be overcome by his attacks. Therefore he invents every possible device to engross the mind. There has ever been a class professing godliness, who, instead of following on to know the truth, make it their religion to seek some fault of character or error of faith in those with whom they do not agree. Such are Satan’s right-hand helpers. Accusers of the brethren are not few, and they are always active when God is at work and His servants are rendering Him true homage. They will put a false coloring upon the words and acts of those who love and obey the truth. They will represent the most earnest, zealous, self-denying servants of Christ as deceived or deceivers. It is their work to misrepresent the motives of every true and noble deed, to circulate insinuations, and arouse suspicion in the minds of the inexperienced. In every conceivable manner they will seek to cause that which is pure and righteous to be regarded as foul and deceptive.

But none need be deceived concerning them. It may be readily seen whose children they are, whose example they follow, and whose work they do. “Ye shall know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16).” Their course resembles that of Satan, the envenomed slanderer, “the accuser of our brethren (Revelation 12:10).”

Darkness Before Dawn, 5–7.

Current events – Christian Families Flee Mosul

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Jesus said, “Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.” Matthew 24:20

Facing fines, conversion or death, Christian families flee Mosul

Baghdad, Iraq (CNN) – Just days after the militant group the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria said they killed hundreds of Syrians, dozens of Iraqi Christian families are now fleeing the ISIS-controlled city of Mosul, hoping to avoid a similar fate.

On Friday [July 18, 2014], the al Qaeda splinter group issued an ultimatum to Iraqi Christians living in Mosul – by Saturday at noon (5 a.m. ET), they must convert to Islam, pay a fine or face “death by the sword.”

A total of 52 Christian families left the city of Mosul early Saturday morning, with an armed group prohibiting some of them from taking anything but the clothes on their backs.

“They told us, ‘You to leave all of your money, gold, jewelry and go out with only the clothes on you,’ ” Wadie Salim told CNN.

Images obtained exclusively by CNN show that the phrase “property of ISIS” scrawled in black paint on a number of the homes that were abandoned.

Some of the families headed for Irbil – which is currently controlled by Kurdish forces – and others toward the Dohuk province. The majority went to Dohuk, which is 140 kilometers (87 miles) north of Mosul.

“We did not know how to act,” said another Mosul resident, Um Nazik. “Are we going to get killed?”

ISIS was able to take over large swaths of land due to the lack of centralized authority in both Iraq and war-torn Syria. The Sunni militants hope to establish an Islamic state throughout the region it currently controls.

Salman al-Farisi, the ISIS-appointed governor of Mosul, declared that any family that planned on staying in Mosul and not to converting to Islam would be required to pay 550,000 Iraqi dinar (about $470).

Letters distributed to Christians in Mosul in recent days said ISIS’s leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, agreed to allow those who didn’t embrace Islam or pay a special jizya tax to leave.

ISIS is notorious for its brutality – the group is so violent that al Qaeda has attempted to distance itself from its former affiliate.

On Thursday in Syria’s Homs province, the militant Sunni group killed 270 people after storming and seizing the Shaer gas field, the group said.

www.cnn.com/2014/07/19/world/meast/christians-flee-mosul-iraq/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

This event occurred in Iraq. Could it happen in the USA?

Imagine, less than 24 hours to prepare to leave, taking with you only the clothes on your back and leaving behind all the things that have been collected over a lifetime and have taken years of work to pay for them. There are no guarantees of safety, behind is the threat of being killed by a sword and ahead is just another hostile environment.

Nothing but the clothes on your back—no food, no blankets, no cell phone, no Ipad, no google, nothing!

No Bible, only you and the promises of God that you have stored in your memory. David said, “Your word I have hidden in my heart.” Psalm 119:11.

Keys to the Storehouse – Your Actions Influence Others

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What a terrible thing to think that what we said or did hindered a little child from coming to Jesus. Whether it be a little child physically or a little child spiritually, we must be very thoughtful of our actions and words. “When Jesus told the disciples not to forbid the children to come to Him, He was speaking to His followers in all ages—to officers of the church, to ministers, helpers, and all Christians. Jesus is drawing the children, and He bids us, Suffer them to come; as if He would say, They will come if you do not hinder them.” The Desire of Ages, 517.

“Let not your un-Christlike character misrepresent Jesus.

  • Do not keep the little ones away from Him by your coldness and harshness.
  • Never give them cause to feel that heaven will not be a pleasant place to them if you are there.
  • Do not speak of religion as something that children cannot understand, or act as if they were not expected to accept Christ in their childhood.
  • Do not give them the false impression that the religion of Christ is a religion of gloom, and that in coming to the Saviour they must give up all that makes life joyful. …

“The Saviour regards with infinite tenderness the souls whom He has purchased with His own blood. They are the claim of His love. He looks upon them with unutterable longing.” Ibid.

Each person in some way influences another. Our thoughts and feelings make up our moral character and it is these same thoughts and feelings which make up the atmosphere around us. (See Messages to Young People, 92.) It is to God’s glory that a heavenly atmosphere be maintained which will draw others to Him. Without that atmosphere many are turned away. “Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). Remember, a person could be a child either physically or spiritually.

The first fruit of the Holy Spirit is love (Galatians 5:22) and an excellent description of that love is found in I Corinthians 13:4–8: “Charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity (love) never faileth.”

An influence filled with the attribute of real, heavenly love will not hinder anybody but will draw all to Christ. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if your influence drew a heart to Jesus?

Father: Remove the un-Christlike characteristics in me that would hinder others from being drawn to You because of the shadows about me. I need especially that first fruit of the Holy Spirit to shine through me that all may discern a heavenly atmosphere and find comfort and not gloom. Thank you for that heavenly influence filled with agape love that attracts all others to you. Amen.

State of the Dead

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The first deception which fastened itself upon the mind of man was the idea that man could live out of harmony with his Creator and never die. Though this assertion went directly contrary to that which God had stated, it was accepted in the place of God’s Word and acted upon. This false concept was ultimately accepted within the professed Christian church and is part of that wine of Babylon with which she had made the nations drunk. “Babylon has been fostering poisonous doctrines, the wine of error. This wine of error is made up of false doctrines, such as the natural immortality of the soul, the eternal torment of the wicked, the denial of the pre-existence of Christ prior to His birth in Bethlehem, and advocating and exalting the first day of the week above God’s holy and sanctified day.” Testimonies to Ministers, 61.

The servant of the Lord has told us that in the closing struggle of the great controversy, there are two issues on which Christendom will unite.

“Through the two great errors, the immortality of the soul, and Sunday sacredness, Satan will bring the people under his deceptions. While the former lays the foundation of Spiritualism, the latter creates a bond of sympathy with Rome.” The Great Controversy, 588.

In view of the rapidly approaching crisis, it is imperative that each one of us be thoroughly grounded in the truth. The editors of Historic Adventist LandMarks think that it is a good idea to review, from time to time, some of our basic doctrines. This will not only be an excellent review, but will also provide an outline for marking your Bible, a help in giving Bible studies. –The Editors

Creation of man: “And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.” Genesis 1:26, 27.

Question: In what condition is man in death?

Job 14:12–14—”So man lies down and does not rise. Till the heavens are no more, they will not awake nor be roused from their sleep. Oh, that You would hide me in the grave, that You would conceal me until Your wrath is past, that You would appoint me a set time, and remember me! If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes.” NKJV. Note: The most common definition found in the Bible is that it is a sleep.

Psalm 13:3—”Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.” NKJV.

Jeremiah 51:39, 57—”In their excitement I will prepare their feasts; I will make them drunk, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep and not awake,’ says the LORD. . . . ‘And I will make drunk her princes and wise men, her governors, her deputies, and her mighty men. And they shall sleep a perpetual sleep and not awake,’ says the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.” NKJV.

Daniel 12:2—”And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.” NKJV.

John 11:11–14—”These things He said, and after that He said to them, ‘Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.’ Then His disciples said, ‘Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.’ However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead.’” NKJV.

Acts 13:36—”For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption.” NKJV.

I Corinthians 15:51—”Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” NKJV.

Psalm 104:29, 30—”Thou hidest Thy face, they are troubled: Thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth Thy spirit, they are created: and Thou renewest the face of the earth.” KJV.

Job 27:3—”All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils.” KJV.

Genesis 3:19—”In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” KJV.

Question: Is this sleep with dreams, or consciousness, or is it totally unconscious?

Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6, 10—”For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; nevermore will they have a share in anything done under the sun. . . . Whatever your hand find to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” NKJV.

Psalm 49:12–20—”Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah. Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave form their dwelling. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave; for He shall receive me. Selah. Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; for when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.” KJV. Note: A man that is given honor after he is dead has no knowledge of it.

Isaiah 38:18,1 9—”For Sheol cannot thank You, death cannot praise You; those who go down to the pit can not hope for Your truth. The living, the living man, he shall praise You, as I do this day; the father shall make known Your truth to the children.” NKJV. Note: The dead do not know God’s truth. They cannot praise God; they are unconscious; they know nothing.

Psalm 6:5—”For in death there is no remembrance of You; in the grave who will give You thanks? NKJV.

Psalm 115:17—”The dead do not praise the LORD, nor any who go down into silence.” NKJV. Note: The Bible teaches this truth over and over again. God must have known that there would be some misunderstanding on this subject.

Ecclesiastes 3:19, 20—”For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.” “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:7 KJV. Note. As we have already seen, Solomon has already told us that the dead have no consciousness. Certainly he will not, a few chapters later, contradict himself. What then, is meant by the spirit returning to God?

There is one difference, however, between man and beast, according to Ecclesiastes 3:21. “Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?” At death, the spirit of man goes back to God so that He can preserve them in their unconscious state until the resurrection day when the righteous will be brought back to life. “Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” I Corinthians 15:51, 52 KJV.

I Corinthians 15:17, 18—”For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.” KJV.

Question: When do we go to heaven?

John 14:1–3—”Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” KJV. Note: Jesus said that after He prepares a place, He will come to the earth again to take the righteous to the mansions prepared in Heaven. We do to be with Christ when He returns, and not before. This is why the Second Coming of Christ is so important to the New Testament believers.

Question: What does Paul say would happen to the dead if there was no resurrection?

I Corinthians 15:12–23—”Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the Firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by Man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at His coming.” KJV. Note; If for 4,000 years the righteous have gone directly to heaven at death, how could Paul have said that if there is no resurrection, those who have fallen asleep in Christ are perished? What need would there be for a resurrection.”

Question: What further does Jesus say about the future life?

John 5:28, 29—”Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” KJV.

John 6:39, 40—””And this is the Father’s will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise Him up at the last day.” KJV. Note: The dead are going to be raised at the last day [the resurrection]!

John 11:23, 24—”Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto Him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” KJV.

Question: What does Peter say about the future life?

I Peter 5:4—”And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” KJV.

Acts 2:29, 34, 35—”Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, for he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. . . . For David is not yet ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, until I make Thy foes Thy footstool.” KJV.

Question: What did Job say about a future life after death?
Job 19:25–27—”For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” KJV.

Question: What did Paul say about the future life?

II Timothy 4:7, 8—”I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” KJV.

Acts 13:36, 37—”For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: but He, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.” KJV.

Acts 24:14, 15—Again, from the apostle Paul: “But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” KJV.

I Thessalonians 4:14–17—”For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” NKJV. This describes the resurrection.

I Corinthians 15:51–55—”Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’” KJV.

Question: Will the resurrection be a secret and invisible event, or will it be noticed by all?

I Thessalonians 4:16–18—”For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” KJV.

The Seven Letters

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The wise man said, “That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.” Ecclesiastes 3:15. There are libraries full of history books that record those things that have been to enable us to learn from the past.

Many people are afraid to study the book of Revelation. It is not a book that should be avoided or just lightly skimmed through, but one that should be understood. In fact, the book begins and ends with an encouraging promise. John said, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein, for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:3. And again at the end, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:7.

It is impossible to keep something that you do not have. The word keep, according to Webster’s dictionary means to take notice of by appropriate conduct. This means more than a mere mental assent. “And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand” (Revelation 22:10).

Revelation is to be understood by the people of God, especially in the final hours of earth’s history. Ellen White wrote, “When we as a people understand what this book means to us, there will be seen among us a great revival. We do not understand fully the lessons that it teaches, notwithstanding the injunction given us to search and study it.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 113.

“When the churches are revived, it is because some individual seeks earnestly for the blessing of God. He hungers and thirsts after God, and asks in faith, and receives accordingly. He goes to work in earnest, feeling his great dependence on the Lord, and souls are aroused to seek for a like blessing, and a season of refreshing falls on the hearts of men.” The Review and Herald, March 13, 1888.

A revival begins with one individual catching a view of the glory of Jesus that moves him to be earnest in searching his own heart and in diligent work for the salvation of souls. With this spirit, others are infused.

Christ commissioned John to write letters to the seven churches of Asia. He said, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. … And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and His countenance was as the sun in his strength. … Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in My right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.” Revelation 1:10, 16, 19, 20.

A reference is made in the book, The Acts of the Apostles, 585, that these seven churches are symbolic. “The names of the seven churches are symbolic of the church in different periods of the Christian Era. The number seven indicates completeness, and is symbolic of the fact that the messages extend to the end of time, while the symbols used reveal the condition of the church at different periods in the history of the world.”

At the time in which John received the vision there were more than these seven churches in Asia, but in His infinite wisdom Christ saw that in these were represented exactly the trials that His people would go through at specific times and would also apply individually to those living in the last days.

The Loveless Church

The first letter was to the church of Ephesus. “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars in His right hand, Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.” Revelation 2:1–3.

Ephesus means to let go, relax, permit something. The church of Ephesus existed from the years A.D. 31 to A.D. 100. Ephesus was the capital and the most important city in the Roman province of Asia. It was wealthy and within the city could be found theaters, public bathhouses, the public square, paved streets, and many other modern conveniences. It was the major center for commerce, politics and religious importance and as such, it was a promising field for missionary effort. Ephesus was the center for the worship of Artemus, believed to be the Greek goddess of fertility. Many Jews also congregated there. In the book, The Acts of the Apostles, 578, 579, we are told: “At the first the experience of the church at Ephesus was marked with childlike simplicity and fervor. The believers sought earnestly to obey every word of God, and their lives revealed an earnest, sincere love for Christ. They rejoiced to do the will of God because the Saviour was in their hearts as an abiding presence. Filled with love for their Redeemer, their highest aim was to win souls to Him.”

Ephesus was a missionary-minded church. They had found this new love and had a burden that those around them could also experience it. It is well documented that from that center missionaries were sent forth, even as far as Rome, to share the gospel of Jesus and to proclaim His Second Coming to the inhabitants there. But after a while things began to change. The zeal of the believers began to wane and their love for God and for one another grew less. Coldness crept into the church and they no longer made missionary efforts; they no longer engaged in the work and as a result they lost their burden for souls.

“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4, 5.

The Ephesians left their first love, their missionary spirit with a burden to win souls to Christ, and as a result, darkness and coldness crept into the church, its spiritual condition becoming worse until the whole church went through a change.

The Persecuted Church

Smyrna signifies “myrrh,” which being of bitter taste is expressive of the bitter afflictions and persecutions which was the experience of this church. This church represents the time period from around A.D. 100 until A.D. 313 when Christianity was legalized by the Roman Empire. “And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; ‘These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive.’ ” Verse 8. Smyrna was built by Alexander’s general Lysimachus around the third century B.C. It was one of the most prosperous cities of Asia minor. Under the Roman Empire it was famous for its beauty and the magnificence of its public buildings. Verses 9, 10 state: “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

The church of Smyrna encountered much opposition from the Jews and also suffered heavy persecution from the Roman government. Under the emperor Marcus Aurelius, the famous bishop Polycarp was martyred in A.D. 155, his fate being sealed by the flames and sword. Polycarp’s words are insightful into the character of God’s faithful who were persecuted at that time. When asked by the power of Rome to repent and deny Christ, Polycarp replied, “Our minds are not to be changed from the better to the worse, but it is a good thing to be changed from evil to good.” When he was nailed to the stake to be burned Polycarp said, “Let me remain as I am; for He who giveth me strength to sustain the fire, will enable me also, without your securing me with nails, to remain unmoved in the fire.” Pioneer Authors, Cornell, Merritt E, Miraculous Powers, 62.

The Compromising Church

Pergamos was a compromising church. “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is; and thou holdest fast My name, and hast not denied My faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.” Revelation 2:12, 13. Due to its strategic position along the land and the sea, Pergamus enjoyed many centuries of wealth and prosperity. In 133 B.C., Pergamos came under Roman control and it held a religious primacy in the whole province of Asia.

It was a well-known center of religious activities, and it was here that the first temple for emperor worship was built, Satan’s seat. “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.” Verses 14–16.

Religious pressure by the pagans was very intense against the church of Pergamos. There was also much religious pressure from within. Many of the pagan believers compromised the faith as did Balaam, God’s prophet who apostatized and tried to curse Israel. This took place with the pagan believers because their hearts were not truly converted. These compromises were made with the Roman state, represented as Balak. It was compromise that allowed many false teachings and practices to enter the Christian church. It was at this time that there were many changes in doctrines and practices. The doctrine of eternal burning of the wicked was introduced and the teaching of the Nicolaitans that God’s grace blotted out the law. Serious compromises were made during this time in which the groundwork for the union of church and state was established. This period was approximately from A.D. 313 until 538.

The Corrupt Church

Thyatira means a sweet savor of affliction and this was the church in darkness. “And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, Who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass.” Verse 18.

Thyatira was about twenty-five miles southeast of Pergamum. Thyatira was well-known for its industries. It was famous for garment making, baking, and many other industries. Its citizens were mostly poor humble laborers. “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess to teach and seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.” Verses 19, 20.

This was a period of darkness for the church. Jezebel, a woman in Bible prophecy, representing a church, here refers to the apostate church at this time—the Roman system, the Papacy. There was an improvement in Thyatira’s condition, the last being better than the first. The church of Thyatira represents the church of darkness, the church during the Dark Ages, A.D. 538 till around 1517, which is when the council of Trent came to the final decision of separation between the Catholics and Protestants. It was at this time that the Reformers came upon the scene, thus the last of Thyatira’s works were greater than the first.

The Dead Church

“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” Revelation 3:1. Sardis represents the church of the Reformers—the Reformation church. Sardis was around 35 miles southeast of Thyatira, and due to its early prosperity, the city became known for its wealth. The fortress of the city was almost impregnable. They had a name that they lived and they were wealthy, very prosperous.

“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” Verses 2, 3. In 549 B.C., Cyrus the Mede set out to take Sardis from King Crusos. To reach Sardis meant a climb up a steep and narrow hill, which was heavily fortified. The king of Sardis had no concern when Cyrus came against him believing his fortress was impregnable. However, Cyrus took a route that the king thought to be impassable so was not heavily guarded and entered at an unguarded point and conquered the city.

Almost 330 years later in 214 B.C., Antiochus used the same strategy to conquer Sardis. In other words, they did not learn their lesson the first time and as a result, they fell again. They were not diligent in watching for danger. They did not strengthen the things that remained, so they fell. This, of course, is a perfect symbol of the Protestant Reformation. At its beginning, the Reformers stood boldly for righteousness by faith and understood the principles of the gospel, although there was still more light to shine upon them that they had not yet received.

God was calling His people out of the apostate system of worship and we know many of these Reformers such as Martin Luther who established the church of the Lutherans. There were other Reformers as well: John Huss, Jerome, Zwingli and Wycliffe, who was called the “Morning Star of the Reformation.” The problem with the Protestant churches was that they only went to a certain point and then ceased to protest. They ceased to progress in the light and as a result, the Protestant churches became similar to that which they came out of, the mother church, Babylon.

This is what took place with Sardis in A.D. 1517, which was when the Council of Trent finally settled the fact that Protestants would go one way and Catholics would go another. The Protestant churches flourished until around the middle of the eighteenth century.

The Faithful Church

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith He that is holy, and that is true, He that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth and no man openeth.” Revelation 3:7. Athalas Philadelpus named his brother Philadelpus because his brother was very loyal to him. He also named this city Philadelphia after his brother, meaning brotherly love. Philadelphia is a symbol of the missionary church. It was well-known for its temples and religious festivals. “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name.” Verse 8.

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, a great religious awakening took place worldwide and prominently in America. Missionaries coming out of the Reformation movement went to various places proclaiming the Second Advent message. Here in America, William Miller was the one who led out in the great religious awakening. God used him to preach the near Advent. But, as we know, the believers thought that in 1844 Jesus would return. When Jesus did not return, there was a great disappointment. Their timing was correct, but the event was wrong. It was not the return of Jesus to this earth. Rather it was that Jesus had placed before them an open door, which no man could shut.

In the heavenly courts there is a sanctuary. You can read this specifically in Hebrews chapter 8. The believers came to recognize that in 1844, instead of Jesus’ coming to this earth as they expected, He moved from the Holy Place into the Most Holy Place of that sanctuary. The door therein was opened and the door to the Holy Place was shut.

This was the early Advent movement and the believers were fervent. They had a zeal to preach the great Second Advent. These individuals prayed constantly, confessing their sins, searching their hearts, expecting Jesus to come immediately. And after the disappointment, the majority lost faith; they lost their zeal and love and only a few remained faithful. This was the period of the Philadelphia church, from around the 1750s up to approximately the 1850s.

The Lukewarm Church

And as time went on, the church lost its fervor and zeal and again began to come into another saddened condition. The seventh church, the church of Laodicea, represents this period. “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.” Revelation 3:14, 15.

Laodicea was about 40 miles southeast of Philadelphia and its strategic position made it a prosperous commercial center. However, Laodicea lacked a supply of good water. “So then because thou are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Verses 16, 17. Laodicea is a reference to the lukewarm church of God from the days of the 1850s until the end. This Laodicean condition is taking place today, not just in the Protestant world, but within those who profess to be Seventh-day Adventists.

Laodicea means judgment of the people. It is interesting here because in context, Laodicea had a judgment of themselves. And their judgment of themselves was wrong because it says, “You say that you are rich, you say that you are increased with goods, not knowing your true condition.” Their righteousness was self-righteousness, not knowing they were blind, and poor and naked. This era of the Laodicean period is the time in which we are living today.

We take courage that there were some faithful Christians there in the church in the wilderness. In Revelation 2:24 we are told: “But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.”

Remember, the church at Thyatira represented the church of the Dark Ages, the time in which the papacy was reigning at its utmost. The darkness for which the period was known had its beginning in the church. But here we see that there were some in Thyatira who had not these doctrines being promoted to the church by the Nicolaitans. This is the period of time spoken of in the prophecy in Revelation 12:6 and 14: “And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. … And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.” Here the woman represented the true church of God that went into the wilderness during this dark period of one thousand two hundred sixty days, which represents, according to Bible prophecy, one thousand two hundred and sixty years: the church in the wilderness.

Many of God’s people still resisted the darkness. The Albigenses of France and the Waldenses, who originated in the valley of Piedmont in north Italy, the very land where the darkness was thickest, were among the groups that resisted the darkness. This group of people had to flee out into the mountains and caves because of persecution by the apostate church. Although they were in mountains and caves, yet they maintained the true faith. The few copies of the Bible they had were so precious to them that they copied them by hand to have more. They would go out as missionaries in the marketplaces and carefully share their faith with others at the risk of their lives.

A papal bull of Pope Innocent the 8th in 1487 really began a fierce persecution against God’s faithful people at that time. The bull said in part: “… absolved from all ecclesiastical pains and penalties general and particular those who join it along. …” It released, “all who joined the crusade from any oaths they may have taken.” It “… legitimized their title to any property they may have illegally acquired and promised remission of all their sins to such as should kill any heretic.” It “… annulled all contracts made in favor of Waldenses.” It “… ordered their domestics to abandon them, forbade all persons to give them any aid whatever, and empowered all persons to take possession of their property.” The Great Controversy, 77.

As the church in the wilderness, God’s people endured suffering, affliction and were hunted as wild beasts. Many of them were martyred for their faith, thrown to wild beasts to devour them, burned at the stake, hung up-side-down and tortured beyond our imagination. This was the experience of God’s people.

These lessons are instructive for us today. We know, according to prophecy, that the time will come in the last days for the people of God to endure troublesome times beyond that which we have ever imagined. In II Timothy 3:12, the apostle Paul says concerning all those who believe, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

I have asked myself, “Where then is that persecution?” Sure, we may have experienced a little persecution here and there, but it has been a drop in the bucket in comparison to the great ocean with which God’s people have been drenched in the past.

A well-known quotation from The Great Controversy, 48, says, “Why is it, then, that persecution seems in a great degree to slumber? The only reason is that the church has conformed to the world’s standard and therefore awakens no opposition. The religion which is current in our day is not of the pure and holy character that marked the Christian faith in the days of Christ and His apostles. It is only because of the spirit of compromise with sin, because the great truths of the word of God are so indifferently regarded, because there is little vital godliness in the church, that Christianity is apparently so popular with the world. Let there be a revival of the faith and power of the early church and the spirit of persecution will be revived and the fires of persecution will be rekindled.”

Are you prepared to endure hardship and persecution? Can you endure the trials you may face right now? Often times we talk about the time of trouble that is to come, but we weep, and complain, and murmur over little hardships that we may have today. Many do not want to sacrifice for the cause of Christ but are comfortable just attending church every Sabbath to listen to the messages preached from the pulpit. We should be searching our own hearts, pleading for God to infuse us with His word, that we too may have a word to give in due season to those that are weary (Proverbs 15:23). Many have lost that missionary spirit, and have become as patients who come to church sick, perhaps receiving a bandaid, and maybe even being healed, but in turn, not wanting to aid in the healing of someone else.

There are many opportunities available to serve in the cause of Christ. Many offices need to be filled, but where are the workers? Where are those who are consecrated? Too many people are more concerned about our own business and their own houses, rather than the things that are of Jesus Christ.

James 1:3, 4 says, “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Here is the patience of the saints. We are told to let patience have her perfect work (James 1:4). Let God work it out. Bear the responsibilities that He has granted. In fact, we are even called to choose the hard instead of the easy, but how often we choose the easy way.

The Waldensians endured far more persecution than we have thus far, and they recognized the blessings that this persecution brought. Yet in our Laodicean condition, thinking that we are rich, increased with goods, and have need of nothing, we know not our true condition, that we are wretched, poor, blind, miserable and naked (Revelation 3:17). Perhaps not until we experience the degree of persecution that the Waldensians did will we recognize our true state and the blessings that persecution brings.

When we undertake the work that has been so clearly laid out before us by our Saviour, there are likely to be two consequences, perhaps occurring concurrently, as they often go hand in hand. One, we may well suffer persecution, just as the Waldensians did, though initially not as severe as they ultimately did. That comes very near the meeting of time and eternity. But second, once we begin that heart-work in the vineyard, we will begin to develop the character of Christ.

“When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 69. If we are going to have the character of Christ reproduced in us, something is essential. “God could have reached His object in saving sinners without our aid; but in order for us to develop a character like Christ’s, we must share in His work. In order to enter into His joy—the joy of seeing souls redeemed by His sacrifice—we must participate in His labors for their redemption.” The Desire of Ages, 142.

It is well time to recognize the gifts and talents that God has given you, or you will be like that wicked, unprofitable servant who shall be cast into the lake of fire.

In Jude 3 we are given this exhortation: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend [fight] for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

Fredrick Faber was a nineteenth century priest for the Church of England who later sadly joined the Roman church. But among Faber’s interests were the lives of the saints and he wrote a hymn that acknowledges the legacy of the martyrs in England. In this famous hymn published in 1849, occur the following words:

“Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword;
Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy,
Whenever we hear that glorious Word!
Faith of our fathers, holy faith,
We will be true to Thee till death.”

May that also be our prayer.

Demario Carter is currently a Bible worker for Steps to Life. He may be contacted by email at: gospelworker@stepstolife.org.

The Christian’s Hope

by

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

(Words by Edward Mote)

“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.” John 3:16 NIV.

This is likely the most well-known verse in the entire Bible, and well it should be. This one verse sums up the entire theme of the Bible. Yet, often it is quickly read or quoted without deep thought as to its meaning or intent. In this brief, succinct text is the powerful message and comprehensive sketch of the marvelous and beautiful covenant that God the Father made with His Son “from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8 KJV.

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

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

Let’s add another thought. “There is but little benefit derived from a hasty reading of the Scriptures. One may read the whole Bible through and yet fail to see its beauty or comprehend its deep and hidden meaning. One passage studied until its significance is clear to the mind and its relation to the plan of salvation is evident, is of more value than the perusal of many chapters with no definite purpose in view and no positive instruction gained.” Steps to Christ, 90. Every book, every chapter, every passage of the Bible needs to be understood in light of the plan of salvation.

Hebrews 2:1–3 gives us a wonderful exhortation: “For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard.”

But what necessitated this new covenant, this plan of salvation or redemption? We find the answer in the very beginning of the Bible where we read that after the creation of the world, after explicit, loving instruction from the Creator Himself, and His holy angels, man chose to distrust and disobey the voice of his Creator, his rightful Sovereign. Man deliberately chose to become a traitor to the kingdom and government of his divine King.

His disobedience left man in a terrible situation. “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ He said, ‘I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.’ And He said, ‘Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?’ The man said, ‘The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.’ Then the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this you have done?’ And the woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’ ” Genesis 3:7–13.

The immediate results of choosing to distrust and disobey the Sovereign Creator of the universe was that they found themselves naked, physically. Their robe of light was gone. To cover up their nakedness they sewed fig leaves together. From the perfect comfort and ease of a robe of light (nothing binding, poking, scratching, restricting) to wearing leaves sewn together! What a contrast. But even worse, they experienced a nakedness of soul! They felt a sense of guilt and sin.1

They experienced, for the first time, fear, the need to hide, terror, and dread of the future. And blame came into the picture. Where there had been perfect love, peace, joy, trust, thoughtfulness of the other, instead there was now protection of self at the expense of the other. Most remarkably, God Himself was blamed. With all these things came the inevitable result–separation: separation in the relationship between Adam and Eve, and even more dire, separation between man and His God, the Life-giver; resulting in the consequence of eternal death. Romans 6:23. Terrible, terrible consequences for one “little” sin. Just remember, God sees not as we see, and we need to see things as He sees them. This was not one “little” sin, as is abundantly clear from the serious results, and from what was necessary to correct the situation.

God was not content to leave man to the terrible consequences of this conscious choice. No. Praise His wonderful mercy, grace, and love.

God gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him may not die [the second, eternal death], but have eternal life (John 3:16). Remarkably, when the Lord God visited Adam and Eve in the evening of that fateful day, His immediate response to them was one of tender mercy; in spite of the fact that laid open before His eyes were the scenes of what it would cost Himself, the angelic host, the entire universe to atone for the sin just committed. When first God saw the guilty pair, after gaining from them an account of their sin, He imparted to them hope through a promise; He gave them His covenant. This promise, this covenant, is found in Genesis 3:15, which reads, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise Him on the heel.” Who is speaking, and to whom? Who are the parties involved and what happens to them? What does it mean?

If we go back one verse we find that God is speaking (in the presence of Adam and Eve) to the serpent, also known as the devil and Satan.2 God says to Satan that enmity (extreme hatred) would exist between himself and the woman, meaning between Satan and God’s true followers. God continues by saying between your seed (that is, Satan’s followers) and her Seed, singular Seed. Turning to Galatians 3:16, we find clearly stated in the Bible just who this singular, this one Seed, is: “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his Seed. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as referring to many, but rather to one, ‘And to your Seed,’ that is, Christ.” So when God says, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed,” that Seed, singular, is speaking of Christ. God continues, clarifying what this means. He says, “He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise Him on the heel.” God says, “He,” [that is, Christ], that Seed, “shall bruise your head.” Other translations use the word “crush.” Christ would “crush” the serpent’s head. We well know that when a head is crushed, death is the sure result. In some way, in the future, Christ would do something that would bring the sure result of death to Satan. Then God continues by saying that Satan would bruise His (Christ’s) heel.

Of course we know that in sacrificing His life upon Calvary, both of these conditions were met. Christ, by His death assured the final end of Satan. He would eventually crush his head. And in causing wicked men to crucify Christ, Satan did indeed bruise Christ’s heel. This wound, this death that looked so final, was simply a temporary wound. Christ was raised to victory and triumph over Satan, over death (eternal consequences for sin), over his power upon any who would choose to “believe on Him.” What a promise. What a merciful, loving God that would give this beacon of hope to the very ones that necessitated the tremendous sacrifice that He would have to make to give them this hope.

This was not an easy thing for the Father, or His Son. “Before the Father He pleaded in the sinner’s behalf, while the host of heaven awaited the result with an intensity of interest that words cannot express. Long continued was that mysterious communing—‘the counsel of peace’ (Zechariah 6:13) for the fallen sons of men. 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.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 63. Oh, no. This was not an easy thing.

Why was it so very difficult for the Father to “yield up His Son to die for the guilty race?” Let’s consider two quotes from that beautiful book, The Desire of Ages. The first is found on page 131, and the second, page 49. After reading the first part of both quotes, please note particularly the last phrase of each, and then meditate on the true meaning of that phrase. “Never can the cost of our redemption be realized until the redeemed shall stand with the Redeemer before the throne of God. Then as the glories of the eternal home burst upon our enraptured senses we shall remember that Jesus left all this for us, that He not only became an exile from the heavenly courts, but for us took the risk of failure and eternal loss.”

“Satan in heaven had hated Christ for His position in the courts of God. He hated Him the more when he himself was dethroned. He hated Him who pledged Himself to redeem a race of sinners. Yet into the world where Satan claimed dominion God permitted His Son to come, a helpless babe, subject to the weakness of humanity. He permitted Him to meet life’s peril in common with every human soul, to fight the battle as every child of humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss.”

Do you really comprehend it? For us He took the risk of failure. When you and I fail, we have a Saviour. We have a contingency plan. We have a way out. But Jesus, if Jesus had failed, that was it. There was no contingency plan for Him; no way out; no other option; no Plan B. And as if that isn’t enough, the last part of that phrase says, it would have been eternal loss. Never again would He have seen His Father. Never again would He have experienced the joys, the bliss, the perfection, the beauty of heaven or the worship and adoration of the heavenly hosts. For Him, the loss would have been final and eternal. Is it any wonder that it was a “struggle, even with the King of the universe, to yield up His Son to die for the guilty race”?

This is the covenant God and His Son Jesus made on our behalf. This is the incomprehensible plan of salvation provided on our behalf. “God was to be manifest in Christ, ‘reconciling the world unto Himself’ (II Corinthians 5:19). Man had become so degraded by sin that it was impossible for him, in himself, to come into harmony with Him whose nature is purity and goodness. But Christ, after having redeemed man from the condemnation of the law, could impart divine power to unite with human effort. Thus by repentance toward God and faith in Christ the fallen children of Adam might once more become ‘sons of God’ (I John 3:2).” Patriarchs and Prophets, 63, 64.

We have covered who made this covenant (God the Father and His Son, Jesus), when it was made (before the foundations of the earth) and to whom it was given and when, (Adam and Eve immediately after their sin). Now let us look at the conditions necessary to make this plan a reality, and what it cost God the Father, Jesus, the angelic host, and in fact the entire universe.3

As you read this list, please deeply contemplate the meaning of each.

  1. Christ would take upon Himself the guilt and shame of sin.
  2. It would separate God the Father and His Son.
  3. Christ would reach the depths of misery to rescue the human race.
  4. Man’s salvation cost their (the heavenly angels) Loved Commander unutterable woe.
  5. Jesus must leave heaven and come in contact with the degradation of earth.
  6. Jesus had to endure sorrow, shame, and death.
  7. Jesus would stand between the sinner and the penalty of sin.
  8. He did this even though few would receive Him as the Son of God.
  9. Jesus would leave His high position as the Majesty of heaven (humble Himself).
  10. Jesus would by His own experience know the sorrows and temptations of man.
  11. He would endure every insult and torture Satan could inspire.
  12. He must die the cruelest of deaths.
  13. Jesus must pass long hours of agony so terrible angels could not watch.
  14. Not only could the angels not watch, they were forbidden to interfere.
  15. He had to endure anguish of soul.
  16. He died from a broken heart.
  17. Jesus took the part of the sinner, lifted up on the cross.
  18. Jesus bore the weight of the sins of the whole world.
  19. Jesus took human nature on Himself.
  20. This plan involved all heaven. (Think, for example, of the change in the lives of the holy angels who now minister to those degraded and in every way inferior to themselves. Have you ever thought of what their lives were like before sin—what consumed their time?)

If Jesus were successful with carrying out this first part:

  1. He would redeem fallen man from the law and bring him again into harmony with heaven.
  2. God would take away our sin.
  3. `Christ would by His death ransom many.
  4. He would destroy Satan who had the power of death.
  5. Jesus would recover the kingdom that man had lost by sin.
  6. He would provide a way for the redeemed to inherit the kingdom and dwell therein forever.
  7. He would provide the means to blot out sin and sinners forever.
  8. The kingdom of glory, interrupted at the entrance of sin, would be restored at the eradication of Satan, of sin and of those who refuse to separate from sin.

If Jesus were not successful with carrying out this first part, the result would be eternal loss.

Lest we forget ourselves and think that Jesus’ death on the cross is all that is required, let’s think again of the tremendous price our salvation cost our God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Oh, how could we ever think we can do despite to His laws and love? Or even simply turn away? Though we in no way had anything to do with making this covenant, or in carrying out the requirements to make possible our salvation, we must realize that we do have a response to make, a response of devoted love.

The Bible tells us, “If you love Me …” John 14:15, and then states what we will do. Even using earthly standards, what an ungrateful wretch anyone would be if, ransomed at great cost from a kidnapping, they spat in the face of, slapped, or simply walked away from the one providing the ransom. With the kind of cost we have just outlined that God and Jesus paid for our ransom, is there any request or requirement on the part of God that could be considered too high for what They have done? No, no, a thousand times no.

Furthermore, we must remember that what is required is not based on “works.” Paul addresses this when he says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8–10 KJV). What is required must be based on, and flow out of, a response of love for the great sacrifice that was made on our behalf. The response is one of total devotion to the One who made the ultimate sacrifice for you and for me.

Yet, what God asks of us is not difficult or unreasonable. He only asks two things. These two things are very simply outlined in two succinct and straightforward texts. First, I John 1:9 KJV tells us, “If we confess our sins.” Notice the word of condition here. If, a little two letter word, but full of import. If we confess, and only if we confess, “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” What a promise. He is not only faithful to forgive us, but He, because of His great sacrifice is also “just” in forgiving us, and He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Now to the second requirement, the second principle that God requires of us. (Just remember, God will not ask us to do anything that He will not give us the power to do.) Matthew 5:48 NIV: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Well, that is quite a statement. It not only says what to be, (perfect), but it even specifies how perfect, “as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Lest you doubt, thinking this is an isolated text, here are a few of many others. I John 2:1: “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.” I John 3:3: “And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” I John 3:6–9: “No one who abides in Him sins; no one who sins has seen Him or knows Him. Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil. No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”

“If you love Me.” Friend, do you love your Redeemer? He says, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15.

Paul says the same thing. “In view of your participation in the gospel [the plan of redemption, the covenant] from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:5, 6. This is a very clear teaching in the word of God. Jesus died that we might have the power to overcome Satan and sin.

Our God is a God of such love as words cannot even express. His heart of infinite love yearns over His wayward children. Consider these words of yearning: “Therefore you, O son of man, say to the house of Israel: ‘Thus you say, “If our transgressions and our sins lie upon us, and we pine away in them, how can we then live?” ’ Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel’ (Ezekiel 33:10, 11 NKJV)?” It is this heart of infinite love that conceived, implemented and carried out the conditions for our salvation.

To our God and His Son, this plan, this covenant was of such importance, He desired us to know and understand it to such a degree that it is the central theme throughout His entire Word as we read in the quote at the beginning from Education, 126.

Each individual on this earth is unique. Each processes thought differently. Different things spark our understanding. God understands our minds better than we ever could. And He so desires each and every one to be able to grasp the knowledge of the covenant that He gave it many names. Let’s explore some of the various names for this covenant.

The various names for the covenant will be in italics. Of course there are endless numbers of texts that refer to this covenant. Remember this covenant is the one great theme of the entire Bible so we can’t possibly list them all here. This list is intended to heighten the knowledge and awareness of this wonderful plan, and picture a number of the different titles or phrases by which it is known such that in your own personal studies they boldly stand out as you study.

Psalm 111:9 NKJV ­– “He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name.”

Psalm 103:17, 18 NKJV – “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.”

Psalm 25:10 NKJV – “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.”

Ezekiel 37:26 NKJV – “Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore.”

Ephesians 3:8–11 NKJV – “To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Hebrews 9:12 NKJV – “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”

Hebrews 9:15 NKJV – “And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.”

Revelation 14:6 NKJV – “Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.”

Romans 1:16 NKJV – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

Colossians 1:6 NKJV – “Which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth.”

Colossians 1:13, 14 NKJV – “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”

The Signs of the Times, June 21, 1899 – “The blood of the cross sealed the irrevocable covenant which ensures to our Redeemer the heathen for His inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for His possession.”

The Signs of the Times, August 24, 1891 – “The terms of this oneness between God and man in the great covenant of redemption were arranged with Christ from all eternity. The covenant of grace was revealed to the patriarchs. The covenant made with Abraham [or Abrahamic Covenant] four hundred and thirty years before the law was spoken on Sinai was a covenant confirmed by God in Christ, the very same gospel which is preached to us. ‘The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. …’ (Galatians 3:8). The covenant of grace is not a new truth, for it existed in the mind of God from all eternity. This is why it is called the everlasting covenant. The plan of redemption was not conceived after the fall of man to cure the dreadful evil; the apostle Paul speaks of the gospel, the preaching of Jesus Christ, as ‘the revelation of the mystery, which hath been kept in silence through times eternal, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith’(Romans 25, 26 RV).”

Exodus 19:5 NKJV – “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.”

In summary, “ ‘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’? Through endless ages immortal minds, seeking to comprehend the mystery of that incomprehensible love, will wonder and adore.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 63, 64.

Anything other than this new covenant is simply sinking sand. The new covenant is our only true foundation, or solid rock in this time of storm. It is my hope and prayer that each one will do more than just “wonder and adore” but freely, ardently give your heart to our merciful, gracious, long-suffering Saviour, and through the power of His new covenant, fulfill His command, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

1 See Patriarchs and Prophets, 57, for a more complete narration of the consequences of their fall.

2 See Revelation 12:9; 20:2; II Corinthians 11:3

3 Patriarchs and Prophets, 63–70, for deeper study.

[All emphasis supplied.]

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

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

Stumbling Blocks

by

Stumbling blocks may prevent many people today from attending church. The Spirit of Prophecy tells us that God does not bring new people into the church because of the unconverted state of many of its current members. He sees that since church members do not rightly represent Him, He refrains from bringing in new people until these stumbling blocks are removed.

We will discuss three stumbling blocks. The first is fanaticism; the second is being overzealous; and the third is our character.

Fanaticism nearly destroyed the 16th century reformation. If it had been successful, the condition of our earth would be different today. Catholicism would have been the dominant world religion and the United States would probably never have prospered as it has. Fanatics could have destroyed what we have today, in the United States and around the world.

What Is Fanaticism?

Fanaticism is going beyond what is specifically revealed in the word of God, and setting up a man-made standard. It was once said that we humans are all like the moon. We have a dark side that we don’t want anyone to see.

The Jewish nation was like that, and they tried to cover their dark side with fanaticism. They went beyond what God’s word said and formulated man-made standards. Anyone who did not measure up was considered unrighteous. Fanaticism is simply a cover-up for some particular hidden sin. Each of us must evaluate ourselves and ask, “Have I lifted up some man-made standard in my life that is a covering for my defects?”

New people visiting churches instantly recognize hypocrisy. They want to see Jesus; and we want to reveal Christ to them.

Jesus came into conflict with the elders of the Jewish church when they saw His disciples eating with unwashed hands, which they considered a sin. For hygienic reasons, most parents remind their children to wash their hands before they eat, but to call it a sin is going beyond Scripture. Sin being the transgression of the law of God, we need to be careful when deciding what sin is and what sin is not.

The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.” Matthew 15:2.

Jesus responded that their tradition was nothing more than a cover-up for their own sins. He said, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” Verses 8, 9.

When people adapt God’s word, they are usually covering up something in their own lives. Man-made ideas and standards do not exalt Christ, but endeavor to lift up self. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4) and not from the mouth of men, neither their teachings nor traditions.

Interestingly, Paul writes in I Corinthians 4:6, “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.” Paul warns against fanaticism, against going beyond what is written.

An example of going beyond God’s Word is the person who believes in the two meal a day plan, but thinks if two meals a day is good, then one should be better, so he goes to one meal a day. That is fanaticism. It goes beyond what the Word says and is one of the biggest stumbling blocks to the church today.

A Biblical example of going beyond what God’s word says is found in the book of John. Jesus saw a poor, wretched and miserable man in extreme suffering sitting by the pool of Bethesda and wanted to relieve him. “Jesus said to him, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk.’ ” John 5:8.

Crime above all crimes! In the eyes of the Pharisees Jesus was not only laboring on the Sabbath, but He was encouraging someone else to labor as well, violating the fourth commandment.

“And immediately the man was made well, and took up his bed and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, ‘It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.’ ” Verses 9, 10. Can you imagine how oppressed the people were in that day? They had so many traditions no one could keep up with them. It would take years to learn the rules of the rabbis.

We also find in Matthew 12 the story of Jesus, Who “went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.” Verse 1. Have you ever put wheat between your hands and rubbed it around until the chaff is removed? Crime above all crimes! Threshing, working on the Sabbath! The Pharisees took texts from Exodus and reduced them down to what they believed to be the nitty gritty of each little letter. By the time they had finished, the rules were beyond what was written in the word of God. The rules became so stringent that the Jews determined that if you were to spit on the ground on the Sabbath, you were considered to be irrigating.

The Jews had hundreds of rules like this, even still today. Today you will see a lot of people walking to the Synagogue rather than driving on the Sabbath. Since the spark plug ignites the gasoline in the cylinders to drive the pistons in the engine, that is considered starting a fire. In fact, you would be starting multiple fires since you have multiple cylinders. The reason for this rule: “You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings on the Sabbath day.” Exodus 35:3.

They also consider it “work” to manipulate a light switch with your finger on the Sabbath. If electricity is needed during the night, the switch must be left on before the Sabbath begins.

If man-made standards by which others are judged cannot be substantiated by the word of God, leave them alone. That is a sure sign of fanaticism.

“The rabbis counted their righteousness a passport to heaven; but Jesus declared it to be insufficient and unworthy. External ceremonies and theoretical knowledge of truth constituted Pharisaical righteousness. The rabbis claimed to be holy through their own efforts in keeping the law; but their works had divorced righteousness from religion. While they were punctilious in ritual observances, their lives were immoral and debased.” The Desire of Ages, 309. These ceremonies were a covering for their sins.

Jesus said, “Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20. “The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ’s day was that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness.” The Desire of Ages, 309.

God does not care about your theory of the truth. He wants to know if you are living it, not whether you can explain it.

Fanaticism undermines the work of the church and cuts it to pieces. Paul said to the Romans, “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:3.

A study of the gospels provides the interesting revelation that there were very few Gentiles who became a part of the Hebrew religion. Jesus said, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.” Matthew 23:15.

“For it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.’ ” Romans 14:11–13.

Paul here tells us not to judge one another or become a stumbling block causing another who is weak in the faith, such as a new believer, to fall.

“Were men free to depart from the Lord’s requirements and to set up a standard of duty for themselves, there would be a variety of standards to suit different minds and the government would be taken out of the Lord’s hands. The will of man would be made supreme, and the high and holy will of God—His purpose of love toward His creatures—would be dishonored, disrespected.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings, 51, 52. We see today the evidence of man ruling himself and the fruit it produces.

The identifying mark of the anti-christ is that he “opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” II Thessalonians 2:4.

If you or I should set up some man-made standard, Ellen White says that, “The will of man would be made supreme.” You become your own little god, which is spiritualism. The throne within me will determine what is right and wrong. This was the claim of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. “Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ ” Genesis 3:4, 5. In other words, you can become your own judge of what is right and wrong. This is a heavy subject, but we must get serious about winning souls so that those who have been deceived may have their eyes opened to truth.

Overzealous and Character

The second way we become stumbling blocks is by being overzealous. Paul said, “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” Romans 10:2.

It is really important that we get zealous over what we know is right from the word of God. Romans 14:16, 17 says, “Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Many people have that reversed, thinking the kingdom of heaven comes through their diet, and that is how they will get to heaven, which is nothing more than Jewish pharisaism.

Diet is important, for “you were bought at a price” (I Corinthians 6:20), but if a person thinks it makes him righteous and is meticulous with what he eats, yet has no control over his temper, there is something drastically wrong. The diet then becomes a covering or facade.

It has been said that while in London, Dwight L. Moody went to an art gallery and as he was walking down a hall, one picture caught his eye. From a distance he saw a monk with his hands folded and his head bowed and it appeared as if he was conversing in agony with God. As Moody continued to walk closer, his eyes were fixed on the picture. Standing before it he realized that it was merely a man with a lemon between his hands, squeezing it into a punch bowl.

He thought it a very interesting spiritual lesson for us, a picture of the human heart. Superficially examined, it is thought to be the seat of all that is good and noble, pleasing in man, whereas in reality, until regenerated by the Holy Ghost, it is the seat of all corruption.

We need to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit every day so that we can rightly represent our Saviour. We make a high profession and people are watching with expectation to see something in us or in our church that is different from other churches and the world.

“For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.” I Corinthians 4:9.

When potential members evaluate us, what are they going to see? Will they see a sincere person bowed down conversing in agony with God, or on closer examination see something disingenuous?

Being overzealous may be considered fanaticism to some. “Let no one place stumbling blocks before those who are walking in the dark paths of ignorance. Even in praising a good thing, it is well not to be too enthusiastic, lest you turn out of the way those who come to hear. Present the principles of temperance in their most attractive form.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 465.

It is so easy to be overzealous when experiencing the blessing of a healthy lifestyle and being in a hurry for others to experience the same by going vegetarian. But often those we are seeking to help feel judged and pull back. This is a common mistake that we make when giving too much information too quickly. Jesus said to His disciples that there were many things He wanted to tell them but they were not ready (John 16:12). Learn from the example of Jesus and wait on the Lord.

If we want to see souls saved in God’s kingdom we will ever keep that in mind and not be over-enthusiastic. We will hold our tongues even though we may see some things in new members that we think should be changed. We are all works in progress and still require change, so we must not point fingers. We must realize that often our words cause wounds and turn people out of the way if we are not careful. When this occurs, we are not helping the Lord. It is important to let Him lead.

If you do not want to become overzealous, go out and do some Bible studies with people. Try to help somebody else come into the kingdom of God. As you review your experiences, you will discern what you did well and when you erred. If you have made mistakes, the next time you study with somebody, you will know not to make that same mistake again.

I have made hundreds of mistakes with people. But by God’s grace I’ve learned much and I’m still learning how to deal with people because human minds are ultra-complex and each one is different. You learn to swim by first jumping into the water and the only way to become an expert in winning souls is to go out and start, and in the strength of Jesus Christ you will become a servant.

We do not want to become a stumbling block to anyone, through fanaticism, by being overzealous, or retaining a character with sin in our own lives. If we want God’s blessing to rest upon us, we need the Holy Spirit to reveal those things that need to be removed from our lives, so that the character of Jesus is revealed in us.

The condition of the church will determine whether God is blessing it, and whether He can trust us to be faithful witnesses to those He brings into it. God may bring in someone that is tough and challenging, but we must have tender hearts to nurture them in the truth.

We have God’s word and are to be not only hearers, but doers of the word. Yet we must not go beyond what is written, setting up standards, man-made ideas or tests that exalt and puff up self. We do not want to be stumbling blocks.

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

Mike Bauler was ordained into the ministry in 2005 and serves as pastor of the Historic Message Church in Portland, Oregon. Prior to locating in Portland, Pastor Bauler served as a Bible worker for Steps to Life Ministries. His goal is to help give the gospel to the greater Portland area with an emphasis in helping his Bible students discover the truths in Bible prophecy, which are so often neglected today. His wife, Amanda, a family nurse practitioner, and their daughters Hannah, Esther and Abigail assist him in his ministry.