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Pen of Inspiration – Rejoice in the Lord

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Christ says to His followers, “Ye are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). Then let your light shine forth in clear, steady rays, Do not wrap about you a cloud of darkness. Cease to suspect others. By good works represent the character of Christ. When you are tempted to yield to despondency, look to Jesus, and talk with Him. Your Elder Brother will never make a mistake. He will judge righteously. He will guide you aright.

God is not pleased to see His children wrapped in gloom and sadness. His arm is mighty to save all who will lay hold on Him. He desires us to be cheerful, but not trifling. He says to each one of us, “But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (1 Peter 1:15). God wants us to be happy. He desires to put a new song on our lips, even praise to our God. He wants us to believe that He forgives our sins, and takes away our unrighteousness. He wants us to make melody in our hearts to Him.

The “hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:18) – what is it? – The hope of eternal life. Nothing short of this will satisfy the Redeemer; and it is our part to lay hold of this hope by living faith in Him. If we are partakers with Him in His sufferings, we shall be partakers with Him in the glory which will be His; for His merits have purchased forgiveness and immortality for every sinful, perishing soul. “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.” Our trust in this hope, purchased for us by the atonement and intercession of Christ, is to keep us steadfast and unmovable in every hour of conflict. With such a hope as this before us, shall we allow Satan to cast his shadow across our pathway, to eclipse our view of the future?

Christ values human beings with a value that is beyond any human computation. Then let us encourage faith. Take your eyes off yourself. Faith and hope are not to be centered in self: they are to enter into that within the veil, whither our Forerunner is for us entered. Talk of the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We are exposed to great moral danger; and if we trust in self, looking no higher, we shall make shipwreck of faith. Do not fail nor be discouraged. Hope is an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast when it enters into that within the veil. Thus the tempest-tossed soul becomes anchored in Christ. Amid the raging of temptation, he will neither be driven upon the rocks nor drawn into the whirlpool. His ship will outride the storm.

Close the door of the heart to distrust, and throw it open to the heavenly Guest. Put away all fretting and complaining; for these things are a snare of the devil. Let us make a pledge before God and the heavenly angels that we will not dishonor our Maker by cherishing darkness and unbelief, by speaking words of discouragement and mistrust. Let every word we utter, every line we write, be fraught with encouragement and unwavering faith. If we live faith, we shall talk faith. Think not that Jesus is the Saviour of your brother only. He is your personal Saviour. If you entertain this precious thought, you will beat back the clouds of despondency and gloom, and make melody to God in your soul. It is our privilege to triumph in God. It is our privilege to lead others to see that their only hope is in God, and to flee to Him for refuge.

Every act of consecration to God brings joy; for as we appreciate the light He has given us, more and greater light will come. We must banish the spirit of complaining, and open the heart to the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness. There is peace in perfect submission. Peace follows grace. They work in perfect harmony, and are multiplied in progression. When the hand of faith takes hold of the hand of Christ, the expression of the heart is: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 1:3, 4).

Open the windows of the soul heavenward, and let the rays of the Sun of Righteousness in. Look on the bright side. Let the peace of God reign in your soul. Then you will have strength to bear all suffering, and you will rejoice that you have grace to endure. Praise the Lord; talk of His goodness; tell of His power. Sweeten the atmosphere that surrounds your soul. Do not dishonor God by words of fretfulness and repining. Praise, with heart and soul and voice, Him who is the health of your countenance, your Saviour, and your God.

The Youth’s Instructor, December 27, 1900.

Keys to the Storehouse – Forgiveness

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Forgiveness does not create character. Many believe that all they need is to be forgiven and they are ready to go to heaven. Could that belief be wrong? The following may give insight about forgiveness and character.

“In the work of restoring man from sin, there are two distinct phases, which every seeker after this restoration needs to understand very clearly and to distinguish, but which are often too little understood.

“First: Those who come to Christ are given forgiveness for all their past sins upon repentance. After man has repented and been forgiven he is not counted as guilty, but he does not yet have a good character—because forgiveness does not and cannot give character—cannot restore the image of God in man; it can only take away the existing condemnation. Therefore God could not restore the eternal life to those who receive forgiveness only, if they were to develop no character. Such people would only continue disobeying and needing forgiveness. …

“Second: A righteous character is developed through continued obedience—through overcoming. This experience must follow that of forgiveness. This is the proof of the sincerity of the repentance. … It is obedience which develops character. ‘Sanctification is the result of lifelong obedience.’ The Acts of the Apostles, 561. Forgiveness may be the work of a moment, but the development of a character cannot be done that quickly.

‘The precious graces of the Holy Spirit are not developed in a moment. Courage, fortitude, meekness, faith, unwavering trust in God’s power to save, are acquired by the experience of years.’ The Ministry of Healing, 454.

“Therefore in the present probation man is given another opportunity to demonstrate his loyalty to God through obedience.

“The great controversy in heaven between good and evil was transferred to this earth. Satan said that the obedience which God required could not possibly be rendered. And in the first probation given to man (Adam), Satan helped man to depart from obedience; and in the second probation which men now have, he does all he can to make it difficult and impossible for man to return to his obedience.

“And so all down through the ages God has been calling for obedience and helping man to obey, while Satan has been saying it could not be done, and doing all he could to prevent it. The history of the world and the church from that time to this would give the impression that Satan has been more successful than has God.” The Place of Health Reform in Character Development, Julius Gilbert White, 5, 6, Light Bearers “Present Truth” Ministries, 1989.

Ask God to forgive you and then make it a point to demonstrate your loyalty to God through obedience to all of His laws, health laws included. God is waiting for each of us to develop a righteous character. He is waiting for you!

Heavenly Father: What a miracle it is that Jesus died that He might cover our confessed sins and by His continued grace we may perfect a character fit for heaven. The devil is roaring to prevent this miracle so I plead for you to “Hold up my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not” (Psalm 17:5). Amen.

Editorial – The Need For Scriptural Unity

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“Press together, press together, that you may not be destroyed as were the inhabitants of Jerusalem….Persecution is coming, and God calls upon all to stand firm in Christian love, their hearts knit together, of one mind and one judgment. His people are to cleave to Him, and they are to love one another as He has loved them. Christ’s life is to be their example. In love, in meekness, in humility, they are to follow Him.” Signs of the Times, October 31, 1900

This inspired statement shows that we must press together or be destroyed as the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The destruction of Jerusalem is a symbol of what will happen to the whole world at the end. In spite of this inspired counsel, we see more division and unsanctified independence in Adventism today than ever before. The devil is determined that this unity will never be accomplished:

“Satan well knows that the combined strength of Satanic agencies with that of evil men is but weakness when opposed to a band of faithful, united servants of the great King, though in number they may be few. In order to overcome the people of God, Satan will work upon the elements in the character which have not been transformed by the grace of Christ, and through these unsanctified characteristics, he will seek to bring about disunion among the people of God. Unless these persons who become agents of Satan are converted, their own souls will be lost, and the souls of those who have looked up to them as men led of God will be destroyed with them, because they are partakers with them of their sins. Satan endeavors to create suspicion, envy, and jealousy, and thus lead men to question those things that it would be for their soul’s interest to believe. The suspicious ones will misconstrue everything….and if this spirit is allowed to prevail, it will demoralize our churches and institutions.” Review and Herald, May 14, 1895

Is not this prophecy fulfilled all around us? To fulfill the longing of Christ as expressed in John 17 that God’s people might not be totally destroyed, we must press together and come into perfect unity. We must unify in the way God has specified or we will never have true Christian unity: “We have a testing message to give, and I am instructed to say to our people, ‘Unify, unify.’ But we are not to unify with those who are departing from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. With our hearts sweet and kind and true, we are to go forth to proclaim the message, giving no heed to those who lead away from the truth.” Selected Messages, book 3, 412. ”

Christ calls for unity. But He does not call for us to unify on wrong practices.” Selected Messages, book 1, 175

“The God of heaven draws a sharp contrast between pure, elevating, ennobling truth and false, misleading doctrines. He calls sin and impenitence by the right name. He does not gloss over wrongdoing with a coat of untempered mortar. I urge our brethren to unity upon a true, scriptural basis.” Selected Messages, book, 175.

“We are to unify, but not on a platform of error.” Battle Creek Letters, 111.

“Unify, unify is the word from heaven. The work of bringing about perfect harmony cannot be done in a moment. It will take close examination and careful study on the part of those who bear responsibilities. Not a selfish thread is to be drawn into the web.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 19, 149

Because of this inspired counsel, a number of Historic Seventh-day Adventists met together for counsel and prayer on July 12 at Steps to Life. If we are humble and pray and receive the Holy Spirit, we will be drawn into a perfect unity because Christ is not divided. The universal longing of each was to come together in unity of spirit without compromising one principle of truth. The absence of any type of political spirit was refreshing. We make no claim to have perfect unity yet, but we are all praying about it and studying and looking forward to another meeting to pursue this goal. In order to have unity, several necessary items were studied, such as: What does an Historical Seventh-day Adventist believe—What are the historic tests of fellowship? I believe that God is leading us just as He led our spiritual forefathers in the 1840s to a perfect unity of spirit, thought, doctrine and faith.

We want to invite every Historic Seventh-day Adventist person and institution to pray for unity and to press together. This is no time for independence; it is time for the prayer of Jesus in John 17 to be fulfilled. It will never be fulfilled among those professed Adventists who have essentially rejected the Spirit of Prophecy and who do not believe and who do not believe in the investigative judgment and the other truths of the three angel’s messages. It will never happen to those who are willing to compromise with error or who are unwilling to protest the apostasy. It will never happen to those who reject the New Testament concept of the nature of the church. It can only happen among Historic Seventh-day Adventists. Will you be a part of it?

Current Events – Final Movements Will Be Rapid

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We are living in the time of the end. The fast-fulfilling signs of the times declare that the coming of Christ is near at hand. The days in which we live are solemn and important. The Spirit of God is gradually but surely being withdrawn from the earth. Plagues and judgments are already falling upon the despisers of the grace of God. The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude. …

“Great changes are soon to take place in our world, and the final movements will be rapid ones.” Testimonies, vol. 9, 11.

This was written over a century ago and today we see its fulfillment. The 500th Anniversary of the Reformation this month is being celebrated in unity by both the Protestant churches and the Catholic Church, confirming that the Reformation has come to an end and that they are uniting on points of mutual interest. One might wonder if Martin Luther and the many martyrs that stood for truth would celebrate with them. How the churches have backslidden in these latter days! It is certainly a call to prayer for those that still believe that the Lord was leading those brave souls who stood for Bible truth against the tyranny of the Roman Church.

Pedestrians, enjoying the summer evening in a crowded boulevard in a tourist area in Barcelona, were mowed down in two vehicle attacks killing 15 people and wounding more than 120 others. This was Plan B of a much larger assault with explosives. According to the police, the 12-man cell’s plan for a more lethal attack fell apart after the house, filled with bomb-making equipment, blew up and they resorted to using the vehicles to carry out their mayhem. There seems to be no end to these terrorist attacks.

Natural disasters are also on the increase. In southern Texas, USA, Hurricane Harvey could be the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history with an estimated cost of $160 billion. Over 50” of rain has caused wide-spread flooding with a staggering death toll.

Earlier in the year, flooding and mudslides in Sri Lanka left more than 150 people dead and almost half a million displaced after the worst torrential rains to hit the tropical island nation since 2003.

The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age

“Now as He (Jesus) sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘… And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’ And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. … You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various placed. All these are the beginning of sorrows. … But he who endures to the end shall be saved’ ” (Matthew 24:3–13).

If ever there was a time for the people of God to pray, it is now!

 

Bible Study Guides – God’s Servants Sealed

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November 19, 2016 – November 25, 2016

Key Text

“Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads” (Revelation 7:3).

Study Help: Testimonies, vol. 5, 207–216.

Introduction

“Satan is now using every device in this sealing time, to keep the minds of God’s people from the present, sealing truth; and to cause them to waver. I saw a covering that God was drawing over His people, to protect them in the time of trouble; and every soul that was decided on the truth, and was pure in heart, was to be covered with the covering of Almighty God.” The Review and Herald (The Present Truth), August 1, 1849.

1 A REFUGE

  • What invitation does God make to His people before the destruction of the earth? Isaiah 26:20, 21.
  • What promises will be a comfort in those turbulent days? Psalm 46:1–3; 91:1–10.

Note: “The time of trouble is the crucible that is to bring out Christ-like characters. It is designed to lead the people of God to renounce Satan and his temptations. The last conflict will reveal Satan to them in his true character, that of a cruel tyrant, and it will do for them what nothing else could do, up-root him entirely from their affections.” The Review and Herald, August 12, 1884.

“Their [God’s people’s] faith does not fail because their prayers are not immediately answered. Though suffering the keenest anxiety, terror, and distress, they do not cease their intercessions. They lay hold of the strength of God as Jacob laid hold of the Angel; and the language of their souls is: ‘I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me’ (Genesis 32:26).” The Great Controversy, 619, 620.

2 SEALED OR SLAIN

  • Who is destroyed, and who is given shelter in Ezekiel’s vision? Ezekiel 9:3–6, 9, 10.
  • How is the work of the protecting angels cited in the Revelation similar to that of the man with the writer’s inkhorn in Ezekiel’s vision? Revelation 7:1–3.
  • How does the experience of the Jews in the time of Esther illustrate that of God’s people at the end of time? Esther 3:8, 9; 9:1–3.

Note: “This sealing of the servants of God is the same that was shown to Ezekiel in vision.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 445.

“The trying experiences that came to God’s people in the days of Esther were not peculiar to that age alone. … The same spirit that in ages past led men to persecute the true church, will in the future lead to the pursuance of a similar course toward those who maintain their loyalty to God. …

“The decree that will finally go forth against the remnant people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews. Today the enemies of the true church see in the little company keeping the Sabbath commandment, a Mordecai at the gate. The reverence of God’s people for His law is a constant rebuke to those who have cast off the fear of the Lord and are trampling on His Sabbath.

“Satan will arouse indignation against the minority who refuse to accept popular customs and traditions. Men of position and reputation will join with the lawless and the vile to take counsel against the people of God. Wealth, genius, education will combine to cover them with contempt. Persecuting rulers, ministers, and church members will conspire against them. With voice and pen, by boasts, threats, and ridicule, they will seek to overthrow their faith. By false representations and angry appeals, men will stir up the passions of the people. Not having a ‘Thus saith the Scriptures’ to bring against the advocates of the Bible Sabbath, they will resort to oppressive enactments to supply the lack. To secure popularity and patronage, legislators will yield to the demand for Sunday laws. … On this battlefield will be fought the last great conflict in the controversy between truth and error. And we are not left in doubt as to the issue. Today, as in the days of Esther and Mordecai, the Lord will vindicate His truth and His people.” Prophets and Kings, 605, 606.

3 PURIFICATION OF CHARACTER

  • What type of character will be developed in those who are preparing for the seal? Revelation 14:1, 5. What does having the Father’s name imply? Matthew 6:9; I Peter 3:15.

Note: “Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God—candidates for heaven.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 216.

“It is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they [God’s people] cannot be moved.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1161.

“Are we striving with all our power to attain to the stature of men and women in Christ? Are we seeking for His fullness, ever pressing toward the mark set before us—the perfection of His character? When the Lord’s people reach this mark, they will be sealed in their foreheads.” Ibid., vol. 6, 1118.

“I also saw that many do not realize what they must be in order to live in the sight of the Lord without a high priest in the sanctuary through the time of trouble. Those who receive the seal of the living God and are protected in the time of trouble must reflect the image of Jesus fully.” Early Writings, 71.

  • How will the Lord perform this sanctifying work in us? Hebrews 7:25; 13:20, 21; Philippians 1:6; 2:12, 13.

Note: “I saw that the time for Jesus to be in the most holy place was nearly finished and that time can last but a very little longer. What leisure time we have should be spent in searching the Bible, which is to judge us in the last day. …

“Live and act wholly in reference to the coming of the Son of man. The sealing time is very short, and will soon be over. Now is the time, while the four angels are holding the four winds, to make our calling and election sure.” Early Writings, 58.

“Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand.” The Review and Herald, March 9, 1905.

4 SIGHING AND CRYING

  • What is the work of God’s people in the last days? Isaiah 58:12.

Note: “In the time of the end every divine institution is to be restored. The breach made in the law at the time the Sabbath was changed by man, is to be repaired. God’s remnant people, standing before the world as reformers, are to show that the law of God is the foundation of all enduring reform and that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is to stand as a memorial of creation, a constant reminder of the power of God.” Prophets and Kings, 678.

  • What does it mean to sigh and cry? Ezekiel 9:4.

Note: “The abominations for which the faithful ones were sighing and crying were all that could be discerned by finite eyes, but by far the worst sins, those which provoked the jealousy of the pure and holy God, were unrevealed.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 211.

“At the time when the danger and depression of the church are greatest, the little company who are standing in the light will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are done in the land. But more especially will their prayers arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing after the manner of the world. …

“They mourn before God to see religion despised in the very homes of those who have had great light. They lament and afflict their souls because pride, avarice, selfishness, and deception of almost every kind are in the church.” Ibid., 209, 210.

  • Where does the judgment begin, and what does this mean for God’s professed people? Ezekiel 9:6.

Note: “But the general slaughter of all those who do not thus see the wide contrast between sin and righteousness, and do not feel as those do who stand in the counsel of God and receive the mark, is described in the order to the five men with slaughter weapons: [Ezekiel 9:5, 6 quoted].” Testimonies, vol. 3, 267.

5 DELIVERANCE

  • How will God finally deliver His people in this time? Luke 18:7; Daniel 12:1, 2. Discuss the purification of the church prior to the close of probation.

Note: “In the hour of the church’s greatest danger most fervent prayer will be offered in her behalf by the faithful remnant, and God will hear and answer at the very time when the guilt of the transgressor has reached its height.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 524.

“The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out—the chaff separated from the precious wheat.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 380.

“The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. … In this time the gold will be separated from the dross in the church. … Chaff like a cloud will be borne away on the wind, even from places where we see only floors of rich wheat. All who assume the ornaments of the sanctuary, but are not clothed with Christ’s righteousness, will appear in the shame of their own nakedness.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 81.

  • Who will survive the plagues and be translated at the second coming of Jesus? I Thessalonians 4:16, 17; Revelation 14:4.

Note: “None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song; for it is the song of their experience … such as no other company have ever had. … These, having been translated from the earth, from among the living, are counted as ‘the first fruits unto God and to the Lamb’ (Revelation 14:4).” The Great Controversy, 649.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 What protection does God offer from the plagues, and how can you have it?

2 How are we to be brought to the condition of readiness for the seal?

3 How do the remnant relate to the sin around them, in and out of the church?

4 Have you felt the personal assurance of God’s promise to prepare you for the end?

5 How does God’s vision of the wheat and the chaff differ from ours?

Copyright © 2015 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Bible Study Guides – Earth’s Final Warning

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November 12, 2016 – November 18, 2016

Key Text

“This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (I Timothy 2:3, 4).

Study Help: The Great Controversy, 603–612.

Introduction

“The advent movement of 1840-44 was a glorious manifestation of the power of God; the first angel’s message was carried to every missionary station in the world, and in some countries there was the greatest religious interest which has been witnessed in any land since the Reformation of the sixteenth century; but these are to be exceeded by the mighty movement under the last warning of the third angel.” The Great Controversy, 611.

1 EVERYONE MUST KNOW

  • What important commission did Jesus give to His disciples? Acts 1:8.

Note: “Before ascending to heaven, Christ gave His disciples their commission. He told them that they were to be the executors of the will in which He bequeathed to the world the treasures of eternal life. …

“They were not to wait for the people to come to them; they were to go to the people with their message.” The Acts of the Apostles, 27, 28.

  • What must take place before the end of the world? Matthew 24:14.

Note: “It is the privilege of every Christian not only to look for but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:12, margin). Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last great harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious grain.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 69.

2 PROPHECIES OF DESTRUCTION

  • Why is Jesus’ coming delayed, and what is in store for this earth, as we know it? 2 Peter 3:7–10.
  • Describe the prophecies of destruction in the dramatic climax of this earth’s history. Isaiah 13:6–9; 34:1–5; Revelation 6:14–17; 11:18.

Note: “God permits the wicked to prosper and to reveal their enmity against Him, that when they shall have filled up the measure of their iniquity all may see His justice and mercy in their utter destruction. The day of His vengeance hastens, when all who have transgressed His law and oppressed His people will meet the just recompense of their deeds; when every act of cruelty or injustice toward God’s faithful ones will be punished as though done to Christ Himself.” The Great Controversy, 48.

  • How does this parallel the Flood in the days of Noah? Genesis 6:13, 17; 7:23; Matthew 24:37–41.

Note: “The Bible declares that in the last days men will be absorbed in worldly pursuits, in pleasure and money-getting. They will be blind to eternal realities. …

“Men are rushing on in the chase for gain and selfish indulgence as if there were no God, no heaven, and no hereafter. In Noah’s day the warning of the flood was sent to startle men in their wickedness and call them to repentance. So the message of Christ’s soon coming is designed to arouse men from their absorption in worldly things. It is intended to awaken them to a sense of eternal realities, that they may give heed to the invitation to the Lord’s table.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 228.

“Before the Flood God sent Noah to warn the world, that the people might be led to repentance, and thus escape the threatened destruction. As the time of Christ’s second appearing draws near, the Lord sends His servants with a warning to the world to prepare for that great event. Multitudes have been living in transgression of God’s law, and now He in mercy calls them to obey its sacred precepts. All who will put away their sins by repentance toward God and faith in Christ are offered pardon.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 102.

3 THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES

  • How does Revelation describe the actual carrying out of God’s judgments on the earth? Revelation 15:7; 16:1–21.

Note: “I saw that His [God’s] anger was dreadful and terrible, and if He should stretch forth His hand, or lift it in anger, the inhabitants of the world would be as though they had never been, or would suffer from incurable sores and withering plagues that would come upon them, and they would find no deliverance, but be destroyed by them. … Then I realized, as never before, the importance of searching the word of God carefully, to know how to escape the plagues which that Word declares shall come on all the ungodly.” Early Writings, 64, 65.

“Our own course of action will determine whether we shall receive the seal of the living God or be cut down by the destroying weapons. Already a few drops of God’s wrath have fallen upon the earth; but when the seven last plagues shall be poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation, then it will be forever too late to repent and find shelter. No atoning blood will then wash away the stains of sin.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 212.

  • Describe the scene when the destruction of the rest of the living is finished. Revelation 19:17–19.

Note: “My attention was again directed to the earth. … After the saints had been delivered by the voice of God, the wicked multitude turned their rage upon one another. The earth seemed to be deluged with blood, and dead bodies were from one end of it to the other.

“The earth looked like a desolate wilderness. Cities and villages, shaken down by the earthquake, lay in heaps. Mountains had been moved out of their places, leaving large caverns. Ragged rocks, thrown out by the sea, or torn out of the earth itself, were scattered all over its surface. Large trees had been uprooted and were strewn over the land.” Early Writings, 289, 290.

  • At the culmination of the destruction of the earth, what is the last event? Malachi 4:1–3; 2 Peter 3:10.

4 A THREEFOLD MESSAGE

  • How are the judgment and the fall of spiritual Babylon described by the first and second angels of Revelation 14? Revelation 14:6–8.

Note: “In the prophecy this warning of the judgment, with its connected messages, is followed by the coming of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven. The proclamation of the judgment is an announcement of Christ’s second coming as at hand. And this proclamation is called the everlasting gospel. Thus the preaching of Christ’s second coming, the announcement of its nearness, is shown to be an essential part of the gospel message.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 227, 228.

  • How does the third angel present the final warning before the seven last plagues? Revelation 14:9–12.

Note: “The most fearful threatening ever addressed to mortals is contained in the third angel’s message. That must be a terrible sin which calls down the wrath of God unmingled with mercy. Men are not to be left in darkness concerning this important matter; the warning against this sin is to be given to the world before the visitation of God’s judgments, that all may know why they are to be inflicted, and have opportunity to escape them.” The Great Controversy, 449, 450.

  • Who is represented by these “angels” (messengers) that “preach” the everlasting gospel to the people of the earth? Mark 16:15.

Note: “The three angels of Revelation 14 represent the people who accept the light of God’s messages and go forth as His agents to sound the warning throughout the length and breadth of the earth. Christ declares to His followers: ‘Ye are the light of the world’ (Matthew 5:14). To every soul that accepts Jesus the cross of Calvary speaks: ‘Behold the worth of the soul: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” ’ (Mark 16:15). Nothing is to be permitted to hinder this work. It is the all-important work for time; it is to be far-reaching as eternity. The love that Jesus manifested for the souls of men in the sacrifice which He made for their redemption will actuate all His followers.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 455, 456.

5 THE FINAL CALL

  • Just prior to the plagues, what special call is repeated to God’s faithful who are not yet united with the remnant church? Revelation 18:1–5.

Note: “Notwithstanding the spiritual darkness and alienation from God that exist in the churches which constitute Babylon, the great body of Christ’s true followers are still to be found in their communion. …

“Revelation 18 points to the time when, as the result of rejecting the threefold warning of Revelation 14:6–12, the church will have fully reached the condition foretold by the second angel, and the people of God still in Babylon will be called upon to separate from her communion. This message is the last that will ever be given to the world; and it will accomplish its work. When those that ‘believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness’ (2 Thessalonians 2:12), shall be left to receive strong delusion and to believe a lie, then the light of truth will shine upon all whose hearts are open to receive it, and all the children of the Lord that remain in Babylon will heed the call.” The Great Controversy, 390.

  • In order for the earth to be “lightened with his glory,” what characteristics must the angel (messenger) exhibit? Isaiah 52:7, 8; Matthew 5:16; Colossians 1:27.
  • What action plan does the apostle present to us in view of these realities? I Thessalonians 5:4–6.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 What is the urgent task which the Lord has left in our hands?

2 How do the condition and the destiny of earth today parallel those of Noah’s time?

3 Describe how God will bring this present world to an end.

4 What warning is to be given before the complete destruction of the earth?

5 How can we be sure to be on God’s side in the times ahead?

Copyright © 2015 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Bible Study Guides – The Investigative Judgment

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November 6, 2016 – November 12, 2016

Key Text

“Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after” (I Timothy 5:24).

Study Help: The Great Controversy, 479–491.

Introduction

“While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people upon earth.” Maranatha, 254.

1 YOUR CASE PENDING

  • Who has a case pending in judgment? 2 Corinthians 5:10. With whom does it begin? I Peter 4:17.

Note: “As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the living. Every name is mentioned, every case closely investigated.” The Great Controversy, 483.

  • When are most people judged? Hebrews 9:27. Why?
  • On what evidence is the judgment based? Revelation 20:11, 12. What is recorded in the books? Jeremiah 2:22; Malachi 3:16; Nehemiah 13:14.

2 THE STANDARD AND THE ADVOCATE

  • What is the standard by which we are to be judged? James 2:10–12. What is the character of this standard, and what does it require? Psalm 19:7; Matthew 5:48.

Note: “The law of God is the standard by which the characters and the lives of men will be tested in the judgment.” The Great Controversy, 482.

“In His teachings, Christ showed how far-reaching are the principles of the law spoken from Sinai. He made a living application of that law whose principles remain forever the great standard of righteousness—the standard by which all shall be judged in that great day when the judgment shall sit, and the books shall be opened.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 211.

  • What is the penalty for unrighteousness? Romans 6:23. Is there any hope for one with a bad record? I John 2:1, 2.

Note: “The death of the spotless Son of God testifies that ‘the wages of sin is death’ (Romans 6:23), that every violation of God’s law must receive its just retribution. Christ the sinless became sin for man. He bore the guilt of transgression, and the hiding of His Father’s face, until His heart was broken and His life crushed out. All this sacrifice was made that sinners might be redeemed. In no other way could man be freed from the penalty of sin.” The Great Controversy, 540.

  • How are we to receive the propitiation? Romans 3:25; I John 1:9.

Note: “The examples in God’s word of genuine repentance and humiliation reveal a spirit of confession in which there is no excuse for sin or attempt at self-justification. Paul did not seek to shield himself; he paints his sin in its darkest hue, not attempting to lessen his guilt. …

“The humble and broken heart, subdued by genuine repentance, will appreciate something of the love of God and the cost of Calvary; and as a son confesses to a loving father, so will the truly penitent bring all his sins before God. And it is written, ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ (I John 1:9).” Steps to Christ, 41.

3 TIME OF THE JUDGMENT

  • What will happen to those who have truly accepted the Advocate? John 11:25; John 5:24–29.

Note: “All who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon entered against their names in the books of heaven; as they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ, and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out, and they themselves will be accounted worthy of eternal life.” The Great Controversy, 483.

  • When Jesus returns, what will He bring with Him, and what does He do with it? Revelation 22:12; 2 Timothy 4:7, 8.
  • What must happen first in order that Christ may reward the faithful? I Timothy 5:24; I Peter 4:17; Luke 20:35, 36.

Note: “Before the final reward is given, it must be decided who are fitted to share the inheritance of the righteous. This decision must be made prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven; for when He comes, His reward is with Him, ‘to give every man according as his work shall be’ (Revelation 22:12). Before His coming, then, the character of every man’s work will have been determined, and to every one of Christ’s followers the reward will have been apportioned according to his deeds.

“It is while men are still dwelling upon the earth that the work of investigative judgment takes place in the courts of heaven. The lives of all His professed followers pass in review before God. All are examined according to the record of the books of heaven, and according to his deeds the destiny of each is forever fixed.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 310.

“There will be no future probation in which to prepare for eternity. It is in this life that we are to put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness. This is our only opportunity to form characters for the home which Christ has made ready for those who obey His commandments.” Ibid, 319.

4 THE BLOTTING OUT OF SINS

  • What will have happened to the sins of the righteous who receive their reward at the resurrection? Micah 7:19; Isaiah 43:25.

Note: “The work of the investigative judgment and the blotting out of sins is to be accomplished before the second advent of the Lord. Since the dead are to be judged out of the things written in the books, it is impossible that the sins of men should be blotted out until after the judgment at which their cases are to be investigated. But the apostle Peter distinctly states that the sins of believers will be blotted out ‘when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus Christ’ (Acts 3:19, 20). When the investigative judgment closes, Christ will come, and His reward will be with Him to give to every man as his work shall be.” The Great Controversy, 485.

  • Explain how the parable of the unjust servant (Matthew 18:23–35) shows the difference between forgiveness and blotting out. Although we may be faithful today, what sobering reality should keep us ever vigilant? Ezekiel 33:13–16.
  • What happens to the name of an unfaithful person, written in the book of life? Exodus 32:32, 33. How is a name written there in the first place, and whose names will be retained? Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5.

Note: “We are now living in the great day of atonement. In the typical service, while the high priest was making the atonement for Israel, all were required to afflict their souls by repentance of sin and humiliation before the Lord, lest they be cut off from among the people. In like manner, all who would have their names retained in the book of life should now, in the few remaining days of their probation, afflict their souls before God by sorrow for sin and true repentance. There must be deep, faithful searching of heart. … Though all nations are to pass in judgment before God, yet He will examine the case of each individual with as close and searching scrutiny as if there were not another being upon the earth.” The Great Controversy, 489, 490.

5 EXAMINATION AND REWARD

  • In order for sins to be blotted out, what must happen first, as described in the parable of the man without a wedding garment? Matthew 22:9–14. What is symbolized by the wedding garment? Revelation 19:8; Philippians 3:9.

Note: “By the king’s examination of the guests at the [wedding] feast is represented a work of judgment. The guests at the gospel feast are those who profess to serve God, those whose names are written in the book of life. …

“By the wedding garment in the parable is represented the pure, spotless character which Christ’s true followers will possess. … It is the righteousness of Christ, His own unblemished character, that through faith is imparted to all who receive Him as their personal Saviour.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 310.

  • What work is Christ doing for each repenting sinner now, and what pronouncement will be made when that work is done? Hebrews 2:17; Revelation 22:11, 12; Daniel 12:1.
  • Since the judgment concludes with the final generation who are judged while living, what is Jesus’ warning to us? Mark 13:33. What assurance do we have? Hebrews 4:14–16; 13:20, 21.

Note: “The judgment is now passing in the sanctuary above. … Soon—none know how soon—it will pass to the cases of the living.” The Great Controversy, 490.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 Why is the time of judgment such a solemn time in which to live?

2 How can we be sure to be judged “not guilty”?

3 Why must the judgment of professed believers happen before the Second Coming?

4 What is the distinction between forgiveness and blotting out of sins?

5 What experience must Christ’s true followers have who will be judged while living?

Copyright © 2015 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Bible Study Guides – The Sabbath in the Last Days

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October 30, 2016 – November 5, 2016

Key Text

“Hallow My sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God” (Ezekiel 20:20).

Study Help: The Great Controversy, 433–450.

Introduction

“In the time of the end every divine institution is to be restored. The breach made in the law at the time the Sabbath was changed by man, is to be repaired.” Prophets and Kings, 678.

1 REMEMBER

  • What expression in Exodus 20:8 shows that the Sabbath day was being kept before God spoke and wrote the Decalogue at Sinai?

Note: “The Sabbath is not introduced as a new institution but as having been founded at creation. It is to be remembered and observed as the memorial of the Creator’s work.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 307.

  • What did God do on the seventh day of creation? Genesis 2:1, 2. What was special about this day? Genesis 2:3.

Note: “Like the Sabbath, the week originated at creation, and it has been preserved and brought down to us through Bible history. God Himself measured off the first week as a sample for successive weeks to the close of time. Like every other, it consisted of seven literal days. Six days were employed in the work of creation; upon the seventh, God rested, and He then blessed this day and set it apart as a day of rest for man.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 111.

“Because He had rested upon the Sabbath, ‘God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it’ (Genesis 2:3),—set it apart to a holy use. He gave it to Adam as a day of rest. It was a memorial of the work of creation, and thus a sign of God’s power and His love.” The Desire of Ages, 281.

2 A MEMORIAL OF CREATION

  • What is the Sabbath to remind us of? Exodus 20:11; Psalm 111:4.

Note: “Pointing to God as the Maker of the heavens and the earth, it [the Sabbath] distinguishes the true God from all false gods. All who keep the seventh day signify by this act that they are worshipers of Jehovah. Thus the Sabbath is the sign of man’s allegiance to God as long as there are any upon the earth to serve Him.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 307.

“God designs that the Sabbath shall direct the minds of men to the contemplation of His created works. Nature speaks to their senses, declaring that there is a living God, the Creator, the Supreme Ruler of all. … The beauty that clothes the earth is a token of God’s love. We may behold it in the everlasting hills, in the lofty trees, in the opening buds and the delicate flowers. All speak to us of God. The Sabbath, ever pointing to Him Who made them all, bids men open the great book of nature and trace therein the wisdom, the power, and the love of the Creator.” Ibid., 48.

  • If God made all things, what position does that place us in? Psalm 100:3; Ephesians 2:10.
  • Who is the Creator to Whom the Sabbath belongs? John 1:3; Mark 2:27, 28.

Note: “Because the Sabbath was made for man, it is the Lord’s day. It belongs to Christ. For ‘all things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made’ (John 1:3). Since He made all things, He made the Sabbath. By Him it was set apart as a memorial of the work of creation. It points to Him as both the Creator and the Sanctifier. It declares that He Who created all things in heaven and in earth, and by Whom all things hold together, is the head of the church, and that by His power we are reconciled to God.” The Desire of Ages, 288.

“The fourth commandment is the only one of all the ten in which are found both the name and the title of the Lawgiver. It is the only one that shows by Whose authority the law is given. Thus it contains the seal of God, affixed to His law as evidence of its authenticity and binding force.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 307.

3 A SIGN OF SANCTIFICATION

  • What additional purpose did the Sabbath serve after sin entered the world? Ezekiel 20:12.

Note: “The Sabbath is a sign of Christ’s power to make us holy. And it is given to all whom Christ makes holy. As a sign of His sanctifying power, the Sabbath is given to all who through Christ become a part of the Israel of God.” The Desire of Ages, 288.

  • Of what was the Sabbath especially a reminder to the children of Israel? Deuteronomy 5:15.
  • How are the themes of “enmity” against sin and deliverance from it reflected in the meaning of the Sabbath? Genesis 3:15; Exodus 31:13.

Note: “It is the work of conversion and sanctification to reconcile men to God by bringing them into accord with the principles of His law. … ‘The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be’ (Romans 8:7). But ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son’ (John 3:16), that man might be reconciled to God. Through the merits of Christ he can be restored to harmony with his Maker. His heart must be renewed by divine grace; he must have a new life from above. This change is the new birth, without which, says Jesus, ‘he cannot see the kingdom of God’ (John 3:3).” The Great Controversy, 467.

“The Sabbath given to the world as the sign of God as the Creator is also the sign of Him as the Sanctifier. The power that created all things is the power that re-creates the soul in His own likeness. To those who keep holy the Sabbath day it is the sign of sanctification. True sanctification is harmony with God, oneness with Him in character. It is received through obedience to those principles that are the transcript of His character. And the Sabbath is the sign of obedience. He who from the heart obeys the fourth commandment will obey the whole law. He is sanctified through obedience.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 350.

“All who cherish the Lord as their portion in this life will be under His control, and will receive the sign, the mark of God, which shows them to be God’s special possession. Christ’s righteousness will go before them, and the glory of the Lord will be their rereward. The Lord protects every human being who bears His sign.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 969.

4 THE EXPERIENCE OF TRUE SABBATH KEEPING

  • What does true Sabbath keeping involve in these final days of earth’s history? Matthew 11:28–30; Ephesians 4:22–24.

Note: “Everyone needs to have a personal experience in obtaining a knowledge of the will of God. We must individually hear Him speaking to the heart. When every other voice is hushed, and in quietness we wait before Him, the silence of the soul makes more distinct the voice of God. He bids us, ‘Be still, and know that I am God’ (Psalm 46:10). Here alone can true rest be found. … Amid the hurrying throng, and the strain of life’s intense activities, the soul that is thus refreshed will be surrounded with an atmosphere of light and peace.” The Desire of Ages, 363.

  • What is the result of the process of renewal? 2 Corinthians 5:17.
  • To truly keep the Sabbath holy, in what spiritual condition must we be? Leviticus 20:26; Ephesians 1:3, 4.
  • What should we earnestly seek for daily? Psalm 51:10.

Note: “The very first reaching out of the heart after God is known to Him. Never a prayer is offered, however faltering, never a tear is shed, however secret, never a sincere desire after God is cherished, however feeble, but the Spirit of God goes forth to meet it.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 206.

“Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, ‘Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.’ This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ.” Steps to Christ, 70.

5 A DELIGHT AND A JOY

  • If we receive the Sabbath covenant, and it does the intended work in us, what will it become? Isaiah 58:13, 14. What is meant by the words “My holy day”? Matthew 12:8.
  • What blessing will the Sabbath bring to all who truly receive it? Matthew 11:28.

Note: “To all who receive the Sabbath as a sign of Christ’s creative and redeeming power, it will be a delight. Seeing Christ in it, they delight themselves in Him.” The Desire of Ages, 289.

“All heaven was represented to me as beholding and watching upon the Sabbath those who acknowledge the claims of the fourth commandment and are observing the Sabbath. Angels were marking their interest in, and high regard for, this divine institution. Those who sanctified the Lord God in their hearts by a strictly devotional frame of mind, and who sought to improve the sacred hours in keeping the Sabbath to the best of their ability, and to honor God by calling the Sabbath a delight—these the angels were specially blessing with light and health, and special strength was given them.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 704, 705.

  • If we are found faithful, what will we be doing every Sabbath in the kingdom on the earth made new? Isaiah 66:23.

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 Explain the reasons why God said “remember.”

2 What things does the Sabbath remind us of?

3 What other significance does the Sabbath have in the Christian’s experience?

4 How may we truly experience Sabbath rest?

5 How are you benefiting from the blessings of the Lord’s day?

Copyright © 2015 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Recipe – Pistachio Sesame Seed Balls

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Recipe
Pistachio Sesame Seed Balls
½ cup almond butter ½ cup sesame seeds
½ cup pistachios 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
6 medjool dates, pitted
Put all ingredients into a food processor and process until the pistachios are chopped finely and everything is well blended. Take out a spoonful at a time, squeeze in the palm of your hand a couple of times to make the mixture tight and compact, and then roll into a ball shape. Put in the refrigerator for approximately 15–30 minutes to firm. Makes 14–16 small balls. These balls are quick and healthy! Enjoy!

Food – The Yummy Pistachio

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Once you begin munching on pistachio nuts it is very hard to stop. They taste so good and also they are so good for you.

“While most of the positive research on nuts has not distinguished among the various types, some research has. One study, published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, specifically investigated pistachio nuts and concluded that eating pistachio nuts instead of other dietary fat calories improved lipid profiles and decreased coronary risk. A second study, published recently in Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Disease, indicated that the consumption of pistachio nuts decreased oxidative stress and improved both total cholesterol and HDL (“good”) cholesterol in healthy volunteers. (There was a trend toward reducing triglycerides and LDL [“bad”] cholesterol, but this didn’t reach statistical significance.) The ratio of total cholesterol to HDL, reported to be one of the most specific risk factors for cardiovascular disease, fell by 21 percent in the pistachio-eating group.

“If pistachio nuts had a public-relations agent, she would have been mighty happy with the results of a recent study in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. The study was the most comprehensive analysis of nut and seed varieties to date—it examined twenty-seven different products. Though pistachio nuts did not have the highest phytosterol content of all (that distinction went to sesame seeds and wheat germ), they did have the highest phytosterol content of any product generally considered a snack food (270 mg per 100 g). ‘Given the many possible mechanisms of action of phytosterols on cholesterol metabolism, it is important to have quantitative estimates of total phytosterol content,’ reported the team of researchers from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The main phytosterol identified in all the nut and seed samples as beta-sitosterol, which is known not only for lowering cholesterol but also the supporting of prostate health.

“Unsalted pistachios have a very high potassium-to-sodium ratio, which helps normalize blood pressure and maintain water balance in the body. Pistachio nuts also contain the powerful antioxidant vitamin E, which boosts the immune system. (Best of all, the vitamin E in pistachio nuts is mostly the gamma-tocopherol form found in most supplements.) Pistachios also contain magnesium and phosphorus and trace amounts of other minerals and vitamins, as well as phytosterols. Extracts from the pistachio kernel have shown significant antiviral activity.

“And they’re so delicious.

“Note: Some pistachio growers and importers dye the nut red, which exposes the kernels to chemical dyes. You’re better off with the plain kind.” The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S., 156, 157.

 

Recipe
Pistachio Sesame Seed Balls
½ cup almond butter ½ cup sesame seeds
½ cup pistachios 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
6 medjool dates, pitted
Put all ingredients into a food processor and process until the pistachios are chopped finely and everything is well blended. Take out a spoonful at a time, squeeze in the palm of your hand a couple of times to make the mixture tight and compact, and then roll into a ball shape. Put in the refrigerator for approximately 15–30 minutes to firm. Makes 14–16 small balls. These balls are quick and healthy! Enjoy!