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Songs – Just as I Am

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Charlotte Elliott was born on March 18, 1789, in Westfield Lodge, Brighton (England). She was the third of six children, with two brothers and three sisters. Charlotte was highly educated and developed a great passion for music and art at an early age and was surrounded by great refinement and piety in her family.

While still young, Charlotte became “aware of her sinful nature and realized her need to resist sin’s enticements. She felt unworthy to receive God’s grace, and wholly incapable of facing a righteous and perfect God.” She was a frequent visitor at many different churches and the pastors advised her to pray more, study the Bible more, and to do more virtuous deeds.

The first 32 years of her life were spent in Clapham, a district in S.W. London, where she was popular as a portrait artist and wrote humorous verses. In 1821, she suffered a serious illness that removed her from the whirl of social life in London and put her in a position to feel her dire need of a personal Saviour. A pastor visiting in her father’s home, asked her, “Are you at peace with God?” She resented the question at first, but some days later, she called for the pastor to return. She apologized for her behavior and told him that she wanted to cleanse her life before becoming a Christian. But the pastor replied, “Come just as you are.” Charlotte committed her life to Christ that very day.

She had a weak constitution thereafter, but in 1834, undertook the editorial supervision of The Christian Remembrancer Pocket Book and in 1836, the Invalid’s Hymn Book. This she did for the next 25 years and many of her own hymns can be found in these annual publications.

In 1835, Charlotte wrote the hymn Just As I Am. It is sung to at least four different hymn tunes, but the tune Woodworth, written by William B. Bradbury, is the best known and used by congregations the world over today.

Charlotte Elliott died on September 22, 1871. Little did she know that her most famous hymn would become the number one altar call song in the world. It was the song to which Billy Graham gave his heart to the Lord and then used for decades during his own crusades.

Just imagine the number of people who will come to Charlotte Elliott, if she remained faithful, to tell her how this beloved song touched their hearts and helped them to come, just as they were, to the Saviour.

“Jesus loves to have you come to Him just as you are, hopeless and helpless, and cast yourself upon His all-abundant mercy and believe that He will receive you just as you are.” In Heavenly Places, 119

Sources: Wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_as_I_Am_(hymn); Wikipedia.org/wiki/Clapham; Wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte_Elliott

 

Just as I am – without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,

O Lamb of God, I come!

 

Just as I am – and waiting not

To rid my soul of one dark blot,

To Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,

O Lamb of God, I come!

 

Just as I am – though toss’d about

With many a conflict, many a doubt,

Fightings and fears within, without,

O Lamb of God, I come!

 

Just as I am – poor, wretched, blind;

Sight, riches, healing of the mind,

Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,

O Lamb of God, I come!

Keys to the Storehouse – The Love of God

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The Love of God

Years ago, when the Steps to Life ministry first began, it was my privilege to be a part of the Bible study program that still airs on television here in the local Wichita area every Sunday morning. At that time, I would sing a short song of appeal at the end of each program. Pastor Marshall Grosboll presented the Bible study in those days, and he had two songs that were his favorites: The Choice is Mine and The Love of God.

He used The Choice is Mine frequently for the Bible study program, but The Love of God was a favorite to close his Sabbath morning sermons. It was not unusual for him to preach a lengthy sermon and then announce that I would now sing The Love of God. My silent response was typically, “I will?” because I rarely knew I would be singing until he said so. But this song has such a beautiful message.

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;

This reminds me of what David said in Psalm 139:7–10: “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.”

The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

 No matter where you’ve been. No matter what you’ve done, reconciliation, pardon, and restoration are available to the one who comes to Him in repentance and complete surrender.

“It is the work of conversion and sanctification to reconcile men to God by bringing them into accord with the principles of His law. … 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 … .

“The law reveals to man his sins, but it provides no remedy. While it promises life to the obedient, it declares that death is the portion of the transgressor. The gospel of Christ alone can free him from the condemnation or the defilement of sin. He must exercise repentance toward God, whose law has been transgressed … .

“In the new birth, the heart is brought into harmony with God, as it is brought into accord with His law. When this mighty change has taken place in the sinner, he has passed from death unto life, from sin unto holiness, from transgression and rebellion to obedience and loyalty. …

“… The followers of Christ are to become like Him—by the grace of God to form characters in harmony with the principles of His holy law. This is Bible sanctification.” A New Life, 11–13

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

 “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38, 39

Dear God, we thank You that Your love is forever true and that Your desire is for us all to reflect Your image once again.

Christ Purges for a Reason

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“I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”

John 15:1, 2

When trials come to us, let us not dwell upon the greatness of the difficulties and feel that we cannot have joy in the Lord. It is true we will have changes of feelings. There will come to us times of discouragement and depression. But shall we live by feeling or by faith? When our brethren and friends speak unadvisedly, and cause us grief, let us not be cast down. Let us remember that we are in a world of trial and grief, of sorrow and disappointment. When these experiences come to us, they should drive us to Christ. If they do not, we meet with loss.

When tempted to give up under discouragement and difficulty, let us study the life and experiences of Christ. He had to contend against the powers of darkness that He might not be overcome. We have the same battle to fight, the same victories to win. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. It is our privilege to lay hold on the strength of One who is able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God by Him. He invites you to present your case at the throne of grace, and cast your helpless soul on Him.

The purging is not pleasant, but let us remember that Christ came to our world and took humanity that He might bear the afflictions that humanity must bear and be an example of faithful endurance under every form of trial. God wants us to realize that we are a part of the great human family, and that we must bear its tests. …

Let your humanity lay hold of divinity. Go to the footstool of God’s grace, and say, “Lord, I hang my helpless soul on Thee. Help me to control my speech. Teach me to overcome.” Christ will give you a spirit of overcoming. “They overcame him,” we read, “by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” Revelation 12:11

You may bear a testimony the opposite to that which Satan would have you bear. You may keep heart and mind sanctified by obedience to the truth. Look to Him, at morning and at noon and at night. Keep heart and mind fastened upon Christ. This is your privilege. The suffering and death of Christ has paid the price for your redemption, and through faith in Him you may overcome. … Let the love of Christ dwell in your hearts. … We must graduate sensibly in this life if we would be transferred to the higher school of the courts above. The Upward Look, 252

Story – God’s Rules

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Johnny and his mother had been over to see Grandmother. As they walked down the street, they passed the beautiful new church with colored glass windows. The sun shone on the glass and made it sparkle like gems of many colors.

“Would you like to go in and see the new church?” Mother asked.

Of course, Johnny wanted to see inside the church, so they walked quietly through the front door and sat down in one of the pews.

“Johnny, can you see God’s ten commandments carved in white marble hanging on the wall in the front of the church?”

“Let’s go up closer,” Johnny whispered. They walked softly toward the front. “What are commandments, Mother?” he asked.

“God made some very wonderful rules a long time ago,” Mother explained. “He wrote them with His own finger on two tables of stone. They are called the ten commandments.”

“Did God write those on the wall with His finger?” wondered Johnny, pointing to the white marble slab.

“No, dear, this is a copy of the ones He wrote. You will find them in the Bible, for God wanted them to be kept where people could find them and read them. He wanted men to obey them.”

“Read God’s rules to me,” begged Johnny.

“All right, son, when we get home I’ll read them to you from the Bible.”

Johnny and his mother went out of the church and walked on toward home. “Johnny, you know rules are very important,” said Mother. “God made the world according to certain rules or laws. A farmer has seeds to plant, but until he puts the seeds in the ground they will not grow. It is a rule of nature that seeds must be put in the ground and given water and sunshine so that they will sprout and grow. If you plant wheat seed, what will come up?”

“Wheat,” replied Johnny.

“If you plant beans, what will come up?” his mother asked again.

“Beans!”

“That is another rule of nature. Seeds always grow to be like the plants from which they came,” Mother went on.

“God made rules so that this world would be a happy place in which to live. God does not make us obey His rules; He allows us to decide whether we will obey or not. If we love Him, we will want to obey Him. We are the happiest when we obey God’s rules.”

When Johnny and Mother got home, they sat down on the lounge together. Mother took her Bible and read the ten commandments from Exodus 20.

“I like to hear you read the commandments, Mother,” said Johnny as she finished reading. “Tell me some more about them.”

“All right, son,” Mother agreed. “God spoke the commandments from the top of a high mountain peak called Mount Sinai. Moses and the people of Israel heard the wonderful words. The people of Israel had camped at the foot of Mount Sinai on their journey from Egypt to their new home, which they called ‘the promised land.’ They had been slaves in Egypt, but now they were to be a free people.

“God told Moses, the leader, to climb to the top of Mount Sinai while the people waited below. The mountain peak was covered with clouds, and the people could not see Moses as he went up the steep path. When Moses got to the top, he heard the voice of God above the winds:

“ ‘I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt.’

“Then God gave the ten commandments to Moses. God wrote them on two tables of stone which Moses had brought with him. The laws were for all the people of the world. God’s ten rules or commandments have lived for hundreds and hundreds of years, and they will continue to live forever. The ten commandments show all people how to love God and how to love others.

“Wouldn’t you like to learn God’s rules, Johnny?” Mother asked.

“Oh, yes,” he exclaimed; “please teach them to me.”

“I will help you learn the first one now,” Mother replied.

God’s Ten Rules, Ethel M. Neff, ©1948, 7–13

Heaven Bound

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“And He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: they need no lamp nor light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. Then He said to me, ‘These words are faithful and true.’ And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. ‘Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.’ ”

Revelation 22:1–7

The study of the saints’ trip to heaven, considering the anticipated wonders of heaven, is enjoyable for us all. However, we also must spend time considering the judgments of God that are to fall upon the lost. All of the wicked have made their decision in the great controversy, and the time has arrived in which the judgments of God are with man as well as with angels. “ ‘A noise will come to the ends of the earth—for the Lord has a controversy with the nations; He will plead His case with all flesh. He will give those who are wicked to the sword,’ says the Lord.” Jeremiah 25:31

“For six thousand years, the great controversy has been in progress; the Son of God and His heavenly messengers have been in conflict with the power of the evil one, to warn, enlighten, and save the children of men. Now all have made their decisions; the wicked have fully united with Satan in his warfare against God. The time has come for God to vindicate the authority of His downtrodden law. Now the controversy is not alone with Satan, but with men.” The Great Controversy, 656

This is the time when those with the slaughtering weapons will go forth, and their work of destruction will begin with those who have been the spiritual guardians of the people. “The mark of deliverance has been set upon those ‘that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done.’ Now the angel of death goes forth, represented in Ezekiel’s vision by the men with the slaughtering weapons, to whom the command is given: ‘Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.’ Says the prophet: ‘They began at the ancient men which were before the house.’ Ezekiel 9:1–6. The work of destruction begins among those who have professed to be the spiritual guardians of the people. The false watchmen are the first to fall. There are none to pity or to spare. Men, women, maidens, and little children perish together.” Ibid.

It is of interest to note that it is by the strife of men and the wrath of God that the wicked are slain.

“For behold, the Lord comes out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; the earth will also disclose her blood, and will no more cover her slain.” Isaiah 26:21

“And this shall be the plague with which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, and their tongue shall dissolve in their mouth. It shall come to pass in that day, that a great panic from the Lord will be among them. Everyone will seize the hand of his neighbor, and raise his hand against his neighbor’s hand.” Zechariah 14:12, 13

Commenting on these two scriptures, the Spirit of Prophecy states, “In the mad strife of their own fierce passions, and by the awful outpouring of God’s unmingled wrath, fall the wicked inhabitants of the earth—priests, rulers, and people, rich and poor, high and low. ‘And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried.’ Jeremiah 25:33.” The Great Controversy, 657

“At the coming of Christ the wicked are blotted from the face of the whole earth—consumed with the spirit of His mouth, and destroyed by the brightness of His glory.” The Faith I Live By, 353

Since the wicked have identified themselves with sin, they will die in the destruction of sin. “To sin, wherever found, our ‘God is a consuming fire.’ Hebrews 12:29. In all who submit to His power the Spirit of God will consume sin. But if men cling to sin, they become identified with it. Then the glory of God, which destroys sin, must destroy them.” The Desire of Ages, 107

And how is this accomplished? The wicked are slain by His glory. “The glory of His countenance, which to the righteous is life, will be to the wicked a consuming fire. Because of love rejected, grace despised, the sinner will be destroyed.” Ibid., 600

This death by God is an act of mercy. “Could those whose hearts are filled with hatred of God, of truth and holiness, mingle with the heavenly throng and join their songs of praise? Could they endure the glory of God and the Lamb? No, no; years of probation were granted them, that they might form characters for heaven; but they have never trained the mind to love purity; they have never learned the language of heaven, and now it is too late. A life of rebellion against God has unfitted them for heaven. Its purity, holiness, and peace would be torture to them; the glory of God would be a consuming fire. They would long to flee from that holy place. They would welcome destruction, that they might be hidden from the face of Him who died to redeem them. The destiny of the wicked is fixed by their own choice. Their exclusion from heaven is voluntary with themselves, and just and merciful on the part of God.” The Great Controversy, 542, 543

“God destroys no one. The sinner destroys himself by his own impenitence.” Testimonies, Vol.  5, 120

Thus, the wicked are responsible for their own death.

“Christ takes His people to the city of God, and the earth is emptied of its inhabitants. …

“The whole earth appears like a desolate wilderness. The ruins of cities and villages destroyed by the earthquake, uprooted trees, ragged rocks thrown out by the sea or torn out of the earth itself, are scattered over its surface, while vast caverns mark the spot where the mountains have been rent from their foundations.” The Great Controversy, 657

“Here is to be the home of Satan with his evil angels for a thousand years.” Early Writings, 290

It is at this time that the sins of the people are placed upon the scapegoat.

Justice demands that Satan bear the penalty for all the sins which he caused God’s people to commit. “When Christ, by virtue of His own blood, removes the sins of His people from the heavenly sanctuary at the close of His ministration, He will place them upon Satan, who, in the execution of the judgment, must bear the final penalty.” The Great Controversy, 422

“And as the scapegoat was sent away into a land not inhabited, so Satan will be banished to the desolate earth, an uninhabited and dreary wilderness.” Ibid., 658

“… Satan, bearing the guilt of all the sins which he has caused God’s people to commit, will be for a thousand years confined to the earth, which will then be desolate, without inhabitant, and he will at last suffer the full penalty of sin in the fires that shall destroy all the wicked.” Ibid., 485, 486

“The revelator foretells the banishment of Satan and the condition of chaos and desolation to which the earth is to be reduced, and he declares that this condition will exist for a thousand years. After presenting the scenes of the Lord’s second coming and the destruction of the wicked, the prophecy continues: ‘I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.’ Revelation 20:1–3.” Ibid., 658

Turning our attention to what takes place as the saints of God meet the Lord in the sky, Mrs. White writes, “There stands the risen host. The last thought was of death and its pangs. The last thoughts they had were of the grave and the tomb, but now they proclaim, ‘O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?’ …

“Here they stand and the finishing touch of immortality is put upon them and they go up to meet their Lord in the air.” Sons and Daughters of God, 359

As the saints ascend to the holy city, consider what takes place. “Friends long separated by death are united, nevermore to part, and with songs of gladness ascend together to the city of God.

“On each side of the cloudy chariot are wings, and beneath it are living wheels; and as the chariot rolls upward, the wheels cry, ‘Holy,’ and the wings, as they move, cry, ‘Holy,’ and the retinue of angels cry, ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.’ And the redeemed shout, ‘Alleluia!’ as the chariot moves onward toward the New Jerusalem.” The Great Controversy, 645

“How glorious it will be to see Him and be welcomed as His redeemed ones! Long have we waited, but our hope is not to grow dim. If we can but see the King in His beauty we shall be forever blessed. I feel as if I must cry aloud: ‘Homeward bound!’ ” Testimonies, Vol. 8, 253

Oh friend, what a journey this will be for it will take seven days. “We entered the cloud together, and were seven days ascending to the sea of glass.” Early Writings, 16

“Before entering the city of God, the Saviour bestows upon His followers the emblems of victory and invests them with the insignia of their royal state. The glittering ranks are drawn up in the form of a hollow square about their King, whose form rises in majesty high above saint and angel, whose countenance beams upon them full of benignant love. Throughout the unnumbered host of the redeemed every glance is fixed upon Him, every eye beholds His glory whose ‘visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.’ Upon the heads of the overcomers, Jesus with His own right hand places the crown of glory. For each there is a crown, bearing his own ‘new name’ (Revelation 2:17), and the inscription, ‘Holiness to the Lord.’ In every hand are placed the victor’s palm and the shining harp. Then, as the commanding angels strike the note, every hand sweeps the harp strings with skillful touch, awaking sweet music in rich, melodious strains. Rapture unutterable thrills every heart, and each voice is raised in grateful praise: ‘Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.’ Revelation 1:5, 6.” The Great Controversy, 645, 646

What a glorious sight that will be!

As the saints receive their crown, a very touching event takes place, for many will thank their mothers. “The day of God will reveal how much the world owes to godly mothers. …

“When the judgment shall sit, and the books shall be opened; when the ‘well done’ of the great Judge is pronounced, and the crown of immortal glory is placed upon the brow of the victor, many will raise their crowns in sight of the assembled universe, and pointing to their mother say: ‘She made me all I am through the grace of God. Her instruction, her prayers, have been blessed to my eternal salvation.’ ” Maranatha, 308

Can you imagine the joy of parents? “With joy unutterable, parents see the crown, the robe, the harp, given to their children. The days of hope and fear are ended. The seed sown with tears and prayers may have seemed to be sown in vain, but their harvest is reaped with joy at last. Their children have been redeemed.” Ibid.

Isn’t that thrilling to consider?

Then our loving Saviour, having led the entire company across the sea of glass to the holy city, “raised His mighty, glorious arm, laid hold of the pearly gate, swung it back on its glittering hinges, and said to us, ‘You have washed your robes in My blood, stood stiffly for My truth, enter in.’ ” Early Writings, 17

“ ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’ ” Matthew 25:34

But let us not forget for a moment the joy that will be found in the heart of Christ. “Within the city there was everything to feast the eye. Rich glory they beheld everywhere. Then Jesus looked upon His redeemed saints; their countenances were radiant with glory; and as He fixed His loving eyes upon them, He said, with His rich, musical voice, ‘I behold the travail of My soul, and am satisfied. This rich glory is yours to enjoy eternally. Your sorrows are ended. There shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.’ I saw the redeemed host bow and cast their glittering crowns at the feet of Jesus, and then, as His lovely hand raised them up, they touched their golden harps and filled all heaven with their rich music and songs to the Lamb.” Early Writings, 288, 289

And now the time has come. Adam is to again meet Him with whom he once walked and talked in his innocence. Try to catch the celestial excitement. “As the ransomed ones are welcomed to the city of God, there rings out upon the air an exultant cry of adoration. The two Adams are about to meet. The Son of God is standing with outstretched arms to receive the father of our race—the being whom He created, who sinned against his Maker, and for whose sin the marks of the crucifixion are borne upon the Saviour’s form. As Adam discerns the prints of the cruel nails, he does not fall upon the bosom of his Lord, but in humiliation casts himself at His feet, crying: ‘Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain!’ Tenderly the Saviour lifts him up and bids him look once more upon the Eden home from which he has so long been exiled.” The Great Controversy, 647

Gazing upon its beauty, Adam views once again the very same Eden in which he and Eve had worshiped and praised God before sin entered the earth. “Transported with joy, he [Adam] beholds the trees that were once his delight—the very trees whose fruit he himself had gathered in the days of his innocence and joy. He sees the vines that his own hands have trained, the very flowers that he once loved to care for. His mind grasps the reality of the scene; he comprehends that this is indeed Eden restored, more lovely now than when he was banished from it. The Saviour leads him to the tree of life and plucks the glorious fruit and bids him eat. He looks about him and beholds a multitude of his family redeemed, standing in the paradise of God. Then he casts his glittering crown at the feet of Jesus and, falling upon His breast, embraces the Redeemer. He touches the golden harp, and the vaults of heaven echo the triumphant song: ‘Worthy, worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and lives again!’ The family of Adam take up the strain and cast their crowns at the Saviour’s feet as they bow before Him in adoration.” Ibid., 648

Try to envision the feelings of the redeemed as they behold the tree of life and the throne of God, and the moment when the saved will actually eat of the tree of life.

And now, we see the 144,000 standing on the crystal sea before the throne. These are they who:

have gotten the victory over the beast, his image, and his mark;

were translated from among the living at the second advent and are, therefore, the firstfruits;

came out of great tribulation, for they have passed through the time of trouble;

went through Jacob’s trouble;

stood without an intercessor after the close of probation;

and were without fault before God.

“With the Lamb upon Mount Zion, ‘having the harps of God,’ they stand, the hundred and forty and four thousand that were redeemed from among men; and there is heard, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of a great thunder, ‘the voice of harpers harping with their harps.’ And they sing ‘a new song’ before the throne, a song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand. It is the song of Moses and the Lamb—a song of deliverance. None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song; for it is the song of their experience—an experience such as no other company have ever had. … ‘These are they which came out of great tribulation’ … . But they have been delivered, for they have ‘washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’ ” Ibid., 648, 649

When considering heaven’s blessings, it is difficult to contain our yearnings for we long to experience the joy of such salvation. “Henceforth they are to be ever with the Lord. They stand before the throne clad in richer robes than the most honored of the earth have ever worn. They are crowned with diadems more glorious than were ever placed upon the brow of earthly monarchs. The days of pain and weeping are forever ended. The King of glory has wiped the tears from all faces; every cause of grief has been removed.” Ibid., 650

Our understanding of the plan of salvation will forever enlarge with the coming of eternal ages for we shall be ever learning more and more about the tremendous price God paid to save us. “In this life we can only begin to understand the wonderful theme of redemption. … The plan of redemption will not be fully understood, even when the ransomed see as they are seen and know as they are known; but through the eternal ages new truth will continually unfold to the wondering and delighted mind. Though the griefs and pains and temptations of earth are ended and the cause removed, the people of God will ever have a distinct, intelligent knowledge of what their salvation has cost.” Ibid., 651

“Language is altogether too feeble to attempt a description of heaven. As the scene rises before me, I am lost in amazement. Carried away with the surpassing splendor and excellent glory, I lay down the pen, and exclaim, ‘Oh, what love! what wondrous love!’ The most exalted language fails to describe the glory of heaven or the matchless depths of a Saviour’s love.” Maranatha, 319

For more than fifty years, Pastor Lawrence Nelson served the Seventh-day Adventist Church as a pastor, evangelist, and then in Conference, Union, and General Conference leadership. When God laid upon him the responsibility to “tell it like it is” to alert the people how the church was leading them into the worldwide ecumenical movement, he was forbidden to preach in any church within the Oregon Conference. Though nothing could be found in his preaching that was contrary to the doctrines of the church, he was considered divisive. As a result, Keep the Faith Audio Tape Ministry was born. Pastor Nelson passed to his rest on April 18, 2012.

The New Birth Experience

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“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ ”
John 3:3

Many people today say that they are Christians. They had an experience once in their lives that makes them feel like they have been converted. They may believe all the correct doctrines that are espoused in the Bible, they may go to church weekly, and they may believe in Jesus as their personal Saviour. These are all signs that the Holy Spirit has touched their hearts and the Father has drawn them to Him.

However, as I have studied and continue to study this “new birth” experience Jesus speaks of, I have come to believe that we all should question whether we have truly had this experience. We cannot rely on a feeling or the knowledge that we believe Jesus is the God of heaven as our evidence that we have had it, for the devil himself believes that God is the Ruler of the universe. “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” James 2:19

When Jesus said “unless one is born again” to Nicodemus, this learned leader of Israel did not understand it. With a bit of sarcasm, he asked Jesus how he could physically be reborn from his mother’s womb. Yet, because of his ignorance regarding the nature of God, he could not fathom this new concept. Jesus was not offended, but asked a cutting question, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?” John 3:10

Nicodemus, a religious leader in the church of God, had no idea what a new birth experience was all about, and today there are many leaders of the churches who still have no idea of the gravity or extent of becoming renewed in Christ. Jesus tried to explain it to Nicodemus in as simple a way as He could. “ ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.’ ” John 3:5, 6

What did Jesus mean when He said that we must be born of water? This concept was introduced by John the Baptist. John was a man specifically chosen just for the purpose of preparing the way for Jesus’ first appearance on earth. He was the one about whom Isaiah said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’ ” Isaiah 40:3

It was John the Baptist’s mission to prepare the people to recognize and accept the Saviour when He came. John’s message was simple. “In those days, John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!’ ” Matthew 3:1, 2. He knew that to be ready for Jesus, all must turn away from their sins and be cleansed from iniquity. Even King David knew this. He prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

Repentance of sin is a turning away from wrongdoing. It is not a one-time thing. It is an everyday task. A daily commitment to work by the power of the Holy Spirit to remove all sin from our lives and receive a Christlike spirit. Jesus wants to give us clean hearts, but it is our part to daily die to sin. When Jesus told Nicodemus that a man must be born of water, He was talking about baptism. Baptism is an outward expression of this renewed, inward change effected by God.

Paul tells us that we must die so that the new person we become can prosper. “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him [Jesus], that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.” Romans 6:6

When we die to self, we are spiritually crucifying our old self so that the new self might live. The old self is then buried in the water of baptism as Jesus was buried with the sins of the world upon Him in the tomb.

“Baptism is a most sacred and important ordinance, and there should be a thorough understanding as to its meaning. It means repentance for sin, and the entrance upon a new life in Christ Jesus.” Counsels for the Church, 296. As Jesus rose from the tomb without the sins of the world upon Him, we are raised from the watery death of baptism to newness of life. Through our repentance, confession, and baptism, Jesus cleanses us from our iniquity. This public exercise is not only symbolic, but if we have truly repented, it is a cleansing act of God.

When Jesus went to John and asked to be baptized, He was giving us the example of how we are to begin a new life in Him. Jesus told Nicodemus, after His own baptism, that a man must be born of water and the Spirit to be born again, to emphasize that we must first repent of our sins before the new birth can even begin. We must make the commitment to God and therefore “die daily” in Christ Jesus. “I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.” 1 Corinthians 15:31

Baptism does not mean that we will never sin again, rather it is a public confession that we are sinners in the sight of God and need cleansing through our repentance. If we look at the disciples of Jesus, we can see many instances where they sinned. For example, they contended with each other to see who would be the greatest in heaven (Matthew 18). These disciples had all been baptized, but still were controlled by selfishness. They had not yet had the second part of the new birth experience. They had not learned the lesson of “dying daily” as Paul relates to us.

The water Jesus talks about is just the beginning of the new birth experience. Nicodemus did not even understand the first part of the new birth, so how was he to understand the spiritual side of it? Jesus says to him, “If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” John 3:12. Nicodemus, like most of us, was slow to understand and believe. We say that we believe in Jesus, but like Satan and his demons, we believe, but do not obey. Nicodemus needed to be converted, and each of us, without that experience, will never see the kingdom of God. We can claim to be Christians, but our hearts are far from God, just as the hearts of the children of Israel.

“Therefore the Lord said: ‘Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men.’ ” Isaiah 29:13

As we accept the fact that we are sinners and in need of a change in our life, baptism is the first step in a new walk with Christ. We must make the decision to turn away from sin and confess to God for the cleansing process to start. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

If we have died to self in the watery grave of baptism, we will receive the Holy Spirit in our lives. But a true conversion must take place, a change of heart not only to believe, but also to do. Many people make the confession of belief in Jesus but fail to continue the walk with Him. There immediately is a feeling of renewed vigor, one of “first love.” Once the feeling begins to wear off, new Christians start seeing trouble in their lives. Old habits are cherished that were not totally put away. Sin revives and their faith wavers.

That is why the second half of the new birth experience is so important. Jesus said we must be “born of water and the Spirit.” It is the Holy Spirit that makes the changes in a person’s life. It does not happen all at once, but is a continual, daily process. If we are daily walking with Christ, the Spirit will make changes in the way we think. He connects us with God through Jesus Christ. Without this connection, there is no real conversion. What is it that the Spirit does for us? First, it convicts the heart of sin, of righteousness, and coming judgment. “ ‘Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper [Holy Spirit] will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.’ ” John 16:7–11. The Spirit of God is given to help us overcome our sinful tendencies.

Jesus was crucified and presented His sacrifice to the Father. He became our High Priest in heaven to offer Himself as our sacrifice for sin. He was our justification for the penalty of sin so that we would not be required to die the eternal death. Jesus also promised not to leave us alone, therefore, He sent the Holy Spirit to be our Helper in place of Jesus on earth. The Spirit could be many places where Jesus could only be in one place because of His now begotten humanity.

Jesus wants to clean out our hearts so that the Spirit can live within us and give us better things. Jesus said the “Spirit is spirit.” This allows Him to come to each person and impart His holy attributes in us. As we gain this change through the new birth process, we become a new creature in Christ. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. This is the conversion process that each day changes us to become more like Jesus. The Holy Spirit is also a teacher of truth. Jesus calls Him the Spirit of truth. “ ‘But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.’ ” John 15:26. It was for our advantage that Jesus returned to heaven and sent the Holy Spirit to us in His stead.

The Spirit will continue the new birth experience by imparting new character traits. The Holy Spirit will produce new traits that are not naturally occurring in mankind. Once we are plucked from the clutches of Satan, these new traits will begin to develop a godly character in us. These traits are found in 2 Peter. The Holy Spirit will add to us—if we are submissive to His will—faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and Christlike love. By daily dying to self, we are giving up our own will and letting the Spirit join His will to ours to make significant changes in our lives.

The Father requires perfect faith, so the converted Christian will endure trials and temptations, allowing the Holy Spirit to help him overcome, thereby developing his faith, and perfecting his character to be like Jesus. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we gain strength as we overcome temptation and trial, and in this way, we learn to trust in God and obey His word. God knows what we can endure and does not give us more than is necessary for character growth. But if we do not trust in God, and do not pray for help, we will be overcome by our trials and temptations.

Once converted to the Spirit of God, He will produce love in our hearts for every person, whether good or evil. Jesus loves all of us, even before we come to Him. We are all wicked, evil in the sight of God, yet He loves us without reservation. He died for this evil race so that we can understand the goodness of God. He wants us to experience this goodness through the Holy Spirit. Conversion produces other traits of character as well. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22, 23. Paul also says that “the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.” Ephesians 5:9

The new birth experience is an ongoing, continual changing of one’s character by the Holy Spirit. Profession is the beginning, but the end is a spotless character. Our character will be washed and scrubbed, purged by the fire of trials and temptations until we are free from sin, reflecting only the image of God. The Holy Spirit will be with us through each issue of life making it possible to weather every trial and temptation while our character is being perfected. After all, our character is the only thing we take from this life to heaven, and God will only allow a spotless and cleansed Christian character in heaven.

So how do we receive this character from the Holy Spirit? Through prayer and the study of His holy word. Jesus said to some of His critics, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” John 5:39. The Scriptures that Jesus was talking about were the Old Testament. None of the New Testament had even been written, yet Jesus said they all testified of Him. He was the One who created the worlds, who spoke to Moses and wrote the ten commandments with His own finger. He shut the mouths of the lions to save Daniel from being killed, and He employed His Spirit to give testimony of future events to His prophets. The Spirit of truth testified of Jesus and what was to happen hundreds of years before His birth.

The Holy Spirit is the sanctifying power from the Godhead. We are justified by Christ’s sacrifice, and by the Holy Spirit we are sanctified by the changing of our character to be like Jesus. The new birth becomes complete when every wrong thought, action, and word is no longer part of us. Each day the Holy Spirit is working to perfect us. His goal is to “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5, last part

We should never be discouraged in Christ as He has promised to complete the changes in us, even as we see our faults so clearly. This is the purging power of the Holy Spirit. Paul gives us this word of encouragement, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6. The Holy Spirit will not let us go unless we let go of Him. What a wonderful promise!

“Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God. You cannot burden Him; you cannot weary Him. He who numbers the hairs of your head is not indifferent to the wants of His children. ‘The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.’ James 5:11. His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them. Take to Him everything that perplexes the mind. Nothing is too great for Him to bear, for He holds up worlds, He rules over all the affairs of the universe. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. ‘He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.’ Psalm 147:3. The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watchcare, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son.” Steps to Christ, 100

If this has not been our experience in our walk with Christ, then we have a work to do. We submit our will to Him, and He will work together with us. We must believe His truth and His truth is His word. “Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth.” Psalm 119:142

His truth will set us free from the sinful passions of worldliness. Jesus will help us overcome all sin in our lives and His Spirit will prepare us for our eternal life with the Father. Jesus said, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31, 32

As Jesus showed His character and how His Spirit could change their lives, the disciples and Nicodemus were broken down by His goodness and mercy. They realized that all selfishness and pride of life must be put away. They hung their “old man” on the cross with Jesus and took up a new life in Christ. They were born not only of the water, but also of the Spirit of God that now rested in them. They “overcame by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Revelation 12:11. We, too, can have this experience by fully submitting all in our lives to God.

Michael C. Wells is the director of Anointing Oil Ministries.

The Great Controversy

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On the day when Jesus comes, as we look back over our lives at the things we’ve done, what will we see? A lot of things that are important today will then seem unimportant and worthless. But before that day, Satan is, and will be, working with great power (2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10) to keep us from seeing the truth. However, God is working with a greater power than is Satan.

This great controversy, this all-out war, between God and Satan for the souls of mankind, is being fought beyond the sight of mortal eyes, but we must not be fooled, for the enemy of God and man is a great strategist. He has many plans with which to deceive and tempt every man, woman, and child to follow him, but God will make the hidden visible.

“There is nothing that the great deceiver fears so much as that we shall become acquainted with his devices.” The Great Controversy, 516. If we know the devil’s plans, then how can we be deceived? And this he fears the most.

“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world. … Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” Revelation 12:9, first part, 12

Satan is the master deceiver. For 6,000 years, he has studied man. He comes in ways we least expect. His wisdom, knowledge, and power are bent to just one thing: How can I cause each one to be lost? He plans actual strategy, intelligently arranging affairs and circumstances that will cause us to be confused, discouraged, deceived, and hopefully, lost. And, unfortunately, he has been and is very successful. The Bible says that soon he will come as an angel of light, his greatest deception of all, and almost the whole world will be deceived, including many who say they know and love Christ.

Lucifer was created by Jesus, the Creator (Colossians 1:16; James 1:17), just as Adam was created, not born like we are. “You were perfect in your ways.” Ezekiel 28:15. Lucifer was created perfect in his love, loyalty, humility, and reverence toward God. His character was maturing, as Adam’s character was maturing. But at that stage of his development, before he changed, he was perfect in his thinking, actions, and the motives of his heart. He was perfect in all his ways from the time that he was created.

Everything that comes from the hand of Jesus is good. When Jesus created Lucifer, he was holy. Jesus loved him. “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!” Isaiah 14:12, first part. In prophecy, morning is a symbol of Jesus. So, Isaiah is really speaking of Lucifer as “O son of Jesus.”

We know that Lucifer was the highest angel in heaven. Being called the son of Jesus could very well mean that he was the first created. So his betrayal in heaven caused great sorrow for Jesus. He had developed a deep friendship with Lucifer, as deep as His friendship with you or me. Lucifer was Jesus’ special friend. “Son of man [Jesus], take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre [Lucifer].” Ezekiel 28:12. A lamentation is a “passionate expression of grief or sorrow; weeping.” Here the Bible depicts Jesus as weeping over Lucifer’s betrayal.

“You were the anointed cherub.” Ezekiel 28:14, first part. God Himself anointed Lucifer to be the covering cherub. In the sanctuary service in heaven, you find there were two covering cherubs. They were the two angels closest to God, His special messengers. But Ezekiel says: “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty.” Verse 17, first part. Lucifer became proud—proud of his intelligence, his beauty, his physique, his ability and wisdom, and his position, forgetting it had all come from God.

Soon pampered pride became raging jealousy. “For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ ” Isaiah 14:13, 14

Lucifer wasn’t perfect one day and then prideful and jealous the next. The transformation from a perfect being to a selfish creature warring against God took time, likely a long time. At first, he felt only the desire to be equal with the Creator, to be included in counsels with God and His Son. But then, no longer content with just equalness, the tiny seeds of jealousy and resentment were nurtured day after day, maybe for hundreds or thousands of years, until he desired the unthinkable—to be greater than God. He said, “I will be like the Most High.”

“Little by little Lucifer came to indulge the desire for self-exaltation. … Not content with his position, though honored above the heavenly host, he ventured to covet homage due alone to the Creator.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 35

As his own pride and jealousy grew, he began a behind-the-scenes campaign among the angels, to drive a wedge between them and God.

“Taking advantage of the loving, loyal trust reposed in him by the holy beings under his command, he had so artfully instilled into their minds his own distrust and discontent that his agency was not discerned. Lucifer had presented the purposes of God in a false light—misconstruing and distorting them to excite dissent and dissatisfaction. He cunningly drew his hearers on to give utterance to their feelings; then these expressions were repeated by him when it would serve his purpose, as evidence that the angels were not fully in harmony with the government of God. While claiming for himself perfect loyalty to God, he urged that changes in the order and laws of heaven were necessary for the stability of the divine government. Thus while working to excite opposition to the law of God and to instill his own discontent into the minds of the angels under him, he was ostensibly seeking to remove dissatisfaction and to reconcile disaffected angels to the order of heaven. While secretly fomenting discord and rebellion, he with consummate craft caused it to appear as his sole purpose to promote loyalty and to preserve harmony and peace.

“The spirit of dissatisfaction thus kindled was doing its baleful work. While there was no open outbreak, division of feeling imperceptibly grew up among the angels.” Ibid. 38

Pride is never satisfied. The richest person is never rich enough; the powerful person craves still more power; the most famous person must have more adulation. More money, more power, more, more, and still more.

“Instead of seeking to make God supreme in the affections and allegiance of all created beings, it was his [Lucifer’s] endeavor to secure their service and loyalty to himself. And coveting the glory with which the infinite Father had invested His Son, this prince of angels aspired to power that was the prerogative of Christ alone.” Ibid., 35

God made everyone on earth to be accountable to someone. It doesn’t matter who you are—however important or insignificant—we all answer to someone, and ultimately, to God. This was a lesson that Lucifer did not learn. He answered only to God, and he was jealous of Him. He sought praise, attention, power, and control. But he could not let the angels see his selfishness, so he began to clothe God with his own attributes claiming that God craved all the power, demanded all the praise, controlled everything with an iron fist.

Lucifer was so insidious and skillful—Mrs. White calls it mysterious secrecy—in implanting these ideas in the minds of the angels, that it appeared to them that what he was saying was true by the very fact that Jesus and the Father were actually in charge.

“He worked with mysterious secrecy, and for a time concealed his real purpose under an appearance of reverence for God.” Ibid., 37. He himself of course was loyal. He was simply interested in the welfare of heaven, simply interested in God’s glory and the welfare of the angels. His purposes were all so noble. “He began to insinuate doubts concerning the laws that governed heavenly beings. … It was his object to secure freedom for all.” Ibid. He, after all, only had the welfare of heaven at heart, and sadly, many of the angels were blinded by his deceptions. There were no open accusations, only insinuations. He asked only honest questions that needed to be answered.

Imagine how he went about it. He first sought out his best friends. First one and then another, and then to this group of angels and the other group of angels. Lucifer was perfect, they had no reason to question his motives. They completely trusted him. He simply asked a few questions, which instilled some doubts, until to many of the angels it seemed that discontent could be seen everywhere. His words gave the impression that he wished to end the discontent when in reality it was his purpose to foment it and spread it as far as he could, to build an army of malcontents to rise up against the government of God and make him, Lucifer, their leader.

“He cunningly drew his hearers on to give utterance to their feelings [feelings he had instilled]; then these expressions were repeated by him when it would serve his purpose, as evidence that the angels were not fully in harmony with the government of God.”

“While claiming for himself perfect loyalty to God, he urged that changes in the order and laws of heaven were necessary for the stability of the divine government.” Ibid.

Mrs. White says that Lucifer sought most for unity and harmony, not to the government and law of God, but to his own leadership and government.

“While secretly fomenting discord and rebellion, he with consummate craft caused it to appear as his sole purpose to promote loyalty and to preserve harmony and peace.” Ibid.

Lucifer was proud and selfish, seeking to serve only himself, and to have, if possible, all the angels of heaven to serve him in opposition to the government of God.

However, that isn’t what he told the angels. To them he gave flowery speeches about loyalty and harmony, peace, and unity. Something was wrong in heaven and God wouldn’t see it, so he, Lucifer, had to do something because he loved God and heaven too much to just sit by and let things fester.

His real purpose was to dispute the supremacy of the Son of God and he bent all his energies to it behind a mask of concern and benevolence. He insinuated doubt about the commandments. They might be necessary for the people of the worlds, but as exalted angels, there was no need for such restraint; their own wisdom was a sufficient guide. It was not possible for them to dishonor God because they were holy just as God was holy (Patriarchs and Prophets, 37).

“The spirit of dissatisfaction thus kindled was doing its baleful work.” Ibid.

And Lucifer suggested that it was because God wanted absolute control. Once all of heaven was filled with happiness and praise, but now the angels had become discontented and unhappy. That should have told them that something was wrong with what Lucifer was saying.

“Lucifer had presented the purposes of God in a false light—misconstruing and distorting them to excite dissent and dissatisfaction.” Ibid.

God knew what Lucifer was doing. Lucifer’s desire to see the singular supremacy of the Son removed and himself made an equal to Him, God would not grant. And He did not leave the angels unaware of Lucifer’s sophistry and malicious intent.

“But He who would have the will of all His creatures free, left none unguarded to the bewildering sophistry by which rebellion would seek to justify itself. Before the great contest should open, all were to have a clear presentation of His will, whose wisdom and goodness were the spring of all their joy.” Ibid., 36

“The spirit of discontent and dissatisfaction had never before been known in heaven. It was a new element, strange, mysterious, unaccountable. Lucifer himself had not at first been acquainted with the real nature of his feelings; for a time he had feared to express the workings and imaginings of his mind; yet he did not dismiss them. He did not see whither he was drifting.” Ibid., 39

As the affections of some of the angels began to be drawn from Jesus to Lucifer, God had to make it plain that Jesus is the head of all things and all beings in the entire universe, even head over Lucifer. Jesus had been with God from the beginning. Lucifer was a created being, albeit an exalted one. All praise and honor were to be given to Jesus, the same as to the Father Himself.

With love and adoration, the angels fell to their knees and with great joy acknowledged the supremacy of Christ. Even Lucifer bowed with them, though his heart remained conflicted. And when the angels rose and lifted their voices in songs of praise to the Son, Lucifer joined them. The spirit of evil seemed to have disappeared and unspeakable love took its place in Lucifer’s heart, but only for a short time. Pride and envy returned once again.

God bore long with Lucifer. Love and reason, mercy and justice pleaded with him. The angels who remained loyal to Jesus, and Jesus Himself, tried to reach him, but to no avail. He continued to spread discontent until the time came that God had to take open measures against him, and he was removed from his position as the head of the angels and a covering cherub.

A significant number of the angels sympathized with Lucifer, even shed tears at this unfair change of circumstances. They listened to him as he took them into his confidence. They took his side against God. Thus, he and these angels—and soon most of mankind with them—became known as “Satan and his sympathizers.”

 “There are ever to be found those who will sympathize with those who are wrong. Satan had sympathizers in heaven, and took large numbers of the angels with him. God and Christ and heavenly angels were on one side, and Satan on the other. Notwithstanding the infinite power and majesty of God and Christ, angels became disaffected. The insinuations of Satan took effect, and they really came to believe that the Father and the Son were their enemies, and that Satan was their benefactor.” Gospel Workers (1892), 86

Lucifer took four steps that took him from being a “son of the morning” to becoming Satan, the great deceiver:

he became proud;

he became jealous;

he worked to influence others and gain sympathizers;

he made war.

Once he was removed from his position in heaven and his sympathizers were secured in his grasp, he declared war against God. “Then war broke out in heaven: Michael and His angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought.” Revelation 12:7

“God permitted Satan to carry forward his work until the spirit of disaffection ripened into active revolt. It was necessary for his plans to be fully developed, that their true nature and tendency might be seen by all. …

“It was therefore necessary to demonstrate before the inhabitants of heaven, and of all the worlds, that God’s government is just, His law perfect. Satan had made it appear that he himself was seeking to promote the good of the universe. The true character of the usurper and his real object must be understood by all. He must have time to manifest himself by his wicked works.

“The discord which his own course had caused in heaven, Satan charged upon the government of God. All evil he declared to be the result of the divine administration. He claimed that it was his own object to improve upon the statutes of Jehovah. Therefore God permitted him to demonstrate the nature of his claims, to show the working out of his proposed changes in the divine law. His own work must condemn him. Satan had claimed from the first that he was not in rebellion. The whole universe must see the deceiver unmasked.

“Even when he was cast out of heaven, Infinite Wisdom did not destroy Satan. Since only the service of love can be acceptable to God, the allegiance of His creatures must rest upon a conviction of His justice and benevolence. The inhabitants of heaven and of the worlds, being unprepared to comprehend the nature or consequences of sin, could not then have seen the justice of God in the destruction of Satan. Had he been immediately blotted out of existence some would have served God from fear rather than from love. The influence of the deceiver would not have been fully destroyed, nor would the spirit of rebellion have been utterly eradicated. For the good of the entire universe through ceaseless ages, he must more fully develop his principles, that his charges against the divine government might be seen in their true light by all created beings, and that the justice and mercy of God and the immutability of His law might be forever placed beyond all question.

“Satan’s rebellion was to be a lesson to the universe through all coming ages—a perpetual testimony to the nature of sin and its terrible results. The working out of Satan’s rule, its effects upon both men and angels, would show what must be the fruit of setting aside the divine authority. It would testify that with the existence of God’s government is bound up the well-being of all the creatures He has made. Thus, the history of this terrible experiment of rebellion was to be a perpetual safeguard to all holy beings, to prevent them from being deceived as to the nature of transgression, to save them from committing sin, and suffering its penalty.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 41–43

And so began the great controversy between God and Satan.

 “Satan has the same power and the same control over minds now, only it has increased a hundred-fold by exercise and experience. Men and women today are deceived, blinded by his insinuations and devices, and know it not. By giving place to doubts and unbelief in regard to the work of God, and by cherishing feelings of distrust and cruel jealousies, they are preparing themselves for complete deception. They rise up with bitter feelings against the ones who dare to speak of their errors and reprove their sins.” Gospel Workers (1892), 86

Satan succeeded in heaven. Even the honest and loyal angels were affected to a certain extent by his insinuations—by quoting what others said, by creating feelings of sympathy, by appearing to try to help. In fact, so well did Satan succeed, that it took 4,000 years to undo the harm done to these angels; not until Jesus’ death on the cross was the extent of Satan’s malice and hatred, his lies and deception, finally and completely revealed to them.

At Calvary, Satan’s disguise was torn away and his administration was laid open before the unfallen worlds and the angels of heaven. Satan revealed himself to be a murderer. “By shedding the blood of the Son of God, he had uprooted himself from the sympathies of the heavenly beings. Henceforth his work was restricted.” The Desire of Ages, 761

So successful were Satan’s insinuations and so strong the sympathy for his circumstances, that a horrible price had to be paid to show Satan for who he truly is—the great deceiver, the father of lies, and the murderer of Jesus Christ. “The last link of sympathy between Satan and the heavenly world was broken.” Ibid.

Satan, who began in glory next to Christ, attempted to exalt himself above Christ, and ended up with nothing. We are told that the day is coming, burning like an oven, in which all the proud will be burned up. Satan, the root, along with all those who follow him, the branches, will then be ashes under our feet (Malachi 4:1).

Satan left glory and will soon become ashes. However, Jesus began life on this earth as a humble babe born in a barn, to become the Saviour of the world, and will soon return as triumphant King.

There are only two paths to follow in this world. One is the path of selfishness which leads to self-exaltation and eternal death. The other is the path of humility, the path that Jesus followed. This path leads us to a perfected character, one like Jesus’ character, one that we must have if we are to be with Him in glory. “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Revelation 3:21

Which path will you choose?

Pastor Marshall Grosboll, with his wife Lillian, founded Steps to Life. In July 1991, Pastor Marshall and his family met with tragedy as they were returning home from a camp meeting in Washington state, when the airplane he was piloting went down, killing all on board.

Editorial – Higher Ground

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“When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2

“The enemy presents bribes to win us to the world, as he presented bribes to Christ in the wilderness of temptation. Unless we depend upon a power out of and above ourselves, the enemy will succeed in accomplishing our ruin. But in looking to Jesus, by studying His life and character, by earnestly desiring to be like Him, our minds will be balanced in the right direction, that we may overcome selfishness, and choose a course of righteousness. Looking unto Jesus, we shall hear a voice saying, ‘This is the way; walk ye in it.’ ‘If any man will come after me [now the conditions], let him deny himself, and take up his cross [which cuts directly across the natural inclinations], and follow Me.’

“… Jesus says, ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ He invites you to step upon new and higher ground than that which you have occupied in the past. If your heart is filled with love to Christ, it will be demonstrated that He is stronger than the passions which have ruled you, whose indulgence have undermined noble impulses, and left the soul to the mercy of Satan’s temptations. …

“In serving their own lust, they make it manifest that they are not subject to the rule of Christ, but day by day are robbing God of that which is His due. … They refuse to be the children of Christ, and choose rather to be the slaves of Satan. …

“Christ invites the sinner to come to Him. With what loving entreaties He follows the sinner! When the heart of the sinner is touched, he yields his will to God’s will, and selfish inclination is no longer the controlling power; for the slavery of Satan is broken, and the soul brought into subjection to Christ. Impressed with the sense of the Saviour’s long-suffering, forbearance, compassion, and measureless love, the repenting soul is deeply conscious of his own unworthiness and guilt. He yields his will to the will of God, and longs to reveal his loyalty to Christ, watching for opportunities to speak forth His goodness and love. He sees in Jesus matchless charms, and his heart is captivated. … He becomes a partaker of the divine nature.” The Youth’s Instructor, October 27, 1892

Bible Study – Life

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July 23 – 29, 2023

Key Text

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4

Study Help: The Desire of Ages, 463–475; Testimonies, Vol. 6, 369–379

Introduction

“Jesus came to ‘destroy the works of the devil.’ ‘In Him was life,’ and He says, ‘I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’ 1 John 3:8; John 1:4; 10:10.” The Desire of Ages, 270

Sunday

1 IN THE BEGINNING

1.a. How was Adam brought into existence, and when? Genesis 2:7; 1:26–28, 31

Note: “The Lord created man out of the dust of the earth. He made Adam a partaker of His life, His nature. There was breathed into him the breath of the Almighty, and he became a living soul. Adam was perfect in form—strong, comely, pure, bearing the image of his Maker.

“Man came from the hand of his Creator perfect in organization and beautiful in form. The fact that he has for six thousand years withstood the ever-increasing weight of disease and crime is conclusive proof of the power of endurance with which he was first endowed.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 1, 1082

1.b.        Who were involved in the creation of Adam and Eve? Genesis 1:2, 26; 2:7; Colossians 1:16, 17
By what power are all things sustained? Psalm 93:1

Note: “The hand that sustains the worlds in space, the hand that holds in their orderly arrangement and tireless activity all things throughout the universe of God, is the hand that was nailed to the cross for us.” Education, 132

Monday

2 LIFE FOREVER

2.a. What is God’s plan for every human being? John 10:10

Note: “Jesus came to ‘destroy the works of the devil.’ ‘In Him was life,’ and He says, ‘I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly;’ He is ‘a quickening spirit.’ 1 John 3:8; John 1:4; 10:10; 1 Corinthians 15:45. And He still has the same life-giving power as when on earth He healed the sick, and spoke forgiveness to the sinner. He ‘forgiveth all thine iniquities,’ He ‘healeth all thy diseases.’ Psalm 103:3.” The Desire of Ages, 270

2.b.        What did Christ say about His mission on earth? John 3:16, 17

Note: “Christ does not weigh character in scales of human judgment. He says, ‘I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me’ (John 12:32). Every soul who responds to this drawing will turn from iniquity. Christ is able to save to the uttermost all who come unto Him. He who comes to Jesus is setting his feet upon a ladder that reaches from earth to heaven. Teach it by pen, by voice, that God is above the ladder; the bright rays of His glory are shining upon every round of the ladder. He is looking graciously upon all who are climbing painfully upward, that He may send them help, divine help, when the hand seems to be relaxing and the foot trembling. Yes, tell it, tell it in words that will melt the heart, that not one who shall perseveringly climb the ladder will fail of an entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; those who believe in Christ shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of His hand.

“Tell the people in clear, hopeful language how they may escape the heritage of shame which is our deserved portion. But for Christ’s sake do not present before them ideas that will discourage them, that will make the way to heaven seem very difficult. Keep all these overstrained ideas to yourself.

“While we must often impress the mind with the fact that the Christian life is a life of warfare, that we must watch and pray and toil, that there is peril to the soul in relaxing the spiritual vigilance for one moment, the completeness of the salvation proffered us from Jesus who loves us and gave Himself that we should not perish but have everlasting life, is to be the theme.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 181, 182

Tuesday

3 ABUNDANT LIFE

3.a. What is God’s plan for our physical life? 3 John 2

Note: “The body must be kept in a healthy condition in order that the soul may be in health. The condition of the body affects the condition of the soul. He who would have physical and spiritual strength must educate his appetite in right lines. He must be careful not to burden the soul by overtaxing his physical or spiritual powers. Faithful adherence to right principles in eating, drinking, and dressing is a duty that God has laid upon human beings.

“The Lord desires us to obey the laws of health and life. He holds each one responsible to care properly for his body, that it may be kept in health.” Evangelism, 261

3.b.        What is the basic condition for a healthy life? Deuteronomy 7:9, 11, 15

Note: “Our bodies are Christ’s purchased possession, and we are not at liberty to do with them as we please. All who understand the laws of health should realize their obligation to obey these laws, which God has established in their being. Obedience to the laws of health is to be made a matter of personal duty. We ourselves must suffer the results of violated law. We must individually answer to God for our habits and practices. Therefore the question with us is not, ‘What is the world’s practice?’ but, ‘How shall I as an individual treat the habitation that God has given me?’ ” Child Guidance, 367, 368

“Whether they acknowledge it or not, God lays upon all human beings the duty of taking care of the soul temple. The body is to be kept clean and pure. The soul is to be sanctified and ennobled. Then, God says, I will come unto him and take up My abode with him. We are responsible for our own salvation, and God holds us accountable for the influence we exert on those connected with us. We should stand in such a position, physically and spiritually, that we can recommend the religion of Christ. We are to dedicate our bodies to God.” Medical Ministry, 295

“When speaking to persons on the subject of health, they often say, ‘We know a great deal better than we do.’ They do not realize that they are accountable for every ray of light in regard to their physical well-being, and that their every habit bears the inspection of God. He made the human being. We are His property, bought with a price, and what a price!” Manuscript Releases, Vol. 20, 8

Wednesday

4 LIVING UP TO THE LIGHT

4.a. What instruction did Christ give to those whom He healed? John 5:14; 8:11

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

“Those who choose to be presumptuous, saying, ‘The Lord has healed me, and I need not restrict my diet; I can eat and drink as I please,’ will erelong need, in body and soul, the restoring power of God. Because the Lord has graciously healed you, you must not think you can link yourselves up with the self-indulgent practices of the world. Do as Christ commanded after His work of healing—‘go, and sin no more.’ John 8:11. Appetite must not be your god.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 25

4.b.        How are we bidden not to hurt ourselves by failing to practice health reform? Exodus 20:13; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20. What do we do to others when we are unfaithful in health reform?

Note: “There are many expensive indulgences that are at the same time very injurious. They derange the digestive organs, and destroy the appetite for simple, wholesome food; and sickness and suffering are the result. With dyspepsia and its attendant evils comes the loss of a sweet disposition. There is irritability, fretfulness, and impatience, often resulting in harsh, unkind words and wrong acts.” Good Health, December 1, 1887

“If the churches expect strength, they must live the truth which God has given them. If the members of our churches disregard the light on this subject, they will reap the sure result in both spiritual and physical degeneracy. And the influence of these older church members will leaven those newly come to the faith. The Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church members who have never been converted and those who were once converted but who have backslidden. What influence would these unconsecrated members have on new converts? Would they not make of no effect the God-given message which His people are to bear?” Testimonies, Vol. 6, 370, 371

Thursday

5 STRENGTH ASSURED

5.a. What is the only way to be faithful both to physical and spiritual laws? John 14:15, 23

Note: “The ten commandments, Thou shalt, and Thou shalt not, are ten promises, assured to us if we render obedience to the law governing the universe. …

“That law of ten precepts of the greatest love that can be presented to man is the voice of God from heaven speaking to the soul in promise, ‘This do, and you will not come under the dominion and control of Satan.’ There is not a negative in that law, although it may appear thus. It is DO, and Live. …

“The love of Jesus in the soul will banish all hatred, selfishness, and envy; for the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. There is health in obedience to God’s law. The affections of the obedient are drawn out after God. Looking unto the Lord Jesus, we may encourage and serve one another. The love of Christ is shed abroad in our souls, and there is no dissension and strife among us.” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 1, 1105

5.b.        What is God’s plan for our whole life? 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4; 5:23, 24; Philippians 2:12, 13

Note: “The Christian will feel the promptings of sin, but he will maintain a constant warfare against it. Here is where Christ’s help is needed. Human weakness becomes united to divine strength, and faith exclaims, ‘Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ 1 Corinthians 15:57.” The Great Controversy, 469, 470

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1    Describe God’s work on the sixth day of creation, and His desire regarding human life.

2    How can we be a healthy people, according to Deuteronomy chapter 7?

3    Why is it so important to live up to the light we have?

4    What is God’s purpose for His people according to 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24?

The Bible Study Guide “Life” will be continued in the July issue of LandMarks.

Copyright 2005, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

The Power of God’s Word Pt.2

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July 16 – 22, 2023

Key Text

“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11

Study Help: Child Guidance, 511–515

Introduction

“We must search the Scriptures, not merely rush through a chapter and repeat it, taking no pains to understand it, but we must dig for the jewel of truth which will enrich the mind, and fortify the soul against the wiles and temptations of the archdeceiver.” Counsels on Sabbath School Work, 19

Sunday

1 BUILDING ON THE ROCK

1.a. How did Christ illustrate belief in Himself as our personal Saviour? Matthew 7:24, 25

Note: “It is not enough, He [Christ] says, for you to hear My words. By obedience you must make them the foundation of your character. Self is but shifting sand. If you build upon human theories and inventions, your house will fall. By the winds of temptation, the tempests of trial, it will be swept away. But these principles that I have given will endure. Receive Me; build on My words.” The Desire of Ages, 314

1.b.        On the other hand, how did He illustrate the theoretical religion without practice? Matthew 7:26, 27

Note: “The reason why our people have not more power is that they profess the truth, but do not practice it. … The service of God is made a secondary matter, while worldly interests receive prompt attention. … If we realize the importance of the truth which we profess to believe we should feel that we have a sacred mission to fulfill, a responsibility involving eternal results. All temporal interests would yield to this.” Testimonies, Vol. 4, 613, 614

Monday

2 THE TRUTH

2.a. In His interview with the Jews, what promise did Jesus make? John 8:31, 32

Note: “The means by which we can overcome the wicked one is that by which Christ overcame—the power of the word. God does not control our minds without our consent; but if we desire to know and to do His will, His promises are ours: ‘Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ ‘If any man willeth to do His will, he shall know of the teaching.’ John 8:32; 7:17, R. V. Through faith in these promises, every man may be delivered from the snares of error and the control of sin.” The Desire of Ages, 258

2.b.        In His intercessory prayer, how did Christ define the truth? John 17:17

Note: “ ‘Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.’ Romans 10:17. The Scriptures are the great agency in the transformation of character. Christ prayed, ‘Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth.’ John 17:17. If studied and obeyed, the word of God works in the heart, subduing every unholy attribute. The Holy Spirit comes to convict of sin, and the faith that springs up in the heart works by love to Christ, conforming us in body, soul, and spirit to His own image. Then God can use us to do His will. The power given us works from within outwardly, leading us to communicate to others the truth that has been communicated to us.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 100

“You need to be sanctified by the truth, having your mind elevated above every personal consideration and every selfish interest.

“I point you to the life of Jesus as a perfect pattern. His life was characterized by disinterested benevolence. Precious Saviour! What sacrifices has He made for us that we should not perish, but have everlasting life! Heaven will be cheap enough if we resign every selfish interest to obtain it. Can we afford to have our own way, and take ourselves out of the hands of God, because it is more pleasing to the natural heart? God requires perfect submission and perfect obedience. Eternal life is worth everything to us. You may come in close connection with God if you will agonize to enter in at the strait gate.” Testimonies, Vol. 4, 218

Tuesday

3 PURE WATER

3.a. What figure of speech is used to illustrate God’s word? Ephesians 5:26, 27

Note: “In giving us His word, God has put us in possession of every truth essential for our salvation. Thousands have drawn water from these wells of life, yet there is no diminishing of the supply. Thousands have set the Lord before them, and by beholding have been changed into the same image. Their spirit burns within them as they speak of His character, telling what Christ is to them, and what they are to Christ. But these searchers have not exhausted these grand and holy themes. Thousands more may engage in the work of searching out the mysteries of salvation. As the life of Christ and the character of His mission are dwelt upon, rays of light will shine forth more distinctly at every attempt to discover truth. Each fresh search will reveal something more deeply interesting than has yet been unfolded. The subject is inexhaustible. The study of the incarnation of Christ, His atoning sacrifice and mediatorial work, will employ the mind of the diligent student as long as time shall last.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 133, 134

“Trust in its fullness comes to us through constant communion with God. By eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Christ we gain spiritual strength. Christ supplies the lifeblood of the heart, and Christ and the Holy Spirit give nerve power. Begotten again unto a lively hope, imbued with the quickening power of a new nature, the soul is enabled to rise higher and still higher.” Counsels on Health, 593

3.b. How does Jeremiah depict God’s word and our feeble appreciation of it? Jeremiah 2:13

Note: “The many contradictory opinions in regard to what the Bible teaches do not arise from any obscurity in the book itself, but from blindness and prejudice on the part of interpreters. Men ignore the plain statements of the Bible to follow their own perverted reason. Priding themselves on their intellectual attainments, they overlook the simplicity of truth; they forsake the fountain of living waters to drink of the poisonous stream of error.” The Review and Herald, January 27, 1885

“There is far too much self-complacency among those who engage in Sabbath school work, too much machinery and routine, and all this tends to lead the soul away from the Fountain of living water.” Testimonies on Sabbath School Work, 74

Wednesday

4 LIGHT

4.a. What must we realize and appreciate about God’s word? Psalm 12:6

Note: “There are professed Christians who read the Bible without a fine perception of the gems they are handling. There are portions of Scripture that they are not sure are inspired, and they think that in God’s word there are errors and human reasoning. With the lamp of life in their very hands, they stumble. They interpret the Scriptures to suit themselves; they cannot appreciate the wisdom of God, and their own human wisdom is the light that guides them.” The Bible Echo, August 26, 1895

4.b.        What inspired symbolism is used to refer to God’s word? Psalm 119:105

Note: “Those who study the word of God with hearts open to the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, will not remain in darkness as to the meaning of the word. ‘If any man willeth to do His will,’ Christ said, ‘he shall know of the teaching whether it be of God, or whether I speak from Myself.’ John 7:17, R.V. All who come to Christ for a clearer knowledge of the truth will receive it. He will unfold to them the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, and these mysteries will be understood by the heart that longs to know the truth. A heavenly light will shine into the soul temple, and will be revealed to others as the bright shining of a lamp on a dark path.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 36

4.c. How does Zechariah employ a similar comparison? Zechariah 4:1–6, 12–14

Note: “From the two olive trees the golden oil was emptied through the golden pipes into the bowl of the candlestick, and thence into the golden lamps that gave light to the sanctuary. So from the holy ones that stand in God’s presence His Spirit is imparted to the human instrumentalities who are consecrated to His service. The mission of the two anointed ones is to communicate to God’s people that heavenly grace which alone can make His word a lamp to the feet and a light to the path.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 408

Thursday

5 THE TWO WITNESSES

5.a. How does Revelation 11:1–4 parallel with Zechariah’s prophecy?

Note: “The two witnesses represent the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament. Both are important testimonies to the origin and perpetuity of the law of God. Both are witnesses also to the plan of salvation. The types, sacrifices, and prophecies of the Old Testament point forward to a Saviour to come. The Gospels and Epistles of the New Testament tell of a Saviour who has come in the exact manner foretold by type and prophecy.” The Great Controversy, 267

5.b.        What does it mean to “prophesy clothed in sackcloth”? Revelation 11:3

Note: “ ‘They shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.’ During the greater part of this period, God’s witnesses remained in a state of obscurity. The papal power sought to hide from the people the word of truth, and set before them false witnesses to contradict its testimony. When the Bible was proscribed by religious and secular authority; when its testimony was perverted, and every effort made that men and demons could invent to turn the minds of the people from it; when those who dared proclaim its sacred truths were hunted, betrayed, tortured, buried in dungeon cells, martyred for their faith, or compelled to flee to mountain fastnesses, and to dens and caves of the earth—then the faithful witnesses prophesied in sackcloth. Yet they continued their testimony throughout the entire period of 1260 years. In the darkest times, there were faithful men who loved God’s word and were jealous for His honor. To these loyal servants were given wisdom, power, and authority to declare His truth during the whole of this time.” The Great Controversy (1888), 267

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1    How can we build on the Rock?

2    How did Christ define the truth?

3    What symbols are used to illustrate the importance of studying the Bible?

4    Describe the picture presented by Zechariah.

5    Explain the prophecy about the two witnesses.

Copyright 2005, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.