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Angels – Their Ministration

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Before Adam and Eve sinned, their home was in “Eden, the garden of God” (Ezekiel 28:13). Here they were visited, not only by holy angels, but God Himself held communion with them, and they talked with Him face to face.

After the fall, man could no longer talk with God. Neither could any sinful being see His face and live. Even to Moses, the man of God, He said, “Thou canst not see My face: for there shall no man see Me, and live” (Exodus 33:20).

It was not, however, the Creator’s will to cut man off from communication with heavenly beings. And in the darkness and uncertainty following the entrance of sin, man has ever felt the need of “some ministering spirit, some heavenly visitant from the world of light, to instruct him in the things of God.” Hence it is but natural that man should ever be reaching out for some method of communication with heaven. This need of the human soul the Lord supplies by means of the ministration of angels.

Ministering Spirits

To the inhabitants of this world the angels are messengers (see margin Judges 2:1) sent from the courts above. Around the throne of God in heaven there is an “innumerable company of angels” (Hebrews 12:22) that go and come at His command.

Says John, “I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne” (Revelation 5:11).

David says, “The Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye His hosts; ye ministers of His, that do His pleasure” (Psalm 103:19–21).

In an earthly kingdom the conditions are similar. The monarch resides at the capital of his kingdom, which is the seat of government. Here trusty messengers bring to him reports from every part of the realm. As questions of moment are settled, the decisions are placed in the hands of those who are empowered to act in the name of the king. Thus affairs of the kingdom receive proper attention, no matter how broad or widely scattered the dominion may be.

We can readily see that the Lord employs His servants, the angels, in a similar manner. “He always works by means, or agents. The angels are His officers, or messengers, whom He has appointed to represent Him and to have charge of the affairs of this earth. They watch over God’s people, and administer to their wants. They bear the prayers of the saints up before the Lord, and come again to answer them according to His direction.”

The statement of the apostle Paul is very clear on the ministry of angels: “To which of the angels said He at any time, Sit on My right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation” (Hebrews 1:13, 14)?

To Jacob, on his lonely way as he fled from his father’s house, the attendance and ministration of heavenly angels was made very real: “And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it” (Genesis 28:12).

On his return journey, many years after, as he was about to meet his brother Esau, whom he had so cruelly wronged in his younger days, and whom he greatly feared, “the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim” (Genesis 32:1, 2).

The meaning of Mahanaim is two hosts, or camps, referring to the great camp of Jacob’s band, and the camp of the angels of God. This was evidence to the patriarch that the camp of heaven was by his side to protect him in the dreaded meeting with his brother.

Angels are at times sent from heaven in answer to prayer. In Daniel 9:21, 22, we read that as the prophet was praying, the angel Gabriel was sent to answer his prayer.

Another instance in the life of Daniel gives the most realistic account of angelic ministration. The prophet was deeply burdened regarding the sins and the captivity of his people. For three weeks he had fasted and prayed to God that the way might be opened for Israel to return to their own land. Then the angel appeared to him and said:

“Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes [margin, the first Prince], came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia” (Daniel 10:12, 13). [Emphasis supplied.]

Daniel’s “three full weeks” (verse 2) of fasting and prayer for his people had not been in vain. The angel (doubtless Gabriel) said to him that from the first day of his fast his words were heard. Gabriel had been with the king of Persia for three weeks—just the time Daniel had been afflicting his soul.

What a lesson regarding answer to prayer! During his three weeks of fasting and prayer Daniel had no evidence that his prayers were bringing any answer. Yet every day of this time this mighty angel was engaged with the king in his effort to bring about the very results for which Daniel was praying.

During all these days Satan opposed the efforts of Gabriel to move the heart of the king. The task was too unequal, and Michael, the Son of God Himself, came to the court of the king to complete the work. Gabriel is thus released, and goes swiftly to Daniel, to assure him that his prayers are heard, and to give him the instruction for which he has been pleading.

Michael, equal with the Father in all the power of heaven, is soon able to bring the king of Persia to terms, and the release of Israel is assured.

We read and talk of the romance of history, and of the titanic forces employed in modern warfare. But what earthly event can compare with this scene, in which the actors were, first, Daniel, the aged prophet in prayer; secondly, Michael and Gabriel, two of the strongest beings from heaven itself; thirdly, the king of Persia; fourthly, Satan and his powerful angels. Truly it was a royal battle, the nature of which was little suspected by the human characters interested in it.

The day of wonderful answers to prayer is not of the past alone. God is as ready to hear and answer now as He was in the days of Daniel. The sincere Christian who prays in faith, and expects and looks for answers, will receive answers and know that he receives them. Yet the response from heaven may be so far-reaching that we would be startled if our eyes were opened. The delay that tries the faith of the suppliant may arise from necessary work upon other hearts as hard and as stubborn as that of the king of Persia or the Pharaoh of Egypt.

Guardian Angels

“Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones [servants of God, not necessarily children]; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10).

The Bible clearly indicated that a guardian angel is appointed to every follower of Christ. So in every conflict with the powers of darkness, it is a comforting and inspiring thought that we have not only a Father in heaven, but we have also a powerful angel by our side. We have always within immediate reach a power sufficient to beat back all the assaults of the enemy. These angels bring to us light and courage, and in all cases are at hand to protect us.

Satan himself recognized, in the experience of Job, the efficiency of this angelic guardianship. The Lord called his attention to the integrity of Job, and Satan replied, “Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not Thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side” (Job 1:9, 10)? Of the character of Job the Lord said, “There is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man” (verse 8). Hence powerful angels were placed like a guarding wall about him, to protect him and all he possessed from the power of Satan and his hosts of evil. He was practically placed beyond their malign influence. “No evil could approach him except as God gave special permission.”

Satan claimed that if this protection was removed, and his possessions were destroyed, “He will curse Thee to Thy face” (Job 1:11).

“And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand” (verse 12).

Yet through all the calamities the evil one was permitted to bring upon him, he was not forsaken by the heavenly messengers. They were there to see that Satan should not afflict Job beyond the permission given by Jehovah. Even though tempted to sin, he retained his integrity, for it is said, “In all this Job sinned not” (verse 22).

So, although God in His wise providence allows His children to be tempted, tried, and afflicted, they are never forsaken. Heavenly messengers maintain a constant communication between them and their heavenly Father, and no evil is permitted to come upon them only so far as it is for their good and the advancement of His work in the earth.

The psalmist tells us how God protects His children: “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7).

Peter’s guardian angel released him from prison more than once. At one time Herod had cast him into prison, intending to kill him as he had James. But the Lord had yet a work for Peter to do.

“And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me” (Acts 12:6–8).

The apostle did not understand what was transpiring, “but thought he saw a vision.” “And when Peter was come to himself [when he realized it was all real and true], he said, ‘Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent His angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews (Acts 12:9, 11).”

Then Peter went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, where the disciples were “gathered together praying” (verse 12). They were doubtless beseeching God for the release of the imprisoned apostle.

As he “knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda” (verse 13). When she heard his voice asking admission, she did not let him in for very joy, but, instead, ran and told the praying disciples that Peter stood at the gate. At first they could not believe the words of the maid, but she insisted that he was really there. “Then said they, It is his angel” (verse 15).

“They did not mean that it was Peter’s spirit, for they supposed he was yet alive and in prison. They meant … what they said, that it was his angel—the one who attended him.”

The ninety-first Psalm describes the position of God’s people during the time of trouble. Of the mission of the angels during this time, we read, “He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy food against a stone” (Psalm 91:11, 12).

They Hear Our Words

An angel is always present and hears what we say. “Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before [in the presence of] the angel, that it was an error” (Ecclesiastes 5:6). The angels of God can not be deceived.

They See Us

“For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men” (1 Corinthians 4:9). We are never alone. We could see our angel visitor if our eyes were opened. (See 2 Kings 6:3–23).

Angels in the Gospel

When the work of creating the earth and its inhabitants was finished, “the morning stars [angels] sang together” (Job 38:7).

When man sinned and was driven from Eden, the “angels ceased their songs of praise. Throughout the heavenly courts there was mourning for the ruin that sin had wrought.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 62.

When the plan of salvation through Christ, which was to give the human race another chance, was proclaimed to the angels, they made heaven ring again with the song that later sounded over the hills of Bethlehem: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

Before the fall, angels were the teachers of Adam and Eve. They told them of the fall of Satan, and of the ceaseless efforts he and his fallen companions would make to cause them to sin and fall as he had fallen.

Since the fall, the interest of holy angels in the human family has intensified. As before the fall they were to warn our first parents of the danger that lurked in the wiles of Satan, so after the fall they were to instruct man in the plan of salvation that had been devised in his behalf.

As man had failed to stand the test while surrounded by every influence that could guard him from evil, he must now regain the character he had lost by disobedience in a world that had fallen under the dominion of Satan.

To meet these adverse conditions the angels were appointed as guardians, ministers, and messengers from heaven to aid fallen humanity in its struggle with evil. Then how deep must be the interest of angels in the welfare of man, and in the advancement of the gospel in the earth!

Angels have ever acted a prominent part in the spread of the gospel. Though the preaching of the gospel has been given to men, yet angels have an important mission to perform in aiding and guiding the earthly minister in his work.

The case of Cornelius is an example. Cornelius was a Gentile. He was also an officer in the Roman army. It was said of him that he was “a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews” (Acts 10:22).

But Cornelius knew nothing of Jesus Christ. It seems that he was seeking for light from heaven, for he “prayed to God always,” and to such a man help will always be sent when needed. In this case the angel appeared to the Roman officer while he was fasting and praying. He instructed him to send for Peter, saying, “He shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do” (verses 2–6).

Cornelius therefore sent two servants and a devout soldier to the place where Peter abode in Joppa. The next day, as the three men were nearing Joppa, Peter “went upon the housetop to pray” (verse 9). There he saw a vision, and a heavenly messenger instructed him to go with the men in response to the call of Cornelius, notwithstanding he was a Gentile.

So Peter returned with them, and found the house of Cornelius filled with his “kinsmen and near friends” (verse 24). And as he preached the gospel to them, “the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word” (verse 44). And they believed and were baptized.

In this instance the actual intervention of angels, both to Cornelius and to Peter, was necessary to bring about this result.

An incident in the life of the deacon Philip is to the point. Crossing the desert near Gaza was a eunuch, an officer of great authority in the court of Candace, queen of Ethiopia. He was returning from Jerusalem, where he had been to worship. As he rode in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah’s prophecy in regard to Christ, but did not understand it. At the command of the angel, Philip met the eunuch at this time. He was invited to a seat in the chariot, and there he explained the passage from Isaiah, and preached Christ to the Ethiopian officer.

As a result, the eunuch believed, and as they passed a pool he asked for baptism. “And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him” (Acts 8:38).

And the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, and carried him to Azotus, But the eunuch went on his way rejoicing, a new channel through which the light of the gospel was to be carried into darkest Africa.

This whole transaction, which was so important in carrying the gospel into new territory, was due to the appearance of the angel to lead God’s minister on this important errand.

Angels appeared to Daniel, and revealed to him many important truths pertaining to the work of the gospel, some of which refer to the times in which we now live. Especially is the instruction of the angel Gabriel important, as it concerns the atonement, or the investigative judgment, and the sacrifice of the Messiah. (See Daniel 8:13–17; 9:10–27.)

It was Gabriel also who came to Mary to announce the birth of Christ, and to Zacharias to foretell that of John the Baptist. (See Luke 1:11–19, 26–33.)

A powerful angel appeared many times to the apostle-prophet John, as recorded in the Revelation, presenting before him important events and truths pertaining to the work of God to be done in the earth, and in regard to the triumph of God’s people and their great reward.

In Revelation 14:6, 7, an angel is seen flying “in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come.” [Emphasis supplied.] And other angels followed, each having a special message to proclaim.

Special messages have gone to the world at special times. God sends His angels to direct the minds of His ministers to the lines of truth He would have them proclaim. Angels stand by their side as they speak the truth to the people. Angels are beside the listeners to impress their hearts. So through it all, as in the cases of Cornelius and Peter, and of Philip and the eunuch, angels are moulding the work of the ministers, and pressing home the truths to the hearts of the people.

Past, Present, and Future, by James Edson White, 69–83.

The Most Holy Place Message and Health

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“When you sit down to eat with a ruler, Consider carefully what is before you; And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, For they are deceptive food.” Proverbs 23:1–3

“Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.” Proverbs 23:20, 21

Is neglect of physical law sin? God answers this question clearly. “The transgression of physical law is transgression of God’s law. Our Creator is Jesus Christ. He is the author of our being. He is the author of the physical law as He is the author of the moral law. And the human being who is careless and reckless of the habits and practises [sic] that concern his physical life and health, sins against God. God is not reverenced, respected, or recognized. This is shown by the injury done to the body in violation of physical law.” Healthful Living, 17.

Yes, neglect of physical law is sin. But the issue with appetite goes well beyond the issue of sin.

In looking at the “shadow” or “type” of the earthly sanctuary we learn that on the typical Day of Atonement, God required that people “afflict their souls, and do no work on that same day.” The consequences for disregarding these instructions were clear cut and serious. God said, “For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people” and “that person I will destroy from among his people” (Leviticus 23:27–30). We are living in the antitypical Day of Atonement. The same requirement is in effect for us, only in a much greater degree.

Here we will look at health and its relation to the Most Holy Place message, “keep your garments spotless.” Why is this topic so critically important to the message of the Most Holy Place?

God says, through His servant, “The strength of the temptation to indulge appetite can be measured only by the inexpressible anguish of our Redeemer in that long fast in the wilderness. He knew that the indulgence of perverted appetite would so deaden man’s perceptions that sacred things could not be discerned.” Counsels on Diet and Foods, 167.

Friends, are you indulging appetite? If so, what does God say? He says “sacred things could not be understood.” One may wish to quibble over these words. We may question a plain statement from the Lord. Adam and Eve both questioned God and that led to their fall. We must take God at His word. God says, “He knew that the indulgence of perverted appetite would so deaden man’s perceptions that sacred things could not be discerned.”

One may think they understand sacred things, but if appetite is indulged, what does God say? He says, that regardless of what you think or believe, the reality is that those who indulge perverted appetite cannot understand sacred things.

“The controlling power of appetite will prove the ruin of thousands, when, if they had conquered on this point, they would have had moral power to gain the victory over every other temptation of Satan. But those who are slaves to appetite will fail in perfecting Christian character.” Ibid., 163.

We need to state very briefly here that it is not only what we eat, but how much we eat, whether we eat at regular times, and whether we eat between meals, etc., as well. God has warned, “even health reformers can err in the quantity of food. They can eat immoderately of a healthful quality of food.” Ibid., 244.

“It is impossible for those who give the reins to appetite to attain to Christian perfection.” Ibid., 236.

This is why, of all the topics that we need to study in perfecting our characters, this is the one that we are studying. I don’t want to talk about this. God put this burden in my mind, and I cannot refuse, but at the risk of my own soul.

“Those who would have clear minds to discern Satan’s devices must have their physical appetites under the control of reason and conscience. The moral and vigorous action of the higher powers of the mind are essential to the perfection of Christian character. And the strength or the weakness of the mind has very much to do with our usefulness in this world, and with our final salvation. The ignorance that has prevailed in regard to God’s law in our physical nature is deplorable. Intemperance of any kind is a violation of the laws of our being. Imbecility is prevailing to a fearful extent. Sin is made attractive by the covering of light which Satan throws over it, and he is well pleased when he can hold the Christian world in their daily habits under the tyranny of custom, like the heathen, and allow appetite to govern them.” Messages to Young People, 236, 237.

“If men and women of intelligence have their moral powers benumbed through intemperance of any kind, they are, in many of their habits, elevated but little above the heathen. Satan is constantly drawing the people from saving light, to custom and fashion, irrespective of physical, mental, and moral health. The great enemy knows that if appetite and passion predominate, health of body and strength of intellect are sacrificed upon the altar of self-gratification, and man is brought to speedy ruin. If enlightened intellect holds the reins, controlling the animal propensities, keeping them in subjection to the moral powers, Satan well knows that his power to overcome with his temptations is very small. …

“A large share of the Christian world have no right to call themselves Christians. [They are breaking the 3rd commandment. They are taking God’s name in vain.] Their habits, their extravagance, and general treatment of their own bodies, are in violation of physical law, and contrary to the Bible standard. They are working out for themselves, in their course of life, physical suffering, mental and moral feebleness.” The Review and Herald, September 8, 1874.

“God gives no permission to man to violate the laws of his being. But man, through yielding to Satan’s temptations to indulge intemperance, brings the higher faculties in subjection to the animal appetites and passions. When these gain the ascendency, man, who was created a little lower than the angels, with faculties susceptible of the highest cultivation, surrenders to be controlled by Satan. And he gains easy access to those who are in bondage to appetite. Through intemperance, some sacrifice one-half, and others two-thirds, of their physical, mental, and moral powers, and become playthings for the enemy. Those who would have clear minds to discern Satan’s devices, must have their physical appetites under the control of reason and conscience. The moral and vigorous action of the higher powers of the mind are essential to the perfection of Christian character. And the strength or weakness of the mind has very much to do with our usefulness in this world, and with our final salvation. The ignorance that has prevailed in regard to God’s law in our physical nature is deplorable. Intemperance of any kind is a violation of the laws of our being. Imbecility is prevailing to a fearful extent. Sin is made attractive by the covering of light which Satan throws over it, and he is well pleased when he can hold the Christian world in their daily habits under the tyranny of custom, like the heathen, and allow appetite to govern them.” Ibid.

“Why do some of our ministering brethren manifest so little interest in health reform? It is because instruction on temperance in all things is opposed to their practice of self-indulgence. In some places this has been the great stumbling block in the way of our bringing the people to investigate and practice and teach health reform. No man should be set apart as a teacher of the people while his own teaching or example contradicts the testimony God has given His servants to bear in regard to diet, for this will bring confusion. His disregard of health reform unfits him to stand as the Lord’s messenger.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 378.

These are strong words but sometimes God uses strong words like these to wake us up out of lethal slumber. If we do not wake up and change our habits, He knows that we cannot be in eternity with Him, and He longs for you and me to be with Him throughout eternity. This is why He uses such strong language. However, there is something else I would like us to consider and understand.

When Jesus comes to get His saints, and all are seated at that great wedding feast, will any intemperate person be at that table? No, not one. When does the change have to take place? Jesus told a well-known and true story from Old Testament times that gives us the answer. The application of this story is found in The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 3, 40, 41. The story is of the building of the temple of God during the reign of Solomon. Spirit of Prophecy says the following: “The stones were not prepared for their respective places just as they were about to be laid in the wall of the temple; all the fitting and planning was done previous to their being brought to the place of building. So it is that all the hewing, fitting and polishing of character must be done during man’s probation. When Christ shall come again to earth it will not be to purify and refine the characters of men, and to fit them for Heaven. His work then will only be to change their corruptible bodies and fashion them like unto Christ’s most glorious body. Only a symmetrical and perfect character will in that day entitle men to the finishing touch of immortality.

“Earth is the quarry and the work-shop where men are to be fitted and refined for the courts of Heaven.”

My friends, if we want to be at that great banquet table in heaven, we must conquer appetite here. If we do not, we cannot understand God’s great plan for our salvation. If we choose to remain in sin on this point, we will also bear the sin of leading other people into the paths that lead away from God and heaven. We must control our appetites here. It is an essential part of the Most Holy Place message, “keep your garments spotless.”

“The church is making history. Every day is a battle and a march. On every side we are beset by invisible foes, and we either conquer through the grace given us by God or we are conquered. I urge that those who are taking a neutral position in regard to health reform be converted. This light is precious, and the Lord gives me the message to urge that all who bear responsibilities in any line in the work of God take heed that truth is in the ascendancy in the heart and life. Only thus can any meet the temptations they are sure to encounter in the world.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 377, 378.

“The light that the Lord has given on this subject in His word is plain, and men will be tested and tried in many ways to see if they will heed it. Every church, every family, needs to be instructed in regard to Christian temperance. All should know how to eat and drink in order to preserve health. We are amid the closing scenes of this world’s history, and there should be harmonious action in the ranks of Sabbathkeepers. Those who stand aloof from the great work of instructing the people upon this question do not follow where the Great Physician leads the way. ‘If any man will come after Me,’ Christ said, ‘let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me’ (Matthew 16:24).” Ibid., 378.

“How many are deceiving their own souls and cheating themselves out of the blessings that others might secure if they would believe and obey? Probation still lingers, and it is our privilege to lay hold of the hope set before us in the gospel. Let us repent and be converted and forsake our sins, that they may be blotted out. ‘Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man’ (Luke 21:33–36).” Ibid., vol. 9, 268, 269.

Remember, my friends, we have a compassionate Saviour. In His mercy in our behalf He endured that “long fast in the wilderness” that we might have His power to overcome. Oh, friends, let us not show despite to His great love and mercy, His tremendous suffering and sacrifice on our behalf. Let us claim the victory that was His and overcome as He overcame. Let us indeed “keep our garments spotless” through the mighty new covenant provided for us by our loving, merciful and just Father and His only begotten Son.

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

The Christian Walk

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In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he wrote in chapter 1, verses 9 and 10, that he did not cease to pray that they might walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him.

A bit later in his letter, he wrote, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6, 7).

Then near the end of his letter, he wrote, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5).

It is clear that Paul was not simply talking about the act of putting one foot in front of the other. In his letter to the Colossians, he was using the word “walk” in the same sense that Christ did when He said in John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life,” and again in John 12:35, when He said, “Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you.”

The Greek word translated “walk” is peripateō, which Strong’s Concordance defines as “figuratively to live, deport oneself, follow.” With that understanding, the relationship between the Bible writers’ use of ‘walk’ and the principle expressed in this quote from the Testimonies becomes clear: “God leads His people on step by step. The Christian life is a battle and a march. In this warfare there is no release; the effort must be continuous and persevering. It is by unceasing endeavor that we maintain the victory over the temptations of Satan. Christian integrity must be sought with resistless energy and maintained with a resolute fixedness of purpose.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 313.

It would be a challenge to find in inspired writings stronger counsel concerning our daily challenge, i.e., our Christian walk.

Paul often referred to the conduct of our daily lives as a walk. In Romans 6:4–6, he wrote, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.”

In chapter 8 of Romans, verses 1 through 4, he wrote, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

As he neared the end of his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote, “Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:13, 14).

Paul’s understanding of life as a walk is expressed throughout his epistles. Each one of them contains similar usage of the word. We have already cited instances in Colossians and Romans. Here are some from his other letters:

“For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:3–6).

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (verse 25).

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1–3).

“This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (verses 17–19).

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:1, 2).

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord” (verses 8–10).

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (verses 15, 16).

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern” (Philippians 3:13–17).

“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus” (I Thessalonians 4:1, 2).

“For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies” (2 Thessalonians 3:11).

It would be near impossible to read through these texts without gaining a fairly comprehensive understanding of what the Christian walk should be like—and what it should not be like. Perhaps most importantly, we are to walk, meaning, of course, to live, in a manner that fully pleases the Lord. To accomplish that noble task, we must know not only what pleases Him, but what He finds abominable as well. Such can only be accomplished through a thorough and continuing search of His word.

Understanding the enlightened instruction Paul provides in his letters gives us an excellent starting point for knowing how to walk in a manner that is “fully pleasing” to God the Father. A recurring theme is Paul’s admonition to “walk in the spirit” versus his caution against walking in the flesh. A summary of the principles expressed in the verses cited above should provide clear guidance for living the Christian walk. Let’s look at some of Paul’s instructions to gain a fuller understanding of the manner in which a Christian should conduct his daily life.

  • After baptism, we are to walk “in newness of life.” Old habits and conduct that is contrary to the will of God must be “done away with” (Romans 6:4–6).
  • The Christian walks “according to the Spirit,” not “according to the flesh,” (Romans 8:1–4), “and by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
  • The Christian does not make provision for the flesh, but rather walks “properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy” (Romans 13:13, 14). Note the similarity in Paul’s allusion here to walking “in the day” to that which Christ made in John 8:12 and John 12:35 regarding light and darkness.

Paul provides an excellent summary of the Christian’s spiritual walk versus walking in the flesh in Ephesians 4. A Christian walks “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (verses 1–3).

Contrary to that is the fleshly walk, expressed so clearly in verses 17 through 19: “You should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”

Paul continues to clarify the contrast between the Christian walk and walking in darkness in Ephesians 5:1–21. A prayerful reading of those texts will provide an excellent means of “finding out what is acceptable to the Lord” (verse 10).

Truly, the Christian walk is “a battle and a march,” but with prayerful study of God’s word, the sincere seeker can obtain clear instruction on how to win that battle and how to march successfully.

All quotes NKJV unless otherwise noted.

John Pearson is the office manager and a board member of Steps to Life. After retiring as chief financial officer for the Grand Canyon Association, Grand Canyon, Arizona, he moved to Wichita, Kansas, to join the Steps team. He may be contacted by email at: johnpearson@stepstolife.org.

Independent Units

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“Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth (the seven last plagues) there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times.” The Great Controversy, 464.

According to this statement by Ellen White, primitive godliness has not existed since the times of the apostles in the first century, but it will exist again before the close of probation.

Under the training of Christ, His disciples had finally come to recognize their need of receiving the Holy Spirit. One of the first things Jesus said to His disciples after His resurrection was “receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). Under the Spirit’s teaching during the next few weeks, the disciples received their final qualification to go forth in their life work.

Incidentally, the disciples’ mission was second in importance only to the mission of Christ Himself. “No longer were they ignorant and uncultured. No longer were they a collection of independent units or discordant, conflicting elements.” The Acts of the Apostles, 45. That is what they had been during the entire time of Jesus’ ministry. Before Jesus called them and even throughout His ministry, from a worldly standpoint they were looked upon as ignorant, uncultured men. They had not been called from among the higher classes of society but from among the lowly, a collection of independent units. They were discordant, without harmony or unity, conflicting with one another.

There are many churches throughout the world today of all denominations that are simply a collection of independent units such as were the twelve disciples while they were being trained for Jesus. But after receiving His Spirit they were united and ready to carry out the plan of spreading the Gospel.

I have often asked myself what it will take for those professing Christ today to no longer be a collection of independent units. Finally, in the upper room they got it. Acts 2:46 says, “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.”

In Acts 4 we are told that there were several thousand Christians at that time. They were of one heart and one soul, no longer a collection of discordant independent units to the point that “… neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common” (Acts 4:32).

There was only one way that this experience was possible and is possible today. “Christ filled their thoughts; the advancement of His kingdom was their aim. In mind and character they had become like their Master, and men ‘took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus’ (Acts 4:13).” The Acts of the Apostles, 45.

At this time the church was possessed of one common interest that controlled everybody, which was the success of the mission that had been entrusted to them. “… after Christ’s ascension His enthronement in His mediatorial kingdom was signalized by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost the Spirit was given. Christ’s witnesses proclaimed the power of the risen Saviour. The light of heaven penetrated the darkened minds of those who had been deceived by the enemies of Christ. They now saw Him exalted to be ‘a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins’ (Acts 5:31).” Christ’s Object Lessons, 120.

So the very people that had been deceived, and some of those were directly responsible for the crucifixion of Christ, “… saw Him encircled with the glory of heaven, with infinite treasures in His hands to bestow upon all who would turn from their rebellion.” Ibid.

Jesus wanted to give these infinite treasures to anybody who would turn from his rebellion against the government of heaven. As the apostles set forth the glory of Christ, people became convicted of their sinful condition and that they were wretched and polluted, but they saw at the same time that Jesus Christ was somebody who could take their pollution, wretchedness, and guilt away. As Christ was lifted up as an all-powerful mediator and as they saw that He was the very same one who had born humiliation and suffering and death itself in order that they might not perish and to be given the opportunity to have everlasting life, they began to realize something of His power and majesty. People by the thousands started to stretch forth their hands and say, “I believe,” “This is what I need,” “This is who I need.”

The people who accepted Jesus as their Saviour were compelled in their spirit to relate to other people the message of hope and salvation they had heard. Within one generation, the glad tidings of a Saviour who had not only died for their sins, but who had risen and gone to heaven where He was interceding to God for His children, had spread to the utter most bounds of the entire inhabited world.

Colossians 1:5, 6: “… because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth.” The church beheld converts flocking to her from every direction. Those who were already believers were reconverted. People who had been living in sin united with Christians in seeking for the pearl of great price and the prophecy of Zechariah 12:8 was fulfilled: “In that day the Lord will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the Lord before them.”

Every Christian looked and saw in his brother or in his sister the divine similitude, the divine image, of benevolence and love and there was only one interest that prevailed throughout the entire church, one object that swallowed up all others. All hearts beat in harmony and their one ambition was to reveal the likeness of the character of Christ in their life and to labor for the enlargement of His kingdom.

The divine design was that the church was to be a reincarnation of Christ in every believer. At that time the entire congregation was animated by the Spirit of Christ, for they had found the pearl of great price.

This was the experience of the early church. According to the statement in The Great Controversy, 464, that very same thing is going to happen again. Ellen White describes it this way: “These scenes are to be repeated, and with greater power.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 121.

The question is, When these scenes are repeated again with greater power, would you like to be part of it? The latter rain is going to be more abundant than the former rain. Christ again is going to be revealed to this world in His fullness by the power of the Holy Spirit. People again are going to receive and see the pearl of great price and respond to its call.

The problem is that we are a long way from that kind of condition or experience today. However, we do not need to be discouraged because that was also the condition of the disciples. The world then was not that much different from the world now. In the ancient world, similar to the modern, position meant self-aggrandizement. The masses simply existed for the benefit of the ruling classes. Those with influence, wealth or education used their position as the means for getting control of the masses of the people, believing they were to think, to enjoy, and to decide and rule, while the lower classes were to obey and serve. The condition of the population of the Roman world at the time of Christ was terrible. The majority were slaves with no rights whatsoever and did not do much more than what their superiors told them to do. The right of a man to think for himself was not recognized. That was the world that Jesus Christ was born into.

Jesus came to establish a kingdom that was based on a completely different principle, and His disciples had a hard time learning that. They were still trying to operate on the principles of this world as we see in Matthew 20:20–23: “Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, ‘What do you wish?’ She said to Him, ‘Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.’ But Jesus answered and said, ‘You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ They said to Him, ‘We are able.’ So He said to them, ‘You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.’ ”

Now, notice verse 24: “And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers.” They knew that the highest position came with power, authority and control.

“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you [My followers]; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave …’ ” (verse 25).

Christ’s kingdom is set up on a different principle from the kingdoms of this world. Jesus did not call His disciples to authority. He called them to service, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (verse 28).

All who call themselves Christian are not called to authority but to service. This service means that the strong are called to bear the infirmities of the weak, and that those with power, position, talent or education have a greater obligation because of those benefits to serve their fellows.

Paul told the Corinthian church, “For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:15). Jesus set the example. He was a caretaker and a burden bearer. When you study His life you find that He shared the poverty of the lowest class and that on behalf of His disciples, He practiced self-denial.

The principle on which Jesus acted is the principle which is to actuate the members of the church, His body. Those who are greatest in the kingdom of Christ will follow His example and act as servants of the flock. Paul said, “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more” (I Corinthians 9:19) and “Just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (I Corinthians 10:33).

Christ’s kingdom is different from all other worldly kingdoms. It is based not on the principle of authority, but on the principle of service. The higher the position of leadership, the greater the responsibility to be a servant of all.

There is another way that Christ’s kingdom is different from earthly kingdoms. Romans 14:12 says, “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” In verse 5 we read, “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.”

These texts influenced the congressional testimonies of one of the pioneers of the Seventh-day Adventist faith regarding the Sabbath/Sunday controversy. In 1888, 1890 and 1891, Elder A.T. Jones went to Congress to testify against the institution of a national Sunday law. During the debate, he was asked if the tables were turned and the majority of the people in the country kept Sabbath, would you support a law enforcing that? Elder Jones responded that it would not be all right. Even if 90% of the people in the country were resting on Saturday, it would still be wrong to enforce a Sabbath law. Why? In the last part of Romans 14:5 it says, “Let each be convinced in his own mind.”

In matters of conscience, no human being is to attempt to control another’s mind, judge for another, or prescribe somebody else’s duty. God gives to every human being freedom to think and follow his own convictions and each must give account of ourselves to God.

In Christ’s kingdom there is no lordly oppression, no compulsion of behavior. In fact, the angels of heaven do not come to this world to give orders, to rule or to exercise authority. They come as ministering spirits to sinners who are lost. If all of God’s professed people would receive the light that shines on them from God’s word and receive the truth, we would reach that state of unity for which Christ prayed. “… endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:3–5).

The early church reached that condition and received the Holy Spirit, resulting in having the bond of peace. They were of one body, one spirit, one hope, one calling, one lord, one faith and one baptism. It has been almost 2000 years since that condition has existed in the church.

What is preventing that condition today?

One reason for lack of unity among God’s people is the many people striving to become a center of influence themselves. Like the disciples, “Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest” (Luke 22:24). People now say that we are not like that. However, in Lift Him Up, 296, it says: “We have need of divine illumination. Every individual is striving to become a center of influence, and until God works for His people, they will not see that subordination to God is the only safety for any soul. His transforming grace upon human hearts will lead to unity that has not yet been realized, for all who are assimilated to Christ will be in harmony with one another. The Holy Spirit will create unity.”

To reach that condition is going to take a lot of self examination and hard work. All need to pray, “Lord, what is it in me that is keeping it from happening.” The first job is to go to the Lord and ask Him to change me.

I was always taught as a child growing up in the Seventh-day Adventist Church that the Bible was our only creed. However, Ellen White taught, “The prayer of Christ to His Father, contained in the seventeenth chapter of John, is to be our church creed.” Ibid.

Jesus said, “Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are” (John 17:11).

He was not willing for His children to remain a collection of independent units and prayed to His Father that His disciples be one just as He and His father are one. There is much instruction in this prayer recorded in verses 12 to 19, but notice verses 20, 21: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word (every Christian in the world); that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

Nowhere do you see in any nation of the world controlled by the devil’s principles a situation where there is a group of people that are one, one in heart, one in mind, and one in spirit. To move forward as one is only possible under the control of the Holy Spirit. Instead of unity, you see collections of independent units that are discordant and conflicting, which indicates to the whole world that those people are still part of the devil’s kingdom. It is impossible for demonic spirits to create unity. It is only possible under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said, “… that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me” (verses 21–23).

When this happens, the desire will be fulfilled that Jesus expressed in His prayer when He prayed, “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world” (verse 24). For 2000 years this has been the prayer of all who look for the return of Jesus.

“Christ is the uniting link in the golden chain which binds believers together in God. There must be no separating in this great testing time. … The children of God constitute one united whole in Christ, who presents His cross as the center of attraction. All who believe are one in Him.” Lift Him Up, 296.

Imagine what could happen if God’s people around the world right now, who are mostly just a collection of independent units, would receive the Holy Spirit and become united with one heart and one spirit. When that happens, there will be unity of action.

“Unity of action is necessary to success. An army in battle would become confused and be defeated if the individual soldiers should move according to their own impulses instead of acting in harmony under the direction of a competent general.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 139.

“Moving according to their own impulses” describes much of the work today and why we see so much defeat. Individual soldiers are moving according to their own impulses instead of acting in harmony under the direction of a competent general. However, “A few converted souls, uniting for one grand purpose under one head, will achieve victories in every encounter. …

“Those who are not yoked up with Christ always pull the wrong way. They possess a temperament that belongs to man’s carnal nature, and at the least excuse passion is wide awake to meet passion. This causes a collision; and loud voices are heard in committee meetings, in board meetings, and in public assemblies …” Ibid.

One of the marks of a mature Christian is knowing how to deal with somebody who does not agree with you and thinks you are wrong.

Jesus told Nicodemus, a prominent leader in the Jewish church, that there is no chance of being in the kingdom of heaven unless you are born of the Holy Spirit (see John 3). This does not mean receiving some wonderful feeling, because the first thing the Holy Spirit does is reprove of sins (John 15). If you are really serious about receiving the Holy Spirit, you will be willing to be rebuked. An unwillingness to be corrected is one of the reasons that receiving the Holy Spirit is not as sought after as it should be.

It is never pleasant for anybody to have mistakes pointed out, but the Lord wants to make changes in your life, even if it hurts initially. God is going to finish the work He commenced in each life (see Philippians 1:6). He cannot take anyone to heaven while they hold on to any sin. Therefore He has to tell me what needs to be changed and I have to be willing to receive that discipline or that rebuke and be willing to change.

After the ascension of Christ, a 10-day prayer meeting was held in the upper room, where the disciples prayed to the Lord and spent time making things right with each other. After that time “… they were all with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1). When this group of people had the unity of spirit, the Holy Spirit came and the world was changed in one generation and it has never been the same since then.

That same experience is needed before the latter rain can fall and Jesus can return. If you are willing to be changed and would like to be part of such an experience, pray earnestly and often that Jesus will change you.

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

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

Editorial – Description of the Beast

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The third angels’ message determines the destiny of every person in the world who is alive when Jesus returns. If rejected, it will result in a person’s receiving the seven last plagues (see Revelation 16:2) and finally being destroyed (see Revelation 19:20, 21). The third angels’ message is a warning against worshipping the beast (Revelation 13:1–10) or his image or receiving his mark. Before a person can understand the third angel’s message, he must understand who and what the beast is. Following is a description from Scripture of the beast power.

  1. A beast in Bible prophecy represents a kingdom or nation or power (Daniel 7:17, 23).
  2. This beast received his power, throne, and great authority from the dragon (Revelation 13:2). The dragon primarily represents the devil (Revelation 12:9). Secondarily, the dragon represents the pagan Roman empire because it was the pagan Roman empire that attempted to kill Jesus at his birth (see Revelation 12:3–5 and Matthew 2).
  3. The beast received a deadly wound, at which time it looked as if it would cease to exist.
  4. The deadly wound was healed. It recovered from this deadly wound and became worldwide in its authority again.
  5. This beast is a worldwide power—“all the world marveled and followed the beast” (Revelation 13:3).
  6. This beast is also a religion, because the whole world will worship this power (verses 4 and 8).
  7. This beast would blaspheme God, His name, His sanctuary and those who dwell in heaven (verse 6).
  8. This religion would be a persecuting religion, as it would make war with the saints and overcome them (verse 7).
  9. This beast would gain authority over every tribe, language and nation. In other words, this is a religion that would apparently conquer and control all other religions, all languages and peoples (ibid).
  10. his beast would eventually go into captivity—that happened at the time that this beast received the deadly wound (verse 10).
  11. The beast would eventually be killed by the sword (ibid.) This will happen in the future.
  12. This beast had a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies. According to the Bible, blasphemy is described as a man assuming power to forgive sins (Mark 2:7) and as a man making himself God (John 10:33).
  13. This beast arose from the sea. Compare Revelation 13:1 with Revelation 17:15.
  14. This beast had certain characteristics in common with all the beasts in the vision of Daniel 7. Compare the vision of Daniel 7 with Revelation 13:2.
  15. The number of this beast is the number of a man and his number is 666.

Bible Study Guides – Insights from the Book of Isaiah (1) — Reasoning For Righteousness

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October 22 – 28, 2017

 

Key Text

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18).

Study Help: Steps to Christ, 23–41.

 Introduction

“He [Jesus] is acquainted with the sins of men, He knows all their acts and reads their secret motives; yet He does not turn away from them in their iniquity. He pleads and reasons with the sinner, and in one sense—that of having Himself borne the weakness of humanity—He puts Himself on a level with him.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 294.

Sunday

1  WILLINGNESS OF HEART

  • Freshly purged after seeing the vision of the heavenly sanctuary, what was Isaiah’s response to the call of God? Isaiah 6:8–10.

Note: “The prophet [Isaiah] was nerved for the work before him. The memory of this vision [of the temple in heaven] was carried with him throughout his long and arduous mission.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 751.

  • How should we, too, respond to God’s appeal today? Hebrews 3:12–15.

Note: “Heavenly angels have long been waiting for human agents—the members of the church—to co-operate with them in the great work to be done. They are waiting for you.” Testimonies, vol. 9, 46, 47.

“There is something for everyone to do. Every soul that believes the truth is to stand in his lot and place, saying: ‘Here am I; send me.’ ” Ibid., vol. 6, 49.

Monday

2  INTELLIGENT REASONING

  • Explain how and why God makes an appeal to us logically. Isaiah 1:18.

Note: “The Lord requires His people to use their reason, and not lay it aside for impressions. His work will be intelligible to all His children. His teaching will be such as will commend itself to the understanding of intelligent minds. It is calculated to elevate the mind.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 230.

“Christ has bought our hearts. Christ has bought the human intelligence. Christ has bought the reasoning powers; and Christ has entrusted us with capabilities and with powers. He does not want that we should let these powers and capabilities be employed merely in the common things of earthly substance, and lose sight of the eternal.” Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, 251.

“A great name among men is as letters traced in sand, but a spotless character will endure to all eternity. God gives you intelligence and a reasoning mind, whereby you may grasp His promises; and Jesus is ready to help you in forming a strong, symmetrical character.” God’s Amazing Grace, 81.

  • How does the gospel bless us with greater mental clarity? 2 Timo­thy 1:7.
  • What is the relationship between the heart and the mind? Hebrews 10:16; Ezekiel 36:26.

Note: “What is the new heart? It is the new mind. What is the mind? It is the will. Where is your will? It is either on Satan’s side or Christ’s side. Now it is up to you. Will you put your will today on Christ’s side of the question? That is the new heart. It is the new will, a new mind.” Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, 210.

“The words, ‘A new heart also will I give you’ (Ezekiel 36:26), mean, A new mind will I give you. This change of heart is always attended by a clear conception of Christian duty, an understanding of truth.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 452.

Tuesday

3  SHARP WORDS, SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS

  • What simple choice was Isaiah bidden to explain, and what simi­lar choice is given to us? Isaiah 1:19, 20; Joshua 24:14, 15.

Note: “The will is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or choice. Every human being possessed of reason has power to choose the right. In every experience of life, God’s word to us is, ‘Choose you this day whom ye will serve’ (Joshua 24:15). Everyone may place his will on the side of the will of God, may choose to obey Him, and by thus linking himself with divine agencies, he may stand where nothing can force him to do evil. In every youth, every child, lies the power, by the help of God, to form a character of integrity and to live a life of usefulness.” Education, 289.

“We cannot overestimate the value of simple faith and unquestioning obedience. It is by following in the path of obedience in simple faith that the character obtains perfection.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1137.

  • What sins of God’s people were then mentioned by the prophet? Isaiah 1:21–23.

Note: “[A] grievous sin existing in our midst, is self-sufficiency—Pharisaism—feeling that we are righteous, and all our acts are meritorious, when we are far from cherishing the right spirit toward God or toward our brethren. … Self-esteem has been cherished, and you have had a spirit of criticism toward others because you were not first. Envy, jealousy, suspicion, fault-finding, and false witnessing have existed. There are unconsecrated hearts among you, who turn everything said or done, even under the special direction of God, in a wrong way. … They please the enemy … by making a man an offender for a word. In many of these cases that are criticised [sic] there is no actual sin; the suspicion is the result of the condition of the mind that entertains it. If one crosses their path, they have no unity or fellowship with him. They feel disgusted with all he may say or do. … yet those who are thus creating disaffection and disunion, and planting the seeds of jealousy, all the while claim to be firm believers in the truth. Such do not practice the spirit of the truth.” The Review and Herald, December 18, 1888.

Wednesday

4  A THOROUGH, INTELLIGENT WORK

  • What is necessary in order for us to have full repentance? Psalm 119:18.

Note: “[1 John 3:2, 3 quoted.]

“Here is a work for man to do. He must face the mirror, God’s law, discern the defects in his moral character, and put away his sins, washing his robe of character in the blood of the Lamb. …

“But the influence of a gospel hope will not lead the sinner to look upon the salvation of Christ as a matter of free grace, while he continues to live in transgression of the law of God. When the light of truth dawns upon his mind and he fully understands the requirements of God and realizes the extent of his transgressions, he will reform his ways, become loyal to God through the strength obtained from his Saviour, and lead a new and purer life.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 294, 295.

“In your study of the word, lay at the door of investigation your preconceived opinions and your hereditary and cultivated ideas. You will never reach the truth if you study the Scriptures to vindicate your own ideas. Leave these at the door, and with a contrite heart go in to hear what the Lord has to say to you. As the humble seeker for truth sits at Christ’s feet and learns of Him, the word gives him understanding. To those who are too wise in their own conceit to study the Bible, Christ says, You must become meek and lowly in heart if you desire to become wise unto salvation.

“Do not read the word in the light of former opinions; but, with a mind free from prejudice, search it carefully and prayerfully. If, as you read, conviction comes, and you see that your cherished opinions are not in harmony with the word, do not try to make the word fit these opinions. Make your opinions fit the word. Do not allow what you have believed or practiced in the past to control your understanding. Open the eyes of your mind to behold wondrous things out of the law. Find out what is written, and then plant your feet on the eternal Rock.” Messages to Young People, 260.

  • How should our determination to turn away from sin be reminis­cent of the great reformation in Nehemiah’s day? Nehemiah 4:6, last part.

Note: “Oh, may none put off the day of repentance and reformation! Now is the accepted time.” The Signs of the Times, July 30, 1894.

Thursday

4  A FORETASTE OF REAL HARMONY

  • Describe the level of earnest repentance Christ is looking to see in us, living as we are in this period of earth’s history. Revelation 3:19.

Note: “ ‘A great work must be done for the remnant. Many of them are dwelling upon little trials.’ Said the angel, ‘Legions of evil angels are around you, and are trying to press in their awful darkness, that ye may be ensnared and taken. Ye suffer your minds to be diverted too readily from the work of preparation and the all-important truths for these last days. And ye dwell upon little trials and go into minute particulars of little difficulties to explain them to the satisfaction of this one or that.’ Conversation has been protracted for hours between the parties concerned, and not only has their time been wasted, but the servants of God are held to listen to them, when the hearts of both parties are unsubdued by grace. If pride and selfishness were laid aside, five minutes would remove most difficulties.” Early Writings, 119.

“Christ is coming. I remember when we thought that the end was to come in 1844, and when we came together in our meetings the question would be asked by one and another, ‘Brethren, have you seen anything in me that is not right? I know that we cannot see our own faults, and if any of the brethren have seen anything wrong in me, I want them to tell me.’ Sometimes there would be wrongs confessed, and we would bow before God and ask His forgiveness. Then you would see brethren who had had some difficulty going away alone in some barn or orchard and pleading with God together. Then they would come arm in arm, loving one another, and at peace among themselves. We felt that we could not separate unless everything was in harmony. The sweet spirit of peace was in our midst, and the glory of God was around us. You could see faces shine.” Sermons and Talks, vol. 2, 24.

Friday

 PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

 1      Why can we be inspired by Isaiah’s eagerness to accept God’s call?

2      What does true Christian religion do for the human mind?

3      How will true repentance transform our relationships with one another?

4      Explain a vital key to how we can achieve real growth in our Bible study.

5      What experience from the early Advent believers would we do well to repeat?

Copyright © 2016 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Bible Study Guides – Insights from the Book of Isaiah (1) — Facing Reality

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October 15 – 21, 2017

Key Text

“Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5).

Study Help: Testimonies, vol. 5, 217–235.

 Introduction

“Isaiah had denounced woes upon others for their apostasy and separation from God. He had been almost ready to yield to discouragement, so keenly did he realize that he dwelt among ‘a people of unclean lips;’ but now he sees himself in danger. He is himself ‘a man of unclean lips’ (Isaiah 6:5). He had no disposition to exalt himself. O how little he was in his own wisdom, how unworthy, how unfitted for sacred service.” The Bible Echo, September 9, 1895.

Sunday

1  SEEING OTHERS AS THE HOPELESS ONES

  • How have others expressed the types of feelings Isaiah would have had in beholding great wickedness in God’s professed people? Psalm 94:3, 4; Jeremiah 4:14.

Note: “It seemed as if God’s purpose for Israel were about to fail and that the rebellious nation was to suffer a fate similar to that of Sodom and Gomorrah.

“In the face of such conditions it is not surprising that when, during the last year of Uzziah’s reign, Isaiah was called to bear to Judah God’s messages of warning and reproof, he shrank from the responsibility. He well knew that he would encounter obstinate resistance. As he realized his own inability to meet the situation and thought of the stubbornness and unbelief of the people for whom he was to labor, his task seemed hopeless. Should he in despair relinquish his mission and leave Judah undisturbed to their idolatry? Were the gods of Nineveh to rule the earth in defiance of the God of heaven?

“Such thoughts as these were crowding through Isaiah’s mind as he stood under the portico of the temple.” Prophets and Kings, 306, 307.

Monday

2  A LIFE-CHANGING MOMENT

  • What did Isaiah see in vision as he stood before the temple? Isaiah 6:1–4.

Note: “Suddenly the gate and the inner veil of the temple seemed to be uplifted or withdrawn, and he [Isaiah] was permitted to gaze within, upon the holy of holies, where even the prophet’s feet might not enter. There rose up before him a vision of Jehovah sitting upon a throne high and lifted up, while the train of His glory filled the temple. On each side of the throne hovered the seraphim, their faces veiled in adoration, as they ministered before their Maker and united in the solemn invocation, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory’ until post and pillar and cedar gate seemed shaken with the sound, and the house was filled with their tribute of praise (Isaiah 6:3).” Prophets and Kings, 307.

“Did he [Isaiah] think himself unworthy before he had a view of God’s glory?—No; he imagined himself in a righteous state before God.” The Review and Herald, June 4, 1889.

  • Upon seeing this vision, what abruptly happened to Isaiah’s image of himself (keeping in mind that he had already delivered messages of rebuke to Israel)? Isaiah 6:5.

Note: “As Isaiah beheld this revelation of the glory and majesty of his Lord, he was overwhelmed with a sense of the purity and holiness of God. How sharp the contrast between the matchless perfection of his Creator, and the sinful course of those who, with himself, had long been numbered among the chosen people of Israel and Judah!” Prophets and Kings, 307.

“Isaiah had denounced the sin of others; but now he sees himself exposed to the same condemnation he had pronounced upon them. He had been satisfied with a cold, lifeless ceremony in his worship of God. He had not known this until the vision was given him of the Lord. How little now appeared his wisdom and talents as he looked upon the sacredness and majesty of the sanctuary. How unworthy he was! how unfitted for sacred service! His view of himself might be expressed in the language of the apostle Paul, ‘O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death’ (Romans 7:24)?” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1139.

Tuesday

3  THE CALL OF THE HOUR

  • What is needed today, just as much as it was in Isaiah’s time? Joel 2:12, 13.

Note: “Close heart searching is needed. With tears and heartbroken confession we need to draw nigh to God that He may draw nigh to us.” Evangelism, 510.

“There must be thorough repentance, faith in our Saviour Jesus Christ, vigilant watchfulness, unceasing prayer, and diligent searching of the Scriptures.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 8, 338.

“Pure and undefiled religion is to be brought into the sanctuary of the soul. Each has a work to do, and no friend or minister can do it for him; each must repent for himself, and confess his sins to God. Make thorough work of it. Believe for yourself; have the grace of God in your heart for yourself. God will have His true, faithful witnesses in every walk of life, testifying to the power of His grace. They may be humble, but they will be living in the sunshine of God’s countenance, with the Bible as their guide.

“See, O see, where your duties have been neglected, and where you have given an example to both believers and unbelievers which would lead them away from God, away from righteousness and the spirit of the truth. Jesus would have men come to Him, trust in Him, rely upon Him, and have their experience founded upon Him alone.” The Review and Herald, December 18, 1888.

  • What experience does God desire for those who follow Him? Proverbs 4:18.

Note: “The Lord bids you to come up higher, to reach a holier standard. You must have an experience much deeper than you have yet even thought of having. … Give to Jesus the heart’s best and holiest affections. Treasure every ray of light. Cherish every desire of the soul after God. Give yourselves the culture of spiritual thoughts and holy communings. You have seen but the first rays of the early dawn of His glory. As you follow on to know the Lord, you will know that His going forth is prepared as the morning. … Having repented of our sins, confessed them, and found pardon, we are to continue to learn of Christ until we come into the full noontide of a perfect gospel faith.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 317, 318.

Wednesday

4  OH, THAT OUR EYES MIGHT BE OPENED!

  • Explain the far-reaching extent of our need for repentance. Joel 2:15–17.

Note: “Let the many ministers of Christ sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, and seek God while He is to be found. Call upon Him while you are now lying at the foot of the cross of Calvary. Divest yourselves of all pride and as representative guardians of the churches, weep be­tween the porch and the altar. … Pray, oh, pray for the outpouring of the Spirit of God!” Selected Messages, Book 3, 189.

“Instead of lifting up their souls in self-sufficiency, ministers and people should be confessing their sins before God and one another.” Ibid., 390.

  •     What do we all need to understand in this solemn work? Romans 3:9–12.

Note: “There is too much comparing ourselves among ourselves, taking poor fallible mortals for a pattern when we have a sure, unerring Pattern. The people of God should not measure themselves by the world, nor by the opinions of men, nor by what they once were before embracing the truth. But their faith and position in the world, as they now are, must be compared with what they would have been if their course had been continually onward and upward since they professed to be followers of Christ. This is the only safe comparison that can be made. In every other, there will be self-deception. If the moral character and spiritual state of God’s people do not correspond with the blessings, privileges, and light which have been conferred upon them, they are weighed in the balance and found wanting. Angels make their report, Wanting!” The Review and Herald, August 31, 1886.

“We cannot afford to live on the husks of others’ faults or failings. Evilspeaking is a twofold curse, falling more heavily upon the speaker than upon the hearer. He who scatters the seeds of dissension and strife reaps in his own soul the deadly fruits. The very act of looking for evil in others develops evil in those who look. By dwelling upon the faults of others, we are changed into the same image. But by beholding Jesus, talking of His love and perfection of character, we become changed into His image.” The Ministry of Healing, 492.

Thursday

5  CONTRITION AND CLEANSING

  • Once Isaiah’s heart was humbled as never before, what did the God of heaven do for His servant? Isaiah 6:6, 7. What should we learn from this?

Note: “The vision given to Isaiah [in chapter 6] represents the condition of God’s people in the last days. They are privileged to see by faith the work that is going forward in the heavenly sanctuary. ‘And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament’ (Revelation 11:19). As they look by faith into the holy of holies, and see the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, they perceive that they are a people of unclean lips—a people whose lips have often spoken vanity, and whose talents have not been sanctified and employed to the glory of God. Well may they despair as they contrast their own weakness and unworthiness with the purity and loveliness of the glorious character of Christ. But if they, like Isaiah, will receive the impression the Lord designs shall be made upon the heart, if they will humble their souls before God, there is hope for them. The bow of promise is above the throne, and the work done for Isaiah will be performed in them. God will respond to the petitions coming from the contrite heart.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1139.

  • What should be our daily prayer? Psalm 51:2, 7.

Note: “Do not listen to the enemy’s suggestion to stay away from Christ until you have made yourself better; until you are good enough to come to God. If you wait until then, you will never come.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 205, 206.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1      Before the temple vision, how did Isaiah feel about himself and others?

2      How did the vision of heavenly glory transform the prophet’s attitude?

3      Describe the work that needs to be done by all of us today.

4      Explain what happens when we become faultfinders.

5      What assurance given to Isaiah echoes down to every contrite soul?

Copyright © 2016 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Bible Study Guides – Insights from the Book of Isaiah (1) — Ripe for Reformation

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October 8 – 14, 2017

Key Text

“In that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach” (Isaiah 4:1).

Study Help: Testimonies, vol. 1, 216–220; vol. 4, 628–648.

Introduction

“We are not to cling to our own ways, our own plans, our own ideas; we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2).” The Upward Look, 218.

Sunday

1  SELFISH GREED

  • Describe Judah’s condition as Jotham, the son of Uzziah, began to take on more responsibilities prior to his father’s death. 2 Kings 15:34, 35; Hosea 10:13; 11:7.

Note: “By their apostasy and rebellion those who should have been standing as light bearers among the nations were inviting the judgments of God. Many of the evils which were hastening the swift destruction of the northern kingdom, and which had recently been denounced in unmistakable terms by Hosea and Amos, were fast corrupting the kingdom of Judah.” Prophets and Kings, 306.

  • How were the material goods—given by God—being managed? Isaiah 3:14, 15; 5:8; 10:1, 2.

Note: “The outlook was particularly discouraging as regards the social conditions of the people. In their desire for gain, men were adding house to house and field to field. See Isaiah 5:8. Justice was perverted, and no pity was shown the poor. … Even the magistrates, whose duty it was to protect the helpless, turned a deaf ear to the cries of the poor and needy, the widows and the fatherless.” Prophets and Kings, 306.

Monday

2 YOUTHFUL PRIDE

  • What did God declare would come as a result of the pride and love of display that accompanied oppression? Isaiah 2:11, 12; Proverbs 29:23.

Note: “Pride of heart is a fearful trait of character. ‘Pride goeth before destruction’ (Proverbs 16:18). This is true in the family, the church, and the nation.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 377.

“The moment we begin to feel self-sufficient and confident then we are in danger of a disgraceful failure.” This Day With God, 277.

  • What situation did Isaiah prophesy, and how would it impact the administration of justice? Isaiah 3:4–6, 12. How can we ensure that our children are properly trained in order to escape this de­structive trend today?

Note: “Parents generally have not taken a proper course with their children. They have not restrained them as they should, but have left them to indulge in pride and follow their own inclinations. Anciently, parental authority was regarded; children were then in subjection to their parents, and feared and reverenced them; but in these last days the order is reversed. Some parents are in subjection to their children. They fear to cross the will of their children, and therefore yield to them. But just as long as children are under the roof of the parents, dependent upon them, they should be subject to their control. Parents should move with decision, requiring that their views of right be followed out.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 216, 217.

“Parents, make home happy for your children. By this I do not mean that you are to indulge them. The more they are indulged, the harder they will be to manage, and the more difficult it will be for them to live true, noble lives when they go out into the world. If you allow them to do as they please, their purity and loveliness of character will quickly fade. Teach them to obey. Let them see that your word must be respected. This may seem to bring them a little unhappiness now but it will save them from much unhappiness in the future. Let the home government be just and tender, full of love and compassion, yet firm and true. Do not permit one disrespectful word or disobedient act.” The Signs of the Times, April 8, 1903.

“The mother should not allow her child to gain an advantage over her in a single instance.” Child Guidance, 283.

Tuesday

3  GLITZ AND GLAMOUR

  • List some of the objections the Lord had against the women of Zion in Isaiah’s day. (Use a Bible dictionary for more insight.) Isaiah 3:16–23.

Note: “The love of display produces extravagance, and in many young people kills the aspiration for a nobler life. Instead of seeking an education, they early engage in some occupation to earn money for indulging the passion for dress. And through this passion many a young girl is beguiled to ruin. …

“Even the day and the services of worship are not exempt from fashion’s domination. … The church is made a parade ground, and the fashions are studied more than the sermon.” Education, 247.

“The idolatry of dress is a moral disease.” Child Guidance, 432.

“Not a few of our people are backsliding. They are imitating the fashions of the world. Their spirituality is dying. Step by step they are approaching world-loving. Selfishness and pride are taking possession of them, and the love of God finds little room in their hearts. Some who were once zealous reformers are now indifferent. Sisters who were once plain in dress are now conforming to fashion.” The Review and Herald, November 17, 1904.

  • In contrast to wearing provocative clothing, how should Chris­tians dress? 1 Timothy 2:9; Romans 13:14.

Note: “You can choose life and salvation if you will, or you can choose to worship self and devote your precious hours of probation to making your person attractive to please the eye of the worldling and the sensualist, to receive flattery from lying lips, and at last reap that harvest which you have been sowing—corruption.” Daughters of God, 121.

“True Christians are elevated in their conversation; and while they believe it to be a sin to condescend to foolish flattery, they are courteous, kind, and benevolent. Their words are those of sincerity and truth. They are faithful in their dealings with their brethren and with the world. In their dress they avoid superfluity and display; but their clothing is modest and arranged upon the person with order and taste.” Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 87.

Wednesday

4  CHOOSE A HIGHER CALLING INSTEAD

  • What serious consequences to our spirituality will showy, provoc­ative habits of dressing have if they are not removed from the church? Isaiah 3:24–26; Matthew 5:27, 28.

Note: “The love of dress endangers the morals and makes woman the opposite of the Christian lady characterized by modesty and sobriety. Showy, extravagant dress too often encourages lust in the heart of the wearer and awakens base passions in the heart of the beholder.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 645.

“Fashion is deteriorating the intellect and eating out the spirituality of our people. Obedience to fashion is pervading our Seventh-day Adventist churches and is doing more than any other power to separate our people from God. I have been shown that our church rules are very deficient. All exhibitions of pride in dress, which is forbidden in the word of God, should be sufficient reason for church discipline. If there is a continuance, in face of warnings and appeals and entreaties, to still follow the perverse will, it may be regarded as proof that the heart is in no way assimilated to Christ. Self, and only self, is the object of adoration, and one such professed Christian will lead many away from God.

“There is a terrible sin upon us as a people, that we have permitted our church members to dress in a manner inconsistent with their faith. We must arise at once and close the door against the allurements of fashion. Unless we do this, our churches will become demoralized.” Ibid., 647, 648.

  • Describe the training to be given to our youth. Titus 2:3–6; 1 Peter 3:1–4.

Note: “Girls should be taught that the true charm of womanliness is not alone in beauty of form or feature, nor in the possession of accomplishments; but in a meek and quiet spirit, in patience, generosity, kindness, and a willingness to do and suffer for others. They should be taught to work, to study to some purpose, to live for some object, to trust in God and fear Him, and to respect their parents. Then as they advance in years, they will grow more pure-minded, self-reliant, and beloved. It will be impossible to degrade such a woman. She will escape the temptations and trials that have been the ruin of so many.” Child Guidance, 140.

Thursday

5  CALLED BY A NAME—OR CONVERTED BY A SAVIOUR?

  • What spiritual pitfall has plagued God’s people, both in Isaiah’s day and ours (keep in mind that, in Bible symbols, “seven” de­notes completeness and a “woman” often refers to a church—Jeremiah 6:2)? Isaiah 4:1. What is God’s response? Isaiah 55:8, 9.

Note: “We must come up to a higher standard, or we are unworthy of the Christian name.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 605.

“The Christian warfare is not a life of indulgence to eat and drink and dress as self-indulgent worldlings. The Lord Jesus came in human nature to our world to give His precious life as an example of what our life should be. He is the specimen, not of spiritual indulgence, but of a life constantly before us of self-denial, self-sacrifice. We have the correct view that Christ our Pattern came to give us. There is before us the Prince of heaven, the Son of God. He laid aside the royal crown and the princely robe and came to take His position in our world as a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief. How few take it in!” The Upward Look, 217.

  • Explain a vital pillar of Christian faith. Luke 9:23–26.

Note: “We have a character to maintain, but it is the character of Christ. … May the Lord help us to die to self, and be born again, that Christ may live in us, a living, active principle, a power that will keep us holy.” My Life Today, 335.

“Let self die. Surrender your will and die to self now, just now, and leave God to make your way for you.” This Day With God, 323.

Friday

 PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

 1      Why is earthly prosperity often a curse and a snare to God’s people?

2      How can we as parents improve in guiding and nurturing our children?

3      Name some vain aspects of dress that show signs of spiritual weakness.

4      How can we lead our youth to develop holier tastes and purer minds?

5      In what ways am I being self-willed instead of surrendered to God?

Copyright © 2016 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Bible Study Guides – Insights from the Book of Isaiah (1) — The State of the Vineyard

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October 1 – 7, 2017

Key Text

“What could have been done more to My vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes” (Isaiah 5:4)?

Study Help: Prophets and Kings, 15–22, 303–305.

Introduction

“Yield up your self-will, the long idolized habits peculiar to yourself, that you may receive the principles of truth. Thus you become a branch of the True Vine, and you will not bear wild grapes or thorn-berries, but rich clusters of precious fruit.” The Review and Herald, April 12, 1892.

Sunday

1  THE CHERISHED VINEYARD

  • For what purposes did the Creator establish the Hebrew nation? Genesis 12:2; Deuteronomy 7:6–8; 26:17–19.
  • Why was this nation to be deeply grateful to God? Deuteronomy 32:9–12.
  • How did God plan for the Hebrew nation to bless other nations, and how does this apply to us today? Deuteronomy 4:5–8; Matthew 5:16.

Note: “The Lord has His eye upon every one of His people; He has His plans concerning each. It is His purpose that those who practice His holy precepts shall be a distinguished people. …

“Not to this world only but to the universe are we to make manifest the principles of His [God’s] kingdom.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 12, 13.

Monday

2  THE VINEYARD’S CONDITION TODAY

  • Why was God disappointed with the vineyard He loved? Isaiah 5:1–4.

Note: “They [the Jewish nation] desired to appropriate to themselves the fruits of the vineyard over which they had been made stewards. Their covetousness and greed caused them to be despised even by the heathen. Thus the Gentile world was given occasion to misinterpret the character of God and the laws of His kingdom.” Prophets and Kings, 20, 21.

  • When does the church not bear fruit from the true vine? John 15:4.

Note: “The Lord planted His church as a vine in a fruitful field. … But this vine of God’s planting has inclined to the earth and entwined its tendrils about human supports. Its branches are extended far and wide, but it bears the fruit of a degenerate vine. …

“The Lord has bestowed great blessings upon His church. Justice demands that she return these talents with usury. As the treasures of truth committed to her keeping have increased, her obligations have increased. But instead of improving upon these gifts and going forward unto perfection, she has fallen away from that which she had attained in her earlier experience. The change in her spiritual state has come gradually and almost imperceptibly. As she began to seek the praise and friendship of the world, her faith diminished, her zeal grew languid, her fervent devotion gave place to dead formality. Every advance step toward the world was a step away from God. As pride and worldly ambition have been cherished, the spirit of Christ has departed, and emulation, dissension, and strife have come in to distract and weaken the church.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 240, 241.

  • What kind of fruit is God longing to see us bear? Galatians 5:22, 23.

Note: “The fruit Christ claims, after the patient care bestowed upon His church, is faith, patience, love, forbearance, heavenly-mindedness, meekness. These are clusters of fruit which mature amid storm and cloud and darkness, as well as in the sunshine.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 117.

Tuesday

3  SHUNNING A SHALLOW EXPERIENCE

  • Describe the state of the Lord’s spiritual vineyard in the early reign of Uzziah, king of Judah? 2 Kings 15:1–3; 2 Chronicles 26:1–7, 15.

Note: “The long reign of Uzziah [also known as Azariah] in the land of Judah and Benjamin was characterized by a prosperity greater than that of any other ruler since the death of Solomon, nearly two centuries before. For many years the king ruled with discretion. Under the blessing of Heaven his armies regained some of the territory that had been lost in former years. Cities were rebuilt and fortified, and the position of the nation among the surrounding peoples was greatly strengthened. Commerce revived, and the riches of the nations flowed into Jerusalem.” Prophets and Kings, 303.

  • Name some spiritual blemishes that darkened the picture. 2 Kings 15:4.

Note: “This outward prosperity [under Uzziah] … was not accompanied by a corresponding revival of spiritual power. The temple services were continued as in former years, and multitudes assembled to worship the living God; but pride and formality gradually took the place of humility and sincerity.” Prophets and Kings, 303, 304.

  • How does a neglect to put away evil plague us? Song of Solomon 2:15.

Note: “Many pet and excuse the defects in their characters; but these must all be remedied. Every deviation from the right is sin, and sin must be put away. We cannot afford to walk carelessly before our brethren or before the world.

“Many confess their sins again and again, but do not put them away by genuine repentance. Unless we have a firm purpose and the aid of the grace of God, strong resolutions and vigilant watchfulness will be vain and powerless when temptations assail the soul.” The Signs of the Times, March 6, 1884.

“It is the little foxes that spoil the vines, the little neglects, the little deficiencies, the little dishonesties, the little departures from principle, that blind the soul and separate it from God.” In Heavenly Places, 226.

Wednesday

3  TARNISHED BY PRIDE

  • Why did disaster come upon Uzziah? 2 Chronicles 26:16–21; Numbers 15:30.

Note: “The sin that resulted so disastrously to Uzziah was one of presumption. In violation of a plain command of Jehovah, that none but the descendants of Aaron should officiate as priests, the king entered the sanctuary ‘to burn incense upon the altar.’ Azariah the high priest and his associates remonstrated, and pleaded with him to turn from his purpose. ‘Thou hast trespassed,’ they urged; ‘neither shall it be for thine honor’ (2 Chronicles 26:16, 18).

“Uzziah was filled with wrath that he, the king, should be thus rebuked. But he was not permitted to profane the sanctuary against the united protest of those in authority. While standing there, in wrathful rebellion, he was suddenly smitten with a divine judgment. Leprosy appeared on his forehead. In dismay he fled, never again to enter the temple courts. Unto the day of his death, some years later, Uzziah remained a leper—a living example of the folly of departing from a plain ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ Neither his exalted position nor his long life of service could be pleaded as an excuse for the presumptuous sin by which he marred the closing years of his reign, and brought upon himself the judgment of Heaven.” Prophets and Kings, 304.

“The Lord has ordained men to certain positions in his church, and He would not have them step out of the places to which He has appointed them. When the Lord gives them a measure of success, they are not to become lifted up, and think themselves qualified to do a work for which they are not fitted, and to which God has not called them.” The Review and Herald, August 14, 1900.

  • How does God consider pride? Proverbs 6:16, 17; James 4:6.

Note: “He who falls into some of the grosser sins may feel a sense of his shame and poverty and his need of the grace of Christ; but pride feels no need, and so it closes the heart against Christ and the infinite blessings He came to give.” Steps to Christ, 30.

“Pride, self-confidence, love of the world, fault-finding, bitterness, envy, are the fruit borne by many who profess the religion of Christ. Their deportment is in sharp contrast to the character of Christ. … With such conversions Christ had no connection.” The Review and Herald, April 15, 1902.

Thursday

4  FACING CONSEQUENCES OR CHOOSING CONSECRATION?

  •  Describe the prevailing conditions in Israel and Judah at the time Isaiah was called to serve as a prophet. Isaiah 1:1–9, 21–23.

Note: “The reign of Uzziah was drawing to a close, and Jotham was already bearing many of the burdens of state, when Isaiah, of the royal line, was called, while yet a young man, to the prophetic mission. … The divine protection was being removed, and the Assyrian forces were about to overspread the land of Judah.

“But the dangers from without, overwhelming though they seemed, were not so serious as the dangers from within. It was the perversity of his people that brought to the Lord’s servant the greatest perplexity and the deepest depression.” Prophets and Kings, 305.

  • What summarizes the plight of the faithful, then and now? Psalm 11:3.

Note: “With oppression and wealth came pride and love of display, gross drunkenness, and a spirit of revelry. … Iniquitous practices had become so prevalent among all classes that the few who remained true to God were often tempted to lose heart and to give way to discouragement and despair.” Prophets and Kings, 306.

“While others are panting after earthly enjoyments, be ye panting after the unmistakable assurance of the love of God, earnestly, fervently crying: Who will show me how to make my calling and election sure?” Testimonies, vol. 2, 145.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

 1      What caused the faith of God’s church to decline?

2      Name one seemingly small oversight during Uzziah’s reign.

3      Why does God consider pride such a grievous sin? Do we?

4      How did Judah’s superficial prosperity eventually affect them as a nation?

5     In an age of degeneracy, what do God’s faithful few need to realize?

Copyright © 2016 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

Recipe – Creamy Tomato Bisque Soup

by

 

1 qt. tomatoes                                                        ¾ cup cashews, rinsed in hot water
1 6-oz. jar tomato paste                                        1 onion, cut into large chunks
1 cup hot water                                                      1 cup fresh tomatoes, chopped
1 tsp. salt                                                                 ½ cup black olives, chopped
½ tsp. dried oregano or sweet basil
Puree tomatoes and tomato paste. Pour into pan. Blend hot water, salt, oregano or basil, cashews and onion until creamy and add to first ingredients. Add chopped tomatoes and olives. Cook uncovered on medium-low heat until hot but not boiling. Remove from heat and cover. Let stand 5–10 minutes. Serve.