Reformation Herald Publishing

Choices in the Life of Lot

by

May 3 – 9, 2026

Key Text

“Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.” 2 Peter 2:9

Study Help: Patriarchs and Prophets, 56–170; Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, 108–113

Introduction

“It will be more tolerable in the day of judgment for the cities of the plain than for those who have known the love of Christ, and yet have turned away to choose the pleasures of a world of sin.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 165

Sunday

1 A SERIOUS MISTAKE

1.a. When Lot and Abraham separated, what mistake did Lot make, and why? Genesis 13:10–13; Jude 7

 

Note: “Lot chose Sodom for his home because he saw that there were advantages to be gained there from a worldly point of view. But after he had established himself, and grown rich in earthly treasure, he was convinced that he had made a mistake in not taking into consideration the moral standing of the community in which he was to make his home.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, 110

1.b. What should we remember when we choose a place to establish our residence? Ephesians 5:8–11; 1 Corinthians 15:33

 

Note: “In choosing a home, God would have us consider, first of all, the moral and religious influences that will surround us and our families. We may be placed in trying positions, for many cannot have their surroundings what they would; and whenever duty calls us, God will enable us to stand uncorrupted, if we watch and pray, trusting in the grace of Christ. But we should not needlessly expose ourselves to influences that are unfavorable to the formation of Christian character. When we voluntarily place ourselves in an atmosphere of worldliness and unbelief, we displease God and drive holy angels from our homes.

“Those who secure for their children worldly wealth and honor at the expense of their eternal interests, will find in the end that these advantages are a terrible loss. Like Lot, many see their children ruined, and barely save their own souls.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 169

Monday

2 A GOOD EXAMPLE

2.a. Why can it be said that, though Lot was in Sodom, he was not of Sodom? 2 Peter 2:7, 8

 

Note: “In Sodom there was mirth and revelry, feasting and drunkenness. The vilest and most brutal passions were unrestrained. The people openly defied God and His law and delighted in deeds of violence.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 157

“The dwellers in Sodom were corrupt; vile conversation greeted his [Lot’s] ears daily, and his righteous soul was vexed by the violence and crime he was powerless to prevent. His children were becoming like these wicked people, for association with them had perverted their morals. Taking all these things into consideration, the worldly riches he had gained seemed small and not worth the price he had paid for them.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, 110

2.b. What can we learn from the consistent attitude of Lot while he lived in Sodom? Genesis 19:1–3; Hebrews 13:2

 

Note: “Seeing the abuse to which strangers were exposed in Sodom, Lot made it one of his duties to guard them at their entrance, by offering them entertainment at his own house. He was sitting at the gate as the travelers approached, and upon observing them, he rose from his place to meet them.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 158

Tuesday

3 A CORRUPTING INFLUENCE

3.a. Despite the detrimental influence upon the spiritual stability of Lot, what did his appeal to the Sodomites reveal? Genesis 19:6–8. What should we learn from Lot’s experience in Sodom?

 

Note: “When iniquity abounds in a nation, there is always to be heard some voice giving warning and instruction, as the voice of Lot was heard in Sodom. Yet Lot could have preserved his family from many evils had he not made his home in this wicked, polluted city. All that Lot and his family did in Sodom could have been done by them, even if they had lived in a place some distance away from the city. Enoch walked with God, and yet he did not live in the midst of any city polluted with every kind of violence and wickedness, as did Lot in Sodom.” Evangelism, 78

3.b. What type of mentality did Lot’s daughters develop while living in Sodom? Genesis 19:30–32

 

Note: “The sinful conduct of his [Lot’s] daughters was the result of the evil associations of that vile place. Its moral corruption had become so interwoven with their character that they could not distinguish between good and evil. Lot’s only posterity, the Moabites and Ammonites, were vile, idolatrous tribes, rebels against God and bitter enemies of His people” Patriarchs and Prophets, 167, 168

“The sinful conduct of his [Lot’s] daughters after leaving Sodom was the result of wicked associations while there. The sense of right and wrong was confused in their minds, and sin did not appear as sin to them.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, 112

Wednesday

4 THE LAST CALL

4.a. Why did God not give Sodom one more chance as He later did for Nineveh? Genesis 18:32; 19:13, 14; Jonah 3:5, 10

 

Note: “The Sodomites had passed the boundary of mercy, and no more light was granted to them prior to their destruction. Had the warning gone through these cities of the plain, and had they been told just what was to come, who of them would have believed it?” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 1, 1093, 1094

4.b. What call did God’s messengers extend to Lot and his family? What warnings should we heed from that call and from Lot’s hesitation? Genesis 19:15–26; 2 Timothy 2:19

 

Note: “How reluctant was Lot to obey the angel and go as far as possible from corrupt Sodom, appointed to utter destruction! He distrusted God and pleaded to remain. Living in the wicked city had weakened his faith and confidence in the justice of the Lord. He pleaded that he could not do as he was required, lest some evil should overtake him, and he should die. Angels were sent on a special mission to save the lives of Lot and his family; but Lot had so long been surrounded by corrupting influences that his sensibilities were blunted, and he could not discern the works of God and His purposes; he could not trust himself in His hands to do His bidding. He was continually pleading for himself, and this unbelief cost him the life of his wife.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, 111

Thursday

5 A WARNING FOR OUR DAYS

5.a. Give the reasons why the attitude of Lot’s wife should be taken as a warning in these last days. Luke 17:32

 

Note: “The wife of Lot was a selfish, irreligious woman, and her influence was exerted to separate her husband from Abraham. But for her, Lot would not have remained in Sodom, deprived of the counsel of the wise, God-fearing patriarch. The influence of his wife and the associations of that wicked city would have led him to apostatize from God had it not been for the faithful instruction he had early received from Abraham. The marriage of Lot and his choice of Sodom for a home were the first links in a chain of events fraught with evil to the world for many generations.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 174

“While her [Lot’s wife’s] body was upon the plain, her heart clung to Sodom, and she perished with it. She rebelled against God because His judgments involved her possessions and her children in the ruin. Although so greatly favored in being called out from the wicked city, she felt that she was severely dealt with, because the wealth that it had taken years to accumulate must be left to destruction. Instead of thankfully accepting deliverance, she presumptuously looked back to desire the life of those who had rejected the divine warning.” Ibid., 161

5.b. What lesson does the history of Sodom and Gomorrah teach us today? 2 Peter 2:6; Luke 17:28–30

 

Note: “The flames that consumed the cities of the plain shed their warning light down even to our time. We are taught the fearful and solemn lesson that while God’s mercy bears long with the transgressor, there is a limit beyond which men may not go on in sin. When that limit is reached, then the offers of mercy are withdrawn, and the ministration of judgment begins.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 162–165

“Licentiousness is the special sin of this age. Never did vice lift its deformed head with such boldness as now. The people seem to be benumbed, and the lovers of virtue and true goodness are nearly discouraged by its boldness, strength, and prevalence. The iniquity which abounds is not merely confined to the unbeliever and the scoffer. Would that this were the case, but it is not. Many men and women who profess the religion of Christ are guilty. Even some who profess to be looking for His appearing are no more prepared for that event than Satan himself. They are not cleansing themselves from all pollution. They have so long served their lust that it is natural for their thoughts to be impure and their imaginations corrupt. It is as impossible to cause their minds to dwell upon pure and holy things as it would be to turn the course of Niagara and send its waters pouring up the falls.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, 346

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

  1. How may our priorities be perilously out of order as were Lot’s?
  2. What good qualities can we learn from the example of Lot?
  3. Why was the character of Lot’s daughters so different from his?
  4. Knowing well the corruption in Sodom, why did Lot delay his exit?
  5. What solemn warnings are we to heed from this lesson?

Copyright 1997, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

The Call of Abraham

by

The Second Angel’s Message

April 26 – May 2, 2026

Key Text

“Now the Lord had said to Abram: Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.” Genesis 12:1

Study Help: The Ministry of Healing, 363–367; Patriarchs and Prophets, 125–131

Introduction

“In order that God might qualify him for his great work as the keeper of the sacred oracles, Abraham must be separated from the associations of his early life.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 126

Sunday

1 WIDESPREAD APOSTASY FROM BABEL

1.a. After the dispersion from Babel, what spiritual condition developed in nearly all the inhabited areas of the world, including in the household of Abraham’s father? Joshua 24:2

 

Note: “After the dispersion from Babel idolatry again became well-nigh universal, and the Lord finally left the hardened transgressors to follow their evil ways, while He chose Abraham, of the line of Shem, and made him the keeper of His law for future generations. Abraham had grown up in the midst of superstition and heathenism. Even his father’s household, by whom the knowledge of God had been preserved, were yielding to the seductive influences surrounding them, and they ‘served other gods’ than Jehovah. But the true faith was not to become extinct.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 125

1.b. From age to age and through deep apostasy, how has God preserved His truth? Romans 11:4, 5

 

Note: “God has ever preserved a remnant to serve Him. Adam, Seth, Enoch, Methuselah, Noah, Shem, in unbroken line, had preserved from age to age the precious revealings of His will. The son of Terah became the inheritor of this holy trust.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 125

“From the beginning, faithful souls have constituted the church on earth. In every age the Lord has had His watchmen, who have borne a faithful testimony to the generation in which they lived.” The Acts of the Apostles, 11

Monday

2 A WISE MOVE

2.a. In the providence of God, what did Terah do for the spiritual benefit of his household? Genesis 11:31. What should be our main consideration when deciding where to live?

 

Note: “The gospel is a wonderful simplifier of life’s problems. Its instruction, heeded, would make plain many a perplexity and save us from many an error. It teaches us to estimate things at their true value and to give the most effort to the things of greatest worth—the things that will endure. This lesson is needed by those upon whom rests the responsibility of selecting a home. They should not allow themselves to be diverted from the highest aim. Let them remember that the home on earth is to be a symbol of and a preparation for the home in heaven. Life is a training school, from which parents and children are to be graduated to the higher school in the mansions of God. As the location for a home is sought, let this purpose direct the choice. Be not controlled by the desire for wealth, the dictates of fashion, or the customs of society. Consider what will tend most to simplicity, purity, health, and real worth.” The Ministry of Healing, 363

2.b. What shows that it was God who influenced the decision to leave that center of idolatry called Ur? Genesis 15:7. What should we realize about the blessing of God’s guidance?

 

Note: “God desires to bring men into direct relation with Himself. In all His dealings with human beings He recognizes the principle of personal responsibility. He seeks to encourage a sense of personal dependence and to impress the need of personal guidance. He desires to bring the human into association with the divine, that men may be transformed into the divine likeness. Satan works to thwart this purpose. He seeks to encourage dependence upon men. When minds are turned away from God, the tempter can bring them under his rule. He can control humanity.” The Ministry of Healing, 242, 243

Tuesday

3 A NEEDED SEPARATION

3.a. Whom did God choose as a lightbearer? What characteristic qualified him to be chosen? Nehemiah 9:7, 8

 

Note: “The son of Terah became the inheritor of this holy trust [the precious revealings of His will]. Idolatry invited him on every side, but in vain. Faithful among the faithless, uncorrupted by the prevailing apostasy, he steadfastly adhered to the worship of the one true God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 125

3.b. Later, what message of God came to Abraham while he was in Haran? Genesis 12:1, 4

 

Note: “The influence of kindred and friends would interfere with the training which the Lord purposed to give His servant. Now that Abraham was, in a special sense, connected with heaven, he must dwell among strangers. His character must be peculiar, differing from all the world. He could not even explain his course of action so as to be understood by his friends. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned, and his motives and actions were not comprehended by his idolatrous kindred.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 126

Wednesday

4 DIVINE LIGHT COMES TO CANAAN

4.a. Why did the two brothers—Abraham and Nahor—have to separate from each other? Amos 3:3

 

Note: “Here [at Haran] Abraham remained till the death of Terah. But from his father’s grave the divine Voice bade him go forward. His brother Nahor with his household clung to their home and their idols. Besides Sarah, the wife of Abraham, only Lot, the son of Haran long since dead, chose to share the patriarch’s pilgrim life. Yet it was a large company that set out from Mesopotamia. …

“During their stay in Haran, both Abraham and Sarah had led others to the worship and service of the true God. These attached themselves to the patriarch’s household, and accompanied him to the land of promise.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 127

4.b. Why did God want Abraham to pitch his tent in Canaan, although the land was full of idolatry? Genesis 12:5, 8

 

Note: “Abraham, ‘the friend of God,’ set us a worthy example. His was a life of prayer. Wherever he pitched his tent, close beside it was set up his altar, calling all within his encampment to the morning and evening sacrifice. When his tent was removed, the altar remained. In following years, there were those among the roving Canaanites who received instruction from Abraham; and whenever one of these came to that altar, he knew who had been there before him; and when he had pitched his tent, he repaired the altar, and there worshiped the living God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 128

Thursday

5 A TEST OF FAITH

5.a. How was Abraham’s faith tested after he had settled down in Canaan in obedience to God’s command? Genesis 12:10. What lesson did God want to teach Abraham as well as each of His children today?

 

Note: “Abraham could not explain the leadings of Providence; he had not realized his expectations; but he held fast the promise, ‘I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing’ (Genesis 12:2). With earnest prayer he considered how to preserve the life of his people and his flocks, but he would not allow circumstances to shake his faith in God’s word. To escape the famine, he went down into Egypt. He did not forsake Canaan, or in his extremity turn back to the Chaldean land from which he came, where there was no scarcity of bread; but he sought a temporary refuge as near as possible to the Land of Promise, intending shortly to return where God had placed him.

“The Lord in His providence had brought this trial upon Abraham to teach him lessons of submission, patience, and faith—lessons that were to be placed on record for the benefit of all who should afterward be called to endure affliction. God leads His children by a way that they know not, but He does not forget or cast off those who put their trust in Him.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 129

5.b.  For what purpose does God permit trials to come upon His servants? Deuteronomy 8:2; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:6, 7. What should we never overlook when we are tempted? Psalm 145:18

 

Note: “God permits trials to assail His people, that by their constancy and obedience they themselves may be spiritually enriched, and that their example may be a source of strength to others. ‘I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil’ (Jeremiah 29:11). The very trials that task our faith most severely and make it seem that God has forsaken us, are to lead us closer to Christ, that we may lay all our burdens at His feet and experience the peace which He will give us in exchange.

“God has always tried His people in the furnace of affliction. It is in the heat of the furnace that the dross is separated from the true gold of the Christian character. Jesus watches the test; He knows what is needed to purify the precious metal, that it may reflect the radiance of His love. It is by close, testing trials that God disciplines His servants. He sees that some have powers which may be used in the advancement of His work, and He puts these persons upon trial; in His providence He brings them into positions that test their character and reveal defects and weaknesses that have been hidden from their own knowledge. He gives them opportunity to correct these defects and to fit themselves for His service. He shows them their own weakness, and teaches them to lean upon Him; for He is their only help and safeguard. Thus, His object is attained. They are educated, trained, and disciplined, prepared to fulfill the grand purpose for which their powers were given them. When God calls them to action, they are ready, and heavenly angels can unite with them in the work to be accomplished on the earth.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 129, 130

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

  1. How is the spiritual atmosphere prevailing today similar to that which existed in the days of Abraham?
  2. What reformatory step taken by Terah is exemplary for us today?
  3. In preparing Abraham to be a lightbearer, what did God command him to do, and why?
  4. What should we learn from God’s purpose in sending Abraham to Canaan?
  5. Explain how our trials are to benefit us.

Copyright 1997, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

Recipe – Caramel Vanilla Bean Hazelnut Milk

by

Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts are known for their unique flavor, which many enthusiasts describe as nutty, creamy, and earthy with a smooth buttery flavor.

The word hazel comes from the Anglo-Saxon word haesel, meaning “bonnet.” As they grow on the branch, hazelnuts are surrounded by a green husk. They are also called filberts, which comes from the German word vollbart, meaning “full beard.” The scientific name of the world’s most commonly-cultivated hazelnut species is Corylus avellana. Corylus comes from the Greek word for “helmet,” in reference to the hazelnut’s shell.

Hazelnuts are monoecious, meaning they have separate male and female flowers on the same tree. In late winter, small spiny flowers (female) and long, trailing gold catkins (male) come into maturity on the trees. Hazelnut trees rely on the wind, birds, or insects to cross-pollinate, transferring pollen from one variety of hazelnut to another tree nearby. Hazelnut trees are slow growers, taking up to a year following pollination for hazelnuts to be ready to harvest.

Hazelnuts have the highest folate and proanthocyanidin of any tree nut. Folate is an essential B vitamin that helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, depression, and birth defects in newborns. Hazelnuts are also a potent natural source of proanthocyanidin, which is a polyphenol compound with high levels of antioxidants that may help reduce the risk of blood clotting and urinary tract infections. They are also high in dietary fiber, vitamin E, and essential minerals like zinc and magnesium.

Ancient Greeks used hazelnuts in treatment of cough and baldness.

Hazelnuts can be enjoyed raw, roasted, or added to various dishes, including salads, cereals, desserts, yogurt, milks, or as a creamer in hot or cold drinks, providing a delicious and nutritious addition to the diet.

www.chukar.com/blog/northwest-hazelnut-facts

Recipe – Caramel Vanilla Bean Hazelnut Milk

Ingredients

¾ cup raw hazelnuts

¼ cup raw almonds

3 ½ cups water

2 ½-3 pitted dates

1 vanilla bean, roughly chopped

¼ tsp. cardamom

tiny pinch salt (optional)

Process

Cover the hazelnuts and almonds with water. Soak overnight for 8-12 hours. Rinse and drain. Place into a blender along with water, dates, vanilla bean, cardamom, and salt. Blend for 1 minute or so. Pour the milk mixture into a milk bag over a bowl. Gently squeeze the bag for 3-5 minutes to release the milk, leaving about 1 cup pulp. Pour into a jar with a lid. Refrigerate. Shake before using.

God’s Gifts to His Last-day People

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To be a Free Seventh-day Adventist, you must first be a Seventh-day Adventist. To be a Seventh-day Adventist, you must first be an Adventist. You cannot be an Adventist, and therefore, cannot be a Free Seventh-day Adventist, if you do not believe the Bible doctrine of the Investigative Judgment, a foundational doctrine to the advent faith.

Critics within the Seventh-day Adventist church are working to undermine the doctrine of the Investigative Judgment, saying that it can only be proven from the Spirit of Prophecy. This is why, when I address the subject, I use the Bible alone. While the Spirit of Prophecy is helpful in proving the doctrine, it is not needed.

For the sake of this study, we will assume that you already understand and believe in the Investigative Judgment.

“Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14

Two statements.

  1. The second advent movement is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
  2. The second advent movement has within it the gift of prophecy. This also is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

Now we will look for the evidence to prove these statements from the Bible.

“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people—saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.’ ” Revelation 14:6, 7

Revelation shows us that there are many messages delivered by many angels. These angels are given control of what is going on in the world. For example:

“After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree.” Revelation 7:1

When these four angels let loose of the four winds, there will be an unimaginable scene of strife and trouble in this world. But for now, they are still holding them back.

“The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.” Revelation 1:20

Seven churches. Each representing the changing spiritual characteristics of God’s church throughout history. Every church has an angel whose work is to impress the minds of the people, but they are not commissioned to preach the gospel. God asks His people to be coworkers with Him in spreading the gospel.

The first angel.

Revelation 14:6 tells us that the first angel’s message will be given to “those who dwell on the earth— to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.” What is his message? The everlasting gospel. The power of this gospel makes it possible for a soul to be set free from sin and its guilt, and the character to be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Those who accept the gospel message given by the first angel will take it to all the world.

But the first angel’s message includes something in addition to the gospel. Paul wrote about it in Acts 17:31 while preaching to the Athenians.

“Because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him [Jesus] from the dead.”

Paul preached that a day is coming when God will judge the people of the world. Notice, Paul indicates that this is a future event.

Paul also preached the message of a coming, future judgment to Felix, governor of Judea and Samaria, and a very wicked man. Speaking to Felix, Paul offered him his one and best chance to have eternal life; the same gift offered to all who accept the everlasting gospel.

“Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time, I will call for you.’ ” Acts 24:25

Paul told Felix there was a judgment coming, not in their day, but in the future. He told the Athenians God had appointed a specific, future time when He will judge the world in righteousness. And we see in the first angel’s message that that time has come.

“Saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come.’ ” Revelation 14:7

The Protestant reformers didn’t preach that the judgment was happening in the 16th century. Martin Luther knew that the judgment was in the future. A brilliant Bible student, he said the judgment would occur about 300 years into the future. He was very nearly right.

A few facts about the judgment.

  • God’s judgment proceeds from His sanctuary. “He has prepared His throne for judgment.” Psalm 9:7, last part
  • God has prepared His throne for judgment. “A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.” Jeremiah 17:12
  • God’s throne is in His sanctuary. “I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; a fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.” Daniel 7:9, 10

Looking at the context of these two texts, we certainly know that the judgment could not occur until sometime after 1798. The judgment is to set things right in God’s sanctuary. What needs to be set right? That’s not a difficult question to answer.

What needs to be set right?

The Bible is full of information to answer this question.

“Pour out Your indignation upon them, and let Your wrathful anger take hold of them.  Let their habitation be desolate; let no one dwell in their tents. For they persecute Him whom You have struck, and talk of the grief of those You have wounded. Add iniquity to their iniquity, and let them not come into Your righteousness. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.” Psalm 69:24–28

Daniel 7 says there are books in this judgment, the judgment was set, the books were opened, and we see there is a book of the living. But David is talking about the wicked. He says,“Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.” Verse 28

If something is right, there is no need to blot it out. In figurative language, when David says that these names should be blotted out of the book of the living, he means that they are headed for eternal death not eternal life.

The first and second deaths.

The time is coming that if your name is not in the book of the living, you will die forever and never wake up. “Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:14, 15

When you die the first time, your body dies but your character, your spirit, is preserved. Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

We need only fear the first death if we choose not to accept Jesus as our Saviour. In the first death, the soul does not die; man’s body rests in an unconscious state, but the soul resides with God until the resurrection at the second coming. Only Jesus can save your soul. Mankind can destroy the body, but the soul belongs to God. Mrs. White is very clear about this.

“The sword cannot kill the soul, for the life is hid with Christ in God.” Our High Calling, 320

Moses said, “ ‘Yet now, if You will forgive their [the children of Israel’s] sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.’ ” Exodus 32:32

Moses was willing to lose his life eternally to save the children of Israel but the Lord said that’s not the way it is. “And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.’ ” Verse 33

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19

In the judgment, one of two things will happen: sins are blotted out or a name is blotted out. God said, the one who has sinned against Me is the one I will blot out of My book. It makes all the difference in the world whether your name is in the Book of Life, because if it isn’t, in the second death both body and soul are destroyed. This is what is wrong with God’s heavenly sanctuary. There are millions of people all over the world who have accepted Christ as their personal Saviour and their names are written in the Book of Life, but they are not overcoming their sins. The Holy Spirit pleads with them day after day, week after week.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t tell you every sin. He puts His finger on the sin that you need to overcome today. We must listen to our conscience. The Holy Spirit helps us to overcome one sin at a time, because He knows we would be overwhelmed if we had to face all of our sinfulness at once.

God keeps records in His books.

  • God keeps a record of everything that we have ever done, good or bad.

“God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14

  • God has a record of every word that we have ever spoken.

“ ‘I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.’ ” Matthew 12:36, 37

  • God has a record of every thought you have ever thought.

“ ‘I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory.’ ” Isaiah 66:18

“O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.” Psalm 139:1–4

That is something beyond human comprehension, but there is very good evidence in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy that it is so. God understands your thought before you think it, your words before you speak them.

“Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens [earthly sanctuary] should be purified with these [animal sacrifices], but the heavenly things themselves [heavenly sanctuary] with better sacrifices [sacrifices of Christ] than these. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” Hebrews 9:23–26

Jesus was not sacrificed on the cross just so that He could forgive your sins, He was sacrificed on the cross so that He could put away sin.

The 144,000 are a special group mentioned in the book of Revelation, but if you are not part of the 144,000 then this verse applies to you, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.” Verses 27, 28, first part

Your judgment occurs after your death. For the 144,000, judgment occurs during their lifetime and at the same time as those who are not part of the 144,000 and who will be lost in the last generation. While people are living in the world, their destiny will be decided.

“Unto evenings and mornings two thousand three hundred, then the sanctuary will be cleansed [set right, justified, vindicated].” Daniel 8:14

God’s gifts.

The Bible teaches that in the last days, during the time of the judgment, God will give to His people the gift of prophecy.

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25–27

When Jesus comes again, He will have a holy church without blemish. How is the Lord ever going to get a church like that?

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11–13

The purpose of these gifts is to educate and train God’s church and to equip the saints to do the work of ministry. Only then will we come together, unified in faith in the Son of God until we are remade into a perfect man after the likeness of Christ. Only then will God have a church ready to be received at Jesus’ second coming.

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” Malachi 4:5, 6

The great and dreadful day of the Lord is still a future event. Before it comes, God said He would send an Elijah prophet. That prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus came the first time. However, that wasn’t the final fulfillment. When Jesus came the first time, it was the great and dreadful day of the Lord. So, we know that God will send another Elijah prophet and then the future great and dreadful day of the Lord will come.

“ ‘And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

“ ‘And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth; blood and fire and pillars of smoke [Hebrew: pillars of smoke in the shape of a palm tree]. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord.

“ ‘And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the Lord has said, [and] among the remnant whom the Lord calls.’ ” Joel 2:28–32

Each verse should stand on its own weight.

I had a theology teacher who would say, “Make each verse that you preach stand on its own weight.” When a verse says something important, you need to be sure that you let that verse stand and give its testimony. Let’s use this principle and allow Revelation 12:17, to give its testimony.

“The dragon [devil] was enraged with the woman [pure church clothed with the sun and the moon is under her feet] and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring [the remnant, the last church], who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

This verse says very clearly that the last pure church of God on this earth, will have two characteristics. First, His church will keep His commandments.

James says, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10

You cannot be called a commandment-keeping Christian:

  • If you do not keep all ten of the commandments including the fourth, the Sabbath commandment.
  • If you condone men and women living together without being married.
  • If you worship any kind of idol.
  • If you kneel before another man.
  • If you worship on Sunday.
  • If you speak lies.
  • If you practice unrighteousness.

Once you study the ten commandments, you will find that all of mankind will be excluded from heaven except the saints, holy people spotless and without blemish. The Bible says, “Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.” Romans 7:12

So, the person who keeps the commandments is made holy through obedience. The person who breaks one or more of the commandments is an unholy person; that includes almost everyone.

Second, God’s church has the testimony of Jesus.

“I [John] fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that!’ ” Revelation 19:10, first part

Angels do not accept worship. But all around the world we see sinful man bowing and worshiping sinful man.

“ ‘I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.’ ” Verse 10, last part. What is the testimony of Jesus? The Spirit of Prophecy. And only God’s last-day people will have it.

Skeptical people.

This world is filled with skeptical people. People who may believe in something or part of something, but still hold back. Let’s look at three questions that we must have the answers to.

  1. Does God exist? That wasn’t a hard question for me to answer. I knew that God existed because in the past He had directly answered so many of my prayers.
  2. Is the Bible His book? Do you believe that all 66 books are inspired? There’s argument about this because the Roman Catholic Church says that the Apocrypha is inspired. I spent several months studying this and I knew the Apocrypha is not inspired. The Protestant Reformers didn’t believe the Apocrypha was inspired. The Jews in Jesus’ day knew that the Apocrypha wasn’t inspired, but people now are mixed up. There are some people who can’t figure out whether the books of James and 2 Peter should be in the New Testament or whether the book of Esther should be in the Old Testament. However, all of my studies have led me to believe in the inspiration of all 66 books.
  3. Is Ellen White a prophet of God? What are the Bible tests of a prophet?

        a) A prophet of God will always teach in harmony with the law of God.

“To the law and to the testimony! If they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20

       b) Does this prophet’s work bear good fruit? “You will know them [false prophets in sheep’s clothing] by their fruits. … Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. … Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Matthew                7:16–20

       c) A true prophet always glorifies Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “And when He [the Holy Spirit] has come … He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” John 16:8, first part, 14

      d) A person who has the gift of prophecy will have visions and dreams.

“If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord will reveal Myself to him in a vision and in a dream.” Numbers 12:6

When a prophet is in vision, they lose all strength, they lose all breath and yet are able to continue speaking, sometimes remaining in vision for hours. There is documented evidence that this was Mrs. White’s experience when she was in vision. You             cannot fake it. Only God provides the strength to maintain the prophet.

       e) A true prophet will confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh (1 John 4:1–3). If they do not, then the spirit that actuates them is the spirit of antichrist.

        f) A true prophet will make predictions that will be fulfilled.

In 1922, F. C. Gilbert wrote and published Divine Predictions Fulfilled, which contains many examples of Mrs. White’s predictions. Prophet of the End, written by Vance Ferrell mentions many more.

Take heed of the prophet’s predictions.

We must be aware of the importance of Mrs. White’s predictions concerning the end of time.

“The time is fast coming when the controlling power of the labor unions will be very oppressive. Again and again, the Lord has instructed that our people are to take their families away from the cities, into the country, where they can raise their own provisions; for in the future the problem of buying and selling will be a very serious one.” Letter 5, 1904

If the truckers’ union went on strike, it would only be a matter of days before grocery store shelves would be empty. If the dock workers’ union went on strike, necessities arriving by ship would sit offshore, rotting and deteriorating inside storage containers disrupting the supply chain. Oil would sit in tankers offshore and soon gas would be unavailable.

“We should now begin to heed the instruction given us over and over again: Get out of the cities into rural districts, where the houses are not crowded closely together, and where you will be free from the interference of enemies.” Ibid.

“It is Satan’s purpose to attract men and women to the cities, and to gain his object he invents every kind of novelty and amusement, every kind of excitement. And the cities of the earth today are becoming as were the cities before the Flood. …

“In the days before the Flood, every kind of amusement was invented to lead men and women to forgetfulness and sin. Today, … Satan is working with intensity, that the same conditions of evil shall prevail. And the earth is becoming corrupt. …

“At such a time as this, the people who are seeking to keep the commandments of God should look for retired places away from the cities.” Country Living, 14

“Men are seeking to bring those engaged in the different trades under bondage to certain unions. This is not God’s planning, but the planning of a power that we should in no wise acknowledge. …

“We are not to unite with secret societies or with trades unions. We are to stand free in God, looking constantly to Christ for instruction.” Ibid., 11

“The trade unions will be one of the agencies that will bring upon this earth a time of trouble such as has not been since the world began.” Letter 200, 1903

We were given a warning over a hundred years ago. The question is, are we listening? Friend, this world is headed very rapidly toward total destruction. Will you listen to God’s instruction so that you might be delivered when the rest of this world is destroyed?

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

Lupin Beans

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As much as soy is talked about today, it wasn’t always a well-known product in the West. In fact, scholars of Asian culture and social development, noticed how people in China lived long lives, had large families, and worked the land diligently from generation to generation with trade in soybeans as their main source of income. Their entire livelihood was based on this grain. It took them decades to explore its value and excellent nutritional properties. This product has been an icon of Asian cuisine and life for millennia.

However, in another part of the world, also relatively unknown until the last century, there is a legume very similar to soybean that is native to the South American Andes: the lupin bean.

Lupin bean is a legume cultivated by the ancient inhabitants of the central Andean region since pre-Incan times. According to studies, its cultivation began approximately between 2500 and 2200 BC. Native to the Andes, lupin beans grow at altitudes between 0.1–2.5 miles above sea level, in temperate and cold climates.

Once washed and cooked, it is ready for human consumption. Currently, lupin bean has a strong presence in traditional Ecuadorian cuisine, and because it is a food very rich in protein, it is nutritionally very good for our bodies, even more so than soybeans.

Its cultivation and consumption have grown gradually in recent years due to the ease with which the plant thrives in any type of soil. Lupin has many uses, including medicinal, industrial, and agricultural, and there are also experiments underway to use the plant’s residue as fuel.

Characteristics

Technical name: Lupi Nut

Family: Fabaceae, Leguminosae

Scientific name: Lupinus mutabilis Sweet

Common name: Chocho

Origin: America and Mediterranean

Lupin is an annual plant. Depending on the species it can reach a height of six feet and more. Each plant produces eight to 28 elongated pods, one to two inches long, containing six to eight oval beans that vary in color from white, gray, tan, brown, black, and marbled. They have a high content of calcium, phosphorus, iron, protein, and oils. Various products can be derived from the lupin bean and used in food once the alkaloids that make it bitter have been removed through debittering, either by cooking or prolonged soaking.

Growing Climate

The optimal temperature for this crop is between 46° F and 57° F. It should not be planted in areas at risk of frost and hail, which especially affect the plant in its initial stages of development, though it can withstand these conditions in its adult stage.

Cultivation

The lupin crop is located in the Andes Mountains, in the provinces of Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Pichincha, Bolívar, Tungurahua, Carchi, and Imbabura. It is planted in dry, sandy areas between December and March and has a vegetative cycle of six to eight months, depending on whether it is an early or late variety. It does not need much humidity but is affected by excessive drought. It requires between six and seven hours of sunlight daily.

It thrives in well-aerated, loose soils with a balanced nutrient profile, predominantly phosphorus and potassium, with good natural drainage and a pH between 5.6 and 6.8. During flower and fruit formation, it requires a large amount of water.

Harvest

The lupin bean is harvested when the leaves yellow and fall from the plant, the stem becomes woody, the pods dry, and the beans can withstand the pressure of a fingernail.

Up to two harvests can be carried out: early-maturing ecotypes (six months) and long-cycle ecotypes (12 months). The first harvest is when the central stems are dry, and their beans are used as seed because they are larger and more uniform.

The second harvest takes place 20 to 30 days later when the lateral branches are mature or dry, with a moisture content of 15% to 18%. Harvesting is done with a sickle.

Uses

Initially, lupin beans were used to make ceviche, potato stew with lupin beans, chili sauces, lupin bean tamales, salads, and refreshing drinks. However, they were mainly consumed as whole beans on their own.

Today, the bean is consumed in stews, purées, sauces, salads, ceviches, soups, lupin bean cream, desserts, and juices. Lupin bean flour can be incorporated up to 15% into baked goods to significantly improve the protein and calorie content.

Growing children are greatly benefitted by the use of lupin thanks to its organic calcium and magnesium content. As a personal recommendation, just wait until you taste lupin in ceviche*, I’m sure you’ll be hooked! Enjoy!

* Ceviche is a cold dish appetizer popular in Latin American countries along the Pacific Ocean. While it is most often made including fish and shrimp, there are many vegan recipes made with a variety of different fruits, vegetables, seasonings, and herbs available online.

Sources: Drummond, C. S.; et al. (2012). “Multiple continental radiations and correlates of diversification in Lupinus(Leguminosae): Testing for key innovation with incomplete taxon sampling.” Systematic Biology. 61 (3): 443–60. doi:10.1093/sysbio/syr126. PMC 3329764. PMID 22228799. Archived from the original on 14 July 2016.

Esteban Salazar is a preventive medicine and lifestyle coach with more than 25 years of experience. His work has expanded as an international speaker and featured guest in many TV and radio shows around the world. He has a bachelor’s degree in Health Ministries and Nutrition from Hartland College, Virginia and also completed additional studies at the E. I. Institute of Applied Chemistry in Mittlesinn, Germany. He enjoys country living with his wife Maritza in the Sierra region of Ecuador. He loves playing the piano, traveling, and vegan cuisine.

The Manatee

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The manatee, commonly called a sea cow, is a large fully-aquatic marine mammal. It can be as much as 9-15 feet long and can weigh 880-1,300 pounds. Females tend to be larger and heavier than the males. Baby manatees weigh 66 pounds at birth. It lives in shallow, marshy coastal areas and rivers in the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, the Amazon basin, and West Africa.

It has a paddle-like tail that looks similar to a beaver’s tail and two flippers. It is slow-moving and curious. The eyes are widely-spaced. The ears are internal, but outside the opening is small. They can be found approximately four inches behind each eye. It emits a wide range of sounds to communicate. And it is believed that taste, smell, sight, sound, and touch are all used to communicate.

The manatee is an herbivore. Its main diet is freshwater and saltwater plants. It has a large, flexible prehensile upper lip which allows it to grip or grasp as it gathers food. It is also used during social interaction and to communicate. An adult manatee has no incisors or canine teeth. Its cheek teeth are replaced multiple times throughout its life. It typically has no more than six teeth in each jaw, similar to an elephant. It has a simple stomach, like the horse, with a large cecum in which tough plant matter can be digested. The intestines are approximately 148 feet long, unusually long for a mammal the size of a manatee. It uses its flippers to walk along the bottom while it digs for plants and roots.

The manatee breeds once every two years and gives birth, generally, to just one calf. Gestation is about 12 months and the calf is totally weaned from the mother in 12-18 months.

Except when with its young or a male following a receptive female, it is a solitary creature. Fifty percent of the day is spent sleeping submerged, though it surfaces at 20-minute intervals for air. The remainder of the day is spent grazing in shallow waters between 3-6 feet deep. It swims up to five miles per hour, but can, in short bursts, swim up to 20 miles per hour.

The manatee is intelligent and capable of performing discrimination tasks including complex associative learning like dolphins and seals, with good long-term memory. Its social interactions are highly complex which may be indicative of higher intelligence. Sadly, it is poorly understood by science.

The manatee’s worst enemy is man who is its main cause of death. Having a curious nature, it encounters man and is killed or harmed by propeller-driven boats and ships. Man also destroys its habitat. It hears at a higher frequency than most mammals its size and large boats emit sound at a lower frequency. This confuses the manatee and explains its lack of awareness when boats are around. However, when boats emit a higher frequency, the manatee will rapidly swim away. It also dies as a result of adverse temperatures, poor water quality, genetic diversity, disease, starvation, and crocodiles that eat their young. Red tide, microscopic algae, has a toxic effect on the manatee’s central nervous system.

If the manatee can manage to survive man, crocodile, and natural causes, it can live up to 60 years. What a magnificent creature!

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manatee

Who Touched Me?

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This woman had been ill for many years. The physicians could not help her, but she believed that if she could touch Jesus, she would be healed.

I’ve been thinking lately about one of my favorite Bible stories. Mark 5 tells us about a woman who had been ill for 12 years. She had seen doctor after doctor, went through treatment after treatment, and spent every dinar she had. She was alone, broke, discouraged, and still sick. Have you ever spent days, weeks, years, living with something, but you don’t know what it is, and the best anyone can tell you is that it just is? She was desperate.

One day she heard that Jesus, the Teacher and Healer, would be coming close by. She had heard what He taught and about those He had healed. Perhaps she personally knew someone He had healed. Sick and weak, she still determined to join the crowd waiting for Him. If she could just get close enough to ask Him to heal her. But when she arrived at the spot He would pass by, there were so many people already gathered, waiting to see Him. How would she ever get close enough?

She determined that if she could just get close enough to touch the hem of His garment, she had faith enough to believe that she would be healed.

I’d like to think about a couple of things that I personally find to be so profound about this story.

  1. The path Christ took that day was not His usual path. Mrs. White tells us that, “Christ understood all that was in her heart, and He placed Himself where she could have the opportunity she desired. He would use that act to distinguish the touch of genuine faith from the casual contact of those who were crowding about Him.” In Heavenly Places, 108
  2. When it seemed impossible for her to connect with Jesus, she pressed forward and touched just the hem of His garment. Immediately, she felt the healing surge spread throughout her body. Because of her faith, Jesus knew the difference between her touch and the indifferent jostling of the crowd. This was no casual touch. It was the touch of faith, and His divine power could not be withheld. It responded to the longing of her heart.

Christ said, “Who touched Me?” Surrounded by people pressing around Him on every side, He felt the touch of faith, the yearning desire for the help only He could give. When it was clear that she could not conceal herself, she came forward, relating the story of her suffering for the last 12 years and her belief that if she could just touch His garment, she would be healed. Then Christ said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.” (See Mark 5:25–34; Daughters of God, 63, 64.)

“Here was distinguished the casual contact from the touch of faith. Prayer and preaching, without the exercise of living faith in God, will be in vain. But the touch of faith opens to us the divine treasure house of power and wisdom; and thus, through instruments of clay, God accomplishes the wonders of His grace.

“This living faith is our great need today. …

“There is a wide difference between a pretended union and a real connection with Christ by faith. …

“This spiritual relation can be established only by the exercise of personal faith. … Our will must be wholly yielded to the divine will … .” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, 228, 229

Story – Mike’s Mystery

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A snowstorm was blowing when Mike got out of school that afternoon. He jerked his collar up around his neck and dashed for the bus.

It was amazing how quiet everything sounded, and how slowly the traffic was moving. All the buses were late, but Mike didn’t realize that. He saw one that looked like his and climbed aboard.

After traveling several miles he glanced out the window and noticed that the streets didn’t look right. He was on the wrong bus!

He would have to get another bus and go back. Did he have enough money for the fare?

He felt in his pocket. Three nickels—fifteen cents. The bus fare back to the school would be ten cents. The fare from school to home would be another ten cents. He didn’t have enough!

Then another idea occurred to him, and he relaxed. He could get off the bus at the next stop and phone home and ask Mother to come to the school for him. That would cost a nickel—for this happened when phone calls cost only five cents. The bus fare back to the school would be ten cents. The total would be fifteen cents, exactly what he had.

He got off the next stop and walked to a drugstore on the corner. The building was crowded with people, mostly children from school trying to keep warm till their buses came. He pressed his way in. The place had a damp, close smell about it.

There was a public phone on the far wall.

Mike put a nickel in and dialed. Really, considering the problem, things were working out remarkably well. He heard the phone ring once on the other end. Then the line went dead.

Mike had never known a phone to act that way before. He hung up and looked for the nickel to come back, but it didn’t.

Better try again.

He put in another nickel and dialed. The phone rang once—and died.

He put in another nickel and dialed a third time. Again the phone rang once and died.

Mike suddenly realized that his money was gone. He was alone, miles from home, with night coming on and a storm blowing, and no one to help him.

Unless Jesus would.

Mike was sure Jesus could. The Bible tells of a thousand wonderful things Jesus did in days gone by. But would He? Would Jesus help a boy find a dime to get home with—in these days?

Mike had it figured out now that a dime would be enough. Ten cents would pay the bus fare back to school, and he had a friend who lived near the bus stop who had a phone he could use to call home.

He closed his eyes in the middle of that crowded store and prayed. “Dear Jesus, please help me get a dime. I’m here all alone by myself, and there isn’t anyone else to help me but You.”

He opened his eyes, and a very wonderful thing happened. A man walked into the store and looked all the boys over carefully. Then he said, “You, boy. Would you like to earn a dime?”

He was pointing at Mike!

“Yes, SIR!” Mike said.

“Then come with me,” the man said. “My car’s stalled outside and I need someone to help me push it. Will you do that?”

Mike pushed, the car started, and the man paid him the dime.

Mike was soon on his way home, sitting in the bus, wondering at the marvelous mystery of it all. Why did the man’s car stall when it did? Why did the man look the boys over so carefully? Why did he choose him? Why did he offer to pay exactly a dime?

“Dear Jesus,” Mike whispered. “Now I know You really do love me, not just because of what the Bible says, but because of what You have done for me today. Thank You so much.”

40 Favorite Children’s Stories, Lawrence Maxwell, ©2009, 10–13

The Duty of Forgiveness

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Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” Christ taught us to pray. But it is most difficult, even for those who claim to be followers of Jesus, to forgive as He forgave us. The true spirit of forgiveness is so little practiced, and so many interpretations are placed upon Christ’s requirement, that its force and beauty are lost sight of. We have very uncertain views of the great mercy and loving kindness of God. He is full of compassion and forgiveness, and freely pardons when we truly repent and confess our sins. But when the message of God’s pardoning love comes from a heart that has an experimental knowledge of it, to those who have not experienced it for themselves it is like speaking in parables. We must bring into our characters the love and sympathy expressed in Christ’s life.

Peter, when brought to the test, sinned greatly. In denying the Master he had loved and served, he became a cowardly apostate. But his Lord did not cast him off; He freely forgave him. After the resurrection, an angel told the women who came to the tomb with spices, to carry the glad news of a risen Lord to the “disciples and Peter.” And when afterward Christ thrice repeated the question, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me?” Peter cast himself on the tender mercy of the Master he had so wronged, and said, “Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee.” And when our Lord entrusted to him the care of His “sheep and lambs,” Peter knew that he was taken back into divine confidence and affection. To fulfil this charge, he would need to have the mind that was in Jesus Christ; he must copy the Pattern. Henceforth, remembering his own weakness and failures, he would be patient with his brethren in their mistakes and errors. Remembering the patient love of Christ, who had afforded him another opportunity, he would be more conciliatory toward erring ones.

If we have received the gift of God, and have a knowledge of Jesus Christ, we have a work to do for others. We must imitate the longsuffering of God toward us. The Lord requires of us the same treatment toward His followers that we receive of Him. We are to exercise patience and to be kind, even though they do not meet our expectations. The Lord expects us to be pitiful and loving, to have sympathetic hearts. He desires us to show the fruits of the grace of God in our deportment one to another. Christ did not say, You may tolerate your neighbor, but “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” This means a great deal more than professing Christians carry out in their daily life.

When Christ was on earth, instead of removing from the commandments one jot or tittle of their force, He showed by precept and example how far-reaching their principles are, how much broader they are than the scribes and Pharisees thought. They thought that Christ was lowering the Old Testament standard, yet He was teaching the people practical godliness. Christ understood their feelings, and reproved these self-righteous rulers in these words to His disciples: “I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” “Think not that I am come to destroy the law or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

Christ proceeds to teach that the principles of God’s law reach even to the intents and purposes of the mind. And He plainly states that if we faithfully keep the ten precepts, we shall love our neighbor as ourselves. “Ye have heard,” He says, “that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

A consistent religious life, holy conversation, a godly example, true-hearted benevolence, mark the representative of Christ. He will labor to pluck sinners as brands from the burning; he will perform every duty faithfully. Thus, he will become a beacon light.

Brethren, we are nearing the judgment. Talents have been lent us on trust. Let none of us be at last condemned as slothful servants. Send forth the words of life to those in darkness. Let the church be true to her trust. Her earnest, humble prayers will make the presentation of truth effectual, and Christ will be glorified. The Watchman, October 13, 1908

When Worship Is Worthless

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Does Job fear God for nothing? You have placed a hedge around him and everything that he has and You have blessed him and his possessions have increased.” The Bible records that this was the question Satan asked the Lord. But Jesus said, “Some people’s worship of God is in vain, good for nothing.” What makes the difference?

The difference

The third commandment is a prohibition, a warning. It reads, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

Some think the third commandment is just about using profanity, and it does include that. But it also includes irreverence and hypocrisy, claiming to be Christian when the life clearly reflects something else, and it prohibits all forms of vain worship.

Although this prohibition was written in the negative, it also has a positive meaning. “… let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” Hebrews 12:28

Reverence is the very gateway to the divine presence, and those who approach the eternal with a reverent attitude, recognizing the holy character of His name, will fulfill this command.

In both ancient times and today, some do not know God and therefore have no reverence for or fear of Him. We find one such incident in Exodus 5:1, 2:

“Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’ And Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go.’ ”

God’s name is taken in vain by people who do not know Him. If they knew him, they would love and reverence His name.

Name and character are the same

In the Bible, a person’s name and character are inseparable. The Bible says that a good name is to be desired above great riches (Proverbs 22:1). On one occasion, Moses asked the Lord, “ ‘Please show me Your glory.’ Then He said, ‘I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.’ But He said, ‘You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.’ ” Exodus 33:18–20

Had Moses looked directly at God’s face, he would have perished, so the Lord placed him in the cleft of a rock and covered his eyes with His hand. As the Lord passed by him, He removed His hand, and Moses was allowed to see His back parts. As He passed by, He proclaimed, “… ‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and fourth generation.’ ” Exodus 34:6, 7. When the Lord proclaimed His glory [His character] to Moses, He was also proclaiming His name.

In a carefree manner

We need to be careful not to use words that describe God’s character in a flippant or carefree manner. Some people carelessly use the words mercy, gracious, and goodness in their everyday speech, and when they do, they are breaking the third commandment. These words describe the character of God. When we take the name of God upon our lips, we are on holy ground, and we should be careful not to use His name or the words that describe His character frivolously or as expletives in our everyday speech.

There are Christians who repeatedly use the name God or Father in prayer, perhaps 10, 20, or even 30 times in a single prayer. In the Lord’s prayer—the model prayer given by Jesus as the example to follow when we pray—the name Father is used once. Even the heathen understand that you can pollute a person’s name by repeating it over and over.

No profanity

The third commandment prohibits profanity and cursing, but it is not just a prohibition on how we speak. It is also a prohibition on the manner and spirit in which we speak. Profanity is never a sign of intelligence. It has always been the most prevalent among people who are crude, uncultured, and illiterate. If profanity is intended to be humorous, it is humor of a very low order, and it is often more of a bluff than a substitute for courage. It is very dangerous to profane the name of God. If there is no God, then the use of profanity is useless and simply a sign of crass ignorance, but if there is a God, then it is very serious to profane His name.

There was a man who excused his bad speech to his minister, saying, “I have such an awful temper. I excuse myself because I got it from my father. He had an awful temper, too, and I’m just like him.”

The minister said, “Have you been born again?”

“Yes,” was the answer.

“Were you born of God?”

“Yes,” was the reply.

“Then is God your Father?”

“Yes.”

The minister then asked, “What kind of temper did you get when you were born again?”

When we are born again of the Holy Spirit, we inherit a new disposition.

Common words and idle talk

The Christian who keeps the law of God will avoid the use of many common words that are on the verge of profanity. Jesus referred to these as idle words and talk. He said that we will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every idle word that we speak. We should especially guard ourselves against speaking words that are attributes of God’s character—goodness, gracious, or mercy—and avoid saying words such as gee or golly, which are slang words of God’s and Jesus’ name.

The Bible says that God will, in the last days, give His people a pure language. Zephaniah says, “ ‘For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, that they all may call on the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one accord … . The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness and speak no lies, nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth.’ ” Zephaniah 3:9, 13, first part

It doesn’t matter if my religion is phony or fake. If I have been born again, my speech will reveal my transformed character.

False swearing

The third commandment forbids using God’s name in a common way (Leviticus 19).

There is a lot of confusion about this because many people have decided that swearing falsely includes things it really doesn’t. They believe Matthew 5 says they cannot swear an oath.

“Again, you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.” Verses 33–37

People believe from these texts that a Christian should never take an oath, not even the judicial oath in a court of law. However, when we have fully studied this subject, we find that Jesus Himself took the judicial oath when He was tried in a human court of law. “The high priest answered and said to Him, ‘I adjure you.’ ” In other words, he’s asking Him to take an oath. “ ‘I adjure you by the living God that You tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.’ ” Matthew 26:63, 64

“You shall fear the Lord your God and serve Him, and you shall swear by His name.” Deuteronomy 6:13

This text is written regarding a judicial oath. We must be careful not to use one text in the Bible to explain away another. The text in the third commandment and the words of Jesus in Mathew 5 are talking about the common everyday swearing that people engage in. It is this type of swearing that the Bible forbids. It does not mean that it is wrong for you to take a judicial oath to tell only the truth when you are in a court of law.

What happens if you take a judicial oath and then tell a lie? Sadly, perjury is very common in our world today. How does the third commandment relate to perjury?

The third commandment prohibits linking God’s name with any falsehood by violating an oath or by false swearing. It is actually not swearing that is prohibited here; perjury is telling a lie after a person has taken a judicial oath to only tell the truth. Some writers have said that perjury is one of the greatest crimes of the modern world and is almost universal. If you say that you are going to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God, have you not insulted the Creator of the universe, the One who is not only the Truth but the Author of all truth by telling a lie? It is impossible for God to lie, and one of the characteristics of His children from the beginning to the end is that they tell the truth under all circumstances. They do not swear falsely.

Over and over again, the book of Revelation specifies that God’s people, those who will be saved in the last days, will tell the truth (Revelation 21:27, 8; Revelation 22:15; Revelation 14:5). If we are guilty of perjury, if we swear to God that we will tell the truth and then we don’t tell the truth, we will not be held guiltless, but will be punished.

The third commandment deals not only with God’s name but with His word.

Comedy, jesting, joking, and laughter

“You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” Psalm 138:2, last part

All jesting and joking based on scriptural statements is dangerous. It may be very easy to create a laugh in a modern audience by frivolous and grotesque association with the word of God. Still, the Bible should never be used as material for manufacturing jokes or jests.

Preaching is altogether too solemn a matter to be mixed with the unholy common fire of the comical and ludicrous. Inattention, whispering, laughing, and other forms of disrespect while attending a religious service are all forms of profanity. We are guilty of blasphemy, and if we do not repent and turn away from this behavior, we will be punished.

How to behave in God’s house

The Bible is very clear about how we should behave in the house of God.

“Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore, let your words be few.” Ecclesiastes 5:1, 2

In an organized society, behavior is based on respect and trust. Manifesting disrespectful behavior in the house of God proves that we lack what is necessary for us to be worthy of heaven, and we will have to answer for our lack of respect on the day of judgment.

Two-faced

Now we will look at what perhaps may be the main thrust, the chief application of the third commandment—the sin of hypocrisy. When we profess one thing but live another, when we pretend to be something we are not, we are playing a double role; we are practicing hypocrisy.

The New Testament tells us that no other sin so arouses the indignation of Christ as this one, and He hurled some of His most dreadful curses against it. The third commandment is against all kinds of hypocrisy and lying in all its forms; hypocrisy is one of the worst forms of lying or bearing false witness.

The person who accepts Christ takes on His name and becomes a Christian. The Lord speaks of His people as those who are called by His name (2 Chronicles 7:14; Jeremiah 7:10, 11).

The man who professes to be a Christian but at the same time lives a life that is a denial of his profession is taking God’s name in vain; he is a false professor of Christianity. God’s name is taken in vain often in our modern world. A person who professes to be a Christian but is not Christlike in character is a blasphemer.

“ ‘Hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and have come forth from the wellsprings of Judah; who swear by the name of the Lord, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth or in righteousness; for they call themselves after the holy city, and lean on the God of Israel.’ ” Isaiah 48:1, 2

They lean on the God of Israel, but it is in vain because what they profess and how they live are two different things.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ ” Matthew 7:21–23

Jesus rebuked the Jews because He said their worship was in vain.

“Isaiah predicted about you. ‘These people draw nigh to Me with their mouth, and they honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me, but in vain they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” Mathew 15:7–9

In both the modern world and in Christendom, there is a lot of vain worship due to hypocrisy. Christ said, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and you don’t do what I say?” Luke 6:46

It is dangerous to use the name of the Lord if we do not know Him and are not known by Him. A vulgar oath may never have stained a person’s lips, but they are breaking the third commandment every day if they are living a hypocritical life, professing to be a Christian when they are actually living in sin.

While visiting an art museum, a farmer was shown some modernist paintings which he was unable to appreciate.

The guide said, “The paintings depict not merely the things the artist saw but his state of mind.”

The farmer retorted, “If I had a mind like that, I would never expose it.”

Sooner or later, what is inside will be exposed.

How is it with you? Is your worship in vain, or are you worshiping God in truth? Is what you profess the same as what you live?

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