Issue: 2014 December

Question & Answer – What are these frontlets spoken of in Deuteronomy 6:8?

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“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.” Deuteronomy 6:6–8

A frontlet is a decorative band or ornament worn on the forehead. Many Jewish people took this literally and wore these with Scripture written on them to ensure that others would count them as righteous. God wants us to regard His law foremost in our minds. Vision plays an essential role in life. Choices are made as the eyes work with the mind affecting what we do, where we walk and at what pace, looking through a crowd to recognize a friend, what food to eat, which book to read, just to mention a few. Each of these activities is accomplished through the joint effort of the eyes and the brain. God wants His word as frontlets in our minds and in our heart so they will determine our choices and shine forth in all of our actions to His glory.

“ ‘Thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes’ (Deuteronomy 6:8). These words have a deep meaning. As the word of God is meditated upon and practiced, the whole man will be ennobled. In righteous and merciful dealing, the hands will reveal, as a signet, the principles of God’s law. They will be kept clean from bribes, and from all that is corrupt and deceptive. They will be active in works of love and compassion. The eyes, directed toward a noble purpose, will be clear and true. The expressive countenance, the speaking eye, will testify to the blameless character of him who loves and honors the word of God. But by the Jews of Christ’s day all this was undiscerned. The command given to Moses was construed into a direction that the precepts of Scripture should be worn upon the person. They were accordingly written upon strips of parchment, and bound in a conspicuous manner about the head and wrists. But this did not cause the law of God to take a firmer hold of the mind and heart. These parchments were worn merely as badges, to attract attention. They were thought to give the wearers an air of devotion which would command the reverence of the people. Jesus struck a blow at this vain pretense.” The Desire of Ages, 612, 613.

It is within our own households that the family should be taught the principles of God’s law. It is of no benefit to paste pieces of paper with scripture on them on our foreheads, or plaques on our walls, or decals on our vehicles to advertise our Christianity. The frontlets are the principles that guide each decision we make and enable us to shine forth God’s ways in every word and action.

Inspiration – The Christian’s Privilege

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Many who are sincerely seeking for holiness of heart and purity of life seem perplexed and discouraged. They are constantly looking to themselves, and lamenting their lack of faith; and because they have no faith, they feel that they cannot claim the blessing of God. These persons mistake feeling for faith. They look above the simplicity of true faith, and thus bring great darkness upon their souls. They should turn the mind from self, to dwell upon the mercy and goodness of God and to recount His promises, and then simply believe that He will fulfill His word. We are not to trust in our faith, but in the promises of God. When we repent of our past transgressions of His law, and resolve to render obedience in the future, we should believe that God for Christ’s sake accepts us, and forgives our sins.

Darkness and discouragement will sometimes come upon the soul and threaten to overwhelm us, but we should not cast away our confidence. We must keep the eye fixed on Jesus, feeling or no feeling. We should seek to faithfully perform every known duty, and then calmly rest in the promises of God.

The Life of Faith

At times a deep sense of our unworthiness will send a thrill of terror through the soul, but this is no evidence that God has changed toward us, or we toward God. No effort should be made to rein the mind up to a certain intensity of emotion. We may not feel today the peace and joy which we felt yesterday; but we should by faith grasp the hand of Christ, and trust Him as fully in the darkness as in the light.

Satan may whisper, “You are too great a sinner for Christ to save.” While you acknowledge that you are indeed sinful and unworthy, you may meet the tempter with the cry, “By virtue of the atonement, I claim Christ as my Saviour. I trust not to my own merits, but to the precious blood of Jesus, which cleanses me. This moment I hang my helpless soul on Christ.” The Christian life must be a life of constant, living faith. An unyielding trust, a firm reliance upon Christ, will bring peace and assurance to the soul.

Resisting Temptation

Be not discouraged because your heart seems hard. Every obstacle, every internal foe, only increases your need of Christ. He came to take away the heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). Look to Him for special grace to overcome your peculiar faults. When assailed by temptation, steadfastly resist the evil promptings; say to your soul, “How can I dishonor my Redeemer? I have given myself to Christ; I cannot do the works of Satan.” Cry to the dear Saviour for help to sacrifice every idol and to put away every darling sin. Let the eye of faith see Jesus standing before the Father’s throne, presenting His wounded hands as He pleads for you. Believe that strength comes to you through your precious Saviour.

Viewing With the Eye of Faith

By faith look upon the crowns laid up for those who shall overcome; listen to the exultant song of the redeemed, Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain and hast redeemed us to God! Endeavor to regard these scenes as real. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, in his terrible conflict with principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places exclaimed, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56). The Saviour of the world was revealed to him as looking down from heaven upon him with the deepest interest, and the glorious light of Christ’s countenance shone upon Stephen with such brightness that even his enemies saw his face shine like the face of an angel.

If we would permit our minds to dwell more upon Christ and the heavenly world, we should find a powerful stimulus and support in fighting the battles of the Lord. Pride and love of the world will lose their power as we contemplate the glories of that better land so soon to be our home. Beside the loveliness of Christ, all earthly attractions will seem of little worth.

Let none imagine that without earnest effort on their part they can obtain the assurance of God’s love. When the mind has been long permitted to dwell only on earthly things, it is a difficult matter to change the habits of thought. That which the eye sees and the ear hears, too often attracts the attention and absorbs the interest. But if we would enter the city of God, and look upon Jesus and His glory, we must become accustomed to beholding Him with the eye of faith here. The words and the character of Christ should be often the subject of our thoughts and of our conversation, and each day some time should be especially devoted to prayerful meditation upon these sacred themes.

Silencing the Spirit

Sanctification is a daily work. Let none deceive themselves with the belief that God will pardon and bless them while they are trampling upon one of His requirements. The willful commission of a known sin silences the witnessing voice of the Spirit and separates the soul from God. Whatever may be the ecstasies of religious feeling, Jesus cannot abide in the heart that disregards the divine law. God will honor those only who honor Him.

“His servants ye are to whom ye obey” (Romans 6:16). If we indulge anger, lust, covetousness, hatred, selfishness, or any other sin, we become servants of sin. “No man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). If we serve sin, we cannot serve Christ. The Christian will feel the promptings of sin, for the flesh lusteth against the Spirit; but the Spirit striveth against the flesh, keeping up a constant warfare. Here is where Christ’s help is needed. Human weakness becomes united to divine strength, and faith exclaims, “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:57)!

The Sanctified Life, 89–93.

Keys to the Storehouse – The Connecting Link and the Fast Train

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God loved the world so much that He gave a connecting link to reach Him. All who connect with this link will be given eternal life. This grand link is “wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (I Corinthians 1:30). This link is Jesus, Who connects man to heaven.

  • He has promised His personal intercession by employing His name.
  • He places the whole virtue of His righteousness on the side of the suppliant.
  • Christ pleads for man, and man, in need of divine help, pleads for himself in the presence of God, using the power of the influence of the One Who gave His life for the world.
  • As we acknowledge before God our appreciation of Christ’s merits, fragrance is given to our intercessions.
  • Oh, who can value this great mercy and love! As we approach God through the virtue of Christ’s merits, we are clothed with His priestly vestments.
  • He places us close by His side, encircling us with His human arm, while with His divine arm He grasps the throne of the Infinite.
  • He puts His merits, as sweet incense, in a censer in our hands, in order to encourage our petitions. He promises to hear and answer our supplications.

(See Our High Calling, 50.)

The one thing God asks of you is to connect to that Link with all of your heart, and immediately all of heaven’s graces are available to you. Is it an individual choice to “break from the slavery and service of Satan” and reach out to that grand “Connecting Link” that will give you freedom from the whirl of earthly habits in which Satan has taken the world captive. Remember who wears the conductor’s hat on the fast train.

“I saw the rapidity with which this delusion was spreading. A train of cars was shown me, going with the speed of lightning. The angel bade me look carefully. I fixed my eyes upon the train. It seemed that the whole world was on board. Then he showed me the conductor, a fair, stately person, whom all the passengers looked up to and reverenced. I was perplexed and asked my attending angel who it was. He said, ‘It is Satan. He is the conductor, in the form of an angel of light. He has taken the world captive. They are given over to strong delusions, to believe a lie that they may be damned. His agent, the highest in order next to him, is the engineer, and others of his agents are employed in different offices as he may need them, and they are all going with lightning speed to perdition.’ ” Early Writings, 263.

Jesus will hold on to you only if you choose Him as your Connecting Link. Remember, the minute you sever the connecting link by bad choices, Satan stands ready to whirl you onto the fast train to destroy you. The choice is yours.

Heavenly Father: Please protect me from boarding that fast train on which Satan is the conductor. I choose Jesus as my Saviour right now as my connecting link to Thee. Guard my choices that I may be saved from the fast train that leads to perdition. Amen.

Current Events – Sermons Summoned by City

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“We are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Prophecy is fast fulfilling. The Lord is at the door. There is soon to open before us a period of overwhelming interest to all living. The controversies of the past are to be revived; new controversies will arise. The scenes to be enacted in our world are not yet even dreamed of. Satan is at work though human agencies. Those who are making an effort to change the Constitution and secure a law enforcing Sunday observance little realize what will be the result. A crisis is just upon us.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 753

Laws are being made to protect those who blatantly oppose God’s standard of moral conduct. These laws prohibit publicly speaking against sin.

City of Houston demands pastors turn over sermons

By Todd Starnes

Published October 14, 2014

The city of Houston has issued subpoenas demanding a group of pastors turn over any sermons dealing with homosexuality, gender identity or Annise Parker, the city’s first openly lesbian mayor. And those ministers who fail to comply could be held in contempt of court.

“The city’s subpoena of sermons and other pastoral communications is both needless and unprecedented,” Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Christina Holcomb said in a statement. “The city council and its attorneys are engaging in an inquisition designed to stifle any critique of its actions.”

ADF, a nationally-known law firm specializing in religious liberty cases, is representing five Houston pastors. They filed a motion in Harris County to stop the subpoenas arguing they are “overbroad, unduly burdensome, harassing, and vexatious.”

“Political and social commentary is not a crime,” Holcomb said. “It is protected by the First Amendment.”

The subpoenas are just the latest twist in an ongoing saga over the Houston’s new non-discrimination ordinance. The law, among other things, would allow men to use the ladies room and vice versa. The city council approved the law in June.

The Houston Chronicle reported opponents of the ordinance launched a petition drive that generated more than 50,000 signatures – far more than the 17,269 needed to put a referendum on the ballot.

However, the city threw out the petition in August over alleged irregularities.

After opponents of the bathroom bill filed a lawsuit the city’s attorneys responded by issuing the subpoenas against the pastors.

The pastors were not part of the lawsuit. However, they were part of a coalition of some 400 Houston-area churches that opposed the ordinance. The churches represent a number of faith groups – from Southern Baptist to non-denominational. …

Mayor Parker will not explain why she wants to inspect the sermons. However, ADF attorney Stanley suspects the mayor wants to publicly shame the ministers. He said he anticipates they will hold up their sermons for public scrutiny. In other words – the city is rummaging for evidence to “out” the pastors as anti-gay bigots. …

Rev. Dave Welch, executive director of the Texas Pastor Council, also received a subpoena. He said he will not be intimidated by the mayor.

“We’re not afraid of this bully,” he said. “We’re not intimidated at all.”

He accused the city of violating the law with the subpoenas and vowed to stand firm in the faith.

“We are not going to yield our First Amendment rights,” Welch told me. ‘This is absolutely a complete abuse of authority.”

Tony Perkins, the head of the Family Research Council, said pastors around the nation should rally around the Houston ministers.

“The state is breaching the wall of separation between church and state,” Perkins said. …We can no longer remain silent. We must stand together —because one day—the government might come for your pastor.

www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/10/14/city-houston-demands-pastors-turn-over-sermons/

Who Reigns Supreme?

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”When a comparison is made between the attitudes of those possessing high or low self-esteem and Lucifer’s attitude, which he displayed in Heaven that led to rebellion, it can be seen indeed that the principle of self-esteem originated with him and that it is anti-God in its nature. Lucifer imparted this devilish attribute to Adam’s fallen race. People possessing high or low self-esteem compare to Lucifer’s attitude.

Humans with High or Low Self-esteem …

  1. Live in a social world in which they believe that people value and respect them.
  2. Dismiss negative feedback as unreliable or biased. The motivation to protect feelings of self-worth leads to a rigid, closed mind-set that cannot tolerate alternative viewpoints known as ‘‘need for cognitive closure.’’
  3. Trivialize failures or attribute them to external causes.
  4. Take less personal responsibility for harmful actions and develop an inaccurate self concept, hindering growth and change.
  5. Become angry and aggressive toward those who threaten their ego.
  6. Want people to feel sorry for them, to pay attention to them, to comfort them.
  7. Engage in downward social comparisons, a process that underlies prejudice and discrimination.
  8. Sometimes engage in dysfunctional behaviors.
  9. See the world through a more negative viewpoint.

Lucifer’s Attitude that Caused Rebellion in Heaven:

  1. “He was beloved and reverenced by the heavenly host.” The Great Controversy (1888), 495.
  2. “Angels that were loyal and true sought to reconcile this mighty, rebellious angel to the will of his Creator.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 19.

“Satan refused to listen. And then he turned from the loyal and true angels, denouncing them as slaves.” Ibid., 20.

  1. “As one aggrieved, he related the preference God had given Jesus to the neglect of himself.” Ibid., 19.
  2. “But the warning, given in infinite love and mercy, only aroused a spirit of resistance.” The Great Controversy (1888), 494. “He persistently defended his own course, maintained that he had no need of repentance, and fully committed himself, in the great controversy, against his Maker.” Ibid., 496.
  3. “Lucifer allowed jealousy of Christ to prevail, and he became the more determined.” Ibid., 495. “… his heart was filled with envy and hatred. …

“He left the immediate presence of the Father, dissatisfied, and filled with envy against Jesus Christ.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 18.

  1. “He sought to create sympathy for himself, by representing that God had dealt unjustly with him in bestowing supreme honor upon Christ.” The Great Controversy (1888), 495.
  2. “He told them that henceforth all the sweet liberty the angels had enjoyed was at an end. For had not a ruler been appointed over them, to whom they from henceforth must yield servile honor?” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 19.
  3. “For all had heretofore been peace and harmony, and what could occasion this dissenting, rebellious voice?” Ibid., 20.
  4. “He claimed that in aspiring to greater power and honor he was not aiming at self-exaltation, but was seeking to secure liberty for all the inhabitants of Heaven, that by this means they might attain to a higher state of existence.” The Great Controversy (1888), 495. “He promised them a new and better government than they then had, in which all would be freedom.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 20.

Self-esteem!

The cardinal principle which governs Satan’s kingdom is self-esteem that says to all its subjects, “Look away from Christ and look to self!” It is self-centered. “For thou hast said in thine heart … I will be like the most High.” Isaiah 14:13, 14.

Self-denial!

The cardinal principle that governs Jesus’ kingdom is self-denial rooted in divine love which says, “Look away from self and look to Jesus!” It is Christ-centered. Luke 9:23 tells us, “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

Lucifer Educates the Angels

  • “He left the immediate presence of the Father, dissatisfied, and filled with envy against Jesus Christ. Concealing his real purposes, he assembled the angelic host. He introduced his subject, which was himself. As one aggrieved, he related the preference God had given Jesus to the neglect of himself. He told them that henceforth all the sweet liberty the angels had enjoyed was at an end. For had not a ruler been appointed over them, to whom they from henceforth must yield servile honor? He stated to them that he had called them together to assure them that he no longer would submit to this invasion of his rights and theirs; that never would he again bow down to Christ;
  • that he would take the honor upon himself which should have been conferred upon him, and would be the commander of all who would submit to follow him and obey his voice. There was contention among the angels. Satan and his sympathizers were striving to reform the government of God. They were discontented and unhappy because they could not look into His unsearchable wisdom and ascertain His purposes in exalting His Son Jesus, and endowing Him with such unlimited power and command. They rebelled against the authority of the Son.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 18, 19.

Lucifer’s aim in the re-education of the angels of heaven was to change their “world view” of the kingdom of God! To create a paradigm shift in their minds. This is the same principle he follows through the educational institutions of earth.

“World-view” has to do with the overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world, a comprehensive conception or image of the universe and of humanity’s relation to it.

American educational institutions were founded upon the word of God. Therefore their “world-view” was defined by the Holy Scriptures.

Harvard University was founded in the year 1636 in Massachusetts by Congregationalists to train ministers of the gospel. Its educational philosophy was defined in two mottoes:

  1. “For Christ and the Church.”
  2. “For the glory of Christ.”

Harvard’s Directive to Students: “Let every student be plainly instructed and … consider well that the main end of this life and study is to know God and Jesus, which is eternal life (John 17:3) and therefore to lay Christ in the bottom as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning.

“Everyone shall so exercise himself in reading the Scriptures twice a day that he shall be ready to give such an account of his proficiency therein.” (Source: The American Heritage Collection by David Barton, Four Centuries of American Education.)

Yale University was founded in the year 1701 at New Haven, Connecticut, by the Congregationalists for training ministers of the gospel.

Yale Counseled Students: “Above all, have an eye to the great end of all your studies, which is to obtain the clearest conception of Divine things and to lead you to a saving knowledge of God in His son, Jesus Christ.”

Yale’s requirement of all students: “All the scholars are required to live a religious and blameless life according to the rules of God’s word, diligently reading the Holy Scriptures … and constantly attending all the duties of Religion.” Ibid.

Princeton University was started in the year 1746 at Elizabeth, New Jersey, by the Presbyterians to train ministers of the gospel.

Princeton’s requirement of all students: “Every student shall attend worship in the college hall morning and evening … [and] shall attend public worship on the Sabbath. … There shall be assigned to each class certain exercises for their religious instruction … and no student belonging to any class shall neglect them.” Ibid.

The American educational system was founded upon three main elements namely,

  1. Religion
  2. Morality
  3. Knowledge

Religion was first. It formed the basis for the other two. It had to do with the fear of the Lord. Morality cannot exist without religion and the knowledge contemplated was the inculcating and incorporating of the principles of the Bible in education.

In the eighteen hundreds, the State of Kansas’ Superintendent of public education said, “If the study of the Bible is to be excluded from all State schools, if the inculcation of the principles of Christianity is to have no place in the daily program, if the worship of God is to form no part of the general exercise of these public elementary schools, then the good of the State would be better served by restoring all schools to church control.” Ibid.

In 1890 a survey revealed that over 90% of all state universities had chapel services. In the year 1860, 262 out of 288 college and university presidents were ministers of the gospel.

Dr. Benjamin Rush (1745-1813) known as the father of American Public School, said, “Without religion I believe that learning does mischief to the morals and principles of mankind. If you take religion out of education, education becomes a negative force.” (The American Heritage Series, David Barton, DVD #8)

As time moved on, Satan did to the educational institutions what he did in heaven, a re-educating. He caused a paradigm shift and a change of “world-view” in the philosophical principles of the educational institutions so that they would become his agents to promulgate the doctrine of “SELF-ESTEEM.”

Satan Used the Supreme Court

  • In 1962 the United States Supreme Court ruled that voluntary school prayer was unconstitutional in America’s public Schools.
  • In 1963 the United States Supreme Court ruled that Bible reading in America’s schools was unconstitutional.
  • In 1985 the United States Supreme Court outlawed silent prayer in our nation’s public schools.

The educational shift focused on an ego-centric philosophy where the end justifies the means. “Students are trained to use their minds but we will not teach any right or wrong, that is up to their choice whatever the students think is right or wrong. There is no absolute right or wrong.

“Nothing matters in this world but me so I am going to take what I learn to get what I want. That means that if you get hurt, if I need to lie to get what I want that’s fine.” Ibid.

The Fruitage of the Paradigm Shift in the Educational Institutions

  • An ego-centric education
  • An ego-centric individual
  • An ego-centric home
  • An ego-centric country
  • An ego-centric society
  • An ego-centric church
  • An ego-centric world

An article entitled, “The Problem With Self-Esteem” by Paul C. Vitz, highlights this point. “Today, the largest and most familiar part of American Psychology is the popular psychology of self-esteem, now found throughout American society. Self-esteem and the obsession that so many have with it, is familiar to almost all of us these days. Self-esteem programs affect the lives of countless school children, because this idea, really an ideal, has been taken and applied primarily in education.”

It continued by stating, “Self-esteem seems to be the common denominator pervading the writings of such varied theorists as Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, ego-strength psychologists, and moral educators especially recently. In any case, the concern with self-esteem hovers everywhere in the US today. It is, however, most reliably found in the world of education—from professors of education, to principals, teachers, school boards, and the television programs that are concerned with education, particularly those programs concerned with preschool education like Sesame Street.”

According to this writer “self-esteem is a deeply secular concept, not one with which Christians should be particularly involved. Nor need they be. Christians should have a tremendous sense of self worth. God made us in His image, He loves us, He sent His Son to save each of us, our destiny is to be with God forever. Each of us is of such value that the angels rejoice over every repentant sinner. But on the other hand, we have nothing on our own to be proud of. We were given life along with all of our talents, and we are all poor sinners. There is certainly no theological reason to believe that the rich or the successful or the high in self-esteem are more favored by God and are more likely to reach heaven. Indeed, blessed are the humble, blessed are the meek.”

William James, who coined the phrase “self-esteem” was not a committed Christian. His religious persuasion was western philosophy. In his biography these words are recorded: “His interest is not in religious institutions, ritual, or, even for the most part, religious ideas, but in ‘the feelings, acts, and experiences of individual men in their solitude, so far as they apprehend themselves to stand in relation to whatever they may consider the divine.’ ” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

William James was a contemporary of Ellen White. Evidently this teaching of self-esteem was impacting the Adventist church as well as Christianity on the whole during that time. Accordingly Ellen White had to address it and expose it.

Ellen White Addresses the Evils of Self-Esteem

  1. The Spring of Self-Esteem – “The evils of self-esteem and an unsanctified independence, which most impair our usefulness, and which will prove our ruin if not overcome, spring from selfishness.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 92.
  2. The Results of Harboring Self-Esteem – “There is in man a disposition to esteem himself more highly than his brother, to work for self, to seek the highest place; and often this results in evil surmisings and bitterness of spirit.” The Desire of Ages, 650.
  3. Self-Esteem Leads Men Away From God – “It is self-esteem that leads men and women away from God and away from those who need their help and tender sympathy.” The Review and Herald, August 5, 1909.
  4. Those Who Cherish Self-Esteem are Ignorant of the Scriptures – “Men who turn away from the knowledge of God, have placed their minds under control of their master, Satan, and he trains them to be his servants. … Evil angels are ever on the alert that they may exalt before the minds of the youth that which will do them injury, and as books expressing infidel and pagan sentiments are read, these unseen agents of evil seek to impress those who study them with the spirit of questioning and unbelief. Those who drink from these polluted channels do not thirst for the waters of life; for they are satisfied with the broken cisterns of the world. They think they have the treasures of knowledge, when they are hoarding that which is but wood and hay and stubble, not worth gaining, not worth keeping. Their self-esteem, their idea that a superficial knowledge of things constitutes education, make them boastful and self-satisfied, when they are, as were the Pharisees, ignorant of the Scriptures and the power of God.” Fundamentals of Education, 168, 169.
  5. Self-Esteem a Poisonous Weed – “But when the garden of the heart is neglected, poisonous weeds of pride, self-esteem, self-sufficiency, obtain a rank growth. We individually must watch unto prayer.” Evangelism, 342.
  6. Self-Esteem Kills Spiritual Life – “Self-esteem and self-sufficiency are killing spiritual life. Self is lifted up; self is talked about. Oh, that self might die! ‘I die daily,’ said the apostle Paul. When this proud, boasting self-sufficiency and this complacent self-righteousness permeate the soul, there is no room for Jesus. He is given an inferior place, while self swells into importance and fills the whole temple of the soul.” Lift Him Up, 310.
  7. Harboring Self-Esteem, Christ is not in the Heart – “Let no one deceive his own soul in this matter. If you harbor pride, self-esteem, a love for the supremacy, vainglory, unholy ambition, murmuring, discontent, bitterness, evil-speaking, lying, deception, slandering, you have not Christ abiding in your heart. … You must have a Christian character that will stand.” Maranatha, 50.
  8. People Christ Does Not Countenance – “The one class that He would never countenance was those who stood apart in their self-esteem and looked down upon others.” The Ministry of Healing, 164.
  9. That Which Stands Between the Soul and God – “It is self-esteem that stands between the human agent and his God and impedes the vital current that flows from Christ to enrich every human being.” Our High Calling, 114.
  10. A True Christian Cannot Possess Self-Esteem – “If one is a follower of Christ, he cannot be sharp in deal, he cannot be hardhearted, devoid of sympathy. He cannot be coarse in his speech. He cannot be full of pomposity and self-esteem. He cannot be overbearing, nor can he use harsh words, and censure and condemn.” Ibid., 121.

How Can a Person Overcome Self-Esteem?

“As Christ the Pattern is constantly kept before the mind’s eye, new habits will be formed, powerful hereditary and cultivated tendencies will be subdued and overcome, self-esteem will be laid in the dust, old habits of thought will be constantly resisted, love for the supremacy will be seen in its real, despicable character, and will be overcome.” Ibid., 99.

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

John 15:5 – “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

Luke 9:23 – “And He said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

Self-Esteem and Self-Denial Contrasted

Isaiah 14:13, 14 – “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”

Galatians 2:20 – “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”

Man’s Perfect Example of Self-Forgetfulness!

“The religion of Christ uplifts the receiver to a higher plane of thought and action, while at the same time it presents the whole human race as alike the objects of the love of God, being purchased by the sacrifice of his Son. At the feet of Jesus, the rich and the poor, the learned and the ignorant, meet together, with no thought of cast or worldly pre-eminence.

“All earthly distinctions are forgotten as we look upon Him whom our sins have pierced. The self-denial, the condescension, the infinite compassion of Him Who was highly exalted in heaven, put to shame human pride, self-esteem, and social caste. Pure and undefiled religion manifests its heaven-born principles in bringing into oneness all who are sanctified through the truth.” Gospel Workers, 313.

Not I But Christ

Not I, but Christ, be honored, loved, exalted;
Not I, but Christ, be seen, be known, be heard;
Not I, but Christ, in every look and action,
Not I, but Christ, in every thought and word.
Not I, but Christ, to gently soothe in sorrow,
Not I, but Christ, to wipe the falling tears;
Not I, but Christ, to lift the weary burden,
Not I, but Christ, to hush away all fear.
Christ, only Christ! No idle words e’er falling,
Christ, only Christ; no needless bustling sound;
Christ, only Christ; no self-important bearing;
Christ, only Christ; no trace of I be found.
Not I, but Christ, my every need supplying,
Not I, but Christ, my strength and health to be;
Christ, only Christ, for body, soul, and spirit,
Christ, only Christ, here and eternity.

Fannie E. Bolton

Pastor Ivan Plummer ministers through the Emmanuel Seventh Day Church Ministries in Bronx, New York. He may be contacted by telephone at: 718-882-3900.

Growing Up Into Christ

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“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17

Once an individual has consecrated his life to God and accepts by faith that God forgives him, the next step is the test of discipleship, and then to grow in a relationship with God.

How do we know that we are truly disciples of Jesus—that our old life is gone and a new life has taken its place? Many look at the change that was wrought in Saul who, after his conversion became known as Paul. This kind of conversion is not the only true conversion.

“A person may not be able to tell the exact time or place, or trace all the chain of circumstances in the process of conversion; but this does not prove him to be unconverted.” Steps to Christ, 57.

Although Saul had a dramatic, immediate conversion, this statement outlines another conversion process that is every bit as genuine and effective. Jesus talks of this type of conversion in John 3:8 where we read about Nicodemus’ night interview in which Jesus told him that the Spirit was like the wind. We can hear the wind, and we can see the effects of its moving, but we cannot see it. This is an illustration of the kind of conversion that Jesus spoke about while here on earth. “Like the wind, which is invisible, yet the effects of which are plainly seen and felt, is the Spirit of God in its work upon the human heart. That regenerating power, which no human eye can see, begets a new life in the soul; it creates a new being in the image of God. While the work of the Spirit is silent and imperceptible, its effects are manifest. If the heart has been renewed by the Spirit of God, the life will bear witness to the fact. While we cannot do anything to change our hearts or to bring ourselves into harmony with God; while we must not trust at all to ourselves or our good works, our lives will reveal whether the grace of God is dwelling within us. A change will be seen in the character, the habits, the pursuits. The contrast will be clear and decided between what they have been and what they are. The character is revealed, not by occasional good deeds and occasional misdeeds, but by the tendency of the habitual words and acts.” Ibid., 57, 58.

But there is some clarification needed here. Sometimes there is an outward change for the better that is not conversion. “It is true that there may be an outward correctness of deportment without the renewing power of Christ. The love of influence and the desire for the esteem of others may produce a well-ordered life. Self-respect may lead us to avoid the appearance of evil. A selfish heart may perform generous actions. By what means, then, shall we determine whose side we are on?” Ibid., 58. Here is the key. Here are concrete questions we can ask ourselves to determine if a genuine conversion has taken place in our hearts: are we truly a disciple of Jesus? Ask yourself these questions and answer them honestly. Remember God, Who knows all things, searches the heart. He will answer truthfully whether you do or not. “Who has the heart? With whom are our thoughts? Of whom do we love to converse? Who has our warmest affections and our best energies? If we are Christ’s, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest thoughts are of Him. All we have and are is consecrated to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things.” Ibid.

We are told if that change has taken place, it will be seen in our lives. “Those who become new creatures in Christ Jesus will bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, ‘love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.’ Galatians 5:22, 23. They will no longer fashion themselves according to the former lusts, but by the faith of the Son of God they will follow in His steps, reflect His character, and purify themselves even as He is pure. The things they once hated they now love, and the things they once loved they hate. The proud and self-assertive become meek and lowly in heart. The vain and supercilious become serious and unobtrusive. The drunken become sober, and the profligate pure. The vain customs and fashions of the world are laid aside. Christians will seek not the ‘outward adorning,’ but ‘the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.’ I Peter 3:3, 4.”

“There is no evidence of genuine repentance unless it works reformation. If he restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, confess his sins, and love God and his fellow men, the sinner may be sure that he has passed from death unto life.” Ibid., 58, 59.

And last, but certainly not least is the fact that once truly converted, these manifestations of change will not be a burden, but rather a joy. “When, as erring, sinful beings, we come to Christ and become partakers of His pardoning grace, love springs up in the heart. Every burden is light, for the yoke that Christ imposes is easy. Duty becomes a delight, and sacrifice a pleasure. The path that before seemed shrouded in darkness, becomes bright with beams from the Sun of Righteousness.” Ibid., 59. Jesus gives us joy in sins forgiven and confessed, the grace received. The resulting love, the duties fulfilled, and the sacrifices made on His behalf are a pleasure. We truly walk in the light of God.

If we have truly received the love of Jesus in our hearts it will flow out to others. How deep is this love? Well, of Jesus it is said: “So devoted was our Redeemer to the work of saving souls that He even longed for His baptism of blood.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 132. Have you considered Jesus’ “baptism of blood”? Have you contemplated what He endured that night in Gethsemane and the following day? Would you long for that experience if you knew that by it you could save a soul? Do you have that kind of love? That is the kind of love God wants us to have. First of all Jesus commands, “Love one another, as I have loved you.” John 13:34; John 15:12. And in the book, Our High Calling, 176, we read the same thing. “ ‘Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.’ Ephesians 5:1, 2. This is the height of the love we are required to reach. And the texture of this love is not tainted with selfishness.” It was for the goal of saving souls that Jesus longed for His baptism of blood. That is love.

But before you get discouraged by the high standard, read these words of Inspiration: “There are those who have known the pardoning love of Christ and who really desire to be children of God, yet they realize that their character is imperfect, their life faulty, and they are ready to doubt whether their hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. To such I would say, Do not draw back in despair. We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes, but we are not to be discouraged. Even if we are overcome by the enemy, we are not cast off, not forsaken and rejected of God. No; Christ is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Said the beloved John, ‘These things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.’ I John 2:1. And do not forget the words of Christ, ‘The Father Himself loveth you.’ John 16:27. He desires to restore you to Himself, to see His own purity and holiness reflected in you. And if you will but yield yourself to Him, He that hath begun a good work in you will carry it forward to the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). Pray more fervently; believe more fully. As we come to distrust our own power, let us trust the power of our Redeemer, and we shall praise Him Who is the health of our countenance.

“The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty you will appear in your own eyes; for your vision will be clearer, and your imperfections will be seen in broad and distinct contrast to His perfect nature. This is evidence that Satan’s delusions have lost their power; that the vivifying influence of the Spirit of God is arousing you.

“No deep-seated love for Jesus can dwell in the heart that does not realize its own sinfulness. The soul that is transformed by the grace of Christ will admire His divine character; but if we do not see our own moral deformity, it is unmistakable evidence that we have not had a view of the beauty and excellence of Christ.

“The less we see to esteem in ourselves, the more we shall see to esteem in the infinite purity and loveliness of our Saviour. A view of our sinfulness drives us to Him Who can pardon; and when the soul, realizing its helplessness, reaches out after Christ, He will reveal Himself in power. The more our sense of need drives us to Him and to the word of God, the more exalted views we shall have of His character, and the more fully we shall reflect His image.” Ibid., 64, 65.

What hope, what confidence we can have in God and in Jesus. “Although the human soul may cling to Jesus with all the desperate sense of his great need, Jesus will cling to the souls bought by His own blood with a firmer grasp than the sinner clings to Him.” That I May Know Him, 80. He will never let us go. He is there to help and aid in our growth to Him.

But from here, from a true, genuine conversion and discipleship, there is a continuous process of growing. After all, we are told that, “The work of sanctification is the work of a lifetime; it must go on continually.” The Review and Herald, June 17, 1890.

We learn of the truths of this process through the illustration of nature. When we plant a seed, it is not a mature plant overnight. It has to grow. And just as there is nothing that we can do to make the seed germinate, or make the plant grow, but rather it is God that gives the life and the growth, so the same is true in the Christian life. Steps to Christ, 67, 68 says, “As with life, so it is with growth. It is God who brings the bud to bloom and the flower to fruit. It is by His power that the seed develops, ‘first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.’ Mark 4:28. And the prophet Hosea says of Israel, that ‘he shall grow as the lily.’ ‘They shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine.’ Hosea 14:5, 7. And Jesus bids us ‘consider the lilies how they grow.’ Luke 12:27. The plants and flowers grow not by their own care or anxiety or effort, but by receiving that which God has furnished to minister to their life. The child cannot, by any anxiety or power of its own, add to its stature. No more can you, by anxiety or effort of yourself, secure spiritual growth. The plant, the child, grows by receiving from its surroundings that which ministers to its life—air, sunshine, and food. What these gifts of nature are to animal and plant, such is Christ to those who trust in Him. He is their ‘everlasting light,’ ‘a sun and shield.’ Isaiah 60:19; Psalm 84:11. He shall be as ‘the dew unto Israel.’ ‘He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass.’ Hosea 14:5; Psalm 72:6. He is the living water, ‘the Bread of God … which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.’ John 6:33.

“In the matchless gift of His Son, God has encircled the whole world with an atmosphere of grace as real as the air which circulates around the globe. All who choose to breathe this life-giving atmosphere will live and grow up to the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus.” That is a promise. “All who choose to breathe this life-giving atmosphere will live and grow up to the stature of men and women in Christ Jesus.” It doesn’t say maybe, or probably. It says “will.” That is a promise. “As the flower turns to the sun, that the bright beams may aid in perfecting its beauty and symmetry, so should we turn to the Sun of Righteousness, that heaven’s light may shine upon us, that our character may be developed into the likeness of Christ.”

How beautiful are these truths that as we turn our faces to the Sun of Righteousness, and drink of the “living water” that only Jesus can provide, but that in abundance, He brings about the growth.

What does it mean “so should we turn to the Sun of Righteousness, that heaven’s light may shine upon us, that our character may be developed into the likeness of Christ”? There is nothing we can do to “make” ourselves live right. Jesus Himself said, in John 15:5, “Without Me you can do nothing.”

“Our growth in grace, our joy, our usefulness—all depend upon our union with Christ. It is by communion with Him, daily, hourly—by abiding in Him—that we are to grow in grace. He is not only the Author, but the Finisher of our faith. It is Christ first and last and always. He is to be with us, not only at the beginning and the end of our course, but at every step of the way. David says, ‘I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.’ Psalm 16:8.

“Do you ask, ‘How am I to abide in Christ?’ In the same way as you received Him at first. ‘As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him.’ ‘The just shall live by faith.’ Colossians 2:6; Hebrews 10:38. You gave yourself to God, to be His wholly, to serve and obey Him, and you took Christ as your Saviour. You could not yourself atone for your sins or change your heart; but having given yourself to God, you believe that He for Christ’s sake did all this for you. By faith you became Christ’s, and by faith you are to grow up in Him—by giving and taking. You are to give all—your heart, your will, your service—give yourself to Him to obey all His requirements; and you must take all—Christ, the fullness of all blessing, to abide in your heart, to be your strength, your righteousness, your everlasting helper—to give you power to obey.

“Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, ‘Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.’ This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ.” Steps to Christ, 69, 70.

When two people first meet each other, they can talk for hours about all kinds of things. What are they doing? They are getting to know each other. As they talk and get to know one another, often likes and dislikes are adjusted or changed.

In our relationship with God, the same principle takes place, only God is not the one who will change. James 1:17 says that God changes not. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” No shadow of turning; that means that He does not change. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” We are the ones who need to do the changing. This is the only logical thinking. Do you want to go to a heaven that is simply a continuation of what this earth is like? That thought is not even to be considered. Well, if we want heaven to be different from this earth, then those inhabiting it need to be different from those inhabiting this planet. In reality, it is other humans in our lives that make life like a heaven on earth, or like hell on earth. Our relationships are the most important part of what life is like.

Just think, if there were no greed, no selfishness, but rather generosity, concern, a thinking of others first, there would be no poverty, hunger, nakedness, or want. So what is necessary is that we do the changing and allow God to work the miracle in our lives of being brought into harmony with Him, with His character.

Do you remember the definition of the new covenant, the plan that established the kingdom of grace? It is simply “an arrangement for bringing men again into harmony with the divine will, placing them where they could obey God’s law.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 371.

We have studied this plan in previous articles, this kingdom of grace, sufficiently to gain some understanding of how deep, how broad, how beautiful and self-sacrificing it is. If we all had the same kind of love that fostered this plan, what a world it would be in which to live. In fact, that is exactly what has to happen in order for us to be prepared and fit so God can take us to be in His holy presence. This is what it means to “grow up into Christ.” It means to be changed into His likeness. How does this change happen?

“A life in Christ is a life of restfulness. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an abiding, peaceful trust. Your hope is not in yourself; it is in Christ. Your weakness is united to His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty to His enduring might. So you are not to look to yourself, not to let the mind dwell upon self, but look to Christ. Let the mind dwell upon His love, upon the beauty, the perfection, of His character. Christ in His self-denial, Christ in His humiliation, Christ in His purity and holiness, Christ in His matchless love—this is the subject for the soul’s contemplation. It is by loving Him, copying Him, depending wholly upon Him, that you are to be transformed into His likeness.

“Jesus says, ‘Abide in Me.’ These words convey the idea of rest, stability, confidence. Again He invites, ‘Come unto Me … and I will give you rest.’ Matthew 11:28. The words of the psalmist express the same thought: ‘Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.’ And Isaiah gives the assurance, ‘In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.’ Psalm 37:7; Isaiah 30:15. This rest is not found in inactivity; for in the Saviour’s invitation the promise of rest is united with the call to labor: ‘Take My yoke upon you … and ye shall find rest.’ Matthew 11:29. The heart that rests most fully upon Christ will be most earnest and active in labor for Him.

“When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the Source of strength and life. Hence it is Satan’s constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ. The pleasures of the world, life’s cares and perplexities and sorrows, the faults of others, or your own faults and imperfections—to any or all of these he will seek to divert the mind. Do not be misled by his devices. Many who are really conscientious, and who desire to live for God, he too often leads to dwell upon their own faults and weaknesses, and thus by separating them from Christ he hopes to gain the victory. We should not make self the center and indulge anxiety and fear as to whether we shall be saved. All this turns the soul away from the Source of our strength. Commit the keeping of your soul to God, and trust in Him. Talk and think of Jesus. Let self be lost in Him. Put away all doubt; dismiss your fears. Say with the apostle Paul, ‘I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.’ Galatians 2:20. Rest in God. He is able to keep that which you have committed to Him. If you will leave yourself in His hands, He will bring you off more than conqueror through Him that has loved you.” Steps to Christ, 70–72.

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

Are You Ready?

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Do you believe that we are living in what the Bible describes as the last epochal period of earth’s history, the last days, or do you think time will continue in its present condition?

The Jewish leaders once came to Jesus asking that He show them a sign, something they continually asked for that they might know whether they could believe Him.

“Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, ‘When it is evening you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red”; and in the morning, “It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.” Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times.’ ” Matthew 16:1–3.

Jesus reproved the religious leaders of His day, because they knew a lot about predicting weather for the next day, but they didn’t know how to tell the signs of the times. They missed the signs that told of certain prophecies in the Old Testament that were being fulfilled right before their eyes. There are approximately 60 different prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the Messiah, His mission, and what He would do when He came. For centuries they had all of that information, but they did not recognize that prophecy was being fulfilled right in front of them.

In the same way now, there are many prophecies in both the Old and the New Testaments concerning the events leading up to the second coming of the Messiah, which have been and are being fulfilled. Yet they go by unnoticed by the majority. Do you believe we are living in the last days? How can we know?

In the books of Daniel and Revelation we are told that after the coming of the Messiah, there was to be a great time of persecution that would last for 1,260 years. At the end of that period of time, the world would enter the last epochal period of earth’s history, called the time of the end or the last days.

We are told in Daniel 7:25: “He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.”

A close look at the context of Daniel 11:30–35 clearly reveals that this period occurs after the coming of the Messiah. It says, “He shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant. And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits. And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame [they shall be burned at the stake], by captivity [put in dungeons] and plundering. Now when they fall, they shall be aided with a little help; but many shall join with them by intrigue. And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end; because it is still for the appointed time.”

Notice, this prophecy says, very distinctly, that there would be a long period of persecution against God’s children, and when that time ends, the world would enter “the time of the end.” Jesus spoke about this in Matthew 24. And John corroborated it in the book of Revelation when he recorded, “Leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city [God’s church] underfoot for forty-two months.” Revelation 11:2.

God’s true and faithful people were to endure terrible persecution for 42 months, or for 1,260 days, or 3½ years, as we read in Daniel 7:25. Then in Revelation 11:3, it says, “And I will give power to My two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

We find the same persecuting period mentioned in Revelation 12:6: “Then the woman [the church] fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.”

And again, in Revelation 13:5–8, talking about the anti-christ persecuting the true church, it says, “He was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.”

These prophecies have been fulfilled. It has been estimated that during the Dark Ages over 50,000,000 Bible believing Christians were martyred because of their faith in Christ. But Jesus said that toward the close of this period of the tribulation or persecution of Bible Christians that certain signs would appear in the heavens. He said, “In those days [the days of the tribulation or the persecution], after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light.” Mark 13:24.

In Matthew 24:29, 30 we read another record of the same prediction by Jesus. “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Those events have happened. On May 19, 1780, there was an unexplained dark day and in November 1833, the greatest meteor shower that has ever been recorded occurred. These events can be verified by an encyclopedia or Internet search.

When we look at history and follow it right up to the present time, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we have been living in that period of earth’s history that the Bible calls “the time of the end” or “the last days” for approximately 200 years. We are living in that period of time during which Daniel predicted the Lord of heaven is going to come back to this world and set up His kingdom. (See Daniel 2 and 7.) There are certain events that are to happen before Christ returns.

Daniel 12:4: “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Two things are going to happen in the time of the end, according to this verse. Many will go to and fro. There will be much traveling in the time of the end. Today, there is more travel than in any previous time in earth’s history. A few hundred years ago, even just 250 years ago, the only people who traveled much were explorers, soldiers, sailors, or people who emigrated to some new part of the world. The average person then lived and died within a few miles of his or her birthplace. But today, at any international airport you will see people from all over the world, coming and going by the thousands. It was not that way even 150 years ago.

In the time of the end, “knowledge would increase.” Today, we live in the time of an information explosion. History reveals that this information explosion in technology and science got started about 200 years ago, in direct fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

Not all the things the Bible predicted for the last days are so wonderful. Jesus said, “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matthew 24:37–39.

Noah preached for 120 years that a flood was coming but the world did not believe it. Jesus said that the same condition that existed prior to the Flood will prevail just before His return, but most will not believe. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14. Most people will not know what is coming. They will not know the signs.

There are millions of people today who boast that they do not believe in the Bible or in Bible prophecy. Nevertheless, Bible prophecy has an infallible way of being fulfilled right to the letter.

“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5. Every thought was evil continually; it was a time of great wickedness. One needs only to pick up a newspaper to see that today we are also living in a time of great wickedness. Jesus said this would be the condition right before He would come again. “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.” Verse 11. Does that sound familiar?

Referring to the same subject in Luke 17:28–30: “Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.”

Jesus said it will be just as it was in the days of Lot. They did not know that that was their last night on earth. The end came suddenly. So it will be when the Son of man is revealed. Life will go on day after day after day, and then suddenly, the Lord will return and people will not be ready.

In Ezekiel 16:48, 49 the prophet tells why Sodom was destroyed. “ ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘neither your sister Sodom nor her daughters have done as you and your daughters have done. Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.’ ”

According to the apostle Paul, there will be great social problems in the world in the last days. He wrote to Timothy, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people, turn away!” II Timothy 3:1–5.

There will be lots of religion in the last days. There will be a form of godliness, but people will deny its power. The power of godliness is the power that is given to the Christian to follow Jesus in obedience, to live a righteous and holy life. “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” Romans 6:17–22.

There will be many professed Christians in the last days with a form of godliness, but denying its power and manifesting all the social problems that the apostle Paul listed.

In the last days, there will be great natural disasters. In Luke 21:11 it says, “There will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines, and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.” And in verse 25, Jesus said, “There will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring.”

At the same time in the last days there will be a great international religious peace movement. This is very fascinating to study because there is no record in history of such a thing occurring, unless perhaps it happened in the days of Noah. But the prophets do predict clearly that there will be an international religious peace movement in the last days.

Isaiah tells about it in Isaiah 2:2–4. He says, “It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.” There is a similar prophecy in Micah 4:1–6. For a little over a 100 years, we have said that we are going to outlaw war. We have established an international court to rule on matters so that we will not have war anymore.

The Bible predicts that at the very time that there is this great international religious peace movement, there will be the greatest wars of all time. In Joel 3:9–14 it says just the opposite of what the people say. The Lord says, “Proclaim this among the nations: ‘Prepare for war! Wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near, let them come up. Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, “I am strong.” Assemble and come, all you nations, and gather together all around. Cause Your mighty ones to go down there, O Lord. “Let the nations be wakened and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations. Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, go down; for the winepress is full, the vats overflow—for their wickedness is great.” Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.’ ”

These texts describe exactly the way the world is today. There are multitudes trying to figure out on which side of the great controversy they want to be. They are in the valley of decision, but there is not a lot of time for them to decide because the Day of the Lord is near.

We see in Joel 3 that Bible prophecy has a way of turning out to be accurate every time. In II Peter 3, the apostle predicted that in the last days there would be a time of great unbelief. People would not believe that the world was created by a divine Intelligence. In II Peter 3:3–5 we are told: “Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’ For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water.” They willfully forget, not wanting to remember that this world was created by the word of God. That is a fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

We are living in a time when there is the accumulation of great wealth in the world and at the same time the most abject worldwide poverty. This is also a fulfillment of Bible prophecy. James predicted that there would be oppression of the poor by the rich. He said, “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.” James 5:1–6.

When people are not ready and are not looking for it, the end will come. Jesus said, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Matthew 24:44. It is going to happen friends. Most of the world won’t be ready, but what about you? Are you ready?

(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 – Uncertain Voices and Unsafe Paths

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  1. Eve lost paradise by listening to the voice of doubt, questioning and conjecture: “We must be careful not to listen to agents of the great adversary, who would guide our feet into forbidden paths, as our first parents were led into transgression.” The Signs of the Times, October 29, 1885.
  2. “Doctrines are being taught that lead into bypaths and forbidden paths; doctrines that lead men to act in harmony with their own inclinations and to work out their unsanctified purposes.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 231.

What are these doctrines?

  1. You can commit sin but be free from the consequences: “… the mass of humanity love a doctrine that permits them to commit sin, and yet frees them from its consequences. … Men … do not think it is in harmony with their dignity to inquire into the ways of God. Therefore they go into false ways, into forbidden paths, become self-sufficient, self inflated.” The Signs of the Times, February 19, 1894.
  2. higher criticism
  3. evolution
  4. spiritualism
  5. theosophy
  6. pantheism
  7. Practices that lead God’s professed people into forbidden paths.
  8. Attempting to control and rule fellowlaborers: “The man who holds office in the church should stand as a leader, as an advisor and a counselor and helper in carrying the burdens of the work. … But he is not appointed to order and command the Lord’s laborers. The Lord is over His heritage.” The Paulson Collection of Ellen G. White Letters (1985), 298.
  9. Seeking and following the counsel of counsellors not under the control of the Holy Spirit:

“The sins against which ancient Israel were warned have led modern Israel into byways and forbidden paths. The professed people of God have made those who are trampling under foot His commandments their counselors.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 9, 130.

  1. Participating in worldly amusement
  2. Studying skeptical and sensual literature
  3. Being very religious while the heart is somewhere else.

[All emphasis supplied.]