Issue: 2012 January

Lifestyle – Developing Trust, Our Greatest Need

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“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
Proverbs 3:5, 6

What a promise of love and care the Father has given us in this one text! Sometimes, when we are in the midst of trouble, we wonder why this has happened to my family or my church or me, and we pray for the problem to be resolved. There is nothing wrong with this, but we must realize that if we have been trusting in the Lord and not leaning to our own understanding, if we are acknowledging Him in all our ways, that He is directing our paths. Whether we are on the mountaintop of life or in the valley, we can have physical, emotional and spiritual peace knowing that He is directing our paths. If He is directing and we believe this, then we can know, as Christ knew that, “The Father’s presence encircled Christ, and nothing befell Him but that which infinite love permitted for the blessing of the world. Here was His source of comfort, and it is for us. He who is imbued with the Spirit of Christ abides in Christ. The blow that is aimed at him falls upon the Saviour, who surrounds him with His presence. Whatever comes to him comes from Christ. He has no need to resist evil, for Christ is his defense. Nothing can touch him except by our Lord’s permission, and ‘all things’ that are permitted ‘work together for good to them that love God.’ Romans 8:28.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 71.

It is easy to believe and trust when on the mountaintops, but much harder to believe and trust when we are in the valleys of our experience suffering from doubt, depression, hurt, anger, and feeling attacked, alone and abandoned. So how can we develop this life giving trust such that through all of the experiences of life we can have physical, emotional, and spiritual peace?

We cannot have trust in anyone whom we don’t know and we cannot know God or His Son, Jesus, without connection and conviction of the truth through His word and the Holy Spirit. Many churches and pastors promote a feel good, emotional religious experience but this is very shallow. Our religious experience has to go beyond feelings and this can only come from the conviction of the Holy Spirit as we read and study the Word, knowing it is truth. We need to know that the experience of the people whose stories are recorded in the Bible are there for examples to us (I Corinthians 10:11). Their joys and sorrows, their strengths and weaknesses were recorded for us to learn that wrong choices always have consequences.

As a result of his failure to trust God, David made poor choices in regard to his relationship with Bathsheba and the consequent murder of Uriah, causing his family to greatly suffer through many valley experiences. Once he was convicted of his wrong course of action and fully repented, God forgave him and he could be used again of God.

Look at Joseph who went through much suffering, but the final outcome was an entire nation saved from famine and he was reunited with his family. God is faithful to see that we, as well as others, are blessed by all the events of our life if we trust in Him and lean not upon our own understanding. We may not know how this will happen, but we know that as we look back on our life, we would not want to have been led any other way than as He directed. “God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning, and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him. Not Enoch, who was translated to heaven, not Elijah, who ascended in a chariot of fire, was greater or more honored than John the Baptist, who perished alone in the dungeon. ‘Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.’ Philippians 1:29. And of all the gifts that Heaven can bestow upon men, fellowship with Christ in His sufferings is the most weighty trust and the highest honor.” The Desire of Ages, 224, 225.

Just as we must eat good food on a regular basis each day to maintain health, so also it is imperative to spend time each day in study, prayer and meditation on the Word and how it is to be translated into our daily walk in order to have spiritual health. Then we will understand that the Ten Commandments are not just a rule of action or against an action, but take on new meaning and are a guide for our hearts. Very few would admit that they have violated the law, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13), but Jesus expanded this when He said not to be angry with our brother. There is probably not a person alive who, at some time, has not felt some anger at another individual. It takes meditation upon the Word to really understand and know how to apply to the daily life the deeper concepts of the Lord’s teaching. “The word must be daily received, believed, and acted upon.” The Review and Herald, October 1, 1901.

Another critical aspect of developing trust, obedience and peace is to develop a regular prayer life. In our own flesh we can do nothing, but prayer helps us understand the Word and brings light. “If students would read the word of God more, and pray over it, the light of heaven would shine upon them.” Ibid., July 6, 1905. Prayer helps us to overcome and truly acknowledge God in all that we do. “Send up your prayers to heaven that you may be delivered from temptation. Pray, pray, and put your will on the side of God’s will. Oh, be sure to pray for the Lord to give you His grace to resist the devil, who caused the fall of Adam and Eve in Eden, and [who] with all his deceptive power will try to make of none effect the restrictions and commandments of God.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 14, 74. It has been said that knowledge is power, but knowledge of good is powerless without prayer and the grace of Christ to help us overcome temptation and do good.

Memorization of Scripture is also very important in overcoming the enemy of souls and developing trust that God will see you through all circumstances. When tempted of the devil, one of the best responses is a rebuke from the Lord and this can be done through quoting the Word. Jesus met the temptations of the devil with “It is written.” So we too can obtain power as we pray and meet Satan with “It is written.”

As we study, meditate, bring the Word into our life, pray for spiritual power and memorize Scripture, meeting Satan with “It is written,” we will begin to find that nothing will shatter our trust in the Lord’s ability to see us through any trial. We will have a peace that only the Lord can give and it will be evident in our life and our countenance, and in our interaction with others during difficult times. This experience will bring such joy into our lives that we will want to share it with others.

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.” Psalm 91:1, 2. Oh to have that quiet assurance that God is in control and He will care for me. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7. It is my prayer that this may be your experience of trust and peace in the Lord.

Inspiration – God has Sacred Claims

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God has sacred claims upon us all. He claims the whole heart, the whole soul, the whole affections. The answer which is sometimes made to this statement is: “Oh, I do not profess to be a Christian!” What if you do not? Has not God the same claims upon you that He has upon the one who professes to be His child? Because you are bold in your careless disregard of sacred things, is your sin of neglect and rebellion passed over by the Lord? Every day that you disregard the claims of God, every opportunity of offered mercy that you slight, is charged to your account and will swell the list of sins against you in the day when the accounts of every soul will be investigated. I address you, young men and women, professors or nonprofessors: God calls for your affections, for your cheerful obedience and devotion to Him. You now have a short time of probation, and you may improve this opportunity to make an unconditional surrender to God.

Obedience and submission to God’s requirements are the conditions given by the inspired apostle by which we become children of God, members of the royal family. Every child and youth, every man and woman, has Jesus rescued by His own blood from the abyss of ruin to which Satan was compelling them to go. Because sinners will not accept of the salvation freely offered them, are they released from their obligations? Their choosing to remain in sin and bold transgression does not lessen their guilt. Jesus paid a price for them, and they belong to Him. They are His property; and if they will not yield obedience to Him who has given His life for them, but devote their time and strength and talents to the service of Satan, they are earning their wages, which is death. Immortal glory and eternal life is the reward that our Redeemer offers to those who will be obedient to Him. He has made it possible for them to perfect Christian character through His name and to overcome on their own account as He overcame in their behalf. He has given them an example in His own life, showing them how they may overcome. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” [Romans 6:23].

The claims of God are equally binding upon all. Those who choose to neglect the great salvation offered to them freely, who choose to serve themselves and remain enemies of God, enemies of the self-sacrificing Redeemer, are earning their wages. They are sowing to the flesh and will of the flesh reap corruption.

Those who have put on Christ by baptism, by this act showing their separation from the world and that they have covenanted to walk in newness of life, should not set up idols in their hearts. Those who have once rejoiced in the evidence of sins forgiven, who have tasted a Saviour’s love and who then persist in uniting with the foes of Christ, rejecting the perfect righteousness that Jesus offers them and choosing the ways that He has condemned, will be more severely judged than the heathen who have never had the light and have never known God or His law. Those who refuse to follow the light which God has given them, choosing the amusements, vanities, and follies of the world, and refusing to conform their conduct to the just and holy requirements of God’s law, are guilty of the most aggravating sins in the sight of God. Their guilt and their wages will be proportionate to the light and privileges which they have had.

Testimonies, vol. 3, 364–366.

Enduring Trials

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In rightly dividing the word of truth, it is often necessary to look beyond the stated words to the symbolism represented by those words. By so doing, the deeper meaning of Scripture is revealed and the diligent student can see more clearly the promises and workings of God in the lives of His faithful children today. For example, in Exodus 6:6, 7, when we understand that Egypt is symbolic of sin, we recognize not only a promise that God made to literal Israel—which was indeed fulfilled—but also a wonderful promise that applies today to spiritual Israel—a promise which is now being fulfilled through faith in God’s word.

“Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” Exodus 6:6, 7.

Understanding the symbolism in these two verses reveals one of the richest and most uplifting promises in Scripture. Here God promises to relieve us from the burden of sin, take us as His own people, and be to us a God, revealing to us that He is the Lord our God who releases us from the burden of sin. What a glorious promise!

But note how this work is to be accomplished: “with great judgments.” In verse 9, we are told that the children of Israel “hearkened not unto Moses.” Then Moses queried of God, “Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?” Verse 12.

It was not until the judgments began to fall on their overlords that the children of Israel realized that they were indeed to be delivered from their bondage. Similarly, many of God’s professed people will not understand the seriousness of the day until God’s judgments begin to fall today.

Even though as conservative, historic, faithful Seventh-day Adventists we make every effort to turn away from the world and keep our thoughts on things above rather than on things of this earth, regardless of how successful we may be at that, we would have to be living in a cave not to know that God is increasingly withdrawing His protecting hand from the earth. And even though His judgments are beginning to fall, His faithful children—spiritual Israel—can expect the same divine protection today that He manifested toward literal Israel when His judgments fell on Egypt. But just as the literal Israelites experienced trials and temptations all along their journey to the Promised Land, so too will the spiritual Israelites.

James 1:12 tells us, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

The Greek word that is translated as temptation in this verse is the derivative of a root word that means to entice or discipline, often translated as try or trial.

Are there advantages to be gained from being tried by God? Clearly there are. Job noted in Job 23:10: “But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”

Job understands that God knows, as the Hebrew reads literally, “the way that is with him,” that is, his character and what he needs to do to bring it in line with God’s character. The trials that Job faces are for the specific purpose of developing in Job a character that reflects the character of God.

Even Eliphaz, one of the “miserable counselors,” understood to some extent the purpose of the trials and chastenings of God. He said in Job 5:17, “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.”

But just as God delivered literal Israel from bondage in Egypt by the imposition of His judgments on the Egyptians, in a similar manner He will deliver spiritual Israel from the bondage of sin in this world through His judgments.

An examination of the trials and chastenings that literal Israel experienced in their journey out of Egypt prior to crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land will give us a fuller understanding of what we can expect on our journey out of sin as we draw closer to the spiritual crossing of the Jordan.

  1. The literal Israelites had to prepare their hearts and homes for the exodus from Egypt by literally sacrificing a lamb and applying the blood to the entrances of their houses.

The Israelites were told, as recorded in Exodus 12:3 and 6, to take a spotless lamb on the tenth day and keep it, safeguard it, until the fourteenth day. Why? During those five days of caring for the lamb, they would undoubtedly become emotionally attached to it. Just as literal Israel grew to know and undoubtedly gain some affection toward the sacrificial lamb, so must spiritual Israel know Christ—the true Lamb of God—and grow to love Him through familiarity with His life and character. How can we gain that familiarity without studying His life, continually and consistently?

“It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross.” The Desire of Ages, 83.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” I Peter 1:18, 19.

We, as the citizens of spiritual Israel, indeed must prepare our hearts by accepting by faith the sacrifice of the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world, and by faith applying the blood of Christ to wash our filthy robes of character and make them whiter than snow.

  1. The literal Israelites had to kill and eat the sacrificial lamb.

“And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. … And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.” Exodus 12:6, 8.

By faith, spiritual Israel has to eat the flesh and drink the blood of the true Lamb.

“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.” John 6:53.

  1. The Israelites were not released from bondage until the first-borns of their masters were destroyed.

“And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said.” Exodus 12:29–31.

Spiritual Israel is only released from the bondage of sin through accepting the sacrifice and death of the firstborn of God, His only begotten Son.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

  1. It was by means of the trials that the literal Israelites went through that the dross, the unbelievers, backsliders, and naysayers were purged from among them.

“Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it.” Numbers 14:22, 23.

If, when we are tried, the dross is not removed from us, we will be removed from the body of Christ, just as the unbelievers were purged from the literal Israelites during their wilderness sojourn.

“ ‘No one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.’ From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.” John 6:65, 66 NKJV.

  1. Just as the blood descendants of Abraham faced one final test involving lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, so must the spiritual descendants of Abraham face similar tests against those same temptations.

“And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel. And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel. And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.” Numbers 25:1–5.

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” I John 2:16, 17.

Just as literal Israel had one last opportunity to choose between life and death, so too will spiritual Israel be given that same opportunity. “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19.

Paul provided a succinct summary of the journey of the Israelites to the promised land in I Corinthians 10:1–11.

“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

We would do well to hearken to Paul’s conclusion to that summary: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Verse 12.

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

The School of Christ

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Those who want to learn about law, attend the school of law. To learn about art, you go to the school of art, or to become a doctor and learn about medicine you go to medical school. If you want to know about Christ, you must go to the school of Christ. This school does not exist physically with a building or special location nor does it have many teachers, but it exists spiritually for the salvation of all who attend.

The concept of the school of Christ is revealed in Matthew, where an invitation is given to all to enroll. “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. In My school, says Jesus, you can bring your burdens, all of your problems, and you will find rest. In no other school, with its assignments and homework, will you find rest.

Some people today pay thousands of dollars to therapists, hoping to learn how to solve their problems, while others spend their money on alcohol or drugs so they can forget them. Their minds are so stressed that they question the meaning and purpose of life. Often they try to manufacture a meaning for themselves by finding the perfect relationship, only to be let down and disappointed when their expectation is not reached. That dream is like sand. The harder you try to grab it, the faster it flows through your fingers, leaving a feeling of misery and emptiness. Whatever problems you have, whether physical, mental, emotional, psychological, social or spiritual, Jesus has the only answer. He bids, “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.”

Attendance at the school of Christ is completely voluntary and there is no graduation. You can attend your whole life and never run out of subjects to study. The teacher is Jesus. The textbook is the Bible, which tells about Him.

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.” John 5:39. It is almost impossible to get a good grade without opening that textbook.

Without studying the textbook all that is left is man’s opinions or human philosophy, which is worthless and like building on sand without a firm foundation.

When you come to His school, Jesus promises you rest. But there is a condition. Remember, with every promise of God there is a condition. Why? Because there is God’s part and also man’s part. God cannot twist your arm to save you, nor can He twist your neck to force you to obey Him or twist your ears to get you to listen to Him. He offers you power and gives you promises. He tells you what He can do, but it is up to you, and it is your choice to listen to Him.

The Condition

“Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:29, 30.

  1. take My yoke
  2. learn of Me
  3. accept My meekness and My lowliness

If you allow Him to fulfill all these things in your life, then “ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

The Bible says, “I will give you rest.” The secret of rest is right there, taking the yoke of Christ, to learn from Jesus to be meek and lowly. This is hard for some men or women to take, but there is a power in meekness. There is a power in humility, not to be hateful when someone else takes the ball away from you and makes more points than you do, or to be happy when someone else achieves ahead of you.

We live in a competitive world and we are pushed and shoved into being better than other people until the mentality is “I have to be the best.” Yes, God asks you to be the best, but to be best is to learn to do well at the lowest point in life and to be meek and humble. When you learn to say, “I am nothing and God is everything,” you will have power. The higher you try to climb, the dizzier you get, and the more likely you are to fall. You had better stay low, because you are nothing but dust! You had better humble yourselves, for when you die you return to the dust from which you came. The school of Christ teaches humility. There is no other university that can teach meekness and humility like the school of Christ.

This discourse is not to discourage education because knowledge and good science is essential, but caution must be exercised against the pride, strife and the competition. To be the best, yet without that perfect rest, is not the best. Jesus said to take His yoke in order to find that perfect rest.

The Yoke of Jesus

A yoke is an instrument that puts two oxen or two animals together, so they can work and move together. When Jesus says, “Take My yoke upon you,” it means to be bound up with Him. By not wearing the yoke of Christ, we wear another yoke by default—the yoke of sin. This yoke is heavy.

“The yoke of my transgressions is bound by His hand.” Lamentations 1:14. Jesus said that he that commits sin is a servant to sin. So this yoke of transgression binds you to commit to, to go after, or to work for sin and transgression. Before you can wear the yoke of Christ, the yoke of transgression needs to be broken. When you come to Christ and ask for forgiveness, when you confess, and repent, Jesus will forgive you and break the yoke of transgression.

Wearing the yoke of Christ means you go wherever He goes. When you have the yoke of Christ, you will never say, “I will do.” You will say, “I submit to the working of God’s grace in my heart.” You stop saying, “I will do this, and I will do that. I will be good, I will walk the ways of righteousness. I will obey.” Instead you will say, “With Christ, all things are possible,” because you are not depending upon yourself. You are not carrying the load alone. You will say, “With Christ’s help, I shall experience His righteousness working in me,” because you are not depending upon yourself. You are not carrying the load alone. With Christ, you are yoked up and walk together.

Having your yoke of transgression broken is one thing, but to put on the yoke of Christ is another. People like to be forgiven of their sins, but we need to learn how to wear the yoke of Christ and to walk in His ways. Jeremiah 2:20 says, “… when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest.” These people were wandering because their yoke of transgression had been broken, but they did not wear the yoke of Christ.

If you go where Jesus goes you will not wander away from Him playing the harlot. Speaking of the Israelites the Bible says, “For of old time, I have broken thy yoke.” Here God is speaking to the Israelites. “For of old time I have broken thy yoke [of transgression], and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress.” Ibid. Here is described a life depending upon self. They declare to God that they will not transgress. This sounds like the Israelites before Mount Sinai when God said, “If you keep My commandments, I will make you a holy nation.” And they say, “All that You have said we will do.” (See Exodus 19:6–8.)

Without the yoke of Christ, all wander away. The Bible says, “under every green tree.” What does it mean, “every green tree”? Many times, pagan temples were set up under the trees. That is still practiced in India and Japan and in some other countries in the world. So they wander away from God and they commit spiritual adultery. The Bible says, “playing the harlot.” Ibid. Playing the harlot is the most disgraceful sin that the church can commit. It is essential to have the yoke of Christ, so that we will not wander away from God and become spiritual harlots. That yoke must be put on every day.

Whether you like it or not, you have a yoke. Either you have the yoke of transgression, or you have the yoke of Christ. Either you serve God as your Master or you serve the world as your master. There is no middle ground. Attempting to walk in the middle ground makes a most miserable person, because it is being double-minded and very unsettling with absolutely no rest. The only way to have rest in this life is to wear the yoke of Christ, which has the power to keep you as a pure virgin, committed only to Christ.

Learn of Me

Jesus said, “Learn of Me.” To learn of Jesus is to learn from His example of meekness and lowliness. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.” I Peter 2:21. Jesus also set an example of suffering, that we should follow His steps. If there is one thing that this generation has a hard time accepting, it is a life of suffering. Everything has to be comfortable, easy and relaxing.

There’s a lot to be learned from suffering and God purposefully puts some thistles and thorns in the ground. He allows the ground to be a little bit rough and rocky to give man some sweat, to give him some callouses on his hands, and some roughness in his life so that his life can be molded according to the character of God. If you are suffering for Christ’s sake, rejoice! That suffering will mold and shape your image according to the image of God.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations” (James 1:2), or may I include trials and problems. Let us rejoice when we suffer for Christ’s sake. Follow His example. Even in suffering, Jesus says, “Learn of Me for I am meek and lowly in heart.” Meekness is keeping yourself loving, kind and patient, even when you feel it is your right to be unloving to someone who does not deserve your kindness.

Mothers, do you have some pressure in your home from your children? Do you have pressure from your coworkers? The meekest man in the Bible, besides Jesus, was Moses. We often find it hard raising two children, but Moses led more than one million people, most of whom complained and murmured for the whole 40 years in the wilderness. There was a lot of pressure upon Moses’ shoulders, yet he learned to say, “God, this is your people. If you destroy them, please take my name out of the book of life, because I love them.” Moses had all the right reasons to let them be burned by the wrath of God, but he would rather die eternally for them than let God give up on them. When you are that meek, lowly and humble, then you are experiencing the power of God.

Sometimes we think that to be angry, shouting and screaming means power. But having true power is to know how to put your power under submission to the power of God. When injustice is done to you and you think you have the right for revenge, submit your rights to God, allowing Him to work for you and the other person. It is real power when you exercise patience and pray for them.

Follow My Example

Jesus says, “Follow Me.” Jesus set an example of living a pure life without sin. We should follow His steps in the school of Christ, where Jesus will teach you that this is possible, but not by your own power or wisdom. Your persevering and sweating efforts are good, but not good enough. It is not by your interpretation of what you think a Christian should be. No word of envy, jealousy, or revenge will come out of your mouth, no words of evil surmising that destroy another person’s character. Beautiful words can be spoken, but if your heart is not connected with Jesus it can be seasoned with jealousy, hatred and selfishness. We can be very deceptive and full of guile!

When Jesus was reviled He reviled not again. When He suffered, He threatened not, but committed Himself to Him Who judges righteously. When provoked, the natural reaction is to be angry. In that moment, pray to the Lord: God, take my life. I want to walk where you are. Please help me to be meek and humble.

And when you are threatened—no revenge! This is a really important lesson to learn, especially as we are in the very last days of earth’s history. “And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God, and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurt not the earth neither the sea nor the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” Revelation 7:2, 3.

We understand that four angels are holding back the four winds, which represent worldwide destruction. This is talking about the great time of trouble, the great tribulation when probation has closed and the Holy Spirit will be withdrawn from this world, but not from God’s people.

Without the Holy Spirit the world will be under the full control of Satan. And when that takes place, the people will be possessed with the deceptions of Satan. They may walk and talk intelligently, but they will have Satanic hatred for God’s people. What you see in many of the cities of today—rape, murder and kidnapping—is only the tip of the iceberg compared to what Satan can do when he has full control over the people. But the Bible says God will protect His people. No plagues can come nigh to God’s people (Psalm 91:10). Thousands will fall on the right side, ten thousand will fall on the left side, but God will protect His people (Psalm 91:7), those who have the seal of the living God.

The seal is equal to a sign (Romans 4:11). The sign is the Sabbath (Ezekiel 20:12, 20). Those who have the seal of the living God in their forehead will accept the Sabbath. However, this does not mean that just keeping the seventh-day Sabbath will save you.

Not every person who keeps the seventh-day Sabbath, right now, will be protected in the time of trouble. It’s not only keeping the seventh-day Sabbath, but living the true meaning of the word Sabbath. The word Sabbath means rest. So when you have the seal of the living God in your forehead, you have the Sabbath in your forehead. If you have the Sabbath in your forehead, you have rest in your forehead. But where do we get the rest in our forehead? Jesus says, “Take My yoke upon you, learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your soul.”

So how can we prepare ourselves to receive the seal of the living God?

We must go to the school of Christ. And what of the number that were sealed with the seal of the living God? “And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand” [Revelation 7:4]. Whether that number is literal or symbolic we need to have the seal of the Sabbath rest.

The hundred and forty-four thousand have the characteristics of the school of Christ. The Bible says, “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father’s name written in their forehead.” Revelation 14:1. One hundred and forty-four thousand standing with the Lamb! The Lamb is meek and humble. The only way the hundred and forty-four thousand are able to stand with the Lamb is because they have learned to be meek and lowly.

They had learned those characteristics in the school of Christ. And they had “their Father’s name written in their forehead.” That means they had their Father’s character in their foreheads or in their minds. “And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps [victory] and they sung as it were a new song” [verses 2, 3]. They sang a new song, the song of victory.

Two things are necessary to write a song—words and melody. They were singing a new song, which means they were singing new words and a new melody. Words are the expression of thoughts and melody expresses feelings. Singing a new song is the expression of thoughts and feelings. Thoughts and feelings combined together determine the moral character. The hundred and forty-four thousand know how to sing a song, the song of Jesus, the song of God’s character.

“These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins” [verse 4]. Remember, when you have the yoke of Christ, you don’t wander away, playing the harlot, but you stay a virgin. This lesson is learned in the school of Christ. “For these are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth” [verse 4]. Why do they follow “the Lamb whithersoever He goeth”? Because they have the yoke of Christ. Where did they learn that lesson? In the school of Christ.

“And in their mouth was found no guile.” Jesus, our example, had no guile found in His mouth. And, “they are without fault, before the throne of God” [verse 5]. That means without sin. In the school of Christ they learned to follow the example of Jesus.

Will there be people who truly follow the example of Jesus and attend the school of Christ? They do not graduate, but they remain in the school and reflect God’s character before the Second Coming of Christ. Will there be a group of people? Yes, the hundred and forty-four thousand. These will see Jesus without experiencing death; they will be translated as was Enoch (Genesis 5:24). There will be many others who study in the school of Christ who will not live but rest until Jesus comes.

Jesus says, “Come to My school. I want to prepare you to become part of the hundred and forty-four thousand.”

Tuition Fee

“If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:26. This means God comes first above everything, even above yourself, even above your family members. This Bible text is not teaching hate. Jesus simply says it will seem as if you hate them if you follow God first, when it goes against their wishes, and hopes and dreams for you. To attend the school of Christ is to have a determination. In a quiet place on your knees pray:

Jesus, I know I have to attend Your school; otherwise, there is no rest in my soul. I’ve been wandering around, playing the harlot; I’m just going anywhere and everywhere that I like to go. And I know every time I looked for some kind of rainbow, it was invisible; it wasn’t there. I looked for some hope and dream and I gave my money and my effort, but at the end all I found were broken cups and broken hearts. O, God, I have tried everything; the only thing that I know that can help me is You. Jesus, take me; I’m already broken and wounded; heal me. My mind is going everywhere; please stabilize me. Make me strong in Your love and in Your trust. Give me Your rest. I need Thee every hour.

The very first class in the school of Christ begins as you open up your eyes in the morning. Jesus is right there waiting for you to attend His first class. And throughout the day, He not only gives you homework, but He will walk with you and do your homework with you. And every evening, He reviews the assignments and the homework with you to teach you how you can do better the next day.

School is not a one-day thing; it lasts a lifetime. Let’s learn to follow Christ so that others will also see the power of God working in our lives and someday we can be part of the hundred and forty-four thousand and sing the song of triumph and victory.

This message was shared by Judy Hallingstad. She is part of the LandMarks team and may be contacted by email at: judyhallingstad@stepstolife.org.

Joy in Suffering

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She was born in southeast New York, on March 24, 1820, and died in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on February 12, 1915, having lived ninety-five years.

Being blinded when six weeks old through an improper medical treatment, she was able, however, to distinguish between day and night. She never considered blindness a handicap, but rather a blessing and always insisted that blind people can accomplish almost everything sighted people can.

She lived a normal, happy childhood and wrote, “I could climb a tree like a squirrel and ride a horse bareback.”

Early in life, she began memorizing the Bible and eventually could repeat, by rote, the entire Pentateuch, all four Gospels, many of the Psalms, all of Proverbs, as well as the entire books of Ruth and Song of Solomon. She stated at the close of her life, “The Holy Book has nurtured my entire life.”

She spent twelve years as a pupil in the New York Institution for the Blind and served as a teacher there from 1847 to 1858, teaching language and history and was known for her musical abilities as well as a talent for writing poetry. She had a fine soprano voice as well as being accomplished in playing the guitar, harp, piano, and organ. Being well-versed in the great classics of music, she wrote some tunes for her texts but generally did not want them used, for she felt that they were too complicated for ordinary people to sing.

She married a blind musician and teacher from the school, Alexander Van Alstyne, in 1858, but very little is told of this marital relationship or of Mr. Van Alstyne other than that he was known as a very capable organist in the New York area. The Van Alstynes had a child born the following year, who evidently died in early infancy. This event was something that Fanny Crosby would never discuss with anyone throughout her life.

Fanny Crosby was very small in appearance, less than five feet tall, and she weighed no more than one hundred pounds. She was said to have been a physically unattractive person—a long face, prominent front teeth with a gap between them, thick, wavy hair parted in the middle and pulled backward in curls that hung to the shoulders and always the dark, rectangular glasses obscuring her sightless eyes. Yet, when she spoke, it is said that there was an unusual charisma about her, as her face lit up with an expression that gave her great charm and attractiveness.

Though always devout and religious from childhood, on November 20, 1850, Fanny Crosby had a dramatic conversion experience at a Methodist revival meeting. “My very soul was flooded with celestial light … for the first time I realized that I had been trying to hold the world in one hand and the Lord in the other.” Years later, when speaking of her November conversion experience, she said, “The Lord planted a star in my life and no cloud has ever obscured its light.” (Adapted from 101 Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, 239–240.)

This woman, Frances Jane Crosby, had every reason to be unhappy, discouraged, sad and complaining. Having lived a life of misfortune from infancy spanning ninety-five years, she had not much reason to be joyful, yet she led a most outstanding evangelistic/gospel ministry for the better part of her life.

“In the period of 1870 to her death in 1915, it is estimated that Fanny Crosby wrote between 8,000 and 9,000 gospel hymn texts—more than any other known hymn writer. The majority of her lasting favorites were written in her mid-life during the decade of the 1870s. These include such popular hymns, still found in our hymnals, as “Safe in the Arms of Jesus”; “Blessed Assurance”; “Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior”; “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross”; “I Am Thine, O Lord”; “All the Way My Savior Leads Me”; “Close to Thee”; “Praise Him, Praise Him”; “To God Be the Glory,” and “Rescue the Perishing.” Fanny Crosby’s favorite motto was, ‘I think life is not too long, and therefore I determine that many people will read a song who would not read a sermon.’ ” Ibid., 237.

“Saved by Grace” was one of the choice, later hymns written by Fanny Crosby in 1891, when she was seventy-one years of age. It goes like this:

Some day the silver cord will break,
And I no more as now shall sing;
But O the joy when I shall wake
Within the palace of the King!

Chorus –

And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story – Saved by grace;
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story – Saved by grace.

Saved by grace, saved by grace! I am convinced that this was the propelling force in the life of Fanny Crosby that kept her ministering for God for the greater part of her life in spite of the unfortunate set-backs, the trials, the obstacles and crippling situations that plagued her.

To be able to say with absolute conviction:

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Refrain –

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight.
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

The “Blessed Assurance” is the joy that anchors the Christian and keeps him steadfast in any given situation. This is the seeming paradox of the Christian experience, that in the midst of trials and very discouraging situations he/she can be joyful!

For many, many Christians there is something that is destroying their joy, and that something is trial. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:2–4.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” I Peter 4:12–16.

David confesses that, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” Psalm 119:71.

“When trials come to us, let us not dwell upon the greatness of the difficulties and feel that we cannot have joy in the Lord. It is true we will have changes of feelings. There will come to us times of discouragement and depression. But shall we live by feeling or by faith? When our brethren and friends speak unadvisedly, and cause us grief, let us not be cast down. Let us remember that we are in a world of trial and grief, of sorrow and disappointment. When these experiences come to us, they should drive us to Christ. If they do not, we meet with loss.” The Upward Look, 252.

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

The purging is not pleasant, but let us remember that Christ came to our world and took humanity that He might bear the afflictions that humanity must bear and be an example of faithful endurance under every form of trial. God wants us to realize that we are a part of the great human family, and that we must bear its tests. Let your humanity lay hold of divinity. Go to the footstool of God’s grace, and say, “Lord, I hang my helpless soul on Thee. Help me to control my speech. Teach me to overcome.” Christ will give you a spirit of overcoming. “They overcame him,” we read, “by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” Revelation 12:11.

Why should we not sink under trials?

“Trials are Christ’s workmen to perfect the Christian graces. … These tests are not to sink the believers’ faith, but raise it equal to the occasion, that unto all it may be made to appear more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire. Every trial permitted is designed to exalt the truth to a higher appreciation, that praise to God alone shall be upon the lips of the true disciple of Christ. And the growth in grace is to the honor and glory of God at the appearing of Jesus Christ, ‘whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you’ (I Peter 1:8–10).” Ibid., 324.

“We grieve the Spirit of Christ by our complaints and murmurings and repinings. We should not dishonor God by the mournful relation of trials that appear grievous. All trials that are received as educators will produce joy. The whole religious life will be uplifting, elevating, ennobling, fragrant with good words and works.” God’s Amazing Grace, 325.

Ponder these words: “So far from causing grief, persecution should bring joy to the disciples of Christ, for it is an evidence that they are following in the steps of their Master.

“While the Lord has not promised His people exemption from trials, He has promised that which is far better. He has said, ‘As thy days, so shall thy strength be.’ ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Deuteronomy 33:25; II Corinthians 12:9. If you are called to go through the fiery furnace for His sake, Jesus will be by your side even as He was with the faithful three in Babylon. Those who love their Redeemer will rejoice at every opportunity of sharing with Him humiliation and reproach. The love they bear their Lord makes suffering for His sake sweet.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 30.

There is no real joy in disobedience.

“Man is doing the greatest injury and injustice to his own soul when he thinks and acts contrary to the will of God. No real joy can be found in the path forbidden by Him who knows what is best, and who plans for the good of His creatures. The path of transgression leads to misery and destruction; but wisdom’s ‘ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.’ Proverbs 3:17.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 600.

David’s prayer after his great sin.

“Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit.” Psalm 51:12.

“The sweetest joy comes to man through his sincere repentance toward God because of the transgression of His law, and faith in Christ as the sinner’s Redeemer and Advocate.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 481.

Three things that constitute the greatest joy.

“To honor Christ, to become like Him, to work for Him, is the life’s highest ambition and its greatest joy.” Education, 296.

“In view of what Christ has done for us, and what He suffered for sinners, we should, out of pure, disinterested love for souls, imitate His example by sacrificing our own pleasure and convenience for their good. The joy set before Christ, which sustained Him in all His sufferings, was the salvation of poor sinners. This should be our joy, and the spur of our ambition in the cause of our Master. In so doing we please God, and manifest our love and devotion to Him as His servants.” Sons and Daughters of God, 150.

Why is it so necessary that we experience this joy that comes from knowing Christ?

Because we are planning to make heaven our home and “Heaven is full of joy. It resounds with the praises of Him who made so wonderful a sacrifice for the redemption of the human race. Should not the church on earth be full of praise? Should not Christians publish throughout the world the joy of serving Christ? Those who in heaven join with the angelic choir in their anthem of praise must learn on earth the song of heaven, the keynote of which is thanksgiving.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 244.

A well known chorus goes like this,

I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart.
I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart to stay.
I know the devil doesn’t like it but it’s down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart.
I know the devil doesn’t like it but it’s down in my heart, down in my heart to stay.

Is the joy of the Lord your strength? Do you have the joy of the Lord down in your heart?

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Hebrews 12:1–3.

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.

Preparing for the Future

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In the first chapter of 1 Chronicles is an account of the family tree of Adam right down to Abraham:
1. Adam, 2. Seth, 3. Enosh, 4. Cainan, 5. Mahalalel, 6. Jared, 7. Enoch. Enoch is the seventh generation from Adam, and although he is only mentioned in four places in the Bible, Ellen White has a lot to say about him.

She said, “[Enoch] represents God’s loyal people in the last days who will be separate from the world. Unrighteousness will prevail to a dreadful extent upon the earth. Men will give themselves up to follow every imagination of their corrupt hearts, and carry out their deceptive philosophy, and rebel against the authority of high heaven.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, 64. Enoch is actually one of the most famous men who has ever lived, although we don’t know a lot about him from the Bible. We do know that he was the first person who was translated. “Enoch lived sixty five-years, and begot Methuselah. After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” Genesis 5:21–24.

He is a representative of the people who will be living in the last days and translated when Jesus comes. Would you care to be one of those people?

Studying the life of Enoch is a lesson on how to be ready for that time. Let’s look at a few things about him.

Enoch walked with God and spent much time in prayer. “Enoch devoted time to prayer and communion with God, and this enabled him to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. It was his devotion to God that fitted him for translation.” The Review and Herald, April 15, 1909.

“When in trouble, when assailed by fierce temptations, they [we] have the privilege of prayer. What an exalted privilege! Finite beings, of dust and ashes, admitted through the mediation of Christ, into the audience-chamber of the Most High. In such exercises the soul is brought into a sacred nearness with God, and is renewed in knowledge, and true holiness, and fortified against the assaults of the enemy.” An Appeal to Mothers, 24. Daniel also prayed at three specific times each day in a certain place (Daniel 6:10).

God’s people everywhere, including people of all ages, are assailed by multiple temptations. It is only through having a consistent prayer life that you will be fortified to deal with each temptation.

“To him [Enoch] prayer was as the breath of the soul. He lived in the atmosphere of heaven.” Gospel Workers, 52. He prayed continually. Just as you have to breathe continually, so, if prayer is the breath of the soul, you need to be in constant communication with God. This does not mean he knelt down all the time, for he had work to do just like everybody else in this world. Enoch was a husband, a father and a citizen, and he had to make a living by the sweat of his face just as was pronounced on Adam (Genesis 3:19) and all of his posterity. He had responsibilities and duties, but in the midst of all these things he communed with God.

“The infinite, unfathomable love of God through Christ, became the subject of his meditations day and night.” Ibid., 51. He was trying to understand the love of God that had been manifested in the human family by the promise of sending His Son, the Saviour of the world. Then Mrs. White says, “In the midst of a life of active labor, Enoch steadfastly maintained his communion with God. The greater and more pressing his labors, the more constant and earnest were his prayers.” Ibid., 52. The more he had to do, the more constant, the more earnest were his prayers.

What happens if a person starts living like that? Notice what the apostle Paul says: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” II Corinthians 3:18.

When you look at the glory of the Lord, you will be changed to be like Him, or as Ellen White says,

“It is a law of the human mind that by beholding we become changed.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 91.

If you think about it and know what is going on in the world today, and even in the church, this could be a subject of terror. Many people who profess to be Christians spend much of their time looking at sin, watching it, listening to it. It is the natural progression of things that you will think about what you look at. What is the result? There is an interesting text in Isaiah that tells what the result will be. It says, “Then they will look to the earth, and see trouble and darkness, gloom of anguish; and they will be driven into darkness.” Isaiah 8:22.

You become what you look at and what you listen to, without exception, because it is a law of the mind. Because it is a law, we can take advantage of it. Enoch took advantage of that law and began to commune on the character of God and His love, and the result: “Communing thus with God, Enoch came more and more to reflect the divine image. His face was radiant with a holy light, even the light that shineth in the face of Jesus. As he came forth from these divine communings, even the ungodly beheld with awe the impress of heaven upon his countenance.” Gospel Workers, 52. Would you like to have an experience like that? There will be some people in the last days who will have the same experience as Enoch. “While still on earth, he dwelt by faith in the realms of light. …

“For three hundred years Enoch had been seeking purity of heart, that he might be in harmony with heaven. …

“To such communion God is calling us. As was Enoch’s, so must be their holiness of character who shall be redeemed from among men at the Lord’s second coming.” Ibid., 53, 54.

As human beings we make plans, have goals and objectives. I say this reverently, but God also makes plans, has goals, and has objectives. He has decided to demonstrate to the whole universe what He can do in human beings through the Holy Spirit if they will yield totally to Him. And He is going to do it in the last generation of people who are the weakest generation that there has ever been. That is a matter of prophecy. (Read Revelation 14:1–5.)

If we don’t have the experience, somebody else will take our place. There is a warning in the book of Revelation that says, “Don’t let somebody else take your crown” (Revelation 3:11).

How can we have the same experience as Enoch? “God must be ever in our thoughts. We must hold converse with Him while we walk by the way, and while our hands are engaged in labor. In all the purposes and pursuits of life, we must inquire, ‘What will the Lord have me to do?’ ” The Review and Herald, May 30, 1882.

In other words, Enoch had a lot to do. He had a lot of responsibilities, but in the midst of all his work, whatever he was doing, he talked to the Lord about it. We have already seen how it had an effect on his countenance. It also had an effect on the way he spoke. “The love of Jesus always leads to Christian courtesy, refinement of language, and purity of expression that testify the company we are with—that like Enoch we are walking with God. There is no storming, no harshness, but a sweet fragrance in speech and in spirit.” That I May Know Him, 198.

No one will enter heaven who does not overcome the disposition to speak harshly and unkindly. Heaven has already been ruined once, and the angels that ruined it were cast out. God is not going to have heaven ruined again.

In researching the life of Enoch in the Spirit of Prophecy, it was amazing to find all that was written about imagination. In Genesis 6:5, notice what it says: “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.”

It says in verse 11 that the earth was corrupt and filled with violence, and this was a result of corrupt imaginations.

“A study on this subject will find that one of the principle ways the devil tempts men and women is through the imagination. Before a person engages in open sin of some kind, it has already been formulated in the imagination.

With regard to the imagination Mrs. White wrote, “They should not venture on forbidden ground, where Satan can claim control over them. If they in humility entreat God for purity of thought, and a refined and sanctified imagination, He will hear them, and grant their petitions. God has not left them to perish in their sins, but will help the weak and helpless, if they cast themselves in faith upon Him.” An Appeal to Mothers, 22, 23.

No one is going to enter heaven with a defiled, impure imagination. This appears to be one of the bigger problems many Christians have. “It is your duty to control your thoughts. You will have to war against a vain imagination. … You are responsible to God for the indulgence of vain thoughts.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 82. “In place of permitting the imagination to fill the mind with day-dreams and air-castles, let the soul cultivate the habit of contemplating the world’s Redeemer.” The Youth’s Instructor, June 7, 1894.

Those who do not have the prayer life and the meditations as Enoch did will never get control of their imagination. But once a prayer life has been developed, then the Lord will give you special help. People say, “I would like to be a Christian but I can’t. I can’t live up to what it says in the Bible.” That is very true. In fact, it is impossible, just as it was impossible for Peter to walk on water. But when the Holy Spirit takes control of your life, all things are possible. Then you can walk on water!

If the Holy Spirit is not holding you up, you are not going to stay up and will go down immediately. “We cannot keep ourselves from sin for one moment. Every moment we are dependent upon God.” The Ministry of Healing, 180. Enoch understood where to go for help and he communicated with the Lord at all times. The result was that he had power to control his carnal imagination and develop pure thoughts.

Enoch was not a hermit. He did not live in a cave somewhere separate from the rest of the world. But he did live separately from the concentrations of wickedness that were present in the world at that time. I am sure that we are all aware that there are some places that have concentrated wickedness. “A separation from the world is required of us, for we cannot remain free from its pollution unless we follow the example of the faithful Enoch.” God’s Amazing Grace, 304. Enoch chose to live away from the center of concentrated wickedness even though he was living in a depraved world. “God’s people will separate themselves from the unrighteous practices of those around them, and will seek for purity of thought, and holy conformity to His will, until His divine image will be reflected in them. Like Enoch, they will be fitting for translation to Heaven.” The Signs of the Times, February 20, 1879.

King David learned his lesson the hard way by falling into sin. But notice what he said: “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes … .” Why did he say that? Because he knew that if he looked at sin, he would become like that in character. “I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness.” Psalm 101:3, 4.

Enoch separated himself from the wickedness around him. “Those who follow the Lord are to be firm and straightforward in obeying His directions. Any deviation to follow human devising or planning disqualifies them for being trustworthy. Even if they have to walk as did Enoch—with God alone—His children must separate from those who do not obey Him, who show that they are not in vital connection with Him.” The Youth’s Instructor, April 28, 1898. To follow this counsel, even if they have to walk alone, is one of the great trials that sometimes happen to people who are trying to live for Jesus and be ready for His second coming. These people are scattered all over the world. I often meet people who say to me things like, “My husband [or my wife] doesn’t believe what I believe.” They are alone at home. “My children [or my parents or both] don’t believe what I believe …” so they are completely isolated at home. Others say, “There’s no church anywhere near where I am that is teaching and preaching the Three Angels’ Messages, and I work in a secular workplace, and I am all alone.”

I cannot explain why God allows different people to go through different trials. I have learned from reading my Bible that God allows people to be in situations where they have to develop a character, often alone. This is not some new experience. Enoch had it; he had to walk alone, but he decided that even if there was nobody else in the world who believed as he did, he would still believe.

While the Lord has been bringing revival and reformation to the second-advent movement, there have been some interesting experiences over the past few years. We have met people in various parts of the world who have been cast out of Adventist churches because they stood up for what they believed was right. They thought they were the only ones in the whole world trying to do what’s right, and we have encouraged them by telling them there are people scattered all over the world in the same situation.

Remaining in a church that is in open sin, that will not turn around, will cause you to be spiritually anesthetized. In time, you won’t even know it or be bothered, leaving you in a much worse condition than you were to start with. Enoch refused to compromise and was willing to walk alone.

No human being enjoys being alone. Even Jesus didn’t enjoy being alone although He had to walk alone His whole life. His mother didn’t understand Him. His earthly father didn’t understand Him. Neither did His brothers who criticized Him understand Him, making His childhood hard. His disciples didn’t understand Him, and even John the Baptist didn’t understand. There was nobody on earth who understood Him.

Enoch walked alone. He was the first to be translated, but while on earth he had to walk alone. Was it worth it? I think so, for Enoch is the oldest human being. He is over 5,000 years old right now. It was worth it!

While in vision, Ellen White had a conversation with Enoch: “There I saw good old Enoch, who had been translated. On his right arm he bore a glorious palm, and on each leaf was written ‘Victory.’ Around his head was a dazzling white wreath, and leaves on the wreath, and in the middle of each leaf was written ‘Purity,’ and around the wreath were stones of various colors, that shone brighter than the stars, and cast a reflection upon the letters and magnified them. On the back part of his head was a bow that confined the wreath, and upon the bow was written ‘Holiness.’ Above the wreath was a lovely crown that shone brighter than the sun. I asked him if this was the place he was taken to from the earth. He said, ‘It is not; the city is my home, and I have come to visit this place.’ He moved about the place as if perfectly at home.” Early Writings, 40.

Enoch can go anywhere in the universe and visit places. Would you like to join him in some of those travels some day? Every time the devil tempts you because you have to stand alone, and it seems like nobody understands, it will not be forever. Enoch is not alone anymore. He has far more friends than any wicked man has ever had or will have.

In The Paulson Collection of Ellen G. White Letters, 179, is written:

“We want, every one of us, to have an amiable disposition, and unless you have a sanctified, amiable disposition, you will lose heaven entirely.”

An amiable disposition is a part of somebody with whom it is easy to get along. There will not be anybody in heaven with whom it is hard to get along. If I’m going to go to heaven, I must develop an amiable disposition. “We do not glorify our Redeemer when we complain of the difficulties of the way, and murmur at the providences of God.” The Signs of the Times, February 3, 1888.

Enoch was involved in evangelism. He did not have a lot of success as far as converts were concerned, but he was still involved in it. Wherever he could find two or three people willing to listen to the word of God, he would teach them. He had very small congregations. “Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, ‘Behold the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.’ ” Jude 14, 15.

Enoch gave warning to people who were living in sin. Some listened to the warning and renounced their sins, but the multitudes mocked and made fun of him. “The servants of God are to bear a similar message to the world in the last days, and it also will be received by the majority with unbelief and mockery. …

“Enoch, the witness of faith, held on his way, warning, pleading, and teaching, striving to turn back the tide of guilt and to stay the bolts of vengeance.” Gospel Workers, 53.

God revealed to Enoch that the wickedness on the earth was so great that a flood was coming. Because he knew what was coming, even though it was still several hundred years away, he tried to help the people get ready so they wouldn’t have to drown. His son, Methuselah, also warned the people of the coming judgment.

“By faith Enoch was taken away [translated] so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” Hebrews 11:5. How could we have a testimony like that said about us?

“It is our privilege to carry with us the credentials of our faith—love, joy, and peace. When we do this, we shall be able to present the mighty arguments of the cross of Christ. When we learn to walk by faith and not by feeling, we shall have help from God just when we need it, and His peace will come into our hearts. It was this simple life of obedience and trust that Enoch lived. If we learn this lesson of simple trust, ours may be the testimony that he received, that he pleased God. Then instead of mourning and bitter repining, we shall make melody in our hearts to the Lord.” Historical Sketches, 133.

If we live a life of simple obedience and trust in the Lord, we can do the same.

“We are required to improve every day. Even in this world of sin and sorrow, we may, by earnest, persevering effort, rise to the highest spiritual efficiency. … We are to please God. This we may do; for Enoch pleased God, though living in a degenerate age.” Sons and Daughters of God, 314.

“Enoch walked with God and ‘had the testimony that his ways pleased God.’ This is the privilege of every believer today. It is man dwelling with God, and God taking up His abode with man. ‘I in them and you in Me’ [John 17:23].” The Upward Look, 228.

“In all the purposes and pursuits of life we must inquire, What will the Lord have me to do? How shall I please Him, Who has given His life a ransom for me? Thus may we walk with God, as did Enoch of old … .” Our High Calling, 61.

We can have that same experience today. In Ellen White’s day the world in general was optimistic. Because theologians and Christians are influenced by the world in which they live, they had theories of perfectionism and believed that you could just come to Christ and be perfect instantly. Perfectionism was a very popular teaching 150 years ago, but Ellen White said it was a fallacy.

Today, after two world wars, a big depression and all kinds of trouble worldwide that is increasing, everything has flipped. We are now living in a pessimistic age where people say nobody is perfect and they do not believe anybody can be. Christian perfection is a Biblical doctrine all through the New Testament, even though it is a very unpopular one in our time. Jesus mentioned it in Matthew 5:48 and Paul talks about it in almost every single epistle he wrote and also James and John make mention.

“We have fixed our minds upon the exceeding great and precious reward; and, in order to obtain it, we must have a perfect character. … Angels of God are weighing moral worth; and we are to obtain a fitness here to join the society of sinless angels. Do you expect that when Christ comes He will give you that fitness? Not at all. You must be found of Him without spot, without blemish, or wrinkle, or anything like it [Ephesians 5:25; 11 Peter 3:14]. Now is the watching and trying time. Now it is the time to obtain a preparation to abide the day of His coming, and to stand when He appeareth. Do you say that you cannot do it because around you are so much sin and iniquity and corruption? I refer you to Enoch.” The Review and Herald, April 19, 1870.

Enoch did it. If we follow the same principles and the same way of life that he followed, we will have the same results. Remember his prayer life, his meditations, his evangelistic efforts, his disposition, his imagination, and the fact that he separated himself from the wickedness in the world, walking with God by living a life of simple obedience and trust.

When Jesus comes there will be a people that have the experience of Enoch, and they will be translated. We have been given the Spirit of Prophecy so we can have explicit instruction and know how to order our lives and be ready for Jesus to come. The Holy Spirit earnestly waits to purify our imagination, and give us the power to live the Christian life. You can become Christ-like.

The apostle John says that when Jesus comes we will be like Him (I John 3:2). May the Lord help us to have that same experience of Enoch.

[Bible texts quoted are NKJV translation.]

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

Editorial – When More than One is Just One

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That they may be one just as We are one.” John 17:22.

The devil is determined that this will never happen, and this is one reason that we see constant debate about theology and everything else among God’s professed people today. However, there are going to be some people who will overcome all this dissension and become one. Here are some inspired predictions about this:

“ ‘We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord’ [II Corinthians 3:18]. We are to keep the Lord ever before us. Those who do this, walk with God as did Enoch, and imperceptibly to themselves, they become one with the Father and with the Son. Day by day a change is wrought upon mind and hearts, and the natural inclination, the natural ways, are molded after God’s ways and Spirit.” Sons and Daughters of God, 296.

“If your zeal is languishing, your first love grown cold, accept again of the proffered love of Christ. Eat of Christ’s flesh, drink of His blood, and you will become one with the Father and with the Son.” The Review and Herald, May 17, 1892.

“Christ in the courts of heaven had known that the time would come when the power of Satan must be met and conquered if the human race was ever to be saved from his dominion. And when that time came, the Son of God laid off His kingly crown and royal robe, and clothing His divinity with humanity, came to the earth to meet the prince of evil, and to conquer him. In order to become the advocate of man before the Father, the Saviour would live His life on earth as every human being must, accepting its adversities and sorrows and temptations. As the Babe of Bethlehem, He would become one with the race.” Ibid., January 28, 1909.

“Christ was one with the Father, on a level with the eternal throne.” The Signs of the Times, April 25, 1895.

“Our Lord Jesus Christ could not have become the Redeemer unless He had first been the Sacrifice. How precious is it to contemplate the faithfulness of God to His promises! After His humiliation, suffering, and death, the Son of God steps back to the position of His former glory, and is one with the Father in power and dominion.” Ibid., June 27, 1895.

“Christ became one with us in humanity in order that we might become one with Him in life everlasting. Thus our life is united with His life. He proclaimed over the rent sepulcher of Joseph, ‘I am the resurrection, and the life’ [John 11:25].”  Manuscript Releases, vol. 21, 348.