Issue: 2015 June

Inspiration – Standards of Success

by

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10). …

All heaven is cognizant of every thought and every action. Your actions may be unseen by your associates, but they are all open to the inspection of angels. The angels are commissioned to minister unto those who are striving to overcome every wrong habit, and stand clear from the devices of Satan.

Faithful Integrity

The power of little acts of evil, of small inconsistencies to mold character, are not estimated as they should be. The grandest and most elevated principles are revealed to us in the word of God. They are given to us to strengthen every effort for good, to control and balance the mind, to lead us to aspire to reach a high standard.

In the history of Joseph, Daniel, and his fellows, we see how the golden chain of truth may bind the youth to the throne of God. They could not be tempted to turn aside from their course of integrity. They valued the favor of God above the favor and praise of princes, and God loved them and spread His shield over them. Because of their faithful integrity, because of their determination to honor God above every human power, the Lord signally honored them before men. They were honored by the Lord God of hosts, whose power is over all the works of His hand in heaven above and the earth beneath. These youth were not ashamed to display their true colors. Even in the court of the king, in their words, their habits, their practices, they confessed their faith in the Lord God of heaven. They refused to bow to any earthly mandate that detracted from the honor of God. They had strength from heaven to confess their allegiance to God.

You should be prepared to follow the example of these noble youth. Never be ashamed of your colors; put them on, unfurl them to the gaze of men and angels. Do not be controlled by false modesty, by false prudence which suggests to you a course of action contrary to this advice. By your choice words and a consistent course of action, by your propriety, your earnest piety, make a telling confession of your faith, determined that Christ shall occupy the throne in the soul temple; and lay your talents without reserve at His feet to be employed in His service.

Complete Consecration

For your present and eternal good it is best to commit yourself wholly to the right, that the world may know where you are standing. Many are not wholly committed to the cause of God, and their position of wavering is a source of weakness in itself, and a stone of stumbling to others. With principles unsettled, unconsecrated as they are, the waves of temptation sweep them away from what they know to be right, and they do not make holy endeavor to overcome every wrong, and through the imputed righteousness of Christ, perfect a righteous character.

The world has a right to know just what may be expected from every intelligent human being. He who is a living embodiment of firm, decided, righteous principles, will be a living power upon his associates; and he will influence others by his Christianity. Many do not discern and appreciate how great is the influence of each one for good or evil. …

Assert Your Liberty

Make it the law of your life from which no temptation or side interest shall cause you to turn, to honor God, because He “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). As a redeemed, free moral agent, ransomed by an infinite price, God calls upon you to assert your liberty, and employ your God-given powers as a free subject of the kingdom of heaven. Be no longer under the thralldom of sin, but as a loyal subject to the King of kings, prove your loyalty to God.

Through Jesus Christ show that you are worthy of the sacred trust with which the Lord has honored you in bestowing upon you life and grace. You are to refuse to be in subjection to the power of evil. As soldiers of Christ we must deliberately and intelligently accept His terms of salvation under every circumstance, cherish right principles, and act upon them. Divine wisdom is to be a lamp to your feet. Be true to yourselves, be true to your God. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken; but rooted and grounded in the truth, you will abide with those things that cannot be shaken. The law of God is steadfast, unalterable; for it is the expression of the character of Jehovah. Make up your mind that you will not by word or influence cast the least dishonor upon its authority.

Complete Surrender

To have the religion of Christ means that you have absolutely surrendered your all to God, and consented to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit moral power will be given you, and not only will you have your former intrusted talents for the service of God, but their efficiency will be greatly multiplied. The surrender of all our powers to God greatly simplifies the problem of life. It weakens and cuts short a thousand struggles with the passions of the natural heart. Religion is as a golden cord that binds the souls of both youth and aged to Christ. Through it the willing and obedient are brought safely through dark and intricate paths to the city of God.

There are youth who have only common faculties, and yet by education and discipline under teachers who are actuated by high and pure principles, they may come forth from the training process qualified for some position of trust to which God has called them. But there are young men who will make a failure because they have not determined to overcome natural inclinations, and they will not listen to the voice of God in His word. They have not barricaded their souls against temptation, and determined to do their duty at all hazards. They are like one who in a perilous journey refuses any guide or instruction whereby he may escape accident and ruin, and goes on in a certain course of destruction.

Choosing Your Destiny

O that every one might realize that he is the arbiter of his own destiny! Your happiness for this life, and for the future, immortal life lies with yourself. If you choose, you may have associates who, by their influence, will cheapen your thoughts, your words, and your morals. You can give loose rein to appetite and passion, despise authority, use coarse language, and degrade yourself to the lowest level. Your influence may be such as to contaminate others, and you may be the cause of ruining those whom you might have brought to Christ. You may lead from Christ, from right, from holiness, and from heaven. In the judgment the lost may point to you and say, “If it had not been for his influence, I would not have stumbled and made a mock of religion. He had light, he knew the way to heaven. I was ignorant, and went blindfolded on my way to destruction.” O, what answer can we give to such a charge? How important it is that every one shall consider where he is leading souls. We are in view of the eternal world, and how diligently we should count the cost of our influence. We should not drop eternity out of our reckoning, but accustom ourselves to ask continually, Will this course be pleasing to God? What will be the influence of my action upon the minds of those who have had much less light and evidence as to what is right?

Messages to Young People, 27–32.

Keys to the Storehouse – The Tree in Your Life

by

When God created Adam and Eve, He placed them in a garden home where everything was provided for their happiness and well-being. It was for their protection that to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil was prohibited.

“It was the will of God that Adam and Eve should not know evil. The knowledge of good had been freely given them; but the knowledge

  • of evil,
  • of sin and its results,
  • of wearing toil,
  • of anxious care,
  • of disappointment and grief,
  • of pain and death,

this was in love withheld.” Education, 23.

Today, the results of knowing good and evil are apparent all around us. God seeks our good and in His abounding love gives instruction designed to protect the human race from evil, but Satan is bent on seeking our ruin.

There are trees of good and evil in the world today. Satan is a master of mixing a lot of good with a little bad to lure the unsuspecting. He captures the attention by the senses. It may be a television program or a movie that has so much good in it and is so funny that we tolerate the cursing or the lewd plot. Guard the avenues to the soul, for by beholding we become changed. Little by little that which was once abhorred eventually becomes acceptable and ultimately desirable. Sin loses its heinousness and we find ourselves addicted to that which we know will not enhance our relationship with our Lord. Satan’s masterpiece is to mix good with evil—he loves the outcome.

In daily living there is enough evil to avoid without bringing it into our homes and setting it up as an idol in our living rooms.

As he did in Eden, Satan still desires to make it appear that the knowledge of good and evil would be a great blessing. Many people consider it silly and fanatical to make a stand on choosing to refrain from what is socially accepted as normal entertainment.

Each person has his or her own forbidden tree that Satan deceives them into believing is okay, convincing them that a little evil will not hurt them. Beware, Satan is a liar. Put your trust in God’s wisdom and not the lies of the enemy. A lie is a lie; evil is evil, and no matter how much good you put with it, it is still evil. Eve’s eyes were opened when she ate of the forbidden fruit, but did she like what she saw? The only thing to be gained by continuing to eat from that tree is more of the curse of sin.

Notice: “Man lost all because he chose to listen to the deceiver rather than to Him Who is Truth, Who alone has understanding. By the mingling of evil with good, his mind had become confused, his mental and spiritual powers benumbed. No longer could he appreciate the good that God had so freely bestowed.” Ibid., 25. [Emphasis added.] How different life would be on this planet had our first parents trusted the wisdom of God and been protected from the flood of evil that came once their “eyes were opened.”

Father: The horror of the mixtures in my life, the mingling of evil with good has brought confusion and spiritual numbness to my heart and mind. I want to experience all of the good that You desire for Your children. Give me strength to resist the temptation to be drawn onto that enchanted ground that draws the curious into a spiral fall that ends in the abyss of sin. I want to be ready for the soon appearing of Jesus. Amen.

Current Events – Global Sunday Push

by

Prophecy is fast fulfilling before our eyes today and who is ready to meet this challenge?

There is a continual push from all quarters of the world to close down trading on Sunday. Under the guise of economic reasons or promoting better family relations, this global push is Satan’s attempt to have the whole world worship him on the spurious Sabbath that he originated, the first day of the week.

Sylvia Allen: Ariz. senator proposes mandatory church

According to Allen, the real problem behind the increase in our nation’s gun violence begins with something internal – the soul. And what better way to combat a corroded heart condition? Sunday morning worship.

“It is the soul that is corrupt and how we get back to a moral rebirth in this country, I don’t know,” Allen commented to the state’s appropriations committee. But Allen had a plan – and no matter how much her scheme tramples on the Constitution’s separation of church and state – Allen wants butts in the pews.

“We are slowly eroding religion at every opportunity that we have. We should probably be debating a bill requiring every American to attend a church of their choice on Sunday to see if we can get back to having a moral rebirth,” Allen said.

www.examiner.com/article/sylvia-allen-mandatory-church-ariz-senator-proposes-moral-mandatory-church

“In the fourth and fifth centuries, Sunday shows and Sunday theaters, it was complained, hindered the ‘devotion of the faithful,’ because many of the members attended them in preference to the church services. The church, therefore, demanded that the state interfere, and promote Sunday observance by law. ‘In this way,’ says Neander ‘the church received help from the state for the furtherence of her ends.’ This union of church and state served to establish the Papacy in power. A similar course pursued now will produce the same results.” (AUGUSTUS NEANDER, General History of the Christian Religion and the Church, Torey translation (3rd American ed.), vol. 2, pp. 300,301.) www.markofbeast.net/page3.htm

Protest march Organized by Business and Trade Unions on the Streets of Athens, against Sunday trade (April 2015)

“Protesters gathered at Ermou Street and marched through the streets of Athens passing in front of open shops to condemn Sunday trade … [TRANSLATED] – With concentration and massive March through the streets of Athens Sunday afternoon completed the demonstration organized by sectoral and business clubs in trade and services, associations of Self-employed and Grassroots Committees of the municipality of Athens, in the framework of the nationwide strike in the Trade, with the demand for enshrining the holiday on Sunday.”

www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?to=&from=&a=http://www.rizospastis.gr/story.do?id=8387871

Declaration Signed in Poland by Catholics, Orthodox and Evangelicals to Protect Sunday (January 2015)

“This year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was a joint appeal for respect for Sunday. Signed (by) all traditions: Orthodox, Evangelical and Catholic. forcing believers to work on Sunday violates the right to freedom of religion.”

“Church leaders remind workers and employers that free Sunday is essential to deepen their faith, family life and human health. The authorities representing the right to call so its protection, noting that forcing believers to work on Sundays violates the right to religious freedom. It is worth recalling that in our civilization circle of Christianity that the right to rest on Sunday became one of the universal human rights. Thus, the possibility of using a free Sunday should extend to all whose work on that day is not absolutely necessary. This right is respected in most European countries with an established democracy.” Marcin Przeciszewski / br, Warsaw, 2015-01-26 http://ekai.pl/dziennikarze_kai/x86011/swieta-niedziela/

True Education Series – Wrestling with a Lion

by

“He went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day.” I Chronicles 11:22

“They [the children] should be taught that this world is not a parade ground, but a battlefield.” Education, 295.

“We do not understand as we should the great conflict going on between invisible agencies, the controversy between loyal and disloyal angels. Over every man, good and evil angels strive. This is no make-believe conflict. It is no mimic battle in which we are engaged. We have to meet most powerful adversaries, and it rests with us to determine which shall win. We are to find our strength where the early disciples found theirs.” Evangelism, 704.

After I was baptized and joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the fall of 1976, the Lord opened the way for me to move into a small cabin in the country near two Adventist families. It was extremely primitive, but I enjoyed the adventure. I attended a small church in Pittsboro, North Carolina, helping teach Sabbath School and singing in the choir. Building houses was also a big part of life.

The next summer I attended my first camp meeting at Mount Pisgah Academy. After attending some meetings on colporteur work, I decided to give it a try. This was a major challenge, as I had been unnerved at school when asked to talk in class. But because I loved the Lord, and the special books that He had given, I moved forward in faith.

After wandering in darkness for 24 years, then trying to understand the Bible alone for two years, the gift of the Spirit of Prophecy through Ellen G. White has become invaluable to me.

“So those who are the partakers of the grace of Christ will be ready to make any sacrifice, that others for whom He died may share the heavenly gift. They will do all they can to make the world better for their stay in it. This spirit is the sure outgrowth of a soul truly converted. No sooner does one come to Christ than there is born in his heart a desire to make known to others what a precious friend he has found in Jesus; the saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in his heart. If we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ and are filled with the joy of His indwelling Spirit, we shall not be able to hold our peace. If we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good we shall have something to tell. Like Philip when he found the Saviour, we shall invite others into His presence. We shall seek to present to them the attractions of Christ and the unseen realities of the world to come. There will be an intensity of desire to follow in the path that Jesus trod. There will be an earnest longing that those around us may ‘behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29).

“And the effort to bless others will react in blessings upon ourselves. This was the purpose of God in giving us a part to act in the plan of redemption. He has granted men the privilege of becoming partakers of the divine nature and, in their turn, of diffusing blessings to their fellow men. This is the highest honor, the greatest joy, that it is possible for God to bestow upon men. Those who thus become participants in labors of love are brought nearest to their Creator.” Steps to Christ, 78, 79.

As I shared God’s blessings, these rich promises were being fulfilled in my life. I felt called, and others encouraged me to go into full-time pastoral ministry. I was accepted at Andrews’ seminary on condition of one quarter’s probation.

In my favorite class, Faith and Prayer, the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy were our only textbooks while the small group setting provided good interaction. One day, a special guest, a seminary graduate working with the team at Weimar Institute, in California, described its hopes and plans. I was drawn toward that type of education.

Another memorable event took place at a meeting one Sabbath afternoon. A young lady described her experience at Wildwood Institute, in Georgia. Once again, I was encouraged by what I heard.

After counseling with some of the leaders and pleading with the Lord for wisdom and guidance, I believed that I should move in a different direction than Andrews. So I informed the school, and moved to Weimar.

There, I worked on the farm, took classes in the basics of medical missionary work, enjoyed fellowship with like-minded people, and helped with evangelism. I also found Ira Gish to be a most interesting man. He was one of the co-authors of the book Madison: God’s Beautiful Farm, and one of the few still alive from the early days of Madison. I asked him why the Madison school had changed from their original plan. He said that there were two main reasons. In order to understand his answers, we need to consider one important part of God’s counsel on education.

“In attending our colleges many of the youth are separated from the softening, subduing influences of the home circle. At the very time of life when they need vigilant supervision they are withdrawn from the restraints of parental influence and authority, and are thrown into the society of a large number of their own age, of varied characters and habits of life. Some of these have in childhood received too little discipline and are superficial and frivolous; others have been governed too much and have felt, when away from the hands that held the reins of control perhaps too tightly, that they were free to do as they pleased. They despise the very thought of restraint. By these associations the dangers of the young are greatly increased.

“Our school homes have been established that our youth may not be left to drift hither and thither, and be exposed to the evil influences which everywhere abound; but that, as far as possible, a home atmosphere may be provided that they may be preserved from temptations to immorality and be led to Jesus. The family of heaven represents that which the family on earth should be; and our school homes, where are gathered youth who are seeking a preparation for the service of God, should approach as nearly as possible to the divine model.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 168.

In the beginning, Madison had school homes where the students and staff members lived together. Brother Gish shared that many of the staff members were unhappy with the personal challenges and self-denial required in having the youth in their homes. The second major problem was a desire for higher wages.

“Christ demands all. If he required less, the sacrifice made by him was too dear, and too great to bring us up to such a level. Our holy faith cries out separation. We should not be conformed to the world, or to dead, heartless professors, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. This is a self-denying way. But if we think it too straight; if we think that there is too much self-denial in this narrow path; or if we say, How hard to give up all, let us ask ourselves this question, What did Christ give up for me?

“The infinite sacrifice He made eclipses all we call self-denial. Behold Him in the garden sweating great drops of blood. Follow Him on His way to the judgment hall, while He is derided, mocked and insulted by that infuriated mob. Behold Him clothed in that old purple robe. Hear the coarse jest and cruel mocking, see His enemies place upon that noble head the crown of thorns, and then smite Him with a reed, causing the thorns to penetrate His temples, and the blood to flow from that holy brow; hear that murderous throng eagerly crying for the blood of the Son of God; see Him delivered into their hands, and led away, pale, weak, and fainting, to His crucifixion; see Him stretched upon the wooden cross, and the nails driven through His tender hands and feet; behold Him hanging upon the cross in agony, until the sun refuses to shine, and the angels veil their faces from the horrid scene—then ask yourself the question, Does He require too much in asking me to give up the world and deny self? No, no.” The Signs of the Times, February 19, 1880.

At Weimar, I attended an important meeting where the principles of true and false education were discussed. I believed that some decisions that were made regarding the direction of the program being planned were not in harmony with Inspiration.

So when a friend told me about the two New Earth vegetarian restaurants in Wheaton, and North Chicago, Illinois, I decided to go there. Working with the team and sharing with the people in those communities was a valuable experience. Another blessing was meeting an older couple from Broadview Academy who had previously been at Wildwood. The sister, recognizing my need for better training in a more stable environment, recommended that I consider going to Wildwood. Through a series of providences, I arrived there in May.

Jesus invites us to “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13, 14.

“If you would climb the path of spiritual life, you must constantly ascend; for it is an upward way. You must go with the few; for the multitude will choose the downward path.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 138.

For three years, I received a basic training in many areas. The first year, I worked in the lifestyle center in the morning and attended classes in the afternoon on a variety of health and spiritual topics. Friday vespers was a highlight of the week, along with helping in some of the area churches on Sabbath.

My work during the last two years I was there was largely on the farm and caring for the grounds. These areas have interested me most of my life. Both of my granddads were farmers. My mother’s dad was one of my very favorite people.

“Working the soil is one of the best kinds of employment, calling the muscles into action and resting the mind. Study in agricultural lines should be the A, B, and C of the education given in our schools. This is the very first work that should be entered upon. Our schools should not depend upon imported produce, for grain and vegetables, and the fruits so essential to health. Our youth need an education in felling trees and tilling the soil as well as in literary lines. Different teachers should be appointed to oversee a number of students in their work and should work with them. Thus the teachers themselves will learn to carry responsibilities as burden bearers. Proper students also should in this way be educated to bear responsibilities and to be laborers together with the teachers. All should counsel together as to the very best methods of carrying on the work.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 179.

At that time, Wildwood still had student homes, which were one of the greatest blessings in my life. In that setting, with young and old together, we learned how to behave in a Christian home. I still believe that student homes are one of the greatest needs in our schools, as well as the greatest challenge to accomplish. There are so few who have the training and experience to be successful in their own home life, or who have the ability to teach others to be successful in theirs.

Elder Frazee, who was still active at Wildwood, greatly helped me with an understanding of the sanctuary, true education, and medical missionary work. I would highly recommend wdfsermons.org as a valuable resource on the history of Adventist education and other vital topics.

Two other excellent books on true education are Living Fountains or Broken Cisterns and Studies in Christian Education by E. A. Sutherland. The pdf’s of these books are offered free on the web.

The Lord next led me to work with the Country Life Restaurant team in New York City for my advanced training. God’s plan for His people was to work the cities from outpost centers.

“The cities must be worked. The millions living in these congested centers are to hear the third angel’s message. This work should have been developed rapidly during the past few years. A beginning has been made, for which we praise God. Outpost centers are being established, from whence, like Enoch of old, our workers can visit the cities and do faithful service.” The Review and Herald, July 5, 1906.

The work there began with a restaurant in Peekskill, New York, with the workers living in Putnam Valley, close to Living Springs Retreat. Before I arrived they had opened a restaurant in downtown Manhattan, one block from Wall Street. Then the Lord provided a 250-acre farm about an hour and a half outside the city, near Newton, New Jersey, and another restaurant was opened in mid-town Manhattan. I worked with the team for about three years in a variety of responsibilities. Eventually, through corruption in the leadership, everything was lost, except for the experiences and the people who were influenced for the Lord.

One of the main lessons from this experience was the danger of having too much power and authority in a single person. Before the end, the Lord will have a people working together as a family. Even if we are following God’s plan outwardly, there is the danger of pride and self-sufficiency in any of us.

“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Philippians 2:2, 3.

There is one main principle, with two aspects, involved with these experiences of life that is a vital part of the science of redemption.

“ ‘Learn of Me,’ says Jesus; ‘for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest’ (Matthew 11:29). We are to enter the school of Christ, to learn from Him meekness and lowliness. Redemption is that process by which the soul is trained for heaven. This training means a knowledge of Christ. It means emancipation from ideas, habits, and practices that have been gained in the school of the prince of darkness. The soul must be delivered from all that is opposed to loyalty to God.” The Desire of Ages, 330. [Emphasis added.]

This training should be the focal point of education, as it is essential in order to have happy homes that reflect God’s character.

“The greatest evidence of the power of Christianity that can be presented to the world is a well-ordered, well-disciplined family. This will recommend the truth as nothing else can, for it is a living witness of its practical power upon the heart.

“The best test of the Christianity of a home is the type of character begotten by its influence. Actions speak louder than the most positive profession of godliness.” The Adventist Home, 32.

“The system of education established in Eden centered in the family. Adam was ‘the son of God’ (Luke 3:38), and it was from their Father that the children of the Highest received instruction. Theirs, in the truest sense, was a family school.” Education, 33.

The topic of marriage, as explained in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, is a topic worthy of careful attention.

“To gain a proper understanding of the marriage relation is the work of a lifetime. Those who marry enter a school from which they are never in this life to be graduated.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 45. [Emphasis added.]

Fourteen years after my divorce, through prayer and counsel with Godly people, the Lord led me into a courtship with Lorraine Butler. Following is the key to success at each stage of our development:

“No outward observances can take the place of simple faith and entire renunciation of self. But no man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work. Then the language of the soul will be, Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul.

“It is not only at the beginning of the Christian life that this renunciation of self is to be made. At every advance step heavenward it is to be renewed. All our good works are dependent on a power outside of ourselves. Therefore there needs to be a continual reaching out of the heart after God, a continual, earnest, heartbreaking confession of sin and humbling of the soul before Him. Only by constant renunciation of self and dependence on Christ can we walk safely.” Christ’s Object Lessons. 159.

The relationship between men and women has always been the greatest challenge in life. Eve was the special gift to Adam from his Creator. Yet, she became part of the greatest test in his life. Why was this?

“He proves those who profess to love Him by placing means [or any gift] in their hands, and then tries them to see if they love the gift better than the Giver. God will reveal, in time, the true feelings of the heart.” Testimonies, vol. 2, 660.

“There is need for constant watching that the principles which lie at the foundation of family government are not disregarded. The Lord designs that the families on earth shall be symbols of the family in heaven.” The Adventist Home, 306.

“There is not one marriage in one hundred that results happily, that bears the sanction of God, and places the parties in a position better to glorify Him. The evil consequences of poor marriages are numberless. They are contracted from impulse. A candid review of the matter is scarcely thought of, and consultation with those of experience is considered old-fashioned.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 504.

Lorraine’s parents became involved with self-supporting work early in their marriage. Her dad, a medical doctor, and her mother, a registered nurse, were involved in health education as well as raising their four children. Lorraine was educated with practical work and home school in Mexico. In academy, and at Eden Valley Institute, this same plan continued after which she spent ten years helping to develop a training school in Zambia, Africa, after God’s plan.

These educational experiences have been very significant in revealing God’s purpose for our lives. It is written, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos 3:3. It is essential that we allow God to direct us in the choice of our life partner if we want true happiness.

Before the end, it will be clearly revealed that God’s grace is sufficient to restore His image in us, beginning with the fathers.

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

“What was it that made John the Baptist great? He closed his mind to the mass of tradition presented by the teachers of the Jewish nation, and opened it to the wisdom which comes from above. Before his birth the Holy Spirit testified of John: ‘He shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost. … And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord’ (Luke 1:15–17).” Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 445.

“Now, as never before, we need to understand the true science of education. If we fail to understand this, we shall never have a place in the kingdom of God.” Christian Educator, August 1, 1897.

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15.

Lynn Alan Humes became a Christian in 1974 at 24 yrs of age, and a Seventh-day Adventist two years later. Since then he has worked in many parts of the United States, doing canvassing, restaurant work, teaching, preaching, writing, building, agriculture, and whatever needs to be done. He and his wife, Lorraine (Butler) Humes, care for her father, Dr. Maurice Butler, and are involved with many aspects of Gospel Medical Missionary work, building and agriculture in rural Tennessee. He may be contacted by email at: thehappypilgrims@gmail.com.

The Privilege of Prayer

by

“The idea that prayer is not essential is one of Satan’s most successful devices to ruin souls. Prayer is addressing the mind to God, the Fountain of wisdom, the Source of strength and peace and happiness. Prayer includes acknowledgment of the divine perfections, gratitude for mercies received, penitential confession of sins, and earnest entreaty for the blessing of God, both for ourselves and for others. Jesus prayed to the Father with strong crying and tears. Paul exhorts believers to ‘pray without ceasing’ (I Thessalonians 5:17). ‘In everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God’ (Philippians 4:6). ‘Pray one for another,’ says James. ‘The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much’ (James 5:16). God has a right to command our devotions; His authority is sacred and unquestionable. We are under obligation to pray because He requires it; and in obeying His requirements we shall receive a gracious and precious reward.” The Signs of the Times, August 7, 1884.

“Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!, That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne, Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempters snare, By thy return sweet hour of prayer.

“Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear,
To Him whose truth and faithfulness, Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His word, and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.

“Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! May I thy consolation share,
Till from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height, I view my home and take my flight.
In my immortal flesh I’ll rise, To seize the everlasting prize,
And shout while passing through the air, ‘Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!’ ”

William W. Walford, 1845

When we think of the meaning of the words to this beautiful hymn above, we may well say it is no wonder that the apostle Paul exhorted us to “Pray without ceasing.” I Thessalonians 5:17. “Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him.” Steps to Christ, 93.

Prayer is a vital part of our religious privilege and duty. It is a privilege to be able to go into the presence of the Creator, the mighty Ruler of the universe. Though we are sinful and fallen, He reaches out His arms and invites us to talk with Him, to learn of Him, to listen to His instruction, to commune with Him. Yet, it is also a duty. Gospel Workers, 254, 255, states it like this: “Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual power. No other means of grace can be substituted, and the health of the soul be preserved. Prayer brings the heart into immediate contact with the Well-spring of life.” Jesus said in John 4:14, “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” Prayer “strengthens the sinew and muscle of the religious experience. Neglect the exercise of prayer, or engage in prayer spasmodically, now and then, as seems convenient, and you lose your hold on God. The spiritual faculties lose their vitality, the religious experience lacks health and vigor.” Ibid., 255.

When to Pray –

“Pray without ceasing.” I Thessalonians 5:17. “Without unceasing prayer and diligent watching we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating from the right path. The adversary seeks continually to obstruct the way to the mercy seat, that we may not by earnest supplication and faith obtain grace and power to resist temptation.” Steps to Christ, 95.

First thing in the morning, before you do anything else, pray. “When you rise in the morning, kneel at your bedside, and ask God to give you strength to fulfill the duties of the day, and to meet its temptations. Ask Him to help you to bring into your work Christ’s sweetness of character. Ask Him to help you to speak words that will inspire those around you with hope and courage, and draw you nearer to the Saviour.” Sons and Daughters of God, 199.

“If we would develop a character which God can accept, we must form correct habits in our religious life. Daily prayer is as essential to growth in grace, and even to spiritual life itself, as is temporal food to physical well-being. We should accustom ourselves to lift the thoughts often to God in prayer. If the mind wanders, we must bring it back; by persevering effort, habit will finally make it easy. We cannot for one moment separate ourselves from Christ with safety. We may have His presence to attend us at every step, but only by observing the conditions which He Himself has laid down.” The Sanctified Life, 93.

“In the work of heart-keeping we must be instant in prayer, unwearied in petitioning the throne of grace for assistance. Those who take the name of Christian should come to God in earnestness and humility, pleading for help. The Saviour has told us to pray without ceasing. The Christian can not always be in the position of prayer, but his thoughts and desires can always be upward. Our self-confidence would vanish, did we talk less and pray more.” The Youth’s Instructor, March 5, 1903. As we attend to our daily activities we can be in an attitude of prayer.

How to Pray –

“Go to your closet, and there alone plead with God. … Be in earnest, be sincere. Fervent prayer availeth much. Jacoblike, wrestle in prayer. Agonize. Jesus, in the garden, sweat great drops of blood; you must make an effort. Do not leave your closet until you feel strong in God; then watch, and just as long as you watch and pray you can keep these evil besetments under, and the grace of God can and will appear in you.” God’s Amazing Grace, 318.

“God will be to us everything we will let Him be. Our languid, half-hearted prayers will not bring us returns from heaven. Oh, we need to press our petitions! Ask in faith, wait in faith, receive in faith, rejoice in hope, for everyone that seeketh findeth. Be in earnest in the matter. Seek God with all the heart. People put soul and earnestness into everything they undertake in temporal things, until their efforts are crowned with success. With intense earnestness learn the trade of seeking the rich blessings that God has promised, and with persevering, determined effort you shall have His light and His truth and His rich grace.” Our High Calling, 131. Make note of the words describing how we are to pray. We are to plead, to be earnest, be sincere, fervent. We are to wrestle in prayer, to agonize, and all this with patience. We are to ask in faith, to pray with all the heart, and with all the soul.

Where to Pray –

“We should pray in the family circle. …

“Pray in your closet.” Steps to Christ, 98. To pray with our families includes our church families, and we are to pray by ourselves. But the principle goes even further. Steps to Christ, 99, gives us this instruction: “There is no time or place in which it is inappropriate to offer up a petition to God. There is nothing that can prevent us from lifting up our hearts in the spirit of earnest prayer. In the crowds of the street, in the midst of a business engagement, we may send up a petition to God and plead for divine guidance, as did Nehemiah when he made his request before King Artaxerxes. A closet of communion may be found wherever we are. We should have the door of the heart open continually and our invitation going up that Jesus may come and abide as a heavenly guest in the soul.”

What to Pray –

Yes, we are even instructed what we are to pray for. As our Creator, and with His deep love for us, He has left out nothing from His words necessary to lead us to salvation. This includes our prayers. “The whole being must hunger and thirst after righteousness. The soul’s desire must be to be drawn to God, to be bent in perfect conformity to His will. Then the cold, hard heart will be melted by the grace and love of God, which will appear in power.” The Southern Review, December 5, 1899.

“If you feel in no danger, and if you offer no prayer for help and strength to resist temptations, you will be sure to go astray; your neglect of duty will be marked in the book of God in heaven, and you will be found wanting in the trying day.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 364. We must see our need, and then pray for assistance.

“When we pray for earthly blessings, the answer to our prayer may be delayed, or God may give us something other than we ask, but not so when we ask for deliverance from sin. It is His will to cleanse us from sin, to make us His children, and to enable us to live a holy life. Christ ‘gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father’ (Galatians 1:4). And ‘this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him’ (I John 5:14, 15). ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ (I John 1:9).

“No sooner does the child of God approach the mercy seat than he becomes the client of the great Advocate. At his first utterance of penitence and appeal for pardon Christ espouses his case and makes it His own, presenting the supplication before His Father as His own request.” Prayer, 238, 239. [Emphasis added.] Jesus is in the “true tabernacle” (Hebrews 8:2) of heaven, pleading for you, and we must approach Him there.

“Tell Jesus your wants in the sincerity of your soul. You are not required to hold a long controversy with, or preach a sermon to, God, but with a heart of sorrow for your sins, say, ‘Save me, Lord, or I perish.’ There is hope for such souls. They will seek, they will ask, they will knock, and they will find. When Jesus has taken away the burden of sin that is crushing the soul, you will experience the blessedness of the peace of Christ.

“As, seeing the sinfulness of sin, we fall helpless before the cross, asking forgiveness and strength, our prayer is heard and answered. Those who present their petitions to God in Christ’s name will never be turned away. The Lord says, ‘Him that cometh to Me I will in nowise cast out’ (John 6:37). ‘He will regard the prayer of the destitute’ (Psalm 102:17). Our help comes from Him who holds all things in His hands. The peace that He sends is the assurance of His love to us.” Ibid., 239.

“The Lord will recognize every effort you make to reach His ideal for you. When you make a failure, when you are betrayed into sin, do not feel that you cannot pray, that you are not worthy to come before the Lord. ‘My little children, 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). With outstretched arms He waits to welcome the prodigal. Go to Him, and tell Him about your mistakes and failures. Ask Him to strengthen you for fresh endeavor. He will never disappoint you, never abuse your confidence.” Messages to Young People, 97. So even if we sin, Jesus wants us to come to Him. It is only through Him that we can gain the power to overcome.

We gain that strength through the power of prayer. “If you offer no prayer for help and strength to resist temptations, you will be sure to go astray.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 364.

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

“Jesus said, ‘Ye shall ask in My name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father Himself loveth you.’ ‘I have chosen you: … that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you’ (John 16:26, 27; 15:16). But to pray in the name of Jesus is something more than a mere mention of that name at the beginning and the ending of a prayer. It is to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus, while we believe His promises, rely upon His grace, and work His works.” Steps to Christ, 100, 101.

To sum up this point, we are told to pray for help to resist temptation, for deliverance from sin, for pardon and forgiveness, and then we also have the privilege to pray about our daily, temporal lives. He invites us to tell Him our wants, joys, sorrows, cares, fears, our perplexities. And we have the promise, the divine, never-failing promise that He hears and will answer according to our best good. What a God of love.

Why Pray? –

There are too many reasons to cover them all, but first of all, we should give God thanks for all the things He has done for us, first and foremost of which is the great sacrifice made on our behalf. Is there anything that can compare with the plan of salvation? When we recognize where we would be without that, it should leave us in a position of heartfelt gratitude.

“If we keep the Lord ever before us, allowing our hearts to go out in thanksgiving and praise to Him, we shall have a continual freshness in our religious life. Our prayers will take the form of a conversation with God as we would talk with a friend. He will speak His mysteries to us personally. Often there will come to us a sweet, joyful sense of the presence of Jesus. Often our hearts will burn within us as He draws nigh to commune with us as He did with Enoch. When this is in truth the experience of the Christian, there is seen in his life a simplicity, a humility, meekness, and lowliness of heart, that show to all with whom he associates that he has been with Jesus and learned of Him.” Conflict and Courage, 30.

“Shall not the people of God more frequently have holy convocations in which to thank God for His rich blessings? Shall we not find time in which to praise Christ for His rest, peace, and joy; and make manifest by daily thanksgiving that we appreciate the great sacrifice made in our behalf, that we may be partakers of the divine nature?” Australasian Union Conference Record, November 17, 1913.

Another important reason to pray is for protection from the great deceiver, Satan. Even Jesus in His model prayer taught His disciples to say, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). We are no match for the prince of darkness without Divine help.

“The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray. The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin; and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer. Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray, when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse, where are treasured the boundless resources of Omnipotence? Without unceasing prayer and diligent watching we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating from the right path. The adversary seeks continually to obstruct the way to the mercy seat, that we may not by earnest supplication and faith obtain grace and power to resist temptation.” Steps to Christ, 94, 95.

“Daily beset by temptation, constantly opposed by the leaders of the people, Christ knew that He must strengthen His humanity by prayer. In order to be a blessing to men, He must commune with God, pleading for energy, perseverance, and steadfastness. Thus He showed His disciples where His strength lay.” Counsels To Parents, Teachers, and Students, 323.

And the last “why” that we have is the need to pray for divine enlightenment to understand God’s word. Remember, Jesus said that spiritual things are spiritually discerned. “If men would but study the Book of God with earnest prayer that they might understand it, they would not be left in darkness to receive false doctrines. But as they reject the truth they fall a prey to deception.” The Great Controversy, 524.

Conditions of Answered Prayer –

“We give evidence of the sincerity of our prayers by the earnestness of our endeavors to answer them, to overcome the sins which strive for a place in the life. Our prayers will be ineffectual unless we continually strive to correct that which is wrong and unlovely in our lives. If we ask God to work for us, and then make no effort to conquer self, our prayers will rise no higher than our heads. God helps those who co-operate with him. We can obtain forgiveness only through the blood of Christ. His atoning sacrifice is all-powerful. But in the struggle for immortality we have a part to act. Christ will help those who pray and then watch unto prayer. He calls upon us to use every power He has given us in the warfare against sin. We can never be saved in inactivity and idleness. We might as well look for a harvest from seed which we have not sown, and for knowledge where we have not studied, as to expect salvation without making an effort. It is our part to wrestle against the evil tendencies of the natural heart.” The Youth’s Instructor, March 5, 1903. [Emphasis added.]

Alone, we are no match against evil and Satan. Recognizing our need we must pray for Divine help.

“There are certain conditions upon which we may expect that God will hear and answer our prayers. One of the first of these is that we feel our need of help from Him. He has promised, ‘I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground’ (Isaiah 44:3). Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, who long after God, may be sure that they will be filled. The heart must be open to the Spirit’s influence, or God’s blessing cannot be received.” Steps to Christ, 95.

“If we regard iniquity in our hearts, if we cling to any known sin, the Lord will not hear us; but the prayer of the penitent, contrite soul is always accepted. When all known wrongs are righted, we may believe that God will answer our petitions. Our own merit will never commend us to the favor of God; it is the worthiness of Jesus that will save us, His blood that will cleanse us; yet we have a work to do in complying with the conditions of acceptance.” Steps to Christ, 95, 96. [Emphasis added.] If we want our prayers answered, we must be certain that we have no sin standing between us and God. Make sure your record is clean before Him.

Pray with Faith –

“ ‘He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him’ (Hebrews 11:6). Jesus said to His disciples, ‘What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them’ (Mark 11:24). Do we take Him at His word?” Steps to Christ, 96.

Perseverance in Prayer –

“We must pray always if we would grow in faith and experience. We are to be ‘instant in prayer,’ to ‘continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving’ (Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2). Peter exhorts believers to be ‘sober, and watch unto prayer’ (I Peter 4:7). Paul directs, ‘In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God’ (Philippians 4:6). ‘But ye, beloved,’ says Jude, ‘praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God’ (Jude 20, 21). Unceasing prayer is the unbroken union of the soul with God, so that life from God flows into our life; and from our life, purity and holiness flow back to God. …

Diligence in Prayer –

“Make every effort to keep open the communion between Jesus and your own soul. Seek every opportunity to go where prayer is wont to be made. Those who are really seeking for communion with God will be seen in the prayer meeting, faithful to do their duty and earnest and anxious to reap all the benefits they can gain. They will improve every opportunity of placing themselves where they can receive the rays of light from heaven.” Steps to Christ, 97, 98.

Always remember, “Prayer is the breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual power.” Gospel Workers, 254.

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

The Faithful Church

by

While exiled on the Isle of Patmos, John was instructed to write to the seven churches. The church of Philadelphia was one of the only two churches; the other was Smyrna, to which no reproof or rebuke was given. These two were commended because of their obedience.

Today, the Christian church as a whole seems to have forgotten that God’s grace, His mercy, and His love do not excuse disobedience, nor does it make it unnecessary to obey His word. Professed Christians boldly commit premeditated sins believing that they will be forgiven. These premeditated sins are presumptuous sins.

The church of Philadelphia was not perfect. The Bible record does not say that the members never made mistakes or stumbled morally, but that they were faithful. It is said of it: “You … have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” Revelation 3:8. This church was obedient. Only those who are obedient and develop a holy character will be protected in the time of trouble. (See Revelation 3:10.)

Within all churches there are two groups: those who make a profession to believe and those who act on their belief. It is this second group that make up the true church. Within the Ephesian church were some who claimed to be apostles but they were not. They were liars.

There were people in the church at Smyrna that Jesus said were of the synagogue of Satan (Revelation 2:9). In the church at Pergamos, there were Nicolaitans of the Gnostic sect. Jesus said that he hated what they were teaching (Revelation 2:15). He had a few things against the church at Thyatira because they put up with the spirit of Jezebel in their church, which seduced the people to commit fornication (Revelation 2:20). And at the church at Sardis, most of them were spiritually dead; there were very few who had not defiled their garments (Revelation 3:4). Every church suffered problems, even the church of Philadelphia.

The church of Philadelphia represents the church that is living in the time of the end and preparing for Jesus to come. By the account that John saw there will still be people in this church who are part of the synagogue of Satan. How can this church be recognized?

The Philadelphia church is a faithful church. It has kept Christ’s word and not denied His name. Three facts are immediately apparent about this church.

The Church Is Not Hierarchical

A hierarchy is a body of clergy organized into successive ranks, or grades, with each level subordinate to the one above. The Philadelphian church is not a hierarchy because it is a faithful church. Referring to the early believers: “For a time it had seemed that the people of Galilee would receive Jesus as the Messiah, and that the power of the hierarchy in that region would be broken.” The Desire of Ages, 395. The ministry of Jesus did not build up the Jewish hierarchy. Rather it tended to tear it down.

The Jews believed that they had a representative form of government but, in fact, they had a hierarchy. The Roman Empire at one time was a republic. The United States government was patterned very largely after the Roman Republic, which had a government with a senate and popularly elected officials. Julius Caesar was assassinated because he was taking too much power and the people wanted to retain the republic. Though they claimed their republic up to the last days of the Empire, the last 400 plus years, it was actually a military empire. You may say that you are not a hierarchy power and that you have a representative form of government, but what counts is how the system actually works. In the time of Christ the Jews had a hierarchical church government. And concerning Jesus, “The fame of the new Teacher had spread beyond the limits of Palestine, and, notwithstanding the attitude of the hierarchy [the Jewish church], the feeling was widespread that this might be the hoped-for Deliverer.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 3.

A hierarchical church government is one of the prominent identifying features of Babylon and of the Roman Catholic Church.

A Hierarchical Church Uses State Power

“When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.” The Great Controversy, 445.

An image of the Roman hierarchy is formed when the churches use the power of the state to sustain its decrees to enforce their will. The Philadelphian church, called a “faithful church” did not do this.

“The government under which Jesus lived was corrupt and oppressive; on every hand were crying abuses—extortion, intolerance, and grinding cruelty. Yet the Saviour attempted no civil reforms. He attacked no national abuses, nor condemned the national enemies. He did not interfere with the authority or administration of those in power. He who was our example kept aloof from earthly governments. Not because He was indifferent to the woes of men, but because the remedy did not lie in merely human and external measures. To be efficient, the cure must reach men individually, and must regenerate the heart.” The Desire of Ages, 509.

Notice, though Jesus kept Himself completely separate from civil government, He recognized its authority. When tempted by the Jews with the question, “Is it lawful to pay tribute to Caesar?” Jesus said, “Show me a coin.” He asked, “Whose is this image?” And they said, “Caesar’s.” He said, “You pay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, but render to God what belongs to God” (Matthew 20:17–21, literal translation).

Jesus recognized the place of civil government and He did not interfere with its role. Though the government was corrupt, He did not attack or interfere with it and kept His mission separate. He is our example and the example for the church to follow. As individuals and as a church, we are to keep aloof from civil government.

Never Mix the Sacred with the Common

The Philadelphian church does not attempt to mix worldly philosophy with the religion of Christ—the sacred and the common. The Philadelphian church does not try to mix the theories of eastern mysticism with the gospel or with Christian life and practice. The Philadelphian church does not try to mix the religious exercises of the Jesuit Ignatius Loyola, with the Christian religion.

The Philadelphian church does not teach people to use vain repetitions in their prayer life. The Philadelphian church does not foster, promote, or teach people to practice what is called spiritual formation. “Anciently it was a great sin for the people of God to give themselves away to the enemy, and open before them either their perplexity or their prosperity. Under the ancient economy it was a sin to offer sacrifice upon the wrong altar.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, 411.

Elijah on Mount Carmel did not use the altar used make sacrifice to Baal. He built the altar of the Lord. “It was a sin to offer incense kindled by the wrong fire.

“We are in danger of mingling the sacred and the common. The holy fire from God is to be used in our efforts.” Ibid. We are not to mix the sacred and the common. We are not to take the theories of eastern mysticism or worldly philosophy and try to mix them up with the Christian religion. That was the problem with Gnosticism in the early Christian centuries. It attempted to mix Greek philosophy with the Christian religion, which ultimately resulted in the papacy.

“The holy fire from God is to be used in our efforts. The true altar is Christ; the true fire is the Holy Spirit.” Ibid. There is a tremendous meaning in those few words. There are things that are common and are all right in their place, but they are not to be mixed with the Christian religion.

“The true altar is Christ; the true fire is the Holy Spirit. This is our inspiration. It is only as the Holy Spirit leads and guides a man that he is a safe counselor. If we turn aside from God and from His chosen ones to inquire at strange altars we shall be answered according to our works.” Ibid. Notice, only the person who is under the influence of the Holy Spirit is a safe counselor. Just because somebody is a minister does not mean that that person is under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

There are identifying characteristics of the church of Philadelphia:

  1. No hierarchical church government.
  2. No use of the power of the state to enforce her will.
  3. No mixing the sacred and the common.

In all the letters to the churches, only to the Philadelphian church is given the promise of divine keeping power in the time of trouble. But remember, even within this faithful church, the true church, there are people who are of the synagogue of Satan. Who are they?

“Christ speaks of the church over which Satan presides as the synagogue of Satan. Its members are the children of disobedience. They are those who choose to sin, who labor to make void the holy law of God. It is Satan’s work to mingle evil with good, and to remove the distinction between good and evil. Christ would have a church that labors to separate the evil from the good, whose members will not willingly tolerate wrong-doing, but will expel it from the heart and life.” The Review and Herald, December 4, 1900.

“The origin of false commandments may be clearly discerned by the principles which underlie them. All that is not in accordance with the known and expressed will of God, is at enmity with God, and has its origin in the synagogue of Satan.” The Signs of the Times, June 11, 1894

Caiaphas and the Jewish leaders and priests professed to be God’s people but they crucified the Son of God. There will be those of the synagogue of Satan in the Philadelphia church at the end of time who will crucify Jesus Christ, the Son of God, afresh (Hebrews 6:6).

How do we, as Christians, crucify Christ afresh? There are at least seven ways:

  1. By engaging in any kind of persecution of His people. The Lord says that the one that touches you, touches the pupil, the sensitive spot, of His eye. “They [the apostles] were men of whom the world was not worthy, and by killing them the Jews crucified afresh the Son of God. So it will be again. The authorities will make laws to restrict religious liberty. They assume the right that is God’s alone. They will think they can force the conscience, which God alone should control. Even now they are making a beginning; this work they will continue to carry forward till they reach a boundary over which they cannot step. God will interpose in behalf of His loyal, commandment-keeping people.” The Desire of Ages, 630.

“God has a controversy with the world. When the judgment shall sit, and the books shall be opened, He has an awful account to settle, which would now make the world fear and tremble were men not blinded and bewitched by satanic delusions and deceptions. God will call the world to account for the death of His only begotten Son, Whom to all intents and purposes the world has crucified afresh, and put to open shame in the persecution of His people. The world has rejected Christ in the person of His saints, has refused His messages in the refusal of the messages of prophets, apostles, and messengers. They have rejected those who have been colaborers with Christ, and for this they will have to render an account.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 39.

The twentieth century is the most bloody, the most violent in history when more of God’s people have been murdered and martyred than in any previous time of which there is record.

What about when we persecute each other in the church? The way we treat others is accounted as done to the Lord; the way we speak or the way we deal in business, however we treat each other by word or deed. It touches the apple of His eye.

“In as much as you have done it to one of the least of these, you have done it to Me” (Matthew 25:36–41, literal translation).

  1. By taking a fellow Christian to court. We are strictly forbidden to take our brother or sister to a worldly court. “When troubles arise in the church we should not go for help to lawyers not of our faith. God does not desire us to open church difficulties before those who do not fear Him. He would not have us depend for help on those who do not obey His requirements. Those who trust in such counselors show that they have not faith in God. By their lack of faith the Lord is greatly dishonored, and their course works great injury to themselves. In appealing to unbelievers to settle difficulties in the church they are biting and devouring one another, to be ‘consumed one of another’ (Galatians 5:15).

“These men cast aside the counsel God has given, and do the very things He has bidden them not to do. They show that they have chosen the world as their judge, and in heaven their names are registered as one with unbelievers. Christ is crucified afresh, and put to open shame. Let these men know that God does not hear their prayers. They insult His holy name, and He will leave them to the buffetings of Satan until they shall see their folly and seek the Lord by confession of their sin.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 299.

God’s church is to be one family in Christ. If we have differences, we are to get together and pray and ask the Lord to help us to solve our problems, our misunderstandings with one another, but we are never to take one another to civil court and publicly air our differences.

  1. By being a Christian who never grows up. When a person is first converted they are a “babe in Christ.” Peter says that person is to “grow in grace” (11 Peter 3:18). Paul rebuked the Hebrews when he told them that they had had enough time to be on solid food and that they should not have to be on milk anymore (see Hebrews 5:13, 14). “Every Christian who is indeed a Christian must grow. … If his light does not shine more and more brightly, his faith becomes weak, his love grows feeble. And unless he sees and acknowledges his danger, he is doing the cause of God more harm than an avowed unbeliever. Piety leaves the soul-temple. He turns carelessly away from duties and responsibilities. The Son of God is by him crucified afresh and put to open shame.” The Upward Look, 74.

A Christian baby is a wonderful thing, and the Lord loves all seekers just the way they are, but He wants all to grow into the full stature of men and women in Christ.

  1. Reject God’s law. “Those who reject God’s law crucify the Son of God afresh.” The Review and Herald, January 30, 1900. These people claim to love Jesus but refuse to keep His law.
  2. Live a life of self-indulgence. “The word of God draws a dividing line between His followers and the worldling. Over that line, toward Egypt, is the life of self-indulgence, fashion, frivolity, and the veriest slavery to sin. Over that line, God is forgotten. When the professed followers of Christ should be fighting the Lord’s battles, how often are they out of the path of duty, on Satan’s ground. Christ is wounded when any who bear His name are found there; He is crucified afresh, and put to an open shame by those who profess to love Him.” The Signs of the Times, October 21, 1880.
  3. Live a life of selfishness. “God has a controversy with those who use His gifts for self-gratification. When the judgment shall sit, and the books are opened, these will have a fearful account to settle. If they were not blinded by the enemy, they would fear and tremble at the thought of the time when God will avenge the death of His Son, whom, by their selfishness, they have crucified afresh and put to open shame.” Ibid., July 24, 1901.

Jesus’ whole life displayed the unselfishness of the character of God. When He was crucified, love and selfishness stood face to face. It was the greatest display of unselfishness on God’s part and also the greatest display of selfishness on the part of the devil and the Jews.

  1. Fanaticism. Mentioning fanaticism makes deadly enemies of those who are involved in it. “Our testimony was rejected, and they clung tenaciously to their errors. Elder Dammon and several others were baptized many times and frequently by the hand of a woman, Mrs. Ayers, a female preacher who had drunk deep of fanaticism. We had done our duty, and with hearts filled with sorrow we turned from these our brethren, whom we had loved, reluctant to leave them in error and delusion. These souls that I had warned turned from me because I had told them they were in error and in darkness. Many of this company went on further and further in delusion and deception, following impressions and impulse rather than the Word of God, until they became disgusted with their own wicked course.

“A fearful stain was brought upon the cause of God which would cleave to the name of Adventist like the leprosy. Satan triumphed, for this reproach would cause many precious souls to fear to have any connection with Adventists. All that had been done wrong would be exaggerated, and would lose nothing by passing from one to the other. The cause of God was bleeding. Jesus was crucified afresh and put to open shame by His professed followers. The anguish of my spirit could not be described. My tears and prayers went up to God for His bleeding, suffering cause. I could see nothing that I could do to help those who refused to be helped.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 8, 237, 238.

Fanaticism, something very easy to fall into, is extremely dangerous. It was more dangerous to the Protestant Reformation than the papacy. One of the biggest problems facing Martin Luther and the rest of the reformers was the many forms of fanaticism that appeared during the Reformation. This was also a challenge for the early Adventist believers. Within the synagogue of Satan there are people who specialize in fanaticism, going beyond what the Word says and developing a theory out of it.

God is going to purify His church. We can be purified by having these problems taken out of our life or we can hold on to them and be separated from the church by divine providence. There is no need that any fall off the path. The Lord can help us to be part of the church that He purifies if we allow Him. “Before accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain ‘thus says the Lord’ in its support.” The Great Controversy, 595.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15.

(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 – Testing Our Teachings

by

Whatever our defects and short-comings, we should not be discouraged. “Our greatest sins which separate our souls from God are unbelief and hardness of heart. Why is it that we are so unbelieving and unimpressible? The reason for it is, we are filled with self-confidence. We feel self-sufficient. If we receive some token of God’s blessing, we take it as a guarantee that we are all right. …

“How the enemy has brought his own spirit into our work! We do not love one another, as Christ has enjoined upon us, because we do not love Christ. If your track is crossed in any way, if any one differs in opinion from you, then in place of feeling humility of mind, in place of carrying your burden to Christ, and asking Him for wisdom and light to know what is truth, you draw from Him, and are tempted to present your brother’s views in a false light, that they shall not have influence. We know that this manner of spirit is not of God, no matter by whom it is manifested. …

“We should feel the necessity of searching the Scriptures for ourselves. … for, says the prophet, ‘if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them’ (Isaiah 8:20). …

“The Lord sends light among us to prove of what manner of spirit we are. We are not to deceive ourselves. … If we only understood the evil of this spirit of intolerance, how we would shun it! We join ourselves to the enemy of God and man when we accuse our brethren, for Satan was an accuser of the brethren. We bear false witness when we add a little to our brother’s words, and give them a false coloring; and in the sight of God we are not doers, but transgressors of the law. We are not on the Lord’s side; we are on the side of him who hurts, destroys, and tears down the cause of truth. We should pray for one another, instead of drawing apart. …

“We are to follow the Example. A flood of light shines upon us, and all jealousy should be put away; for jealousy is cruel as the grave. Purge out the old leaven; for a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Let us love one another. … Let us remember how forbearing and patient He [Jesus] was with the erring children of men. We should be in a wretched state if the God of heaven were like one of us, and treated us as we are inclined to treat one another.” The Review and Herald, August 27, 1889.