Issue: 2014 November

Thanksgiving – A Time to Give Thanks

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In the United States and Canada, a day is set aside each year as Thanksgiving Day. On this day, people give thanks with feasting and prayer for the blessings they may have received during the year. The first Thanksgiving Days were harvest festivals, or days for thanking God for plentiful crops. For this reason the holiday still takes place late in the fall, after the crops have been gathered. For thousands of years people in many lands have held harvest festivals. The American Thanksgiving Day probably grew out of the harvest-home celebrations of England.

In the United States, Thanksgiving is usually a family day, celebrated with big dinners and joyous reunions. The very mention of Thanksgiving often calls up memories of kitchens and pantries crowded with good things to eat. Thanksgiving is also time for serious religious thinking, church services, and prayer.

One of the first Thanksgiving observances in America was entirely religious and did not involve feasting. On December 4, 1619, 39 English settlers arrived at Berkeley Plantation, on the James River near what is now Charles City, Virginia. The group’s charter required that the day of arrival be observed yearly as a day of thanksgiving to God.

The First New England Thanksgiving was celebrated less than a year after the Plymouth colonists had settled in the new land. The first dreadful winter in Massachusetts had killed nearly half of the members of the colony. But new hope grew up in the summer of 1621. The corn harvest brought rejoicing. Governor William Bradford decreed that a three-day feast be held.

The first Thanksgiving Day, set aside for the special purpose of prayer as well as celebration, was decreed by Governor Bradford for July 30, 1623.

The women of the colony spent many days preparing for the feast. The children helped by turning roasts on spits in front of open fires. Indians brought wild turkeys and venison (deer meat). The men of the colony brought geese, ducks, and fish. The women served the meat and fish with journey cake, corn meal bread with nuts, and succotash. Everyone ate outdoors at big tables.

Later Thanksgiving Days in the United States. The custom of Thanksgiving Day spread from Plymouth to other New England colonies. During the Revolutionary War, eight special days of thanks were observed for victories and for being saved from dangers. On November 26, 1789, President George Washington issued a general proclamation for a day of thanks. In the same year the Protestant Episcopal church announced that the first Thursday in November would be a regular yearly day for giving thanks, “unless another day be appointed by the civil authorities.”

For many years there was no regular national Thanksgiving Day in the United States. Some states had a yearly Thanksgiving holiday, and others did not. But by 1830 New York had an official state Thanksgiving Day, and other northern states soon followed its example. Virginia was the first southern state to adopt the custom. It proclaimed a Thanksgiving Day in 1855.

Mrs. Sarah Josepha Hale, the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, worked many years to promote the idea of a national Thanksgiving Day. Then President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November, 1863, as “a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father.”

Each year afterward, for 75 years, the President of the United States formally proclaimed that Thanksgiving Day should be celebrated on the last Thursday of November. But in 1939 President Roosevelt set it one week earlier. He wanted to help business by lengthening the shopping period before Christmas. Congress finally ruled that after 1941 the fourth Thursday of November would be observed as Thanksgiving Day and would be a legal federal holiday.

Thanksgiving Day in Canada is celebrated in much the same way as in the United States. It was formerly celebrated on the last Monday in October. But, in 1957, the Canadian government proclaimed the second Monday in October for the holiday.

The World Book Encyclopedia, volume 18, 1971, by Field Enterprises Educational Corporation, 180, 181.

Current Events – Big Earthquakes Double in 2014, but are not Linked

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“There are in the world today many who close their eyes to the evidences that Christ has
given to warn men of His coming. They seek to quiet all apprehension, while at the same
time the signs of the end are rapidly fulfilling.”

The Acts of the Apostles, 261

To the private enquiry of the disciples as to the time of the earth’s destruction, “Jesus
answered and said to them, ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. … There will be famines,
pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.’ ”

Matthew 24:4, 7

Big Earthquakes Double in 2014, But Are Not Linked

By Becky Oskin

If you think there have been more earthquakes than usual this year, you’re right. A new study finds there were more than twice as many big earthquakes in the first quarter of 2014 as compared with the average since 1979.

“We have recently experienced a period that has had one of the highest rates of great earthquakes ever recorded,” said lead study author Tom Parsons, a research geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Menlo Park, California.

But even though the global earthquake rate is on the rise, the number of quakes can still be explained by random chance, said Parsons and co-author Eric Geist, also a USGS researcher. Their findings were published online June 21 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

With so many earthquakes rattling the planet in 2014, Parsons actually hoped he might find the opposite—that the increase in big earthquakes comes from one large quake setting off another huge shaker. Earlier research has shown that seismic waves from one earthquake can travel around the world and trigger tiny temblors elsewhere.

“As our group has been interested in the ability of an earthquake to affect others at a global scale, we wondered if we were seeing it happening. I really expected we would see evidence of something we couldn’t explain by randomness,” Parsons told Live Science’s Our Amazing Planet in an email interview.

The new study isn’t the first time researchers have tried and failed to link one earthquake to another in time and across distance. Earlier studies found that the biggest earthquakes on the planet — the magnitude-8 and magnitude-9 quakes—typically trigger much smaller jolts, tiny magnitude-2 and magnitude-3 rumblers. Yet, no one has ever proven that large quakes unleash other large quakes. Finding a statistical connection between big earthquakes is a step toward proving such connections takes place.

Earthquakes larger than magnitude-7 since 2000

But despite the recent earthquake storm, the world’s great earthquakes still seem to strike at random, the new study found.

The average rate of big earthquakes—those larger than magnitude 7—has been 10 per year since 1979, the study reports. That rate rose to 12.5 per year starting in 1992, and then jumped to 16.7 per year starting in 2010—a 65 percent increase compared to the rate since 1979. This increase accelerated in the first three months of 2014 to more than double the average since 1979, the researchers report.

The rise in earthquakes is statistically similar to the results of flipping a coin, Parsons said: Sometimes heads or tails will repeat several times in a row, even though the process is random.

“Basically, we can’t prove that what we saw during the first part of 2014, as well as since 2010, isn’t simply a similar thing to getting six tails in a row,” he said.

But Parsons said the statistical findings don’t rule out the possibility that the largest earthquakes may trigger one another across great distances. Researchers may simply lack the data to understand such global “communication,” he said.

http://news.yahoo.com/big-earthquakes-double-2014-theyre-not-linked-114124469.html

Question & Answer – What is meant by the “green tree?” in Luke 23:31.

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“For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” Luke 23:31.

To understand Bible symbols they first must be looked at in context. In this passage of Scripture Jesus is being led to Calvary to be crucified. Following Him was a wailing crowd. Turning to them He bid them to weep for themselves, predicting the days ahead and their own future. In verse 30 it says, “Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.” Then the next verse Jesus calls Himself a “green tree.” The following gives us an insight as to what Jesus meant:

“The innocent were represented by the green tree. If God suffered his wrath because of the sins of the world to fall upon the Redeemer, in that He was permitted to suffer death by crucifixion, what might be expected to come upon the impenitent and unbelieving, who had slighted the mercies of God, purchased for them by the death of his Son? The mind of Jesus wandered from the destruction of Jerusalem to a wider judgment, when all the impenitent would suffer condemnation for their sins; when the Son of man should come, attended not by a murderous mob, but by the mighty hosts of God.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 3, 152.

The green tree represents innocence, the dry tree guilt, ripe for the fire of judgment. Another way to explain this is that if an innocent person suffers in this way, what will become of the wicked person? The wicked are like dry wood for the fire.

In commenting on this verse, Ellen Write wrote, “As Christ told them the things He must suffer at the hands of wicked men, He said, ‘If they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry’ [Luke 23:31]? If they do these wicked acts to your divine Lord, what will they do to those that bear the testimony that He came from God, that He was God in human flesh?” Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 393.

Green wood is still alive. It has the sap in it and is capable of bearing fruit. This moisture also prevents it from burning well. Dry wood has been cut and is dead, which means it bears no fruit. It burns very easily. If the Romans were willing to put to death an innocent man, what would they do later to the Jews who were not innocent? History reveals the devastation.

“By the green tree, Jesus represented Himself, the innocent Redeemer. God suffered His wrath against transgression to fall on His beloved Son. Jesus was to be crucified for the sins of men. What suffering, then, would the sinner bear who continued in sin? All the impenitent and unbelieving would know a sorrow and misery that language would fail to express.” The Desire of Ages, 743.

Keys to the Storehouse – Our Allotted task

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We should be ever thankful that the Lord has alerted us to the allotted task ahead of us. What is this task? It is to conquer self. In other words, we are to conquer our fallen nature. Just thinking about how cantankerous our characters are at times should give a little idea of the task ahead.

“So long as we are in the world, we shall meet with adverse influences. There will be provocations to test the temper; and it is by meeting these in a right spirit that the Christian graces are developed.” The Ministry of Healing, 487.

Have you been provoked lately? Are you staying on task, your allotted task? This task is impossible while attempting to tackle it alone and you will have a losing battle on your hands! The good news is, if we are willing to listen, “Christ dwells in us, [and] we shall be patient, kind, and forbearing, cheerful amid frets and irritations. Day by day and year by year we shall conquer self, and grow into a noble heroism.” Ibid.

You see, “0ur allotted task … cannot be accomplished without

  • help from Jesus,
  • resolute decision,
  • unwavering purpose,
  • continual watchfulness,
  • and unceasing prayer.

“Each one has a personal battle [with self] to fight. Not even God can make our characters noble or our lives useful, unless we become co-workers with Him. Those who decline the struggle lose the strength and joy of victory.” Ibid.

Are you ready to gain the joy of victory over self through Jesus Christ or will you join the multitude who decline the struggle and remain cantankerous? I would hope that each one of us will go forward to victory. If we lose this victory, we lose out on eternal life. The only thing that we can take to heaven is our character. We must accomplish our allotted task!

Father in heaven: I ask you to unite with me over the struggle with self because I do not wish to remain cantankerous. Save me from my self and in the name of Jesus I choose to be unwavering in my purpose to accomplish the allotted task You have given to me and to win the battle through a resolute decision and Your grace, which is truly sufficient. I resolutely choose to serve Thee. Amen.

Inspiration – A faithful Under-shepherd

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Throughout his ministry, Peter faithfully watched over the flock entrusted to his care, and thus proved himself worthy of the charge and responsibility given him by the Saviour. Ever he exalted Jesus of Nazareth as the Hope of Israel, the Saviour of mankind. He brought his own life under the discipline of the Master Worker. By every means within his power he sought to educate the believers for active service. His godly example and untiring activity inspired many young men of promise to give themselves wholly to the work of the ministry. As time went on, the apostle’s influence as an educator and leader increased; and while he never lost his burden to labor especially for the Jews, yet he bore his testimony in many lands and strengthened the faith of multitudes in the gospel.

In the later years of his ministry, Peter was inspired to write to the believers “scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” (I Peter 1:1). His letters were the means of reviving the courage and strengthening the faith of those who were enduring trial and affliction, and of renewing to good works those who through manifold temptations were in danger of losing their hold upon God. These letters bear the impress of having been written by one in whom the sufferings of Christ and also His consolation had been made to abound; one whose entire being had been transformed by grace, and whose hope of eternal life was sure and steadfast.

At the very beginning of his first letter the aged servant of God ascribed to his Lord a tribute of praise and thanksgiving. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” he exclaimed, “which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (verses 3–5).

In this hope of a sure inheritance in the earth made new, the early Christians rejoiced, even in times of severe trial and affliction. “Ye greatly rejoice,” Peter wrote, “though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, … ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls” (verses 6–9).

The apostle’s words were written for the instruction of believers in every age, and they have a special significance for those who live at the time when “the end of all things is at hand” (I Peter 4:7). His exhortations and warnings, and his words of faith and courage, are needed by every soul who would maintain his faith “steadfast unto the end” (Hebrews 3:14).

The apostle sought to teach the believers how important it is to keep the mind from wandering to forbidden themes or from spending its energies on trifling subjects. Those who would not fall a prey to Satan’s devices, must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind must not be left to dwell at random upon every subject that the enemy of souls may suggest. The heart must be faithfully sentineled, or evils without will awaken evils within, and the soul will wander in darkness. “Gird up the loins of your mind,” Peter wrote, “be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ … not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (I Peter 1:13–16).

“Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 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: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God” (verses 17–21).

Had silver and gold been sufficient to purchase the salvation of men, how easily might it have been accomplished by Him who says, “The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine” (Haggai 2:8). But only by the precious blood of the Son of God could the transgressor be redeemed. The plan of salvation was laid in sacrifice. The apostle Paul wrote, “Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich” (II Corinthians 8:9). Christ gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity. And as the crowning blessing of salvation, “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren,” Peter continued, “see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently” (I Peter 1:22). The word of God—the truth—is the channel through which the Lord manifests His Spirit and power. Obedience to the word produces fruit of the required quality—”unfeigned love of the brethren.” This love is heaven-born and leads to high motives and unselfish actions.

When truth becomes an abiding principle in the life, the soul is “born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever” (verse 23). This new birth is the result of receiving Christ as the Word of God. When by the Holy Spirit divine truths are impressed upon the heart, new conceptions are awakened, and the energies hitherto dormant are aroused to co-operate with God.

The Acts of the Apostles, 516–520.

Supper is Ready

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The Bible is very clear on the fact that each man, woman and child has a case pending at the bar of God. In fact, in II Corinthians 5:10, it says, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” In examining my own life I recognize my need of receiving the mind of Jesus. We live in a generation where minds are so filled with worldliness that the glorious future that we have in Christ is rarely considered or contemplated. Without the mind of Christ we are, in essence, a thoughtless people. With all the uncertainty in the world today we are in desperate need of the mind of Christ, which comes with His peace that surpasses all understanding.

Everyone likes to eat. Many of us have heard it said, “Don’t be late for dinner. Supper will be ready at such and such a time. Don’t be late.” Are you ready for supper? What would be the outcome if you were called to appear right now before the judgment seat? At a time he least expected, Belshazzar was weighed in the balances and found wanting. He wasn’t ready for supper.

The judgment is not some imaginary concept. It is a reality. No matter how much you may try to avoid this fact by your lifestyle, the truth remains the same. We have to give an account of our lives. “Because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man [Christ] Whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:31.

This is something to think about. If you were to appear before the judgment seat of Christ at this moment, what would be said of your life? How have you lived your life? How have you spent your time, every precious moment of every day?

“And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and punish the men who are settled in complacency, who say in their heart, ‘The Lord will not do good, nor will He do evil.’ ” Zephaniah 1:12.

It will come as a terrible shock to those who think there is no judgment and are settled in their carnal security and wake up too late when the Lord searches His people with candles to see if there be any faithful among them.

There are three phases of the judgment process. The first phase is an investigation. This procedure is not only in the heavenly courts but also in earthly governments. When someone is charged with a crime, there is first an investigation or search for evidence concerning that crime. Jesus said that when He returns, He is coming back with His reward. Prior to His return He will investigate each case, “search Jerusalem with lamps,” to see if there be any who remain faithful, or if we are found wanting. After the investigation the innocent are set free and the guilty go on to the sentencing phase. Those who receive the guilty sentence move on to the third phase, the execution of the sentence that has been pronounced. We can be sure that whatever sentence has been handed down, it will surely be carried out.

The investigative phase of God’s judgment is already taking place in the heavenly courts. One day soon, no one knows how soon, that investigation will come to an end and the probation time given to man to repent will close. Will you be ready for supper?

For a man to be judged guilty there must be a law in place that he has broken. God’s law of Ten Commandments is the standard in this judgment. Notice what Paul says in Romans 2:12, 16: “For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law. … in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.”

There are many in heathen lands, even to this very day who have never heard or learned of God’s law, the Ten Commandments. But the Bible is clear that the Spirit of God still moves and works upon those individuals’ hearts and the actions that they live out according to their conscience will either accuse or excuse them and by that they are brought under judgment.

Even atheists, those who believe that there is no God or do not believe His Word or trust in His law, have the law written on their hearts by His Spirit and will come under the judgment. They have a conscience and know the difference between right and wrong, leaving them no escape. The law will also judge those who know the law of God, His standards and requirements. There is no escaping the One who knows all. So it behooves us that our lives come into harmony with the law of God. To survive the judgment we must be clothed with the righteousness of Jesus.

We have not been left ignorant about the state of the world just before the coming of Jesus. As we see the signs approaching and as we look at how things are in society with the increase in crime and natural disasters abounding, it should cause us to be all the more eager to be ready to meet Jesus. Instead, many of us focus our energy in becoming more settled in our lives on this earth. This earth is not our home. We are looking forward to a new earth, and new heavens, under which righteousness will dwell.

We are told in Revelation 22 that in the end there will be only two classes of people, those who are faithful to God’s government and those who are not. This declaration is going to be made before Jesus comes. In the days of Noah when Noah and his family had entered into that ark, the angel of the Lord closed the door. At that moment those who were left outside were unaware that their probation had closed. Being too busy with their worldly plans they had neglected to get ready for supper, and they were lost. Seven days later the flood came and they were all destroyed.

This same situation is going to happen at the end of time. In Revelation 22:11, the words call out, “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still.” Tragically, those who are declared unjust by Jesus when He finishes the judgment will remain unjust. In other words, there is no longer hope of their being converted, no hope of their being born again and no hope of their inheriting the gift of eternal life. They have chosen to be “unjust still” and no other power in heaven could shake them from their lethargy. The Bible goes on to read, similarly, “… he who is filthy, let him be filthy still.” Those who neglect to become clean in the time of probation will remain unclean and filthy when it closes. But, praise God, right now there is still hope.

There is another group in which each soul should desire to be. “… he who is righteous, let him be righteous still.” This is not referring to self-righteousness, for no man can boast of being righteous. It is by accepting the righteousness of Christ and living His life, dying daily to self, that any can be righteous. It is the work of the Holy Spirit guiding and directing the life that a sinner becomes a child of God. It is God Who declares him righteous and holy. He has put on Christ’s robe of righteousness, reflecting the character of Jesus. This is the condition of all who are ready for this supper.

Jesus would have come long before today, but He wants us to be ready. Therefore He delays His return in mercy that none might be eternally lost. Revelation 7:1–3 says, “After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then 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 granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, ‘Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.’ ”

There was a time when four angels were about to release the four winds of the earth, which would have resulted in total chaos. Christ was about to come and the plagues of God were about to fall upon humanity. But Christ, our high priest, looking down upon His remnant people, saw that they were not ready. So He pleaded with His Father, “ ‘My blood, Father, My blood, My blood, My blood!’ ” Early Writings, 38. The Father bathes His Son in exceeding bright light and He sends another angel out to bid the four angels to hold: Wait a minute; they are not ready; they are not sealed with the seal of God. They are not prepared, Father. They are not ready. Today we still see those winds of strife to a great degree lingering because of God’s mercy.

What is the seal of God? Before Jesus returns, all living creatures will receive either the seal of God or the mark of the beast. The seal of God assures the recipient of eternal life, while the mark of the beast identifies the recipient with the archenemy of God. We want the seal of God. In Exodus chapter 31, verse 13, the Bible says, “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign [a mark, or symbol, or seal] between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord Who sanctifies you [makes you holy].’ ”

“ ‘Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’ ” Verses 16, 17.

The Sabbath contains the seal of God. When we want to understand what the seal of God is, we will be drawn to the Sabbath. But keep in mind that we are not just talking about going to church on Saturdays. That is not what it means to keep the Sabbath holy.

God’s messenger has told us, “We should take this lesson to ourselves. Again, the destroying angel is to pass through the land.” In Heavenly Places, 150. That is a prophecy. History will repeat what happened when the destroying angel passed through the land of Egypt before the slaves were set free. “There is to be a mark placed on God’s people and that mark is the keeping of His holy Sabbath.” Ibid.

It does not end there. Exodus 20:8 says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Again, it is not just a matter of coming to church Saturday after Saturday; it is a call to live a holy life because no one can keep the Sabbath holy unless he or she has been made holy. “No other institution which was committed to the Jews tended so fully to distinguish them from surrounding nations as did the Sabbath. God designed that its observance should designate them as His worshipers. It was to be a token of their separation from idolatry, and their connection with the true God. But in order to keep the Sabbath holy, men must themselves be holy.” The Desire of Ages, 283. Holiness is the standard. It is impossible to live like a saint on Sabbath and live like the devil for the rest of the week. That is not going to cut it. Every single day is to be lived in harmony with God and His requirements. We must possess the robe of Christ’s righteousness. Man is not made righteous because he keeps the Sabbath, rather man keeps the Sabbath because he receives the righteousness of Christ by faith. Then he is given the Sabbath as a sign to be distinguished as God’s true servant. Being sealed with the seal of God has to do with being made holy. And those who live holy lives will be sealed.

“It [the Sabbath] points to Him [Jesus] as both the Creator and the Sanctifier. It declares that He who created all things in heaven and in earth, and by whom all things hold together, is the head of the church, and that by His power we are reconciled to God. For, speaking of Israel, He said, ‘I gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them,’—make them holy (Ezekiel 20:12). Then the Sabbath is a sign of Christ’s power to make us holy. And it is given to all whom Christ makes holy. As a sign of His sanctifying power, the Sabbath is given to all who through Christ become a part of the Israel of God.” The Desire of Ages, 288. It is not a matter of coming to church, but how you are living throughout the week. How do you treat your neighbors? Are you having daily devotions? How are you treating your family members? How are you treating your enemies? What are you thinking? What holds the affections of your heart captive and what do you think about? All of these things are involved in keeping the Sabbath holy.

To be prepared or ready for this supper, we recognize, first of all, that we must have the seal of the living God placed upon our foreheads, or else the wrath of God will be poured out upon us, but it is not enough for us to have merely head knowledge of these truths. James 4:17 says, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” The Spirit of God is working upon our hearts and if we should refuse to do what we know is right, then we have actually become a transgressor of the law. It is not how much you know; it is a matter of what you do with that knowledge.

Keeping the Sabbath

The following statement is very thought provoking: “Not all who profess to keep the Sabbath will be sealed. There are many even among those who teach the truth to others who will not receive the seal of God in their foreheads. They had the light of truth, they knew their Master’s will, they understood every point of our faith, but they had not corresponding works.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 213, 214. They knew it all, but they lacked the power that could change their lives.

“These who were so familiar with prophecy and the treasures of divine wisdom should have acted their faith. They should have commanded their households after them, that by a well-ordered family they might present to the world the influence of the truth upon the human heart.” Ibid., 214.

Here we are told that there are many who are teaching and preaching, and know everything concerning present truth, and yet their homes are out of order. This causes us to recognize the importance of the family. We are all part of some family, even if it is a single person family.

Preparation In the Home

Men, we are called to be the priest of our home. How do we interact with the members of our families? Each situation is different but godly principles remain the same and the Spirit of God is able to meet every situation. We need to examine ourselves. Husbands, do you love your wives as Jesus loved the church and gave His life for it? Fathers, are you living up to God’s standards in your family? Are you caring for your children and your spouse? Mothers, do you show respect and honor towards your husband setting an example for your children? Children, are you honoring and obeying your mother and father? How is it in your home? Is it a place where angels long to linger? A well-ordered loving family has greater influence and speaks louder than any message that could be preached from the pulpit.

The grace of Christ is needed in every home. Many homes do not begin on a solid foundation. Broken families are the cause of fragmented and wretched societies where degradation abounds. Young men and women should secure their relationship with their Maker before thinking of starting a new family. Christ must be the center, the foundation, of all relationships for a healthy and happy home.

Preparation For Life’s Work

Not only must we be prepared in the home, but we must prepare also in our field of labor for the Lord.

“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ ” Matthew 25:34–40.

Though the home life is essential, are you preparing to work in the Lord’s field? “God could have reached His object in saving sinners without our aid; but in order for us to develop a character like Christ’s, we must share in His work.” The Desire of Ages, 142.

To be saved is not a matter of just coming to church and settling down on the dregs of our Christian experience. We must be active in the cause of God. In order to enter into His joy, the joy of seeing souls redeemed by Jesus’ sacrifice, we must participate in His labors for their redemption.

“The fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah contains present truth for the people of God. Here we see how medical missionary work and the gospel ministry are to be bound together as the message is given to the world. Upon those who keep the Sabbath of the Lord is laid the responsibility of doing a work of mercy and benevolence. Medical missionary work is to be bound up with the message, and sealed with the seal of God.” Evangelism, 516, 517.

“All who love God will show that they bear His sign by keeping His commandments. They are the restorers of paths to dwell in. … Thus genuine medical missionary work is bound up inseparably with the keeping of God’s commandments, of which the Sabbath is especially mentioned, since it is the great memorial of God’s creative work. Its observance is bound up with the work of restoring the moral image of God in man. This is the ministry which God’s people are to carry forward at this time.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 265, 266.

We need to understand how to unite the medical missionary work with that of giving the gospel. The medical missionary work is called the right arm of the gospel and it is the gospel in practice. What good is it for you to know the theories of truth and yet fail to live it out?

Ellen White, in Welfare Ministry, 35, 36 says, “I saw that it is in the providence of God that widows and orphans, the blind, the deaf, the lame, and persons afflicted in a variety of ways have been placed in close Christian relationship to His church; it is to prove His people and develop their true character.”

This is a test, and passing it will determine whether you will be ready for supper. “Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Revelation 19:9 KJV. Many are called but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14). We want to be among those who are chosen, those who are faithful and who understand that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. The result of this will cause us to search out Christ in order that we may have His life, because if we have to appear before God on our own, the Bible says, “All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6 KJV. In other words, our best is still not good enough. Self must die, traditions that are contrary to the will of God must be put away. We must have the life of Christ; He offers us this life freely, His own righteousness.

Conversion must take place every day. Examine your heart to know whether you are of the faith if you want to partake of this supper.

In vision, Ellen White was given this word concerning the marriage supper: “In my dream a sentinel stood at the door of an important building, and asked every one who came for entrance, ‘Have ye received the Holy Ghost?’ A measuring-line was in his hand, and only very, very few were admitted into the building. ‘Your size as a human being is nothing,’ he said. ‘But if you have reached the full stature of a man in Christ Jesus, according to the knowledge you have had, you will receive an appointment to sit with Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb; and through the eternal ages, you will never cease to learn of the blessings granted in the banquet prepared for you.

“ ‘You may be tall and well-proportioned in self, but you can not enter here. None can enter who are grown-up children, carrying with them the disposition, the habits, and the characteristics which pertain to children. If you have nurtured suspicions, criticism, temper, self-dignity, you can not be admitted; for you would spoil the feast. All who go in through this door have on the wedding garment, woven in the loom of heaven. … Within this door nothing can enter that could possibly mar the happiness of the dwellers by marring their perfect trust in one another. You can not join the happy family in the heavenly courts; for I have wiped all tears from their eyes. You can never see the King in his beauty if you are not yourself a representative of his character.’ ” The Review and Herald, April 11, 1899.

May we each have on that wedding garment when Christ returns so that He may take us with Him to heaven to participate in the great supper of the Lamb.

All quotes are NKJV unless otherwise noted.

Demario Carter is currently a Bible worker for Steps to Life. 

Manage Your Time

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Time is a talent. Each person born has been granted a certain amount for which they are accountable. One of the most important verses in the whole Bible about time is found in John 9:4 where Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him Who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” No matter how old you are, whether young or old, there are some things that you are able to do now that you will not be able to do in the future. No longer am I able to say to my deceased mother, “I love you.” There were many days that I could say that, but no more.

“And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He [Jesus] went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.” Mark 11:13. For everything, even the fig tree, there is a best time or season. Timing is everything. There is an opportune time, and then there is another time that is not the right time. There are things that are right when you are 30 that are not right when you are 15. There are things that are right when you are 18 that are not right when you are 9. It is often the timing that makes the difference. When Jesus approached the fig tree it was not the right time for the figs to appear. There is a time to plant and a time to reap. There is a time to work and there is a time to sleep. There is a time to eat. Part of maturing is to become wise in regard to discerning the right time for what you need or want to do.

In Luke 22:37, the Bible says, “For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors,’ For the things concerning Me have an end.” Jesus said, “The things concerning Me have an end.” This world is temporal and everything in it has an end. It is true that everyone, whether two or ninety-two, will one day reach the last day that they will live in this world. Even for those who are alive when Jesus comes, a time will come when it will be the last day that they will live in this world. Knowing that everything in this world comes to an end should regulate the way we think and plan in regard to the use of our time.

Romans 13:11 and 12 tell us, “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” Paul says that first we need to know the time. Most people in this world do not know the time, but if you are a Christian, you should be aware that it is time to wake up out of a Laodicean slumber.

When I was a teenager, my uncle, a building contractor, would sometimes stay with my family. I can still hear him rallying the household with his loud voice saying, “It’s time to roll out. Do you know what time it is?” No one was allowed to sleep past 7:00 a.m.

Paul said, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15, 16.

“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near at hand.” “Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.” Revelation 1:3, 19.

The book of Revelation is about things that are in the present and what will be in the future. To regulate your time you need to understand what you need to do today, as well as have plans about the future, for next week, next month, and next year.

In the book Christ’s Object Lessons, page 342, Ellen White talks about the talent of time. Following are different facts in regard to time:

  1. How is your time spent?

Most important is to understand that we are accountable to God for how our time is spent. “Our time belongs to God. Every moment is His, and we are under the most solemn obligation to improve it to His glory. Of no talent He has given will He require a more strict account than of our time.”

That statement makes most people tremble for almost all of us have wasted some time in the past. In the day of final judgment God is going to require a strict account of how the time He has given us has been used. It will be a fearful day for those who have used their time only in pleasing themselves.

“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.” The Bible Echo, September 19, 1898. The devil delights in those who serve themselves and claims them as his own.

Jesus is the Christian’s example. “For even Christ did not please Himself.” Romans 15:3. Jesus did not live for Himself. If that were the case He would not have come to this world as a poor man and been born in Bethlehem in a cow barn. If He had lived for Himself, He would have never consented to fast for six weeks in the wilderness or spend day and night helping people, even when He was tired and hungry. If He had lived for Himself, He would not have been willing to sleep outdoors when nobody had invited Him into his house to share the home comforts.

If Jesus had lived for Himself, He certainly would never have consented to go the cruel cross and die the death of the worst of criminals, but for our sakes, He was not self-serving. On the day of final judgment will the recording angel be able to say, “According to the record, this person has spent his/her life living to try to help other people,” or sadly report that he/she lived for himself/herself? We must give an account to God for our time. Those who are saved will have lived to help others.

  1. The value of time.

How much is your time worth? When I was a small boy, my father would tell me this story to teach me a lesson. He said there were three bricklayers working on a building. A person came up to the first bricklayer and said, “What are you doing?” He said, “I’m earning $1.75 an hour.” His interest was only in collecting his pay.

When the second bricklayer was asked, he said, “I am laying brick.” This man saw no further than the immediate task; he was simply laying brick.

He then came to the third bricklayer and asked him, “What are you doing?” He replied, “I am building a temple.”

How do you see the work that you do and how would you describe what you are doing with your time? God has given us our job; it is to help people get ready for the kingdom of heaven. Time is so valuable that it cannot be measured and infinitely valuable when used to lead someone to Jesus.

“The value of time is beyond computation. Christ regarded every moment as precious, and it is thus that we should regard it. Life is too short to be trifled away. We have but a few days of probation in which to prepare for eternity. We have no time to waste, no time to devote to selfish pleasure, no time for the indulgence of sin. It is now that we are to form characters for the future, immortal life. It is now that we are to prepare for the searching judgment.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 342.

  1. Redeeming the time.

See Ephesians 5:16. The first thing to understand about redeeming time is that there is absolutely nothing you can do to redeem wasted time. Whatever age you are you cannot change one particle of how you spent one minute of the past. The only way that time can be redeemed is to use it more efficiently now and in the future. The past is forever gone.

  1. Taking time to witness.

Are you witnessing concerning your faith, your religion, and your hope for the future? Are you looking for opportunities to tell others about Jesus and His love for them? “Now is our time to labor for the salvation of our fellow men. There are some who think that if they give money to the cause of Christ, this is all they are required to do …” Ibid., 343. There are many Adventists like that. Some work 80 hours a week and earn so much money that they want to give money so that others can do the witnessing. Well, notice what Ellen White says about this: “The precious time in which they might do personal service for Him passes unimproved. But it is the privilege and duty of all who have health and strength to render to God active service. All are to labor in winning souls to Christ. Donations of money cannot take the place of this.” Ibid. It is not enough for me to say, “I’m going to work hard and earn so much, that I’ll be able to give money to get the … .” No, no! It is not God’s plan to work and earn what money I can and then pay someone else to go and win the souls.

There are people you can reach that your husband, or your wife, or your parents, or your children cannot reach. Young people can often reach people that older people cannot reach. You cannot buy your way into heaven. There are people that God wants you to reach personally.

Who is the person God has put in your pathway? Witnessing involves more than just giving out literature or giving Bible Studies. If you pray for guidance, the Lord might show you many other things that you could do to witness. It would be tragic to come to the day of judgment and say, “O, I didn’t take very much time to witness to anybody.” It will be too late then to do what is possible right now.

  1. How is your time being spent?

Jesus once said to His disciples, “Watch out that you do not become overcharged, overburdened with feasting, and the cares of this life, and that day overtake you unawares.” Luke 21:34 (literal translation).

For many people, especially the middle class, the whole day from early morning to late at night is taken up with just making a living. Many are working two or three jobs to bring in enough money to pay for their luxurious lifestyle. They make the mistake of being so busy with the cares of this life they just don’t have much time to prepare for eternity.

“Life is too solemn to be absorbed in temporal and earthly matters, in a treadmill of care and anxiety for the things that are but an atom in comparison with the things of eternal interest. Yet God has called us to serve Him in the temporal affairs of life. Diligence in this work is as much a part of true religion as is devotion.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 343.

Being a Christian does not mean that you will not have to make a living and manage your worldly business, but that must never become so all-absorbing that no time is spared to prepare for eternity.

The rich young ruler that met Jesus was not a crimina; he was a good man. He did not break the law. Everybody respected him. He was just totally absorbed in this world. Jesus tried to cut him loose, but he did not want to be freed and left Jesus sorrowful for he had many possessions.

  1. Idleness.

It is a great mistake for any adult or young person to be idle. In fact, “The Bible gives no endorsement to idleness. It is the greatest curse that afflicts our world.” Ibid.

It is because of idleness that there is such an avalanche of crime in America today. Idleness was one of the main reasons Sodom and Gomorrah got into the trouble they did. Read Ezekiel 16:49.

The devil has his greatest success with men and women, boys and girls when they have idle time and nothing practical to occupy them. Parents must make it their duty to keep their children productively occupied, teaching them to be productive, for idleness leads to every kind of crime.

  1. Efficient use of time.

About a hundred and seventy years ago there was a young boy growing up in Illinois by the name of Abraham Lincoln. His family was very poor and he had to spend early morning till evening working out in the field. After supper when the rest of the family retired after a long day’s work Abraham would light a fire, either in the lamp or in the stove, so that he could read. He hungered for knowledge and those who knew him said he devoured every book available for him to borrow or find in the community.

“The heights by great men reached and kept

Were not attained by sudden flight,

But they, while their companions slept,

Were toiling upward in the night.” Education, 296.

It is especially important that while still young the lesson is learned how to most efficiently use your time.

  1. Habits of order, thoroughness, and dispatch in your use of time.

“Upon the right improvement of our time depends our success in acquiring knowledge and mental culture. … A few moments here and a few there, that might be frittered away in aimless talk; the morning hours so often wasted in bed; the time spent in traveling on trams or railway cars, or waiting at the station; the moments of waiting for meals, waiting for those who are tardy in keeping an appointment—if a book were kept at hand, and these fragments of time were improved in study, reading, or careful thought, what might not be accomplished. …

“It is the duty of every Christian to acquire habits of order, thoroughness, and dispatch. There is no excuse for slow bungling at work of any character.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 343, 344.

“By tact and method, some will accomplish as much in five hours as others do in ten.” Ibid., 344. How long does it take you to get done with the job? Diligent people learn to use their time more efficiently.

One of the problems in today’s society is that parents do not understand that their children need to be occupied all day long every day with something that is worthwhile. “Parents should teach their children the value and right use of time. …

“Parents cannot commit a greater sin than to allow their children to have nothing to do. The children soon learn to love idleness, and they grow up shiftless, useless men and women. When they are old enough to earn their living, and find employment, they work in a lazy, droning way, yet expect to be paid as much as if they were faithful.” Ibid., 345.

Many people have been ruined because they didn’t learn how to work when they were growing up. Concerning children: “Lack of employment and of steadfast purpose opens the door to a thousand temptations.” Ibid.

Many children are left unsupervised for lengthy periods while both parents have to work to meet their financial commitments. A way must be determined that they have plenty to keep them occupied all day long. This does not always have to be work, but it does need to be useful activities so that the children can develop into happy and healthy citizens.

  1. The other time extreme.

Many years ago I read in inspired writings that we should not try to do two days’ work in one. “Let no one labor to the point of exhaustion, thereby disqualifying himself for other duties. Do not try to crowd two days’ work into one. All should use their strength wisely, and at the end those who work carefully and wisely will be found to have accomplished as much as those who so expend their physical and mental strength that they have no deposit from which to draw in a time of need.” The Signs of the Times, August 5, 1897.

It is very easy for man to go to extremes but we must find the right balance. Often in zeal to accomplish one thing, something else just as important gets neglected.

“You must learn to give up your will and your way, and to receive light from those whom God has made His helping hand, those by whom He designs that you shall be helped. Go to Christ for relief. Cling to Him. Stay long enough to yield up your will to the will of God. Many are in too great a hurry to pray. With hurried steps they pass through the shadow of Christ’s loving presence, pausing perhaps for a few moments within the sacred precincts, but not waiting for counsel. They have no time to sit down, no time to remain with the divine Teacher. With their burdens, they return to their work.” This Day With God, 154.

Most important is to take time each morning before the hustle of the day begins to sit down and receive some instruction from the divine Teacher. The time spent with your Maker will never be wasted and you can move on with the activities of each day laying all of your burdens at the foot of His cross. With the right allocation of time you will be amazed at what you are able to accomplish.

(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 – The Wheat, the Tares and Uncertain Voices

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“I [Ellen White] see perplexities on every side. As character develops man and woman will take their position, for varied circumstances brought to bear upon them will cause them to reveal the spirit which prompts them to action. Every one will reveal the character of the bundle with which he is binding himself. The wheat is being bound up for the heavenly garner. … The true people of God are now pulling apart, and the tares are being bound in bundles ready to burn. Decided positions will be taken. Satan will move upon minds that have been indulged, upon men who have always had their own way, and anything presented to them in counsel or reproof to change their objectionable traits of character is considered faultfinding, binding them, restraining them, that they cannot have liberty to act themselves. The Lord in great mercy has sent messages of warning to them, but they would not listen to reproof. Like the enemy who rebelled in heaven, they do not like to hear, do not correct the wrong they have done but become accusers, declaring themselves misused and unappreciated. Now is the time of trial, of test, of proving.” The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 995, 996.

“Dark hours of trial are before the church because they have not obeyed the warnings and reproofs and counsel of God. What a bewitching power comes upon human minds to do contrary to the oft repeated will of God, and close the eyes and stop the ears, when Jesus is calling to them to hear His voice. He says, ‘My sheep hear My voice’ (John 10:27).

“That night in that boat was to the disciples a school where they were to receive their education for the great work which was to be done afterwards. The dark hours of trial are to come to every one as a part of his education for higher work, for more devoted, consecrated effort. The storm was not sent upon the disciples to shipwreck them, but to test and prove them individually. Before the great trouble shall come upon the world such as has never been since there was a nation, those who have faltered and who would ignorantly lead in unsafe paths will reveal this before the real vital test, the last proving, comes, so that whatsoever they may say will not be regarded as voicing the True Shepherd. The time of our educating will soon be over. We have no time to lose in walking through clouds of doubt and uncertainty because of uncertain voices.” Ibid., 1002.

(From a letter written by Ellen White to Elder S.N. Haskell, August 22, 1892.)