Issue: 2017 November

Question & Answer – Who Judges the Wicked?

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Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters” (1 Corinthians 6:2)?

“Then I saw thrones, and Jesus and the redeemed saints sat upon them; and the saints reigned as kings and priests unto God, and the wicked dead were judged, and their acts were compared with the statute book, the word of God, and they were judged according to the deeds done in the body. Jesus, in union with the saints, meted out to the wicked the portion they must suffer, according to their works; and it was written in the book of death, and set off against their names. Satan and his angels were also judged by Jesus and the saints. Satan’s punishment was to be far greater than that of those whom he had deceived. It so far exceeded their punishment that it could not be compared with theirs. After all those whom he had deceived had perished, Satan was to still live and suffer on much longer.” Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1, 212, 213.

“After the saints are changed to immortality and caught up together with Jesus, after they receive their harps, their robes, and their crowns, and enter the city, Jesus and the saints sit in judgment. The books are opened—the book of life and the book of death. The book of life contains the good deeds of the saints; and the book of death contains the evil deeds of the wicked. These books are compared with the statute book, the Bible, and according to that men are judged. The saints, in unison with Jesus, pass their judgment upon the wicked dead. ‘Behold ye,’ said the angel, ‘the saints, in unison with Jesus, sit in judgment, and mete out to the wicked according to the deeds done in the body, and that which they must receive at the execution of the judgment is set off against their names.’ This, I saw, was the work of the saints with Jesus through the one thousand years in the Holy City before it descends to the earth.” Early Writings, 52, 53.

Pen of Inspiration – Rejoice in the Lord Always

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In this life we shall be tempted and tried. Friends may prove treacherous, enemies may be inspired by Satan to cause sadness. In these trials let us turn to the Strong for strength. There we shall find comfort, consolation, and tender sympathy.

Christ interposes between us and the difficulties that appear so formidable. The flame and the flood are behind Him. Then lift Him up, with voice and song, and let the melody of thanksgiving and praise ascend to heaven in your life service. Keep cheerful, full of faith and courage and hope. Elijah was subject to like passions as we are, yet the Lord was his strength. He prayed most earnestly, and the Lord heard his prayer. Let us, under all circumstances, preserve our confidence in Christ. He is to be everything to us—the first, the last, the best in everything. Then let us educate our tongues to speak forth His praise, not only when we feel gladness and joy, but at all times.

Let us keep the heart full of God’s precious promises, that we may speak words that will be a comfort and strength to others. Thus we may learn the language of the heavenly angels, who, if we are faithful, will be our companions through the eternal ages. Every day we should make advancement in gaining perfection of character, and this we shall certainly do if we press toward the mark of the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus. Let us not talk of the great power of Satan, but of the great power of God. We are to speak even as Christ spoke, allowing no harsh, impatient words to fall from our lips. Thus we shall be a savor of life to all with whom we come in contact.

In every soul two powers are struggling earnestly for the victory. Unbelief marshals its forces, led by Satan, to cut us off from the source of our strength. Faith marshals its forces, led by Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. Hour by hour, in the sight of the heavenly universe the conflict goes forward. This is a hand-to-hand fight, and the great question is, Which shall obtain the mastery? This question each must decide for himself. In this warfare all must take a part, fighting on one side or the other. From the conflict there is no release.

Paul says to those who are fighting on the side of truth: “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). We are urged to prepare for this conflict. “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:10, 11). The warning is repeated, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (verse 13).

He who is mighty in counsel, to whom all power in heaven and earth has been given, will come to the help of those who trust in Him. In the Scriptures we read that in certain places Christ could not do many mighty works, because of the unbelief existing there. It is of great importance that we have a faith that will not wait for the evidence of sight before it ventures to advance. “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:3–6).

The Youth’s Instructor, January 10, 1901.

Keys to the Storehouse – Grace Be To You

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Paul sent a most meaningful greeting in most of his letters in which he said: “Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:2). This salutation from Paul’s heart has much more meaning than many realize.

“To learn of Christ means to receive His grace, which is His character.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 271.

With the character of Christ, there would be no complaining because you would be satisfied with what God’s will was for you knowing “… that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

When Paul asked for healing in 2 Corinthians 12:9, God replied, “… My grace is sufficient for thee [My character is sufficient for you]: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. …” Paul then says, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Whatever your “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7), God’s grace is sufficient. “The divine grace which He alone can impart, is as living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul.” The Desire of Ages, 187.

Grace be to you! But it is not only grace that Paul wants you to attain. He adds, “… and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:2).  As Peter also states in 2 Peter 1:2, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you …” This word peace is a state of quiet or tranquility, free from agitation or disturbance, being calm. It also means an absence of strife or discord—a state of reconciliation. Paul knew God’s desire to give to all grace and peace.

There was much strife, discord and agitation in Paul’s day but he knew that if they would obtain that grace and peace from God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son, they would have such tranquility and calmness in their hearts that others would be drawn to them.

God is talking to you through Paul and Peter and other writers. As you read their words, hear His voice talking to you. He says, “Grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” Ask for His grace! Ask for His peace! These gifts are for you and for me.

How do I multiply these gifts? 2 Peter 1:2 tells us how: “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord … .” Spend quality time in His word and the Spirit of Prophecy. As you grow in knowledge, so will the grace and peace of God swell within you.

Heavenly Father: I did not realize that Your grace is Your character and how much I need it. I understand now why Paul knew that Your grace was truly sufficient and that he was satisfied with his “thorn in the flesh.” I pray for Your grace and Your peace that I may reflect Your character at all times and under all circumstances even amidst all of the thorns, because I now know that Your grace is truly sufficient.  Amen.

Current Events – Nearly every Continent of this earth has been hit by climate and weather disasters

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Zimbabwe—Hundreds of people have been killed due to the severe rains in the first few months of the year.

China—1 million people were displaced and over 200 people killed due to severe flooding and other natural disasters in the first half of the year.

Peru—Flooding triggered by unusually warm Pacific waters off the coast killed 150 and affected more than 1 million.

Afghanistan—Avalanches caused by heavy snowfall caused deaths and loss of homes.

Democratic Republic of the Congo—A horrific landslide killed hundreds, leaving 280 children orphaned.

Sri Lanka—Heavy rainfall and strong monsoon winds left hundreds dead and affected another half million. Hundreds more have died from dengue fever since the disaster.

Mexico—A major 7.1 magnitude earthquake shook Mexico City on September 19, killing at least 225 people. The earthquake struck on the 32nd anniversary of a devastating 1985 quake that killed thousands in Mexico. Twelve days earlier, the even larger Chiapas earthquake struck 400 miles away, off the coast of the state of Chiapas, killing at least 96 people.

Colombia—A massive landslide in the southern city of Mocoa killed at least 300 and injured hundreds more. Two weeks later, 17 more people were killed and dozens more injured in another landslide set off by heavy rains.

South Asia—Flooding and landslides resulting from monsoon rains have affected at least 41 million people in Bangladesh, India and Nepal during the summer with a death toll of 1,200.

United States—Three hurricanes in quick succession have caused unprecedented havoc and devastation. Hurricane Harvey was an extremely destructive Atlantic hurricane which became the first major hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. since 2005. Harvey was the wettest tropical hurricane on record in the U.S., causing widespread flooding. At least 75 were confirmed dead from the flooding along its path of destruction. Hurricane Irma with its deadly storm surges and Maria with her catastrophic high winds that totally devastated Puerto Rico followed in quick succession leaving a trail of death and destruction.

Las Vegas, USA—October 1. Thirty thousand people were gathered on the Las Vegas Strip for a music festival when a lone shooter opened fire on them from the 32nd floor of a hotel building. Initial reports say 59 people are dead with more than 500 injured in the largest mass shooting in U.S. history.

Might this be what has been described “as the beginning of sorrows”? If ever there was a time to get on your knees and pray for the inhabitants of this world to turn to their Creator it is now. The devil is “enraged” and enlisting all in his power to destroy, for he knows that his time is short.

In the midst of all of this disaster was an amazing display of God’s creation when the moon eclipsed the sun.

August 21, 2017—Eclipse Day

The people of the United States looked in wonder as the lunar shadow entered the United States near Lincoln City, Oregon, at 9:05 a.m. before totally eclipsing the sun at 10:16 a.m. Many had travelled from abroad to see this phenomenon while others were transfixed to their televisions for the next couple of hours to follow the lunar shadow until it left the U.S. at 4:09 p.m. EDT.

Be Thankful – Good Medicine for the Troubled

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There are many man-made formulas for peace of mind, but none is so effective as the command of God to be thankful. Paul in writing to the church at Colossae encouraged the believers with these words:

“Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Colossians 3:15

Once a year in the United States the President sets aside a day for thanksgiving. He calls upon the people of the nation, as he did in a recent proclamation, to consider the “richness of our blessings,” “our bountiful harvests,” “our productivity of goods abundant,” and the privilege “to walk as free men unafraid.” Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, Harry S. Truman, 1948. It is good to remind ourselves of such things once a year. But it is far better to set a time each day to ponder the things for which we should be thankful.

The spirit of thankfulness is like a tonic. It causes one to lift his head, to walk more erect. It smooths the ruffled brow, and places a smile upon the countenance. “Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise.” The Ministry of Healing, 251.

Thus we are admonished by the prophet Samuel, “Consider how great things He hath done for you” (1 Samuel 12:24); and our hearts should respond as did the psalmist, “The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad” (Psalm 126:3).

Just the uttering of praise and thanks sends the blood coursing through one’s veins faster, cleansing out the impurities of the mind and the heart, and giving health to the bones.

Again we are told, “It is a positive duty to resist melancholy, discontented thoughts and feelings—as much a duty as it is to pray.” The Ministry of Healing, 251.

Certainly we have much to be troubled about, for there never was a time when so many demands were made upon us. Life becomes more and more complicated and uncertain every day. We seem to be hedged about by unpleasant events over which we have no control. We often feel disconcerted in the face of issues that must be settled without delay. How can we remain calm and collected in such a time as this?

The best way to do it is to have a background of confidence that we have an Almighty Helper at our side every moment, and that He will not permit any circumstance to overwhelm us. We need constantly to remind ourselves of this, and be thankful for it. This is what Paul meant when he wrote the words quoted before. Weymouth’s translation reads:

“Let the peace which Christ gives settle all questionings in your hearts, to which peace indeed you were called as belonging to His one Body; and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15, literal translation).

The consciousness that we are not alone in the daily conflict, that we belong to a body of people who are called to peace through Christ, tempers every trial and helps to settle all our questionings. This is one of the greatest blessings that the Christian way of life has to offer. We not only look forward to the day of salvation, when we shall be delivered wholly from earthly conflicts, but we are promised daily deliverances here and now. That is why Christ bade us pray, “Deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). This freedom comes not by its removal, for this is impossible in an evil world, but by God making evil powerless over us, even as rain is repelled by a waterproof garment. We can then say with Paul, “None of these things move me” (Acts 20:24).

How thankful we should be for these spiritual blessings that moderate the trials of life. And the more we are thankful for them, the more they can do for us. Of this we read:

“It is for our own benefit to keep every gift of God fresh in our memory. Thus faith is strengthened to claim and to receive more and more. There is greater encouragement for us in the least blessing we ourselves receive from God than in all the accounts we can read of the faith and experience of others. The soul that responds to the grace of God shall be like a watered garden. His health shall spring forth speedily; his light shall rise in obscurity, and the glory of the Lord shall be seen upon him.” The Desire of Ages, 348.

When we think of our material blessings we may not have as much as some for which to be thankful. We may be poor in this world’s goods; we may have afflictions of the body and be restricted in our activities. It may seem, as we compare ourselves with others, that we have little to call forth thankfulness. But all have the same access to the storehouse of heaven, and we are only limited by our faith in laying hold of the spiritual blessings God so freely offers to all. If it is money you need, God can bless the little and make it sufficient. If it is health you need, God can give you the grace to endure the trial. There is no material need of man that some spiritual grace cannot match. Just take the key of faith and open God’s treasury, and there you will find all that is necessary for a life of happiness. Help yourself to the riches of joy and gladness stored up in Christ Jesus.

There are two ways to multiply our blessings. One is to recognize them. The other is to share them. This is an axiom of life in general, and of Christian life in particular. To let money lie idle often defeats one’s purpose. But to put it into circulation, and let it produce something useful to others, is the best way to increase one’s own benefits. This law of economics is recognized in the business world. It was recognized by Christ in the parable of the talents. The man who buried his one talent in the ground, thinking he would have wherewith to meet some future need, learned to his great regret that even that which he had felt was so secure was taken from him.

Exaggerated self-interest leads sooner or later either to poverty of material things or poverty of soul. What, then, should be the response of one to every blessing that is received? “Freely ye have received,” saith the Master, “freely give” (Matthew 10:8). And the psalmist asks, “What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits” (Psalm 116:12)? There is no peace for one who simply offers thanks for what he receives. He must likewise be glad for the opportunity to serve. To give is life; to stop giving is death. To Abraham, God said, “I will bless thee, … and thou shalt be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2). The one who stops being a blessing will soon lose the blessing.

There are too many people today talking about the Bill of Rights and forgetting the bill of responsibilities. We love our freedom to do as we wish. But does what we wish include the desire to be of some help to others? No nation, no people, no individual, would have any freedom at all if no consideration were given to human relationships.

Above all, spiritual life is absolutely dependent upon the act of sharing. One concerned only with his own salvation is doing the very thing that will keep him from receiving what he desires.

So let us be thankful for the faith that helps us lay hold upon the eternal riches, for the hope that keeps us patient until we fully realize all that God has promised, and for the love that prompts us to give thanks for blessings bestowed and leads us to share them with others. This is the way of peace to which we are called. Let us walk in it.

Thoughts of Peace, Frederick Lee, 1950, 24–27.

Reader’s comment: “This is a wonderful ‘nugget’ to help a person find true peace in this turbulent world that we live in. Even though it was written in 1950, it is very relevant to today. If you are struggling with finding peace, this book will be a great source of comfort and direction in finding it.”

Love, the Law and Heaven

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“Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart! They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways.”  Psalm 119:2, 3

Understand the most basic requirement of heaven, the deciding factor of entrance into heaven.

If I am seeking something with my whole heart, it must be something that I value above all other things. It is something that I love. Why is this so important in whether I am seen fit to gain entrance into heaven? I believe that answer to this question is stated very succinctly, in fact in three words: “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8, first part). This is not speaking of human love, but divine love as is defined in the preceding verses.

Let’s think about this for a moment. If I am motivated to do something from any other motive than pure, true principled love, I believe that it is a given that sooner or later that motive would change, and as the motive changes, the action also changes. However, God never changes. His character is love, the basis of His government is love, His law is love, and we are told that He never changes.

If our lives, our words and actions are based on love, divine love, true love based on principle, will we ever change? No, so if my motivating factor is love, then I am safe to be in the kingdom of glory restored. If I live, speak, act, make decisions based on God’s principle of love, I will be a safe citizen of that heavenly realm. If the motive power for my obedience is not love of the purity, holiness, righteousness of God’s government, law, kingdom, I will not be a safe subject for that kingdom.

The universe has endured over 6,000 years of sin, of rebellion, of spurious, self-centered love. It can be unequivocally stated that God will not allow it a second time. And as He is not a God of force, the only option He has is to restrict entrance to only those who are motivated by the unchanging principle of divine love. Because as the Bible says “love never fails.”

1 Corinthians 13 elaborates on this: “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing” (verses 1–3 NASB).

God says it doesn’t matter how great the deed, how wonderful the gift or talent, how mighty the power. If it is not motivated by love, it profits me nothing. Why? It is because of those three words we read earlier from 1 Corinthians 13:8 – “Love never fails.” That is the only motive that is sure. That is the only motive power that is safe. All other motives will eventually fail.

Immediately after these words “it profits me nothing” follows a description of true love. In our world today, basically what we know and see is Satan’s counterfeit for God’s true principle of love. So we need to be educated as to what true love is. 1 Corinthians gives a definition of true love, principled love. It is this divine, principled love that is expressed in the Ten Commandments. It is this love that is the basis of the government of God. It is His very character.

This principled love is the basic requirement of entrance into heaven. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 NASB also sheds some light as to why this is the case. It says, “May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.” The love of God and of Christ are steadfast.

What does steadfast mean? Here is the first definition from Merriam-Webster: “firmly fixed in place; immovable.” Does that sound like something based on that love would be secure? Something based on that kind of “steadfast love” will not be changed.

Two more scriptures among many state clearly God’s requirement for those who would be citizens of His kingdom of glory.

Mark 12:30: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

Deuteronomy 10:12 NASB: “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”

The most basic problem of the human race is whether or not I sin. I would like to propose to you that love is involved in the motive of everything I do or choose. It is either self-love or love of God. Think about that for a moment. When man sinned he lost the natural goodness, the propensity for good, that total lack of propensity to do evil which was the condition in which he was created by God. He lost the ability to do good and became wholly depraved, evil, wicked. The Bible teaches that, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it” (Jeremiah 17:9)? As a result of that first sin, mankind is now under the power that is the exact opposite of love, the epitome of hatred, evil and death. There is one power alone that is stronger than death – love, pure, divine love. Therefore, there is only one power that is stronger than sin. In other words, there is one power alone that gives us the power to overcome sin – love.

“If God has given His only begotten Son to die, the just for the unjust, He wants every voice to proclaim it; for this is the truth that is to work counter to the lies of Satan. Christ’s death for man shows that his compassion and love are without a parallel. Christ’s resurrection proves that He has power over death and the grave. He is willing and able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him.” The Review and Herald, August 13, 1889.

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

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1–3).

These are wonderful attributes – wonderful ability of speech, prophecy, understanding all mysteries and knowledge, faith even so strong as to move mountains, giving all you have to give to others, and even martyrdom. But God says all these are worth nothing without the motivating power of love.

There is another Scripture in the Bible that gives this exact same principle, but stated in the negative rather than in the positive, and in another setting. You all know these famous words of Christ. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21–23 KJV).

Again we have a description of someone doing wonderful things in Jesus’ name. But Jesus says, “I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” What? Doing all these wonderful and good things, and Jesus says, “I never knew you?”

The problem here is one of motive. The issue is self-love, rather than love of God and the principles of His kingdom.

Inspiration says it this way: “No matter how high the profession, he whose heart is not filled with love for God and his fellow men is not a true disciple of Christ. Though he should possess great faith and have power even to work miracles, yet without love his faith would be worthless. He might display great liberality; but should he, from some other motive than genuine love, bestow all his goods to feed the poor, the act would not commend him to the favor of God. In his zeal he might even meet a martyr’s death, yet if not actuated by love, he would be regarded by God as a deluded enthusiast or an ambitious hypocrite.” The Acts of the Apostles, 318, 319.

Why? Why is this attribute of love so important? The crux of the matter is stated in these few words of Jesus recorded by John the Beloved. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15 NASB). God does not say if you are afraid of Me, or if you know I exist, or if you obey because you have to, and the list could go on. Satan has myriads of counterfeit reasons. God says, “If you love Me.” Period.

Let’s think about this in a logical way for a moment. Would you want to be in heaven if heaven is like this earth? Of course not. In that case, you and I must change. Think of this from the perspective of God. Think of the extreme cost of putting into effect the wonderful plan of salvation by which alone you and I have hope of eternity. Will God allow sin to rear its head again? Never. If we are to be in that kingdom of glory restored, we must have the attributes that would make us safe to be there—for eternity. That means obedience from that most basic principle – love for God and for the principles of His kingdom.

Do you have that kind of love? How do we get that kind of love? The answer is very simple.

The inspired writer says, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV). What is that glory of the Lord? It is self-sacrificing love.

“It will be seen that the glory shining in the face of Jesus is the glory of self-sacrificing love. In the light from Calvary it will be seen that the law of self-renouncing love is the law of life for earth and heaven; that the love which ‘seeketh not her own’ has its source in the heart of God; and that in the meek and lowly One is manifested the character of Him who dwelleth in the light which no man can approach unto.” The Desire of Ages, 20.

“But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NASB).

All quotes NKJV unless otherwise noted.

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

Bible Biographies

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The lives recorded in the Bible are authentic histories of actual individuals. From Adam down through successive generations to the times of the apostles we have a plain, unvarnished account of what actually occurred and the genuine experience of real characters. It is a subject of wonder to many that inspired history should narrate in the lives of good men facts that tarnish their moral characters. Infidels seize upon these sins with great satisfaction and hold their perpetrators up to ridicule. The inspired writers did not testify to falsehoods to prevent the pages of sacred history being clouded by the record of human frailties and faults. The scribes of God wrote as they were dictated by the Holy Spirit, having no control of the work themselves. They penned the literal truth, and stern, forbidding facts are revealed for reasons that our finite minds cannot fully comprehend.

It is one of the best evidences of the authenticity of the Scriptures that the truth is not glossed over nor the sins of its chief characters suppressed. Many will urge that it is an easy matter to relate what has occurred in an ordinary life. But it is a proved fact that it is a human impossibility to give an impartial history of a contemporary; and it is almost as difficult to narrate, without deviating from the exact truth, the story of any person or people with whose career we have become acquainted. The human mind is so subject to prejudice that it is almost impossible for it to treat the subject impartially. Either the faults of the person under review stand out in glaring relief, or his virtues shine with undimmed luster, just as the writer is prejudiced for or against him. However impartial the historian may design to be, all critics will agree that it is a very difficult matter to be truly so.

But divine unction, lifted above the weaknesses of humanity, tells the simple, naked truth. How many biographies have been written of faultless Christians, who, in their ordinary home life and church relations, shone as examples of immaculate piety. No blemish marred the beauty of their holiness, no fault is recorded to remind us that they were common clay and subject to the ordinary temptations of humanity. Yet had the pen of inspiration written their histories, how different would they have appeared. There would have been revealed human weaknesses, struggles with selfishness, bigotry, and pride, hidden sins perhaps, and the continual warfare between the spirit and the flesh.

Even private journals do not reveal on their pages the writer’s sinful deeds. Sometimes the conflicts with evil are recorded, but usually only when the right has gained the victory. But they may contain a faithful account of praiseworthy acts and noble endeavors; this, too, when the writer honestly intends to keep a faithful journal of his life. It is next to a human impossibility to lay open our faults for the possible inspection of our friends.

Had our good Bible been written by uninspired persons, it would have presented quite a different appearance and would have been a discouraging study to erring mortals, who are contending with natural frailties and the temptations of a wily foe. But as it is, we have a correct record of the religious experiences of marked characters in Bible history. Men whom God favored, and to whom He entrusted great responsibilities, were sometimes overcome by temptation and committed sins, even as we of the present day strive, waver, and frequently fall into error. But it is encouraging to our desponding hearts to know that through God’s grace they could gain fresh vigor to again rise above their evil natures; and, remembering this, we are ready to renew the conflict ourselves.

Israel’s Experience—A Warning

The murmurings of ancient Israel and their rebellious discontent, as well as the mighty miracles wrought in their favor and the punishment of their idolatry and ingratitude, are recorded for our benefit. The example of ancient Israel is given as a warning to the people of God, that they may avoid unbelief and escape His wrath. If the iniquities of the Hebrews had been omitted from the Sacred Record, and only their virtues recounted, their history would fail to teach us the lesson that it does.

Infidels and lovers of sin excuse their crimes by citing the wickedness of men to whom God gave authority in olden times. They argue that if these holy men yielded to temptation and committed sins, it is not to be wondered at that they, too, should be guilty of wrongdoing; and intimate that they are not so bad after all, since they have such illustrious examples of iniquity before them.

The principles of justice required a faithful narration of facts for the benefit of all who should ever read the Sacred Record. Here we discern the evidences of divine wisdom. We are required to obey the law of God, and are not only instructed as to the penalty of disobedience, but we have narrated for our benefit and warning the history of Adam and Eve in Paradise, and the sad results of their disobedience of God’s commands. The account is full and explicit.

The law given to man in Eden is recorded, together with the penalty accruing in case of its disobedience. Then follows the story of the temptation and fall, and the punishment inflicted upon our erring parents. Their example is given us as a warning against disobedience, that we may be sure that the wages of sin is death, that God’s retributive justice never fails, and that He exacts from His creatures a strict regard for His commandments. When the law was proclaimed at Sinai, how definite was the penalty annexed, how sure was the punishment to follow the transgression of that law, and how plain are the cases recorded in evidence of that fact!

The pen of inspiration, true to its task, tells us of the sins that overcame Noah, Lot, Moses, Abraham, David, and Solomon, and that even Elijah’s strong spirit sank under temptation during his fearful trial. Jonah’s disobedience and Israel’s idolatry are faithfully recorded. Peter’s denial of Christ, the sharp contention of Paul and Barnabas, the failings and infirmities of the prophets and apostles, are all laid bare by the Holy Ghost, who lifts the veil from the human heart. There before us lie the lives of the believers, with all their faults and follies, which are intended as a lesson to all the generations following them. If they had been without foible they would have been more than human, and our sinful natures would despair of ever reaching such a point of excellence. But seeing where they struggled and fell, where they took heart again and conquered through the grace of God, we are encouraged, and led to press over the obstacles that degenerate nature places in our way.

God has ever been faithful to punish crime. He sent His prophets to warn the guilty, denounce their sins, and pronounce judgment upon them. Those who question why the word of God brings out the sins of His people in so plain a manner for scoffers to deride and saints to deplore, should consider that it was all written for their instruction, that they may avoid the evils recorded and imitate only the righteousness of those who served the Lord.

We need just such lessons as the Bible gives us, for with the revelation of sin is recorded the retribution which follows. The sorrow and penitence of the guilty, and the wailing of the sin-sick soul, come to us from the past, telling us that man was then, as now, in need of the pardoning mercy of God. It teaches us that while He is a punisher of crime, He pities and forgives the repenting sinner.

In His providence the Lord has seen fit to teach and warn His people in various ways. By direct command, by the sacred writings, and by the spirit of prophecy has He made known unto them His will. My work has been to speak plainly of the faults and errors of God’s people. Because the sins of certain individuals have been brought to light, it is no evidence that they are worse in the sight of the Lord than many whose failings are unrecorded. But I have been shown that it is not mine to choose my work, but humbly to obey the will of God. The errors and wrongdoings in the lives of professed Christians are recorded for the inspiration of those who are liable to fall into the same temptations. The experience of one serves as a beacon light to warn others off the rocks of danger.

Thus are revealed the snares and devices of Satan, the importance of perfecting Christian character, and the means by which this result may be obtained. Thus God indicates what is necessary to secure His blessing. There is a disposition on the part of many to let rebellious feelings arise if their peculiar sins are reproved. The spirit of this generation is: “Speak unto us smooth things” (Isaiah 30:10). But the spirit of prophecy speaks only the truth. Iniquity abounds, and the love of many who profess to follow Christ waxes cold. They are blind to the wickedness of their own hearts and do not feel their weak and helpless condition. God in mercy lifts the veil and shows them that there is an eye behind the scenes that discerns their hidden guilt and the motives of their actions.

The sins of the popular churches are whitewashed over. Many of the members indulge in the grossest vices and are steeped in iniquity. Babylon is fallen and has become the cage of every foul and hateful bird! The most revolting sins of the age find shelter beneath the cloak of Christianity. Many proclaim the law of God abolished, and surely their lives are in keeping with their faith. If there is no law, then there is no transgression, and therefore no sin; for sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4).

The carnal mind is enmity against God, and it rebels against His will. Let it once throw off the yoke of obedience and it slips unconsciously into the lawlessness of crime. Iniquity abounds among those who talk grandly of pure and perfect religious liberty. Their conduct is abhorrent to the Lord, and they are co-workers with the adversary of souls. The light of revealed truth is turned from their sight, and the beauties of holiness are but as shadows to them.

It is astonishing to see upon what flimsy foundations very many build their hopes of heaven! They rail at the law of the Infinite One as though they would defy Him and make His word null. Even Satan with his knowledge of the divine law would not dare to make the speeches which some law-hating ministers make from the pulpit, yet he exults in their blasphemy.

I have been shown what man is without a knowledge of the will of God. Crimes and iniquity fill up the measure of his life. But when the Spirit of God reveals to him the full meaning of the law, what a change takes place in his heart! Like Belshazzar, he reads intelligently the handwriting of the Almighty, and conviction takes possession of his soul. The thunders of God’s word startle him from his lethargy, and he calls for mercy in the name of Jesus. And to that humble plea God always listens with a willing ear. He never turns the penitent away comfortless.

The Lord has seen fit to give me a view of the needs and errors of His people. Painful though it has been to me, I have faithfully set before the offenders their faults and the means of remedying them, according to the dictates of the Spirit of God. This has, in many instances, excited the tongue of slander and embittered against me those for whom I have labored and suffered. But I have not been turned from my course because of this. God has given me my work, and, upheld by His sustaining strength, I have performed the painful duties He has set before me. Thus has the Spirit of God pronounced warnings and judgments, withholding not, however, the sweet promise of mercy.

If God’s people would recognize His dealings with them and accept His teachings, they would find a straight path for their feet and a light to guide them through darkness and discouragement. David learned wisdom from God’s dealings with him and bowed in humility beneath the chastisement of the Most High. The faithful portrayal of his true state by the prophet Nathan made David acquainted with his own sins and aided him to put them away. He accepted counsel meekly and humiliated himself before God. “The law of the Lord,” he exclaims, “is perfect, converting the soul” (Psalm 19:7).

No Occasion For Despair

Repentant sinners have no cause to despair because they are reminded of their transgressions and warned of their danger. These very efforts in their behalf show how much God loves them and desires to save them. They have only to follow His counsel and do His will, to inherit eternal life. God sets the sins of His erring people before them, that they may behold them in all their enormity under the light of divine truth. It is then their duty to renounce them forever.

God is as powerful to save from sin today as He was in the times of the patriarchs, of David, and of the prophets and apostles. The multitude of cases recorded in sacred history where God has delivered His people from their own iniquities should make the Christian of this time eager to receive divine instruction and zealous to perfect a character that will bear the close inspection of the judgment.

Bible history stays the fainting heart with the hope of God’s mercy. We need not despair when we see that others have struggled through discouragements like our own, have fallen into temptations even as we have done, and yet have recovered their ground and been blessed of God. The words of inspiration comfort and cheer the erring soul. Although the patriarchs and apostles were subject to human frailties, yet through faith they obtained a good report, fought their battles in the strength of the Lord, and conquered gloriously. Thus may we trust in the virtue of the atoning sacrifice and be overcomers in the name of Jesus. Humanity is humanity the world over from the time of Adam down to the present generation, and the love of God through all ages is without a parallel.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 1, Ellen G. White, 435–442.

The Rare Man

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Matthew 13 is often called the parable chapter because it contains many of the parables that Jesus spoke. Some of them are explained and some are not.

Matthew 13:44 says: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

Those who heard then clearly understood. Since ancient times men have buried their treasure to protect it from marauding armies or thieves. Today we secure our treasure in investments or banks to be accessible when needed.

While on a Pathfinder camp in the 1950s in Colorado, an Adventist minister told the campers that in the 1800s gold was mined in Colorado. Fearing an attack by the Indians, one person took the gold and buried it being careful to write down the directions to find it again. The directions were complicated and the gold has never been found. In today’s market the value is estimated to be several millions. There has been much money spent trying to find it.

Burying gold and other valuables also often happened in ancient times. When the person who buried the gold or treasure died and was buried, nobody knew where the treasure had been hidden.

In this parable, a poor man was farming on rented land. While tilling the ground to get ready for planting his crop, his plow hit something. Digging around to see what it was, he found a metal box. When he opened it, he could not believe what he saw. It was a fortune. If he owned this he would be the wealthiest man in town. There was only one problem – the field was not his. The owner did not know that the valuables had been hidden there. So he closed up the box and covered it just the way it was before. He decided that he would not dare tell anyone about it, even his wife. If anyone found out what was there, the price of the land would go up so high he could never buy it.

He told his wife that they would have to sell their house, and the yoke of oxen, and his tools, because he had to raise enough money to buy that field. She thought he was crazy. Where would they live? How could they farm without tools? He even wanted to sell his wife’s dowry. He was adamant that everything must be sold. Everyone thought he was crazy until he got the title to the field. It cost all that he had to buy the field and it looked like he was going to be a pauper, worth nothing. But once he had the title to that field, he became the wealthiest man in the city.

Jesus said, the kingdom of heaven is like that. It is like treasure that is hidden and you have to find it. The treasure is the gospel. The field is the Bible and in the Bible the treasure is hidden for those that study and find it. The rarer something is, the more expensive it becomes, and since ancient times, gold has been one of the rarest metals. It has always been worth a large amount of money. The Bible talks a lot about silver and gold in both the Old and New Testaments.

Not very many years ago there was a shortage of a metal called palladium. Car builders need that metal to build catalytic convertors. Due to the shortage, the price went up to ten times what it had been before. When something is rare and the demand is greater than the supply, it becomes very expensive. It has been that way with gold since ancient times.

In Genesis 10 is recorded the nations that descended from Noah. Verse 22 lists the five children that were born to Shem. One was named Arphaxad, who had a son Salah, who had a son Eber, who had two sons. Verse 25 says, “To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided …”

Eber also had another son named Joktan. Now Joktan had thirteen sons who became the seventh generation from Noah, sixth generation from Shem. One of Joktan’s sons was named Ophir. We would like very much to know where Ophir settled down and lived. Bible scholars have wondered about this for many hundreds of years. It appears that Ophir lived in a place where there was an abundance of very good gold. The gold of Ophir was highly sought after because it was thought to be, just as the treasure hid in the field, high quality gold. The gold of Ophir represents the treasure, which represents the gospel. Throughout Old Testament times the gospel was hid in types and ceremonies. Paul says in Hebrews 4:2, “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.”

“But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away” (2 Corinthians 3:14–16).

People often talk about the gospel but it is still hidden from most people who do not try to understand it. I want to try to explain in simple language what the gospel is, what the treasure is, and its rare elements and what the gold of Ophir represents.

2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Many professed Christians who go to church every week do not understand the power of the gospel and what it will do in your life if you receive and accept it. Their faces are veiled.

In ancient times most people did not understand what the types and ceremonies meant or what they pointed to.

Today, many are still looking through a veil, unable to see clearly. Notice what Paul says: “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the gods of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:3-6).

Once the veil is removed and you see Jesus clearly, you will be changed into the same image. You will become Christ-like. If that is not your experience, then pray that the Holy Spirit will remove the veil and work a change in your character.

Isaiah shows what the Lord intends to do to people that keep looking at this glory with unveiled face. “I will make a mortal more rare than fine gold. A man more than the golden wedge of Ophir” (Isaiah 13:12).

The gold from Ophir was the highest quality and most precious gold available in the world. When, through the gospel, your character is transformed into the likeness of Christ’s character the Lord says you are more precious than that gold.

Would you like to be one of those people? The Lord is in the process of working miracles in people’s lives, taking people that are ruined by sin, and not only taking away their guilt, but changing their life.

The rare man is he or she who looks with unveiled face seeing the glory of the Lord, and as a result, his character is being changed into the image of his Saviour, his Redeemer.

The following are a few characteristics of the rare man:

 The rare man is meek and lowly. The word meek simply means to be gentle or humble.

“Jesus loves the young, and He longs to have them possess that peace which He alone can impart. He bids them learn of Him meekness and lowliness of heart. This precious grace is rarely seen in the youth of the present day, even in those who profess to be Christians. Their own ways seem right in their eyes. In accepting the name of Christ, they do not accept His character, … therefore they know nothing of the joy and peace to be found in His service.” Sons and Daughters of God, 82.

The rare man is filled with the Holy Spirit. “Just prior to His leaving His disciples for the heavenly courts, Jesus encouraged them with the promise of the Holy Spirit. This promise belongs as much to us as it did to them, and yet how rarely it is presented before the people. … Prophecies have been dwelt upon, doctrines have been expounded; but that which is essential to the church in order that they may grow in spiritual strength and efficiency, in order that the preaching may carry conviction with it, and souls be converted to God, has been largely left out of ministerial labor. This subject has been set aside, as if some time in the future would be given to its consideration. Other blessings and privileges have been presented before the people until a desire has been awakened in the church for the attainment of the blessing promised of God; but the impression concerning the Holy Spirit has been that this gift is not for the church now, but that at some time in the future it would be necessary for the church to receive it.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 174.

The Bible contains the life-record of a number of these rare men, which include the Apostle John, the prophet Daniel, and Moses. “Moses possessed a spirit which is rarely found at the present day. He had a sacred regard for the right, a morality unmingled with selfishness and policy.” The Review and Herald, September 14, 1886.

The rare man is thankful. “The Lord sends His blessing and manifests His love to the children of men. ‘He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust’ (Matthew 5:45), and yet how rarely is the Lord thanked, how seldom is His praise upon human lips! How few are found to testify to His loving-kindness, and to acknowledge His mercies to the children of men!” The Review and Herald, November 13, 1894.

Many do not know what to be thankful about. If you can see, be thankful. If you can hear, be thankful. If you can walk, be thankful. That’s just the beginning. Most people have so many things to be thankful for. Have you told the Lord you are thankful that He sent His Son into this world to save you and give you the opportunity to be adopted into His family, again, to be delivered from the slavery of the devil? Are you thankful for the mercies of God that we receive?

The rare man’s face is unveiled. He has looked at the glory of the Lord until he has been changed into the same image, and therefore he is godly. A godly person is a person who has a god-like character.

“A truly godly life is rarely seen.” The Review and Herald, August 10, 1905. A godly life is the same as a holy life.

The rare man always has Christian courtesy. Christian courtesy is so lacking in today’s society. Christian courtesy is to be kind and considerate to all, including my enemies. The rare man sees the glory of the Lord with unveiled face and has been changed so that he has become courteous to all people under all circumstances.

The rare man has been born again. “The new birth is a rare experience in this age of the world. This is the reason why there are so many perplexities in the churches. Many, so many, who assume the name of Christ are unsanctified and unholy. They have been baptized, but they were buried alive. Self did not die, and therefore they did not rise to newness of life in Christ.”  Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, 51.

The rare man has both virtue and modesty. 

The rare man is heart to heart with Christ. When people get married, they are supposed to be heart to heart. This person’s heart is supposed to respond to the other person’s heart. In other words, if I am heart to heart with Christ, I am interested in what He is interested in.

By the way, when you are not heart to heart with each other anymore, it is sometimes hard to live together in the same house. You no longer walk together because your heart determines everything in your life. One person’s heart says, I want to go here, and the other, I want to go there. If one person’s heart is in the world and the other person’s heart is in the Lord, there will be no unity.

“The power of godliness has well-nigh departed from the churches. Heart union with Christ is a rare thing now.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, 295. Rare!

The rare man has spirituality and devotion. He is devoted to the Lord. We are living in an evil time. Would you be a rare person?

“Spirituality and devotion are rare.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 469. But God says, I’m going to make some people more rare than fine gold, more precious than the golden wedge from Ophir.

The rare man is the man of faith. “The faith that takes God at His word, which works by love and purifies the heart, is very rare.” The Review and Herald, November 27, 1883.

The rare man is sober. Jesus’ first miracle is recorded in the gospel of John, chapter 2. When He made water into wine, He did not even touch those jars.

Some people have become confused about this and believe that Jesus made fermented wine because the Greek word could refer to either fresh grape juice or alcoholic drink. Ellen White wrote about this in The Bible Echo, September 4, 1899. “Christ never placed a glass of fermented liquor to His lips or to the lips of His disciples. Drunkenness was rare in Palestine, but Christ looked down the ages, and saw in every generation what the use of wine would do for the users, therefore at this feast He set a right example.” New wine, fresh grape juice was provided.

The rare man is obedient to what God says. Don’t worry because you are different from everybody else. When Noah and his family were inside the ark and the rain began to fall, they were happy to be one of the rare people.

The rare man has practical religion. His religion is not just a profession. He actually lives it out. “Practical religion as it was manifested in the life and character of Christ is a rare thing.” The Review and Herald, May 24, 1892.

The rare man has the spirit of self-denial. Jesus Christ had the spirit of self-denial. The whole story of His life reveals one denial after another. It would have been an almost infinite humiliation simply to become a human being, but after that, He walked down a path of humiliation and self-denial. He went lower, and lower, and lower. Paul says, “And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8 KJV).

Jesus said, If anybody wants to follow Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. The disciples didn’t know what that meant because He had not yet been crucified. They did not expect that to ever happen and thought He spoke in symbolic language. Soon they found out it was not symbolic.

“The spirit of self-denial is becoming a rare thing.” The Review and Herald, March 27, 1900.

The rare man has genuine and true love. This love is not just for his brothers or his friends, but for those who are also his enemies. “Christ’s requirements are not met by His people today. A strange deception is upon the people of God. Selfishness prevents the union which should exist. True love for one another is rare in our churches. This lack of love reveals most certainly that the members do not love God as they suppose they do.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 21, 411.

Isaiah 13:12 says, “I will make a mortal more rare than fine gold, a man more than the golden wedge of Ophir.” May you be one of those rare people.

(Unless appearing in quoted references or otherwise identified, Bible texts are from the New King James Version.)

Editorial – The United States of America in Prophecy

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In the 18th century John Wesley said that we do not know who the two-horned beast is but we expect it to arise soon. A beast in Bible prophecy represents a religious or civil power or nation (see Daniel 7:23).

The power described in Revelation 13:11–17 had the following characteristics:

  1. It was to be arising at the time that the first beast (in verses 1–10) was going into captivity (see context in verses 10 and 11). In other words, it was to be arising in 1798.
  2. It was to arise out of the earth; that is, in a territory previously unknown or unoccupied by peoples, nations, and languages (see Revelation 17:15).
  3. It was to have two horns as a lamb when arising, indicating youthfulness (a young nation, thus it could not refer to the nations of Europe or Asia or Africa) and gentleness or peacefulness.
  4. Since there were no crowns on the horns of this beast, it could not be of a monarchical government.
  5. This beast would be a government where the power is in the hands of the people (see Revelation 13:14).
  6. It would have to be a non-Catholic country because it causes the people who occupy its territory to worship the first beast, which denotes Catholicism.
  7. This power would perform great signs or miracles by which he would deceive the people dwelling on the earth (Revelation 13:13, 14). These great miracles used to deceive the whole earth are ascribed in Revelation 16:13, 14 to the spirits of demons. Spiritualism will become a controlling power in the United States through the use of miracles.
  8. This beast would exercise all the authority of the first beast (Rome) in his presence (Revelation 13:12). The authority of the first beast was the authority granted him by the dragon (Revelation 13:2) and the authority granted by the Roman Empire through Justinian to the papacy was authority over all churches (“You are the head of all Holy Churches” [letter from Justinian to the pope AD 533]).  It is distinctly stated in Revelation 13:12 that this power will cause the peoples of the earth to worship the first beast; so we expect in the future to see the United States attempt to force all peoples to worship the papacy by acknowledging the papal rest day instead of God’s rest day commanded in the ten commandments.