fig tree

Pretentious Foliage

by

The word pretentious means attempting to impress by affecting greater importance than is actually possessed or in other words: a fake. An example is the mineral like iron pyrite that has a superficial resemblance to gold and affectionately called “fool’s gold.”

We may ask ourselves the question: Are we Christ’s followers or just pretenders?

Jesus said, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another” (Galatians 5:22–26).

In John 15:1–11, we read the lesson Christ taught about the vital importance of being connected to the vine. He said, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples. As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

Jesus makes it very plain when He says that unless we are connected to the TRUE VINE, we will not bear fruit. Why? Just think of the branches on the tree. If the branch is disconnected from the tree, its source of life, it is fit for nothing but to be burned. So, it is a fact that if we are not connected to Christ, we are useless, yes friends, useless for Christ. Without that connection we cannot bear the fruits of the Spirit – longsuffering, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance and the list goes on. We may pretend to be Christ’s, but in reality, we are none of His and in the final analysis, how terrifying it will be to hear the words, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23).

The fig tree is native to the Middle East and northwestern Asia. It was brought to North America by Spanish missionaries in the early sixteenth century. Figs are one of the oldest fruits known to mankind and are members of the moraceae family, which includes the Mulberry and breadfruit. The shade provided by a mature tree is definitely appreciated in the summer and in the right conditions some species will produce two crops in a year. The first, called a “breba” crop, ripens in late May or June, and a second will be ready in late September to early November.

One day Jesus was walking to the temple. “On the way He passed a fig orchard. He was hungry, ‘and seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, He came, if haply He might find anything thereon: and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet’ (Mark 11:13).

“It was not the season for ripe figs. … But in the orchard to which Jesus came, one tree appeared to be in advance of all the others. It was already covered with leaves. It is the nature of the fig tree that before the leaves open, the growing fruit appears. Therefore this tree in full leaf gave promise of well-developed fruit. But its appearance was deceptive. Upon searching its branches, from the lowest bough to the topmost twig, Jesus found ‘nothing but leaves.’ It was a mass of pretentious foliage, nothing more.

“Christ uttered against it a withering curse. ‘No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever’ (verse 14), He said. The next morning, as the Saviour and His disciples were again on their way to the city, the blasted branches and drooping leaves attracted their attention. ‘Master,’ said Peter, ‘behold, the fig tree which Thou cursedst is withered away’ (verse 21).

“Christ’s act in cursing the fig tree had astonished the disciples. It seemed to them unlike His ways and works. Often they had heard Him declare that He came not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. They remembered His words, ‘The Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them’ (Luke 9:56). His wonderful works had been done to restore, never to destroy. The disciples had known Him only as the Restorer, the Healer. This act stood alone. What was its purpose? they questioned. …

“The cursing of the fig tree was an acted parable. That barren tree, flaunting its pretentious foliage in the very face of Christ, was a symbol of the Jewish nation. The Saviour desired to make plain to His disciples the cause and the certainty of Israel’s doom. For this purpose He invested the tree with moral qualities, and made it the expositor of divine truth. The Jews stood forth distinct from all other nations, professing allegiance to God. They had been specially favored by Him, and they laid claim to righteousness above every other people. But they were corrupted by the love of the world and the greed of gain. They boasted of their knowledge, but they were ignorant of the requirements of God, and were full of hypocrisy. Like the barren tree, they spread their pretentious branches aloft, luxuriant in appearance, and beautiful to the eye, but they yielded ‘nothing but leaves.’ The Jewish religion, with its magnificent temple, its sacred altars, its mitered priests and impressive ceremonies, was indeed fair in outward appearance, but humility, love, and benevolence were lacking.

“All the trees in the fig orchard were destitute of fruit; but the leafless trees raised no expectation, and caused no disappointment. By these trees the Gentiles were represented. They were as destitute as were the Jews of godliness; but they had not professed to serve God. They made no boastful pretensions to goodness. They were blind to the works and ways of God. With them the time of figs was not yet. They were still waiting for a day which would bring them light and hope. The Jews, who had received greater blessings from God, were held accountable for their abuse of these gifts. The privileges of which they boasted only increased their guilt.

“Jesus had come to the fig tree hungry, to find food. So He had come to Israel, hungering to find in them the fruits of righteousness. He had lavished on them His gifts, that they might bear fruit for the blessing of the world. Every opportunity and privilege had been granted them, and in return He sought their sympathy and co-operation in His work of grace. He longed to see in them self-sacrifice and compassion, zeal for God, and a deep yearning of soul for the salvation of their fellow men. Had they kept the law of God, they would have done the same unselfish work that Christ did. But love to God and man was eclipsed by pride and self-sufficiency. They brought ruin upon themselves by refusing to minister to others. The treasures of truth which God had committed to them, they did not give to the world. In the barren tree they might read both their sin and its punishment. Withered beneath the Saviour’s curse, standing forth sere and blasted, dried up by the roots, the fig tree showed what the Jewish people would be when the grace of God was removed from them. Refusing to impart blessing, they would no longer receive it. ‘Oh Israel,’ the Lord says, ‘thou hast destroyed thyself’ (Hosea 13:9).

“The warning is for all time. Christ’s act in cursing the tree which His own power had created stands as a warning to all churches and to all Christians. No one can live the law of God without ministering to others.” The Desire of Ages, 581–584.

As we take the time to read this article, I would like to state that I stand condemned, for if I am truly honest, I do not want to be pruned. Pruning is a painful process, but if we desire to spend eternity with Jesus, we must allow God to take control of our lives, we must surrender and allow Him to make us more productive.

Pray that God will help us to be connected to the True Vine and daily remain connected to Him. Remember there is nothing good in us unless we receive the power that flows from the Vine.

May the Lord help us daily and give us His grace, His strength and His Love to share Jesus.

Revella Knight is a registered nurse and writes from her home in Arkansas.

Chapter 2 Desire of Ages — Chapter 64

PROPHETIC PARALLELS
The Church “Then”. . . . . .and the Church Now

by Terry S. Ross

DA 580: “The triumphal ride of Christ into Jerusalem was the dim foreshadowing of His coming in the clouds of heaven with power and glory, amid the triumph of angels, and the rejoicing of the saints.”

Our study of prophetic parallels is right on, so far. Here the Lord showed Sister White that this experience two thousand years ago was but a small scene to be reenacted at Christ’s second coming.

DA 580: “THE DISCIPLES SAW THE HATRED OF THE JEWS TO CHRIST, BUT THEY DID NOT YET SEE TO WHAT IT WOULD LEAD.”

Now unless you know the inference of the above statement, it really doesn’t make any sense. Let’s take a closer look. “The disciples saw the hatred of the Jews to Christ…”

Weren’t the disciples Jews? Wasn’t Christ a Jew? Does the above statement indicate that Christ’s own family and friends who were all Jews hated Him? Of course not, so what does the above statement really mean? It means this: the disciples witnessed the hatred of the Jewish leaders (Ancient Adventist Conference leadership) to Christ. This is what it really means, but let’s demonstrate the truth of this by going to God’s Word.

We will be proceeding to the book of John, chapter nine, and I would suggest reading the entire chapter to get the full impact. Most of you will recognize the story of the man born blind whom Christ healed. The conference men enter the scene and we will pick up the story using verses 18- 22. John 9: 18- 22 “But the Jews [conference leadership] did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. THESE WORDS SPAKE HIS PARENTS, BECAUSE THEY FEARED THE JEWS…”

Now let’s stop right here before continuing and analyze what’s being said. The Pharisees, who were in fact part of the conference leadership of their day, came to these parents and tried to disprove that Christ had healed their son. They were obviously feeling intimidated and were fearful to answer these questions from the conference men. The first point is that it’s obvious that the Bible says these parents “feared the Jews” and that means the Jewish leadership. The second point is the answer to why they had this fear. Let’s read on.

“… FOR THE JEWS [ANCIENT ADVENTIST CONFERENCE LEADERS] HAD AGREED ALREADY, THAT IF ANY MAN DID CONFESS THAT HE WAS CHRIST, HE SHOULD BE PUT OUT OF THE SYNAGOGUE.”

Brothers and sisters, if you don’t grasp this plain and simple truth, you are in real trouble. These parents were fearful of their conference leaders because they already knew that they would be put out of the “church” if they took a stand for Jesus. The parallel is just as obvious! Today many are being “put out of the synagogue” by the conference men for confessing Christ. But let’s make absolutely sure regarding this “fear of the Jews” inference, shall we?

John 7: 1 “After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.” We will continue in this chapter but first we will want to take a look at this verse. Jesus had already fed the five thousand and had spoken many times with the people who were all Jews. Was it these people who were seeking to kill Jesus? No! Any honest student will readily see the point and realize the correct inference. John seven, verse one, is clearly speaking of the Ancient Conference Leadership who wanted to see Jesus dead in order to kill His influence.

John 7: 8- 13 “Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he? And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. HOWBEIT NO MAN SPAKE OPENLY OF HIM FOR FEAR OF THE JEWS.”

For fear of what Jews? Now lest anyone think that we have become unbalanced, let me quickly say that not for a moment do I believe that every single conference man of Christ’s day was an unbeliever. The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy clearly house these statements in general terms and it should be understood as such. But that certainly doesn’t negate the fact that the unbelievers (who, by the way, were in the majority and still are) took over the power of the conference and used their corrupted energy to destroy what Christ had raised up. Let’s continue to demonstrate:

John 12: 42 “Nevertheless among the chief rulers [high officials in the conference] also many believed on him; BUT BECAUSE OF THE PHARISEES THEY DID NOT CONFESS HIM, LEST THEY SHOULD BE PUT OUT OF THE SYNAGOGUE:”

So you see, according to the Bible, there were “many” of the Ancient Adventist Conference Officials who believed on Jesus. But the Bible also says that they would not confess Him (publicly take a stand for Jesus) because they would be put out of the “church.” Today we would say “disfellowshipped.” Unless you are without eyesalve you know that there is much truth in the parallel atmosphere in which we live.

A couple of years before I became a Seventh- day Adventist, I began working the swing shift for the Campbell Soup Company. Now for those of you who know what the swing shift means, you will also realize the immediate problem I had encountered upon becoming a Seventh- day Adventist. Yes, the Sabbath! — because of the evening hours of Friday. The local church of which I had just become a member, realized this also and we gathered together for prayer. They encouraged me to take my stand on the side of the Lord and His truth. The pastor assured me that if I did the right thing, the Lord would bless the decision. He explained to me that this was a test of faith and that I could claim such promises as “All things work together for good…” if I would just stand firm through this trial. I must admit I had mixed feelings of worry and elation.

Monday afternoon I showed up as usual for work. I knew I could not just walk off the job on Friday so I needed to explain my new found belief to my boss. Now I don’t know how many of you have ever worked in a factory but I have found in my experience, there is really only one important word, and it’s not Sabbath. It’s production in a factory setting!

The Production Managers are not paid to babysit people but rather to produce. I was fully aware of this and I didn’t really want to face the Production Manager but knew I had to. This particular man towered over me and I felt very intimidated. I explained to him that I had now become a Seventh- day Adventist and that I would have to be leaving on Friday several hours before the actual shift was over in order to keep the Sabbath holy. He demonstrated to me (mostly in four letter words) his strong disapproval but did reassure me of one thing. He told me that if I punched the time clock before my shift was over on Friday, I could come back one more time — Monday — to collect my last pay check!

At prayer meeting I found myself rather discouraged. I shared the incident with my church family and they once again rallied around and reassured me of God’s love. The Pastor encouraged me again to take a bold stand for the Lord and told me that God’s watch- care attended my efforts.

On Friday I headed for the time clock in fear but with firm resolve. Guess who met me at the time clock? You guessed it! My Production Manager. He once again threatened me with curse words assuring me that I had just lost my job by punching out. He informed me that I would be seen on Monday for reasons he had already stated.

In church on Sabbath I wasn’t feeling all that great. I had just lost a job that had literally taken two years to obtain in the first place. The church members expressed their concern and compassion and once more I was encouraged. The Pastor told me that because I had stood firm and had done the right thing, he was confident that the Lord would open another door. I left church that day still feeling somewhat low but also thankful to have the support of my church family while standing for Jesus.

On Monday I went to work as usual fully expecting the worst. As I arrived at the time clock, however, there was no Production Manager so I punched in and “quietly” went to work.

After a couple of days, I began to question the possibility of the boss thinking that he had scared me sufficiently to change my mind. I admit, as a new Christian I felt apprehensive, so I decided I had better let him know that on Friday I would be making a repeat of the Friday before.

Now one thing you should realize which will help you to understand the situation and the elements that added to the stress of the boss and my plight is this — Campbell Soup (and probably many other factories) run on a seniority plan. In real terms this meant that there were people there who had worked ten, fifteen years or more, and couldn’t get on the day shift because they didn’t have enough seniority. I had only two years! — so it seemed an impossibility for me to change shifts.

To make a long story shorter, my Friday afternoon struggle went on for six weeks! For six long weeks my Production Manager showed how much he hated me and my “problem,” and for six weeks the Pastor and my church encouraged me to hang tough for God.

Miracle of miracles! Campbell Soup placed me on day shift! I couldn’t believe my good fortune. My faith had indeed been blessed and strengthened, as also the faith of many of the church members.

I’m sure that many of you could share similar stories of not only how the Lord has blessed you during times of trial, but how He has blessed specifically when you have had to stand for the Sabbath truth. Many of you could also share with the rest of us how your Conference Pastor has encouraged you to stand for truth and has given reassurance on more than one occasion that the Lord would not forsake you.

That brings me to this simple, honest, question. Where are all the pastors who used to encourage us to lay our jobs on the line to stand for truth?! Why are not these same pastors making themselves known in the midst of the wide- spread apostasy? Why are they not following their own counsel? Where is their faith and how come they aren’t willing to lay their jobs on the line for truth knowing that the Lord won’t forsake them?

I do know this for certain. If these pastors don’t face these questions very soon, they certainly will face them in the judgment. If they “wait and see” much longer they will “see” that they were “blind” and lost too late! We need to earnestly pray that the men whom the Holy Spirit is trying to get through to will listen and cast their lot with God and His people. Now let’s take one more look at our verse, and this time let’s add a verse to find out why the Ancient Conference Leaders, who even believed on Christ, would not confess Him.

John 12: 42- 43 “Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: FOR THEY LOVED THE PRAISE OF MEN MORE THAN THE PRAISE OF GOD.”

This is a vital point and the same thing is true today. It’s church by popular vote. Salvation by legislation. Getting into God’s palace by political means. Let me tell you something. I believe God hates politics! Politics is killing God’s professed people. What God wants and will save is not politics, but principle. God cannot use men of politics. Why do you think we are told that He will have leaders of His own choosing in the end? And if they are leaders of His own choosing, then who chose the leaders who are presently in place? God can only use men whose policy IS God’s principles.

Jesus paid absolutely no attention to whether truth was popular or politically correct before He took a stand. And He certainly wasn’t moved by situation ethics, making a decision on whether He would be popular or censured.

DA 330 “In the heart of Christ, where reigned perfect harmony with God, there was perfect peace. HE WAS NEVER ELATED BY APPLAUSE, NOR DEJECTED BY CENSURE OR DISAPPOINTMENT. Amid the greatest opposition and the most cruel treatment, He was still of good courage. But MANY WHO PROFESS TO BE HIS FOLLOWERS HAVE AN ANXIOUS, TROUBLED HEART, BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID TO TRUST THEMSELVES WITH GOD. They do not make a complete surrender to Him; for they shrink from the consequences that such a surrender may involve. UNLESS THEY MAKE THIS SURRENDER, THEY CANNOT FIND PEACE.”

Dear friend, don’t you desire this peace that passes all understanding? If you’re a pastor or a leader, don’t you want to go all the way with the Lord and be all that the Lord has called you to be? Don’t you want to BE the leader that Jesus is giving you the opportunity to be? I say this with much compassion; if you don’t make up your mind quickly, your present leadership or profession to truth will all be for naught. What a horrible reality!

Continuing in the book of John about the fear of the Jews, meaning the fear of the Conference Leaders, we turn to John 19: 38.

“And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, BUT SECRETLY FOR FEAR OF THE JEWS, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: …”

You will remember that Niodemus did the same thing when he had the secret night interview with the Lord. We are also told that on the night of Jesus’ capture by this corrupt priesthood, Joseph and Nicodemus were not called to sit on this council but were purposely left out. Here’s what these men did and what we are pleading with others to do:

DA 177 “After the Lord’s ascension, when the disciples were scattered by persecution, Nicodemus came boldly to the front. He employed his wealth in sustaining the infant church [notice this church was not part of the Conference] that the Jews [apostate Conference Leaders] had expected to be blotted out at the death of Christ. In the time of peril he who had been so cautious and questioning was firm as a rock, encouraging the faith of the disciples, [self- supporting ministers of God’s own choosing] and furnishing means to carry forward the work of the gospel. He was scorned and persecuted by those who had paid him reverence in other days. He became poor in this world’s goods; yet he faltered not in the faith which had its beginning in that night conference with Jesus.” These are the men whom the Lord will use to lead His people and to educate those who want to know the truth. “They have administered impartial discipline, laying their hand upon all false teaching, upon false brethren whose works have denied the faith. Amid the scorn of men, suffering worldly loss, they have manifested steadfast integrity. While temptations to worldliness and licentiousness cause the love of many to wax cold, they stand true as the needle to the pole, as faithful workers, as standard- bearers for God, in principle firm as a rock.” RH 1/ 21/ 90.

Back to The Desire of Ages, chapter 64, and the prophetic parallels… DA 580: “The disciples saw the hatred of the Jews to Christ, but they did not yet see to what it would lead. They did not yet understand the true condition of Israel, nor comprehend the retribution that was to fall upon Jerusalem.”

This describes very well the valley of confusion in which most Seventh-day Adventists find themselves. Most SDA’s don’t understand where this apostasy is leading and they certainly don’t comprehend the retribution that’s about to fall upon Jerusalem (headquarters). The encouraging news is that’s exactly why the Lord went about doing the work He did while He was here, and that’s exactly why Cathy and I are so excited about The Desire of Ages. This study that you are now doing is the very study Jesus taught His own disciples; and after they finally got the message, Christ’s work became very successful. We’ll have more to say on this subject in another chapter.

I am making the claim loud and clear that nothing in principle has changed from two thousand years ago and the Lord knew it wouldn’t change. I believe that Jesus wanted The Desire of Ages written for much deeper reasons than we first believed. Yes, He desired for us to know how much His Father, He, and the Holy Spirit love us. But there’s much more to it than that and the reason we haven’t seen it before is because it wasn’t yet time to see it, although it’s always been laying right in front of our noses. I’m making the claim that Jesus has given us The Desire of Ages so that we would be warned of present day happenings and be able to understand that it’s His will that we move forward in the same way He taught His disciples when He was here on earth.

I’m also claiming and know that most of you who study this with an honest approach will agree with me in the end — The Desire of Ages is the greatest book of prophecy (outside the Bible, of course) for instruction of what is happening inside the “church” that has ever been written. Oh that we were uplifting the gift the Lord has given us in the Spirit of Prophecy books rather than burning them and dumping their counsel in the pulpits of Conference Churches!

DA 580: “The last appeal to Jerusalem had been in vain.” It was over four years ago when Cathy and I brought forth our research that exposed the “Celebration” style of worship. Not long after, we went public with our findings about Neuro- Linguistic Programming (NLP). Many other Self- supporting Ministries have also been faithful in doing this work. For over four years we have joined together much as the disciples did and have been warning the Conference of what would be the result if they did not repent of these and many other evils.

Overwhelming evidence has been brought forth and I can say that I have only showed in part what I have seen. Time, money, and health will not permit one to bring to the attention every abominable thing that’s going on today. To their amazing discredit and true to the parallel, these appeals to headquarters (Silver Spring) for reformation, repentance, and restitution have been in vain. We have shown literally mounds of evidence which totally prove the claims made to those who are not comatose; but show me ONE ARTICLE FROM THE OFFICIAL PAPERS OF HEADQUARTERS WHERE THEY ADMIT TO THESE APOSTASIES AND WHERE THEY HAVE REPENTED.

Please show me even one! DA 581: “The entire night Jesus spent in prayer, and in the morning He came again to the temple. On the way He passed a fig orchard. He was hungry, ‘and seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, He came, if haply He might find anything thereon: and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves;…”

In 7A of the SDA Bible Commentaries, page 16, we are told that “the fig- leaves represent the arguments used to cover disobedience.” Then it goes on to say: “When the Lord calls the attention of men and women to the truth, the making of fig- leaves into aprons will be begun, to hide the nakedness of the soul. But the nakedness of the sinner is not covered. ALL THE ARGUMENTS PIECED TOGETHER BY ALL WHO HAVE INTERESTED THEMSELVES IN THIS FLIMSY WORK WILL COME TO NAUGHT.”

Because Jesus rightly expected the tree to have fruit on it but it didn’t, He decided to teach His disciples an important lesson. As a matter of fact, the lesson He was trying to teach them is the exact same lesson He is trying to teach us right now and it’s only those who learn it who have the privilege of going to heaven! In order to teach this lesson so the disciples wouldn’t forget (it must have been extremely important!), He invested the fig tree with moral qualities, and later when they passed that way again, the fig tree was dead! The disciples were astonished! They could hardly believe what they were seeing. They knew He had said that He came not into the world to condemn it but to save it so they did not understand this act. (Please read DA 582 the whole page.) “But it is in mercy and love that He lifts the veil from the future, and reveals to men the results of a course of sin.” DA 582.

Let’s read more about this from The Signs of the Times, 10/ 5/ 1876: “Christ invests the fig- tree with moral qualities, and makes it the expositor of divine truth that he many teach a lesson to his disciples, and NOT ONLY TO THEM BUT TO ALL WHO SHOULD BELIEVE ON THE WORD. Many, like the portentous fig- tree, make high profession of godliness, but bear no fruit to the glory of God. They have not responded to the sacred influences which God has given them. Opportunities have been unimproved, blessings have been unappreciated, warnings and reproofs have been rejected. The fostering love and care of the Redeemer has been unrequited, and like the barren fig- tree they stand forth fruitless, having nothing but leaves.”

DA 582: “The cursing of the fig tree was an acted parable. That barren tree, flaunting its pretentious foliage in the very face of Christ, was a symbol of the Jewish nation. THE SAVIOUR DESIRED TO MAKE PLAIN TO HIS DISCIPLES THE CAUSE AND CERTAINTY OF ISRAEL’S DOOM.”

Are you thinking of prophetic parallels? Did you read that last sentence?! Terry Ross didn’t write that! Jesus inspired the prophetess, Ellen G. White, to write it. Remember, it was Christ’s work that we’re talking about. He was trying to somehow make the disciples believe that the Ancient Adventist Church (Conference) was not going through! Was Jesus right or was the Conference? If the disciples hadn’t finally listened to Him, would they now be your heroes of the New Testament? I don’t think so. You may want to think about what’s really going on and the gravity of what the Lord is trying to once again teach us. We’ll speak more on this later.

DA 582- 3: “The Jews stood forth distinct from all other nations, professing allegiance to God. They had been specially favored by Him and they laid claim to righteousness above every other people. [Are you thinking of our claims as Seventh- day Adventists or Modern Israel?] But they were corrupted by the love of the world and the greed of gain. [Read Rev. 3 and the counsel to Laodicea.] They boasted of their knowledge, but they were ignorant of the requirements of God, and were full of hypocrisy. … The Jewish religion, with its magnificent temple, its sacred altars, its mitered priests and impressive ceremonies, was indeed fair in outward appearance, but HUMILITY [a child- like trust and eagerness to learn], love [faith and emotions that work according to God’s principles], and benevolence [putting God first and foremost in everything] were lacking.”

DA 584: “Some who think themselves excellent Christians do not understand what constitutes service for God. They plan and study to please themselves. They act only in reference to self. Time is of value to them only as they can gather for themselves. In all the affairs of life this is their object. Not for others but for themselves do they minister.”

I have a concern that seems to go along with the above statement. What does it mean to be a minister or to have a ministry? To me, the above statement is full of wisdom and helps me to consider my own motive for what I do. Unfortunately, the Lord is accurate regarding some “ministers” who are “serving” their flocks. It seems to me that in order to minister properly at least two ingredients must be present.

A minister should have time or take the time (within reason) to pay attention to those whom the Lord has given him the privilege to minister unto. If a minister is too busy for his flock, then he may be paying too much attention to the wrong business.

Also, it seems to me that a minister must be willing to place his own reputation on the line for the truth. I cannot see how it could be otherwise if the minister is going to live up to his calling. The minister says he loves the Lord and the precious flock and this is good. The only way, however, that we know that the Lord’s and the flock’s best interests are being placed first are from the works of the minister. How can a minister claim to love the flock and the Lord and not pay particular attention to truth and principle?

A minister who is not willing to live and work for truth’s sake and by the principles of God’s government will prove to be a lover of self more than a lover of his precious flock or the God of truth. It would be better for these self- ministering pastors to do something which would have no influence on anybody else. Certainly ministers of this nature who are, in fact, in the majority in all churches including the Seventh- day Adventist “Church” are:

DA 584: “Those who thus live for self are like the fig tree, which made every pretension but was fruitless. They observe the forms of worship, but without repentance or faith. In profession they honor the law of God, but obedience is lacking. They say, but do not. In the sentence pronounced on the fig tree Christ demonstrates how hateful in His eyes is this vain pretense. He declares that the OPEN SINNER IS LESS GUILTY THAN THOSE WHO PROFESS TO SERVE GOD, BUT WHO BEARS NO FRUIT TO HIS GLORY.”

The fruit here spoken of, if you will notice, is not baptisms like so many Adventists are lead to believe, but character or the fruits of the spirit. Bringing people to Christ is very important and the Lord would certainly have us to show others the way to the cross and crown. But men who have maintained that we can’t overcome or that we will continue to sin until the second coming of Christ have taught their flocks that “fruits” signifies baptisms and this is incorrect. Primarily “fruits” are the fruits of the Spirit — character development from heaven, turning carnal man into the image of God. When the people of God make this their personal, primary objective, they will find the peace and the unity that will come in no other way. It is a sad fact that most Adventists (modern day Jews) will be lost because they chose to listen to the corrupt priesthood rather than to the Lord.

Our precious Jesus knows us so well and, bless His holy name, He doesn’t give up on us easily. He personally came to give His people every advantage that could be given, and mercy in human flesh was poured out of heaven into Jerusalem. But we MUST understand that justice is the heavenly balance of mercy and the two are inseparable.

DA 584: “Increased care was to be given the unfruitful tree. It was to have every advantage. But if it remained fruitless, NOTHING COULD SAVE IT FROM DESTRUCTION.” Let’s take a closer look at the above statement and its modern day parallel. Jesus has given the Adventist movement increased care and every advantage, even to a greater extent than was given to the Ancient Adventists. The Spirit of Prophecy graciously given to this movement IS our modern day John the Baptist. I like to say that the Lord has FINGER PAINTED THE PATHWAY TO HEAVEN by giving us the Spirit of Prophecy. But comparatively few Adventists respect this “John the Baptist” any more than the Ancient Adventists did and they are actively beheading him once again.

Brothers and sisters, I believe that all, everyone, who continue to show disrespect for this glorious gift will be lost. What is the last deception to be brought upon God’s people?

Last Day Events 177 — under the title “The Shaking.” “The VERY LAST deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish’ (Proverbs 29: 18). Satan will work ingeniously, in different ways and through different agencies, to UNSETTLE THE CONFIDENCE of God’s remnant people in the true testimony.” 1SM 48 (1890)

We are in the shaking time! We will not be dealing with all the particulars of that topic here but the very last deception is in full swing among God’s people right now! There are many who are shaking the confidence of God’s people in this precious and vital gift. Satan has been successful to the point that the majority of professed Adventist Preachers are now also making of none effect the testimonies of God.

The sure result of this hellish work is seen in the lowering of the standards and sermons that effectively consign the people in slavery to sin. Adventist people may or may not realize, but the bulk of the Adventist Pastors are actively keeping them from an experiential knowledge of Jesus, and His character and His power to overcome sin.

This is so vital I cannot express the proper words that will describe the horror of what’s really going on. Those who do not understand what is happening will be lost unless they wake up before it is too late!

Very few, in comparison, are desperately trying to warn God’s people of this deception. Few are doing everything they can to show God’s remnant that Satan’s attack is being waged directly at their own souls and the souls of their families. These men and women raised up by the Lord are laying everything on the line in an all or nothing attempt to educate God’s professed people of their attacker and his tactics. In contrast to those who are not, these people, in the example of Christ, are willing to stake their own reputations and everything else on the line for the cause of truth. In heaven it will be seen that we owe our very presence to such ones who were actuated by the Spirit of Jesus, who gave His all that we might be saved. Men who are hated now, I assure you, won’t be hated then.

And then the last part of the statement on page 584 of Desire of Ages. “But if it remained fruitless, NOTHING could save it from destruction.”

We may shout until we are blue in the face or until blood runs thick from the temple (as it did in A. D. 70) that “the church is going through” but God has never been obligated to save anyone or any structure that has betrayed a sacred trust. As a matter of fact, God is obligated not to save him or it!

Right up until the Roman Army slaughtered the last apostate Conference Leader they were yelling, “The church is going through!” Every single layman who believed them died not only that day but for eternity. As stated before, the Conference wants you to believe that “the church is going through” and “the Conference is going through” is the same statement and is what God meant. This simply is not true and is demonstrated graphically and with eternal consequences in the beseige of Jerusalem. Those who chose to believe apostate Conference Leaders were lost, but how many true Christians were lost? RH 11/ 05/ 89: “When Jerusalem was to be destroyed, the followers of Christ [true Christians] were warned of its impending doom. Christ had told his disciples what they were to do when certain things should come to pass. He said, ‘When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. ’ ALL WHO BELIEVED IN THE WARNING OF CHRIST, ESCAPED FROM THE CITY, AND NOT ONE PERISHED WHEN JERUSALEM WAS OVERTHROWN. By the destruction of Jerusalem is symbolized the last great judgment of God that is to come upon the world.” (Please also read the very first chapter of The Great Controversy).

So you see, not even one Christian was lost in the siege of Jerusalem, because they listened to their God rather than to apostate Conference Leaders. We are told in the last sentence of the above statement that this is what happens in the last great judgment of God to come upon the world. Can you see the Roman Army once again surrounding the city? If you can, then pay real close attention to what the Lord is trying to show His people. Ezekiel, chapter 9, plainly states that this judgment first starts with the Conference Leaders and the Seventh- day Adventist Church, professed and true. If we are to be saved in the siege now upon modern day Jerusalem, we had better listen to this same Jesus who saved every true follower in the prior siege.

DA 584: “By Christ’s act in cursing the barren fig tree, the result was shown. They had determined their own destruction. … they had rejected His warnings and slain His prophets.”

DA 587: “In every age there is given to men their day of light and privilege, a probationary time in which they may become reconciled to God. But there is a limit to this grace. Mercy may plead for years and be slighted and rejected; but there comes a time when mercy makes her last plea. The heart becomes so hardened that it ceases to respond to the Spirit of God. Then the sweet, winning voice entreats the sinner no longer, and reproofs and warnings cease.

“… In rejecting the warnings of God’s Spirit, Israel had rejected the only means of help. There was no other power by which they could be delivered.”

The Lord has instructed Sister White to directly compare the destruction of Jerusalem with the situation at the end of the world. It is only the height of blind pride that cannot see that if God gave up the Jewish Conference Office who chose not to follow His plan, He certainly will give up the Seventh- day Adventist Conference Office who make the same choice. Was it not the same God Who raised up Jerusalem and let it go to destruction who raised up Silver Spring? Have the rules changed? Is God not the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow? These questions, no matter how painful, must be answered for surely our eternal destiny hangs in the balance.

It is not necessarily vindictive warriors who ask such questions anymore than it was those who escaped the destruction of Jerusalem, but rather caring, concerned folk, who are studying to know the will of the Father, people who have not only their own salvation in mind but the salvation of those they claim to love.

Would it not have been easier for Jesus just to have lived a quiet life and to have stayed clear of the battle for truth? Wouldn’t He have had a much easier time of it if He would have stayed away from exposing the apostate Conference Leaders of His day? Wouldn’t it be true for those who do the same work today? Don’t you think that most of these people would find it much easier to leave the battle alone and don’t you think that they would rather live without being in the war? Here’s the answer.

RH 5/ 8/ 88: “Our work is an aggressive one, and as faithful soldiers of Jesus, we must bear the blood- stained banner into the very strongholds of the enemy. ‘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. ’ If we will consent to lay down our arms, to lower the blood- stained banner, to become the captives and servants of Satan, we may be released from the conflict and the suffering. But this peace will be gained only at the loss of Christ and heaven. We cannot accept peace on such conditions. Let it be war, war, to the end of earth’s history, RATHER THAN PEACE THROUGH APOSTASY AND SIN.”

DA 587 “The Jewish nation was a symbol of the people of all ages who scorn the pleading of Infinite Love. The tears of Christ when He wept over Jerusalem were for the sins of all time. In the judgment pronounced upon Israel, those who reject the reproofs and warnings of God’s Holy Spirit many read their own condemnation.

“In this generation there are many who are treading on the same ground as were the unbelieving Jews. They have witnessed the manifestation of the power of God; the Holy Spirit has spoken to their hearts; but they cling to their unbelief and resistance. God sends them warnings and reproof, but they are not willing to confess their errors, and they reject His message and His messenger. The very means He uses for their recovery becomes to them a stone of stumbling.”

For the last four years there have been those of us who have clearly shown the apostasy that is firmly embedded in the Conference. Literally, with mounds of hard evidence and proof, we have set forth the truth of the situation and pleaded with the Conference Leaders to repent and make restitution to God and His people, “but they cling to their unbelief and resistance.”

Men, myself included, have brought forth stacks of proof to verify their claims and concerns. Can someone please bring forth one official article from the professed leadership of the Seventh- day Adventist structure that confesses these evils, repents of them, and is making up the time to the Lord? Please show us just one! For the past year (at the time of this writing) I have asked this question of nearly every congregation I’ve spoken to concerning this topic and I am still searching for one article.

In general, I am making the claim that the Conference Offices have no intention of repenting and for those who are waiting for revival to come within the Conference, your wait will be in vain. The Conference Leaders (once again, remember these statements are always housed in general terms) will continue their programs of apostasy and will continue to move closer to Rome. The war will intensify and people will see things happen “from within” that they would have never dreamed possible. Even now many are seeing that the Conference is acting in such a way as to surprise those who have for many years given allegiance to it but have also remained true to principle.

Also, many have wondered, at least initially, if the work of exposure had anything to do with the work of Christ. But they are quickly relearning that Jesus’ work includes even that which proves to be most unpleasant in order that some might be saved.

DA 587: “The prophets of God were hated by apostate Israel because THROUGH THEM THEIR HIDDEN SINS WERE BROUGHT TO LIGHT.”

Any Adventist who has been in the message any length of time realizes that the Elijah message is supposed to be for the professed people of God within the “church.” We would expect, therefore, that these messages of reproof would be directed at all of us who claim to be Seventh- day Adventists. Most, however, also believe that it is wrong to include the sins of the Conference Leadership in this reform and straight talk. But where did we get this idea? Was it not from the leaders who don’t wish to be exposed? In the life of Elijah you certainly don’t see him excluding the apostate leaders of his day!

When John the Baptist came, he did so in the power and spirit of Elijah. This is a basic truth that almost everyone would readily admit. But who did John the Baptist have trouble with most? Who did he immediately expose when the opportunity arose in his day? Did Jesus reprimand him for this work? Who was he speaking to when he said, “O generation of vipers?” It will do well in this study of prophetic parallels to look at the text:

Matthew 3: 7- 10: “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees [Ancient Conference Leaders] come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: [the “church or conference is going through”] for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”

So here we have it from God’s own Word. This exposure of the apostate Conference Leaders was the work of Elijah the prophet, and we read in the very next lines of Desire of Ages why Elijah and all who do the work of Elijah are hated by the apostate Conference Leaders.

DA 587: “Ahab regarded Elijah as his enemy because the prophet was FAITHFUL TO REBUKE THE KING’S SECRET INIQUITIES. So today the servant of Christ, the reprover of sin, meets with scorn and rebuffs. Bible truth, the religion of Christ, struggles against a strong current of moral impurity. Prejudice is even stronger in the hearts of men now than in Christ’s day.”

People, we must get a handle on the truth and balance of what’s being said here. If you take men’s words above those which God has plainly stated, then you are doomed to the same fate as were those who took their apostate Conference Leaders word over that of Jesus’. The majority of professed Seventh- day Adventists and their “leaders” are repeating ancient history to the tee. Only those who repeat the history of those who were saved from the apostasy of Jerusalem will share in the glorious fate of their ancient counterparts. This is a hard work for — “Prejudice is even stronger in the hearts of men now than in Christ’s day.” Thank God for the Spirit of Prophecy!

DA 588: “God does not propose to remove every objection which the carnal heart may bring against His truth. To those who refuse the precious rays of light which would illuminate the darkness, the mysteries of God’s word remain such forever. From them the truth is hidden. They walk blindly, and know not the ruin before them.”

This is the horrible description of the lukewarm condition of Laodicea that progresses into coldness and darkness. Those who continue to shun the truth for the popular apostasy will too soon be unable to discern what the truth is. They, like the dependent drug user, become addicted to apostate Conference Leaders for their fix. They love these men who supply them with the drug of justifying their sins. This dependency will one day in the near future carry them to places never dreamed of such as killing their brothers and sisters who stand for truth. Any reformed drug addict would understand this concept. (The needed “fix” becomes the idol, and the “pusher” the god.) Professed Seventh-day Adventists who refuse to take God at His word and are more interested in the popular ministry are making themselves guilty of serving man rather than God.

God will not remove every obstacle for us. We are to study to show ourselves approved and we are to hunger and thirst after righteousness. I have a real fear that most SDA’s are waiting for the “leadership” to tell them what to do. If my fears are correct, then these people are literally placing their eternal destinations in the hands of others. I wonder how many of these same people would give their weekly pay checks to these men and trust that all their bills would be paid and their families would be taken care of? I might even be surprised at how many would, but I hope you get the point.

DA 588: “Christ overlooked the world and all ages from the height of Olivet; and His words are applicable to every soul who slights the pleadings of divine mercy. Scorner of His love, He addresses you today. It is ‘thou, even thou, ’ who shouldest know the things that belong to thy peace. Christ is shedding bitter tears for you, who have no tears to shed for yourself. Already that fatal hardness of heart which destroyed the Pharisees is manifest in you. And every evidence of the grace of God, every ray of divine light, is either melting and subduing the soul, or confirming it in hopeless impenitence.

“Christ foresaw that Jerusalem would remain obdurate and impenitent; yet all the guilt, all the consequences of rejected mercy, lay at her own door.”

Our prayer is that these parallels will continue to become more and more plain. We hope that you are beginning to see that this study is vital to your eternal destiny. This is the very work that Christ set out to do and it was mostly thwarted by the apostate Conference Leaders of His day because they had successfully taught the people that the “church” was the conference. But as we shall see in the very next chapter and succeeding ones, this in NOT the truth!

Those who persist in having their own way eventually become blind and truly no longer realize they are lost — but they are lost just the same! What a solemn thought.

Copyright © 1999 Servants of the Saviour
Terry & Cathy Ross

Table of Contents
Acknowledgements and Forward
Chapter 1 Desire of Ages — Chapter 63
Chapter 2 Desire of Ages — Chapter 64
Chapter 3 Desire of Ages — Chapter 65
Chapter 4 Desire of Ages — Chapters 66 & 67
Chapter 5 Desire of Ages — Chapters 68 & 69
Chapter 6 Desire of Ages — Chapters 70, 71 & 72
Chapter 7 Desire of Ages — Chapter 73
Chapter 8 Desire of Ages — Chapters 74 & 75
Chapter 9 Desire of Ages — Chapters 76 & 77
Chapter 10 Desire of Ages — Chapter 78

Bible Study Guides – Parables of the Master Teacher – The Fig Tree

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August 11, 2019 – August 17, 2019

Key Text

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:5).

Study Help: Christ’s Object Lessons, 212–218.

Introduction

“The Lord wills not that any man shall perish, but that all shall come to Him and be saved. But instead of His loving-kindness softening and subduing the soul, many of the objects of His love and mercy are encouraged to more obstinate resistance. O, that men would remember that there is a limit to the forbearance of God!” The Review and Herald, December 7, 1897.

Sunday

A MOTIVE FOR A PARABLE

  • What event, that had just taken place in Jerusalem, was a motive for the presentation of the parable of the fig tree? Luke 13:1.

Note: “The hearers told Jesus of an event which had just caused great excitement. Some of the measures of Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judea, had given offense to the people. There had been a popular tumult in Jerusalem, and Pilate had attempted to quell this by violence. On one occasion his soldiers had even invaded the precincts of the temple, and had cut down some Galilean pilgrims in the very act of slaying their sacrifices.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 212, 213.

  • What shows that the Jews regarded misfortune as a punishment for sin? Luke 13:2, 4.

Note: “The Jews regarded calamity as a judgment on account of the sufferer’s sin, and those who told of this act of violence did so with secret satisfaction. In their view their own good fortune proved them to be much better, and therefore more favored by God, than were these Galileans.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 213.

Monday

A WARNING AND AN APPEAL

  • What warning and appeal did Jesus make in connection with His answer? Luke 13:3–5.

Note: “As Jesus talked with the disciples and the multitude, He looked forward with prophetic glance and saw Jerusalem besieged with armies. He heard the tramp of the aliens marching against the chosen city and saw the thousands upon thousands perishing in the siege. Many of the Jews were, like those Galileans, slain in the temple courts, in the very act of offering sacrifice. The calamities that had fallen upon individuals were warnings from God to a nation equally guilty. ‘Except ye repent,’ said Jesus, ‘ye shall all likewise perish’ (Luke 13:5). For a little time the day of probation lingered for them. There was still time for them to know the things that belonged to their peace.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 213, 214.

  • In His teachings, what did Jesus link with the warning of judgment? Luke 9:56; John 3:17.

Note: “Christ in His teaching linked with the warning of judgment the invitation of mercy.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 212.

  • What appeal does God make to us today? Ezekiel 18:31; 33:11.

Note: “Regeneration is the only path by which we can reach the holy city. It is narrow and the gate by which we enter is strait, but along it we are to lead men and women and children, teaching them that in order to be saved, they must have a new heart and a new spirit. The old hereditary traits of character are to be overcome. The natural desires of the soul must be changed. All deception, all falsifying, all evil-speaking must be put away. The new life, which makes men and women Christlike, is to be lived. We are, as it were, to swim against the current of evil.” This Day With God, 108.

“The Lord seeks to save, not to destroy. He delights in the rescue of sinners. ‘As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked’ (Ezekiel 33:11). By warnings and entreaties He calls the wayward to cease from their evil-doing and to turn to Him and live.” Prophets and Kings, 105.

Tuesday

A SYMBOLIC TREE

  • To confirm His warning and appeal, what parable did Jesus tell His hearers? Luke 13:6, 7. In what sense was the unfruitful fig tree a fit representation of the Jewish nation? Hosea 10:1.

Note: “The people of Christ’s day made a greater show of piety than did the Jews of earlier ages, but they were even more destitute of the sweet graces of the Spirit of God. …

“God in His Son had been seeking fruit, and had found none. Israel was a cumberer of the ground. Its very existence was a curse; for it filled the place in the vineyard that a fruitful tree might fill. It robbed the world of the blessings that God designed to give. The Israelites had misrepresented God among the nations. They were not merely useless, but a decided hindrance. To a great degree their religion was misleading, and wrought ruin instead of salvation.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 215.

  • What shows that the blame for their failure lay at their own doors? Acts 7:51–53.
  • How can we also be like the unfruitful fig tree? John 15:4, 5.

Note: “Like the pretentious fig tree, we may be covered with leaves but be destitute of fruit. While we know that the truth we hold is as firm as the everlasting hills, how many of us are ready to settle down upon the theory of that truth, without having evidence that Christ is in them, and they in Christ? How many are content to pass on from day to day without experiencing its sanctifying influence upon the heart, which leads to good works. …

“We should not only take hold of the truth, but let it take hold of us; and thus have the truth in us and we in the truth. And if this is the case, our lives and characters will reveal the fact that the truth is accomplishing something for us; that it is sanctifying us, and is giving us a moral fitness for the society of heavenly angels in the kingdom of glory. The truth we hold is from heaven; and when that religion finds a lodgement in the heart, it commences its work of refining and purifying.” The Signs of the Times, May 9, 1878.

Wednesday

A PERIOD OF ADDED PROBATION

  • How did the dresser of the vineyard plead with the owner? Luke 13:8.
  •  What parallel can be drawn between the days before the destruction of Jerusalem and the days before the end of human history? 2 Peter 3:9, 10.

 Note: “O the precious longsuffering of our merciful Saviour! O that each of the dear youth would appreciate the value of the soul that has been purchased at infinite cost on Calvary! O that each one would place a proper estimate upon the capabilities that have been given him of God! Through Christ you may climb the ladder of progress, and bring every power under the control of Jesus. … In spirit, in thought, in word, and in action, you may make manifest that you are moved by the Spirit of Christ, and your life may wield a power of influence over others.

“We are living in altogether too solemn a period of the world’s history to be careless and negligent. … You must pray, believe, and obey. In your own strength you can do nothing; but in the grace of Jesus Christ, you can employ your powers in such a way as to bring the greatest good to your own soul, and the greatest blessing to the souls of others. Lay hold of Jesus, and you will diligently work the works of Christ, and will finally receive the eternal reward.” Sons and Daughters of God, 118.

  • How did Jesus, in conclusion, show that they themselves as a nation had to decide their own fate? Luke 13:9.

Note: “Jesus did not in the parable tell the result of the gardener’s work. At that point His story was cut short. Its conclusion rested with the generation that heard His words. To them the solemn warning was given. ‘If not, then after that thou shalt cut it down’ (Luke 13:9). Upon them it depended whether the irrevocable words should be spoken. The day of wrath was near. In the calamities that had already befallen Israel, the owner of the vineyard was mercifully forewarning them of the destruction of the unfruitful tree.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 216.

Thursday

A WARNING FOR US TODAY

  • What warning should believers in the threefold message take from this parable? What efforts is the Lord still making in our behalf? Isaiah 27:2–4; Hosea 11:8, first part.

 Note: “The warning sounds down along the line to us in this generation. Are you, O careless heart, a fruitless tree in the Lord’s vineyard? Shall the words of doom erelong be spoken of you? How long have you received His gifts? How long has He watched and waited for a return of love? Planted in His vineyard, under the watchful care of the gardener, what privileges are yours! How often has the tender gospel message thrilled your heart! You have taken the name of Christ, you are outwardly a member of the church which is His body, and yet you are conscious of no living connection with the great heart of love. The tide of His life does not flow through you. The sweet graces of His character, ‘the fruits of the Spirit,’ are not seen in your life.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 216.

  • What sentence must finally be passed upon those who do not respond to God’s care and labor for them? Hosea 4:17; Revelation 3:16.

Note: “The heart that does not respond to divine agencies becomes hardened until it is no longer susceptible to the influence of the Holy Spirit. Then it is that the word is spoken, ‘Cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?’ (Luke 13:7).” Christ’s Object Lessons, 218.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1     Why did the Jews speak of calamity with secret satisfaction?

2    How must we change in order to be regenerated, fruitful trees in God’s garden?

3    When we fail to bear fruit in our life, how does this affect the world around us? What reflection does this have upon our religion?

4    How does the manner in which we use the powers given to us by God affect the fruit we bear in our life?

5    Even though we may be a member of the church, how can we be a fruitless tree in the Lord’s vineyard?

Prisoners of Hope—Under the Fig Tree

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Everyone who has read the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church recognizes the marvelous way in which God has led it. It has a heritage from which we may well learn and for which we should be thankful. We should each resolve to stand firmly upon the principles that the Lord has established.

Yet we see that almost from the start there was controversy. We have been told that our history may well parallel the sad debacle of the children of Israel on their way to the Promised Land. Many of the church’s marvelous pioneers were certainly led by God in sacrifice and oftentimes in the most outstanding ways.

Two Classes

The Spirit of Prophecy was given during the early history of Advent believers. There were those during the lifetime of Ellen G. White who believed she was God’s messenger. There were those who did not believe her messages came from God. There are still two classes in the church today.

If and when there are two classes in the church, differences of opinion or perhaps even controversy may well be fostered and promulgated. There are those who say that we do not really have any crisis or difficulties in the church, that the Lord is leading it, and all is well. I would like to quote a paragraph from a sermon by Robert H. Pierson, former General Conference President, as presented at the Annual Council, October 16, 1978, and reported in the Adventist Review, October 26, 1978. It reads as follows:

“Already, brethren and sisters, there are subtle forces that are beginning to stir. Regrettably there are those in the church who belittle the inspiration of the total Bible, who scorn the first 11 chapters of Genesis, who question the Spirit of Prophecy’s short chronology of the age of the earth, and who subtly and not so subtly attack the Spirit of Prophecy. There are some who point to the reformers and contemporary theologians as a source and the norm for Seventh-day Adventist doctrine. There are those who allegedly are tired of the hackneyed phrases of Adventism. There are those who wish to forget the standards of the church we love. There are those who covet and would court the favor of the evangelicals; those who would throw off the mantle of a peculiar people; and those who would go the way of the secular, materialistic world.

“Fellow leaders, beloved brethren and sisters don’t let it happen! I appeal to you as earnestly as I know how this morning¾don’t let it happen! . . . This is God’s last church with God’s last message.” “An Earnest Appeal From the Retiring President of the General Conference,” Adventist Review, October 26, 1978, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Takoma Park, Washington, D.C., 10.

Do you suppose it might be possible that God’s last church might not be willing to give to the world God’s last message in the way God wants it to be given?

Life and Death Issues

Could anyone read in Revelation 3:14-22 where we are told that we are “wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” and still insist that all is well?

We know from research by a number of men that controversy arose in 1888 over a message God gave the church. This message had to do with righteousness by faith. We are told that some part of this message was rejected at that time. This produced controversy and a delay in God’s plan for His people on their way to the Promised Land. My understanding is that the righteousness having to do with justification and forgiveness was not rejected, but the righteousness which had to do with the preparation of God’s people to be fit for heaven was rejected. This appears to be again what is being rejected today by many. This had to do specifically with sanctification. So controversy raises its head, and we have differences of opinion which may well be basic to one’s salvation.

Dr. Geoffrey J. Paxton, in his book, The Shaking of Adventism (Zenith Publishers, Wilmington, Delaware, January 1977) states that we are in a life and death struggle as to the nature of the gospel. Dr. Paxton has written a book of 156 pages on the problems in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, dealing with the shaking and the controversy in connection with righteousness by faith.

What To Do

The question that comes to mind is, How does the Lord want us to deal with differences of opinion or controversy? “If pride and selfishness were laid aside, five minutes would remove most difficulties.” Early Writings, 119.

God has given men and women minds with which to study and to choose. All of average intelligence may know the truth on any matter of religious consequence if they are willing to depend wholly upon God and the Holy Spirit and search as for hidden treasure.

Truth, however, is not dependent upon knowing every word of the Greek language; neither is it dependent upon the knowledge or science of the world. It is not dependent upon higher education or a doctor’s degree. To find truth, we are wholly dependent upon the Holy Spirit. “Without the Spirit of God a knowledge of His word is of no avail.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 408. “In comparison with the knowledge of God, all human knowledge is as chaff. And the way of salvation can be made known only by God.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7A, 469. So, as you can see, we are completely dependent upon God to recognize and know the truth. “Strife and contention cannot arise among those who are controlled by His Spirit.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 227.

Does this mean, then, that when we see the truth stamped into the dust that we are to do nothing? No! We are to meet the issue and stand for God.

“It is difficult to discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not.” Ibid., vol. 8, 247.

“Those who have not been in the habit of searching the Bible for themselves, of weighing evidence, have confidence in the leading men and accept the decisions they make; and thus many will reject the very messages God sends to His people, if these leading brethren do not accept them.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 106, 107.

God’s Guidance

Where matters of principle or truth are involved, the majority is seldom right. When the pioneers of this movement were in question regarding any spiritual matter, they got together as a group and studied. At times they were unable to understand the question under study, even though they studied night and day. Ellen White met with them, but was not able to enter into or understand the matters at hand.

When the pioneers had reached an impasse and could go no further, Ellen White was taken off in vision, and the Lord showed her the truth of the matter under study. The men accepted these revelations as from the Lord. “Many of our people do not realize how firmly the foundation of our faith has been laid.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 206.

As the pioneers would study and could not understand a matter, the following was written by Ellen White: “During this whole time I could not understand the reasoning of the brethren. My mind was locked, as it were, and I could not comprehend the meaning of the scriptures we were studying. This was one of the greatest sorrows of my life. I was in this condition of mind until all the principal points of our faith were made clear to our minds, in harmony with the Word of God. The brethren knew that when not in vision, I could not understand these matters, and they accepted as light direct from heaven the revelations given.” Ibid., 207. The fundamental beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists were therefore established by the Lord, and are not to be tampered with.

It must be evident that the Lord was responsible for the points of our faith which were not readily
understood. He spoke to the pioneers after long, futile hours of unresolved study through the Spirit of Prophecy, and gave them truth and understanding, which, you will note, was in harmony with the Word of God.

Why Differences

We have all these truths today as God gave them to the early leaders. We have the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. One therefore wonders how and why there could be differences of opinion or possible controversy. In any event, perhaps we should get together and study, as did the pioneers¾or better yet, ask the Lord how He would have us settle differences of opinion.

The following two quotations for your consideration are given, not to point the finger at anyone, but to show what conditions are, or may well be, and what the Lord says to do.

“Satan has laid his plans to undermine our faith in the history of the cause and work of God. I am deeply in earnest as I write this. Satan is working with men in prominent positions to sweep away the foundations of our faith. Shall we allow this to be done, brethren?” Review and Herald, November 19, 1903.

“My [Ellen White] message to you is: No longer consent to listen without protest to the perversion of truth. Unmask the pretentious sophistries. . . . Everyone is now to stand on his guard. God calls upon men and women to take their stand under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel. I have been instructed to warn our people.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 196. [Emphasis added.] This was written some time ago, but I believe we can see applications of this today.

As previously stated, it is quite a mystery that there could be real controversy in our ranks with all the information and instruction we have at hand. But perhaps the great diversity between all may bring good in the end if we study as for hidden treasure and approach all subjects with an open mind directed by the Holy Spirit.

“There is to be no change in the general features of our work. It is to stand as clear and distinct as prophecy has made it. We are to enter into no confederacy with the world, supposing that by so doing we could accomplish more. . . . No line of truth that has made the Seventh-day Adventist people what they are is to be weakened. We have the old landmarks of truth, experience, and duty, and we are to stand firmly in defense of our principles, in full view of the world.” Testimonies, vol. 6, 17. [Emphasis added.]

“We are in danger of variance, in danger of taking sides on a controverted point; and should we not seek God in earnestness, with humiliation of soul, that we may know what is truth?

Fig Tree Experience

“Nathanael heard John as he pointed to the Saviour and said, ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29)! Nathanael looked at Jesus, but he was disappointed in the appearance of the world’s Redeemer. Could He who bore the marks of toil and poverty be the Messiah? Jesus was a worker; He had toiled with humble workingmen, and Nathanael went away. But he did not form his opinion decidedly as to what the character of Jesus was. He knelt down under a fig tree, inquiring of God if indeed this man was the Messiah.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 414.

While Nathanael was under the fig tree, Phillip came along and stated to him that they had found the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. Phillip did not seek a controversy. He simply said, “Come and see.” When Jesus saw Nathanael, He said, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” John 1:47. To have no guile might well be a good beginning to the solution of a controversy. But even more important would be to kneel under the fig tree and to plead with God as to what is truth, before and after a thorough study of the question at hand.

You will remember that Jesus told Nathanael that before Phillip came to him, He saw him under the fig tree. He sees us also as we kneel under the fig tree to get a solution to controversy; and He will answer us if we are, as was Nathanael, “without guile.” Nathanael was honest. He had an open mind, and before he left Jesus, the controversy was settled in a true fashion in his own mind, because he exclaimed, “Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel.” John 1:49. In arriving at any spiritual truth, we need Jesus as the King of our hearts.

“God wants us to depend upon Him, and not upon man. He desires us to have a new heart; He would give us revealings of light from the throne of God. We should wrestle with every difficulty, but when some controverted point is presented, are you to go to man to find out his opinion, and then shape your conclusions from his?¾No, go to God. Tell Him what you want; take your Bible and search as for hidden treasures.” Ibid., 415.

“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I beseech the people of God to depend upon the Lord for strength. Beware how you place men where God should be. We are not safe in taking men as our authority or our guide, for they will surely disappoint us.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 386.

“Would it not be well for us to go under the fig tree to plead with God as to what is truth?” Selected Messages, Book 1, 415.

Nathanael did not make up his mind until he had consulted God. When we do this first and not consult man; searching as for hidden treasure, believing, and having surrendered all completely to Christ, a new heart is given, a new creature is born; and man becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Then it is that Jesus will reveal truth and settle, for that individual, any controversy in truth in His own way.

Many years ago I had studied the question of the sanctuary and righteousness by faith for long hours in the early morning over months of time. I have recently heard different speakers state certain things which might be in question or might not be the whole truth, as I remember from my previous study. Therefore I decided that reconsideration and reassessment on my part was in order. I reviewed what I had studied and made a list of related topics which I thought worthwhile to consider; listed quotations from the Spirit of Prophecy and the Bible; and asked the Lord to give me truth. I attempted to get under the fig tree.

Our God is a great God. He is a God of love. Our God is alive. He wants each of us to have eternal life and to live and develop with Him through eternity. We each need to know the truth as it is in Jesus. He has given us all things we need. We need to practice the straight truth in our everyday lives. Since we live in an unusual time, in the last end of time, God expects more of us than of any other generation or people. He expects us to reflect a high standard¾perfection, the image of Jesus.

“The Jews perished as a nation because they were drawn from the truth of the Bible by their rulers, priests, and elders. Had they heeded the lessons of Jesus, and searched the Scriptures for themselves, they would not have perished.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 109. As we search and study, “Would it not be well for us to go under the fig tree to plead with God as to what is truth?”

Surely, we are all “Prisoners of Hope”!

Raymond L. Knoll, M.D. was born May 11, 1907. Becoming a Seventh-day Adventist in 1923, he has a love and devotion to the Holy Bible and to the writings of Ellen G. White. Graduating from a community college in Alberta, Canada in 1928 where he majored in mathematics and science, he continued his education at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, graduating with a B.A. in mathematics and a minor in science. After teaching several years in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he entered the College of Medical Evangelists Medical School in Loma Linda, California, graduating with his M.D. in 1944. A freelance writer, he wrote and published the book, How to Live To Be 101 and Be Able To Enjoy It! This article is reprinted with permission from his latest book, Prisoners of Hope.