Keys to the Storehouse – Separation

John the Baptist separated himself from home and friends. Why would he do such a thing? We are told:

“… it was necessary that he should form a character unbiased by any surrounding influence.

It was necessary that his physical, mental, and moral conditions should be of that high and noble type that would qualify him for a work which required firmness and integrity, that when he should appear among men he could enlighten them, and be instrumental in giving a new direction to their thoughts, and awakening them to the necessity of forming righteous characters.

John would bring the people up to the standard of divine perfection.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, 46.

Interestingly, John even “… denied himself of the ordinary comforts of life.” Ibid. In keeping apart from the world John had no bias, no favoritism, and no preferences. He truly walked with the Lord—nothing stole his heart except Jesus.

“It was his choice to be secluded from the luxuries of life, and from depraved society. Pride, envy, jealousy, and corrupt passions seemed to control the hearts of men. But John was separated from the influence of these things, and, with discerning eye and wonderful discrimination, read the characters of men. He lived in the quiet retreat of the wilderness, and occasionally he mingled in society; but would not remain long where the moral atmosphere seemed to be polluted. He feared that the sight of his eyes and the hearing of his ears would so pervert his mind that he would lose a sense of the sinfulness of sin.” Ibid.

Is that your fear? So many have lost a sense of the sinfulness of sin because the eyes have not looked away from evil and the hearing not sheltered. Many have seen evil so long and so often in their homes and in society that it has become normal. I hear people say, “Well, it is just a little thing.”

Is it “just a little thing” to lose the sense of sinfulness? That thought is totally of the devil, for he lost out on heaven and he wants you also to lose out. Separation means to disconnect or a parting of the ways. Are you parting from the ways of this world and from the ruler of this world? Remember: “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14).

Separate—get out of the whirlwind—don’t get caught in the midst. “And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place” (Mark 6:31).

Heavenly Father: How do I get out of the whirlwind of the world? Grant me of Thine Holy Spirit that I may separate from the whirlwind the devil has created in my life. Save me from the so-called luxuries of life that draw my heart away from You. Give me the courage to separate from anything which takes my heart or my mind from You. Thank You. Amen.

Inspiration – Our Job of Restoration

In this age, just prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven, such a work as that of John the Baptist is to be done. God calls for men who will prepare a people to stand in the great day of the Lord. The message preceding the public ministry of Christ was, “repent, publicans and sinners; repent, Pharisees and Sadducees; repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). As a people who believe in Christ’s soon appearing, we have a message to bear: “Prepare to meet thy God” (Amos 4:2). Our message is to be as direct as was the message of John. He rebuked kings for their iniquity. Notwithstanding that his life was imperiled, he did not hesitate to declare God’s word. And our work in this age must be done as faithfully.

In order to give such a message as John gave, we must have a spiritual experience like his. The same work must be wrought in us. We must behold God, and in beholding Him lose sight of self.

John had by nature the faults and weaknesses common to humanity; but the touch of divine love had transformed him. When, after Christ’s ministry began, the disciples of John came to him with the complaint that all men were following the new teacher, John showed how clearly he understood his relation to the Messiah, and how gladly he welcomed the One for whom he prepared the way.

“A man can receive nothing,” he said, “except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before Him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:27–30).

Looking in faith to the Redeemer, John had risen to the height of self-abnegation. He sought not to attract men to himself, but to lift their thoughts higher and still higher, until they should rest upon the Lamb of God. He himself had been only a voice, a cry in the wilderness. Now with joy he accepted silence and obscurity, that the eyes of all might be turned to the Light of life.

Those who are true to their calling as messengers for God, will not seek honor for themselves. Love for self will be swallowed up in love for Christ. They will recognize that it is their work to proclaim, as did John the Baptist, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). They will lift up Jesus, and with Him humanity will be lifted up. “Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15). The Review and Herald, November 28, 1907.

“The work of John the Baptist is our work.” The Central Advance, April 8, 1903.

Bible Study Guides – The Great Educator

July 26 – August 1, 2020

Key Text

“And they were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as One that had authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22).

Study Help: Education, 73–83.

Introduction

“He [Jesus] was a Teacher, such an educator as the world never saw or heard before. He spake as one having authority, and yet He invites the confidence of all.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 138.

Sunday

JESUS’ EARLY LIFE

  • How does the Bible describe Jesus’ early life? Luke 2:40, 52.

Note: “He who came from heaven to be our example and teacher spent thirty years as a member of the household at Nazareth. Concerning these years the Bible record is very brief. No mighty miracles attracted the attention of the multitude. No eager throngs followed His steps or listened to His words. Yet during all these years He was fulfilling His divine mission. He lived as one of us, sharing the home life, submitting to its discipline, performing its duties, bearing its burdens.” The Ministry of Healing, 349.

  • How is Jesus’ humble reputation as a carpenter an example to every young person? Matthew 13:54–56.

Note: “It is in His home life that He [Jesus] is the pattern for all children and youth. The Saviour condescended to poverty, that He might teach how closely we in a humble lot may walk with God. He lived to please, honor, and glorify His Father in the common things of life. His work began in consecrating the lowly trade of the craftsmen who toil for their daily bread.” The Desire of Ages, 74.

Monday

THE EDUCATION OF JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST

  • What was meant in the question asked about Jesus’ education? John 7:15.

Note: “The question asked during the Saviour’s ministry, ‘How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?’ does not indicate that Jesus was unable to read, but merely that He had not received a rabbinical education (John 7:15). Since He gained knowledge as we may do, His intimate acquaintance with the Scriptures shows how diligently His early years were given to the study of God’s word.” The Desire of Ages, 70.

“His education was gained from Heaven-appointed sources, from useful work, from the study of the Scriptures, from nature, and from the experiences of life—God’s lesson books, full of instruction to all who bring to them the willing hand, the seeing eye, and the understanding heart.” The Ministry of Healing, 400.

  • Why did Jesus and John the Baptist not attend the schools of their day? Matthew 15:9.

Note: “Our Saviour did not encourage any to attend the rabbinical schools of His day for the reason that their minds would be corrupted with the continually repeated, ‘They say,’ or, ‘It has been said.’ Why, then, should we accept the unstable words of men as exalted wisdom, when a greater, a certain wisdom is at our command?” Testimonies, vol. 8, 310.

“No one was regarded as qualified to be a religious teacher unless he had studied in the rabbinical schools, and both Jesus and John the Baptist had been represented as ignorant because they had not received this training.” The Desire of Ages, 453.

“Christ came to demonstrate the value of the divine principles by revealing their power for the regeneration of humanity. He came to teach how these principles are to be developed and applied.

“With the people of that age the value of all things was determined by outward show. As religion had declined in power, it had increased in pomp. The educators of the time sought to command respect by display and ostentation. To all this the life of Jesus presented a marked contrast. His life demonstrated the worthlessness of those things that men regarded as life’s great essentials. Born amidst surroundings the rudest, sharing a peasant’s home, a peasant’s fare, a craftsman’s occupation, living a life of obscurity, identifying Himself with the world’s unknown toilers—amidst these conditions and surroundings—Jesus followed the divine plan of education. The schools of His time, with their magnifying of things small and their belittling of things great, He did not seek. His education was gained directly from the Heaven-appointed sources; from useful work, from the study of the Scriptures and of nature, and from the experiences of life—God’s lesson books, full of instruction to all who bring to them the willing hand, the seeing eye, and the understanding heart.” Education 77.

  • What example did John give in his preaching and lifestyle? Matthew 3:1–4.

Note: “It was his [John’s] choice to forgo the enjoyments and luxuries of life for the stern discipline of the wilderness. Here his surroundings were favorable to habits of simplicity and self-denial. Uninterrupted by the clamor of the world, he could here study the lessons of nature, of revelation, and of Providence.” The Desire of Ages, 101.

Tuesday

THE MASTER TEACHER

  • What was the effect on the people of Jesus’ great Sermon on the Mount? Matthew 7:28, 29.

Note: “Jesus had nothing to do with the various subjects of dissension among the Jews. It was His work to present the truth. His words shed a flood of light upon the teachings of patriarchs and prophets, and the Scriptures came to men as a new revelation. Never before had His hearers perceived such a depth of meaning in the word of God.” The Desire of Ages, 253.

“Christ sought to remove that which obscured the truth. The veil that sin has cast over the face of nature, He came to draw aside, bringing to view the spiritual glory that all things were created to reflect.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 18, 19.

  • What effect did Jesus’ method of education have on the disciples? Acts 4:13.

Note: “For three years and a half the disciples were under the instruction of the greatest Teacher the world has ever known. By personal contact and association, Christ trained them for His service. Day by day they walked and talked with Him, hearing His words of cheer to the weary and heavy-laden, and seeing the manifestation of His power in behalf of the sick and the afflicted. Sometimes He taught them, sitting among them on the mountainside; sometimes beside the sea or walking by the way, He revealed the mysteries of the kingdom of God. Wherever hearts were open to receive the divine message, He unfolded the truths of the way of salvation. He did not command the disciples to do this or that, but said, ‘Follow Me.’ On His journeys through country and cities, He took them with Him, that they might see how He taught the people. … They saw Him in every phase of life.” The Acts of the Apostles, 17, 18.

“When He sent forth the Twelve and afterward the Seventy, to proclaim the kingdom of God, He was teaching them their duty to impart to others what He had made known to them. In all His work He was training them for individual labor, to be extended as their numbers increased, and eventually to reach to the uttermost parts of the earth.” Ibid., 32.

Wednesday

JESUS’ METHODS OF TEACHING

  • In what surroundings did Jesus teach His hearers? Matthew 5:1, 2. How did He make use of familiar things?

Note: “Jesus sought an avenue to every heart. By using a variety of illustrations, He not only presented truth in its different phases, but appealed to the different hearers. Their interest was aroused by figures drawn from the surroundings of their daily life. …

“Divine wisdom, infinite grace, were made plain by the things of God’s creation. Through nature and the experiences of life, men were taught of God.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 21, 22.

“As Jesus taught the people, He made His lessons interesting and held the attention of His hearers by frequent illustrations from the scenes of nature about them.” Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 38.

“When the Lord was training Israel to be the special representatives of Himself, He gave them homes among the hills and valleys. In their home life and their religious service they were brought in constant contact with nature and with the word of God. So Christ taught His disciples by the lake, on the mountainside, in the fields and groves, where they could look upon the things of nature by which He illustrated His teachings. And as they learned of Christ, they put their knowledge to use by co-operating with Him in His work.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 24.

  • What special teaching technique did Jesus often use? Matthew 13:34, 35.

Note: “In Christ’s parable teaching the same principle is seen as in His own mission to the world. That we might become acquainted with His divine character and life, Christ took our nature and dwelt among us. Divinity was revealed in humanity; the invisible glory in the visible human form. Men could learn of the unknown through the known; heavenly things were revealed through the earthly; God was made manifest in the likeness of men. So it was in Christ’s teaching: the unknown was illustrated by the known; divine truths by earthly things with which the people were most familiar. …

“Natural things were the medium for the spiritual; the things of nature and the life-experience of His hearers were connected with the truths of the written word.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 17.

Thursday

JESUS’ USE OF THE SCRIPTURES

  • How did Jesus choose to enlighten the two disciples on the road to Emmaus? Luke 24:25–27.

Note: “Beginning at Moses, the very Alpha of Bible history, Christ expounded in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Had He first made Himself known to them, their hearts would have been satisfied. In the fullness of their joy they would have hungered for nothing more. But it was necessary for them to understand the witness borne to Him by the types and prophecies of the Old Testament. Upon these their faith must be established. Christ performed no miracle to convince them, but it was His first work to explain the Scriptures. They had looked upon His death as the destruction of all their hopes. Now He showed from the prophets that this was the very strongest evidence for their faith.” The Desire of Ages, 796–799.

  • How did Jesus constantly direct attention back to the Scriptures? John 5:39; 17:17; Luke 16:31.

Note: “Christ’s work as a teacher of truth was in marked contrast to that of the rabbis of His time. They dwelt upon traditions, upon human theories and speculations. Often that which man had taught and written about the word, they put in place of the word itself. Their teaching had no power to quicken the soul. The subject of Christ’s teaching and preaching was the word of God. He met questioners with a plain, ‘It is written.’ ‘What saith the Scriptures?’ ‘How readest thou?’ ” Christ’s Object Lessons, 38, 39.

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1    How did the world’s greatest Teacher spend His early life on earth?

2    Would Jesus or John the Baptist attend the schools of today? Explain.

3    How did Jesus’ teaching differ from the popular teachers of His day?

4    Describe some of Jesus’ methods of teaching and illustrating truth.

5    Why was it vital for Christ to establish the disciples’ faith in God’s Word?

© 2019, Reformation Herald Publishing Association, 5240 Hollins Road, Roanoke, Virginia 24019-5048, U.S.A.

Where Have All the Faithful Gone?

Why do we look back upon the patriarchs and prophets with such respect and awe?

Most importantly, why are there no persons of such character today for us to respect and admire?

Is it possible for there to be a people that love God as much as they did?

Is it possible for God to bless a person or a people the way He did in the days of the patriarchs and prophets?

Does God not still have the capability to give a person the gift of prophecy or the gift of interpreting the Scriptures the way they did?

Why was Isaac, the son of Abraham, so obedient and loving to his father?

Why do we not find any Josephs, Daniels, Elijahs, or Pauls today?

Can a person have a perfect character in the eyes of God the way that Job did?

As we look upon the degenerating generations of today, we should and must ask ourselves these questions, then decide from the Bible, not from modern opinions, what we should do about the problem.

The Solution

Today, the reason we do not find characters like the patriarchs and prophets of old is because no one wants to be like the patriarchs and prophets of old. No one wants to be like Joseph, or Daniel, or Paul. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. “God is no respecter of persons” Acts 10:34. He loves us just as much as he did the Bible characters. He wants to give us the same grace and powers He gave them. It is written in the New Testament that Christians “can do all things through Christ” Philippians 9:13. The only difference between them and us, is that they truly loved God and wanted to please Him. Yes, “God is no respecter of persons,” but God does bless individuals and nations and churches according to their obedience and faith in Him. (See Genesis 17:1–9; 18:19, 32; Romans 4:13.) God promised, in Joel 2:28–31, that in the last days there will be dreams and visions and prophets. This is called the “Latter Rain,” Joel 2:23, and it will be more abundant and more powerful than was the early rain upon the day of Pentecost.

The reason we have no Elijahs today is because we are all like Peter before he was converted. We have no fear to die for our Saviour, but we refuse to live for Him. Tradition and selfishness teach us to be politically correct. We are afraid to live and teach different than our peers. Peter was truly willing to die a hero for his Master, but when he was put in an embarrassing position; he was not willing to live for Him. He was not willing to be thought of as connected to a criminal of the state. A hero is praised, while a criminal is despised and rejected. Peter was willing to die a hero for his Master, but not willing to suffer embarrassment for Him.

Often I hear worldlings, and even many Seventh-day Adventists make the statement that “no one is perfect.” How can anyone judge every single person in the world? I dare say, that had one of the people making this statement walked along side of the Saviour, they would not have seen Him as perfect either. They would have heard Him calling others by names that were not pleasing and would have thought Him as critical, judgmental, and divisive. The character and words of Christ turned many away from following Him. Such people would have noticed that He did not have possessions or wealth, and felt that, because of His unpleasing words, He was not being blessed by God. People that believe no one is perfect will never be perfect themselves, and will never enter the gates of Heaven.

Train Up a Child

It is time that Seventh-day Adventists wake up and live for the Lord. It is time we train the next generation to live for Him, and the Bible plainly teaches us how. “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6. I have heard many say, “I have done the best I can, now my child is eighteen and he is on his own.” This seems to me to be a self-righteous excuse for the sins of their child.

As a parent who truly wanted to train up his children for God, I can now look back upon their training and see that I did not follow the Bible plan 100%. And friends, when God said, “Train up a child in the way he should go,” He was meaning that the training should be 100% according to His plans. If we follow His counsel 99.9% of the time, we have still failed. Consider the difference in characters between Isaac and Samson. God said of Abraham, Isaac’s father, that “I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him.” Genesis 18:19. What is the result of properly training up our children the way God commands? Let us look at one of the most beautiful chapters ever written by human hand, to see the results. “At the appointed place they built the altar and laid the wood upon it. Then, with trembling voice, Abraham unfolded to his son the divine message. It was with terror and amazement that Isaac learned his fate, but he offered no resistance. He could have escaped his doom, had he chosen to do so; the grief-stricken old man, exhausted with the struggle of those three terrible days, could not have opposed the will of the vigorous youth. But Isaac had been trained from childhood to ready, trusting obedience, and as the purpose of God was opened before him, he yielded a willing submission. He was a sharer in Abraham’s faith, and he felt that he was honored in being called to give his life as an offering to God. He tenderly seeks to lighten the father’s grief, and encourages his nerveless hands to bind the cords that confine him to the altar.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 152, 153.

Willing to Take the Blame

Though I have wonderful children that I love and cherish, still I have wished many times that my children could be like Isaac. The blame is not on my children, but rather on myself. There can be no doubt that I have not trained up my children in the way they should go when I consider the guidelines laid out in the Bible, and when I consider the many times I have fallen short just so I could please them, the way Samson’s parents pleased him. In other words, there have been many times when my children have been my idols or gods, at their own expense. There have also been many times that I have allowed my children to do things I knew they should not do, because of peer pressure; because others thought I was being too strict. One can be sure that the examples given us in the Scripture will live out their lives in us today. (See 1 Corinthians 10:11.)

The following instructions on raising children is from Patriarchs and Prophets, chapter 54, entitled, “Samson.” “The child will be affected for good or for evil by the habits of the mother. She must herself be controlled by principle and must practice temperance and self-denial, if she would seek the welfare of her child. Unwise advisers will urge upon the mother the necessity of gratifying every wish and impulse, but such teaching is false and mischievous. The mother is by the command of God Himself, placed under the most solemn obligation to exercise self-control. And fathers, as well as mothers, are involved in this responsibility. Both parents transmit their own characteristics, mental and physical, their dispositions and appetites, to their children. As the result of parental intemperance, children often lack physical strength and mental and moral power. Liquor drinkers and tobacco users may, and do, transmit their insatiable craving, their inflamed blood and irritable nerves to their children. The licentious often bequeath their unholy desires, and even loathsome diseases, as a legacy to their offspring. And as the children have less power to resist temptation than had the parents, the tendency is for each generation to fall lower and lower. To a great degree parents are responsible, not only for the violent passions and perverted appetites of their children, but for the infirmities of the thousands born deaf, blind, diseased, or idiotic.

What Shall We Do?

“The inquiry of every father and mother should be, ‘What shall we do unto the child that shall be born unto us?’ The effect of prenatal influences has been by many lightly regarded; but the instruction sent from heaven to those Hebrew parents, and twice repeated in the most explicit and solemn manner, shows how this matter is looked upon by our Creator.

“And it was not enough that the promised child should receive a good legacy from the parents. This must be followed by careful training and the formation of right habits. God directed that the future judge and deliverer of Israel should be trained in strict temperance from infancy. Samson was to be a Nazarite from his birth, thus being placed under a perpetual prohibition against the use of wine or strong drink. The lessons of temperance, self-denial, and self-control are to be taught to children even from babyhood…

Yielding at Last

“Had Samson obeyed the divine commands as faithfully as his parents had done, his would have been a nobler and happier destiny. But association with idolaters corrupted him. The town of Zorah being near the country of the Philistines, Samson came to mingle with them on friendly terms. Thus in his youth, intimacies sprang up, the influence of which darkened his whole life. A young woman dwelling in the Philistine town of Timnath engaged Samson’s affections, and he determined to make her his wife. To his God-fearing parents, who endeavored to dissuade him from his purpose, his only answer was, ‘She pleaseth me well.’ The parents at last yielded to his wishes, and the marriage took place.

“Just as he was entering upon manhood, the time when he must execute his divine mission—the time above all others when he should have been true to God—Samson connected himself with the enemies of Israel. He did not ask whether he could better glorify God when united with the object of his choice, or whether he was placing himself in a position where he could not fulfill the purpose to be accomplished by his life. To all who seek first to honor Him, God has promised wisdom; but there is no promise to those who are bent upon self-pleasing.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 435–437. [all emphasis supplied].

The parents at last yielded. How often we parents yield to the selfish wishes of our children while knowing the story of Samson and the resulting example. And why would you ever allow them to mingle with other children and adults who are not true to God? Today we think that our children must have the association with other children in grade school so they will not be withdrawn and know how to socially interact. I tell you, keep your children away from disobedient children, and even adults that do not make God their all. Let others speak evil of you and call you self-righteous. Protect your children no matter how others may speak of you. Peter’s fear of what others would think caused him to deny his Lord. It is good that God’s children never learn how to socially interact with those who cherish self and place God in second place in their desires. We must never yield.

What is Your Example?

If all of the above good instructions were to be followed to the letter, it would be of no avail unless the husband and wife, mother and father, understand their God-given purpose and roll in life as husbands, wives, mothers and fathers. The father must be allowed to be the head of the house, yet love his wife the way Christ loves the church. If we want obedient, loving children, they must have examples of obedience to God’s instructions by their parents. Young men and women, make sure you choose a God-fearing man or woman for your spouse if you wish to have obedient children and a happy family. Make sure your future spouse is not spoiled, and that they respect their parents and God more than their desires, or you will be in for an ungodly life of misery. Think of the pain and misery that Samson’s parents must have gone through, seeing the results of the one time they yielded. Think of the pain and suffering their dear child went through because of this one temptation. If you are unfaithful in choosing your spouse, your children will suffer the consequence and the pain will be much greater than it would be now to set selfish desires and lust aside.

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Malachi 4:5, 6. Is it not time we not only give this message, but also train our young people and parents to live it?

One of God’s Great Men

“Soon after the birth of John, the tongue of Zacharias was loosed, and he spake and praised God. And fear came on all that dwelt round about them; and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judea. And all that heard them, laid them up in their hearts, saying, ‘What manner of child shall this be?’ And the hand of the Lord was with him; and his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts until the day of his showing unto Israel.” Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 2, 45.

The parents of John “were to faithfully cooperate with God in forming such a character in John as would fit him to perform the part God had assigned him…. John was the son of their old age, he was a child of miracle, and the parents might have reasoned that he had a special work to do for the Lord, and the Lord would take care of him. But the parents did not thus reason; they moved to a retired place in the country, where their son would not be exposed to the temptations of city life, or induced to depart from the counsel and instruction which they as parents would give him.” Courage and Conflict, 270.

“There was a great work appointed for the prophet John, but there was no school on the earth with which he could connect. His learning must be obtained away from the cities, in the wilderness. The Old Testament Scriptures, God, and the nature which God created, were to be his study books. God was fitting John for his work of preparing the way of the Lord. His
food was simply locusts and wild honey. The customs and practices of men were not to be the education of this man. Worldly engrossment was to act no part in the formation of his character.” Manuscript 131, 1901.

“The prophet John, separated himself from his friends and kindred, and made his home in the wilderness. He denied himself of the ordinary comforts of life. His food was simple. His clothing was a garment made of hair-cloth confined about the waist with a leather girdle. His parents had in a most solemn manner dedicated him to God from his birth.” Review and Herald, vol. 2, January 7, 1873.

John was an example to the young people in these last days, to whom have been committed important and solemn truths. God would have them temperate in all things. He would have them see the necessity for the denial of appetite, for keeping their passions under the control of reason. This is necessary that they may have mental strength and clearness to discern between right and wrong, between truth and error. There is work for everyone of them to do in the vineyard of the Lord, and He would have them fit themselves to act a useful part.” Youth’s Instructor, January 7, 1897.

How much we want to be blessed, as was John the Baptist and his parents, but how unwilling we are to live like John or his parents in order to receive these blessings.

Name withheld at request of author.

John the Baptist

Ellen White has told us that we should study the lives of John the Baptist and Enoch—prototypes of those living in the last days: “The experience of Enoch and of John the Baptist represents what ours should be. Far more than we do, we need to study the lives of these men,—he who was translated to heaven without seeing death; and he who, before Christ’s first advent, was called to prepare the way of the Lord, to make His paths straight.” Gospel Workers, 51.

The Old Testament ends with Malachi 4:5, 6: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

The great and dreadful day of the Lord is Jesus’ Second Coming. Elijah the prophet will be sent before that event to give an Elijah message. Before Jesus’ first coming, a man came who was also called Elijah. That was not his name, but that is what Jesus called him. Why did He call this man Elijah? The answer is given in Luke 1:15–17.

He would be filled with the Holy Spirit from conception; even before he could reason or think. That was because his parents were filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:6 says, “They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” He was a vessel whom God filled. This filling of the Holy Spirit is promised to all, including children. (See Acts 2:38, 39.)

John the Baptist had a great work to do; therefore Gabriel was sent to give explicit instruction to his parents as to how he was to be raised. How wonderful it would be, parents, to have Gabriel tell you how to raise your children! He gave detailed instruction on diet as well as other things. A synopsis of his instruction is found in Luke 1:13–20.

Health Reformer

Of this instruction, Ellen White wrote: “John the Baptist was a reformer. To him was committed a great work for the people of his time. And in preparation for that work, all his habits were carefully regulated, even from his birth. The angel Gabriel was sent from heaven to instruct the parents of John in the principles of health reform.” Temperance, 90, 91.

In all the stories about John the Baptist that are recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, any mention about John and his life specifically state that he had a special diet. He ate locusts and wild honey.

The locusts referred to a locust bean, not a bug. John the Baptist was a vegetarian! (See Testimonies, vol. 3, 62.) That is why the Bible is so specific about what he ate. He is a type of those who will be living before Jesus’ Second Coming.

Health reform is certainly a part of getting ready for Jesus’ Second Coming. We need to clean and purify our bodies and our lives.

“He [John the Baptist] was a representative of those living in the last days, to whom God has entrusted sacred truths to present before the people, to prepare the way for the second appearing of Christ. And the same principles of temperance which John practiced should be observed by those who in our day are to warn the world of the coming of the Son of man.” Temperance, 91.

“Those who are to prepare the way for the second coming of Christ are represented by faithful Elijah, as John came in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for Christ’s first advent. The great subject of reform is to be agitated, and the public mind is to be stirred. Temperance in all things is to be connected with the message, to turn the people of God from their idolatry, their gluttony, and their extravagance in dress and other things.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 62.

God’s Communication

Revelation 12:17 tells us that God will communicate with us in the last days. The last church will have the same thing that John the Baptist had. It will have the testimony of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist’s father was a prophet. He received messages from God through the angel. In the last days, God gives messages through a prophet. That is what the testimony of Jesus Christ is.

We have the same work to do that John was given, and with this great responsibility lies a promise. Like John the Baptist’s parents, we have counsel from God, telling us how to raise our children and how we should live, helping us with our diet and our education, telling us where we should live and how to work. God has provided all this through His messenger in her writings such as Counsels on Diet and Foods; Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students; and Testimonies for the Church.

John the Baptist is a type, a representative of those living in the last days. The instruction for him was given to someone else who passed it on to him. It came through Gabriel speaking to his father before he was ever born or even conceived. He had to trust in his father’s revelation.

And, so, God has also given us a revelation. True, it has come through a channel, not to us directly, but God has communicated to us in the same way. Oh, how we should value and trust these revelations and appreciate them! The gift of prophecy is one of the signs of the remnant church. This church is entrusted with the Elijah message, the Elijah mission. How fortunate we are! It is only as we make use of the information that God has given to us, as our lives are filled with the Holy Spirit, that we can be representatives of Christ, as was John the Baptist, and be ready for Jesus’ Second Coming.

Heed the Instruction

John would never have accomplished his mission, even though the Lord had spoken to him, unless he heeded the message. He did heed the instruction, and the Lord blessed. (See Luke 1:80.) Will we as a church succeed unless we fulfill the messages that have been given to us through the gift of prophecy?

John the Baptist went to the desert for his education. He did not go to the schools of the Rabbis. He did not gain his instruction from the theological thoughts of the day. He went into the wilderness, and there he prayed, studied the Scriptures, and became taught of God.

“God did not send him to the teachers of theology to learn how to interpret the Scriptures. He called him to the desert, that he might learn of nature and nature’s God.” The Desire of Ages, 101.

In the last days, God is going to mightily use humble people filled with His Spirit. They will be instructed by God through their study of the Bible, as they study the instructions that He has given to add light to the Bible through the Spirit of Prophecy, and through prayer. They will be messengers like John the Baptist. “God can raise up men and fit them to carry this message in the power and the Spirit. Although they are lowly, yet in humble obedience they will learn of God and receive counsel of him.” Review and Herald, August 1862.

It is dangerous to put more and more emphasis on secular education for the finishing of God’s work versus experience and knowledge of the Bible. We need to remember that Jesus was not educated in the schools of the day, and neither was John the Baptist. God can teach people today just as He taught them then.

Separated From Evil Influences

“It was John’s choice to forego the enjoyments and luxuries of city life for the stern discipline of the wilderness. Here his surroundings were favorable to habits of simplicity and self-denial. Uninterrupted by the clamor of the world, he could here study the lessons of nature, of revelation, and of providence. … To him the solitude of the desert was a welcome escape from society in which suspicion, unbelief, and impurity had become well-nigh all-pervading. He distrusted his own power to withstand temptation, and shrank from constant contact with sin, lest he should lose the sense of its exceeding sinfulness.

“But the life of John was not spent in idleness, in ascetic gloom, or in selfish isolation. From time to time he went forth to mingle with men; and he was ever an interested observer of what was passing in the world. From his quiet retreat he watched the unfolding of events. With vision illuminated by the divine Spirit, he studied the characters of men, that he might understand how to reach their hearts with the message of heaven.” Review and Herald, December 17, 1903.

John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit from his very birth. He was a health reformer; he was instructed by the Holy Spirit, but even he who had been raised by God-fearing parents, who themselves were filled by the Holy Spirit, was scared of constant contact with evil. He was afraid he would lose a sense of the exceeding sinfulness of sin.

Do you suppose if John the Baptist was scared of that, that we might be a little afraid of that too? Do you suppose that John the Baptist would have spent time and allowed himself to be influenced by daily watching television or listening to what comes over the radio? Or would he have been scared of what it might have done to him?

Speaking of John the Baptist, Ellen White wrote: “If there was anyone who could remain unaffected by the corrupting influences of the age in which he lived, it was surely he. Yet he did not venture to trust his strength; he separated himself from his friends and relatives, that his natural affections might not prove a snare to him. He would not place himself unnecessarily in the way of temptation nor where the luxuries or even the conveniences of life would lead him to indulge in ease or to gratify his appetite, and thus lessen his physical and mental strength. …

“The forerunner of Christ, did not expose himself to evil conversation and the corrupting influences of the world. He feared the effect upon his conscience, that sin might not appear to him so exceedingly sinful. He chose rather to have his home in the wilderness, where his senses would not be perverted by his surroundings.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 108, 109.

When we are searching for a place to live, it would serve us well to think about the influences that surround our potential homes. John’s example gives ample reasons for us to find homes in the country.

We should not flatter ourselves that we are too strong for any influences to affect us, but we should, in humility, guard ourselves from temptation. Even if we move to the country, if we continue to listen to the radio or watch television, we are subjecting ourselves to evil influences and to temptations.

Humbleness

From John 3:26–30, we read: “And they came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!’ John answered and said, ‘A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, “I am not the Christ,” but, “I have been sent before Him.” He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. He must increase, but I [must] decrease.’ ”

What a magnanimous attitude! Most of us do not mind starting out small as long as we can climb and climb and climb. But we are not always as humble as was John the Baptist.

“Looking in faith to the Redeemer, John had risen to the height of self-abnegation. He sought not to attract men to himself, but to lift their thoughts higher and still higher, until they should rest upon the Lamb of God. He himself had been only a voice, a cry in the wilderness. Now with joy he accepted silence and obscurity, that the eyes of all might be turned to the Light of life.

“Those who are true to their calling as messengers for God will not seek honor for themselves. Love for self will be swallowed up in love for Christ. …

“We can receive of heaven’s light only as we are willing to be emptied of self. … To all who do this, the Holy Spirit is given without measure.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 333, 334.

The one requirement of being filled with the Holy Spirit is to be emptied of self. The Holy Spirit will come in only as we are humbled, as we are emptied of self. Only then will He come in and fill the void.

When Jesus comes again, He is going to have a people like John the Baptist—people who are health reformers, who are instructed by the Holy Spirit, who are separated, as far as they can be, from evil influences, and who are humble.

As was written of John the Baptist, may it be said of God’s last-day people: “By day and by night, Christ was his study, his meditation, until mind and heart and soul were filled with the glorious vision.

“He looked upon the King in His beauty, and self was lost sight of. He beheld the majesty of holiness and knew himself to be inefficient and unworthy. It was God’s message that he was to declare. It was in God’s power and His righteousness that he was to stand. He was ready to go forth as Heaven’s messenger, unawed by the human, because he had looked upon the Divine. He could stand fearless in the presence of earthly monarchs because with trembling he had bowed before the King of kings.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 331, 332.

Pastor Marshall Grosboll, with his wife Lillian, founded Steps to Life. In July 1991, Pastor Marshall and his family met with tragedy as they were returning home from a camp meeting in Washington state, when the airplane he was piloting went down, killing all on board.

Bible Study Guides – The Suffering Servant

February 15, 2009 – February 21, 2009

Key Text

“He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.

Study Help: The Desire of Ages, 741–757; “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 974.

Introduction

“We must not shrink from the depths of humiliation to which the Son of God submitted in order to raise us from the degradation and bondage of sin to a seat at His right hand.” That I May Know Him, 65.

1 What did John the Baptist understand about the promised Messiah? How was God’s glory revealed? Isaiah 40:5; John 1:14.

Note: “Alone in the silent night he [John the Baptist] read God’s promise to Abraham of a seed numberless as the stars. The light of dawn, guilding the mountains of Moab, told of Him who should be as ‘the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds.’ II Samuel 23:4. And in the brightness of noontide he saw the splendor of His manifestation, when ‘the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.’ Isaiah 40:5.

“With awed yet exultant spirit he searched in the prophetic scrolls the revelations of the Messiah’s coming—the promised seed that should bruise the serpent’s head; Shiloh, ‘the peace giver,’ who was to appear before a king should cease to reign on David’s throne. Now the time had come. A Roman ruler sat in the palace upon Mount Zion. By the sure word of the Lord, already the Christ was born.” The Desire of Ages, 102, 103.

2 How did Christ reveal the Father? John 1:18; 17:25, 26.

Note: “By coming to dwell with us, Jesus was to reveal God both to men and to angels. He was the Word of God—God’s thought made audible. In His prayer for His disciples He says, ‘I have declared unto them Thy name’—‘merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth’—‘that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them.’ [John 17:26; Exodus 34:6; John 17:26.] But not alone for His earthborn children was this revelation given. Our little world is the lesson book of the universe. God’s wonderful purpose of grace, the mystery of redeeming love, is the theme into which ‘angels desire to look,’ [I Peter 1:12] and it will be their study throughout endless ages. Both the redeemed and the unfallen beings will find in the cross of Christ their science and their song. 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’ [I Corinthians 13:5] 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, 19, 20.

3 How did Christ respond to the abuse heaped upon Him by sinful men? Isaiah 50:4–6; 52:14; 53:3–7.

Note: “It was to bring the bread of life to His enemies that our Saviour left His home in heaven. Though calumny and persecution were heaped upon Him from the cradle to the grave, they called forth from Him only the expression of forgiving love.” Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 71.

4 How did the prophecy of Isaiah 53:12 meet its fulfillment? Luke 22:37; 23:33. What effect does this have upon each one of us? John 3:14–16; 12:32.

Note: “Christ on the cross, not only draws men to repentance toward God for the transgression of His law—for whom God pardons He first makes penitent—but Christ has satisfied justice; He has proffered Himself as an atonement. His gushing blood, His broken body, satisfy the claims of the broken law, and thus He bridges the gulf which sin has made. He suffered in the flesh that with His bruised and broken body He might cover the defenseless sinner. The victory gained at His death on Calvary broke forever the accusing power of Satan over the universe, and silenced his charges that self-denial was impossible with God and therefore not essential in the human family.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 974.

5 What encouraged Christ to endure the torments of His trial and crucifixion? Isaiah 53:11.

Note: “What sustained the Son of God in His betrayal and trial? He saw of the travail of His soul and was satisfied. He caught a view of the expanse of eternity and saw the happiness of those who through His humiliation should receive pardon and everlasting life. He was wounded for their transgressions, bruised for their iniquities. The chastisement of their peace was upon Him, and with His stripes they were healed. His ear caught the shout of the redeemed. He heard the ransomed ones singing the song of Moses and the Lamb.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 43, 44.

6 How should Christ’s suffering and death affect our lives on a practical, daily basis? Romans 6:10, 13; Galatians 6:14.

Note: “The cross of Calvary appeals in power, affording a reason why we should love Christ now, and why we should consider Him first, and best, and last, in everything. We should take our fitting place in humble penitence at the foot of the cross. We may learn the lessons of meekness and lowliness of mind as we go up to Mount Calvary, and, looking upon the cross, see our Saviour in agony, the Son of God dying, the Just for the unjust. Behold Him who could summon legions of angels to His assistance with one word, a subject of jest and merriment, of reviling and hatred. He gives Himself a sacrifice for sin. When reviled, He threatened not; when falsely accused, He opened not His mouth. He prays on the cross for His murderers. He is dying for them. He is paying an infinite price for every one of them.” That I May Know Him, 65.

7 What is one of the greatest needs of every individual? Isaiah 26:3; 48:18; Psalm 40:7, 8.

Note: “Those who take Christ at His word, and surrender their souls to His keeping, their lives to His ordering, will find peace and quietude. Nothing of the world can make them sad when Jesus makes them glad by His presence. In perfect acquiescence there is perfect rest. The Lord says, ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.’ Isaiah 26:3. Our lives may seem a tangle; but as we commit ourselves to the wise Master Worker, He will bring out the pattern of life and character that will be to His own glory. And that character which expresses the glory—character—of Christ will be received into the Paradise of God. A renovated race shall walk with Him in white, for they are worthy.” The Desire of Ages, 331.

8 How did Jesus fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah 26:3 for us? Matthew 11:28–30.

Note: “As through Jesus we enter into rest, heaven begins here. We respond to His invitation: Come, learn of Me, and in thus coming we begin the life eternal. Heaven is a ceaseless approaching to God through Christ. The longer we are in the heaven of bliss, the more and still more of glory will be opened to us; and the more we know of God, the more intense will be our happiness. As we walk with Jesus in this life, we may be filled with His love, satisfied with His presence. All that human nature can bear, we may receive here.” The Desire of Ages, 331, 332.

9 What is the position of Jesus Christ in our spiritual building? Isaiah 28:16; I Corinthians 3:10, 11; Ephesians 2:20.

Note: “Human power and human might did not establish the church of God, and neither can they destroy it. Not on the rock of human strength, but on Christ Jesus, the Rock of Ages, was the church founded, ‘and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it’ Matthew 16:18. The presence of God gives stability to His cause. … God’s glorious work, founded on the eternal principles of right, will never come to nought.” Prophets and Kings, 595, 596.

10 What does Christ, the Rock, do to us if we accept Him, and what does He do to us if we reject Him? Luke 20:17, 18.

Note: “To those who believe, Christ is the sure foundation. These are they who fall upon the Rock and are broken. Submission to Christ and faith in Him are here represented. To fall upon the Rock and be broken is to give up our self-righteousness and to go to Christ with the humility of a child, repenting of our transgressions, and believing in His forgiving love. And so also it is by faith and obedience that we build on Christ as our foundation. … Without this connection, no man can be saved. Without the life of Christ in us, we cannot withstand the storms of temptation. Our eternal safety depends upon our building upon the sure foundation.” The Desire of Ages, 599.

“Christ is coming, and Christ is to be revealed in you, if you will only allow His image to be revealed in you. Fall on the Rock and be broken. … You want to break in pieces before God your pride, yourself, your folly, your wickedness, your dishonesty, your corruption of heart, your licentiousness, your impurity.” Sermons and Talks, vol. 1, 212.

“And on ‘whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.’ [Matthew 21:44.] The people who rejected Christ were soon to see their city and their nation destroyed. Their glory would be broken, and scattered as the dust before the wind. And what was it that destroyed the Jews? It was the rock which, had they built upon it, would have been their security. It was the goodness of God despised, the righteousness spurned, the mercy slighted. Men set themselves in opposition to God, and all that would have been their salvation was turned to their destruction.” The Desire of Ages, 600.

Additional Reading

“Christ has left us a perfect, sinless example. His followers are to walk in His footsteps. If they are not transformed in character, they can never dwell with Him in His kingdom. Christ died to elevate and ennoble them, and those who retain hereditary tendencies to wrong can not dwell with Him. He suffered all that it is possible for human flesh to suffer and endure, that we might pass triumphantly through all the temptations Satan may invent to destroy our faith.

“In Christ is our only hope. God has daily victories for His people to gain. … By His heavenly gifts the Lord has made ample provision for His people. An earthly parent can not give his child a sanctified character. He cannot transfer his character to his child. God alone can transform us. Christ breathed on His disciples, and said, ‘Receive ye the Holy Ghost.’ [John 20:22.] This is the great gift of heaven. Christ imparted to them through the Spirit His own sanctification. He imbued them with His power, that they might win souls to the gospel. Henceforth Christ would live through their faculties, and speak through their words. They were privileged to know that hereafter He and they were to be one. They must cherish His principles and be controlled by His Spirit. They were no longer to follow their own way, to speak their own words. The words they spoke were to proceed from a sanctified heart, and fall from sanctified lips. No longer were they to live their own selfish life; Christ was to live in them. … He would give to them the glory that He had with the Father, that He and they might be one in God.

“Young men and young women should realize that to be one with Christ is the highest honor to which they can attain. … Consecrate all that there is of you—soul, body, and spirit—to the Lord. Yield every power you have to the control of the Holy Spirit.” Sons and Daughters of God, 294.

“Isaac was a figure of the Son of God, who was offered a sacrifice for the sins of the world. God would impress upon Abraham the gospel of salvation to man. In order to do this, and make the truth a reality to him as well as to test his faith, He required him to slay his darling Isaac. All the sorrow and agony that Abraham endured through that dark and fearful trial were for the purpose of deeply impressing upon his understanding the plan of redemption for fallen man. He was made to understand in his own experience how unutterable was the self-denial of the infinite God in giving His own Son to die to rescue man from utter ruin. To Abraham no mental torture could be equal to that which he endured in obeying the divine command to sacrifice his son.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 369.

©2005 Reformation Herald Publishing Association, Roanoke, Virginia. Reprinted by permission.

John’s Message; Our Message

In contemplating the mission of John the Baptist, a striking parallel came to view that arrested my attention.

Considering what he was to do, and what it meant to the world, it struck me that the event he was foretelling was the greatest event in history, not only of this world but the universe. What was that event? And what was John’s mission? “In him [Jesus], was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.” John 1:4–9.

John was no less than the messenger to prepare the way for the Lord. He prepared the way for the Son of the living God. He announced the coming of the Creator of the Universe to live among men. He had the privilege of being the forerunner of the One, the only One, who could and would save men from sin as the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8. What a privilege! What a responsibility!

Actually, as I thought about it, it seemed that the whole world would be looking forward with intense interest, with longing and inexpressible gratitude for that event. This event made possible a life of eternal happiness and bliss with their Creator! For four thousand years either through the patriarchal sacrificial system or the temple services, the great, compassionate, loving God of the universe had been telling the world of a Redeemer to come who would save it from the pit of ruin into which it had fallen. He had even chosen a special people and bestowed upon them tremendous blessing and care, a people commissioned to tell the world of a coming Saviour. He had given this special people prophecies pointing to the very time of His coming. The God of the universe, the Creator of all in heaven and earth, a Being who was worshiped and adored, with all power, He was coming to this tiny planet. He was coming to “take away the sins of the world.” What other message, what other matter could begin to compare?

Let’s look at this event from another perspective, the perspective of the heavenly universe, from the time before there was sin. Perfection, beauty, perfect harmony reigned. The inhabitants didn’t even realize there was law. They were so perfectly in harmony with the will of God there was nothing but perfect joy, peace, happiness and unity. Then, sin made its entrance. Then, sorrow, pain, and worst of all, they learned about separation from their most beloved Commander, the One they lived to worship, love, and obey. All this was interrupted and destroyed by this little speck of a world. And now the time had come for that separation, for the Father to send His Son to give His life to this world so it could be redeemed.

The entire universe watched with intense interest. To them there was no greater event than the advent of Christ to this one world that had marred God’s entire creation. Would not those for whom this great sacrifice was being made, welcome Him with joy unspeakable? Would not the great and mighty of the earth be the first to welcome and proclaim with joy this greatest of all events in the history of the earth? What a joy John’s life and mission would have been had that been the case. But, sadly, inexplicably, few were even aware.

Just what was the condition of things when the time came for John to begin his ministry? “In the time of John the Baptist, greed for riches, and the love of luxury and display had become widespread. Sensuous pleasures, feasting and drinking, were causing physical disease and degeneracy, benumbing the spiritual perceptions, and lessening the sensibility to sin.” The Desire of Ages, 101.

“He saw his people deceived, self-satisfied, and asleep in their sins. He longed to rouse them to a holier life. The message that God had given him to bear was designed to startle them from their lethargy, and cause them to tremble because of their great wickedness. Before the seed of the gospel could find lodgment, the soil of the heart must be broken up. Before they would seek healing from Jesus, they must be awakened to their danger from the wounds of sin.” Ibid., 103, 104.

Remarkably, this is speaking of the chosen people of God, the very people who were entrusted with the most wonderful message ever given to this world.

Friends, is there a parallel today? Is there an event pending today of immense and eternal import? The answer is a resounding YES!

After six thousand years of sin and misery, pain and alienation, this world is about to be freed, rescued, healed and restored. The one blot in the great, beautiful creation of God is about to be removed, no, remade; remade into what God, in His bounty and love created it to be in the first place. Yet is this tremendous event the one consuming topic of today? Is the world today absorbed in preparing and proclaiming this most wondrous and important truth? Or is it better described by the paragraphs above describing the condition of the world at Jesus’ first advent?

What a message we have to share; what a responsibility. Again I ask, is there a parallel today? Again, the answer is a resounding YES! I am inadequate in my knowledge and speech to share from my own words the message and its importance, so I quote from a book I believe God, in His providence, gave to His people of today just as much as He gave the Scriptures to prepare the world for His first advent. It says, “We are now living in the great day of atonement. …

“Those who would share the benefits of the Saviour’s mediation should permit nothing to interfere with their duty to perfect holiness in the fear of God. The precious hours, instead of being given to pleasure, to display, or to gain seeking, should be devoted to an earnest, prayerful study of the word of truth. The subject of the sanctuary and the investigative judgment should be clearly understood by the people of God. All need a knowledge of this subject for themselves regarding the position and work of their great High Priest. Otherwise it will be impossible for them to exercise the faith which is essential at this time or to occupy the position which God designs them to fill. Every individual has a soul to save or to lose. Each has a case pending at the bar of God. Each must meet the great Judge face to face. How important, then, that every mind contemplate often the solemn scene when the judgment shall sit and the books shall be opened, when, with Daniel, every individual must stand in his lot, at the end of the days.

“All who have received the light upon these subjects are to bear testimony of the great truths which God has committed to them. The sanctuary in heaven is the very center of Christ’s work in behalf of men. It concerns every soul living upon the earth. It opens to view the plan of redemption, bringing us down to the very close of time and revealing the triumphant issue of the contest between righteousness and sin. It is of the utmost importance that all should thoroughly investigate these subjects and be able to give an answer to everyone that asketh them a reason of the hope that is in them.” The Great Controversy, 488, 489.

“The intercession of Christ in man’s behalf in the sanctuary above is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross. By His death He began that work which after His resurrection He ascended to complete in heaven. We must by faith enter within the veil, ‘whither the forerunner is for us entered.’ Hebrews 6:20. There the light from the cross of Calvary is reflected. There we may gain a clearer insight into the mysteries of redemption. The salvation of man is accomplished at an infinite expense to heaven; the sacrifice made is equal to the broadest demands of the broken law of God. Jesus has opened the way to the Father’s throne, and through His mediation the sincere desire of all who come to Him in faith may be presented before God.” Ibid.

Friends, these are not my words. These are the words of inspiration. Is there any message at this time that can compare with this? Is there any other message that actually brings salvation to a soul? Let’s not repeat the history of the first advent. Let’s study, with humility and sincerity and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and not only be ready for this event, but also to be the instruments God would have us to be in proclaiming this most important and wondrous message to the world.

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

Insights from the Book of Isaiah (2) – The Voice in the Wildnerness

January 7 – 13

Key Text

“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3).

Study Help: Testimonies, vol. 8, 9–13.

Introduction

“Our work of heralding the second coming of Christ is similar to that of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ at His first advent. We are to proclaim to the world the message, ‘The great day of the Lord is near’ (Zephaniah 1:14).  ‘Prepare to meet thy God’ (Amos 4:12). We are to do much more than we have yet done.” Reflecting Christ, 201.

Sunday 

1              HOPE FOR THE DESPONDING

  • What is one of the most beloved messages Isaiah was ever directed to pen? Isaiah 40:1, 2.

Note: “The covenant mercy of God led Him to interpose in behalf of His people Israel after their severe chastisement before their enemies. Israel had chosen to walk in her own wisdom and righteousness in the place of the wisdom and righteousness of God, and as a result her nation was ruined. God permitted them to suffer under a double yoke, that they might be humiliated and repent. But in their dispersion and captivity, the Jews were not left in a hopeless state. Encouragement was given them, for through this humiliation they were to be brought to seek the Lord. God gave to Isaiah a message for this people: [Isaiah 40:1, 2 quoted].

“When the Jews were dispersed from Jerusalem, there were among them young men and women who were firm as a rock to principle, men and women who had not pursued a course to make the Lord ashamed to call them His people. These were sad at heart for the backsliding which they could not prevent. These innocent ones must suffer with the guilty; but God would give them strength sufficient for their day. It was to them that the message of encouragement was sent. The hope of the nation lay in those young men and maidens who would preserve their integrity.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 4, 1144.

Monday 

2              A PROPHESIED MESSENGER

  • With what description did Isaiah prophesy of John the Baptist? Isaiah 40:3; Luke 3:2–4. In what sense was John to be “a voice in the wilderness”?

Note: “There was a great work appointed for the prophet John, but there was no school on the earth with which he could connect. His learning must be obtained away from the cities, in the wilderness.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1115.

  • What enabled John, like Isaiah and Elijah before him, to stand fearless before the people in carrying out his lifework? Isaiah 33:17; 6:5.

Note: “John did not feel strong enough to stand the great pressure of temptation he would meet in society. He feared his character would be molded according to the prevailing customs of the Jews, and he chose the wilderness as his school, in which his mind could be properly educated and disciplined from God’s great book of nature. In the wilderness, John could the more readily deny himself and bring his appetite under control, and dress in accordance to natural simplicity. And there was nothing in the wilderness that would take his mind from meditation and prayer. Satan had access to John, even after he had closed every avenue in his power through which he would enter. But his habits of life were so pure and natural that he could discern the foe, and had strength of spirit and decision of character to resist him.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 5, 1115.

“Under the guiding of the divine Spirit, he [John] studied the scrolls of the prophets. By day and by night, Christ was his study, his meditation, until mind and heart and soul were filled with the glorious vision.

“He looked upon the King in His beauty, and self was lost sight of. He beheld the majesty of holiness, and knew himself to be inefficient and unworthy. It was God’s message that he was to declare. It was in God’s power and His righteousness that he was to stand. He was ready to go forth as Heaven’s messenger, unawed by the human, because he had looked upon the Divine. He could stand fearless in the presence of earthly monarchs, because with trembling he had bowed before the King of kings.” Gospel Workers, 54.

Tuesday 

3              MAKING THE STRAIGHT HIGHWAY

  • How does history’s wise man summarize our fallen human condition? Ecclesiastes 1:15. Nonetheless, what hopeful message was John the Baptist to bring, in harmony with Isaiah’s prophecy? Isaiah 40:4; Luke 3:5.

Note: “Everything that God could do has been done in behalf of man. Every want has been anticipated; every difficulty, every emergency, has been provided for. The crooked places have been made straight, the rough places smooth, and therefore no one will be excused in the day of judgment, if he has cherished unbelief and resisted the workings of the Holy Spirit.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 251.

  • In the last days, how are we to allow the Holy Spirit to work through us in ways that we never thought possible? Isaiah 40:5; Luke 3:6.

Note: “The Lord gave him [John the Baptist] his message. Did he go to the priests and rulers and ask if he might proclaim this message?—No, God put him away from them that he might not be influenced by their spirit and teaching. He was the voice of one crying in the wilderness [Isaiah 40:3–5 quoted]. This is the very message that must be given to our people; we are near the end of time, and the message is, Clear the King’s highway; gather out the stones; raise up a standard for the people. The people must be awakened. It is no time now to cry peace and safety.” Selected Messages, Book 1, 410.

“Let those who have special aptitude, work for unbelievers in the high places as well as in the low places of life. Search diligently for perishing souls. …

“Let your light shine forth in such clear, steady rays that no man can stand up in the judgment, and say, ‘Why did you not tell me about this truth? Why did you not care for my soul?’

“Then let us be diligent in the distribution of literature that has been carefully prepared for use among those not of our faith. Let us make the most of every opportunity to arrest the attention of unbelievers. Let us put literature into every hand that will receive it. Let us consecrate ourselves to the proclamation of the message, ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God’ (Isaiah 40:3)! … Now is the day of our responsibility.” Counsels on Stewardship, 189, 190.

Wednesday 

4             HUMBLENESS NOT TO BE SLIGHTED

  • What timeless principle shows how God can crown with success even the smallest efforts of those who are sincerely seeking to promote His cause? Zechariah 4:9, 10.

Note: “The way of the world is to begin with pomp and boasting. God’s way is to make the day of small things the beginning of the glorious triumph of truth and righteousness. Sometimes He trains His workers by bringing to them disappointment and apparent failure. It is His purpose that they shall learn to master difficulties. …

“If they will hold the beginning of their confidence steadfast unto the end, God will make the way clear. Success will come to them as they struggle against difficulties. Before the intrepid spirit and unwavering faith of a Zerubbabel, great mountains of difficulty will become a plain; and he whose hands have laid the foundation, even ‘his hands shall also finish it.’ ‘He shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it’ (Zechariah 4:9, 7).” Prophets and Kings, 595.

  • Through what means can we cooperate with God to enlighten the inhabitants of this dark planet? Zechariah 4:6.

Note: “The Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning. There will be those among us who will always want to control the work of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under the direction of the angel who joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world. God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness.” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 300.

  • How does the message we are called upon to bear reflect the first part of John the Baptist’s message? Matthew 3:2; Luke 3:8–14.

Note: “[Matthew 3:2 quoted.] This same message, through the publications from our printing houses, is to be given to the world today.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 139.

Thursday 

4              NONE GREATER THAN JOHN THE BAPTIST

  • Explain the goal of John’s teaching. Matthew 3:4–12.

Note: “Christ bore the same message that John bore. [Matthew 4:17 quoted.] But while John preached in the wilderness, Christ’s work was done among the people. That He might reach sinners where they were, He encircled the race with His long human arm, while with His divine arm He grasped the throne of the Infinite, uniting finite man to the infinite God, and connecting earth with heaven.” The Review and Herald, August 15, 1899.

  • Which commandment did John present before Herod, and what was the result? Mark 6:17–29. What did Jesus say about John? Luke 7:28.

Note: “Herod was affected as he listened to the powerful, pointed testimonies of John, and with deep interest he inquired what he must do to become his disciple. John was acquainted with the fact that he was about to marry his brother’s wife, while her husband was yet living, and faithfully told Herod that this was not lawful. Herod was unwilling to make any sacrifice. He married his brother’s wife, and through her influence, seized John and put him in prison, intending however to release him. … Soon John was beheaded, through the influence of Herod’s wife. I saw that the humblest disciples who followed Jesus, witnessed His miracles, and heard the comforting words which fell from His lips, were greater than John the Baptist; that is, they were more exalted and honored, and had more pleasure in their lives.” Early Writings, 154, 155.

Friday 

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1             What hope does God offer to all who submit to His chastening rod?

2             What should we learn from John’s concern about his surroundings?

3             How can our literature be especially helpful in the times in which we live?

4             Why will God surprise us with His manner of enlightening the world?

5             What are some things we can learn from the life and ministry of John the Baptist?

Question & Answer – Why did Jesus not visit John the Baptist in prison?

It is very important to remember that whatever happens or does not happen the way we think it should, that all will work out for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). John was called according to His purpose.

“Jesus did not interpose to deliver His servant. He knew that John would bear the test. Gladly would the Saviour have come to John, to brighten the dungeon gloom with His own presence. But He was not to place Himself in the hands of enemies and imperil His own mission.

  • Gladly would He have delivered His faithful servant.
  • But for the sake of thousands who in after years must pass from prison to death, John was to drink the cup of martyrdom.
  • As the followers of Jesus should languish in lonely cells, or perish by the sword, the rack, or the fagot, apparently forsaken by God and man, what a stay to their hearts would be the thought that John the Baptist, to whose faithfulness Christ Himself had borne witness, had passed through a similar experience!” The Desire of Ages, 224.

One very important point to remember is that Satan failed:

“Satan was permitted to cut short the earthly life of God’s messenger; but that life which ‘is hid with Christ in God’ (Colossians 3:3), the destroyer could not reach. He exulted that he had brought sorrow upon Christ, but he had failed of conquering John.” Ibid.

Remember the promise:

“Though no miraculous deliverance was granted John, he was not forsaken. He had always the companionship of heavenly angels, who opened to him the prophecies concerning Christ, and the precious promises of Scripture. These were his stay, as they were to be the stay of God’s people through the coming ages. To John the Baptist, as to those that came after him, was given the assurance, ‘Lo, I am with you all the days, even unto the end’ (Matthew 28:20 RV, margin).” Ibid.

John the Baptist in prison would not have chosen to be led any other way:

“God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning, and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him. Not Enoch, who was translated to heaven, not Elijah, who ascended in a chariot of fire, was greater or more honored than John the Baptist, who perished alone in the dungeon. ‘Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake’ (Philippians 1:29). And of all the gifts that Heaven can bestow upon men, fellowship with Christ in His sufferings is the most weighty trust and the highest honor.” Ibid., 224, 225.

A Voice Crying in the Wilderness

“When the religion of Christ is most held in contempt, when His law is most despised, then should our zeal be the warmest and our courage and firmness the most unflinching. To stand in defense of truth and righteousness when the majority forsake us, to fight the battles of the Lord when champions are few—this will be our test.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 136.

You will find in John chapter 1 the story of John the Baptist and an account of an incident that took place during his public ministry. John was a faithful minister in the church of God, but was not recognized as such. God raised up a voice crying in the wilderness; it was a prophetic ministry clearly outlining the Scriptures yet the ministers had no true understanding of John’s call to do a work of revival and reformation.

John 1:19 says, “And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?” They knew his family history, that John’s father was a priest after the normal order and who he was after the flesh. The question they asked was a statement of doubt. We don’t recognize you; we don’t endorse you; we don’t have any connection with you. We don’t see a legal connection with you and the church that we believe we have control over and we don’t see your messages in harmony with ours. We don’t recognize your theology. We don’t recognize your messages and your way of explaining the Scriptures. We do not recognize who you are because you are definitely not like us. So they asked, “Who are you?”

John 1:20–23 says, “And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias?” They knew that Malachi had said that Elias, or Elijah was supposed to come before Christ would come. “And he saith, I am not.” They really believed that Elijah was to come from the dead. The questioning continued, “Art thou that prophet?” (This refers to Moses, see The Desire of Ages, 135.) This was said in mocking and doubting. “Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?” Because they did not understand the simplest things, he answered their question prophetically. “He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias (Isaiah).”

When John was asked who he was, he did not attempt to give a history of his birth, or his parents or his physical baptism, but simply stated that his identity and foundation of belief was the word of God. He could tell them exactly where his work was prophesied in the Scriptures and he fully understood his role as the present truth of that time. Do you understand exactly where you stand when it comes to the prophecies of the last days? Are you able, as did John, to show others where you stand because you know what God has called you to do today?

John said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord.” The Scripture he quoted was Isaiah 40:3 which says, “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” The job of this voice was to prepare the way for Christ to come. It says, “… make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” So in preparing for Christ to come the way must be made straight in the desert, a highway.

There is a broad way and a narrow way. John’s mission was to direct the people to the narrow way and to prepare a people to find Christ in this way. Verse 3 continues: “… make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” Verses 4 and 5: “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”

This prophecy was one most definite, “for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Through the power of God the high things would be brought down and the things that were abased, or despised would be exalted. The message would be crying out from the wilderness and doing the work in the desert.

John was literally in the desert that ran by the river Jordan. This was a very desolate place but because of the power of God it began to spring up and bud. The high things, even the scribes and the Pharisees, were abased and brought low in the messages that he spoke. Those who were despised of Israel, because of the converting power of God were brought high and exalted. The power of the message, even though the leadership did not recognize him, was a message of God and it was powerful enough to bring down the mountains.

There were many other preachers in Israel that were supposed to give the message. This included the Levites but they did not recognize the work of John or understand his role or the message he brought to the people. Before the second advent of Christ, there will be people who will stand in the power and spirit of Elijah and do a similar work.

“Crying” has a prophetic application. Isaiah 58:1 says, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression.” This is all tied in with this voice—this message was to bring Israel to repentance by revealing the transgressions of Israel, bring down the high things and exalt that which was low. In a nutshell, this was the message of John the Baptist. The Levites, scribes and Pharisees were not giving this message, neither was the general church population and God rose up another to do the work.

Christ spoke through John when he preached in the wilderness. John gave those who would not listen to the clear admonitions answers that must be understood prophetically. The Scriptures explain the meaning of the words “crying in the wilderness.” “Neither said they, Where is the Lord that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?” Jeremiah 2:6. To be in the wilderness means to be in a place where there is drought, a desert, a pit and the shadow of death. A land where no man passed through and no man dwelt. In this place John was to raise up a highway for the Lord. A highway is where many people have access. John, among all of those claiming to be waiting for God, gave his message faithfully, the way God would give it.

John was in the desert, literally and figuratively, standing in the position as a prophet and a preacher where no man dwelt. How many pass through the Scriptures in such a way as John did to give the message?

John claimed to be a “voice crying in the wilderness;” like Isaiah, he preached a message that was not popular in his day. There were many people preaching, even some associated with Isaiah, but theirs was not the same message, a voice calling for repentance. No rebuke of sin was heard in their message. They were very gentle and careful about wounding and hurting people’s feelings. Neither John nor Isaiah was unfeeling, but they would rather obey God than men. There was a definite message to be given and it could only be given from the wilderness—a place where not many men pass through.

Many who preach want their fellow associates in the ministry to believe and stand with them. John stood alone; His was a message that came directly from God. He did not preach his own ideas about what he considered truth. Today, those who give the message in a straight line, must also dwell in obscurity, in the wilderness where few preachers will stand and give the straight testimony.

There were many preachers in John’s day. Nicodemus was over many ministers but he did not understand the first thing about God, so John stood alone to give his message. He was not the first; every prophet that God sent to Israel was crying in the wilderness and out of harmony with the theology of his day. None of them were popular and were all rebuked and cast off by the church.

“Those who have been thrust out to bear a plain, pointed testimony, in the fear of God to reprove wrong, to labor with all their energies to build up God’s people, and to establish them upon important points of present truth, have too often received censure [rebuke] instead of sympathy and help, while those who, like yourself, [from a personal testimony] have taken a noncommittal position [jewelry—do not like it but don’t deal with it and say if you want to wear jewelry that is fine; dress—come as you are; music—well everybody has to be persuaded in their own minds; I just deal with Jesus. I want to be noncommittal and not take any clear position in the church. I want to stay on the fence where it is safe. What does the elder say about that? These people dwell where many men pass through] are thought to be devoted, and to have a mild spirit. God does not thus regard them. The forerunner of Christ’s first advent was a very plain-spoken man. He rebuked sin, and called things by their right names. He laid the ax at the root of the tree. He thus addressed one class of professed converts who came to be baptized of him in Jordan: ‘O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance. … And now also the ax 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’ (Matthew 3:7–10).” Testimonies, vol. 1, 321. Consider the next line: “In this fearful time, just before Christ is to come the second time, God’s faithful preachers will have to bear a still more pointed testimony than was borne by John the Baptist. A responsible, important work is before them; and those who speak smooth things, God will not acknowledge as His shepherds. A fearful woe is upon them.” Ibid.

A fearful woe will be upon the great majority of the clergy because they want to preach smoothly and want to be non-committal and have people see them as being mild. Here we come to the end of time where people desire smooth things and now we are to give a more pointed testimony than John the Baptist. How many do not desire to dwell in the wilderness, but want to preach in Jerusalem and in the big synagogue and go up higher? John’s message was to bring the high things low.

“In every age, God has called his servants to lift up their voices against the prevailing errors and sins of the multitude. Noah was called to stand alone to warn the antediluvian world. Moses and Aaron were alone against kings and princes, magicians and wise men, and the multitudes of Egypt. Elijah was alone when he testified against an apostate king and a backsliding people. Daniel and his fellows stood alone against the decrees of mighty monarchs. The majority are usually to be found on the side of error and falsehood. The fact that doctors of divinity have the world on their side does not prove them to be on the side of truth and of God. The wide gate and the broad road attract the multitudes, while the strait gate and the narrow way are sought only by the few.” The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, 214.

There are many people preaching the message but how many are preaching a message that God would recognize. I ask myself that same question—am I preaching God’s message—will God pass by me and say “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23)?

Elijah, Moses, Noah, all of these people stood alone to preach the truth. These men were voices crying in the wilderness. Many people may wish to be like Elijah and Moses but they do not want to stand alone. They would rather try to harmonize with the brethren and yield the truth instead of standing for the right. I hope you don’t know anybody like that.

There is an amazing quotation found in Prophets and Kings, 367. There was no cloudiness in Isaiah’s message; it was clear truth. It says, “Throughout his ministry Isaiah bore a plain testimony concerning God’s purpose for the heathen. Other prophets had made mention of the divine plan, but their language was not always understood. To Isaiah it was given to make very plain to Judah the truth that among the Israel of God were to be numbered many who were not descendants of Abraham after the flesh. This teaching was not in harmony with the theology of his age, (Isaiah’s message was considered error and very divisive) yet he fearlessly proclaimed the messages given him of God and brought hope to many a longing heart reaching out after the spiritual blessings promised to the seed of Abraham.”

Even today people are confused about who and what comprises the church or who are faithful and who are not.

People wonder why there are some who do not preach like the majority, to be accepted. In Christ’s Object Lessons, 78, 79, it says, “For His church in every generation God has a special truth and a special work. The truth that is hid from the worldly wise and prudent is revealed to the child-like and humble. It calls for self-sacrifice. It has battles to fight and victories to win. At the outset its advocates are few. By the great men of the world and by a world-conforming church, they are opposed and despised. See John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, standing alone to rebuke the pride and formalism of the Jewish nation. See the first bearers of the gospel into Europe. How obscure, how hopeless, seemed the mission of Paul and Silas, the two tentmakers, as they with their companions took ship at Troas for Philippi. See ‘Paul the aged,’ in chains, preaching Christ in the stronghold of the Caesars. See the little communities of slaves and peasants in conflict with the heathenism of imperial Rome. See Martin Luther withstanding that mighty church which is the masterpiece of the world’s wisdom. See him holding fast God’s word against emperor and pope, declaring, ‘Here I take my stand; I cannot do otherwise. God be my help.’ (Martin Luther was crying in the wilderness, crying all alone.) See John Wesley preaching Christ and His righteousness in the midst of formalism, sensualism, and infidelity. See one burdened with the woes of the heathen world, pleading for the privilege of carrying to them Christ’s message of love. Hear the response of ecclesiasticism: ‘Sit down, young man. When God wants to convert the heathen, He will do it without your help or mine.’

“The great leaders of religious thought in this generation sound the praises and build the monuments of those who planted the seed of truth centuries ago. Do not many turn from this work to trample down the growth springing from the same seed today? [The same truths of this generation are trying to be stomped out.] The old cry is repeated, ‘We know that God spake unto Moses; as for this fellow [Christ in the messenger He sends], we know not from whence he is’ (John 9:29). As in earlier ages, the special truths for this time are found, not with the ecclesiastical authorities, but with men and women who are not too learned or too wise to believe the word of God.”

The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the paths of the Lord. It may be more possible now that we may not even hear the message for the time. Remember that John was not only literally in the desert, but also was that great body of preachers and ministers supposedly bringing the revival message. John was someone who was seemingly standing alone in the midst of all of these methods and interpretations and even theories about revival and reformation. This work of preparation was going on all over and Jesus passed by all the Essenes, the Pharisees and schools of theology and came right to John the Baptist and suffered him to fulfill all righteousness. Jesus saw that his work would fulfill righteousness.

“I was shown that even this decided message of the True Witness had not accomplished the design of God. The people [the remnant church] slumber on in their sins. They continue to declare themselves rich and having need of nothing [even Christ and the forgiveness of sins]. Many inquire: Why are all these reproofs given? Why do the Testimonies continually charge us with backsliding and with grievous sins? [Many cannot see it—either the testimonies are wrong or they are right.] We love the truth; we are prospering; we are in no need of these testimonies of warning and reproof. But let these murmurers see their hearts and compare their lives with the practical teachings of the Bible, let them humble their souls before God, let the grace of God illuminate the darkness, and the scales will fall from their eyes, and they will realize their true spiritual poverty and wretchedness. They will feel the necessity of buying gold, which is pure faith and love; white raiment, which is a spotless character made pure in the blood of their dear Redeemer; and eyesalve, which is the grace of God and which will give clear discernment of spiritual things and detect sin. These attainments are more precious than the gold of Ophir.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 254.

Without the grace which is shown as being white raiment, eyesalve and gold, we cannot have true spiritual discernment. We will not be able to detect sin under any guise. Remember that “he [Satan] will work with ‘all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved’ (II Thessalonians 2:9, 10)” [Testimonies, vol. 2, 172, 173] and it will be near impossible to distinguish between truth and error except by the Spirit of God and the word of God.

Brothers and sisters, we need that eyesalve, that raiment, that gold tried in the fire but how many are willing to receive this message. How many are willing to stand alone and give this message and be a voice crying in the wilderness in these last days, these evil days. How many are willing to stand alone though the majority forsakes us. How many are ready to stand with Jesus.

Two thieves were crucified with Jesus, one on one side and one on the other and even though they both reviled Him, one was converted. One said to remember him when he came into His kingdom. Jesus had something to strengthen Him in his last hours. That cloud covered Jesus and He was wrapped in thick darkness while lightening crashed and thunder rolled throughout the heaven and he could not be seen and He was all alone wrestling with God. He was suffering the agony of separation from God for you and for me. Jesus knew what it meant to be alone.

In these last days, though we may be in the crowd, or in the forest, we will, in our spiritual experience, have to stand alone with God. If God would send someone to stand by your side and to preach with you, you will still have your hand firmly in His. Though we may have mother, father, brother, sister, pastor, standing with us our hands must be in Christ’s hands alone. We must all be a voice crying in the wilderness, a land where “no man passed through and where no man dwelt.” Jeremiah 2:6.

May we all see the importance of this divine truth and that we understand that the popular, the easy side, is not the side of God. “As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel’s message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position and join the ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls.” The Great Controversy, 608.

All those who desire to be on the popular and easy side will go over there when the storm approaches. We need a fitting up, a preparation that is greater than what we now know. We need an understanding of truth greater than what we now possess so that we may stand.

[All emphasis supplied.]

John R. Cofer is currently engaged in establishing training schools under the name, The Schools of the Prophets for the youth. He and his wife, Maria, have established a digital media company to create and promote video media teaching the unique message of Adventism using social media such as Facebook and YouTube.