Author: Admin

Posted on

Sealed on the Forehead

     When God gave directions to the Israelites for the Tabernacle and its Services, He described very specifically what the High Priest was to wear. One of those items was a golden band on his forehead across the front of the turban on his head.

And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the miter; upon the forefront of the miter it shall be. And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.  Exodus 28:36-38

The Hebrew word “signet” in verse 36 is:
H2368 (from Strong’s Concordance)
chôthâm
From H2856; a signature ring: – seal, signet.

The band on the High Priest’s forehead was like a seal that designated him as holy to the Lord. To be holy was to be consecrated exclusively for God’s purposes just as the anointing oil and incense used in the Tabernacle were holy and were not to be used for personal purposes.  (see Exodus 30:22-38)

So the High Priest had the seal of God’s ownership on his forehead.

Now look at Revelation 7:3.

Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.  Revelation 7:3

The Greek word for “seal” in this verse is:
G4972 (from Strong’s Concordance)
sphragizō
From G4973; to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication to keep secret, to attest: – (set a, set to) seal up, stop.

If we look at Exodus 28:36 in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, we see that the Greek word used there for the High Priest’s headband is σφραγῖδος which is a form of σφραγίζω (shown in the definition above). The “seal” on the High Priest’s forehead is very much like the seal on the foreheads of the 144,000. In Revelation 14:1 we find out what is actually on the foreheads of the 144,000.

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.  Revelation 14:1

To be sealed with God’s seal is to have His name in our foreheads, to be consecrated totally to Him for His purposes. It is the seal of His ownership.

We have often heard that the Sabbath is the Seal of God and many Seventh-day Adventists understand that keeping the Sabbath means they have God’s seal, but . . .

Not all who profess to keep the Sabbath will be sealed. There are many even among those who teach the truth to others who will not receive the seal of God in their foreheads. They had the light of truth, they knew their Master’s will, they understood every point of our faith, but they had not corresponding works.   5T 213

The seal of the living God will be placed upon those only who bear a likeness to Christ in character.   RH 05-21-95

Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads, – it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved, – just as soon as God’s people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed, it has begun already; the judgments of God are now upon the land, to give us warning, that we may know what is coming.  1MR 249

So what does it really mean to be sealed by God? I would like to suggest that it means fully consecrating yourself to God and letting Him own and control your mind and thoughts so totally that nothing can turn you from Him; He acknowledges that committment with His (invisible) Seal of Approval and Protection; and you are among those who are described in this verse:
. . . they that are with him are called (invited), and chosen (selected), and faithful.  Revelation 17:14

Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four thousand. And let us do all that we can to help others to gain heaven. We are to have an intense interest in Christ Jesus; for he is our Saviour.   RH 03-09-05

Posted on

What’s in Your Pocket?

     It was a hot, sultry day on Trinidad during World War II. A group of U.S. sailors stationed there were expecting to work at the naval hospital. But their orders were changed to doing grounds work instead. For ten of those sailors this posed a major problem. They were Seventh-day Adventists and this day was Sabbath. They would have been willing to do hospital care as an act of mercy but they believed that grounds work was unnecessary labor and they refused. They were arrested and sent to prison for disobeying an order.

While in prison they again refused to work on Sabbaths even after being ordered to do so by high-ranking officers. They were threatened with court-martial for disobeying a direct command. Bravely six of the men continued to stand firm for the Sabbath. Four of them did not. Why? At one of their interviews with a major, he had on his desk some playing cards and cigarettes that had been confiscated from those four men. He had done his homework and knew that these were not in accordance with SDA belief. Their compromise had caught up with them and they crumbled under the pressure. They realized they would not be able to stand on the grounds of “religious beliefs” in a court-martial. The other six stood the trials and tests, which were many, and because of their faithfulness, the rules in the navy were changed, making it easier to keep Sabbath in the Navy for all that came after them. [A Matter of Conscience, by P. Harold Pervis, Sr. with Norma Jean Lutz]

This story has many lessons it it. What does it take to stand the tests that are rapidly coming on the world? Are we ready for those trials? These six men who stood the test were faithful Sabbath-keepers before they were drafted into the navy. We can be faithful in the coming crisis only if we are totally faithful in everything now because we love our Lord and are willing to do whatever He says and suffer for Him if necessary. They also weren’t hiding anything of compromise in their pockets. We can’t have any compromise hidden anywhere in our lives if we want to stand the trial. We must be obedient in everything that scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy tell us.

As a people we are to prepare the way of the Lord. Every iota of ability God has given us must be put to use in preparing the people after God’s fashion, after His spiritual mold, to stand in this great day of God’s preparation; and the serious question may be awakened in world-loving hearts, “What is eternity to us? How will my case stand in the investigative judgment? What will be my lot and place?” Many who suppose they are going to heaven are blindfolded by the world. Their ideas of what constitutes a religious education and religious discipline are vague, resting only on probabilities; there are many who have no intelligent hope, and are running great risk in practicing the very things which Jesus has taught that they should not do, in eating, drinking, and dressing, binding themselves up with the world in a variety of ways. They have yet to learn the serious lessons so essential to growth in spirituality, to come out from the world and be separate. The heart is divided, the carnal mind craves conformity, similarity to the world in so many ways that the mark of distinction from the world is scarcely distinguishable. Money, God’s money, is expended in order to make an appearance after the world’s customs; the religious experience is contaminated with worldliness, and the evidence of discipleship – Christ’s likeness in self-denial and cross-bearing – is not discernible by the world or by the universe of heaven.  FE 311

Eating
Appetite may not seem like a major issue but it was significant in several stories in the Bible. Adam and Eve gave in to their appetite even though they certainly were not hungry. (Genesis 3) Esau thought a bowl of soup was more important than his birthright. (Genesis 25:29-34) The Israelites complained because the food God provided for them didn’t satisfy their taste buds and many died because of it. (Exodus 16:3; Numbers 11) Daniel and his three friends risked their lives when they committed themselves to eating only what God approved. (Daniel 1) Jesus did not give in to His appetite even though He was starving. (Matthew 4; Luke 4)

What is God’s plan for our diet?

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.  Genesis 1:29

How significant is appetite in the life of a Christian?

[Christ] realized the power of appetite upon man; and in behalf of sinful man, he bore the closest test possible upon that point. Here a victory was gained which few can appreciate. The controlling power of depraved appetite, and the grievous sin of indulging it, can only be understood by length of the fast which our Saviour endured that he might break its power.

Satan had gained the victory over man in almost every temptation on the point of appetite. The Son of God saw that man could not of himself overcome this powerful temptation and he had such infinite love for the race that he left the royal courts of Heaven, and clothed his divinity with humanity, that with his long human arm he might reach to the very depths of human woe, while with his divine arm he grasps the Infinite. He came to earth to unite his divine power with our human efforts, that through the strength and moral power which he imparts, we may overcome in our own behalf. . . .
With man’s nature, and the terrible weight of his sins pressing upon him, our Redeemer withstood the power of Satan upon this great leading temptation, which imperils the souls of men. If man should overcome this temptation, he could conquer on every other point.
Intemperance lies at the foundation of all the moral evils known to man. Christ began the work of redemption just where the ruin began. The fall of our first parents was caused by the indulgence of appetite. In redemption, the denial of appetite is the first work of Christ.  ST, August 7, 1879

It is impossible for those who give the reins to appetite to attain to Christian perfection. The moral sensibilities of your children cannot be easily aroused, unless you are careful in the selection of their food. Many a mother sets a table that is a snare to her family. Flesh meats, butter, cheese, rich pastry, spiced foods, and condiments are freely partaken of by both old and young. These things do their work in deranging the stomach, exciting the nerves, and enfeebling the intellect. The blood-making organs cannot convert such things into good blood. The grease cooked in the food renders it difficult of digestion. The effect of cheese is deleterious. Fine-flour bread does not impart to the system the nourishment that is to be found in unbolted-wheat bread. Its common use will not keep the system in the best condition. Spices at first irritate the tender coating of the stomach, but finally destroy the natural sensitiveness of this delicate membrane. The blood becomes fevered, the animal propensities are aroused, while the moral and intellectual powers are weakened, and become servants to the baser passions. The mother should study to set a simple yet nutritious diet before her family.  CD 236

Are you following God’s way or your stomach’s way in your eating habits? How does God view this?

It is a duty to know how to preserve the body in the very best condition of health, and it is a sacred duty to live up to the light which God has graciously given. If we close our eyes to the light for fear we shall see our wrongs, which we are unwilling to forsake, our sins are not lessened, but increased. If light is turned from in one case, it will be disregarded in another. It is just as much sin to violate the laws of our being as to break one of the ten commandments, for we cannot do either without breaking God’s law. We cannot love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength while we are loving our appetites, our tastes, a great deal better than we love the Lord. We are daily lessening our strength to glorify God, when He requires all our strength, all our mind. By our wrong habits we are lessening our hold on life, and yet professing to be Christ’s followers, preparing for the finishing touch of immortality.  CD 44, 45

Drinking
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.  1 Corinthians 10:31

The effect of tea and coffee, as heretofore shown, tends in the same direction as that of wine and cider, liquor and tobacco. . . . Tea is a stimulant, and to a certain extent produces intoxication. . . . Coffee is a hurtful indulgence. It temporarily excites the mind to unwonted action, but the after-effect is exhaustion, prostration, paralysis of the mental, moral, and physical powers. . . . All these nerve irritants are wearing away the life-forces, and the restlessness caused by shattered nerves, the impatience, the mental feebleness, become a warring element, antagonizing to spiritual progress. . . . Those who resort to tea and coffee for stimulation to labor, will feel the evil effects of this course in trembling nerves and lack of self-control.  CTBH 34, 35

There was no pop or cola or high-energy drink in Ellen White’s day but they fall into the same category of stimulants with their massive load of sugar, caffeine, and other chemicals.

Dressing
Is your clothing in accordance with scripture and Spirit of Prophecy?

The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.  Deuteronomy 22:5

There is still another style of dress which will be adopted by a class of so-called dress reformers. They will imitate the opposite sex, as nearly as possible. They will wear the cap, pants, vest, coat, and boots, the last of which is the most sensible part of the costume. Those who adopt and advocate this style of dress, are carrying the so-called dress reform to very objectionable lengths. Confusion will be the result. Some who adopt this costume may be correct in their views in general upon the health question, and they could be instrumental in accomplishing vastly more good if they did not carry the matter of dress to such extremes.

In this style of dress God’s order has been reversed, and his special directions disregarded. Deuteronomy 22:5. “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.” This style of dress, God would not have his people adopt. It is not modest apparel, and is not at all fitting for modest, humble females who profess to be Christ’s followers. God’s prohibitions are lightly regarded by all who would advocate the doing away of the distinction of dress between males and females.  2SM 477

Does it matter what we wear? If God says that something is an abomination, will He later change His mind about it if our society approves it? Did you catch what is the result of this style of dressing? It is confusion of the sexes. Do we have that today? Absolutely. God’s people have abandoned the standard of God’s word and now they are reaping the whirlwind!

I was shown that the people of God should not imitate the fashions of the world. Some have done this, and are fast losing the peculiar, holy character which should distinguish them as God’s people. I was pointed back to God’s ancient people, and was led to compare their apparel with the mode of dress in these last days. What a difference! what a change! Then the women were not so bold as now. When they went in public, they covered their faces with a veil. In these last days, fashions are shameful and immodest. They are noticed in prophecy. They were first brought in by a class over whom Satan has entire control, who, “being past feeling [without any conviction of the Spirit of God] have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” If God’s professed people had not greatly departed from Him, there would now be a marked difference between their dress and that of the world. . . . The inhabitants of earth are growing more and more corrupt, and the line of distinction between them and the Israel of God must be more plain, or the curse which falls upon worldlings will fall on God’s professed people.   1T 188, 189

None of God’s commands can be ignored without reaping the results. Disobedience is disobedience. Do you want to stand faithful in the trials that are coming on God’s people in the very near future? One important step is to get rid of any sin, any compromise, hidden in your pockets!

Those who do not overcome in little things will have no moral power to withstand greater temptations.  4T 574

Posted on

A Prayer

(based on Psalm 74)

Verse 1

O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

Oh, Heavenly Father, we confess that we have been very wayward. We have followed in the footsteps of Israel of old and walked in sin, and in the heathen practices of ancient times. We have adopted that which is the worship of the sun and called it the worship of the true God. We have called emotionalism worship when it is not. We have used heathen methods such as spiritual formation to contact you just as Saul did after he had severed all his ties with you. Will you, the God of all Creation, honor wickedness? No. You are holy, we are sinners. Forgive your wayward sheep, Father. May purity and holiness again be seen in our lives!

Verse 2

Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod (branch) of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.

Father, your remnant people were once connected to you but now they are a dead branch. They have separated themselves from you. They do not long to be near you. They do not desire the flow of Your life through their veins. They lie in dusty beds of death, nothing more than dry bones. Wake them! Give sinew, muscle, and life to their walk with you. Teach us that only by total obedience can we walk continually in your presence. Give us new hearts that love and obey you every day. Help us to desire nothing more than to walk in your presence moment by moment. Help us seek for your righteousness more than our daily bread! Redeem us from this death that has come upon us!

Verse 3

Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.

Father, the church is destitute. The enemy, Satan, has moved in and set up headquarters in your temple. Your church no longer prays like it used to. Your people no longer have any power to counteract evil in their own lives or in the world. Your salt has lost its flavor. It has lost its power. Revive your church, Father. Help her to leave the world behind that she may again rise in great power! Help her to give up her love of the world’s worship, dress, diet, music, entertainment, and materialism. Oh, Father, I cry to you with all I have to purify your church! Do not leave her in perpetual desolation. Make her alive again. Resurrect her from the grave. Purify your sanctuary.

Verse 4

Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs.

Father, the enemy, Satan, has moved in to take the battlefield. We no longer see the three angels flying in the heavens as our sign. Now all we see is the sign of the enemy. We no longer see your clean people without the world’s adorning. We no longer see the holy days you spoke of in your word. All we see are those set up by the Catholic church: Christmas and Easter. Even Sabbath, the seventh day, is desecrated by unholy feet. Father, set up your signs again. Help your people to arise and take the field.

Verses 5 & 6

A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees. But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers.

Father, where are those who established the pillars of faith in the past? We had powerful men and women of the Word in the early days. But where are they now? They are in the grave. They taught the solid food of the vital truths from your word, but now . . . now it is just milk that is served in most places. Sadly, the old pillars are being torn down. Many no longer believe in the sanctuary message, or the 1844 investigative judgment. The three angel’s messages are hardly mentioned! Satan’s axes are chopping away, destroying the knowledge you gave this remnant people. They no longer see You—the way, the truth, and the life. Instead their eyes are focused on a god of their own making, one that does not see, nor hear, nor punish them for their evil ways, a catatonic god who really doesn’t care what they do.

Verses 7 & 8

They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground. They said in their hearts, Let us destroy them together: they have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land.

Father, is this a prophecy of what is coming to your remnant people? It seems that it is. For so it has been in the past. Israel is an example to us. Their fate will be ours unless there is thorough repentance and turning back to the old paths. History will repeat. May your people turn back before it is too late!

Verse 9

We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long.

Father, they have spit on your prophet. Many, many churches of this remnant people have chosen to reject the messages and letters sent through your prophet. Oh, God, help us! We are a lost and scattered people who do not read the map or the prophet’s directions to the heavenly Canaan; nor do we see the road signs pointing the way. Please, please give us eye-salve the we might read and see and know the way. Give us eye-salve that we might see how short the time is!

Will the remnant people turn back to you, Father? I pray they do. But there are those who are still faithful. This is my prayer for those faithful few, who have stood in the ancient paths even in the midst of apostasy.

Verses 19-21

O deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked: forget not the congregation of thy poor for ever. Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty. O let not the oppressed return ashamed: let the poor and needy praise thy name.

Thank you Father, for you will be glorified in those who feel poor and needy, who turn to you in humility every day. Strengthen your faithful remnant who keep your covenant in these last days. Bless those who choose to surrender body, soul, and spirit to you. Bless those who choose to remove all spiritualism and pagan idols from their lives! May we be a part of that people! May You be glorified in Your people and may Your glory fill the earth! May your kingdom come soon! Amen.

Posted on

Bombing of the Cities

In the night I was, I thought, in a room but not in my own house. I was in a city, where I knew not, and I heard explosion after explosion. I rose up quickly in bed, and saw from my window large balls of fire. Jetting out were sparks, in the form of arrows, and buildings were being consumed, and in a very few minutes the entire block of buildings was falling and the screeching and mournful groans came distinctly to my ears. I cried out, in my raised position, to learn what was happening: Where am I? And where are our family circle? Then I awoke. But I could not tell where I was for I was in another place than home. I said, Oh Lord, where am I and what shall I do? It was a voice that spoke, “Be not afraid. Nothing shall harm you.”

I was instructed that destruction hath gone forth upon cities. The word of the Lord will be fulfilled. Isaiah 29:19-24 was repeated. I dared not move, not knowing where I was. I cried unto the Lord, What does it mean? These representations of destruction were repeated. Where am I? “In scenes I have represented that which will be; but warn My people to cease from putting their trust in men who are not obedient to my warnings and who despise My reproof, for the day of the Lord is right upon the world when evidence shall be made sure. Those who have followed the voices that would turn things upside down will themselves be turned where they cannot see, but will be as blind men.

These words were given me from Isaiah 30: “Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.” [Isaiah 30:8-15 quoted.] . . . .

I was instructed that light had been given me and that I had written under special light the Lord had imparted.  (Ellen White’s Diary, August 23, 27, 1906.)

What does Isaiah 30:8-15 say that the prophet connects with the burning of the cities?

Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:  Isaiah 30:8, 9

The Hebrew word for law in this verse is Torah which is the five books of Moses.   In this modern day, we hear many saying the same thing. They do not want to hear the laws written in those books of Holy Scripture. But remember, the prophet tells us that the destruction of the cities is related to rebellious people who don’t want to listen to the Torah. Maybe we aught to look at those Torah laws more closely. They deal with marriage, homosexuality, incest, fair business dealing, treatment of children, the elderly and the poor, as well as many other subjects. God does not leave us in doubt in these matters.

Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.  Isaiah 30:10, 11

Many say this today as well. We don’t want to hear about those prophecies. We want to hear comfortable things. We don’t want the Prophet to reprove our sins. Let us go on as we are. We’re doing just fine. We’re having a good time. We have plenty of entertainment, food, and work to do. Don’t bother us about making changes in our lives.

Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:  Isaiah 30:12

What are these people trusting in? Look at these Hebrew word meanings in Strong’s Concordance.

oppression: H6233 unjust gain, extortion

perverseness: H3868 to turn aside, depart

These persons trust in what they gain by oppressing the poor and other perverse ways of sin. Does that sound a bit like our modern American economy and the political arena? Keep in mind that destruction is coming!

Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant. And he shall break it as the breaking of the potters’ vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a sherd to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.  Isaiah 30:13, 14

Have you heard any warnings about sudden destruction coming? (see 1 Thessalonians 5:3) Even though this dream came to Ellen White in 1906, it has a modern day ring to it: explosions and fire balls and terrible destruction in the cities. It sounds like the city was being bombed.

For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.  Isaiah 30:15

Where would we be without such precious promises of salvation and strength?

What are we to do to prepare for this? If you are living in the city now, have you thought of moving out? That would be a sensible start. Live in the country where you can grow your own food, and live simply. What about this quietness and rest? Maybe our God is telling us that it is time we truly start trusting Him instead of ourselves. How about asking Him what we should do with our money, like investing it in mission work instead of using it for ourselves; really denying self, saving every dollar possible so it can be used in helping others instead of spending it on entertainment, our adornment, or the adornment of our houses; asking Him to guide our lives; separating from worldly music, entertainment, dress, worldly diet, and much more. These are all taught by God through Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy. Are we listening? We have no time to waste. This destruction is coming soon! Are you ready?

Posted on

Abomination of Desolation

 

It was the year AD 66. Jerusalem was a captive of her own people. Simon, the Jewish zealot, and his rebel armies had taken possession of Jerusalem after being chased out of various other cities in Judea by the Roman armies. He and his men tightened their grip on the people, taking possession of all they could grasp, many times taking the last morsel of bread from the poor, aged, and young. Was it because they were hungry? No, they merely wanted to make sure that they had plenty. No one could come or go through the gates. They were locked and guarded at all times. The people had become captives of their own rebel army. Even the sanctity of the Temple did not prevent the zealots from entering its holy precincts. Simon decided that the Temple would make a good headquarters for him and his men. He desecrated the Altar, the Holy Place, and the Most Holy Place, as well as harassing and molesting the worshippers that came there. No one felt safe. He and his men were extremely wicked.

Suddenly the watchman on the wall shouted, “The Romans are coming.” Cestius and his vast armies were quickly approaching. Since no one had been allowed to leave during Simon’s reign of terror, no one could escape before the Romans arrived either. But God in His mercy gave the Christians a chance to escape. Jesus had warned them.

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Luke 21:20

This is phrased somewhat differently in the book of Matthew.

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, . . . then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains, let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house: neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.  Matthew 24:15-18.

The Christians were ready. They recognized the sign. The Roman armies had come. But suddenly they withdrew for no apparent reason when success appeared imminent. Their departure was unexplainable, but it was an opportunity given by God so that His people could flee unmolested as He had commanded them. Simon and his army of rebels pursued the Romans which left the city unguarded by either army. This was the opportunity the Christians needed. They had only a very short time to get out of Jerusalem before the zealots returned and again took the city hostage. They fled to the wilderness east of the Jordan River. We are told that not one Christian remained in the city.

Is there another abomination of desolation that we need to be watching for?

By the decree of enforcing the institution of the Papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with Spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and Republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan, and that the end is near.   Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 451.

The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation, in the decree enforcing the papal sabbath, will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains.   Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, pp. 464, 465.

We can see how the prophecy of Christ applies to us in our day. Sunday laws are a part of the abomination of desolation. But is there more to this picture?

The light we have received upon the third angel’s message is the true light. The mark of the beast is exactly what it has been proclaimed to be. Not all in regard to this matter is yet understood, nor will it be understood until the unrolling of the scroll; but a most solemn work is to be accomplished in our world. The Lord’s command to His servants is: “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isaiah 58:1.   Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, p. 17

Sunday laws are a part of this abomination / mark of the beast issue but we are told there is more to it that we will understand as prophecy is fulfilled. And there is a “solemn work” concerning the transgression of God’s people. What is that referring to?

There is some important typology in the story of the destruction of Jerusalem (which actually happened 3 1/2 years later, in AD 70, when Titus returned with the Roman army).

There was an abomination of desolation on the inside of Jerusalem’s walls before the abomination came from the outside.

Simon and his zealots desecrated the Temple with unholy priests, unholy sacrifices, and their unholy presence before the Romans ever arrived! It was this that led to the destruction of Jerusalem and it’s Temple. Without the resistance of the zealots, the Jewish people would have surrendered without a fight and the city and Temple would have continued to stand.

Friends, this typology of the destruction of Jerusalem is being fulfilled remarkably before our eyes, in our own lives.

What is this internal abomination that will cause desolation? Let’s take a look at some possibilities.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary gives this definition for “abomination.”

ABOMINATION “abomination; loathsome, detestable thing.” . . . defines something or someone as essentially unique in the sense of being “dangerous,” “sinister,” and “repulsive” to another individual. . . . When used with reference to God, this nuance of the word describes people, things, acts, relationships, and characteristics that are “detestable” to Him because they are contrary to His nature. Things related to death and idolatry are loathsome to God: “Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing” (Deut. 14:3). People with habits loathsome to God are themselves detestable to Him: “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God” (Deut. 22:5). . . . used in some contexts to describe pagan practices and objects: “The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire; thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God. Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house . . . ” (Deut. 7:25-26). . . . “These six things doth the Lord hate; yea, seven are an abomination unto him: . . . a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, . . . and he that soweth discord among brethren” (Prov. 6:16-19). . . . “to abhor, treat as abhorrent, cause to be an abomination, act abominably. Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. W.E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, William White, Jr.

An abomination can be what we eat or wear, how we worship, how we relate to others, etc. Does God’s perspective on abominations change over time?

“I am the LORD, I change not!” Malachi 3:6

Do we have abominations in our church sanctuaries or in our personal lives that will cause us to fall to the Romans in the future? Are there sins in the house of Jacob, or the church of today? Is there idolatry in your life? What are some possible idols?

Many who profess godliness do not inquire into the reason of Christ’s long period of fasting and suffering in the wilderness. His anguish was not so much from the pangs of hunger as from His sense of the fearful result of the indulgence of appetite and passion upon the race. He knew that appetite would be man’s idol and would lead him to forget God and would stand directly in the way of his salvation.   Review and Herald, September 1, 1874

Appetite can be your idol even though you aren’t overweight. Someone with a weight problem may have more control over his appetite that you because he realizes that he has a slow metabolism and has to fight the eating battle daily while you may not have to be concerned about your weight. But do you eat for strength only what is good for you or do you eat whatever you want when you want it? What about your clothing? Is your clothing in compliance with the laws of heaven or do you wear worldly clothes? Maybe your boat or tractor has more of your affection than the Savior. What is it in your life? We must look deeply at ourselves, asking the Lord for His perspective of our lives.

The Lord is willing to show us our faults as fast as we are willing to put them away and overcome them.   Review and Herald, May 11, 1876

Appetite is more than just what our stomach craves.

Bible teaching will make but a feeble impression upon those whose faculties are benumbed by indulgence of appetite. Thousands will sacrifice not only health and life, but their hope of Heaven, before they will wage war against their own perverted appetites. One lady who for many years claimed to be sanctified, made the statement that if she must give up her pipe or Heaven she would say, “Farewell, Heaven, I cannot overcome my love for my pipe.” This idol had been enshrined in the soul, leaving to Jesus a subordinate place. Yet this woman claimed to be wholly the Lord’s!   Review and Herald, January 25, 1881

Appetite includes anything your body or mind might request or demand. Indulgence is when you give in to those whims regardless of the consequences. You may not have a tobacco addiction, but there are many other addictions such as shopping, workaholism, pornography, control over others, etc. Any of these things can be an abomination that can lead you to accept the final abomination—the Sunday laws! Is there a rebel in your heart’s gate?

But there are some persons who make high professions, whose hearts are so encased in self-love and selfishness that they cannot appreciate these things. They have all their lives thought and lived only for self. To make a worthy sacrifice to do others good, to disadvantage themselves for the purpose of benefiting others, is out of the question with them. They have not the least idea that God requires this of them. Self is their dear idol.   Review and Herald, August 16, 1881

You can choose life and salvation if you will, or you can choose to worship self and devote your precious hours of probation to making your person attractive to please the eye of the worldling and the sensualist, to receive flattery from lying lips, and at last reap that harvest which you have been sowing–corruption. The poor mortal body which has been your idol, your god, will be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb.   Daughters of God, p. 121

Self or personal appearance can be an idol. You may not be decorating your body, but maybe it’s your house or your car. Anything that purposely draws attention to self, anything that is more important than God is an idol. Are you so busy and occupied with “important things” that you have no time for God, for morning and evening devotional time with Him? If that is the case, then you have an idol lurking in your life. Do you love the world and follow what it dictates? If you do, you will fall to the Romans. Are you a captive of your own rebellious heart? Ask for heavenly eye salve to look into your heart and know what is in its depths.

What about our behavior? Here is a list to consider:

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.  Proverbs 6:16-19

What is a proud look? It is actions or attitudes that say, “I am better or more important than you.” Rudeness, lack of consideration for other’s needs or feelings, criticism or humiliating remarks about others are all part of this picture. If anger borders on murder and lust is equal to adultery (Matthew 5:21-30), then an inflated ego, even if it is not expressed openly, is equivalent to pride.

What might be included in “a lying tongue?” In Scripture it is called “false witness”.

If we have in any manner defrauded or injured our brother, we should make restitution. If we have unwittingly borne false witness, if we have misstated his words, if we have injured his influence in any way, we should go to the ones with whom we have conversed about him, and take back all our injurious misstatements.

If matters of difficulty between brethren were not laid open before others, but frankly spoken of between themselves in the spirit of Christian love, how much evil might be prevented! How many roots of bitterness whereby many are defiled would be destroyed, and how closely and tenderly might the followers of Christ be united in His love!   Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 59

What might be happening in “a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations?”

And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5

What kind of mental activity might be included here? surmising that someone has evil motives when you really don’t know what their motives are? lust? rehearsing other’s faults with an unforgiving attitude? Is an evil imagination encouraged by reading corrupt material like sensual novels or magazines? or by watching TV or surfing the internet? or going to the mall? Your imagination is an incredibly powerful tool and needs to be carefully guarded.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

Through Christ you may and should be happy and should acquire habits of self-control. Even your thoughts must be brought into subjection to the will of God and your feelings under the control of reason and religion. Your imagination was not given you to be allowed to run riot and have its own way without any effort at restraint or discipline. If the thoughts are wrong the feelings will be wrong, and the thoughts and feelings combined make up the moral character. When you decide that as Christians you are not required to restrain your thoughts and feelings you are brought under the influence of evil angels and invite their presence and their control.   Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 310

Abominations can show up in many places. Any of us can fall in these areas. How closely we must watch what we think about, what we do, and who or what we worship! Don’t let a rebel Simon (or Jim or Sue) into your heart’s gate. Don’t let self rule your soul.

Jesus is asking, “Will you put me first? I put you first. I left heaven for you.” Won’t you let Him rule your heart so that your soul temple may be purified and holy and you will not fall in the days ahead? Then you will be able to stand when Rome does bear down on you in the very near future. Don’t let an abomination that makes desolate rule your life. Make a choice for Jesus now, today!

Posted on

Our Loving Judge

When Moses was giving final directives to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land, he repeated God’s Law with the Statutes and Judgments. Among these was an injunction of what to do when they encountered someone who was leading others into idolatry.

If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: . . . And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, . . .
If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; . . . Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: But thou shalt surely kill him; . . .

If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which the LORD thy God hath given thee to dwell there, saying, Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known; Then shalt thou enquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you; Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword. And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the LORD thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again. Deuteronomy 13

This may sound uncomfortably similar to the Muslim Jihad war cry, “Kill the infidels!” Is this God’s mode of operation? “Worship me or I will kill you.” “Love me or I will kill you.” Do we serve a vengeful God who selfishly wants all the attention? Some have this concept of Him, and they either serve Him out of fear or they totally reject Him as a cruel and unreasonable tyrant.

We also have passages that give seemingly opposite perspectives of Him: jealous but merciful; gracious and forgiving yet strict.

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:5, 6

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. Exodus 34:6, 7

What kind of God is He? Is He so wishy-washy that we don’t know what to expect from Him?

from the SDA Bible Commentary on Exodus 34:7:

“God is gracious to repentant sinners, but He cannot afford to weaken His government by failing to uphold its righteousness and justice (Ps. 85:10; 89:14). God’s justice is an essential part of His nature no less than His mercy; without it God could not be God. Justice is, as has been argued, a necessary consequence of His true love, for “a God all mercy is a God unjust.” Without justice there could be no mercy. Although we read in the Bible that God delights in mercy (Micah 7:18), we never read in the Scriptures that God delights in bringing His judgments upon men. On the contrary, His judgments are said to be a “strange work” (Isa. 28:21). His loving-kindness is abundant (Isa. 55:7; Rom. 5:20). It is God’s mercy that moderates His judgments and makes Him “longsuffering” (Lam. 3:22; Rom. 2:4).”

God has a massive job to accomplish in dealing with the sin problem. He needs to completely eradicate sin and all connected with it, all that leads to it, and all that results from it. But He doesn’t want to lose His children in the process. How does He balance His love and His justice?

In our justice system, we make punishment fit the crime: the worse the crime, the greater the punishment. Pardon is a rare exception. In God’s justice system, the punishment is made to fit the criminal: if the perpetrator can be brought to repentance and reformation, he is no longer a criminal. He is pardoned and the impending punishment is averted. King Manasseh is a classic example from the Old Testament:

So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.

Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah. And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel. 2 Chronicles 33:9-16

The young Pharisee, Saul, is a good example from the New Testament. In his zeal to crush out Christianity, he was nearly the equivalent of the Gestapo in Nazi Germany or the KGB in Soviet Russia.

And cast him (Stephen) out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.   Acts 7:58

And Saul was consenting unto his (Stephen’s) death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. . . . As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.   Acts 8:1, 3

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.   Acts 9:1, 2

But God was able to change him from being a blood-thirsty persecutor to being Paul, the great apostle of the kingdom, an ambassador of Heaven’s love, a wonderful instrument of salvation for the world. Later, he described himself as an example of what God’s grace can accomplish.

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 1 Timothy 1:12-16

God has to deal severely with sin and incorrigible sinners, but that is His last resort after all reformative efforts have failed. He is primarily very patient, merciful, and gracious, trying first with all His persuasive powers to change the sinner so He can save him.

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6, 7

And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.Jeremiah 36:1-3

Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? Ezekiel 18:23

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. Ezekiel 18:30-32

Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?Ezekiel 33:11

And God saw their works (the people of Nineveh), that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. Jonah 3:10

Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. Micah 7:18

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.Luke 15:10

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16, 17

God has been working tirelessly for 6000 years to change rebellious criminals into cooperative saints, to turn His enemies into friends, but there is a limit to His efforts. When He has tried everything and there is no more hope of change, He quits trying. His role changes from being a reconciler to being an avenger. Prophecy tells us that soon He will stop trying to bring repentance and offers of pardon and will pronounce that awful verdict,

He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. Revelation 22:11

The Bible gives us dire warnings of God’s judgment and wrath but this does not come because His love has finally been depleted and He can’t control Himself anymore. His wrath, that final retribution, is not an impulsive explosion of His uncontrolled anger but a very predictable, deliberate act that He does only after all of His attempts at drawing sinners back to Himself have been unsuccessful.

While God’s hatred of sin is as strong as death, His love for the sinner is stronger than death. The Desire of Ages, p. 57

The Lord is . . . longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

What an awesome, loving, caring God we have!

Posted on

What is Sin?!

Although the plan of salvation calls for the deepest study of the philosopher, it is not too deep for the comprehension of a child. In dying for sinners, Christ manifested a love that is in comprehensible; and in beholding this love, the heart is impressed, the conscience is aroused, and the soul is led to inquire, “What is sin, that it should require such a sacrifice for the redemption of its victim?” The Review and Herald, April 1, 1890

As Christ draws them (sinners) to look upon His cross, to behold Him whom their sins have pierced, the commandment comes home to the conscience. The wickedness of their life, the deep-seated sin of the soul, is revealed to them. They begin to comprehend something of the righteousness of Christ, and exclaim, “What is sin, that it should require such a sacrifice for the redemption of its victim? Was all this love, all this suffering, all this humiliation, demanded, that we might not perish, but have everlasting life?” Steps to Christ, p. 27

What is Sin?!

There are many different aspects of sin and many different ways to define it. It is not a simple thing like a toy or a tool that can be described in a few sentences or with a single picture. What follows is an attempt to begin understanding what sin is. This study is not meant to be a complete answer to this question, but I hope it can be a starting point for a more thorough personal study.

Sin is:

1) an act of disobedience against what God has said

Gen. 3; 1 John 3:4 . . . sin is the transgression of the law (lawlessness NIV).

2) an attitude of rebellion
a) not doing what you believe you should do
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

b) doing what you believe you shouldn”t do, even if the act is not directly condemned by God Rom. 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. 1 Samuel 15:23

It is not the greatness of the act of disobedience that constitutes sin, but the fact of variance from God’s expressed will in the least particular; for this shows that there is yet communion between the soul and sin. The heart is divided in its service. There is a virtual denial of God, a rebellion against the laws of His government.Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 51

Where is sin?

Sin is not merely a legal infraction, a lawless act. It is a problem of personal relationship, of essential nature, of character. If sin consisted only in doing something wrong, then a criminal could be cured by locking him up; that stops his doing. Then Satan would not be sinning during the millennium; he could not be doing anything evil. But we know what would happen as soon as that criminal is released and we know what will happen as soon as Satan is released. The doing starts all over again because the real problem is in the heart and mind. It is an attitude, a mental disposition, a significant character flaw.

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.   Romans 8:6, 7

Jesus taught that sin exists in the mind even though there may be no outward action, though the action will probably follow the thoughts.

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. . . . Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matthew 5:21, 22, 27, 28

You are responsible to God for your thoughts. If you indulge in vain imaginations, permitting your mind to dwell upon impure subjects, you are, in a degree, as guilty before God as if your thoughts were carried into action. All that prevents the action is the lack of opportunity. Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, p. 561

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

Because we live in a sin-infested world, we are born with sin all around us and with a sinful nature in us.

Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalm 51:5

Those who seek to turn from the service of the world to the service of God, will need divine help. They will have to set their faces like a flint toward Zion. They will feel the opposition of the world, the flesh, and the Devil, and will have to go contrary to the spirit and influences of the world.   Review and Herald, February 7, 1888

We are in a constant battle with sin. It is all around us in the world, the environment, and society; it is in our nature, passed on to us from Adam and Eve and perpetuated by our own choices and actions; and the devil never quits in his attempts to lure us on and keep us trapped.

Those who will look long enough into the Divine Mirror to see and despise their unlikeness to the meek and lowly Saviour, will have strength to overcome. All who truly believe will confess and forsake their sins. They will co-operate with Christ in the work of bringing their hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong under the control of the Divine Will, so that sin shall not have dominion over them. Looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of their faith, they will be changed into His likeness. They will grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ. Signs of the Times, October 2, 1901

Illustrations, Descriptions, and Metaphors for sin:

Each one of the Ten Commandments describes or illustrates a form of sin. Each of the first four is specifically referring to something regarding our relationship to God. Though the last six describe things done against other people, they also illustrate forms of sin against God:

5) dishonoring Him (Mal. 1:6-14; Rom. 2:23, 24)
6) killing Him (humanity killed Jesus)
7) unfaithfulness to Him (Ezek. 16; Hos. 1-3)
8) stealing from Him (Mal. 3:8)
9) telling lies about Him (Jer. 23:31, 32; 2 Pet. 2:1-3)

10) wanting what is exclusively His (Isa. 14:13, 14; Ezek. 28:2; 2 Thess. 2:4)

Any action or condition that, in the Levitical regulations, required a sacrifice and/or a ritual for cleansing and atonement could be thought of as a metaphor for the sin problem – contact with unclean meat (Lev. 11); childbirth and/or conditions or actions related to human reproduction (Lev. 12, 15); leprosy (Lev. 13, 14); bodily discharges and/or disease processes (Lev. 15); contact with human death (Num. 19). Some of these passages refer to personal actions; some of them are describing the sinful nature we have inherited; some are dealing with the sin-polluted environment we live in.

Here are some more metaphors for sin.

Sin is like:

a stain – Psalm 51:7; Isaiah 1:18; Zech. 13:1; Acts 22:16; Rev. 1:5
something to be erased – Isa. 43:25; Psalm 51:9; Acts 3:19
a baited hook or trap – James 1:14
a debt – Matt. 6:12-15; Luke 7:41, 42
something that God wants to discard – Isa. 38:17; Micah 7:19
a plague that spreads unless it is quarantined – Lev. 13, 14
a predator crouching in ambush – Gen. 4:7
poison or venom – Num. 21; 1 Cor. 15:56
something that causes hunger and thirst – Mat. 5:6; John 4
being an abandoned infant – Ezek. 16:3-6
an impediment that should be put aside – Heb. 12:1
something that is developed and brought forth – James 1:15
an oppressive slave-driver – John 8:34; Rom. 6
a despotic king – Rom. 5:21; 6:12
a tyrannical husband – Rom. 7:1-11
a prison – Isaiah 58:6; 61:1
a heavy burden – Psalm 38:4; Mat. 11:28, 29; Isaiah 58:6
slavery – Isaiah 61:1; John 8:32-36
poverty – Rev. 3:17
blindness – John 9; Rev. 3:17
nakedness – Gen. 3:7-11; Rev. 3:17; 16:15
darkness – Isa. 9:2; Col. 1:12, 13; 1 Peter 2:9

a barrier between humans and God – Isa. 59:2

Sin is something that:

has dire results beyond the immediate act – Lev. 18:22-27; 20:2, 3; Num. 19:13, 20; 35:31-34
kills – Rom. 5:12; 6:23
may seem to lie dormant, yet it can revive and control the person – Rom. 7:8, 9, 20-24

is charged in differing degrees of seriousness – Lev. 4; Heb. 10:26-28; 1 John 5:16, 17

God deals with sin in two stages –

1) personal confession, sacrifice, removal of guilt (Lev. 4)

2) final disposal and full atonement (Lev. 16)

Sin is a HUGE problem.

Sin is a huge, multi-faceted and life-threatening problem that God is trying to eradicate from the universe. Because it is such a serious issue, much more serious than our human minds can comprehend, God had to use drastic action to solve it. He had to go to the absolute ultimate extreme to completely eliminate it or He ran the risk of it cropping up again. We must remember that He is not merely trying to save ME from sin; He needs to save the WHOLE UNIVERSE from sin.

The Remedy:

The only cure for the problem is to have a change in the inner workings of our mind.

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.   Ephesians 4:22-24

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: Colossians 1:21, 22

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

God is attempting to get us to want and to do what He wants. He is trying to get us to think differently so that we will want to act differently. If we don’t want what He wants, we have a sin problem. It is our default mode, part of the human nature we are born with, to go against Him. It is what we naturally think and want. This results in doing things He doesn’t want us to do – sins. SIN is the thinking; SINS are the doing. SIN is the condition; SINS are the action.

from Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible referring to Hebrews 3:8:

“The hardening of our hearts is the spring of all our other sins.”

from Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament on James 1:14, 15:

“Sin is the union of the will with lust.”

For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. Hebrews 8:8-11

When Revelation speaks of the Seal of God in the forehead, it means having His Law in our mind and heart. That is the control center of our life. Having it in the hand is not enough.

Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Revelation 7:3

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. Revelation 14:1

Satan corrupted humanity with lies about God. Jesus came “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14), to “bear witness unto the truth” (John 18:37) in an attempt to change how we think about God. Everything about Christ’s incarnation – His birth, life, teachings, miracles, death, resurrection – was a desperate attempt on the part of Heaven to help us know the truth about God and persuade us to return to Him after rebelling and running away from Him. If He can accomplish that – getting us to believe and love and cooperate – then our actions will change also.

The Plan of Salvation – the incarnation, life, death, and ministry of Christ – is the most thorough and comprehensive solution to the problem that could have ever been devised. Just how Jesus accomplished everything that is necessary is a very deep study and we mortals will not comprehend it until God Himself explains it to us. Even then it will take us a long time to understand it.

The science of redemption is the science of all sciences; the science that is the study of the angels, and of all the intelligences of the unfallen worlds; the science that engages the attention of our Lord and Saviour; the science that enters into the purpose brooded in the mind of the Infinite–“kept in silence through times eternal”; the science that will be the study of God’s redeemed throughout the endless ages. This is the highest study in which it is possible for man to engage. As no other study can, it will quicken the mind, and uplift the soul. . . .
The theme of redemption is one that angels desire to look into; it will be the science and the song of the redeemed throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity. Is it not worthy of careful thought and study now? . . .
The study of the incarnation of Christ, His atoning sacrifice and mediatorial work, will employ the mind of the diligent student as long as time shall last; and, looking to heaven with its unnumbered years, he will exclaim, “Great is the mystery of godliness.”
In eternity we shall learn that which, had we received the enlightenment that it was possible to obtain here, would have opened our understanding. The themes of redemption will employ the hearts and minds and tongues of the redeemed through the everlasting ages. They will understand the truths which Christ longed to open to His disciples, but which they did not have faith to grasp. Forever and forever new views of the perfection and glory of Christ will appear. Through endless ages the faithful Householder will bring forth from His treasures things new and old.

If it were possible for us to attain to a full understanding of God and His truth, there would be for us no further discovery of truth, no greater knowledge, no further development. . . . Thank God, it is not so. Since God is infinite, and in Him are all the treasures of wisdom, we may to all eternity be ever searching, ever learning, yet never exhaust the riches of His wisdom, His goodness, or His power. Maranatha, p. 365

Why did Jesus have to die?

Christ accomplished many things through His work on earth, but one of the most basic purposes for His death was to get our attention and change how we think so we would return to God. The sin problem was such a serious threat to us and the rest of the universe, and such a difficult issue to solve because of our heart condition, that anything less than what He did would not have been adequate.

Calvary alone can reveal the terrible enormity of sin. Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 116

Christ draws the sinner by the exhibition of his love upon the cross, and this softens the heart, impresses the mind, and inspires contrition and repentance in the soul. The Review and Herald, April 1, 1890

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:9, 10

The cross is a revelation to our dull senses of the pain that, from its very inception, sin has brought to the heart of God. Education, p. 263

If Christ had not suffered and died, there would have been unresolved issues and unanswered questions that would have posed a risk to the security of the universe. God did everything He possibly could to make sure that sin and all of its manifestations would never come up again.

Posted on

Remembering

What happened on September 11, 2001? Few Americans would have trouble answering that question. The events that took place in New York City on that day have been seared into our collective memory like a brand from a hot iron. Anyone who was in the area or lost a friend or relative in the World Trade Center that day can recall the shock and trauma as though it happened yesterday. “Ground Zero” was made into a national memorial and each year as that date returns, now known as Patriot Day, there are events to commemorate the tragedy that changed our nation. We were all affected in a negative way and we can’t forget even though we wish it was only a bad dream.

Now if I asked, “What happened on August 27, 1963?” not as many could give an answer. If I said, “It was the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom,” there would still be some who would be puzzled. But for Black Americans who were adults at that time, that date has great significance. It was an important step in the movement for their equality in this country. The next day, August 28, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech calling for an end to racism. There may not be an official national holiday on that date but it is commemorated by those who were most affected by it.

A Reminder

Festivals and holidays are for the purpose of remembering and celebrating the significance of something, either a famous person or an important event – President’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, etc. God’s Festivals are for the same purpose – to remember and celebrate things He has done, the great events or developments in this world’s history from a spiritual perspective. Every human who has ever lived has been affected by these things but only a very few understand or appreciate their importance and choose to acknowledge and celebrate what they commemorate.

weekly Sabbath – celebrating His act of Creation

annual Festivals – celebrating His acts of Redemption

In the book of Revelation there are acclamations of praise to God and to the Lamb for their great acts in behalf of the human race.

Thou art worthy, O Lord (God Almighty sitting on the throne), to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.  Revelation 4:11

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou (the Lamb before the throne) art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.  Revelation 5:9-13

Rituals and Traditions

On our holidays here in America, we do certain things (rituals, traditions) that remind us of the significance of the day.

Presidents Day – patriotic parades and programs, portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln

Martin Luther King Day – Civil Rights rallies and speeches, media documentaries

Independence Day – flags, patriotic parades, fireworks, outdoor picnics, sports

Thanksgiving Day – family gatherings, sumptuous meals, turkeys, Pilgrims

God included rituals in His Festivals that serve as physical reminders and symbols of what He has done and will do through the Plan of Salvation.

Sabbath – rest from daily labor:
God rested after completing His creation  (Exodus 20:8-11)
He sanctifies us through His power  (Ezekiel 20:12)

He will give us ultimate soul rest in Heaven  (Hebrews 4)

Passover – a meal with lamb and bitter herbs, blood on doorposts and lintel:

deliverance from death and bondage  (Exodus 12:12, 13)

Lord’s Supper – unleavened bread and grape juice – Christ’s body and blood:

deliverance from death and sin  (Luke 22:19, 20)

7-day Feast of Unleavened Bread – no leaven allowed in any household:
hasty journey toward complete deliverance from Egypt  (Exodus 12:17)
purge out sin  (1 Corinthians 5:6-8)

deliverance from Satan’s tyranny  (Hebrews 2:14, 15)

Wave Sheaf – a representative sample of grain from the beginning of the harvest  (Leviticus 23:10)
Christ, the firstfruits from the dead  (1 Corinthians 15:20)

saints resurrected with Christ  (Matthew 27:51-53; Ephesians 4:9)

Feast of Weeks – two loaves of leavened bread:
first product of the grain harvest  (Leviticus 23:17)
receiving the Law at Mount Sinai*  (Exodus 19:1, 11)
receiving the Holy Spirit  (Acts 2:1-4)

the first product of the apostle’s ministry  (Acts 2:41)

Feast of Trumpets – a trumpet blast:

Reminder: Judgment is coming soon  (Revelation 8-11)

Day of Atonement – sprinkled blood and Scapegoat:

judgment and final disposition of all sin  (Leviticus 16; Daniel 8; Hebrews 9:24-28)

Feast of Tabernacles – living in booths:
temporary living conditions while enroute to Canaan  (Leviticus 23:42, 43)
thanksgiving feast following completed harvest  (Exodus 23:16)
we are pilgrims on this earth traveling to our heavenly home  (Hebrews 11:13-16)

there will be a great celebration when we get to heaven  (Revelation 19:7-9)

(*This is according to Hebrew tradition and the Jews celebrate it with this in mind. It is not mentioned in the Bible but is very plausible in the context of the verses cited. The Israelites arrived at Sinai in the beginning of the third month and a few days later God spoke to them from the top of the mountain.)

Timing

Some holidays are celebrated on a specific date each year because that is the date an event occurred that the day commemorates. It would lose its significance if it was observed at any random time.

Flag Day – June 14 – commemorates the adoption of the U.S. Flag in 1777

Independence Day – July 4 – commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776

Veterans Day – November 11 – commemorates the end of World War I in 1918 and celebrates the service of all military veterans

Pearl Harbor Day – December 7 – commemorates the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese in 1941

If someone decided to celebrate Independence Day in February or October, we would think it rather strange and would probably remonstrate with them about the proper time.

In the same way, God specified when His people should celebrate His great acts of Creation and Redemption. If they are not observed at the times He gave, they lose much of their significance.

Sabbath – the 7th day of every week

Passover – the 14th day of the first month

Unleavened Bread – the 15th through 21st days of the first month

Wave Sheaf – the 16th day of the first month

Pentecost – 50 days after Wave Sheaf (the 6th day of the third month)

Trumpets – the 1st day of the seventh month

Atonement – the 10th day of the seventh month

Tabernacles – the 15th through 22nd days of the seventh month

Is it okay to observe the Sabbath whenever we feel like it or to ignore it completely? Is it okay to choose another time for the other Festivals God has given or ignore them altogether? or to celebrate the festivals established by God’s enemy?

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD’S passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.   . . . These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, . . . every thing upon his day:  Leviticus 23:1-6, 37

Posted on

What does God ask for?

The significance of the Jewish economy is not yet fully comprehended. Truths vast and profound are shadowed forth in its rites and symbols. The gospel is the key that unlocks its mysteries. Through a knowledge of the plan of redemption, its truths are opened to the understanding. Far more than we do, it is our privilege to understand these wonderful themes. We are to comprehend the deep things of God. Angels desire to look into the truths that are revealed to the people who with contrite hearts are searching the word of God, and praying for greater lengths and breadths and depths and heights of the knowledge which He alone can give.  Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 133

In studying the various sacrifices and offerings that are described in the Torah, I noticed a detail that is repeated several times. All of the principle Sacrifices included the following specification (with minor variations):

And he shall take off from it all the fat of the bullock for the sin offering; the fat that covereth the inwards, and all the fat that is upon the inwards, And the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver (in many translations “the lobe of the liver”), with the kidneys, it shall he take away, as it was taken off from the bullock of the sacrifice of peace offerings: and the priest shall burn them upon the altar of the burnt offering. And the skin of the bullock, and all his flesh, with his head, and with his legs, and his inwards, and his dung, even the whole bullock shall he carry forth without the camp unto a clean place, where the ashes are poured out, and burn him on the wood with fire: where the ashes are poured out shall he be burnt.  Leviticus 4:8-12

Certain body parts were to be removed from the sacrificial animal and burned on the Altar while the rest of the animal was burned outside the camp. These specifications are mentioned for the Peace Offering (Leviticus 3), the Sin Offering (Leviticus 4), the Trespass Offering (Leviticus 7), and various offerings that were part of the Priest dedication services (Exodus 29, Leviticus 8, 9)

As I pondered this, I thought there must be special significance and symbolism involved with these body parts that were removed and burned on the Altar. When something was burned on the Altar, it was called “a sweet savour unto the LORD,” like something given directly to God.

And Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt sacrifice, which is upon the wood that is on the fire: it is an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the Lord.  Leviticus 3:5

All of the sacrifices pointed forward to what Christ did and all the details are to help us understand the meaning of His sacrifice. They also represent something that should happen in our lives when we give ourselves to God. He was our Substitute, dieing for us so we don’t have to die for our sins. But we have to die to our sin, break our connection with it, be crucified with Christ in our mind and heart, so we can be connected to Him, married to Him, through faith.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:20

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  Romans 12:1

So what does this sacrifice symbolize regarding our relationship with God?
The Fat –

The people were never to eat the fat of an animal. (Leviticus 3:16) God claimed it as His just like He claimed the tithe (Leviticus 27:30). It symbolized abundance, excess, luxury, and in a certain sense, the choicest part of the sacrificial animal. The Hebrew word for “fat” is also translated “best” and “finest.”

from Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary: fat

H2459    cheleb che^leb   kheh’-leb, khay’-leb

From an unused root meaning to be fat; fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence the richest or choice part: – X best, fat (-ness), X finest, grease, marrow.

All the best (H2459) of the oil, and all the best (H2459) of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the Lord, them have I given thee. Numbers 18:12

He should have fed them also with the finest (H2459) of the wheat: And with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.  Psalm 81:16

When the body takes in more food than is needed, the excess is stored as fat. Giving God the fat can symbolize two basic concepts:

1) give Him our best

But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.  Leviticus 22:20

And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it now unto thy governor; Will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts.  Malachi 1:8

Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.  John 12:3

2) don’t keep for ourselves more than is required for basic needs. This reminds me of the parable Jesus told in Luke 12:15-20 about the rich farmer who thought he needed more storage capacity for his harvest. God did not approve of his plans and Jesus made a strong point in the next verse.

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.  Luke 12:21

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  Matthew 6:19-21

The Kidneys –

The kidneys seem to represent guidance, destiny. The Hebrew word for kidneys is often translated in the KJV as “reins.”

from Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary: kidneys

H3629   kilya^h   kil-yaw’

Feminine of H3627 (only in the plural); a kidney (as an essential organ); figuratively the mind (as the interior self): – kidneys, reins.

For thou hast possessed my reins: (H3629) Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.  Psalm 139:3

The rider holds the reins to control what the horse does and where it goes.

A man’s heart deviseth his way: But the Lord directeth his steps.   Proverbs 16:9

Jesus very purposely submitted to His Father’s will rather than His own.

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Matthew 26:39

Giving the kidneys to God symbolizes obedience, submission to His will and control.

The Liver –

The liver seems to represent honor. The Hebrew word for liver comes from the word for honor.

from Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary: liver

H3516   ka^be^d   kaw-bade’

The same as H3515; the liver (as the heaviest of the viscera): – liver.

H3515   ka^be^d   kaw-bade’

From H3513; heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid): – (so) great, grievous, hard (-ened), (too) heavy (-ier), laden, much, slow, sore, thick.

H3513   ka^bad ka^be^d   kaw-bad, kaw-bade’

A primitive root; to be heavy, that is, in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively to make weighty (in the same two senses): – abounding with, more grievously afflict, boast, be chargeable, X be dim, glorify, be (make) glorious (things), glory, (very) great, be grievous, harden, be (make) heavy, be heavier, lay heavily, (bring to, come to, do, get, be had in) honour (self), (be) honourable (man), lade, X more be laid, make self many, nobles, prevail, promote (to honour), be rich, be (go) sore, stop.

Honor (H3513) thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.  Exodus 20:12

We are to give God glory and honor. How can we do anything less? He is the Ruler of the universe yet He loves us, He wants to save us. He is so great and we are so insignificant, yet He wants us to live with Him for eternity. He certainly deserves all of our praise and honor.

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.  Revelation 5:12

Not the heart? –

It is interesting to note that the heart of the sacrificial animal is never mentioned as being separated and burned on the Altar. The Hebrew concept was that the heart was the deep center of thinking, the understanding, the deepest inner desires and feelings.

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: But a good word maketh it glad.  Proverbs 12:25

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5, 6

Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:  Matthew 15:18, 19

We often speak of the heart in a similar way even though we know that all these things actually happen in our brain. God does not take control of our mind without our consent. We are free moral agents. He wants us to think in harmony with Him but He allows us to choose.

The Spirit of God does not interfere with the freedom of the human agent. The Holy Spirit is given to be a helper, so that the human agent may cooperate with the divine intelligences; and it is its province to draw the soul, but never to force obedience. . . . The Holy Spirit will bring the God-entrusted capabilities into Christ’s service, and will mold and fashion the human agent according to the divine Pattern, in proportion as the human agent shall earnestly desire the transformation.   The Youth’s Instructor, July 5, 1894

. . . choose you this day whom ye will serve;  . . . Joshua 24:15

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:  Deuteronomy 30:19

A Learning Experience –

God gave the Ceremonial Law as part of His Covenant to save His people. But it was not merely a set of rules to demand certain pious actions; not just a complex system to test their willingness to obey and their ability to follow directions. These sacrifices, with their specifications, were carefully designed by God to be a teaching method, an acted parable or metaphor. God wanted His people to be able to comprehend the various aspects of sin and atonement, to understand their true condition, what He wanted to do for them, and what they needed to do to cooperate with Him.

The sacrifices where these parts were separated and burned were either for the purpose of reconciliation or to express friendship and peace with God. They were to facilitate Atonement “AT-ONE-ment” with God. To be AT-ONE is to be in harmony with God. The fact that He specifically commanded these things teaches that He claims a right to them. Burning the fat, kidneys, and liver illustrated the concept that true harmony with God can only happen when we give Him our best, when we are totally obedient to His will, and when we glorify and honor Him as He so richly deserves.

As a golden treasure, truth was entrusted to the Jewish nation. The Jewish economy, bearing the signature of heaven, was instituted by the great teacher, Jesus Christ. In types and shadows, important truths and mysteries that needed an interpreter, were veiled. The shadow pointed to the substance; and when Jesus came to our world, it was to let spiritual light shine forth. Hear, O heavens! and be astonished, O earth! The appointed instructor was no less a personage than the only begotten Son of God. God was revealed in Christ. He made plain the treasures of truth.   The Christian Educator, 08-01-97

The opinion is widely held, that the sacrifices and offerings of the Hebrews possess no significance for Christians, and can be of no interest to them. This opinion is without foundation. It is true that the ceremonies of the Mosaic law are not now to be observed; but, when rightly understood, they are seen to be all aglow with sacred and important truths. These rites, appointed by Jehovah himself, were like so many beacons to light up the path of God’s ancient people, and to direct their minds to the great sacrifice to be offered for the sins of men. Viewed in the light of the cross, they contain most precious lessons for the people of God today.  Review and Herald, 01-09-83

As we gather up the divine rays shining from the gospel, we shall have a clearer insight into the Jewish economy, and a deeper appreciation of its important truths. Our exploration of truth is yet incomplete. We have gathered up only a few rays of light. Those who are not daily students of the Word will not solve the problems of the Jewish economy. They will not understand the truths taught by the temple service. The work of God is hindered by a worldly understanding of his great plan. The future life will unfold the meaning of the laws that Christ, enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, gave to his people.   Spaulding-Magan Collection, p. 306

I want to encourage you to be a daily student of the Word. Give yourself to God as a living sacrifice. Give Him your best, live by His will, give Him the glory and honor He deserves.

Posted on

Body Language

Holiness is not rapture: it is an entire surrender of the will to God; it is living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God; it is doing the will of our heavenly Father; it is trusting God in trial, in darkness as well as in the light; it is walking by faith and not by sight; it is relying on God with unquestioning confidence, and resting in His love.  The Acts of the Apostles, p. 51

As I pondered this paragraph, I thought, “I claim to be a Christian. I profess to belong to God. Because of those assertions, we can expect that I am doing what He wants. This paragraph describes what God wants in my life. He wants me to be holy and this describes what holiness looks like. Is this happening in my life? If someone followed me around every moment of my life, public and private, not just for one day but month after month for years, would they see this?” (Incidentally, Someone is watching us constantly. What does He see?)

I can profess anything. I can say I believe any number of spiritual ideas or principles, but what do I actually do? If I say, “I believe that God is able to take care of me in any circumstance.” but I worry and fret when something difficult comes along, what I really believe is “God can’t handle this. I’ll have to take care of it myself.” If I say, “I believe God wants me to have a pure mind and character.” but I watch and listen to anything that comes along in the media, what I really believe is, “God doesn’t really care. I can do anything I want.” What I do expresses and demonstrates what I really believe.

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.  James 2:18

If my faith is real, it will have an affect on how I think, how I respond to my circumstances, how I live my everyday life. My faith will be revealed in what I do. Like James says here, “Faith is demonstrated by works.” I live out my faith in my actions. If it doesn’t show, it isn’t very real. My body language, my everyday activity, indicates what I really believe.

A person will manifest all the faith he has. . . . He will be seeking the power that God alone can give; and the matter of most importance to him will be to see that he has a living connection with Heaven, that he may do his duty to his fellow-men, and to his God.   Signs of the Times, September 9, 1889

They love God and the truth just as much as their works show, and no more. A man will act out all the faith he has. “By their fruits ye shall know them.” The heart is where the treasure is. Their treasure is upon this earth, and their heart and interests are here.  Review and Herald, February 23, 1886

Do you believe that the end of all things is at hand, that the scenes of this earth’s history are fast closing? If so, show your faith by your works. A man will show all the faith he has. Some think they have a good degree of faith, when if they have any, it is dead, for it is not sustained by works.  Testimonies for the Church, Vol. `1, p. 704

. . . I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Revelation 3:1

How significant is body language? Researchers may give varying percentages comparing the importance of verbal and non-verbal communication but in general, the words I use will convey only about one-fourth of the total message I give. Three-fourths of what I communicate is in my “body language,” in what I look like when I am saying something. When there is inconsistency between my words and my actions, the message of my actions overrides the message of my words.

Holiness is the fruit of faith. It is not just an internal thing. It is not merely thinking about, or talking about, what is good and right; it is living what is good and right.

What does holiness look like? Let’s ponder that opening paragraph point by point:

Holiness is:

1) an entire surrender of the will to God: When God indicates that He wants change in a certain area of my life, either to do something different or to stop doing something that I have been doing (and probably enjoyed) or any number of other things that involve change and growth and character development, do I submit and cooperate? Do I choose His will over mine regardless of how I feel about it?

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.  Matthew 26:39

2) living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God: Moses exhorted the Israelites with this concept (Deuteronomy 8:3) to help them understand that their life should not be guided by their appetite. (Appetite is more than what your stomach says to you. It includes all your wants and wishes, good and otherwise.) Jesus spoke of this later (Matthew 4:4) in the context of Satan’s temptation to relieve His hunger in a way that His Father had not authorized. Do I turn to God to find out what He says and what He wants in my life rather than just making choices based on what my body or mind crave?

3) doing the will of our heavenly Father: This follows #1 above. God has given me the privilege and responsibility to choose how I will order my life. Do I choose to want what God wants and then choose to do what He wants? He provides all the help that is needed in both of those areas.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

4) trusting God in trial, in darkness as well as in the light: When God allows difficult circumstances in my life; when I am going through something that is frustrating or painful and I cannot understand how any good can come from it, do I still trust His wisdom (Proverbs 3:5, 6) and His thoughts (plans) of peace for a future hope (Jeremiah 29:11)? Do I hold on to His promise that all things will work together for my ultimate good (Romans 8:28) even though everything currently looks like a disaster? Will I respond like Job?

What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.  Job 2:10

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:  Job 13:15

5) walking by faith and not by sight: Faith looks at invisible, eternal, heavenly factors in making decisions rather than merely the visible, tangible, current elements of a situation. Do I order my life according to the eyes of faith or according to what my senses tell me?

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:18

6) relying on God with unquestioning confidence: Here again I see how faith–that total trust in God’s goodness and wisdom and power–must be the consistent framework around how I order my life and how I respond to my circumstances. One of the principles that governed the life of Moses and made him a great man and an outstanding leader was his reliance on God for the solution to everything that came his way–complaints, dilemmas, guidance, etc. Do I turn to God for direction before I get input from other people? Do I rely on Him more than on myself or others for wisdom and strength? Do I trust that whatever I am going through will be okay for me because it has been allowed by His omnipotence?

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.  Daniel 3:16-18

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  Philippians 4:11-13

7) resting in His love: If I am ordering my life according to God’s will and ways; if I continue to trust Him and turn to Him no matter what my circumstances are, I can relax and rest and have peace in my soul all through life.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Romans 8:6

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7

These are seven characteristics of the body language of a true Christian. They will be seen in my life consistently if I am what I profess to be.

A MAN WILL ACT OUT ALL THE FAITH HE HAS

What does your body language say?