Some insightful words from Pastor John Grossboll of Steps to Life.
http://www.stepstolife.org/php/view_article.php?article_id=2218
Some Helpful History on the Church Manual
>
> Verbatim account as reported in the R & H of Nov. 20-27, 1883
>
> Compiled by A. Keith Anderson. All emphases and expressions in brackets by
> compiler.
>
> Review and Herald, November 20, 1883 (Report on the GC)
>
> “FOURTH MEETING, Nov. 9, at 3:00pm
>
> “At the last annual session of the Conference, it was recommended that a
> manual of instructions to church officers be prepared, and a committee [J.O.
> Corliss, W.H. Littlejohn, H.A. St. John] was appointed to consider the
> matter and report at this session. W.H. Littlejohn, the chairman of the
> committee, reported at this meeting that the committee had prepared a series
> of articles, containing instructions to church officers, which have been
> printed in the Review [June 5 to Aug. 28, 1883] under the title, “The Church
> Manual”. It was thought best to print them in the Review first, in order to
> give opportunity for examination and criticism before the matter should come
> up for final action at this session. After further remarks upon the subject
> by Elds. S.N. Haskell, G.I. Butler, H.A. St. John, and W.C. White, it was:
>
> “Voted, that the Chair appoint a committee of ten to act with the General
> Conference Committee in the examination and consideration of the
> churchmanual. This committee was announced as follows: W.C. White, H.
> Nicola, J.H. Cook, S.H. Lane, O.A. Olsen, M.H. Brown, R.F. Andrews, J.B.
> Goodrich, A.S. Hutchins, H.W. Decker.
>
> “SEVENTH MEETING, Nov. 12, at 3:00p.m.
>
> “The committee appointed to consider the matter of the church manual, made
> in substance the following report:
>
> “It is the unanimous judgment of the committee, that it would not be
> advisable to have a church manual. We consider it unnecessary because we
> have already surmounted the greatest difficulties connected with church
> organization without one, and perfect harmony exists among us on this
> subject. It would seem to many like a step toward the formation of a creed,
> or a discipline, other than the Bible, something we have always been opposed
> to as a denomination. If we had one, we fear many, especially those
> commencing to preach, would study it to obtain guidance in religious
> matters, rather than to seek for it in the Bible, and from the leadings of
> the Sprit of God, which would tend to their hindrance in genuine religious
> experience and in knowledge of the mind of the Spirit. It was in taking
> similar steps that other bodies of Christians first began to lose their
> simplicity and become formal and spiritually lifeless. Why should we imitate
> them? The committee feel, in short, that our tendency should be in the
> direction of simplicity and close conformity to the Bible, rather than in
> elaborately defining every point in church management and church ordinances.
>
> “On motion, this report with reference to the church manual was accepted
> unanimously (see article following). It was then also:
>
> “Voted, That the President [G.I. Butler] of the General Conference be
> requested to write an article for the Review, explaining the action of the
> Conference on the subject of the manual.”
>
> [The President’s article follows in entirety under the title “No Church
> Manual”]
>
> No Church Manual
> “The writer was requested by the recent General Conference to make a brief
> statement through the Review of the action taken in reference to the
> proposed church manual. For four or five years past, there has been with
> some of our brethren a desire to have some manual of directions for the use
> of young ministers and church officers, etc. It was thought that this would
> lead to uniformity in all parts of the field, and afford means of
> instruction to those who were inexperienced, and be very convenient in many
> respects. Steps were taken several years ago to prepare a manual, but for a
> time it was left unfinished. Last year, at the Rome Conference, the matter
> came up for consideration, and three brethren were appointed a committee to
> prepare a manual, and submit it to the Conference this year for its approval
> or rejection. During the past summer, the matter they have prepared has
> appeared in the Review, and has doubtless been well considered by its
> readers.
>
> “At the recent Conference a committee of thirteen leading brethren were
> appointed to consider the whole subject, and report. They did so, and
> unanimously recommended to the Conference that it was not advisable to have
> a church manual. Their reasons were briefly given in the report of
> Conference proceedings given in last week’s Review. The Conference acted
> upon this recommendation, and quite unanimously decided against having any
> manual. In doing so, they did not intend any disrespect to the worthy
> brethren who had labored diligently to prepare such a work. They had
> presented much excellent matter, and given many valuable directions
> concerning church ordinances, holding business meetings, and many other
> important questions, and had done as well, no doubt, as any others would
> have done in their place. The reasons underlying this action of the
> Conference were of a broader character. They relate to the desirability of
> any manual whatever.
>
> “The Bible contains our creed and discipline. It thoroughly furnishes the
> man of God unto all good works. What it has not revealed relative to church
> organization and management, the duties of officers and ministers, and
> kindred subjects, should not be strictly defined and drawn into our minute
> specifications for the sake of uniformity, but rather be left to individual
> judgment under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Had it been best to have a
> book of directions of this sort, the Spirit would doubtless have gone
> further, and “left on record with the stamp of inspiration upon it. Man
> cannot safely supplement this matter with his weak judgment. All attempts to
> do it in the past have proved lamentable failures. A variation of
> circumstances requires variation in action. God requires us to study
> important principles which he reveals in his word, but the minutiae in
> carrying them out he leaves to the individual judgment, promising heavenly
> wisdom in items of need. His ministers are constantly placed where they must
> feel their helplessness, and their need of seeking God for light, rather
> than go to any church manual for specific directions placed therein by other
> uninspired men. Minute specific directions tend to weakness, rather than
> power. They lead to dependence rather than self-reliance. Better make some
> mistakes and learn profitable lessons thereby, than to have our way all
> marked out for us by others, and the judgment have but a small field in
> which to reason and consider.
>
> “While brethren who have favored a manual have ever contended that such a
> work was not to be anything like a creed or a discipline, or to have
> authority to settle disputed points, but was only to be considered as a book
> containing hints for the help of those of little experience, yet it must be
> evident that such a work, issued under the auspices of the General
> Conference, would at once carry with it much weight of authority, and would
> be consulted by most of our younger ministers. It would gradually shape and
> mold the whole body; and those who did not follow it would be considered out
> of harmony with established principles of church order. And, really, is this
> not the object of the manual? And what would be the use of one if not to
> accomplish such a result? But would this result, on the whole, be a benefit?
> Would our ministers be broader, more original, more self-reliant men? Could
> they be better depended on in great emergencies? Would their spiritual
> experiences likely be deeper and their judgment more reliable? We think the
> tendency all the other way.
>
> “The religious movement in which we are engaged has the same influences to
> meet which all genuine reformations have had to cope with. After reaching a
> certain magnitude, they have seen the need of uniformity, and to attain to
> it they have tried to prepare directions to guide the inexperienced. These
> have grown in number and authority till, accepted by all, they really become
> authoritative. There seems to be no logical stopping place, when once
> started upon this road, till this result is reached. Their history is before
> us. We have no desire to follow it. Hence we stop without a church manual
> before we got started. Our brethren who have favored such a work, we presume
> never anticipated such a conclusion as we have indicated. Very likely, those
> in other denominations did not at first. The Conference thought best not to
> give even the appearance of such a thing.
>
> “Thus far we have got along well with our simple organization without a
> manual. Union prevails throughout the body. The difficulties before us, so
> far as organization is concerned, are far less than those we have had in the
> past. We have preserved simplicity, and have prospered in so doing. It is
> best to let well enough alone. For these and other reasons, the church
> manual was rejected. It is probable it will never be brought forward again.”
>
> Note: A church manual was published 49 years later in 1932.
>
What is a Congregational Church?
In recent times we have seen a movement away from the large high organizational bodies in Protestantism to more simpler modes of church organization. Some have gone by what is called the congregational model. What does it mean historically and in contemporary times to become congregational.
“Congregational churches are ProtestantChristian churches practicing congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs.
Many Congregational churches claim their descent from the original Congregational churches, a family of Protestant denominations formed on a theory of union published by the theologian Robert Browne in 1592 and arising from the Nonconformist religious movement in England during the Puritan reformation. In Great Britain, the early congregationalists were called separatists or independents to distinguish themselves from the similarly CalvinisticPresbyterians, and some congregationalists there still call themselves "Independents".
According to the congregationalist theory of the history of the Christian Church, the early disciples of Jesus had little or no organization. Congregationalists believe that in the centuries after the spread of Christianity, attempts to gain influence over all the churches were made by leaders in centers like Rome, Antioch, Alexandria, Byzantium, and Jerusalem. Typically, congregationalists view this supposed accumulation of power to be complete by the year AD 1000, with the bishop of Rome claiming authority over all Christendom, and many churches throughout the western part of Europe submitted to his authority. The churches of eastern Europe, all of Asia, and Egypt likewise had been gathered under a hierarchy of bishops, but retained their independence from the pope, according to this view.
Congregationalists sympathetically interpret various dissident movements among the western churches, that were suppressed throughout the Middle Ages. By the sixteenth century, political and cultural changes had created a climate in which the Roman church could no longer suppress the protests of men such as John Wycliffe, John Hus, Martin Luther, and John Calvin against church abuses. These reformers advocated a return to the simplicity and sincerity they saw described in the New Testament Church, which congregationalists believe is fulfilled in the congregationalist model of church governance.
There are difficulties in identifying a specific beginning because Congregationalism is more easily identified as a movement than a single denomination, given its distinguishing commitment to the complete autonomy of the local congregation. The idea that each distinct congregation fully constitutes the visible Body can, however, be traced to John Wyclif and the Lollard movement which followed after Wyclif was removed from teaching authority in the Roman Catholic Church.” Taken from Wikipedia.
Congregational Churches are patterned after the new testament model of fulfilling the gospel commission. The Church in Antioch is one example. When shared needs or conflicts arise among churches that share a message and an identity, there are times when these churches come together to advise and not to dictate. (See Acts 15). However these churches were independently operated and governed. These were congregational in nature.
Local Church ordains ministers:
“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabus, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. Acts 13:1-4
Local Church may possess individual gifts:
“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabus, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch and Saul.” Acts 13:1
Local Church has individual schools and educates its members:
“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers;”Acts 13:1
Local Church hires Pastors and ministers:
“Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple: and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” 1 Cor. 9:13,14
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” 1 Cor. 3:16
The local church was identified as the temple of God, and the minister at that altar was supposed to live of the things of the temple.
Local Church sends forth missionaries.
“And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea Which also they did and sent it to the elders by the hand of Barnabus and Saul.” Acts 11: 27-30.
Local Church organizes and governs itself
“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every City as I had appointed thee.” Titus 1:5
Paul did not govern this church in Crete, neither any higher body. Titus was supposed to “set in order” based on the local needs. And every church that Titus would start in Crete, Elders would be ordained to organize those churches.
It is said by many church leaders in some of the more hierarchy style bodies, that congregational churches would never get the gospel out to the world, and that a higher body is needed to facilitate this. This certainly did not pose a difficulty for the new testament series of congregational bodies, which “preached the gospel to every creature under heaven.” Hierarchial organization always stagnate. But movements of congregational bodies carry forward the gospel through simple means and organization, and not by hierarchy systems.
It is in this same spirit that Ellen White states:
“God has instructed me to say to conference presidents and to ministers. Teach every church in the Conference to look to God for an understanding of present truth and duty. The Lord has not placed upon presidents or ministers the responsibilities of the position that He alone, as head of His church, can occupy. Church and conference organization do not give man any such responsibility.” {LLM 221.1}
In congregational settings Christ “alone” is to be the Head.
The exercise of authority has been carried to such extremes that it is now time to call a halt; for church members are receiving a false education. A mistake has been made that should be corrected before it is too late. Those who dare to accept responsibilities that are contrary to the Gospel plan are in a dangerous place. They need to see its course of action in its true light. Their permissions and their forbiddings have fostered wrong ideas regarding the responsibility that individuals should carry, and have led believers to look to man instead of looking to God. {LLM 221.3}
Brethren, the Lord will bless you in an effort to break up this wrong influence. Ministers will become weak and unChristlike if they continue to encourage this kind of work. God is to be the strength and wisdom of His people. Man power is not to rule the church of Christ. {LLM 221.4}
Article by Pastor Eric Betts
The Seven Thunders and the Mystery of God
Present Truth Bible School, Pastor Eric Betts Page 1 of 3
Sabbath June 28, 2007 Worship Service Revelation 10:3-4, 7 3
And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. 7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
The seven thunders were fulfilled under the 1st and 2nd angels messages and under the parable of the 10 virgins in 1844.
Review and Herald When the third angel's message is preached as it should be, power attends its proclamation, and it becomes an abiding influence. It must be attended with divine power, or it will accomplish nothing. I am often referred to the parable of the ten virgins, five of whom were wise, and five foolish. This parable has been and will be fulfilled to the very letter, for it has a special application to this time, and, like the third angel's message, has been fulfilled and will continue to be present truth till the close of time. In the parable, the ten virgins had lamps, but only five of them had the saving oil with which to keep their lamps burning. This represents the condition of the Church. The wise and the foolish have their Bibles, and are provided with all the means of grace; but many do not appreciate the fact that they must have the heavenly unction. They do not heed the invitation, "Come unto me, all ye that labor 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." {RH, August 19, 1890, 3}
What happens when the 7th angel begins to sound? Revelation 11:15, 19 Way in into the Most Holy Place of the Heavenly Sanctuary is made, which was fullfilled at the end of the 2300 years of Dan. 8:14 in 1844
How is it that the mystery of God will be complete under the 3rd angels message? Revelation 14:9, 12 -The Message of the commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus.
What do God’s commandments and the faith of Jesus have to do with the mystery of God being finished? Galatians 2:20 When Christ lives in us we live by the faith of the Son of God, which fulfills the 3rd angels message What does this have to do with the mystery of God being fulfilled? Colossians 1:26-27 The mystery of God is experienced by Christ living in us … " the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles" We are living in the time of the finishing of this message The message of the 3rd angel is the message of victory over sin Romans 8:1-4. When Christ is in us we are made free from the law of sin and death When we’re in Christ His righteousness is fulfilled in us Romans 8:10 When we respond to the love of God, we come into Christ and He in us
The Seven Thunders and the Mystery of God
Present Truth Bible School, Pastor Eric Betts Page 2 of 3
How do we respond to the love of Christ? Romans 2:4 Repentance (a change, turning around, reversal) begins when a person responds to the love of Christ. We have no power in ourselves to confess and repent, it is by God’s goodness. How do we respond to that goodness? Psalm 100:105 We enter His gates with thanksgiving and praise. The sanctuary represents Christ Himself and illustrates the plan of salvation. What is the thing that causes the sinner to sorrow and confess? Zechariah 12:10 The innocence of the Lamb. When we look on Him whom we have pierced, we shall mourn for Him, leading to repentance Acts 5:31 Repentance and confession is poured upon us by the spirit of grace and supplication because the goodness of God has led us to repentance.
What is our duty once we’ve confessed our sin? To by faith believe that our sins have been forgiven and believe upon the work of Christ on our behalf Hebrews 10:19-20. We don’t wait to be perfect before coming to Christ because we can’t cleanse ourselves, God draws us to Him by His Spirit and is even willing to reason with us Isaiah 1:18 We enter into the Most Holy Place by faith, by Christ Hebrews 10:21-23.
Where does the washing and sprinkling take place? At the laver we are cleansed and enter in by faith to the Holiest Hebrews 10:24-25 We enter in with boldness, through Christ, with full faith in what Christ has done and is doing in our behalf, a full assurance of faith This faith is a fulfillment of the 3rd angels message (Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus) Hebrews 7:25.
Where is the intercession made? In the 2nd compartment of the sanctuary Hebrews 7:26 What does it mean to be holy, harmless and undefiled? Romans 6:22 Holiness is freedom from sin Christ enters in the Holiest, as our intercessor, holy, harmless and undefiled When Christ is in us, He is in us holy harmless and undefiled Because of this we have faith to enter in, knowing we’ve been cleansed God’s goodness leads us to repentance This is the experience that God is giving to those who will give the loud cry at the end of time
The Seven Thunders and the Mystery of God
Present Truth Bible School, Pastor Eric Betts Page 3 of 3
Christian Experience and Teachings of Ellen G. White We all went under the tree, and sat down to look at the glory of the place, when Brethren Fitch and Stockman, who had preached the gospel of the kingdom, and whom God had laid in the grave to save them, came up to us and asked us what we had passed through while they were sleeping. We tried to call up our greatest trials, but they looked so small compared with the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory that surrounded us, that we could not speak them out, and we all cried out, "Alleluia! heaven is cheap enough!" and we touched our glorious harps and made heaven's arches ring. {CET 61.1} Early Writing Page 17: Brethren Fitch and Stockman.-- In the account of her first vision Mrs. White makes reference to "Brethren Fitch and Stockman" as men she met and conversed with in the New Jerusalem. Both were ministers with whom Ellen White had been acquainted and who had taken an active part in proclaiming the message of the expected advent of Christ, but who had died shortly before the disappointment of October 22, 1844. {ew 298.3} Charles Fitch, a Presbyterian minister, accepted the advent message from reading William Miller's lectures and through his meeting with Josiah Litch. He threw himself wholeheartedly into the proclamation of the expected advent of Christ at the close of the 2300-year period, and became a prominent leader in the advent awakening. In 1842 he designed the prophetic chart used so effectively and referred to in early writings on page 74. He died a little more than a week before October 22, 1844. His death came about through illness contracted through over-exposure in conducting three baptismal services on a chilly autumn day. (see Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4, pp. 533-545.) {ew 298.4} Levi F. Stockman was a youthful Methodist minister of the state of Maine who in 1842, with about thirty other Methodist ministers, embraced and began to preach the second advent of Christ. He was laboring in Portland, Maine, when in 1843 his health failed. He died of tuberculosis on June 25, 1844. It was to him that Mrs. White, as a girl, went for advice when in her discouragement god spoke to her in two dreams. (see Early Writings, pp. 12, 78-81; Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4, pp. 780-782.) {ew 298.5 Those who will give the loud cry at the end of time will proclaim the message of victory over sin In order for Christ to abide in us, we must abide in Him by responding to His love.
Charles Fitch was a Presbyterian, before he became a Millerite. He was cast out of the Presbyterian Church because he believed in the message of Victory over Sin in Christ. Therefore God could use him in the Advent Movement, because they all believed in that message. Only those who embrace that message at the end of time, will give the loud cry, as those who embraced that message in the 1840's gave the midnight cry. It is this sense that the parable of the Ten virgins will be repeated.
Daniel 12:7 “And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.”
Who are the holy people of God?
Isaiah 4: 1-3 It’s those whose names are written in Jerusalem among the living Who are the holy people of God? See also 1 Peter 2:9, 10 It’s those who are called out of darkness into his marvelous light and have obtained mercy.
What is darkness and light? And what does it mean to obtain mercy? Darkness is a lack of understanding---Psalms 82:5
Darkness is a lack of knowledge --- Proverbs 4:19
Both are associated with the wicked
Light is the word of God --- Psalms 119:105 Jesus is the light --- John 8:12; 12:35
The Law is light --- Proverbs 6:23
So, the holy people, who once were in darkness, were called out of darkness into His marvelous light means these people were once walking in the wicked way and lacked a knowledge and an understanding concerning the things of God….stumbling, not knowing whither they were going. They were called into a knowledge of the word of God, whose Author is Jesus, and all the scriptures testify of Jesus and His sin-free character. The law is an expression of the character of Christ. Because these people heeded the call from darkness into light, they obtained mercy.
What does it mean to obtain mercy? Isaiah 55:6, 7
To forsake our wicked ways and thoughts and to return to Christ
What does it mean that the holy people of the Lord would be scattered? How were the people scattered?
Jeremiah 23:1-4 Could it be because of neglect of the pastor?
What may have happened that caused the pastors to scatter the flock? Acts 20:28-30 Grevious Wolves enter
Who are the grievous wolves that will pervert?
Matthew 7:15-False Prophets;
John 10:12-Hirelings that neglect the Sheep of God; Paul did warn the church of his day, and the same warning is for us also.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. The Man of Sin acting as God in the church-The papacy
Daniel prophesied of it. Daniel 7:23-25-Thinking to change God's Law and persecutes
What else does it mean for the sheep to be scattered? Ezekiel 11:16-17 --- To go into captivity
Who brings them into captivity? Rev. 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity. The 42 month captivity of 1260 years of papal rule
Ezekiel 34:2-12 --- Pastors feeding themselves and not the flock, then there was no pastor at all! Why is that? Mark 14:27 The True Shepherd is smitten. Have Mercy!!! So the scattering must be 2 fold Grievous wolves have entered in with their perverted gospel
The Shepherd was smitten
How will God then feed His flock? Ezekiel 3:1-5 -Eating the scroll of Prophecy to give a warning message to the churches
How will the holy people be fed after the scattering?
Revelation 10:8-11 - The open book of Daniel is eaten and is sweet to the taste, but bitter to the belly. This occurs after the captivity and scattering of 1260 years of papal rule which began in 538AD and ended in 1798. The book then is open, and God's people begin to eat of the prophecies.(The bitter experience relates the the disappointment when Christ did not come in 1844 based on the time prophecy of Daniel 8:14. The 2300 day prophecy of Daniel 8:14 was explained correctly as far as time periods, but not the event.)
They will have to be fed with the prophecies of Daniel
What is the Power of the holy people? Revelation 11:2-4 It’s the 2 witnesses, the OT and NT, particularly the OT prophecies that are not yet fulfilled. Is there yet a famine in the land?
Could it be that Revelation 10:11 must happen, that the flock would be fed with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Angels messages
“The "time of trouble such as never was," is soon to open upon us; and we shall need an experience which we do not now possess, and which many are too indolent to obtain. It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal. In that time of trial, every soul must stand for himself before God.” GC 622.3 In order for us to be able to stand in that great crisis, we need to have an experience. This experience, in a great degree, is lacking among the people of God.
What is this experience?
Notice Ezekiel 14:13, 14; 19, 20.
“Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD….Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast: Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.”
We need to have the experience of Noah, Daniel and Job. Though these 3 men found themselves in trying circumstances, in a time of trouble, yet these men were delivered by their righteousness.
What was this righteousness that was theirs?
“In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jeremiah 23:6
The righteousness that was theirs was from the LORD. There is nothing good about us, we have no inherent righteousness. “…there is none righteous, no, not one” Romans 3:10. How was this righteousness obtained? How does this righteousness become ours? “For he made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” 2 Corinthians 5:21. Christ, who knew no sin, became sin….why? …that we, who are not righteous, might be righteous. Amen!! Praise be to God!!!
What was the experience and character of Noah, Daniel and Job and why were these men delivered?
Noah:
“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.” Hebrews 11:7. Noah was warned of God as we are warned in our day. Noah was warned of something that he could not see, we today see the approach of the national Sunday law. Noah moved with fear, today the church is asleep and steeped in selfishness while the great crisis draws near.
“And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” Genesis 7:1
Why was Noah delivered? Because he did righteousness! “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” 1 John 3:7.
Where can we find this righteousness that is of God?
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16, 17. Righteousness is revealed in the gospel, it is to be believed, it is to be obeyed.
What is righteousness?
“My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.” Psalms 119:172. Noah was keeping the commandments of God. Noah was “moved with fear”, he had a first angels message experience: “Fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgment is come…”Revelation 14:7
What does it mean to fear God? Of the many texts I could share, I’ll share this:
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1. To fear God is to perfect holiness, the way we do this is to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. The spirit, having to do with the mind, the flesh, dealing with the physical. We must guard well the avenues to the soul, we must avoid the very appearance of evil, we must partake of health reform, we must partake of dress reform, we must cease to do sin.
This was Noah’s experience, this is what enabled him to be delivered. It was the experience of the first angel. This experience must be ours, but in addition to this, we must have Daniel’s experience.
Daniel:
“And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king…But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” Daniel 1:5, 8
The experience of Daniel, was to forsake the wine of the king of literal Babylon. Our experience should be to forsake the wine of spiritual Babylon.
What is done with wine?
Wine, whether literal or spiritual, is ingested, or accepted into the body. When this is done, it has an effect upon the mind. What kind of effect? Notice:
“But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.” Isaiah 28:7
“Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.” Jeremiah 51:7
“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.” Proverbs 31:3, 4.
Wine causes one to err and stumble and to go out of the way; to be drunk or mad; to forget the law of God.
The message for us today is: “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication” Revelation 14:8
Daniel was delivered because he did not defile himself with the kings wine. Today, we are admonished not to drink from that golden cup in the hand of spiritual Babylon, that cup “…full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication” Revelation 17:5
What is in this cup? Purgatory
What is in this cup? Mass
What is in this cup? Immortality of the soul
What is in this cup? Confession to man
What is in this cup? Mary as intercessor
What is in this cup? Eternal torment
What is in this cup? Sunday sacredness
What is in this cup? Man in the place of God
What is in this cup? Spiritualism
This was Daniel’s experience, this is what enabled him to be delivered. It was the experience of the second angel. This experience must be ours, but in addition to Noah and Daniel, we must have the experience of Job.
Job:
“Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” James 5:10, 11
The experience of Job was the experience of patience. What does it mean to be patient? To suffer affliction. Suffering affliction is patient endurance. In Job’s experience he lost his children, his possessions, eventually is health, the support of his friends, but he patiently endured and was delivered. The people of God in the last days are going to have to endure through trials and difficulties “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Mark 13:13 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12. Having the experience of Noah, Daniel and Job will bring persecution, trial and affliction and during this time we MUST have patience. “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” Revelation 3:10
The experience of Job is the experience of the third angel… “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12. SDA’s will be persecuted because we will strive to keep ALL the commandments of God. We must endure affliction, hardship and trial through patient endurance. This was the experience of Job.
The experience of Noah, Daniel and Job is the experience of the 3 Angels Messages. If we do not have this experience, we cannot be delivered and spend eternity with Christ.
Should God's commandmentkeeping people, (in light of prophetic events) disregard the methodology he has given us to reach the world with the messages of Daniel and Revelation? Should we cease to give bible studies door to door, or should we simply tell men and women what "The Mark" is and move on? Should we build schools, churches, and sanitariums, or should we look at this as "too late in the game"? Should move our families to the most solitary places in the mountain areas? Believe or not there are many second coming believers who have embraced this pattern of thought. If not in the exact way I have described, then very close. However, the urgency of the times should not cause us to abandon the mission that God has given his people, and the program he has set forth. The urgency should not cause us to abandon the work of God in order to secure our earthly survival, but cause us to abandon selfishness and sin, in order to secure our heavenly home. This will give power to our efforts and hasten Christ's return. The Lord's servant tells us the following about making times of trouble beforehand.
"Many will look away from present duties, present comfort and blessings, and be borrowing trouble in regard to the future crisis. This will be making a time of trouble beforehand, and we will receive no grace for any such anticipated troubles.--3SM 383, 384 (1884). {LDE 17.3}
When the scene of sore conflict comes, we have learned the lesson of holy confidence, of blessed trust, and we place our hands in the hands of Christ, our feet on the Rock of Ages, and we are secure from storm, from tempest. We are to wait on our Lord. Jesus will be an ever-present help in every time of need.--Letter 11a, 1884. {3SM 383.4}
You inquire in regard to the course which should be pursued to secure the rights of our people to worship according to the dictates of our own conscience. This has been a burden on my soul for some time, whether it would be a denial of our faith, and an evidence that our trust was not fully in God. But I call to mind many things God has shown me in the past in regard to things of a similar character, as the draft [during the American Civil War] and other things. I can speak in the fear of God, it is right we should use every power we can to avert pressure that is being brought to bear upon our people. . . . {3SM 384.1}
[We are] not to provoke those who have accepted the spurious sabbath, an institution of the Papacy, in the place of God's holy Sabbath. Their not having the Bible arguments in their favor makes them all the more angry and determined to supply the place of arguments that are wanting in the Word of God by the power of their might. The force of persecution follows the steps of the dragon. Therefore great care should be exercised to give no provocation. And again, let us as a people, as far as We are not to be engrossed with speculations in regard to the times and the seasons which God has not revealed. Jesus has told His disciples to "watch," but not for definite time. His followers are to be in the position of those who are listening for the orders of their Captain; they are to watch, wait, pray, and work, as they approach the time for the coming of the Lord; but no one will be able to predict just when that time will come; for "of that day and hour knoweth no man." You will not be able to say that He will come in one, two, or five years, neither are you to put off His coming by stating that it may not be for ten or twenty years. . . . We are not to know the definite time either for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit or for the coming of Christ.--Review and Herald, March 22, 1892. {Ev 221.1}possible, cleanse the camp of moral defilement and aggravating sins. . . . {3SM 384.2}
All the policy in the world cannot save us from a terrible sifting, and all the efforts made with high authorities will not lift from us the scourging of God, just because sin is cherished. If as a people we do not keep ourselves in the faith and not only advocate with pen and voice the commandments of God, but keep
385 them every one, not violating a single precept knowingly, then weakness and ruin will come upon us. . . . "{3SM 384.3}
"We are not to be engrossed with speculations in regard to the times and the seasons which God has not revealed. Jesus has told His disciples to "watch," but not for definite time. His followers are to be in the position of those who are listening for the orders of their Captain; they are to watch, wait, pray, and work, as they approach the time for the coming of the Lord; but no one will be able to predict just when that time will come; for "of that day and hour knoweth no man." You will not be able to say that He will come in one, two, or five years, neither are you to put off His coming by stating that it may not be for ten or twenty years. . . . We are not to know the definite time either for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit or for the coming of Christ"--Review and Herald, March 22, 1892. {Ev 221.1}
"Talk of the speedy appearing of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Put not off that day. . . . {Mar 108.3}
Here is the great burden to be carried by each one. Are my sins forgiven? Has Christ, the burden-bearer, taken away my guilt? Have I a clean heart, purified by the righteousness of Jesus Christ? Woe be to any soul who is not seeking a refuge in Christ. Woe be to all who shall in any way divert the mind from the work, and cause any soul to be less vigilant now. . . . {Mar 108.4}
The great work from which the mind should not be diverted is the consideration of our personal standing in the sight of God. Are our feet on the Rock of Ages? Are we hiding ourselves in the only Refuge? The storm is coming, relentless in its fury. Are we prepared to meet it? Are we one with Christ as He is one with the Father? Are we heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ? ". . . {Mar 108.5}
"Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities about them in like manner giving themselves over to fornication and going after strange flesh are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." Jude 7
One of the things that is often overlooked in the case of Sodom and Gomorrah, is that everyone there was not practicing homosexuality. Since God gives us Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of how the world will end, then dont think for a moment that God is waiting for everybody to be a homosexual in order for the world to end. The thing that brought the fate of Sodom was not that everbody was doing it, but it was the permissive, and welcoming attitude by society that brought things to their end.
Many arguments are used today to justify such behavior, None of them hold up.
Argument # 1 We love each other.
The county office doesn't issue marriage liscence because you love each other, but because they see the need to hold men and women who have decided to unite, accountable.. Why? They bring children in the world. People get married all over the world for reasons that have nothing to do with love. Try arranged marriages, they happen to be most successful in the parts of the world where this happens.
Argument # 2 This is my rights, we are all equal
This is true, we are all equal. Everyone has the right to marry someone of the opposite sex. No one is deprived of this. "But I like the same sex" some may say. The fact that you like something else doesnt make you unequal in society.
Everyone has the right to vote, even if they dont vote. Even if they dont like the candidates.
Argument #3 Two Moms can raise a family
If everyone did this, families, communities, yes-even nations would cease to exist. If a civil society legitimizes such a thing, they would be authorizing their own extinction, or at least the potential. It would also state that fathers are obsolete when two women are sanctioned, and vice versa. Civil society by its own laws would be sanctioning the breakdown of the home. Children would suffer, and civil disorder and unrest would result. A man and a woman united is the building block of civilization.
Argument #4 I was born this way
No baby is born with sexual desire. However we are born with certain organs which functions for the purpose that in adulthood, on would join the opposite sex. Feelings and emotions are developed through life, all of which are not good, and examples bear out the fact that these can change. Organs do not change. Argument # 5 Same Sex couples are family too Families are based on geneological history. The family tree. Basketball teams love each other. They hug, bump chests, high five, but they are not a family. Geneology identifies who we are as a family. Medical history is factored into when treating disease, as well as geneology. In order for their to be a family tree, there has to be a man and a woman united, and to get an accurate account, they must be married. In the month of June 2008, California passed a law allowing same sex unions.
I
|
RSS Feed