Category: Christian Life

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The Bitter Cup

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man’s wife go aside, and commit a trespass against him, And a man lie with her carnally, and it be hid from the eyes of her husband, and be kept close, and she be defiled, and there be no witness against her, neither she be taken with the manner; And the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled: Then shall the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring her offering for her, the tenth part of an ephah of barley meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense thereon; for it is an offering of jealousy, an offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance. And the priest shall bring her near, and set her before the LORD: And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water: And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD, and uncover the woman’s head, and put the offering of memorial in her hands, which is the jealousy offering: and the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that causeth the curse: And the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say unto the woman, If no man have lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness with another instead of thy husband, be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse: But if thou hast gone aside to another instead of thy husband, and if thou be defiled, and some man have lain with thee beside thine husband: Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell; And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen. And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot them out with the bitter water: And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water that causeth the curse: and the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter. Then the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the woman’s hand, and shall wave the offering before the LORD, and offer it upon the altar: And the priest shall take an handful of the offering, even the memorial thereof, and burn it upon the altar, and afterward shall cause the woman to drink the water. And when he hath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband, that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her, and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people. And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive seed. This is the law of jealousies, when a wife goeth aside to another instead of her husband, and is defiled;   Numbers 5:12-29
When a wife was suspected of unfaithfulness (possibly because she was pregnant and her husband questioned whether the child was his, or anything in her behavior that raised suspicion in his mind), she was not killed as in cases of open adultery (Leviticus 20:10) because there were no witnesses (Deuteronomy 17:6). The husband would bring her to the Priest, along with a special offering of barley meal with no oil or frankincense, for the purpose of discovering the facts of the matter. Uriah could have done this with Bathsheba if he had survived to return from the war.
According to Jewish commentators, the Priest would first try to persuade the woman to confess. If she admitted that she was guilty, she was divorced from her husband and lost her dowry. If she still claimed innocence, the Priest would carry through with this procedure in order to be certain. It is very likely that the wife, knowing the seriousness of the consequences if she was actually guilty of infidelity, would probably confess before going through with this process.
The Priest would make a mixture of “bitter water,” combining holy water (probably from the Laver) and dirt from the floor of the Tabernacle in an earthen vessel. He would bring the woman before the Lord, uncover her head, put the offering of barley meal in her hand, and charge her by an oath that if she was innocent, nothing negative would happen to her, but if she was guilty, she would be cursed. She would respond by saying, “Amen, amen,” acknowledging the validity of the oath and accepting the inevitable consequences of the curse. He would write the curses in a book and erase them with the bitter water. After he had waved the offering before the Lord and offered part of it on the Altar, he would give her the bitter water to drink.
If she was innocent, everything would remain normal in regard to her child-bearing abilities and she would be cleared of all suspicion. If she was guilty, she would be struck with a serious disease process that would make her infertile (probably a serious cancer or something similar) or, if she was carrying an illegitimate child she would have a miscarriage and be infertile and cursed among the people. Divorce following this trial is not mentioned but we can assume that it was part of the retribution.
This Law of Jealousies was invoked when a wife was suspected of unfaithfulness. Naturally, she would deny it, but this was a situation that could not be trifled with. It was her husband’s right to know the truth and her obligation to let it be known. Since there were no witnesses to testify regarding her guilt or innocence, God Himself testified as a witness, the True Witness. Drinking the bitter water revealed her true character.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.   Psalm 139:23, 24
The Bitter Cup
There have been many times when God has given His people a bitter cup to drink, not in the sense of proving their guilt, but to reveal their true character – are they submissive and cooperative with a positive attitude or are they bitter and rebellious. The Bible tells us over and over how the saints have gone through difficulties that showed what they were really like.
Those things which seem to the Christian most grievous to be borne often prove his greatest blessing. Reproach and falsehood have ever followed those who were faithful in the discharge of duty. A righteous character, though blackened in reputation by slander and falsehood, will preserve the purity of its virtue and excellence. Trampled in the mire, or exalted to heaven, the Christian’s life should be the same, and the proud consciousness of innocence is its own reward. The persecution of enemies tests the foundation upon which the reputation really rests. Sooner or later it is revealed to the world whether or not the evil reports were true, or were the poisoned shafts of malice and revenge. Constancy in serving God is the only safe manner of settling such questions. Jesus would have his people use great care to give the enemies of his cause no ground to condemn their holy faith. No wrong action should cast a stigma upon its purity. When all arguments fail, the slanderers frequently open their galling fire upon the besieged servants of God; but their lying tongues eventually bring curses upon themselves. God will finally vindicate the right, honor the guiltless, and hide them in the secret of his pavilion from the strife of tongues.   The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 2, p. 212, 213
Character is revealed by a crisis. . . . Character is revealed by circumstances. Emergencies bring out the true metal of character. Some sudden and unlooked-for calamity, bereavement, or crisis, some unexpected sickness or anguish, something that brings the soul face to face with death, will bring out the true inwardness of the character. It will be made manifest whether or not there is any real faith in the promises of the word of God. It will be made manifest whether or not the soul is sustained by grace, whether there is oil in the vessel with the lamp. . . . Testing times come to all. How do we conduct ourselves under the test and proving of God?   Review and Herald, September 17, 1895
Job was accused by Satan of being a selfish hypocrite, so God allowed him to put Job through a severe test that clearly revealed his true character.
After losing all he had–
Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.   Job 1:20-22
After losing his health–
Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. 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 2:9, 10
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.   Job 13:15
Joseph had to endure the bitterness of hatred, slavery, and prison. Then he was pushed to the other extreme of high honor and great power.
From the dungeon Joseph was exalted to be ruler over all the land of Egypt. It was a position of high honor, yet it was beset with difficulty and peril. One cannot stand upon a lofty height without danger. As the tempest leaves unharmed the lowly flower of the valley, while it uproots the stately tree upon the mountaintop, so those who have maintained their integrity in humble life may be dragged down to the pit by the temptations that assail worldly success and honor. But Joseph’s character bore the test alike of adversity and prosperity. The same fidelity to God was manifest when he stood in the palace of the Pharaohs as when in a prisoner’s cell.    Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 222
When the request was brought to Jesus for James and John to have places of honor in His kingdom, He reminded them that there was a bitter cup to drink first.
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.   Matthew 20:20-23
Jesus bears tenderly with them, not rebuking their selfishness in seeking preference above their brethren. He reads their hearts, He knows the depth of their attachment to Him. Their love is not a mere human affection; though defiled by the earthliness of its human channel, it is an outflowing from the fountain of His own redeeming love. He will not rebuke, but deepen and purify. He said, “Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They recall His mysterious words, pointing to trial and suffering, yet answer confidently, “We are able.” They would count it highest honor to prove their loyalty by sharing all that is to befall their Lord.
“Ye shall drink indeed of My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with,” He said; before Him a cross instead of a throne, two malefactors His companions at His right hand and His left. John and James were to share with their Master in suffering; the one, first of the brethren to perish with the sword; the other, longest of all to endure toil, and reproach, and persecution.   The Desire of Ages, p. 548, 549
The majority of God’s people throughout history have had cups of varying bitterness to drink. It seems to be part of the standard procedure of character development. We also, in this modern time, will have to drink the bitter cup to reveal what we really are deep down inside.
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;   1 Peter 4:1
The Trial of Our Faith
In this time of trial we need to be encouraged and comforted by one another. The temptations of Satan are greater now than ever before, for he knows that his time is short and that very soon every case will be decided, either for life or for death. It is no time now to sink down beneath discouragement and trial; we must bear up under all our afflictions and trust wholly in the Almighty God of Jacob. The Lord has shown me that His grace is sufficient for all our trials; and although they are greater than ever before, yet if we trust wholly in God, we can overcome every temptation and through His grace come off victorious.
If we overcome our trials and get victory over the temptations of Satan, then we endure the trial of our faith, which is more precious than gold, and are stronger and better prepared to meet the next. But if we sink down and give way to the temptations of Satan, we shall grow weaker and get no reward for the trial and shall not be so well prepared for the next. In this way we shall grow weaker and weaker, until we are led captive by Satan at his will. We must have on the whole armor of God and be ready at any moment for a conflict with the powers of darkness. When temptations and trials rush in upon us, let us go to God and agonize with Him in prayer. He will not turn us away empty, but will give us grace and strength to overcome, and to break the power of the enemy. Oh, that all could see these things in their true light and endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus! Then would Israel move forward, strong in God, and in the power of His might.
God has shown me that He gave His people a bitter cup to drink, to purify and cleanse them. It is a bitter draught, and they can make it still more bitter by murmuring, complaining, and repining. But those who receive it thus must have another draught, for the first does not have its designed effect upon the heart. And if the second does not effect the work, then they must have another, and another, until it does have its designed effect, or they will be left filthy, impure in heart. I saw that this bitter cup can be sweetened by patience, endurance, and prayer, and that it will have its designed effect upon the hearts of those who thus receive it, and God will be honored and glorified. It is no small thing to be a Christian and to be owned and approved of God. . . .   Early Writings, p. 46, 47
What will happen when a bitter cup is handed to you?
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Religious Persecution and a Biblical Response

Type “Christian persecution” into your Google search and what you will find is rather astounding. Ponder these two news clips:

from (http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/17/world/christian-persecution-2015/)

Last year (2015) was the most violent for Christians in modern history, rising to “a level akin to ethnic cleansing,” according to a new report by Open Doors USA, a watchdog group that advocates for Christians.

In total, the survey found that more than 7,100 Christians were killed in 2015 for “faith-related reasons,” up 3,000 from the previous year, according to the group’s analysis of media reports and other public information as well as external experts.

from (http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/12/28/christians-persecuted-religion-world-according-new-study/)

Massimo Introvigne, Director of the Centre for Studies on New Religions (Cesnur), told Vatican Radio that around half a billion Christians in the world are unable to express their faith completely freely, while around 90,000 – one every six minutes – died for their faith in the past year alone. . . .

The statistics, due to be released next month, do offer some hope, however, as the number of Christians killed is down from 105,000 in 2015 – although, Mr Introvigne points out, they remain the most persecuted religious group on the planet.

In March, the Chaldean Bishop of Aleppo reported that in just five years of conflict, the Christian population of Syria has been reduced by two thirds from 1.5 million to just 500,000.

There are differences in statistics from one report to another because of differences in methods of reporting but the fact remains that Christians are suffering for their faith.

Religious persecution has been carried on almost continually through history since the time of the Apostles and we are told in Scripture that it will get worse as we near the end of time. As I pondered what I saw and read, I wondered, “How should we as Christians respond to this? What is the right thing to do when you, or others like you, are attacked because of your faith?” I would like to share an illustration from Jewish history that shows two opposite responses to persecution. First, a bit of background.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes was the king of the Seleucid (Greek) Empire from 175 BC until his death in 164 BC. He was very zealous for the Greek culture and religion, and made all other religions illegal including the Jewish religion. He started a campaign of intense persecution against the Jews trying to force them to become pagan like himself. He had people killed for honoring the Sabbath, for circumcising their newborn sons, for not eating pork, etc. He desecrated the Temple by erecting an altar to Zeus and then offering pig sacrifices on it. Here is part of the story from 1 Maccabees 2.

Then many that sought after justice and judgment went down into the wilderness, to dwell there: both they, and their children, and their wives; and their cattle; because afflictions increased sore upon them. Now when it was told the king’s servants, and the host that was at Jerusalem, in the city of David, that certain men, who had broken the king’s commandment, were gone down into the secret places in the wilderness, they pursued after them a great number, and having overtaken them, they camped against them, and made war against them on the sabbath day. And they said unto them, Let that which ye have done hitherto suffice; come forth, and do according to the commandment of the king, and ye shall live.

But they said, We will not come forth, neither will we do the king’s commandment, to profane the sabbath day. So then they gave them the battle with all speed. Howbeit they answered them not, neither cast they a stone at them, nor stopped the places where they lay hid; but said, Let us die all in our innocency: heaven and earth will testify for us, that ye put us to death wrongfully. So they rose up against them in battle on the sabbath, and they slew them, with their wives and children and their cattle, to the number of a thousand people.   1 Maccabees 2:29-38

Here we see one kind of response to persecution – passive non-resistance. The result – total annihilation. Other Jews took a different approach as we can see from the continuing narrative.

Now when Mattathias and his friends understood hereof, they mourned for them right sore. And one of them said to another, If we all do as our brethren have done, and fight not for our lives and laws against the heathen, they will now quickly root us out of the earth. At that time therefore they decreed, saying, Whosoever shall come to make battle with us on the sabbath day, we will fight against him; neither will we die all, as our brethren that were murdered in the secret places.

Then came there unto him a company of Assideans who were mighty men of Israel, even all such as were voluntarily devoted unto the law. Also all they that fled for persecution joined themselves unto them, and were a stay unto them. So they joined their forces, and smote sinful men in their anger, and wicked men in their wrath: but the rest fled to the heathen for succour.

Then Mattathias and his friends went round about, and pulled down the altars: and what children soever they found within the coast of Israel uncircumcised, those they circumcised valiantly. They pursued also after the proud men, and the work prospered in their hand. So they recovered the law out of the hand of the Gentiles, and out of the hand of kings, neither suffered they the sinner to triumph.   1 Maccabees 2:39-48

The sons of Mattathias carried on this aggressive resistance and went on to become the leaders and heroes of the famous Maccabean revolt that led to Jewish independence. One of their more famous exploits was when they destroyed the altar that Antiochus had set up and rededicated the Temple. Jews celebrate this event during their festival of Hanukkah (Nov./Dec.). This festival is mentioned in the Bible.

And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.   John 10:22

In our modern time, we hear of many instances where a “hate crime” or other incident of perceived prejudice, discrimination, or violence will happen to a member of a certain religious group and there will be an immediate response of protest and varying degrees of violence by other members of the group around the world. The leaders of the group have been pushing for international anti-blasphemy laws.

Should Christians respond like that when fellow believers are persecuted? What is an appropriate response when we are attacked because of our faith? Should we resist?   protest?   fight back?

We are told to do all we can to avert persecution by prayerfully, peacefully, and courteously attempting to maintain freedom and justice.

It is no time now to allow our minds to be engrossed with things of minor importance. While men are sleeping, Satan is actively arranging matters so that the Lord’s people may not have mercy or justice. The Sunday movement is now making its way in darkness. The leaders are concealing the true issue, and many who unite in the movement do not themselves see whither the undercurrent is tending. Its professions are mild and apparently Christian, but when it shall speak it will reveal the spirit of the dragon.

It is our duty to do all in our power to avert the threatened danger. We should endeavor to disarm prejudice by placing ourselves in a proper light before the people. We should bring before them the real question at issue, thus interposing the most effectual protest against measures to restrict liberty of conscience. We should search the Scriptures and be able to give the reason for our faith. Says the prophet: “The wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.”   Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 452

If ever we needed to manifest kindness and true courtesy, it is now. We may have to plead most earnestly before legislative councils for the right to worship God according to the dictates of conscience. Thus in His providence God has designed that the claims of His law shall be brought before men in positions of highest authority. But as we stand before these men, we are to show no bitterness of feeling. Constantly we are to pray for divine aid. It is God alone who can hold the four winds until His servants shall be sealed in their foreheads.   Selected Messages, Book 2, p. 375

But, when we have done all we can by peaceful and legal means, what should we do? There are many passages in the New Testament that describe persecution or predict that it will happen to God’s people. What example and counsel do we find there? It seems that Jesus and the New Testament writers, who all experienced a great deal of persecution personally, suggested two basic options when we are attacked because of our faith:

go somewhere else to avoid it if we can

or

accept it without complaint or retaliation.

The only instance I have found in the New Testament where persecution was resisted was when Paul was about to be scourged and he reminded those in charge that they would be breaking the law if they carried out their plans. (Acts 22:24-29) He understood his legal rights and hoped that the authorities would honor those rights. I suspect that he would not have made any further comment if they had proceeded with their intentions. There were plenty of other times when his rights were not respected and he accepted the situation without complaint.

What advice does our Guide Book give us?

A Biblical Response to Persecution

Expect it –

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;   Matthew 10:16, 17

And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.   Matthew 10:21, 22

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.   Matthew 24:9

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

For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.   Mark 13:19

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake.   Luke 21:12

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.   John 15:20

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.   John 16:33

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.   Acts 14:22

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;   Philippians 1:29

That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.   1 Thessalonians 3:3

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.   2 Timothy 3:12

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:   1 Peter 2:21

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;   1 Peter 4:1

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.   Revelation 2:10

And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. . . . And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.   Revelation 12:13, 17

Endure it patiently –

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.   Matthew 24:13

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;   Romans 12:12

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.   1 Corinthians 10:13

So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:   2 Thessalonians 1:4

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.   2 Timothy 2:3

Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.   2 Timothy 2:10

Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.   2 Timothy 3:11

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.   2 Timothy 4:5

For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.   1 Peter 2:19, 20

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.   1 Peter 4:19

Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.   James 5:10

The season of distress and anguish before us will require a faith that can endure weariness, delay, and hunger – a faith that will not faint though severely tried. The Great Controversy, p. 621

Endure it with a positive attitude –

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.   Matthew 5:10-12

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;   Matthew 5:44

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;   Romans 5:3

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.   Romans 12:14

And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:   1 Corinthians 4:12

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.   2 Corinthians 1:4

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;   2 Corinthians 4:17

But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,   2 Corinthians 6:4

Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.   2 Corinthians 7:4

How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.   2 Corinthians 8:2

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.   1 Thessalonians 5:15

So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:   2 Thessalonians 1:4

If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:   2 Timothy 2:12

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.   Hebrews 12:2, 3

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 5:11

But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;   1 Peter 3:14

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.   1 Peter 4:12-16

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.   Revelation 2:10

Don’t resist or retaliate –

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.   Matthew 5:38-42

And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.    Matthew 26:51, 52

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.   Romans 12:17-21

Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.   1 Corinthians 4:11-13

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.   1 Thessalonians 5:15

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:   1 Peter 2:21-23

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.   1 Peter 3:8-11

Show compassion toward others who suffer –

. . . but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; . . . 1 Corinthians 12:25, 26

Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate (sympathize in fellowship) with my affliction.   Philippians 4:14

The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.   Colossians 4:18

The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.   2 Timothy 1:16, 17

But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.   Hebrews 10:32-34

Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.   Hebrews 13:3

Look beyond the suffering –

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.   Matthew 5:10

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.   Romans 8:17

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.   Hebrews 11:24-26

. . . and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.   Hebrews 11:35-40

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.   Revelation 7:9-14

Flee when possible –

But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.   Matthew 10:23

Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.   Acts 11:19

But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still.   Acts 17:13, 14

SUMMARY:

A Biblical Response to Persecution

Expect it

Endure it Patiently

Endure it with a Positive Attitude

Don’t Resist or Retaliate

Show Compassion Toward Others Who Suffer

Look Beyond the Suffering

Flee When Possible

Here are some statements regarding persecution and suffering that I find hard to comprehend from my perspective as a comfortable, freedom-loving American. But, I am anticipating a time coming soon when I will understand more fully.

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

Persecution and reproach await all who are imbued with the Spirit of Christ. The character of the persecution changes with the times, but the principle – the spirit that underlies it – is the same that has slain the chosen of the Lord ever since the days of Abel.

In all ages Satan has persecuted the people of God. He has tortured them and put them to death, but in dying they became conquerors. They bore witness to the power of One mightier than Satan. Wicked men may torture and kill the body, but they cannot touch the life that is hid with Christ in God. They can incarcerate men and women in prison walls, but they cannot bind the spirit.

Through trial and persecution the glory – the character – of God is revealed in His chosen ones. The believers in Christ, hated and persecuted by the world, are educated and disciplined in the school of Christ. On earth they walk in narrow paths; they are purified in the furnace of affliction. They follow Christ through sore conflicts; they endure self-denial and experience bitter disappointments; but thus they learn the guilt and woe of sin, and they look upon it with abhorrence. Being partakers of Christ’s sufferings, they can look beyond the gloom to the glory, saying, “I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18.   The Acts of the Apostles, p. 576, 577

Where is the Kingdom?

Jesus made a significant point when He was talking to Pilate during His trial.

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.   John 18:36

It seems that Jesus is saying, “If this world is all there is to life, I and my followers would strive to protect our fair share of it. But since we are anticipating something beyond this world and this life, we don’t need to protect what we have here. We can let it go and not lose anything significant.” The implication is that those who “fight” do so to protect earthly interests, a worldly kingdom. Jesus reminds us to be “in the world but not of the world” and calls us to the Kingdom that is beyond this world. With that in mind, I would propose that, in the stories above, the first group of Jews who would not resist or fight were more in harmony with God’s ways than the second group who did fight.

May God help each of us to be faithful in the very near future.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.   Romans 8:35-39

All who are doers of the Word of God will be blessed abundantly. Whatever crosses they must lift, whatever losses they must sustain, whatever persecution they may suffer, even if it be to the loss of their temporal life, they are amply recompensed; for they secure that life which lasts through the eternal ages. They walk under the direction of the Father of lights with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. They shall see His face, and His name shall be in their foreheads.   Letter 48, 1897

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The Big, Little Question

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3

Caroline ran to the door and flung it open, squealing, “Grandpa! You’re here!” She leaped into his outstretched arms, giving him a big hug.

“My, I think you grew some more since I saw you and tomorrow is your eighth birthday. Grandpa brought a special surprise for you.”

Caroline squealed again and danced around her Grandpa, “What is it? What is it?”

“Well, since it’s for your birthday, maybe we’ll have to keep it a secret until tomorrow.”

Grandpa went to his car and came back carrying a number of boxes, and his suitcase. He set them gently on the floor just inside the door while he removed his snow-covered boots and overcoat. Caroline rushed to his side again, grabbed the heavy suitcase, and tugged at it until she got it to the spare room where Grandpa would sleep. She then made a beeline for the nearest box setting on the floor. Grandpa gently but firmly said, “No, Caroline, I’ll take that one.”

Caroline loved to help and said “Please Grandpa, I’ll be real careful! And I’m real strong for my age! I know I could get that box to your room.”

Grandpa just shook his head ‘no’ at Caroline.

“Why, Grandpa?”

“I’ll carry it.”

“Why?” repeated Caroline.

“Caroline,” Grandpa said firmly, “I want you to obey me, even if you don’t know the answer to your question ‘why’.”

Caroline’s hands, reaching for the box, stopped in mid-air.

“OK, Grandpa, you must have a good reason even if I don’t know ‘why’.”

“That’s my girl.” Grandpa said as he gave Caroline a big hug.

Have you ever been a participant in a similar situation? We probably all have been the one to ask “Why?” or to have our children or grandchildren ask us “Why?” at one time or another. Many times this question stems from a desire to act contrary to the one in authority at the moment. If your mother asked you to do something, and you asked “Why?” it’s probably a good indication that you had other ideas.

Let’s take a closer look at what is the underlying problem with this little question “Why?” If Caroline would choose to act according to her own wishes unless and until Grandpa explained ‘why’, then she would be defying his authority and choosing to be her own authority. If he had to tell her ‘why’ before she would obey, and she only obeyed because she agreed with him, then she remained an authority unto herself. Her own wishes controlled her response. Many parents make this mistake. They try to reason with the child in order to get them to obey. While this might at times be successful, it remains apparent that the child who obeys only because he agrees is still only obeying himself. He is the authority in his life.

This type of thinking is normal for the human mind. To be willing to submit to another authority other than self is indeed contrary to our human nature. However, from a Biblical perspective, this is exactly what God asks us to do; and unless we learn to submit to parental authority in childhood, we will not readily acknowledge God’s authority in our lives, either.

Obeying God only when we have a satisfactory answer to the question ‘why’ is really not obeying God at all. It is obeying ourselves. We are the established authority in our lives. We decide whether or not we should obey. We sit on the throne. We are our own god. Never mind what God said in His word. Never mind that He told us what He wanted us to do. We will follow the dictates of our own minds. We are an authority unto ourselves.

Charles Stanley once said it something like this: “If you’re not willing to obey God no matter what it costs you, don’t call him Lord, because he’s not. You are.” Implicit obedience, whether we think it fits our situation or not, is what God requires. To do anything else is disobedience. We then have set ourselves above God and said, “In this situation, I think God is wrong and I will do whatever I think is best.” You then become your own authority and the god of your life.

The entire essence of the Christian walk is summed up in one question, “Who is the authority in your life, you or God?” Jesus said, “ If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) Jesus is asking us to deny our own self-will and instead, obey God’s divine will. This is the cross of Christ. This is what it means to be a follower of Christ, a Christian. If we obey only when we agree with God, we are not obeying at all. We are in rebellion.

Jesus said, “ If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (1 John 2:3-6) “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14)

So, whom do you obey? Yourself, your spouse, a church, society? or God?

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The Law of Jealousies

Because marriage is such a sacred and important institution, God took great pains to guard and protect it. A loving, faithful marriage relationship not only builds a stable society by preserving the family, but it is also a wonderful illustration of the covenant relationship God wants to have with His people which will contribute to the stability of the entire universe.

God gave His people the seventh Commandment and several Statutes regarding sexual immorality. Here are a few examples:

Thou shalt not commit adultery. Exodus 20:14

And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. And the man that lieth with his father’s wife hath uncovered his father’s nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them. If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you. Leviticus 20:10-14

If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour’s wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you. But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die: But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter: For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her. If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days. Deuteronomy 22:23-29

Sexual impurity and/or violating the marriage covenant was an abomination to the Lord and brought great shame on the family. When these things occurred openly, the guilty ones were dealt with very decisively. But then, as now, secret “affairs” could happen and God provided a way to come to a right conclusion in a very serious but uncertain situation. It was called the Law of Jealousy and was essentially a way that God Himself revealed the truth.

We will look at Numbers 5:11-31.

Imagine two different scenarios:

1) A husband suspects that his wife has been unfaithful to him. When he confronts her, she denies it. How can he know? There is no concrete evidence, no witnesses.

2) A wife is accused by her husband of being unfaithful. She is innocent but she has no proof.

When a wife was suspected of unfaithfulness (possibly because she was pregnant and her husband questioned whether the child was his, or anything in her behavior that raised suspicion in his mind), she was not killed as in cases of open adultery (Leviticus 20:10) because there were no witnesses (Deuteronomy 17:6). The husband would bring her to the Priest, along with a special offering of barley meal with no oil or frankincense, for the purpose of discovering the facts of the matter. Uriah could have done this with Bathsheba if he had survived to return from the war.

According to Jewish commentators, the Priest would first try to persuade the woman to confess. If she admitted that she was guilty, she was divorced from her husband and lost her dowry. If she still claimed innocence, the Priest would carry through with this procedure in order to be certain. It is very likely that the wife, knowing the seriousness of the consequences if she was actually guilty of infidelity, would probably confess before going through with this process.

The Priest would make a mixture of “bitter water,” combining holy water (probably from the Laver) and dirt from the floor of the Tabernacle in an earthen vessel. He would bring the woman before the Lord, uncover her head, put the offering of barley meal in her hand, and charge her by an oath that if she was innocent, nothing negative would happen to her, but if she was guilty, she would be cursed. She would respond by saying, “Amen, amen,” acknowledging the validity of the oath and accepting the inevitable consequences of the curse. He would write the curses in a book and erase them with the bitter water. After he had waved the offering before the Lord and offered part of it on the Altar, he would give her the bitter water to drink.

If she was innocent, everything would remain normal in regard to her child-bearing abilities and she would be cleared of all suspicion. If she was guilty, she would be struck with a serious disease process that would make her infertile (possibly ovarian cancer or something similar) or, if she was carrying an illegitimate child she would have a miscarriage and be infertile and cursed among the people. Divorce following this trial is not mentioned but we can assume that it was part of the retribution.

Here is an interesting note from Matthew Henry’s Commentary:

“Jewish doctors add that the waters had this effect upon the adulteress only in case the husband had never offended in the same kind; but that, if he had at any time defiled the marriage-bed, God did not thus right him against his injurious wife; and that therefore in the latter and degenerate ages of the Jewish church, when uncleanness did abound, this way of trial was generally disused and laid aside; men, knowing their own crimes, were content not to know their wives’ crimes.”

God’s jealousy, His passion, is aroused when His people are unfaithful, and it is greater when they try to hide it. This “trial” is another acted parable, giving us a picture of judgment, of Him revealing the truth about each individual, either acquitting those who have been faithful or dealing with unfaithfulness. We can’t hide anything from Him.

. . . behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. Numbers 32:23

. . . the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. 1 Corinthians 4:5

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:12, 13

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23, 24

The Law of Jealousies was invoked when a wife was suspected of unfaithfulness. Naturally, she would deny it, but this was a situation that could not be trifled with. It was the husband’s right to know the truth and her obligation to let it be known. It is important to keep in mind that, even if her husband was totally oblivious to anything she had done (if she managed to keep her “affair” secret) and he did not put her through this trial, her willful and purposely-hidden sin would receive retribution following the Day of Atonement–she would be “cut off” from among the people.

In the typical service, while the high priest was making the atonement for Israel, all were required to afflict their souls by repentance of sin and humiliation before the Lord, lest they be cut off from among the people. (GC 489, 490)

Let us look at some of the aspects of this Law and contemplate our own pending Judgment in the near future. Are we faithful to our Covenant with Him or do we have “secret affairs?”

  • the Offering of Jealousy — barley meal with no oil or frankincense, the lowest value of any offering — “to bring iniquity to remembrance”

Barley was considered cheap, low-grade food, eaten by animals and poor people or in times of food shortage. Oil was a symbol of grace and joy, and frankincense symbolized acceptance. Both were left out of this offering because of the seriousness of the accusation. This offering was somewhat similar to a poor person’s sin offering (wheat flour without oil or frankincense Leviticus 5:11) but was not an appeal for forgiveness or atonement. It was brought by the husband as an appeal to God to reveal the truth, to expose serious sin.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14

  • the Bitter Water — holy water + dirt from the Tabernacle floor in an earthen vessel — to cause a curse

Dust was part of the curse that was pronounced against the Serpent in the Garden of Eden.

And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: Genesis 3:14

Moses put the dust from the pulverized golden calf into the water that came from Mt. Sinai and made the people drink it. They had committed spiritual adultery.

And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount. Deuteronomy 9:21

The bitter water may in some ways symbolize Jesus coming to this world. He was a mixture of the holy and the unclean, the divine and the human. He came in a human body–the earthen vessel. When He entered the body of His people, His Temple (literally), He expelled what was corrupt and the Temple became desolate. In about 40 years, it was destroyed and never rebuilt and those who had been His chosen people were no longer considered specially chosen.

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years. And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:1-5

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Daniel 9:27

Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. Matthew 23:38

The bitter water is also similar to the wine of the God’s wrath, mentioned in Revelation 14:10, that is administered undiluted to those who have worshiped the Beast. There we are shown the metaphor, used so often in the Old Testament, that compares adultery in marriage to sin, apostasy, false worship.

  • the woman’s head was uncovered, her hair was loosened (the Hebrew word for “uncover” is directly related to the word for locks of hair)–

This was a symbol of exposure and of removing her from under the covering jurisdiction of her husband. She was not under him now; she faced judgment on her own.

. . . we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. . . . So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Romans 14:10, 12

  • the Curse — her thigh would rot (this Hebrew word for “rot” (nâphal) is very similar to another (nephel) that means “untimely birth,” miscarriage, or abortion) and her belly (womb) would swell — she would lose her child-bearing abilities, her purpose for existence as a woman, and would waste away as a reject of society

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Hebrews 6:4-6

It is interesting to note the Priest’s act of writing the curses in a book and then erasing them with the bitter water.

And the priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall blot them out with the bitter water: Numbers 5:23

This speaks of two different symbolical acts. The curses were washed off the page into the water making it truly curse water, potent to cause the curse if the woman was guilty. Also, the curses were erased from the record if the woman was innocent. What is described here is very similar to what Paul speaks of in Colossians 2.

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Colossians 2:14

Notice the comments on this verse in the notes of the MacArthur Study Bible (NKJV):

2:14 wiped out the handwriting. The Gr. work translated “handwriting” referred to the handwritten certificate of debt by which a debtor acknowledged his indebtedness. All people (Rom. 3:23) owe God an unpayable debt for violating His law (Gal. 3:10; James 2:10; cf. Matt. 18:23-27), and are thus under sentence of death (Rom. 6:23). Paul graphically compares God’s forgiveness of believers’ sins to wiping ink off a parchment. Through Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, God has totally erased our certificate of indebtedness and made our forgiveness complete.

  • the Oath — blessed if innocent, cursed if guilty — only God knows all of the truth and will reveal it

For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Luke 12:2

The oath that she was charged with reflects what Jesus said to Nicodemus.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18

God did not merely make a statement about whether she was guilty or innocent. He actually caused the penalty for guilt or the blessing for innocence to occur without any verbal pronouncement.

Judgment is bitter for the guilty, but good–a welcome relief–for one who is accused falsely.

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 13:40-43

The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. Psalm 7:8, 9

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Psalm 37:5, 6

  • This Law of Jealousies is one of the Judgments, referred to in the following paragraph from Patriarchs and Prophets, “illustrating and applying the principles of the Ten Commandments.”

The minds of the people, blinded and debased by slavery and heathenism, were not prepared to appreciate fully the far-reaching principles of God’s ten precepts. That the obligations of the Decalogue might be more fully understood and enforced, additional precepts were given, illustrating and applying the principles of the Ten Commandments. These laws were called judgments, both because they were framed in infinite wisdom and equity and because the magistrates were to give judgment according to them. Unlike the Ten Commandments, they were delivered privately to Moses, who was to communicate them to the people. (PP 310)

  • This Law is a reminder of the meaning of the first four of the Ten Commandments–be faithful and exclusive in your covenant relationship with God.

God: Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3

Spouse: You shall not have any “affairs.”

God: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 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 20:4-6

Spouse: You shall not have sexual relations with any other.

God: Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Exodus 20:7

Spouse: Don’t claim to be my spouse if you don’t act like you are married to me.

God: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Exodus 20:8-11

Spouse: I have established a special time of intimacy with you. Don’t forget it and miss our time together.

  • This trial and the resulting curse if the woman was actually guilty are a very serious reminder of the importance, not only of being faithful to our covenant with God, but also of being honest with Him in recognizing and admitting our sins and mistakes. We cannot hide anything from Him; He knows it all. It is a great mistake to be unfaithful to Him; but it is a greater mistake to deny it and think we can hide our sins.

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:6-10

We have this promise that God does not immediately “divorce” us or abandon us when we sin against Him. He wants to help us become what He wants us to be, but He must have our cooperation.

Day by day and year by year we shall conquer self, and grow into a noble heroism. This is our allotted task; but it cannot be accomplished without help from Jesus, resolute decision, unwavering purpose, continual watchfulness, and unceasing prayer. Each one has a personal battle to fight. Not even God can make our characters noble or our lives useful, unless we become co-workers with Him. Those who decline the struggle lose the strength and joy of victory. MH 487

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The First Day of the Week: What the Bible says (and doesn’t say) about it.

There are only eight texts in the New Testament that mention the first day of the week. (The term “Sunday” is not in the Bible) The first five texts deal only with Jesus’ resurrection:

In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.  Matthew 28:1

And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.  Mark 16:2

Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.  Mark 16:9

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.  Luke 24:1

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.  John 20:1

We will now discuss the last three of these texts:

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.  John 20:19

At this point in time, the disciples didn’t even believe that the resurrection had taken place (Mark 16:14). They had met in the upper room for “fear of the Jews” and had the doors bolted shut. There is no indication that they thought of Sunday as a holy day.

And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.  Acts 20:7

According to the Bible, each day begins at sundown and ends at the next sundown. (Genesis 1:5, etc, and Leviticus 23:32) The dark part of the day comes first. Sabbath begins Friday night at sundown and ends Saturday night at sundown. This meeting was held on the dark part of Sunday, or on what we now call Saturday night because Paul was “ready to depart on the morrow.” (The New English Bible puts Acts 20:7 like this: “on the Saturday night of our assembly . . .”) The meeting lasted all night, interrupted only briefly at midnight by Eutychus’ fall from the window and a meal. Paul was on a farewell tour and knew that he would not see the people again before his death (verse 25). No wonder he preached so long. (No regular weekly service would have lasted all night.) The “breaking of bread” has no “holy day” significance whatever, because they broke bread daily. (Acts 2:46) This expression merely means that they ate a meal together. On the day following this meeting (Sunday), the group of missionaries travelled on to their next destination – Paul walking, the others sailing by ship – which they would not have done if it had been considered a holy day. There is no indication in this Scripture passage that the first day is holy, nor that these early Christians considered it so. Nor is there the remotest evidence that the Sabbath had been changed. The Bible refers to Sunday as a “working day” in Ezekiel 46:1. God has never asked anyone to observe Sunday as a holy day for any reason whatever.

Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.  1 Corinthians 16:2

There is no reference here to a public meeting. The money was to be laid aside privately at home. There was a famine in Judea (Rom. 15:25; Acts 11:26-30) and Paul was writing to ask the churches in Asia Minor to send some relief funds to their needy brothers. These Christians all kept Sabbath holy, so Paul suggested that on Sunday morning, after the Sabbath was over (which was the time they paid bills and settled accounts) they put aside something so it would be on hand when he came. Notice also that there is no reference here to Sunday as a holy day. In fact, the Bible nowhere suggests or commands Sunday-keeping.

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day,  . . .  Revelation 1:10

Here is another verse that is often misunderstood. Contrary to what many Christians believe and teach, and what many Bible margins and notes show, “the Lord’s day” spoken about here is not Sunday; it is Sabbath, the 7th day, Saturday.

And he said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath.  Mark 2:27-28

God made the Sabbath holy at the time of creation. It has been kept throughout history and will be kept in the New Earth.

For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.   And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.  Isaiah 66:22-23

God made the 7th day holy at the time of creation and called it the Sabbath. It is the true Lord’s Day.

He didn’t bless any other day.

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Obeying God

There is a lot of discussion among Christians about morality and obedience to God’s law, and grace, faith, and works. These are very important subjects. Let’s learn what the Bible says about them.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  Ephesians 2:8, 9

Many Christians understand these verses to mean that we are not obligated to keep God’s law – the Ten Commandments – because we are saved by His grace and we don’t need to (and shouldn’t try to) earn or work our way to heaven.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.  Romans 6:14

This is another verse that is often understood to mean that we don’t have to keep the Ten Commandments. But, what does the very next verse say?

What then? Shall we sin, since we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.  Romans 6:15

Paul says we shouldn’t sin. How does the Bible define sin?

Whoever commits sin is transgressing the law; for sin is the transgression of the law.   1 John 3:4

When we combine the teachings in these verses we learn that God’s grace delivers us from the curse of the law – our death sentence- but not from the obligation to obey that law. Grace is not a license to disobey; rather, it provides a release from condemnation. We are freed from death, which is the final result of sin, but not from obedience to the law.

Truly, I say to you, He that hears my word, and believes on Him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death to life.  John 5:24

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Romans 6:23

Some Christians feel that they only need to have faith in Jesus.  They base that idea on this verse:

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved and your house.  Acts 16:31

But . . .

You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe and tremble. But will you know, oh vain man, that faith without works is dead? James 2:19, 20

Works is whatever we do and say – how we live – as a result of our faith. We do what God wants – good works – because we believe and love Him.

By this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, I know Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.    1 John 2:3, 4

If you love me, keep my commandments.  John 14:15

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.   For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.  James 1:22-24

God’s law, the Ten Commandments, is our standard to live by. It is like a mirror, showing us our defects. It doesn’t correct those defects; it only points them out to us.

But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.  James 1:25

In some ways the law is also like an owner’s instruction manual; it tells us how God designed us to live – what we should and shouldn’t do to get the most out of the life He has given us.

Many Christians do recognize the importance of the Ten Commandments as a standard for morality. They feel an obligation to obey God; but their actual practice has an interesting twist to it. They are very conscientious in keeping nine of the ten; but the longest one, the one that has the most specifications, the one that starts with the word Remember is usually ignored or forgotten or modified. Here is the 4th commandment the way God gave it to us:

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.   Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor the stranger who is within your gates.   For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, and the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.  Exodus 20:8-11

Remembering to keep the 7th day, Saturday, as God’s holy Sabbath day is as much a part of His law as the other commands against murder, adultery, etc.

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.   For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.  James 2:10-11

Protestants, as a result of the Reformation, claim to have rejected the authority and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church to follow “the Bible and the Bible only”; yet, they have retained one very significant doctrine: Sunday sacredness. The Catholic Church is not hesitant to state that it transferred the sacredness of Saturday to Sunday. Notice the following statements from Catholic sources:

From a Catholic catechism:

“Question: Which is the Sabbath day?

“Answer: Saturday is the Sabbath day.

“Question: Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday?

“Answer: We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.” (1)

From another catechism:

“Question: Have you any other way of proving that the Church has power to institute festivals of precept?

“Answer: Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her–she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural authority.” (2)

There is no statement from God anywhere in the Bible that says the first day of the week is holy instead of the seventh day; so, who is a Christian obeying when he keeps Sunday holy?

And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:9

When God put Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, He gave them a very specific command:

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “From every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17

Later, Satan came along and told them it didn’t matter what they did; he claimed that they would actually be greatly benefitted if they disobeyed God’s command. (see Genesis 3:1-5) Did God approve of what they did when they obeyed someone else??

God gave us the Sabbath as a sign that He is our God.

Hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God.  Ezekiel 20:20

Who is your God??

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?  Romans 6:16

If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words; then you will delight yourself in the LORD, and I will cause you to ride on the high places of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the LORD has spoken.  Isaiah 58:13-14

We are stepping outside of God’s will when we treat with disrespect what He has made holy and try to make something holy that He has not blessed.

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  Revelation 22:14

Endnotes
1. Peter Geiermann, The Convert’s Catechism of Catholic Doctrine (St. Louis: B. Herder Book Co., 1957 edition), p. 50

2. Stephen Keenan, A Doctrinal Catechism (New York: P. J. Kennedy & Sons, third American edition, revised, n.d.), p. 174

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Do you want to go to Heaven?

We humans have a problem: we are sinners separated from God and we will die eternally unless something is done to change our situation.

All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23

The wages of sin is death.  Romans 6:23

We do not automatically go to heaven. Regardless of how “good” we may have been, we are sinners separated from a holy God and living in a sinful world; and without God’s special intervention, we are doomed to die eternally. We must make some conscious choices and there needs to be a significant change in our life in order for us to go to heaven. The solution to this problem of sin and death includes several things:

1. God loves each one of us very much and wants to save us.

For God loved the world so much, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.  John 3:16, 17

2. Eternal life comes only through knowing God and receiving Him in our lives.

This is life eternal, that they might know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.  John 17:3

But as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.  John 1:12

3. Our basic human nature needs to be changed: we need God to put His Holy Spirit in us.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?  Jeremiah 17:9

Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I tell you, Unless a man is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  John 3:5

4. In order for God to change and renew us, we need to recognize and admit our sinfulness.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  Psalm 51:10

God promises that no matter how bad our sin problem is, He can change us and clean us.

Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD: thought your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.  Isaiah 1:18

Jesus will not reject us if we come sincerely wanting what He offers.

All that the Father gives me will come to me; and he that comes to me I will certainly not cast out.  John 6:37

I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  John 10:10

We can have our sinful life cleaned up when we believe God and accept His plan for us.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 5:1

But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he who comes to God must believe that His is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

After we have received God’s gracious forgiveness, we need to put effort toward changing our sinful ways.

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, Look, you are made whole; sin no more, lest a worse thing come to you.  John 5:14

Jesus said to her, Neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more.  John 8:11

We can grow and change only with God’s help.

Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  2 Peter 3:18

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you both to want and to do His good pleasure.  Philippians 2:12, 13

Here are some areas that need to be changed and developed in our lives and characters.

Make every effort to add to your faith moral excellence; and to moral excellence knowledge; and to knowledge self-control; and to self-control patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness love.  2 Peter 1:5-7

When God’s Spirit is working in our lives, we will show these characteristics:

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control.  Galatians 5:22, 23

God has a marvelous future prepared for those who live for Him now.

Do not let your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if is were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, you may be also.  John 14:1-3

God wants to help us with our struggles in this life.

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.  Philippians 1:6

Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

If you want what God has to offer you, pray this prayer:

Lord, I realize that I am a sinner and I need you. I want you to forgive me and save me. Come into my life right now; clean me up and help me to live to honor you from this time onward. Thank you.

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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

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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