The Message of John the Baptist

The Message of John the Baptist

Life of John: Luke 1:5-23, 57-80; Luke 3:1-18; Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8

Persecution of John: Matthew 11:1-11, 14:1-11; Mark 6:17-28; Luke 7:19-28

EGW writings about John: The Desire of Ages,  chapters 10 & 22.

“John the Baptist went forth in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the way of the Lord and to turn the people to the wisdom of the just. He was a representative of those living in these last days to whom God has entrusted sacred truths to present before the people to prepare the way for the second appearing of Christ…." – (Maranatha, p. 118.)

THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CONNECTION

The message of John the Baptist is something that every Adventist should know, and should be themselves preaching and teaching, for it is our message as well. This was the same message as Elijah. It was a message of repentance; a message that, when preached, demanded a decision. As the prophet Elijah said,

“How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21. KJV.)

As a people, we have, to a large extent, failed in our mission thus far. We claim to be the people of God, yet we do not those things that He commands. However, God bears long with His people and He is still willing to forgive us and to use us. However, we must repent from our backslidings.

As a people, God has called us to share the Three Angel’s Messages. These are the most important truths ever given to humanity. They contain every truth of the Bible. Each message has its distinct points. Each is vital to share in these last days. Just as God chose John the Baptist to share the message for his time, and prepare a people for Jesus, God has chosen us as Seventh-day Adventists to do the same today.

Consider:

“In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light-bearers. To them has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing world. On them is shining wonderful light from the Word of God. They have been given a work of the most solemn import,—the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. There is no other work of so great importance. They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention.

“The most solemn truths ever entrusted to mortals have been given us to proclaim to the world. The proclamation of these truths is to be our work. The world is to be warned, and God’s people are to be true to the trust committed to them…." – (Evangelism, p. 119.)

THE THREE ANGELS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST

The first angel’s message immediately begins with a preface. The Bible lets us know that what these angel’s are preaching is the Everlasting Gospel. Why is it called this? It is because long before earth was ever created, and long before Lucifer rebelled and became Satan, the Godhead sat down and formed the plan of salvation. God so loved the world, that He gave Jesus permission to die as our Substitute.

It was a struggle for even God the Father to allow His Beloved Son to die for us. But the Father’s love for us was so great, that He consented for Jesus to show us both His love for us, and the Father’s love, as well as the Holy Spirit’s love for us.

Consider:

“Said the angel, “Think ye that the Father yielded up His dearly beloved Son without a struggle? No, no.” It was even a struggle with the God of heaven, whether to let guilty man perish, or to give His darling Son to die for them. Angels were so interested for man’s salvation that there could be found among them those who would yield their glory and give their life for perishing man. “But,” said my accompanying angel, “that would avail nothing.” The transgression was so great that an angel’s life would not pay the debt. Nothing but the death and intercession of God’s Son would pay the debt and save lost man from hopeless sorrow and misery.” – (Early Writings, p. 127.)

“The Father did not yield up his dearly beloved Son without a struggle, whether to let guilty man perish or to give his Son to die for the lost race. It was impossible for God to change his law, or give up the smallest part of its claims, in order to save man; therefore he suffered his Son to die for man’s transgression.” – (Signs of the Times, January 30, 1879 Par. 6.)

“To Adam were revealed future, important events, from his expulsion from Eden, to the flood, and onward to the first advent of Christ upon the earth. His love for Adam and his posterity would lead the Son of God to condescend to take human nature, and thus elevate, through his own humiliation, all who would believe on him. Such a sacrifice was of sufficient value to save the whole world; but only a few would avail themselves of the salvation thus brought to them.” – (Signs of the Times, January 30, 1879 Par. 13.)

The first thing that the first angel says is, “Fear God, and give glory to Him.” In order to do this, we must know God. To know Him is to love Him, and to love Him is to obey Him. In obedience to God, we give Him glory. This is how Jesus brought glory to God, and He is our example for the same things. This includes every aspect of life.

Can we glorify God while we disregard any iota of His Law? Can we glorify God if we are indulging in habits that damage health (in any sense of the term)? Of course not. Thus, this is a call to revival and reformation. It is a call to complete and total surrender to the God and Creator of the universe.

This was John’s message. He was to prepare the Jews for the first advent of Jesus. He called for repentance, revival, and reformation. He preached righteousness. He lived simply and modestly. His life was a shining example of the first angel’s message.

Just as the angel says that the reason we are to fear God and give Him glory is because His judgment hour has come, John was calling upon the people to do the same thing, because the Kingdom of God was at hand. John pointed to the fact that there were consequences for sin, and that the only escape was to behold the Lamb.

The second half of the first angel’s message is a call to worship God because He is the creator, and it is taken almost word for word from the Fourth Commandment.

“worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (Revelation 14:7.)

“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 20:11.)

The Jewish leaders had taken the Sabbath and had wrapped it with so many man made rules and regulations that it had become a burden; the complete opposite of what God had intended for it and created it for. John’s message to the people was also a call to restore the proper honor and practice of the Sabbath. Indeed, many of us today have forgotten how to keep the Sabbath and we make excuses as to why what we’re doing on it isn’t wrong. Part of John’s mission was to prepare the way for Jesus to teach proper Sabbath keeping.

In the second angel’s message of Revelation 14:8, we see the announcement that Babylon has fallen, because she made everyone drink the wine of her false doctrines. In today’s world, false doctrines pervade everywhere in the Christian world. Most Christians don’t believe the truth about death, the Sabbath, or prophecy. They believe in a false evangelical gospel, one that doesn’t require complete victory over sin, and that encourages unity with the satanic beast/antichrist/mother of harlots/vatican.

In the days of John the Baptist, the Jews had accepted many unbiblical doctrines. They had effectively been cured of the worship of graven images, after generations of captivity by foreign empires. However, as a nation, they failed to place their dependance on God, and as a result, they made idols out of false teachings and false doctrines.

For example, they placed many, many rules on Sabbath keeping. They couldn’t walk beyond a certain distance. They couldn’t do this, or that, or the other thing. It became a burden, not a blessing. They had mystical, unbiblical views on death. This is why Jesus waited four days after Lazarus died to resurrect him.

They believed that afflictions were punishment for sin, either that person or their parents. They broke their own laws in order to silence those who dared to stand against them. Their religion had become an unbiblical knotted mess. It was not the religion that God had gifted to them so many hundreds of years before.

Now, to be clear, the Jewish religion was not Babylonian false religion. God’s religion will never be part of Babylon. But because they had accepted so many false beliefs, they were in danger of losing their place with God. God had favored them, and worked through those who were willing.

John was to help prepare this headstrong people to recognize and accept their Messiah. If they would have accepted Jesus, they would not have been rejected as the chosen people. But when Jesus began His Messianic ministry, the Jews did not recognize Him, and eventually killed Him. But, God, in His love for them, gave them one last chance.

However, 3.5 years later, the nation of Israel stoned Stephen, the deacon. This sealed, as a nation, their rejection of Jesus, and they forever lost their place as God’s chosen people. Of course the individuals can still be saved. But God will never again work through them as a nation.

In the third angel’s message, we find the result of rejecting God, which is accepting the beast, or Babylonian religion. Babylonian religion is primarily catholicism in these last days. However, it does include all false religion in the world, including atheism. John’s warning to the Jews was to repent, in order to avoid the Babylonian wine.

Consider:

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” (Matthew 3:7-9)

It was the pharisees and sadducees who were teaching false doctrine. The pharisees were extremely legalistic and proud, while the sadducees were more licentious and rejected Bible doctrine, such as the angels. This is catholicism in a nutshell. They are well adapted to deceive both the legalist, and the licentious rejector of God’s Law.

John’s warning to the people was that if they didn’t repent, they would be cut down, as bad trees bearing bad fruit. There is no such thing as someone bearing zero fruit. Every last person on this earth is bearing either good fruit for Heaven, or bad fruit and stubble for the fires of the final judgment.

“And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (Matthew 4:10.)

Righteousness by faith was also a part of John’s message. So many people are deceived as to how people were saved in the Old Testament times. They believe it was salvation by works, perhaps because of the sacrificial system. They do not realize God wanted obedience to the Ceremonial Law out of love for Him, just as He wants, and always has wanted through all time, obedience to the Ten Commandments out of love for Him.

John 1:29 quotes John the Baptist as saying, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,” and again in John 1:36, “Behold the Lamb of God!” This prophet had a burden for his people to accept their Messiah, and to experience His love and holiness.

“Beholding the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world, he finds the peace of Christ; for pardon is written against his name, and he accepts the Word of God, “Ye are complete in Him” (Colossians 2:10). How hard is it for humanity, long accustomed to cherish doubt, to grasp this great truth! But what peace it brings to the soul, what vital life! In looking to ourselves for righteousness, by which to find acceptance with God, we look to the wrong place, “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We are to look to Jesus; for “we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). You are to find your completeness by beholding the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

“Standing before the broken law of God, the sinner cannot cleanse himself; but, believing in Christ, he is the object of His infinite love and clothed in His spotless righteousness. For those who believe in Christ, Jesus prayed: “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth: ...that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me. And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one” (John 17:17-22). “O righteous Father, the world hath not known Thee: but I have known Thee, and these have known that Thou hast sent Me. And I have declared unto them Thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them” (Verses 25, 26).” (Faith and Works, p. 108.)

REPENTANCE

John’s message to the Jews also included repentance. He knew that his people were far from the holy and peculiar people that God had called them to be. They had become legalistic, arrogant in their theology, and they desperately needed their Savior. In speaking to the people, primarily the religious leaders who had come to be baptized at the river Jordan, John said:

“O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance…And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (Matthew 3:7-8, 10.)

This word here that John used for repentance, according to Strong’s Concordance, means, “compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal (of decision):—repentance.” Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines it as, “a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done.” The word for fruit could also be translated as works, acts, or deeds. And the word for meet also means, befitting, corresponding to something, suitable, etc..

In fact, another version of the Bible puts the aforementioned verse (Matthew 3:8, this way:

“Bring forth fruit that is consistence with repentance (let your lives prove your change of heart.” (Matthew 3:8, AMPC.)

The Spirit of Prophecy echoes this same truth when she said,

“No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation. The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed and unforsaken sin; it is a principle of life that transforms the character and controls the conduct. Holiness is wholeness for God; it is the entire surrender of heart and life to the indwelling of the principles of heaven.” (The Desire of Ages, p. 555.)

In today’s world, the church has become much like the world. There is little preaching on the importance of repentance. There is little preaching on the warnings of what will happen to the rejectors of the grace of God. God’s call to His people through all ages since the fall of Adam and Eve has been to repent. Why does God place such a high weight on repentance? Without repentance, there is no salvation. Jesus died for us, and rose again, to open the way for us to be saved, but the decision to accept His proffered salvation rests with us individually.

As soon as Jesus left the desert where Satan tempted Him, He began preaching, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17, KJV.) Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines this word for repent, as, “to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins.”

This is part of how John the Baptist helped to prepare the Jews for their coming Messiah. They could not follow Jesus or even recognize Him unless they repented. Indeed, most did not recognize their Messiah when He appeared on the scene. When the message of repentance is preached properly, in the love of God, and with His warnings, it will produce a response where there those who are ready to hear it.

In Luke 3, John is “preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins…” (Verse 3.) People came from the surrounding areas to hear this new preacher. Those who genuinely desired transformation came to hear him, as well as the religious leaders who felt that their power and influence were threatened by this new young teacher.

When John saw these religious leaders, he said:

“Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to [our] father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then.” (Luke 3:7-10.)

John preached this message because God had called him to do so. And it wasn’t just this preaching that had an influence. John the Baptist’s entire lifestyle had an influence. He dressed simply, ate simply, and lived simply. This was a standing rebuke to the religious leaders who lived extravagantly. This preaching, supported by his simply lifestyle, powered by the Holy Spirit, produced a response in the crowds of people who came to hear this young preacher. If our lifestyles contradict our message, people will see us as hypocrites, and nothing else.

When the people responded with, “What shall we do,” John told them: share your coats and food, don’t take more taxes than assigned to take, be kind and respectful (no violence), don’t falsely accuse, and be content with your pay. Similarly, when the rich young ruler asked Jesus what to do, Jesus told him to keep the Commandments.

Consider this inspired commentary from the prophet:

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

“God does not send messengers to flatter the sinner. He delivers no message of peace to lull the unsanctified into fatal security. He lays heavy burdens upon the conscience of the wrongdoer, and pierces the soul with arrows of conviction. The ministering angels present to him the fearful judgments of God to deepen the sense of need, and prompt the cry, “What must I do to be saved?” Then the hand that has humbled in the dust, lifts up the penitent. The voice that has rebuked sin, and put to shame pride and ambition, inquires with tenderest sympathy, “What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?” – (The Desire of Ages, p. 103–104.)

God never sends flattering messages. He sends whatever messages will wake up the sinner. God wants all to be saved and He therefore tailors His messages to best suit our needs. Our greatest need as a race is to wake up from our spiritual slumber and Babylonian intoxication to our need for Jesus and repentance.

REVIVAL AND REFORMATION

John the Baptist’s message of repentance was intended to lead to revival and reformation of the nation of Israel. We know from the Bible and history that Israel as a nation never received revival and reformation, because they rejected the call for repentance, and they rejected Jesus. However, there were those who took to heart these messages. These accepted Jesus, and eventually even more did. Then on the day of pentecost, those in whom Jesus planted His seeds were brought to repentance by the Holy Spirit, about 3,000 in number.

“Christians should be preparing for what is soon to break upon the world as an overwhelming surprise, and this preparation they should make by diligently studying the word of God, and striving to conform their lives to its precepts.... God calls for a revival and a reformation.”—(Prophets and Kings, 626.)

“A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs. To seek this should be our first work.”—(The Review and Herald, March 22, 1887.)

"The time has come for a thorough reformation to take place. When this reformation begins, the spirit of prayer will actuate every believer, and will banish from the church the spirit of discord and strife.”—(Testimonies for the Church 8:251.)

“A revival and a reformation must take place under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from the spiritual death. Reformation signifies a reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices. Reformation will not bring forth the good fruit of righteousness unless it is connected with the revival of the Spirit. Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work they must blend.”—(The Review and Herald, February 25, 1902.)

The time is soon coming in which there will be two revivals. Satan knows that God is going to bring revival and reformation to the church, and therefore the devil works to raise up a false revival. This false revival will be based on feelings, and experience, and not on the Word of God. Indeed, this false revival has already started.

Any true revival in the church absolutely must be based on the Bible. In the time of trouble, we are told that the false will so closely resemble the true, that if we do not know our Bibles, we will be swept away by the deception. The devil can work miracles, impersonate dead loved ones, etc.. Therefore it is of eternal vitalness that we know the Bible, and its author.

Consider:

“God is raising up a class to give the loud cry of the third angel’s message.... It is Satan’s object now to get up new theories to divert the mind from the true work and genuine message for this time. He stirs up minds to give false interpretation of Scripture, a spurious loud cry, that the real message may not have its effect when it does come. This is one of the greatest evidences that the loud cry will soon be heard and the earth will be lightened with the glory of God.”—(3SM 410.)

In 2 Chronicles 34, we find the story of King Josiah’s desire for revival and reformation. He had become king when he was 8 years old, and endeavored from that young age to follow God. Through the years he faithfully worked to bring about the desired changes in his kingdom, amongst God’s people of that day.

God put it in the heart of this young king to repair His Temple. During the years of repeated apostasy and rebellion, the Temple had fallen into disrepair. There were those who were still faithful to God, but there was no money to keep up with the maintenance needs of the Temple. Therefore, when Josiah became king, he began raising money to repair the Temple. When he had enough, the work began.

At one point in the process, 2 Chronicles 34:14 tells us that “a book of the law of the Lord given by Moses” was found. When Josiah began this work, Scriptures containing Holy Truth were found. Could it be, that when we begin the work of reform, that God will teach us more of His truth as revealed in the Bible, and writings of Ellen G. White?

But how does one obtain true revival and reformation? We must begin by asking God in prayer, and Bible study. We must ask God if there is anything in our lives that would prevent Him from pouring out the Holy Spirit upon us. If we cherish any sin, the Lord will not hear us. Just as oil and water cannot mix, God will not compromise with and tolerate sin. Sin must be abandoned and forsaken.

Elder Joe Crews wrote in his book, Enemy at the Gate, four absolutely necessary imperatives to respond to God’s call for repentance. These can be found in pages 47 to 49 of his book. In responding to this, God’s people will also be led by Him to true revival and reformation. These steps are as follows:

• A heartfelt commitment to forsake the practice of all known sins.

• A return to serious Bible study and a disciplined prayer life.

• A spirit of continual inward prayer and praise.

• A participation in every evangelistic or witnessing opportunity to reach souls with the truth.

Why are these important? Without these, one cannot be a true Christian, and one cannot have true revival and reformation. There can be a counterfeit revival, but it will be feelings based, not Scripture based. God wants to give us revival and reformation, but He does not force our will power. By His own law, He will not force the matter.

“The lapse of time has wrought no change in Christ’s parting promise to send the Holy Spirit as His representative. It is not because of any restriction on the part of God that the riches of His grace do not flow earthward to men. If the fulfillment of the promise is not seen as it might be, it is because the promise is not appreciated as it should be. If all were willing, all would be filled with the Spirit. Wherever the need of the Holy Spirit is a matter little thought of, there is seen spiritual drought, spiritual darkness, spiritual declension and death. Whenever minor matters occupy the attention, the divine power which is necessary for the growth and prosperity of the church, and which would bring all other blessings in its train, is lacking, though offered in infinite plenitude.” – (Acts of the Apostles, p. 50.)

If all were willing, all would be filled with the Holy Spirit. If we do not have the Holy Spirit, it is our fault, not God’s. The prophet Isaiah and the Psalmist both give us a picture as to why putting away all known sin is an absolute imperative if we wish to have revival and reformation.

“Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.” (Isaiah 59:1-3.)

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me…” (Psalm 66:18.)

Therefore, it is vital that we put away all known sin. If we do not, we cannot call ourselves Christians. The apostle Paul said it this way:

“Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19.)

Disciplined Bible study and prayer are absolute essentials for the Christian life. If we do not have these, we are not Christians, no matter the profession. The Bible commands us to study. Why? Because in the Bible we find who God is. We find out His great love for us. We find that God wants to save us and has spared nothing to do so. All that can be done to save us, God is doing.

Consider what the prophet says about Bible study:

“There is marrow and fatness for all who seek for truth as the miner seeks for gold. Who is it that God will instruct? Isaiah tells us: “Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15)—those who see the evil of their unconverted characters, and repent, mourning over the life that has so poorly represented Christ....

“Gather the precious rays of light shining around you and focus them in one blaze upon the Word, and truths hidden from the casual reader will stand forth plainly and distinctly. All over the field of revelation are scattered grains of gold—the sayings of the wisdom of God. If you are wise you will gather up these precious grains of truth. Make the promises of God your own. Then when test and trial come, these promises will be to you glad springs of heavenly comfort. As you study the Word, it will become to you a wellspring of wisdom. Thus you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God.

“Ask God to reveal light and truth to you by His Holy Spirit, that you may understand what you read in His Word. When, after the resurrection, Christ walked with the disciples to Emmaus, He opened their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures. The same divine Teacher will enlighten our understanding if we keep the windows of the heart opened heavenward and closed earthward. The office of the Holy Spirit is to bring all things to our remembrance and to guide us into all truth.

“The Lord loves us, and we are to love Him with the whole heart. Ask Him to guide you into all truth. He will do this. He longs to do it. He is waiting for you to ask Him with true humility and a firm belief that He will hear and answer you.” (That I May Know Him, p. 202.)

“We cannot obtain wisdom without earnest attention and prayerful study. Some portions of Scripture are indeed too plain to be misunderstood, but there are others whose meaning does not lie on the surface to be seen at a glance. Scripture must be compared with scripture. There must be careful research and prayerful reflection. And such study will be richly repaid. As the miner discovers veins of precious metal concealed beneath the surface of the earth, so will he who perseveringly searches the word of God as for hid treasure find truths of the greatest value, which are concealed from the view of the careless seeker. The words of inspiration, pondered in the heart, will be as streams flowing from the fountain of life.

“Never should the Bible be studied without prayer. Before opening its pages we should ask for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, and it will be given. When Nathanael came to Jesus, the Saviour exclaimed, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael said, “Whence knowest Thou me?” Jesus answered, “Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.” John 1:47, 48. And Jesus will see us also in the secret places of prayer if we will seek Him for light that we may know what is truth. Angels from the world of light will be with those who in humility of heart seek for divine guidance. – (Steps to Christ, p. 91.)

In John 6, Jesus tells the Jews that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood if they wanted life. What does this mean? It is a practical relationship with Jesus. It is Bible study, applying what we have learned, and prayer. This is eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God.

Consider:

“The Holy Spirit comes to the soul as a Comforter. By the transforming agency of His grace, the image of God is reproduced in the disciple; he becomes a new creature. Love takes the place of hatred, and the heart receives the divine similitude. This is what it means to live “by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” [Deuteronomy 8:3]. This is eating the Bread that comes down from heaven." — (The Desire of Ages, p. 391.)

“To eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ is to receive Him as a personal Saviour, believing that He forgives our sins, and that we are complete in Him. It is by beholding His love, by dwelling upon it, by drinking it in, that we are to become partakers of His nature. What food is to the body, Christ must be to the soul. Food cannot benefit us unless we eat it, unless it becomes a part of our being. So Christ is of no value to us if we do not know Him as a personal Saviour. A theoretical knowledge will do us no good. We must feed upon Him, receive Him into the heart, so that His life becomes our life. His love, His grace, must be assimilated.” — (The Desire of Ages, p. 389.)

Prayer is just as important as Bible study. Indeed, one cannot truly study the Bible without true prayer. And we must remember, that if we are regarding iniquity, all the Bible study in the world won’t do us any good until we yield to God and give up those sins, and every other sin that the Holy Spirit shows us.

In fact, prayer is so important, and so necessary for Christian life, that when Jesus was here in the likeness of sinful flesh, He often spent whole nights in prayer. He lived just like we do with frequent temptations to sin. Of course, we know He did not sin, and praise God for that. But, how? How did Jesus go 33 years in this life without sinning even once? Prayer, Bible study, and trusting God to keep Him from falling.

Ellen G. White, has this to say about how we should esteem the privilege of prayer:

“Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him.

“When Jesus was upon the earth, He taught His disciples how to pray. He directed them to present their daily needs before God, and to cast all their care upon Him. And the assurance He gave them that their petitions should be heard, is assurance also to us.

“Jesus Himself, while He dwelt among men, was often in prayer. Our Saviour identified Himself with our needs and weakness, in that He became a suppliant, a petitioner, seeking from His Father fresh supplies of strength, that He might come forth braced for duty and trial. He is our example in all things. He is a brother in our infirmities, “in all points tempted like as we are;” but as the sinless one His nature recoiled from evil; He endured struggles and torture of soul in a world of sin. His humanity made prayer a necessity and a privilege. He found comfort and joy in communion with His Father. And if the Saviour of men, the Son of God, felt the need of prayer, how much more should feeble, sinful mortals feel the necessity of fervent, constant prayer.” — (Steps to Christ, p. 93.)

Elder Joe Crews brings out that another element necessary for revival and reformation is that of a spirit of continual inward prayer and praise. How does this happen? The prophet Isaiah said it this way:

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusted in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3.)

When the mind is stayed upon Jesus, and what He has done for us, it will be at peace, even amidst the worst of storms. By beholding, we become changed. If we are constantly beholding Jesus, we will never run out of reasons to praise Him, or to cease communing with Him.

Consider:

"Those who take Christ at His word and surrender their souls to His keeping, their lives to His ordering, will find peace and quietude. Nothing of the world can make them sad when Jesus makes them glad by His presence. In perfect acquiescence there is perfect rest. The Lord says, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3)." (In Heavenly Places, p. 249.)

"Christ should be the theme of our thoughts, the object of our tenderest affection. We should let our minds dwell upon the precious characteristics of our Lord; we should contemplate the rich promises of His Word; we should meditate upon the glories of heaven. We should not be satisfied with but occasional glimpses of our Redeemer, but our minds should be stayed upon God by continual trust in His Word. We should search the Scriptures diligently in order that we may have an understanding of the claims that Christ has upon us, and that we may have right views of the truth. Our wills must be subdued, and brought into harmony with the will of God.

"Precious light has been permitted to shine upon our pathway, and around us are the angels of heaven, who are interested in our welfare.... The love of Christ manifested toward us in His life of humiliation and self-denial, in His death on Calvary, should call forth songs of gratitude from our lips. The hope of His soon coming should fill us with sacred joy. — (Lift Him Up, p. 238.)

"Our life is to be bound up with the life of Christ; we are to draw constantly from Him, partaking of Him, the living Bread that came down from heaven, drawing from a fountain ever fresh, ever giving forth its abundant treasures. If we keep the Lord ever before us, allowing our hearts to go out in thanksgiving and praise to Him, we shall have a continual freshness in our religious life. Our prayers will take the form of a conversation with God as we would talk with a friend. He will speak His mysteries to us personally. Often there will come to us a sweet joyful sense of the presence of Jesus. Often our hearts will burn within us as He draws nigh to commune with us as He did with Enoch. When this is in truth the experience of the Christian, there is seen in his life a simplicity, a humility, meekness, and lowliness of heart, that show to all with whom he associates that he has been with Jesus and learned of Him." – (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 129.)

Witnessing and evangelism are also vital to the success of any true revival and reformation. It is a sick and backsliding church that has no heart for evangelism. In receiving Jesus, we do so to give Him to others. No one can be a true Christian who doesn’t share the Gospel with others around him in some way, be it through Bible tracts or through conversation, or any other way that God wants.

When the woman at the well in John 4 realized who she was talking to, and what He was trying to do for her, she ran to the city to bring more people to the Savior. When Paul was converted, after his experience with Jesus on the road to Damascus, he began preaching Jesus. When King Nebuchadnezzar was converted, he began teaching his subjects about the King and Creator of the universe.

"Oh, how few feel the worth of souls! How few are willing to sacrifice to bring souls to the knowledge of Christ! There is much talking, much professed love for perishing souls; but talk is cheap stuff. It is earnest Christian zeal that is wanted—a zeal that will be manifested by doing something. All must now work for themselves, and when they have Jesus in their hearts they will confess Him to others. No more could a soul who possesses Christ be hindered from confessing Him than could the waters of Niagara be stopped from flowing over the falls.” – (Testimonies to the Church, Vol. 2, p. 233.)

It is one of the top signs that a person or church is lukewarm and unconverted, if they have no heart for evangelism. When a church organizes an evangelism series, and less than 10%-15% of the membership shows up, this is not a good sign. It is the sign of a church that is on life support, nearing the time when it will flatline. Their only hope is Jesus, and letting the Holy Spirit revive it.

PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD

Isaiah prophesied the mission of John the Baptist, and that mission was to prepare the way for the first advent of Jesus. He called for repentance, revival, and reformation. Why? If the people did not do these things, they would not recognize the Messiah when He showed up. Indeed, when the voice of the Father sounded His approval, many thought it was thunder.

We find Isaiah’s prophesy here:

“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord , make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain…” — (Isaiah 40:3-4.)

The word for prepare in this verse is parsed in the Hebrew as a Piel Imperative. An imperative is a command, but what is a piel? According to blueletterbible.org, it is “usually expresses an ‘intensive’ or ‘intentional’ action.” Also, the word for ‘make straight’ is the same parsing. But this word for prepare means, “to turn away, put out of the way, make clear, clear away…cast out, prepare…”

The word and its parsing express very intentional action. This is not a “if I feel like it” or an accidental action. This is not a “if it feels good” or “if it’s convenient, I’ll do it” action. This was John’s mission ordained by Jesus Himself. Centuries before John was ever thought of by any human, and before Jesus became incarnate human, the coming Savior revealed to Isaiah what the mission of His forerunner would be.

As was already stated, the word for make straight is the same parsing in the Hebrew. The website, blueletterbible.org has the translation listed as, “to make right, make smooth, make straight, to lead, direct, to lead straight along, to esteem right, approve.”

Consider this from the Albert Barnes Commentary

“The idea is taken from the practice of Eastern monarchs, who whenever they entered on a journey or an expedition, especially through a barren and unfrequented or inhospitable country, sent harbingers or heralds before them to prepare the way.

“To do this, it was necessary for them to provide supplies, and make bridges, or find fording places over the streams; to level hills, and construct causeways over valleys, or fill them up; and to make a way through the forest which might lie in their intended line of march. This was necessary, because these contemplated expeditions often involved the necessity of marching through countries where there were no public highways that would afford facilities for the passage of an army. Thus Arrian (Hist. liv. 30) says of Alexander, ‹He now proceeded to the River Indus, the army‘ that is, ἡ στρατιά hē stratia a part of the army, or an army sufficient for the purpose, ‹going before, which made a way for him, for otherwise there would have been no mode of passing through that region.‘ ‹When a great prince in the East,‘ says Paxton, ‹sets out on a journey, it is usual to send a party of men before him to clear the way.

“The state of those countries in every age, where roads are almost unknown, and, from want of cultivation, in many places overgrown with brambles and other thorny plants, which renders traveling, especially with a large retinue, incommodious, requires this precaution. The Emperor of Hindoostan, in his progress through his dominions, as described in the narrative of Sir Thomas Roe‘s embassy to the court of Delhi, was preceded by a very great company, sent before him to cut up the trees and bushes, to level and snmoth the road, and prepare their place of encampment. We shall be able, perhaps, to form a more clear and precise idea from the account which Diodorus gives of the marches of Semiramis, the celebrated Queen of Babylon, into Media and, Persia. “In her march to Ecbatana,” says the historian, “she came to the Zarcean mountain, which, extending many furlongs, and being full of craggy precipices and deep hollows, could not be passed without taking a great compass. Being therefore desirous of leaving an everlasting memorial of herself, as well as of shortening the way, she ordered the precipices to be digged down, and the hollows to be filled up; and at a great expense she made a shorter and more expeditious road; which to this day is called from her the road of Semiramis. Afterward she went into Persia, and all the other countries of Asia subjected to her dominion, and wherever she went, she ordered the mountains and precipices to be leveled, raised causeways in the plain country, and, at a great expense, made the ways passable.”

Spiritually speaking, the idea here is to remove everything that would prevent God’s people, both individually and collectively, from receiving His promised blessings, and the Holy Spirit in Latter Rain power.

Consider what the Spirit of Prophecy has to say regarding John the Baptist and God’s last day people, the Seventh-day Adventists:

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

“The work to be carried on by the people of God is declared in the words of Inspiration: “Behold, I send My messenger before Thy face, which shall prepare Thy way before Thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.” Mark 1:2, 3. “Behold My servant, whom I uphold; Mine elect, in whom My soul delighteth; I have put My Spirit upon Him. He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.... He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till He have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for His law.” Isaiah 42:1-4.” – ( Testimonies to the Church, Vol. 9, p. 64.)

“John was called to do a special work; he was to prepare the way of the Lord, to make straight His paths. The Lord did not send him to the school of the prophets and rabbis. He took him away from the assemblies of men to the desert, that he might learn of nature and nature’s God. God did not desire him to have the mold of the priests and rulers. He was called to do a special work. The Lord gave him his message. Did he go to the priests and rulers and ask if he might proclaim this message?—No, God put him away from them that he might not be influenced by their spirit and teaching. He was the voice of one crying in the wilderness, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain; and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it” (Isaiah 40:3-5). This is the very message that must be given to our people; we are near the end of time, and the message is, Clear the King’s highway; gather out the stones; raise up a standard for the people. The people must be awakened. It is no time now to cry peace and safety. We are exhorted to “cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isaiah 5:1).” – (Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 410.)

RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH

Here is a topic that many get confused on. People make excuses that we can’t overcome sin, and that we will keep sinning till Jesus returns. However, this is purely unbiblical. The Bible does say that we are saved by grace, with no works we can do to merit any part of our salvation. However, it also teaches that this salvation naturally produces good works.

Observe how the apostle Paul said it:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10.)

And here is how James said it:

“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:14-26.)

John the Baptist himself twice in John 1:29 & 36 said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” and, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John knew there was no way that we could do anything to merit salvation. This is what he was trying to get through to the people.

In his day, the Jewish religion had become extremely legalistic. The sacrifices and feasts had taken on a pagan flare, in that they were done to obtain the favor of God, or to appease His anger. They somehow missed the truth that God is love. Many say that the God of the Old Testament is the Father, while Jesus is the God of the New Testament. However, the story of the burning bush, and John 8:58 make it clear Jesus is the God of the Old AND New Testaments.

In order to prepare the Jews for the first Advent of Jesus, John had to teach the people that there was nothing they could do to merit the favor and salvation of God. Salvation is an absolutely free gift. But, not to give them any excuse for sin, he also had to teach them that salvation produces good works as its fruit. If people claims Christianity, but bears no fruit, they are hypocrites and imposters.

Ellen G. White had some strong words to say in regard to those who think they can earn salvation:

“If you would gather together everything that is good and holy and noble and lovely in man and then present the subject to the angels of God as acting a part in the salvation of the human soul or in merit, the proposition would be rejected as treason.”— (Faith and Works, p. 24.)

“He who is trying to become holy by his own works in keeping the law, is attempting an impossibility. All that man can do without Christ is polluted with selfishness and sin. It is the grace of Christ alone, through faith, that can make us holy.” – (Steps to Christ, p. 59.)

"He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law is attempting an impossibility. There is no safety for one who has merely a legal religion, a form of godliness. The Christian’s life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit. – (The Desire of Ages, p. 172.)

Perhaps we would do well to bring up the fact that the way people are saved now, is how mankind has always had the opportunity to be saved. In other words, Adam and Eve were saved by grace just like we are today. There is a deception within Christianity that Old Testament people were saved by works. But this is simply not true. A misunderstanding of this leads to erroneous beliefs about who God is. If God never changes, and His Gospel is a revelation of who He is, then His Gospel never changes either. It has ALWAYS been salvation by grace.

The apostle Paul, in teaching about righteousness by faith, actually quotes from Deuteronomy, the Old Covenant, in making his case. Let’s look at a couple of examples of this, just in the book of Romans, and their Old Testament foundations.

NT: “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to fait: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17.)

OT: “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4.)

Consider this quote from Skip MacCarty in his book, In Granite or Ingrained:

“Evidence in the Sinaitic covenant for Promise/Provision 1 of the new covenant: “‘I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts’” (Heb. 8:10)—Sanctification. When Peter admonished Christians to the highest level of sanctification, he quoted from the Sinai covenant and appealed to it as his authoritative source: “Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’” (1 Pet. 1:15–16; quoting Lev. 11:45; 19:2).

“God’s call for obedience was premised on His promise to empower people in every way necessary for them to comply. God’s appeal in the Sinaitic covenant that Israel “be holy…keep my decrees and follow them” was immediately accompanied with His enabling promise, “I am the LORD, who makes you holy” (Lev. 20:7–8). His biddings were His enablings. God invested the weekly Sabbath with that very meaning. As He “blessed the seventh day and made it holy,” so He instructed His covenant people to “observe my Sabbaths” each week as “a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD who makes you holy”7 (Gen. 2:3; Exod. 31:12–13). The Sabbath was a symbol and constant reminder to God’s people of His promise to sanctify them, to write His laws in their hearts, to restore His image within them—”I am the LORD, who makes you holy.

“Lest we be accused of putting words in God’s mouth that He would inscribe His laws on the hearts of His covenant people who put their trust in Him, Moses himself proclaimed it in his reiteration of the Sinaitic covenant in Deuteronomy:8 “The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.…Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.…“No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so that you may obey it…to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws” (Deut. 30:6, 11–16, italics added).

“In Romans 10:6–10 the apostle Paul quoted from this passage in Deuteronomy 30 to support his own teaching of righteousness by faith and introduced it with these words: “But the righteousness that is by faith says.” Thus we see that Deuteronomy 30 is a classic Sinai covenant statement of “the righteousness that is by faith” through which the gospel was preached to Israel (Rom. 10:5–13). Sadly, Paul had to lament concerning Israel, “but they have not all obeyed the gospel” that was preached to them (Rom. 10:16).”

“So strong is the argument from Deuteronomy 30:11–14 and Romans 10:5–16 that the Sinai covenant was a grace-based, righteousness-by-faith-encoded, gospel-bearing covenant that dispensationalist Wayne Strickland labors to make this Deuteronomic passage prophetic of a future time beyond the scope of the Sinai covenant. He does this to support his claim that “The righteousness of the law was operable during Moses’ life, but that a future time would see righteousness based on faith.”9 But O. Palmer Robertson rightly states, “the setting of Deuteronomy 30 requires that it be understood as reporting nothing other than a renewal of the Mosaic covenant of law” proving that “grace clearly may be found in the Mosaic covenant of law” even as “law clearly may be found in the Abrahamic covenant of promise.”10 McComiskey concurs: “[Christ] may be seen by Paul in the Old Testament word just as vividly as he is in the new Testament. Paul could see Christ in Deuteronomy 30.…In that passage [Deut. 30:11–14] Christ became the facilitating principle of obedience.

“Thus the psalmist, who lived during the era of the Sinai covenant and had accepted the everlasting gospel message communicated through that covenant, could testify, “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart” (Ps. 40:8). And God addressed His trusting children of that historical old covenant era who had a similar experience with God: “Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have my law in your hearts” (Isa. 51:7). Clearly, God’s call for an obedient, sanctified life, a life of holiness that bore the divine image, was accompanied by God’s own promise/provision, embedded within the Sinai covenant itself, that enabled His holy law to be ingrained in the hearts of His people, not just inscribed in granite. Such a sanctified experience is only possible for those who have responded in faith to the everlasting gospel appeal and whose hearts have been converted and transformed by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3–6; Rom. 8:4, 7–9).”

Indeed, it has always been salvation by grace. God also expects us to have complete victory over sin, and because of this, He has provided every resource necessary to do so. This is part of righteousness by faith, but more on it in the next section that will deal specifically with that.

For now, a few more Bible Scriptures that prove our point:

"And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh..." — (Ezekiel 11:19.)

"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” — (Ezekiel 36:26-27.)

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” — (Jeremiah 31:31-34.)

"For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:  9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.  10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:  11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.” — (Hebrews 8:8-11.)

COMPLETE VICTORY OVER SIN AND THE NATURE OF CHRIST

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy…” — (Jude 1:24.)

There is a massive deception that is pervading the vast majority of Christianity that it is impossible to overcome sin completely in this life. They get this, at least partly, from another deception they believe that claims Jesus had an unfallen, un-sinful nature. However, this is not what the Bible says. If Jesus had an unfallen nature, then He had an unfair advantage over the rest of us.

God’s standard of righteousness is still what it has always been, perfect obedience to His Ten Commandments. In our own strength, it is impossible to meet the requirements of God. However, God has provided every resource necessary for our uplifting from sin and degradation. God has promised not to leave us orphans, and to do anything for us that is necessary to secure our salvation. God does not do for us what we can do for ourselves, but He more than willingly and joyfully does for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

The apostle Peter says it this way:

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1:3-4.)

When Abraham was walking with God, “the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” (Genesis 17:1.) Why would God tell us to be perfect, if it wasn’t possible? If this is how God worked, then satan’s charges would be true about God holding up an impossible standard of morality.

However, the Bible shows us that Satan’s charges are patently false. Jesus became a man, with the same fallen nature as we have, to show us the proof that fallen man, united with the divine power of God, could still keep God’s Law in sinless perfection. Though Jesus was constantly being tempted, He never gave in. His love for us was so great that never once did He even consider indulging temptation, because even that would have been sin, disqualifying Him from being our Redeemer.

“God desires that the beings made in his image shall render obedience to him. He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” For this he gave his only begotten Son to this world, that in his strength men might have power to obey. He has ‘blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.’” – (The Review and Herald, December 15, 1896 Par. 9.)

“Perfection alone can meet the standard of Heaven. As God himself is perfect in his exalted sphere, so should his children be perfect in the humble sphere they occupy. Thus only can they be fit for the companionship of sinless beings in the kingdom of Heaven. Christ addresses to his followers these words that establish the standard of Christian character: 'Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.’” – (2SP 224.)

Time and time again in the Bible, God makes it clear that He wants us to be perfect. He has made it clear to every generation. Central to our sanctification is proper Sabbath keeping through His divine power. If the Sabbath had always been kept, there would never have been an atheist. The Sabbath is the sign that God sanctifies us. (Ezekiel 20.) Those who, by faith, obey God, and love Him with all the heart, will reach sinless perfection.

Consider:

“Those only who through faith in Christ obey all of God’s commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression. They testify to their love of Christ by obeying all His precepts, including the one relating to the observance of the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, the day that He blessed and sanctified, “because that in it He had rested from all His work.” (Genesis 2:3.)” — (Manuscript Releases, Vol. 8, p. 99.)

“Those who believe on Christ and obey His commandments are not under bondage to God’s law; for to those who believe and obey, His law is not a law of bondage, but of liberty. Every one who believes on Christ, every one who relies on the keeping power of a risen Saviour that has suffered the penalty pronounced upon the transgressor, every one who resists temptation and in the midst of evil copies the pattern given in the Christ-life, will through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ become a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Every one who by faith obeys God’s commandments, will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression.” — (Signs of the Times, July 23, 1902 Par. 14.)

Let us also consider victory over sin in the light of the Sanctuary. When Jesus ascended to Heaven after His resurrection, He entered the Holy Place, was anointed as our High Priest, and began His intercessory ministry for us. On October 22, 1844, Jesus closed the Holy Place Ministry, and opened the Most Holy Place Ministry.

Bible prophecy tells us that the ministry of Jesus in the Most Holy Place is going to close. Jesus will lay off His High Priestly garments and put on His Kingly garments. When Jesus closes this ministry, mankind will live without an intercessor. For the righteous, this means eternal security, and one last fiery trial. For the wicked, this means the seven last plagues.

We are told,

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

Once probation closes for all mankind, there is no more hope for the wicked to be saved. What our choice is at the close of probation, is what it will be for all eternity. The coming of Christ does not change anything in our character.

Indeed,

“It is a solemn thing to die, but a far more solemn thing to live. Every thought and word and deed of our lives will meet us again. What we make of ourselves in probationary time, that we must remain to all eternity. Death brings dissolution to the body, but makes no change in the character. The coming of Christ does not change our characters; it only fixes them forever beyond all change.” — (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 466.)

Many also seem to think that Jesus had a different nature than ours. However, this is not the picture of Jesus that the Bible gives us. In fact, when we go to Hebrews, we see this:

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” — (Hebrews 2:14-18.)

Notice it says he took part of the same flesh and blood as us. He took not the nature of angels, but of mankind. He accepted our nature 4,000 years after the fall, with all of dangers that came with it. Now, let’s be clear: He did not sin, and He never wanted to sin. But how can He be our Savior if He had an advantage over us in any way? Plus, if Jesus had an unfallen nature in His humanity, then how can we overcome sin completely as He commands us to do? Having the right understanding of the nature of Jesus is crucial to having the right understanding of righteousness by faith.

Indeed, notice this text:

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” — (Hebrews 4:15-16.)

Notice that it is because Jesus lived as one of us, with the exception that He never sinned, that gives us the privilege of coming boldly to His throne to find help in our battles to overcome and conquer sin completely. This idea that sin will never be overcome completely in this life is patently false.

Romans 8 also gives us a picture of the human nature of Jesus. Consider the following verse.

"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh…" — (Romans 8:3.)

The Greek word for flesh in this verse, according to Strong’s Concordance, refers to, “Human nature (with its frailties [physically or morally] and passions), or…a human being…” The word for sinful in this verse, according to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, means, “to be without a share in, to miss the mark, to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour…”

Again, to be clear, Jesus never sinned, and He never wanted to sin. But he had a sinful nature that was weakened by 4,000 years of sin. Had He any other nature than we have, He could not be our Savior, and Hebrews 4:15-16 would not be in the Bible. He came in the likeness of sinful flesh. Paul in Romans 8 is agreeing with himself in Hebrews 2.

Consider several quotes from the Spirit of Prophecy.

“But Jesus accepted humanity when the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin. Like every child of Adam He accepted the results of the working of the great law of heredity. What these results were is shown in the history of His earthly ancestors. He came with such a heredity to share our sorrows and temptations, and to give us the example of a sinless life.” — (The Desire of Ages, p. 48-49.)

“Satan charged God with possessing the attributes that he himself possessed. Christ came to this world to reveal God’s character as it really is. He is the perfect representation of the Father. His life of sinlessness, lived on this earth in human nature, is a refutation of Satan’s charge against the character of God. — (Signs of the Times, December 20, 1905 Par. 7.)

“We should have no misgivings in regard to the perfect sinlessness of the human nature of Christ. Our faith must be an intelligent faith, looking unto Jesus in perfect confidence, in full and entire faith in the atoning Sacrifice. This is essential that the soul may not be enshrouded in darkness. This holy Substitute is able to save to the uttermost; for He presented to the wondering universe perfect and complete humility in His human character, and perfect obedience to all the requirements of God. Divine power is placed upon man, that he may become a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. This is why repenting, believing man can be made the righteousness of God in Christ. — (Selected Messages, Vol. 1, p. 256.)

“Christ, the second Adam, came to a world polluted and marred, to live a life of perfect obedience. The race, weakened in moral power, was unable to cope with Satan, who ruled his subjects with cruel authority. Christ came to stand on the field of battle in warfare against all the satanic forces. By representing in his life the character of God, he sought to win man back to his allegiance.

“Clad in the vestments of humanity, the Son of God came down to the level of those he wished to save. In him was no guile or sinfulness; he was ever pure and undefiled; yet he took upon him our sinful nature. Clothing his divinity with humanity, that he might associate with fallen humanity, he sought to regain for man that which, by disobedience, Adam had lost for himself and for the world. In his own character he displayed to the world the character of God. He pleased not himself, but went about doing good. His whole history, for more than thirty years, was one of pure, disinterested benevolence. By his words, his influence, and his example, he made men feel that it was possible for them to return to their loyalty and be reinstated in God’s favor. He led them to see that if they repented, if their characters were transformed after the divine similitude, they would win immortality. — (Review and Herald, December 15, 1896 Par. 6-7.)

“In taking upon Himself man’s nature in its fallen condition, Christ did not in the least participate in its sin. He was subject to the infirmities and weaknesses by which man is encompassed, “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” He was touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and was in all points tempted like as we are. And yet He “knew no sin.” He was the lamb “without blemish and without spot.” Could Satan in the least particular have tempted Christ to sin, he would have bruised the Saviour’s head. As it was, he could only touch His heel. Had the head of Christ been touched, the hope of the human race would have perished. Divine wrath would have come upon Christ as it came upon Adam. Christ and the church would have been without hope. — (SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 5, p. 1131.)

We cannot venture into territory where the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy are silent. We are told that silence is eloquence on certain matters. But we can know what God has revealed about Himself and the Godhead through these resources. We know: He loves us, Jesus became man with the same nature as us, His substitutionary death is sufficient for all to be forgiven, He is our High Priest, etc..

WARNINGS OF THE COMING JUDGMENTS

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” — (Isaiah 58:1.)

“To the servant of God at this time is the command addressed: “Lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” [Isaiah 58:1].

“So far as his opportunities extend, everyone who has received the light of truth is under the same solemn and fearful responsibility as was the prophet of Israel. . . .” — (The Great Controversy, p. 459.)

John the Baptist warned of the consequences of rejecting the grace of God. When he was baptizing in the Jordan river, the prophet saw many of the religious leaders coming to see what was going on. Most of these, if not all, were self righteous Jews who were jealous of the young teacher’s growing influence. When John saw them, he was inspired to say the following verses:

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” — (Matthew 3:7-12.)

John the Baptist understood that God required Him to to give warnings of coming judgments, and calls for repentance. Every prophet of God throughout the history of this world, without exception, has been given the mission by Jesus Himself to give these clarion calls for repentance, and abundant offers of God’s mercy.

In fact, in Deuteronomy 28, there is a long list of both blessings and curses, dependent on whether or not the Israelites obeyed God, or rejected Him and His offers of mercy. Moses was perhaps one of the greatest prophets every given to Israel, and God used him mightily in teaching this nation about Himself.

Like John the Baptist, Ezekiel, an Old Testament prophet, was sent to speak to the people of Israel. One of the kinds of messages God gave through this prophet was warnings. Israel had committed very grave sins, particularly in the area of idolatry, and God wanted them to repent. Therefore, He sent them warnings, reproofs, as wells messages of mercy and forgiveness if they would repent.

God knew not everyone would listen, but because God is love, and because His character must be vindicated before the universe, He sends these messages anyway. The duty of a prophet always includes speaking God’s words, whether it is convenient or not.

The seriousness of delivering the warnings of God can be seen in the following verses in the book of Ezekiel.

“And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.” — (Ezekiel 2:5-7.)

“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man , that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” — (Ezekiel 3:17-21.)

“Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man , thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God , I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” — (Ezekiel 33:2-11.)

Ellen G. White was also sent to give warnings and reproofs as a part of the ministry God had entrusted her with. Part of her own experience can be read in the second quote after this paragraph.

“…every minister is under the responsibility of reproving and correcting the erring. If he shunned this duty, the blood of souls would be upon his garments.” (Youth’s Instructor, December 14, 1893, par. 7.)

“Presently an angel bade me rise, and the sight that met my eyes can hardly be described. A company was presented before me whose hair and garments were torn and whose countenances were the very picture of despair and horror. They came close to me and took their garments and rubbed them on mine. I looked upon my garments and saw that they were stained with blood, and that blood was eating holes in them. Again I fell like one dead at the feet of my accompanying angel. I could not plead one excuse. My tongue refused all utterance, and I longed to be away from such a holy place. Again the angel stood me upon my feet and said, “This is not your case now, but this scene has passed before you to let you know what your situation must be if you neglect to declare to others what the Lord has revealed to you. But if you are faithful to the end, you shall eat of the tree of life and shall drink of the river of the water of life. You will have to suffer much, but the grace of God is sufficient.” I then felt willing to do all that the Lord might require me to do that I might have His approbation and not feel His dreadful frown.” — (Early Writings, p. 76.)

“The church was defective and in need of stern reproof and chastisement, and John was inspired to record messages of warning and reproof and entreaty to those who, losing sight of the fundamental principles of the gospel, should imperil their hope of salvation. But always the words of rebuke that God finds it necessary to send are spoken in tender love and with the promise of peace to every penitent believer. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock,” the Lord declares; “if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20.” — (Acts of the Apostles, p. 587.)

Indeed, in the messages to the seven churches, many of them had rebukes. But God also sent offers of mercy and forgiveness with those rebukes, and promises to the overcomers. In 2 Timothy 4:1-5, the apostle Paul takes up this thought of performing rebukes and refutations. He understood there would be those who needed these ministries.

Paul moves on to the command to reprove. This word, according to Strong's Concordance, means, "to confute, admonish:—convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove….expose, chide, admonish, call to account, show one his fault…” This is the same word used in Ephesians 5:11.

The Adam Clarke Bible Commentary says to “Confute (prove a person to be wrong), the false teacher.”

The Albert Barnes Commentary says:

“The meaning is that he was to use such arguments as would “convince” men of the truth of religion, and of their own need of it.”

This is why ministries like Little Light Studios and Amazing Discoveries are so vitally important. The characters of false shepherds and false movements must be exposed, so that people can see the true evil of such movements as the ecumenical movements, and false shepherds like TD Jakes.

The same word is used in Ephesians 5:11 where the apostle Paul tells us to have no fellowship with the worthless works of darkness, but to reprove them.

“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11, NKJV.)

In fact, this word for reprove also means to expose. We are not to fellowship or partake in the works of deception such as those belonging to wolves such as Kenneth Copeland. Rather, we are to expose such false movements, so that people will be able to see the Truth and accept it. If we neglect to do this work, the blood of lost souls will be on our heads.

Any sins that threaten the health of the church or the salvation of individuals must be dealt with. After all, Jesus said in Revelation 3:19, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”

This includes all sin, as seemingly small as a cup of coffee, or as big as sexual misconduct. In fact, the prophet has this to say:

The visible and the invisible world are in close contact. Could the veil be lifted, we would see evil angels employing all their arts to deceive and destroy. Wherever an influence is exerted to cause men to forget God, there Satan is exercising his bewitching power. All who venture into scenes of dissipation or irreligious pleasure, or seek the society of the sensualist, the skeptic, or the blasphemer, by personal intercourse or through the medium of the press, are tampering with sorcery. Ere they are aware, the mind is bewildered and the soul polluted. The apostle’s admonition to the Ephesian church should be heeded by the people of God today: “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” (Sketches from the Life of Paul, p. 140.)

This also includes not associating with those who don’t love the Truth. This not only includes worldlings, but also lax church members. There are many Christians today who are lazy in their spirituality, which spills over into their secular affairs. Many will cut corners at work or in private to give themselves an advantage, or just because they are lazy.

These people God does not want us associating with, because by beholding, we become changed. Israel didn’t fall prey to the Midianites overnight. It took time. By association that excited no alarm, they were led to lower their guard against sin. Thus the way was prepared for them to have drunken sex orgies with these people, and subsequently, this brought the judgments of God upon the nation of Israel.

While reprove means things like, admonish, expose, or confute, rebuke means just that: to rebuke. Now it also means things like, "admonish, charge sharply, censure, straitly charge, censure severely…" Reprove carries with it the idea of convincing, or exposing. Rebuke seems to be more sharply intentioned.

For example, Jesus reproved the pharisees. He exposed their true character. Peter rebuked Simon the sorcerer in the book of Acts. This is essentially the difference between the two words. And as was already stated, all five job descriptions listed earlier are commands in the Greek. But what does it mean to rebuke? And when is it necessary?

This idea of rebuking carries with it the idea of the necessity of dealing with sin. It is the duty of every minister to deal with sin in the church. In the Old Testament story of Achan, God could not bless the entire nation because of the sin one man. Similarly, God cannot bless the church today as He wants to do because of the sins of its members.

These earlier quotes are enough to show the seriousness of this duty to rebuke. Of course, rebuking should be done in the love of Christ, but it should still be done. God cannot bless His people if they are holding onto sin, therefore sin in the church must be dealt with. Any minister who refuses to deal with sin in the church will one day have to confront that unfulfilled duty in the judgment, unless he repents.

This is the challenge. As humans, we are naturally sinful and unloving. Unless we have Jesus enshrined in the heart, we should not dare to take up the duty of rebuking. Rebukes will never work unless delivered in the love of God. To those who do not want to hear them, and do not want to repent, even these loving rebukes will seem like hatred. But God sends them nonetheless, because He wants us all to be saved.

We as God’s people are entrusted by Him with the task of taking the warnings of the Three Angel’s Messages to the world. Every last human alive must be warned so that they can make an informed decision. Consider:

“Today, in the spirit and power of Elias and of John the Baptist, messengers of God’s appointment are calling the attention of a judgment-bound world to the solemn events soon to take place in connection with the closing hours of probation and the appearance of Christ Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. Soon every man is to be judged for the deeds done in the body. The hour of God’s judgment has come, and upon the members of His church on earth rests the solemn responsibility of giving warning to those who are standing as it were on the very brink of eternal ruin. To every human being in the wide world who will give heed must be made plain the principles at stake in the great controversy being waged, principles upon which hang the destinies of all mankind.

“In these final hours of probation for the sons of men, when the fate of every soul is so soon to be decided forever, the Lord of heaven and earth expects His church to arouse to action as never before. Those who have been made free in Christ through a knowledge of precious truth, are regarded by the Lord Jesus as His chosen ones, favored above all other people on the face of the earth; and He is counting on them to show forth the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into marvelous light. The blessings which are so liberally bestowed are to be communicated to others. The good news of salvation is to go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.” — (Prophets and Kings, p. 716.)

THE MESSAGE OF ELIJAH AND JOHN

The message of Elijah the prophet was very similar to that of John the Baptist. One could say that Elijah was the type of John the Baptist. The first we read about Elijah in the Bible is in 1 Kings 17:1 is a warning to King Ahab that there would be no rain again until Elijah said so. This was a message of judgment.

The nation of Israel had become entrenched in idolatrous worship of the false god Baal. In order to arouse His people, God sent a prophet to warn of the coming judgment, as well as the judgment itself. This judgment included a multiyear drought.

Ellen G. White makes the John the Baptist connection with Elijah here:

“His was the voice of one crying in the wilderness to rebuke sin and press back the tide of evil. And while he came to the people as a reprover of sin, his message offered the balm of Gilead to the sin-sick souls of all who desired to be healed.”— (Prophets and Kings, p. 119.)

Elijah was wrung with sorrow as he watched his people sink further and further into apostasy. He well knew that it could get to the point that judgments would be needed to wake them up, and he prayed for as much if it were necessary. God saw fit to answer His prayer because He saw that nothing less than judgments would work to arouse the senses of His people.

Towards the end of the drought, Elijah was commanded by God to tell Ahab to gather all Israel at Mount Carmel. This was to be a contest of sorts. The prophets and servants of Baal, 850 in number, were to take a bull, kill it and put it on an altar. If their god could consume the sacrifice by fire, then that meant he was god. However, if that didn’t work, but God sent fire to consume Elijah’s sacrifice, that meant He was God.

As the story goes, Baal’s false prophets danced, screamed, cursed, and cut themselves for hours, till they bled profusely. The Bible says their blood gushed out. Still, no amount of their pagan practices could invoke a fire from their false, non-existent god. Satan would’ve gladly sent fire to keep them in deception, but God said no. The people must be given proper information of both sides of the controversy, and a fair chance to choose who they would serve.

When it came to the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah rebuilt the damaged altar of God, placed his sacrifice on it, and then commanded it be soaked with four barrels of water, three times. This quite likely puzzled, and perhaps even angered, many who were watching, because water was scarcely available at that point.

But it soaked the animal, the stones, and filled the trench around the altar. Elijah calmly prayed, and God answered by sending fire to consume, not only the animal, but the stones and the water as well. There is no need of theatrics, worldly methods, and unbiblical practices to turn the eyes of the people to Jesus. Simple, practical godliness is all that is needed.

When the people saw it, they declared God to be the real God, and Baal was unmasked as false and non-existent. When Elijah commanded the prophets of Baal to be seized, taken to the river and slain, the people readily obeyed. In the mercy of God, His people must be given a fair opportunity to get to know Him without Satan having a foothold in Israel.

Only now was the curse that was caused by their disobedience to be removed. Only when the people of God should turn back to Him, can He heal them. Consider what the Lord told King Solomon:

"And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.” — (2 Chronicles 7:12-15.)

The message of Elijah also echoed that of the prophet Isaiah. Both were called to expose sin and warn of the judgments that would come as a result of sin. Consider:

“Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” — (Isaiah 59:1-2.)

And:

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” — (Isaiah 58:1.)

“To the servant of God at this time is the command addressed: ‘Lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins’ [Isaiah 58:1].

“So far as his opportunities extend, everyone who has received the light of truth is under the same solemn and fearful responsibility as was the prophet of Israel. . .” — (The Great Controversy, p. 459.)

"Christ’s instruction as to the treatment of the erring repeats in more specific form the teaching given to Israel through Moses: “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in anywise rebuke thy neighbor, that thou bear not sin for him.” Leviticus 19:17, margin. That is, if one neglects the duty Christ has enjoined, of trying to restore those who are in error and sin, he becomes a partaker in the sin. For evils that we might have checked, we are just as responsible as if we were guilty of the acts ourselves.” — (The Desire of Ages, p. 441.)

FAMILY AND SABBATH RESTORATION

There are two things that Adam and Eve took with them after their fall: the Sabbath, and marriage/family. Ever since, the devil has been attacking both institutions. In this final age of almost universal apostasy, Satan has been untiring in his effort to obliterate both. In the last few years, homosexual marriage became legal across the entire country by mandate of the USA Supreme Court. Marriages are falling apart with an astonishing 50% divorce rate, and divorces can be obtained without good reason.

Again we quote from Malachi:

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” — (Malachi 4:5-6.)

The Sabbath has well nigh been entirely removed from the minds of most of humanity, especially most Christians. The vast majority of Christianity has accepted Sunday to be the Bible Sabbath, having no proof that it is so. In fact, some have for years been agitating the false idea that Sunday needs to be kept holy. Still others are working behind the scenes to bring this idea into enforced national law, which will be followed by enforced global law.

These two creations of God, the Sabbath and marriage, are indissolubly linked together. Properly kept, the Sabbath would be a safeguard for families from any attack against marriage and the family. In fact, Ellen G. White goes so far as to say this:

“Had the Sabbath been universally kept, man’s thoughts and affections would have been led to the Creator as the object of reverence and worship, and there would never have been an idolater, an atheist, or an infidel. The keeping of the Sabbath is a sign of loyalty to the true God, “Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” It follows that the message which commands men to worship God and keep His commandments will especially call upon them to keep the fourth commandment.” — (The Great Controversy, p. 437.)

“The greatest evidence of the power of Christianity that can be presented to the world is a well-ordered, well-disciplined family. This will recommend the truth as nothing else can, for it is a living witness of its practical power upon the heart.” — (The Adventist Home, p. 32.)

In Malachi 4:6, it is interesting to note that the relationship restoration centers around the fathers and the children. It almost seems as though the Bible is prophesying that fathers would become an ostracized part of society. And indeed, the American media portrays fathers as the biggest idiots on earth, incompetent and incapable of doing anything meaningful or of good quality.

Thanks to Hollywood, fathers have become an incredibly marginalized and minimized part of society. Then we wonder why our families are falling apart and why kids hate their fathers. They’ve been programmed to. They’ve been brainwashed to. Look at most divorces where kids are involved. Main custody, or sole custody, nearly always goes to the mother. In some cases, this is necessary, absolutely. But not in all cases. And in fact, if husbands and wives would humble themselves, the divorce rate wouldn’t be nearly as high.

Why is the devil attacking fathers so much? Satan is attacking the family, yes, but his attacks seem pointed majorly at the fathers more than the other members of the family. Why? Families that have godly fathers who try to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord are a threat to the satanic kingdom. Children whose fathers teach them the way of the Lord are far more likely to stay in church and be real Christians themselves, than if they just lived with a godly mother. Both influences are necessary, but it is the father’s influence that has the most weight in their kids staying with Jesus. This is why satan attacks the father the most. If he can succeed in making the father lost, the kids are most likely to follow suit.

In Malachi 4:6, the word for father is specific to that masculine parenting role. Now of course, there is needed restoration between mothers and children. But this verse seems to be specific to fathers and children. As we just learned, fathers are under the most attack from satan. It is less spiritually risky for the mother to leave, or be an unbeliever, than for the father.

In addition, this word for father can also refer to God Himself, as the father of His true people. This brings up another reason why satan attacks fathers of the families so much. If satan can attack the father of the family and cause him to be a terrible person, the children are FAR more likely to reject God because of what their father is like.

Fathers, we stand in the place of God to our families. I do not mean in the same sense as the antichrist pope claims. But fathers, how our wives and children see us is most often how they see God Himself. What example are we giving to our families of what God is like? Are we distorting His character? Or are we living it accurately?

The family is a picture of what God is like, specifically the Godhead. The role of the father is to demonstrate the self-sacrificing love of God to his family. God made the first move in the process of our possible salvation. Fathers, if you want restoration in your family, you have to make the first move!

You’re job is to do whatever it takes to lead your family to Christ. That may look different for every family, but the principle is the same. Do what it takes to lead your family to Jesus. This is why women’s ordination is a gross distortion of the Gospel. The woman is a symbol of the church, while the husband is a symbol of Jesus.

The church did not make the first move in seeking her own salvation. The Godhead did. It is not the wife’s job to be spiritual leader of her family. It is the husband’s job. Why is this issue important in the area of family restoration? If the woman usurps her husbands God-given position and authority, there cannot be family restoration, and they give to their children a perverted version of the Gospel.

Part of the restoration of the family includes a return to proper Sabbath keeping. Today, we have the same problem that the Jews contemporary to Jesus had. They knew when the Sabbath was, but they didn’t know proper observance of it. The Pharisees tried in their own strength to keep it and came up with many many laws to help. The Sadducees were the rejectors of doctrines they didn’t like, and thus likely had the mindset of it doesn’t matter how the Sabbath is kept.

And so it is with us today. We know when the Sabbath is. But most of us don’t know how to properly keep it. Many of us try legalistically, as did the pharisees, while others think it doesn’t matter, thinking God’s blessings aren’t dependent on our obedience. How important is it to properly keep the Sabbath?

Consider these Scriptures and Spirit of Prophecy comments. Please notice how Isaiah 58:13 calls us seven times in one verse to proper Sabbath observance before God, in verse 14, promises that His blessing will rest upon us. God’s blessing is in fact dependent on our obedience; not in the legalistic sense, but if our obedience doesn’t match our profession, we are liars.

“If thou turn away thy foot (1) from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure (2) on my holy day; and call the sabbath (3) a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him (4), not doing thine own ways, (5) nor finding thine own pleasure, (6) nor speaking thine own words (7): Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” — (Isaiah 58:13-14.)

“Obedience was to be their protection, for it would save them from destroying themselves by sinful practices.” — (Prophets and Kings, p. 18.)

“The covenant of grace was first made with man in Eden, when after the Fall, there was given a divine promise that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head. To all men this covenant offered pardon, and the assisting grace of God for future obedience through faith in Christ. It also promised them eternal life on condition of fidelity to God’s law. Thus the patriarchs received the hope of salvation.” — (The Faith I Live By, p. 77.)

“It means eternal salvation to keep the Sabbath holy unto the Lord. God says: “Them that honor me I will honor.” 1 Samuel 2:30.” — (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, p. 356.)

“The Sabbath and the family were alike instituted in Eden, and in God’s purpose they are indissolubly linked together. On this day more than on any other, it is possible for us to live the life of Eden. It was God’s plan for the members of the family to be associated in work and study, in worship and recreation.

“During a portion of the day, all should have an opportunity to be out of doors. How can children receive a more correct knowledge of God…than in spending a portion of their time out of doors, not in play, but in company with their parents? Let their young minds be associated with God in the beautiful scenery of nature… As they view the beautiful things which He has created for the happiness of man, they will be led to regard Him as a tender, loving Father… As the character of God puts on the aspect of love, benevolence, beauty, and attraction, they are drawn to love Him.

“The Sabbath—oh!—make it the sweetest, the most blessed day of the whole week.” — (The Faith I Live By, p. 36

PREPARE FOR THE LORD’S RETURN

Part of John the Baptist’s message was to prepare for the advent of the Messiah. And how did John the Baptist preach that the Jews were to prepare? Repentance. Observe:

“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand…But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” — (Matthew 3:2, 7-12.)

The first thing this prophet is recorded as saying is to repent. We cannot stand before God unless we have genuinely repented of all our sin. When Isaiah saw the Lord in vision in Isaiah 6, he said,

“Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” — (Isaiah 6:5.)

When the wicked see Jesus in the clouds of the sky coning to rescue His repentant people, they will say to the mountains and rocks,

“…Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” — (Revelation 6:16-17.)

Indeed, when Jesus returns, only those who wholly follow Jesus, allowing Him to sanctify them, to unite them as His Church on Himself and His Truth,

“That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” — (Ephesians 5:27.)

As was stated earlier in this study, in order to receive the seal of God, we must overcome sin completely. Those who believe that we cannot overcome sin in this life are in grave danger of losing their salvation. Ephesians here tells us that the church must be without defect. In order for the church to be pure, spotless, and undefiled, its individual members must be as well.

This idea of not being able to overcome sin is one of Satan’s most ingenious deceptions for these last days. If people believe this, then they are not preparing for Jesus to return. Therefore, when probation closes, and afterward when He does return, unless they have repented of this heresy, they will not be ready, and will thus be lost forever.

Consider what Ellen G. White has to say:

“Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” — (Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 69; emphasis mine.)

“Tell the people of Him who is ‘the Chiefest among ten thousand,’ and the One ‘altogether lovely.’ The Song of Solomon 5:10, 16. Words alone cannot tell it. Let it be reflected in the character and manifested in the life. Christ is sitting for His portrait in every disciple. Every one God has predestinated to be ‘conformed to the image of His Son.’ Romans 8:29. In every one Christ’s long-suffering love, His holiness, meekness, mercy, and truth are to be manifested to the world.” — (The Desire of Ages, p. 826; emphasis mine.)

You see, we cannot claim to be God’s people while we knowingly violate any of His Commandments. If we do not perfectly represent His character, then when He returns, He will not be returning for us. Now is the day of salvation. Now is the period of probation that is granted to us. Now is the time when we must make the best of the opportunities granted to us to perfect Christian character in the fear and power of God.

This is why God, through the apostle Peter, tells us:

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” — (2 Peter 1:3-4.)

In a prior Bible Study, we went over the end of Revelation 6 and discussed the question, “Who shall be able to stand?” That is, what will the people be like who can stand without fear on the earth when Jesus shall appear to rescue them? These people will be fully prepared to meet Him in glory. They will say,

“Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” — (Isaiah 25:9.)

God’s people will be described by the following list of characteristics. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it serves to get the mind back to Bible study and prayer so that people will understand what they must be in order to be saved.

1. The servants of God, the 144,000. (Revelation 7:3-4.)

2. Them that had gotten the victory over the beast, over his image, over his mark, and over the number of his name. (Revelation 15:2-4.)

3. Those who sing the song of Moses, and of the Lamb. (Revelation 15:2-4.)

4. Those who fear God, and glorify Him. (Revelation 15:2-4.)

5. Them that have the Father’s name written in their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1-4.)

6. Them that are not defiled with women; they are virgins. (Revelation 14:1-4.)

7. Those who follow the Lamb wherever He goes; sanctuary reference. (Revelation 14:1-4.)

This topic is one of the biggest and most glorious themes to be found in both the Bible and the writings of Ellen G. White. Ever since the fall of Adam and Eve, God has been working, not only to reconcile mankind to Himself, but also to bring this great controversy to an end; to bring repentant and sanctified humanity back to the perfect world that we lost 6,000 years ago.

Consider this statement from the Pen of Inspiration:

“The great controversy is nearing its end. Every report of calamity by sea or land is a testimony to the fact that the end of all things is at hand. Wars and rumors of wars declare it. Is there a Christian whose pulse does not beat with quickened action as he anticipates the great events opening before us? The Lord is coming. We hear the footsteps of an approaching God.

“This knowledge of the nearness of Christ’s coming should not be allowed to lose its force, and we become careless and inattentive, and fall into slumber—into an insensibility and indifference to realities. In slumber we are in an unreal world, and not sensible of the things which are taking place around us…

“There are those who have the blazing light of truth shining all around them, and yet are insensible to it. They are enchanted by the enemy, held under a spell by his bewitching power. They are not preparing for that great day which is soon to come to our world. They seem utterly insensible to religious truth.

“Are there not some youth who are awake? Those who see that the night cometh, and also the morning, should work with untiring energy to arouse their sleeping associates. Can they not feel their peril, pray for them, and show them by their own life and character that they believe themselves that Christ is soon to come? … The rapidly diminishing space of time between us and eternity should more deeply impress us. Every day that passes makes one less left us to complete our work of perfecting character…

“As long as there are many asleep, many sporting away the precious hours in careless indifference, as it were, upon the very brink of the eternal world, those who do believe must be sober, must be awake, must be earnest and diligent, and watch unto prayer…

“Have you, dear youth, your lamps trimmed and burning?” — (Maranatha, p. 221.)

THE ELLEN G. WHITE CONNECTION

As John the Baptist was especially raised up and called by God to prepare the way for the first advent of Jesus, so too, was Ellen G. White raised up and called by God to help prepare the way for the second advent of the Son of God. Again we quote the following passage:

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” — (Malachi 4:5-6.)

In this passage the Bible uses the symbolism of Elijah to describe what the mission would be of the last day/end time prophet of God, as well as that of His Remnant Church. The crux of this passage is family restoration. The family, rightly conducted, is one of the greatest evidences of the existence of God. Therefore, satan seeks to attack it with such force and vigor that families will fall apart and the world will look with abhorrence upon both the family and true religion.

This passage also includes a warning. Those who don’t listen to and reject God’s message of mercy will experience the consequences they have chosen by default. Many families, even in the Seventh-day Adventist church, are falling apart at the seams. This is satan’s studied goal, because it greatly diminishes our witness. People aren’t going to believe in the power of the Gospel when those who are preaching it are not being and have not been changed by it. We cannot give what we do not have.

Throughout history, God always calls someone to the office of prophet anytime He is about to do something huge. God also calls a prophet at the beginning and ending of every time prophecy in the Bible.

“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.” — (Amos 3:7.)

Examples include:

• Enoch and Noah — the flood

• Noah — the flood

• Jeremiah and Daniel — the 70 prophecy of Babylonian captivity

• Daniel and John the Baptist — the 490 year prophecy, part of the 2,300 year prophecy

• Daniel and Ellen G. White — the 2,300 year prophecy

• John the Revelator and Ellen G. White — the 1,260 year prophecy

All of these prophets were called to do the same things. All were called to give warnings, reproofs, rebukes, as well as messages of mercy, offers of forgiveness, and a knowledge of what things God would do and will do in the future. Ellen G. White was no different. As every other prophet, part of her ministry was to direct the attention of the people back to the Word of God.

Part of Ellen White’s ministry was to give warnings. At first, she softened them down. But the Lord was merciful and gave her a vision as to why this was quite a sinful course. Observe:

“When the Lord first gave me messages to deliver to His people, it was hard for me to declare them, and I often softened them down and made them as mild as possible for fear of grieving some. It was a great trial to declare the messages as the Lord gave them to me. I did not realize that I was so unfaithful and did not see the sin and danger of such a course until in vision I was taken into the presence of Jesus. He looked upon me with a frown and turned His face from me. It is not possible to describe the terror and agony I then felt. I fell upon my face before Him, but had no power to utter a word. Oh, how I longed to be covered and hid from that dreadful frown! Then could I realize, in some degree, what the feeling of the lost will be when they cry, ‘Mountains and rocks, fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.’

“Presently an angel bade me rise, and the sight that met my eyes can hardly be described. A company was presented before me whose hair and garments were torn and whose countenances were the very picture of despair and horror. They came close to me and took their garments and rubbed them on mine. I looked upon my garments and saw that they were stained with blood, and that blood was eating holes in them. Again I fell like one dead at the feet of my accompanying angel. I could not plead one excuse. My tongue refused all utterance, and I longed to be away from such a holy place. Again the angel stood me upon my feet and said, “This is not your case now, but this scene has passed before you to let you know what your situation must be if you neglect to declare to others what the Lord has revealed to you. But if you are faithful to the end, you shall eat of the tree of life and shall drink of the river of the water of life. You will have to suffer much, but the grace of God is sufficient.” I then felt willing to do all that the Lord might require me to do that I might have His approbation and not feel His dreadful frown.” — (Early Writings, p. 76.)