Lot and the Three Angel’s
Lot and the Three Angel’s Messages
Abraham and Lot had both grown very, very wealthy. They had to separate, because of strife between their respective servants. Abraham, even though he was the elder, and the right to choose first belonged to him, instead gave first choice to Lot. Lot, gazing out upon the plain of Jordan, saw the temporal advantages that awaited him there, and naturally chose to make his home there. Lot then takes his family, his servants, and his wealth and moves to the plain of Jordan. He either didn’t realize the wickedness of the area, or just didn’t care enough to be separate, as God says.
Sodom, and the other 4 cities of the plain, had become like the days of Noah. It was all about pleasure seeking, and all about self. And with Lot, it all began when he “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” (Genesis 13:12, King James Version).
THE FIRST ANGEL
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (Revelation 14:6-7).
Indeed, the hour of judgment for the cities of the plain had come. The wickedness of Sodom has grown so much that they have left God no choice but to destroy them. The Lord Jesus, with two angels, decided to visit Abraham personally. He had come to reveal to Abraham that the hour of judgment had indeed come. Even in Genesis 18, we see the subject and concept of the Investigative Judgment. Genesis 18:20-22 clearly points this out.
Immediately, Abraham begins doing what we should be doing for the lost sheep of the world. Abraham loved people so much, and hungered for their salvation to the point that even if there were only 10 righteous, he asked God to spare Sodom. But of course, we know how the story goes. Not even 10 righteous were found. In the end, only three made it out of the plain alive.
The people of Sodom were not following the counsel of the first angel. They did not fear God, nor did they have any regard for the everlasting Gospel. They were familiar with the Gospel to some degree, because God never destroys without first presenting everything He can to get the sinner to turn from their evil ways. Just like in the days of Noah, Lot, though a defective one, was a witness to the Gospel in Sodom. He hadn’t completely let go of his faith.
Several things led to the downfall of Sodom and the other cities of the plain.
“Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.” (Ezekiel 16:49-50).
Notice this list of sins:
1. Pride
2. Fullness of Bread (gluttony, unhealthy food, and by not following the health message, they could not think straight enough to choose God.)
3. Abundance of idleness (It could also mean a false sense of security, possibly a form of pride).
4. Idleness (Number 3 can also translate into 2 different words, the second one meaning laziness).
5. Neglect of the poor and needy.
6. Haughty (Also means pride, arrogance).
7. They committed abominations before God (We know from Genesis 19 that at least one of these abominations was homosexuality. Others can include unclean food, the various forms of idolatry, unequally yoked marriages, etc.. At least two of Lot’s daughters had married Sodomites, which led to their eternal damnation.)
As a result of not heading the message of the first angel, they progressed to being fallen, as the second angel describes. But before they reached the destruction prophesied by the third angel, God in His mercy sent two angels to His people who were still inside. When the call is made that Babylon has fallen, God also makes the call to “Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4.) And indeed, the plague that was about to strike the cities of the plain was going to be such as they had never experienced.
The first angel commands us to Fear God and give Him glory. But what does it mean to do this? “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” (Proverbs 16:6.) We glorify God, in one way, by letting Him purify us by His mercy and truth. We glorify Him another way by living healthy lives, in every sense of the term. God also wants us to depart from evil, and the only way to do this is “by the fear of the Lord.”
This is something Lot struggled with. By moving close to the cities of the plain, and then into Sodom itself, he began to lose the fear of the Lord, be it ever so gradually. Perhaps he also began to fear God less by the physical, mental, and spiritual food he took in. He was likely bedazzled by all the busyness of the area, and entranced by the possibility of worldly gain. God has always wanted His people separate from the world. God called us out to be a peculiar people, and when we associate with unbelievers for any other reason other than witnessing, we will begin to lose our hold on God, as did Lot and his family.
Lot probably got to a point where he began hiding his faith, at least to a certain degree. Perhaps he even compromised the Sabbath. He definitely compromised on the Tenth Commandment which forbids covetousness, or he would not have so readily chosen to move his household to such a wicked area. As Lot’s faith began to grow weaker and weaker, God, in His mercy, sent angel messengers to rescue Lot, and anyone else who was willing to be rescued.
As the angels were encouraging Lot to fear God, and give Him glory, God was at the same time telling Abraham that the hour of His judgment had come.
The first angel also talks about the judgment hour, what we commonly call the Investigative Judgment. This is the time where God is seeking to draw near to His people through the blotting out of their sins. Sin cannot exist in the presence of a Holy God. These include sins of intemperance.
You know, out of FIVE cities, God only found THREE people who were found worthy to escape destruction. Even Mrs. Lot was judged and turned to a pillar of salt for loving Sodom more than God. You see, she had become lukewarm.
We have so much truth that God has committed to us, and many of us aren’t even following half of it. In fact, WEare lukewarm. God wants us to be either hot or cold, but so many of us look and act just like the world, and we are satisfied with it, and see no need for change. We have a message of mercy and judgment; really, of merciful judgment. God is not willing that any should perish, but He does not force the will. God is love, and merciful. But He cannot wait forever. Sin must have an end, in mercy not only for the righteous, but also for both the unfallen worlds and in mercy for the wicked.
Do we know what it means to glorify God? I mean, really? Many of us across the world don’t seem to understand, or perhaps we just outright reject the high standard that God has set for us. But how can we glorify God if we don’t allow Him to fulfill this standard in us? Sanctification is a gift from God, not just justification. And if we are not living the truth that God has given us, allowing Him to sanctify us through that truth, including the health message and Sabbath, then we are not giving glory to Him. And this includes giving up things that don’t follow Philippians 4:8: i.e., theatrical style TV and movies, as well as worldly music, and worldly sounding “Christian” music. Remember, the Health Message includes more than physical health. We are just as much disobeying the health message when we partake of unhealthy mental, visual, or emotional food, as when we partake of unhealthy physical food.
What we may also fail to realize is the solemnity of the time we are living. In the ancient Day of Atonement, God’s people were to examine their hearts, to confess and repent from any known sins. This was not a time of light hearted partying. Those who did not afflict their souls were cut off from Israel. In the same way, those today who do not bother to repent will be cut off from God’s people, and will not taste the joys of Heaven.
The high priest on this day also changed his clothing. The robes of the high priest were beautifully designed, and this likely typified the glory of Christ, our Heavenly High Priest. But on the Day of Atonement, even he put on the plain white robes of the common priest, which symbolized the character that the sincere Israelite was seeking for. You can read all this in Leviticus 16, and a bit more towards the end of Leviticus 23.
This was a day to live simply, not in extravagance. God has always valued simplicity, but especially during this day, He commanded it even more so. And just as God expected Israel to follow this concept of extra simplicity during this day, so He expects us to do the same, being in the antitypical day of atonement.
This is one reason why the health message and dress reform are so very important. If we are not living healthy, which includes diet, exercise, mental health, and other details, our minds will not be clear enough to choose God. And we cannot expect God to heal us and grant our prayers if we do not have the clarity of mind to do what He asks. Consider this solemn quote from the Pen of Inspiration:
Those who will gratify their appetite, and then suffer because of their intemperance, and take drugs to relieve them, may be assured that God will not interpose to save health and life which is so recklessly periled. The cause has produced the effect. Many, as their last resort, follow the directions in the word of God, and request the prayers of the elders of the church for their restoration to health. God does not see fit to answer prayers offered in behalf of such, for He knows that if they should be restored to health, they would again sacrifice it upon the altar of unhealthy appetite.—(Counsels on Diet and Foods, page 26, Ellen G. White.)
The message of dress reform is also a message of health reform. It really does affect our minds and spirituality. We need to dress modestly, which shows that we value the sexuality that God gave us. We need to dress simply, which shows that we value the money God gave us. Fancy clothing and clothing with light hearted and/or vulgar phrases are not what God’s people should be wearing. Does our clothing follow Philippians 4:8? Consider this deep and telling passage:
‘I saw many traveling in this broad road who had written upon them, ‘Dead to the world. The end of all things is at hand. Be ye also ready.’ They looked just like all the vain ones around them, except a shade of sadness which I noticed upon their countenances. Their conversation was just like that of the gay, thoughtless ones around them; but they would occasionally point with great satisfaction to the letters on their garments, calling for the others to have the same upon theirs. They were in the broad way, yet they professed to be of that number who were traveling the narrow way. Those around them would say, ‘There is no distinction between us. We are all alike; we dress and talk and act alike.’ ...
“If they would have a true and saving influence, let them live out their profession, show their faith by their righteous works, and make the distinction great between the Christian and the world. I saw that the words, the dress, and actions should tell for God. – (Messages to Young People, page 126 – 128, Ellen G. White.)
As we near the close of the antitypical day of atonement, Satan will increasingly bring distractions to our attention, to try to sway us away from God. These include every kind of unhealthy food or actions. You see, anyone not found afflicting their souls in the ancient Israelite Day of Atonement was cut off from Israel. This most sacred and solemn day was not one for revelry and pleasure seeking. God’s people are supposed to be the happiest people on earth, but not in the same way or for the same reasons as the worldlings appear to be happy.
We fail to understand the standard the God has set for us, and in this way, among others, we fail to bring God glory, as the first angel commands us. Sometimes we try and dress, eat, and act like the world in order to win them. But as the Pen of Inspiration states above, this is not the way to win them. We must live our faith, constantly looking to Jesus who is the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Lot was also called out of Sodom so that He would be better able to worship the God of Heaven. Notice where God called Lot to. “Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” (Genesis 19:17.) It has always been God’s ideal for us not to live in the cities. There are those who can’t afford to leave the cities, but if we are willing, God will give us the way out when it is time.
THE SECOND ANGEL
Then another angel, a second, followed, declaring, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She who made all nations drink of the [maddening] wine of her passionate unchastity [idolatry]. (Revelation 14:8, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition.)
Babylon is not just fallen. A study of this word in the Biblical Greek reveals an interesting and telling definition. It speaks of being fallen because of attacks from evil spirits, or even sudden death. So this push for unity based upon deception will only end in the figurative and literal death of end time spiritual Babylon.
In the context of both ancient civilization before Sodom, and that of the early church, a group of people started out as righteous. Noah and his family started repopulating the earth in righteousness. But in a matter of time, idolatry prevailed over the inhabitants of the earth, and the cities of the plain were judged and destroyed for their wickedness.
In much the same way, the early church started out in the power of the Holy Spirit, and in purity and righteousness. But in just a few centuries, compromise crept in. Satan realized that open and flagrant persecution was not destroying the church as he hoped to do, so he came up with another tactic. Compromise with paganism gave birth to the Catholic Church. And the announcement has sounded through the centuries that this modern spiritual Babylon is also fallen.
But why were the cities of the plain fallen? Because anyone who came in contact with them was made to drink her intoxicating wine, both literally and spiritually. But God in His mercy, did not just speak this announcement in words, but He demonstrated the fact that Sodom and the other cities had fallen.
The two angels entered the city of Sodom as if they were your average travelers, and made as if they were going to stay in the street overnight. Lot, knowing how wicked the city was, pressed his invitation until they angels agreed to go to his house to spend the night. What He didn’t know, was that the angels had come to tell him that the proverbial Babylon, was fallen, and that she was about to receive of the wrath of God. Lot was thinking that he was rescuing them, who appeared to be common men, while in reality, the angels were there to rescue him and his family.
God has sent messengers for the last 170 years or so, letting us know that modern Babylon has fallen. Who is modern Babylon? Primarily, the papacy is this bastion of evil and wickedness. But this also includes apostate Protestantism as well as any false religion. And just as God sent angels to Lot letting him know of the destruction of the Cities of the Plain in order that Lot and his family might be saved, God has done the same for us today.
As Seventh-day Adventists, many of us tend to pride ourselves on the fact that we have the truth, and that we’re “not as these tax collector denominations somewhere over there.” We pride ourselves that we are not part of Babylon. And it’s true, the Seventh-day Adventist church is not part of Babylon, and anyone found declaring that the Bride of Christ is Babylon are agents of Satan.
But we cannot think that just because we are Seventh-day Adventists, that we are not in danger of rejecting the three angel’s messages. Let us remember, that Lot had at least 2 daughters that rejected these heavenly messengers. The men of Sodom were struck with blindness because they rejected them. And as a result, they tired themselves out trying to find the door, and eventually just gave up.
So many people today, including Adventists, have rejected these angels and have become spiritually blind. This could be for a myriad of reasons, either because they have rejected the Spirit of Prophecy, the Sabbath, or the Health Message. Then they try to find Jesus, but because they refuse to let go of their sins that have brought the blindness upon them, they weary themselves in trying to find the Savior, and eventually give up and go back home to the world. We must let go of our sins and be willing to let go of our sins, if we want a relationship with Jesus.
But, is Babylon part of us individually? Christian Berdahl said it something like this: Are we “Babylistians?” What is a Babylistian? Do we spend 6 days a week looking just like the world, and only on the Seventh show up to give God His time for 1 to 3 hours? Do we do things just like the world? What does that look like?
Do we listen to the same kind of music? Notice I said “KIND.” Most Christian Contemporary music is of the same kind of music. Take the lyrics away, and it sounds exactly like worldly music. Most Contemporary Christian Music has the same secular music design that literally shuts the frontal lobe off, so that we cannot choose God. It’s literally hypnotic music. Is that what God wants?
How about movies? So many of our people love movies like The Hunger Games, or, Transformers, comedy movies with crude humor, or love stories with any amount of immorality, etc.. These super hero movies, and end of the world movies are gnostic in their themes. For example, Superman. Here we have a superhero that is fighting against his arch enemy, Lex Luther. Lex is Latin for Law. And Luther? Do you think it’s any coincidence that his last name is the last name of the most famous of medieval protestant reformers? And we’re letting our kids watch these things? And we wonder why they’re leaving the church.
How about something that seems a little more innocent? Are we letting our kids watch Disney, with all of its gross immoralities, occultism, and violence? What does the Word of God say about magic, sex, and needless and senseless violence?
When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. (Deuteronomy 18:9-10, King James Version.)
My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. (Proverbs 7:1-3)
How about fiction books? Even supposed Christian Fiction?
There is another class of books—love stories and frivolous, exciting tales—which are a curse to everyone who reads them, even though the author may attach a good moral. Often religious statements are woven all through these books, but in most cases Satan is but clothed in angel robes to deceive and allure the unsuspicious. The practice of story reading is one of the means employed by Satan to destroy souls. It produces a false, unhealthy excitement, fevers the imagination, unfits the mind for usefulness, and disqualifies it for any spiritual exercise. It weans the soul from prayer and from the love of spiritual things. { CT 134.2}
Love stories and frivolous and exciting tales constitute another class of books that is a curse to every reader. The author may attach a good moral, and all through his work may weave religious sentiments; yet in most cases Satan is but clothed in angel robes... { CEv 75.2 }
God has announced that Babylon is fallen. He has also been repeating this warning for well over 100 years, since American Protestantism rejected the Protestant Reformation on its own soil. And just as the cities of the plain made their inhabitants to drink of the maddening wine of pleasure and false religion, so too, today, modern spiritual Babylon is making the citizens of the world to drink of their maddening wine of pleasure, false religion, corrupt politics, etc..
One of the reasons that Babylon is fallen, is a disregard for the Seventh Commandment. It is pervading society. This was also a reason that the cities of the plain had fallen. Proverbs 5:5 and Proverbs 7:27 both, in no uncertain terms, specify that adultery is the highway to Hell. Both chapters give us warnings about this sin. In fact, both of these chapters give us the solution of avoiding this sin, as well as escaping from it. Both chapters specify that we must take heed to the wisdom of God and to His Commandments. God’s Ten Commandment Law is not a restriction, as some claim, but it is a safeguard to our happiness.
“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed [thereto] according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:9-11, King James Version.)
It is these sins more than any other that have caused the fearful degeneracy of our race, and the weight of disease and misery with which the world is cursed. (Patriarchs and Prophets, page 461, Ellen G. White.)
People are so absorbed in anything and everything worldly, that they have no time for God. Even supposed Christians will sit down and watch TV shows, movies, and other things that have the very sins that have harmed humanity the most. And yet we expect revival. We expect reformation. Not until we give up every known sin, will God give us the revival we claim to want.
Now, the apostasy in Sodom and her sister cities was so wide spread and debasing that thorough destruction was the only course of action. They had passed the limits of mercy, and judgment must begin. And it broke His heart to do so.
The inhabitants of the world now have reached the same level of wickedness as when the antediluvian world was destroyed by a flood, and as when the cities of the plain were destroyed by fire. Indeed, perhaps we have even surpassed that limit of evil in this present world.
Humanity has almost made void the Law of God. Soon, the Gospel will go to the world, and then the time of trouble will begin. God’s people will be distinguished and separated from the world. And then the plagues will begin.
But before the Seven Last Plagues are poured out; before Jesus is done in the Most Holy Place, God gives one last call to His people that are still in Babylon, or in whom Babylon still resides.
“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.” (Revelation 18:4-5.)
THE THIRD ANGEL
“Then another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a mighty voice, Whoever pays homage to the beast and his statue and permits the [beast’s] stamp (mark, inscription) to be put on his forehead or on his hand, 10 He too shall [have to] drink of the wine of God’s indignation and wrath, poured undiluted into the cup of His anger; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no respite…day or night—these who pay homage to the beast and to his image and whoever receives the stamp of his name upon him. 12 Here [comes in a call for] the steadfastness of the saints [the patience, the endurance of the people of God], those who [habitually] keep God’s commandments and [their] faith in Jesus.” (Revelation 14:9-12, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition.)
The people of the plain learned this lesson too late. When Lot went to tell his married daughters and their husbands, “he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.” (Genesis 19:14, King James Version.) In other words, they didn’t take him seriously, just as Joseph’s ten older brothers would not take him seriously later in Genesis. When people see no sign of danger, there is no inclination to change their ways. Therefore God, in His incredible mercy, sometimes allows, or even sends challenging times, so that we will be more likely to turn to Him. And if this would have helped the people in the cities of the plain, God would have done it. God leaves no stone unturned in trying to save the sinner.
After Lot tried to convince his wayward children and their families, the angels gave him one last call to leave the city. “Come out of her.”.
“And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.” (Genesis 19:15.)
But let’s look at this verse a little closer. Husbands, fathers, and men in general, take notice here. Notice that the angels gave the directions to Lot. It was Lot’s responsibility to lead his family. We live in the very last days of earth’s history, the tip of the toenails of the statue in Daniel 2. And God is sounding the call and the alarm to us as men, to “Arise, take your wives and children, lest you all be consumed in the iniquity of the world.”
An interesting thing to note, is that the words Arise and Take are both imperatives, or commands. Take, literally means to carry away, or carry along. Men, we have a job that most of us are failing at. We absolutely must carry our wives and children to the throne of God every day, even multiple times a day. It doesn’t have to be an hour-long prayer several times a day. After your morning prayer, pray short prayers throughout the day that God will keep your families safe, and close to His heart. Never neglect family worship.
Too many times, way too many times, we are like Lot. It is just absolutely astounding how many of God’s professed people make excuses for sin. The LORD God had already been exceedingly merciful to Lot and his family. And what does Lot do? He loses his trust in God’s protecting power. As soon as they get out of Sodom and into the valley, the angels say to escape even further, and go to the mountains.
But somehow in the mix of things, Lot has lost in his memory the fact that God can and will protect his faithful through anything and everything. Beloved, this is what happens when we surround ourselves with the things of this world. Humans are spiritually A.D.D. by nature. Satan’s distractions attract many of us. Lot’s faith, though still there, had grown weak and dim. He didn’t trust that God could protect him on his way to, and in the mountains.
And because of his delay, his wife lost, not only her temporary life, but her eternal life. Now, make no mistake, Mrs. Lot will be judged as being primarily responsible for her loss of salvation. But if Lot would not have hesitated, his wife would have been spared, and would have had another chance to repent.
“If Lot himself had manifested no hesitancy to obey the angels’ warning, but had earnestly fled toward the mountains, without one word of pleading or remonstrance, his wife also would have made her escape. The influence of his example would have saved her from the sin that sealed her doom. But his hesitancy and delay caused her to lightly regard the divine warning. While her body was upon the plain, her heart clung to Sodom, and she perished with it.” (Patriarchs and Prophets, page 161.)
So how do we prevent this weak faith? The very end of the Third Angels message says this:
“Here [comes in a call for] the steadfastness of the saints [the patience, the endurance of the people of God], those who [habitually] keep God’s commandments and [their] faith in Jesus.” (Revelation14:12, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition.)
Here at the end of the message of the Third Angel, there is a contrast. This angel gives a stern warning, describing the punishment of those who accept the mark of the beast. But at the end of his message, he contrasts the wicked with the righteous. Here are the wicked and what their punishment will be, but here are the righteous, what they do, what they are like, and why they did not receive the mark of the beast.
This is what Lot and his family needed. It was going to be a hard life after leaving Sodom. They had to leave their wealth and unrepentant family members behind. And it will be no different for God’s people when the mark of the beast is enforced. In fact, our unrepentant family, and friends, both biological and church family/friends, will become our most bitter and revengeful enemies when probation closes in Heaven.
This is another reason why Lot’s wife perished on the plain. She did not have this patient endurance. In fact, according to Strong’s Concordance, the Greek word for patience literally means, "cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy...enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting)…”
Beloved, if we do not have this kind of faith talked about in Revelation 14:12, we will not make it through the time of trouble. This kind of faith, only the saints will have. The word for saints in this verse also means, sacred, holy, morally blameless; and not only morally pure, but physically pure as well. This verse, as well as verse 7 of the same chapter, just shouts health message, among other things.
And why is the health message so important? We see it in the messages of all three angels. Give God glory, which we cannot do if we are eating unhealthy foods, including meat, dairy, highly processed foods, etc.; Babylon is fallen because she made all nations drink her wine (the health message is more than food and the physical body,) so most of Christianity is spiritually drunk on her spiritual wine (soon to include the whole world, except for God's faithful); the popular deception of Christianity is that we can do whatever we want and still be saved, including live unhealthy, and only those who glorify God in their body, among other things, because they love Him, will be saved. And I’ve even seen this vile deception creeping into the Adventist church.
The message given by the Third Angel was the same, in principle, given to Lot and the others. Just as Lot was given this warning, and in turn heeded it by giving it to others, then obeying it himself, we are to do the same. God gives us this warning because He loves us too much to allow us to be lost without fighting for us. He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (1 Peter 3:9.)
But God also does not force the will. He gives us such a strong warning here about accepting the Mark of the Beast, because when the time comes to choose between the Truth, or the Beast, that choice will forever fix, beyond any change, our eternal destiny. And those who accept the Mark of the Beast, will suffer the wrath of God, not because God wants to destroy them, but because that is what they have chosen, and they leave Him no choice.
But above all, these messages shout righteousness by faith. In the final verse of these messages, the Word of God points to those who keep the commandments of God. This word for keep is an interesting word. It literally means, “to guard (…by keeping the eye upon…)” This is the same word that Jesus used when speaking to the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:17.
But what do we keep our eyes on? Jesus, and His Law, which is a transcript of His character. When we do this, when we spend time in prayer and in His Word, He will empower us, through the Holy Spirit, to obey everything He expects of us, including being healthy.
But it’s not just keeping the Commandments. God knows we can’t do that in our own strength. This is why He connected keeping His Commandments, with the faith OF Jesus. What is the faith of Jesus?
“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, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” (Jude 24-25.)
“The faith of Jesus.” It is talked of, but not understood. What constitutes the faith of Jesus, that belongs to the third angel’s message? Jesus becoming our sin-bearer that he might become our sin-pardoning Saviour. He was treated as we deserve to be treated. He came to our world and took our sins that we might take his righteousness. And faith in the ability of Christ to save us amply and fully and entirely is the faith of Jesus. (Selected Messages, Vol. 3, page 172, Ellen G. White.)
Beloved, I believe keeping the Health Message is vitally important. We are counseled in these last days to give up everything harmful, which includes flesh food, stimulating drinks such as alcohol and caffeine, as well as other things. I’m not going to stand up here and beat anyone over the head with the Health Message, or any other message. But I’m not going to white wash anything either.
But we will not be able to do this if we have not truly encountered Jesus. We must let ourselves fall on This Rock and be broken, or we will never be able to, or even want to be healthy, or anything else that makes God’s people peculiar.
How do we, then, have or obtain this necessary faith spoken about in the last few paragraphs?
“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.” (Luke 17:5-6.)
I find that I have to fight the good fight of faith every day. I have to exercise all my faith and not rely upon feeling; I have to act as though I knew the Lord heard me and would answer me and bless me. Faith is not a happy flight of feeling; it is simply taking God at His word—believing that He will fulfill His promises because He said He would. — (Mind, Character, and Personality, Vol. 2, page 539, Ellen G. White.)
Faith strengthens through continual exercise. – (Counsels on Health, page 380, Ellen G. White.)
Prayer is the strength of the soul, and yet this exercise has been sadly neglected. By simple, earnest, contrite prayer, heavenly mindedness is greatly increased. No other means of grace can be substituted and healthiness of the soul be preserved. Prayer brings the soul into immediate contact with the wellspring of life, and strengthens the spiritual sinew and muscle of our religious experience; for we live by faith, seeing Him who is invisible. – (Signs of the Times, July 31, 1893, par. 4, Ellen G. White.)
There are so many lessons from the story of Lot, especially when studying in connection with the Three Angels Messages, as in this study. Especially what has stood out is the duty of men, husbands, and fathers, as well as the health message.
