Author: David

The one who has the Son has eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have eternal life. (1 John 5:12,AFV)

Jesus Is My Friend

The people who have the Son have eternal life. Those who do not have the Son of God do not have eternal life.” (1 John 5:12) [my paraphrase]

There was a day about two years ago when my life was in a terrible crises of grief, anger, and hopelessness. I had been a Christian for years and realized I had never known how to be a friend of God. It bothered me a lot because I felt like I was in some kind of Religious Jail, just going through the motions prescribed for me by others.

One day I went to my favorite sandy beach area on the Athabasca River. In frustration and with tears I cried out to the Creator that I wanted to know what He thinks of me. How do I know for sure who He is and what He thinks of me?

I ended up writing something in the sand, scratching out in 3 foot high letters “I am the one Jesus loves.” After all, this is what all my “churchy friends” kept saying to me. But they would never be able to tell me more.

I didn’t realize it at the time but this day was the start of a true friendship with Jesus. When I scrawled those letters in the sand that was actually my prayer. I really wanted to belong to Jesus. To know Him personally as a Friend.

Now, I like to tell people about my friendship with our Creator. In the verse that I quote at the top of this article it says “if we HAVE the Son then we have [eternal] life.

The best way I can describe what this means is by my own experience. Maybe I could just point out the main idea from the human realm of our experience?

When I tell you that I HAVE a friend, what exactly do I mean by that? What does it mean for us to HAVE a friend, to HAVE a spouse, to HAVE a sibling, a parent, or other loved ones?

In our human relationships that we all HAVE the answer to the question is simple. If I say I have a friend, then of course I talk with them, they talk with me, and we go places and do things together. That is generally what we all mean when we say we HAVE.

For me, when I say I HAVE a friend in Jesus, it simply means that I talk to Him, Jesus talks to me, and my friend Jesus even wants for us to go places and do things together.

When I speak to my friend Jesus, it is often through prayer. When Jesus speaks to me it is often through His Word in The Book of Heaven.

I have been finding that when my Friend Jesus and I go places and do things together that things really happen. Someone who helped introduced me to my Heavenly Friend who was also “going places and doing things together with Jesus” came to me in my hour of urgent need.

I was on my death bed. Dying of the miseries caused by massive burns in a house fire. The fire was caused because of drug addiction and other problems. That night on my hospital bed a nurse came up to me, took my hand and quietly said “David, I’m going to stay right here with you until you are not afraid.”

I have grown to believe that was the day when it started to dawn on me, my Friend Jesus was right there, His hands through the nurses hands. And now I live with purpose, recovery, and strength. Now I can be that same friend to others. I am no longer in that Religious Jail.

To have Jesus as a Friend means to me that no matter how many injuries scars or griefs I have, I can always talk to Him. Jesus always talks to me. And we go places and do things together.

Being Friends with Jesus is THE hope that pulls me closer. Sets my spirit free. My hope has a NAME and I would love to see you all also have THAT hope.

Today, my prayer for you is simple. I pray that

” your eyes [be] focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for Christians, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!” (Eph 1:18-19, MSG)

If you too want to HAVE Jesus, you can. Ask Him just now to come into your heart. To be in your life. To be your one true Friend who will never forsake you. (Heb 13:5)

Do you HAVE Jesus, today?

The Invitation

Your life may be filled with tears, fears, or sins, but do not despair. Jesus loves you so much, that He died for you; and now He is risen; and now Jesus lives for you! (John 11:25, Heb.7:25). Even though troubles may surround you and fill you, God has still given you the power of choice. He invites you in Joshua 24:15,

“…Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.”

Who am I when all seems so dark and scary, and there is seemingly no hope?

“I am the one that Jesus loves.”

Its about the cross. The cross is the only thing that levels the playing field for us all. The cross is exactly how Jesus makes all things right.

“that He might be JUST and the JUSTIFIER of all who believe in Jesus” (Rom 3:26) PTL.

This is what will apply also to all who wonder “where was/is God?” The cross closes up the distance.

“all who are afar off are made near by the blood of Christ.” (Eph 2:13)

Christ declares, “I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” If the cross does not find an influence in its favor, it creates an influence. Through generation succeeding generation, the truth for this time is revealed as present truth. Christ on the cross was the medium whereby mercy and truth met together, and righteousness and peace kissed each other. This is the means that is to move the world! {6BC 1113.5}

“I am the one Jesus loves.”

This is our identity in Christ. The cross is our proof. The cross is our doctrine. The cross is our warning. The cross is my hope in every situation. (Gal 6:14)

Come Unto Me
(Mat 11:28)

Do hurts of this world; cares of your life
Crush the heart’s hope; pierce like a knife?
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, come unto Me.’

Families break up, by death do we part
Temptations assault, sinking the heart.
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

The hurting soul says ‘Can’t come at all!’
As they toss and turn against His call.
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

Are you dark or lonely, do you sadly frown?
Are you sick or fearful, or lonely or down?
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

You’re mad or glad, or rich or poor?
You can’t resist some evil lure?
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

The story of your life may be Galilee
Raging turmoil, no hope you see.
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

Come unto Jesus; and “rest” you’ll find
Whenever a burden shall tie or bind
Your Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

– by David T Battler

Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph 2:12-13, ESV)

It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross. {DA 83.4}

The Garden Alone
(based on Luke 22:39-46

“And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him…”

God was with Him in The Garden alone
Jesus conquered by strength divine
But the separation went deeper than bone
As the battle began; God drew the line

The Father didn’t want to remove the cup
The disciples slept from sorrows and fear
While Gabriel came to lift Jesus up
His sweat poured out as blood and tear

As crises supreme did heart and soul break
Jesus came alone to fight by petition there
The angel assured Him He made no mistake
For now He might answer the sinner’s prayer

We all have to go to The Garden alone
We have to bring all the worry and care
For when we go we glimpse the throne
Yes, in The Garden, our Lord is there

Jesus conquered by strength not His own
And we can have that encounter today
As we go by faith to our Garden alone
To walk with Him, the blood-stained way.

– by David T Battler, all rights reserved world wide

“Christ conquered in divine strength, and so must every tempted soul overcome. God was with Christ in The Garden of Gesthemane; and by this experience of Christ, we are to learn to trust our Heavenly Father at all times and in all places. We are to believe that He is tender and true and faithful; able to keep that which is committed to His care. In the agonizing struggle of Christ our Substitute and Surety, the Father was beside His Son; and He is beside every soul that struggles with discouragement and difficulty.”

In the wilderness of temptation, in the Garden of Gethsemane, and on the cross, our Saviour measured weapons with the prince of darkness. His wounds became the trophies of His victory in behalf of the race. When Christ hung in agony upon the cross, while evil spirits rejoiced and evil men reviled, then indeed His heel was bruised by Satan. But that very act was crushing the serpent’s head. Through death He destroyed “him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Hebrews 2:14. This act decided the destiny of the rebel chief, and made forever sure the plan of salvation. In death He gained the victory over its power; in rising again, He opened the gates of the grave to all His followers. In that last great contest we see fulfilled the prophecy, “It shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15. {PK 701.3}

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2.

Our Redeemer has opened the way, so that the most sinful, the most needy, the most oppressed and despised, may find access to the Father.

“O Lord, Thou art my God;
I will exalt Thee,
I will praise Thy name;
For Thou hast done wonderful things;
Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”
Isaiah 25:1. {PK 702.1}

In proclaiming the truths of the everlasting gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, God’s church on earth today is fulfilling the ancient prophecy, “Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.” Isaiah 27:6. The followers of Jesus, in co-operation with heavenly intelligences, are rapidly occupying the waste places of the earth; and, as the result of their labors, an abundant fruitage of precious souls is developing. Today, as never before, the dissemination of Bible truth by means of a consecrated church is bringing to the sons of men the benefits foreshadowed centuries ago in the promise to Abraham and to all Israel,–to God’s church on earth in every age,–

“I will bless thee, and thou shalt be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2. {PK 703.1}

According to the Creator’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thes 4:15-18, NIV)

When Christ comes to gather to Himself those who have been faithful, the last trump will sound, and the whole earth, from the summits of the loftiest mountains to the lowest recesses of the deepest mines, will hear. The righteous dead will hear the sound of the last trump, and will come forth from their graves, and rise TOGETHER with the righteous living, to be clothed with immortality, and to meet their Lord in the clouds.

If, as some teach, the dead are already in heaven with Jesus, why are they resurrected at His second coming? Why did Jesus tell the disciples they would be with Him again when He returned instead of when they died?

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:3, ESV)

And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:10-11, ESV)

Many people today are choosing to consult with lost loved ones through spiritualism, such as taro cards and mediums. Even some church members are falling for this deception.

Why does God forbid us to consult with our departed loved ones, in any way, shape, or form, if indeed they are alive and can talk to us? .

Here is some of what God says about consulting spiritualists and the supposed spirits of the dead?

Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. (Lev 19:31).

The work of dealing with familiar spirits was pronounced an abomination to the Lord and was strictly forbidden under penalty of death. The very name of witchcraft is now held in contempt. The claim that people can hold communications with evil spirits is regarded as a fable of the dark ages. But spiritualism, which now numbers its converts by many millions, has made its way into scientific circles, which has invaded churches, and has found favor in legislative bodies and even in the courts of kings-this major, end time deception is but a revival, in a new disguise, of the witchcraft condemned and prohibited by God Himself in days of old.

If there were no other evidences of the real character of spiritualism, it should be enough for the Christian that the spirits make no difference between righteousness and sin. No differences between holy or unholy.

Her priests have done violence to my law and have profaned my holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. (Ezekiel 22:26, ESV)

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4, KJV)

Where does the spirit go at death?

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it (Eccl 12:7).

At death, the body which was made from the ground returns to the ground and the spirit or breath returns to God who gave it. Nowhere does the Bible call this life force a soul. We do not have a soul. We are a soul. “Breath” plus the body = “a living soul.” We do not have a soul. We are a soul.

Is this spirit, that returns to God, conscious?

For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten (Eccl 9:5).

At death the thoughts perish, the mind no longer functions because the heart beat ceases and oxygen no longer is received by the brain in order for it to function. As a result, the dead do not know anything.

What did Jesus call death?

These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead (John 11:11-14).

Death is looked upon by Christ as sleep-silence, darkness, sleep. He speaks of it as if it were of little moment. Whosoever liveth and believeth in Me, He says, shall never die. And to the believing one death is but a small matter. With Him, to die is but to sleep.

What did the Psalmist David call death?

Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; (Psalms 13:3).

Writers of the Old Testament also called death, sleep. It is a state of unconsciousness in which we are unaware of what is going on.

Is there any memory in this sleep of death?

For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? (Psalms 6:5).For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun… Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest (Eccl 9:5-6; Eccl 9:10).

In death we will not remember God we will not see God or talk to Him, and in death no one will give thanks to God. Popular theology represents the righteous dead as in heaven, entered into bliss, and praising God with an immortal tongue, but Hezekiah could see no glorious prospect in death:

For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness. The living, the living—they praise you, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about your faithfulness. (Isa 38:18-19, NIV)

These words agree with the testimony of the Psalmist, David.

Did David go to heaven when he died?

Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day…For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, (Acts 2:29; Acts 2:34).

Peter on the day of Pentecost declared that the patriarch David is both dead and buried and his sepulchre (tomb) is still here on earth with us today. For David is not ascended into the heavens. The fact that David remains in the grave until the resurrection proves that the righteous do not go to heaven at death. If for four thousand years the righteous had gone directly to heaven at death, how could Paul have said that if there is no resurrection, they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. No resurrection would be necessary.

Even Jesus Himself did not go to Heaven right away, until He was resurected:

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Act 1:10  And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Act 1:11  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.(Acts 1:9-11)

Where will the dead be when Jesus resurrects them at His second coming?

Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation (John 5:28-29).

At the general resurrection of the just, (Acts 24:15) at the second appearing of Christ in the clouds of heaven, the dead that are in their graves shall hear His voice and come forth to life. Not only the earth but the heavens themselves, shall be shaken. A few graves were opened at the resurrection of Christ, but at His second coming all the precious dead, from righteous Abel to the last saint that died, shall awake to glorious immortal life.

When do the dead go to heaven or hell?

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels(Mat 25:31-34; Mat 25:41)

It is when Jesus comes again that the righteous are separated from the unrighteous. We have seen from the Scriptures (1 Cor 15:51-53; 1 Thes 4:16-17) that when the Son of man comes the righteous dead are raised incorruptible, and the righteous living are changed. By this great change they are prepared to receive the kingdom of God. Humanity, in their present state is mortal, corruptible, but the kingdom of God will be incorruptible, enduring forever. Therefore man in his present state cannot enter into the kingdom of God. But when Jesus comes He confers immortality upon His people; then He calls them to inherit the kingdom of which they have hither to been only heirs.

When did the Thief on the cross look forward to being with Jesus? Did Jesus assure him of salvation and going to Heaven that very day?

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise (Luke 23:42-43).

The punctuation in the Bible was supplied by the translators. There was no punctuation in the original Greek. The comma should go after the word to-day, (truly I say unto you today, you will be with Me in Paradise), for Jesus Himself did not go to heaven that day. To the last of His work Christ is a sin-pardoner. At deepest midnight as the Star of Bethlehem was about to sink into oblivion, lo there shines amid the moral darkness with distinct brightness the faith of a dying sinner as he lays hold upon the dying Saviour. The thief asked in faith, in penitence, in contrition. He asked in earnestness as if he fully realized that Jesus could save him if He would. And the hope in his voice was mingled with anguish as he realized that if He did not, he would be lost.

Jesus often illustrated truth with parables which, like prophecies, use symbols. Yet some have rejected the very truth Jesus so plainly taught about death by taking literally some of the symbols in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16). What did Jesus say would happen to those who try to understand parables without having (or knowing) what the rest of the Bible says on a subject?

And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand (Mat 13:10-13).

Jesus spoke in parables that He might teach a deeper spiritual principle. It is given to the honest in heart to know the mysteries of the kingdom, but to those who have no desire to learn and understand it is not given. In other words, they could not discern and understand the deep truths He desired to teach.

The great Teacher brought His hearers in contact with nature that they might listen to the voice which speaks in all created things; and as their hearts became tender and their minds receptive, He helped them to interpret the spiritual teaching of the scenes upon which their eyes rested. The parables, by means of which He loved to teach lessons of truth, show how open His spirit was to the influences of nature and how He delighted to gather the spiritual teaching from the surroundings of daily life.

What was the devil’s first lie?

But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: (Gen 3:3-4).

Had Eve refrained from entering into argument with the tempter she would have been safe; but she ventured to parley with him and fell victim to his wiles. It is thus that many are still overcome. They doubt and argue concerning the requirements of God; instead of obeying the divine commands they accept human theories, which but disguise the devices of Satan. Ye shall not surely die, was a lie told to Eve and Adam, for God said, The soul that sinneth, it shall die (Eze 18:20).

Immortality, which was promised to man on condition of obedience, had been forfeited by transgression. Only through Creator can immortality be obtained.

With what promise did Paul tell us to comfort one another when death occurs?

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thes 4:15-18).

Amid the reeling of the earth, the flash of lightning, and the roar of thunder, the voice of the Son of God calls forth the sleeping saints. He looks upon the graves of the righteous, then, raising His hands to heaven, He cries: Awake, awake, awake, ye that sleep in the dust, and arise! Throughout the length and breadth of the earth the dead shall hear that voice, and they that hear shall live. And the whole earth shall ring with the tread of the exceeding great army of every nation, kindred, tongue and people. From the prison house of death they come, clothed with immortal glory, crying: O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory (1 Cor 15:55). And the living righteous and the risen saints unite their voices in a long, glad shout of victory.

Isn’t Creator’s way really the best? Instead of floating around somewhere after death, a person sleeps until they are bodily resurrected as Jesus was. And, since we are unconscious, the resurrection is the next instant we will be conscious to him! Instead of a dying baby going to a strange place alone, the next thing he knows will be his mother’s smiling face and open arms.

The theory of the immortality of the soul was one of those false doctrines that Rome, borrowing from paganism, incorporated into the religion of Christendom. Martin Luther classed it with the “monstrous fables that form part of the Roman dunghill of decretals.”–E. Petavel, The Problem of Immortality, page 255. Commenting on the words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes, that the dead know not anything, the Reformer says: “Another place proving that the dead have no . . . feeling. There is, saith he, no duty, no science, no knowledge, no wisdom there. Solomon judgeth that the dead are asleep, and feel nothing at all. For the dead lie there, accounting neither days nor years, but when they are awaked, they shall seem to have slept scarce one minute.”– Martin Luther, Exposition of Solomon’s Booke Called Ecclesiastes, page 152. {GC 549.2}

Nowhere in the Sacred Scriptures is found the statement that the righteous go to their reward or the wicked to their punishment at death. The patriarchs and prophets have left no such assurance. Christ and His apostles have given no hint of it. The Bible clearly teaches that the dead do not go immediately to heaven. They are represented as sleeping until the resurrection. 1 Thes 4:14; Job 14:10-12. In the very day when the silver cord is loosed and the golden bowl broken (Eccl 12:6), man’s thoughts perish. They that go down to the grave are in silence. They know no more of anything that is done under the sun. Job 14:21. Blessed rest for the weary righteous! Time, be it long or short, is but a moment to them. They sleep; they are awakened by the trump of God to a glorious immortality. “For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1Co_15:52-54. As they are called forth from their deep slumber they begin to think just where they ceased. The last sensation was the pang of death; the last thought, that they were falling beneath the power of the grave. When they arise from the tomb, their first glad thought will be echoed in the triumphal shout: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Cor 15:55. {GC 549.3}

Will you accept our Creator’s assurance that we will all go to heaven TOGETHER, at the same time, after the resurrection?

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea Mat 14:25

Jesus Felt the Necessity of Being Alone with God

The fourth watch began at three am, and continued till six am. It was therefore between the hours of three and six in the morning that Jesus made his appearance to his disciples.

It had been a day of great trial and stress for Jesus, and when the sun set, the danger was not yet over. There were huge risks in that enthusiastic crowd that surged and swayed upon the mountain side. The miracle of His feeding the five thousand had made a powerful impression upon everyone. It had struck deep into these volatile hearts. And when the cry rang out along the hillside that “Jesus is King!” who could have known where the echoes of that cry might end up? Jesus recognized the peril of the hour. Jesus felt the urgent necessity of prayer. It was a moment in the Master’s life when His greatest desire was to be alone with God. Full of that quiet authority that moved the crowd as wonderfully as it calmed the sea, Jesus urged the disciples to depart, and sent the crowds away. How they would talk as they traveled homeward!

Disciples Learn Dependence in The Storm

Meantime the storm had arrived with great fury. The clouds seemed to have swept away the stars. The wind came screeching through the trees and the countryside. The ocean was rising high. Out in the midst of it toiled the disciples, Masterless, shelterless, helpless. It was a wild night after a weary day. It was a strange fulfillment of their promised rest (Mark 6:31). But we must question if any rest among the hills could have taught them as much as did that unmanageable time in the boat when that storm hit. That very evening they had been telling Jesus what to do. (Mat 14:15). They giving Jesus advice about how to handle that crowd of five thousand men. They were eager to control that huge crowd for Jesus—and now they cannot even manage their little boat. It was a very blessed and very humbling experience for the disciples who were stuck out in that crazy storm.

Being stuck in that storm put the disciples back into their proper place again. It wrote upon their hearts, as if in a picture, that the secret of Christian power today is dependence.

Day by day God instructs His children. By the circumstances of the daily life He is preparing them to act their part upon that wider stage to which His providence has appointed them. It is the issue of the daily test that determines their victory or defeat in life’s great crisis. {DA 382.3}

Those who fail to realize their constant dependence upon God will be overcome by temptation. We may now suppose that our feet stand secure, and that we shall never be moved. We may say with confidence, “I know in whom I have believed; nothing can shake my faith in God and in His word.” But Satan is planning to take advantage of our hereditary and cultivated traits of character, and to blind our eyes to our own necessities and defects. Only through realizing our own weakness and looking steadfastly unto Jesus can we walk securely. {DA 382.4}

No sooner had Jesus taken His place in the boat than the wind ceased, “and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.” The night of horror was succeeded by the light of dawn. The disciples, and others who also were on board, bowed at the feet of Jesus with thankful hearts, saying, “Of a truth Thou art the Son of God!” {DA 382.5}

When We Want Jesus We Do Not Recognize Him

The that night wore on, and every wave that dashed against or into the boat deepened the disciples need of Jesus. Increased the fear in their heart. The crowds were home now, the children were asleep, and every light by the lake side was out. Then with the breaking of the day came Jesus. Walking on the water towards their boat. At first, they spied a form, moving along the waves of the sea. Lost for a moment in the rough waves, now dimmed by the torrents of waves and their spray. Though they had longed for Jesus, and prayed for Jesus, and although this actually was Jesus, they did not know Jesus when they saw Him walking on the waves. They cried out for fear.

Sometimes we get the very thing we ask, and we do not recognize it when it comes. Sometimes we are blessed with the very help we need, and yet we are sometimes even more troubled than before. The disciples cried out “It is a spirit!” The demon of the tempest was rushing about and Jesus—where was He? Who can describe their joy when the familiar voice rang over the white crests, “Be of good cheer; it is I. Be not afraid!”

One Stood Out

Now there are times when a man’s character is revealed, and one of these times is often that of storm. When we find Jesus sleeping in the tempest, it teaches us His perfect trust in God. When we rehearse Paul’s conduct in the shipwreck, it opens a window into that noble heart. So here, from all the disciples, one stands out; and amid the spray, and in the driving wind of that wild morning, there falls a shaft of light on Simon Peter. It is Peter who cries across the storm, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee.” It is Peter who flings himself upon the waves to get to Christ. And it is Peter who begins to sink, and would have gone to the depths but for the hand of Jesus. There is the strength and there is the weakness of that hero. There is the story of his life condensed. When the wind ceased, and the ship’s company knelt down to worship Jesus, none felt so deeply as Peter that this was the Son of God.

When trouble comes upon us, how often we are like Peter! We look upon the waves, instead of keeping our eyes fixed upon the Savior. Our footsteps slide, and the proud waters go over our souls. Jesus did not bid Peter come to Him that he should perish; He does not call us to follow Him, and then forsake us. “Fear not,” He says; “for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passes through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior.” Isa 43:1-3. {DA 382.1}

Jesus read the character of His disciples. He knew how sorely their faith was to be tried. In this incident on the sea He desired to reveal to Peter his own weakness,–to show that his safety was in constant dependence upon divine power. Amid the storms of temptation he could walk safely only as in utter self-distrust he should rely upon the Savior. It was on the point where he thought himself strong that Peter was weak; and not until he discerned his weakness could he realize his need of dependence upon Christ. Had he learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach him in that experience on the sea, he would not have failed when the great test came upon him.
{DA 382.2}

Long Delays of Heaven

A violent tempest had been stealing upon them, and they were unprepared for it. It was a sudden contrast, for the day had been perfect; and when the gale struck them, they were afraid. They forgot their disaffection, their unbelief, their impatience. Everyone worked to keep the boat from sinking. It was but a short distance by sea from Bethsaida to the point where they expected to meet Jesus, and in ordinary weather the journey required but a few hours; but now they were driven farther and farther from the point they sought. Until the fourth watch of the night they toiled at the oars. Then the weary men gave themselves up for lost. In storm and darkness the sea had taught them their own helplessness, and they longed for the presence of their Master. {DA 380.3}

Jesus had not forgotten them. The Watcher on the shore saw those fear-stricken men battling with the tempest. Not for a moment did He lose sight of His disciples. With deepest solicitude His eyes followed the storm-tossed boat with its precious burden; for these men were to be the light of the world. As a mother in tender love watches her child, so the compassionate Master watched His disciples. When their hearts were subdued, their unholy ambition quelled, and in humility they prayed for help, it was given them. {DA 381.1}

At the moment when they believe themselves lost, a gleam of light reveals a mysterious figure approaching them upon the water. But they know not that it is Jesus. The One who has come for their help they count as an enemy. Terror overpowers them. The hands that have grasped the oars with muscles like iron let go their hold. The boat rocks at the will of the waves; all eyes are riveted on this vision of a man walking upon the white-capped billows of the foaming sea. {DA 381.2}

Among the many lessons of this miracle we can note three of the more notable ones. First we look at the long delays of heaven. The night must have seemed endless to the twelve. Hour after hour dragged on, and hour after hour brought no word of Jesus. And it was not till the Roman guard in Caesarea had changed for the fourth watch, that the beloved voice was heard over the waves. Had they lost heart and hope? Did they suspect that Jesus had forgotten them? We are always ready to think ill of God, because of God’s great method of delay. But of this be sure that when our need is greatest, God is closest. He may delay, He will not disappoint. We must be schooled out of our impatience somehow. We must be trained in waiting and in trusting. It was not only for a night of prayer that Jesus lingered. It was to teach His own that patience of hope which was to win such triumphs for the Church.

Jesus Comes by The Unexpected Road

Unbelief was taking possession of their minds and hearts. Love of honor had blinded them. They knew that Jesus was hated by the Pharisees, and they were eager to see Him exalted as they thought He should be. To be united with a teacher who could work mighty miracles, and yet to be reviled as deceivers, was a trial they could ill endure. Were they always to be accounted followers of a false prophet? Would Christ never assert His authority as king? Why did not He who possessed such power reveal Himself in His true character, and make their way less painful? Why had He not saved John the Baptist from a violent death? Thus the disciples reasoned until they brought upon themselves great spiritual darkness. They questioned, Could Jesus be an impostor, as the Pharisees asserted? {DA 380.1}

The disciples had that day witnessed the wonderful works of Christ. It had seemed that heaven had come down to the earth. The memory of that precious, glorious day should have filled them with faith and hope. Had they, out of the abundance of their hearts, been conversing together in regard to these things, they would not have entered into temptation. But their disappointment had absorbed their thoughts. The words of Christ, “Gather up the fragments, . . . that nothing be lost,” were unheeded. Those were hours of large blessing to the disciples, but they had forgotten it all. They were in the midst of troubled waters. Their thoughts were stormy and unreasonable, and the Lord gave them something else to afflict their souls and occupy their minds. God often does this when men create burdens and troubles for themselves. The disciples had no need to make trouble. Already danger was fast approaching. {DA 380.2}

Evidently, Christ comes by unexpected roads. That night the twelve were longing for their Master, but they never dreamed that He would come that way. If any sail went beating up the lake, their hopes rose, for Jesus might be there. But even Peter, most sanguine of them all, had never guessed that the waves would be His street. Yet by that unexpected avenue the King approached, and on unlikeliest highways He is coming still. By what strange roads Christ enters human hearts! By what strange ways He comes into our homes! A word, a visit of a stranger perhaps, a sickness or a death—and He is here. We may  thank Jesus for our time with our beloved companions of Hunger Want Desolation Impending Destruction Caught in the middle of the terrible storm, it is all so different from what we had looked for, that we do not even recognize it is our Lord. There are ten thousand thoroughfares for Jesus. His ways of entrance into human souls are endless. Let me not bind Him. Let me not limit Him either to my preconceptions or my prayers. He puts to shame my well worn offers of salvation, and comes to all of us by unexpected roads.

We Sink When We Only See the Storm

And lastly, this meets me in the story: we sink when we see nothing but the storm. When Peter looked to Jesus he was safe. But perhaps a wave came and towered like a wall before him, and for the moment he could not see his Lord. He saw the waves, he felt the spray, he heard the wind. But he looked and he saw no face, no arm, no hand, and in that moment Peter began to sink. Do we still detect that presence in the tempest? Do we discern the presence and the love of God in the confusion of our day of trials or troubles? When we see nothing but the storm, we sink. When we see Christ  in the madness of the storms in our lives, then we triumph.

Jesus always comes in the storm. It had been a great relief to escape from the pressure of the crowd to His place of prayer, on heights swept by the evening breeze and lighted by the holy stars. But Jesus tore Himself away because His friends needed Him. He is watching us also in the storm and will certainly come to our help. Jesus uses the element we dread the most as the best path for His approach. When the waves were endangering the boat, Jesus walked on them. In our lives are people and circumstances that we dread, it is through these that the greatest blessing of our lives will come, if we look through them to Christ.

We wait for it. We expect His coming. But it is sometimes delayed. The gray dawn was already beginning to spread over the scene. The disciples’ strength was spent. He was not too late to be of service, but just in time to save them from despair. Be of good cheer, and if Jesus bids you come to Him on the water, or in the terrible storm; always believe that His commands are enablings.

Keep looking to Jesus, not at the storm. You, who are wanting to get to Jesus, should make a heroic effort to get to Him. Walking on the water to get to Jesus. Walking on the water might seem to be an idle and useless exhibition. To walk on the water to go to Jesus is another matter. Try it, and may the Lord enable you to get to Jesus in the middle of your worst storm! There is Light in every cloud. Expect it.

This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Pet 3:1-4)

In the last days” scoffers will say that Jesus is never coming back, but Peter refutes their argument by explaining God’s mastery over time. The “last days” is the time between Christ’s first and second comings; thus, we, like Peter, live in the last days.

Recent news headlines are proffering to the world some very amazing ideas that are surprising many nations and individuals. To the alarm of the “Western Allies” the current US president Donald Trump has made what appears to be “breath-taking concessions to The Kremlin.”

Apparently, at the time of this writing, all US Military Aid to Ukraine has been suspended, as well as to many other nations. Most of those suspensions are very temporary, depending on the “US interest” that is affected in each case. The prime motivator for such surprising action is said by many commentators to be a bully-type method to force the geopolitical conditioning to be more to the bent of the USA. President Trump is on public record now for saying

“We are going to forge the freest, most advanced, most dynamic and MOST DOMINANT civilization ever to exist on the face of this earth.”

Many feel that the President is now saying things like some people do in the Bible, and that by any means necessary the US will dominate everything and everyone. And that it appears that the promised second coming of Jesus is not in those big plans. With many, it’s like Jesus has either forgotten to come, or has simply scrapped His plans altogether. Is that even possible? Would Jesus do that?

Other geopolitical players are involved. On his top rated news show, Dmitry Kislov, a prominent Russian State mouthpiece who once boasted how Russia could reduce the United States to a smoldering pile of radioactive ash has been talking about a “great troika” dominating the globe: Russia, China, and The USA.” Well, What then, is a “TROIKA?”

By dictionary definition, a troika is thought of as simply the number three. In some books it is called “a group of three men” responsible for controlling administrative or civil authority. In a closer context with how Kislov has used the term, it can be thought of as a modern-day Russian Triumverate. The geopolitical scene today in our world is starting to look like there are amalgamations and competitions between various entities, all seeking world control or dominance. Those who desire to rule over “everything at any cost.”

Is there anything similar to the “TROIKA” idea in scripture?” Perhaps the following will spell it out more clearly?

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Rev 16:13-14, NKJV)

The Bible clearly spells out details of a world-wide triumverate that will accomplish total domination of everything and everyone. What the Bible’s details are on this last days triumverate remain for us to study. But for now, it would appear that big things are afloat in the world geopolitical arena now. Mysteries. Surprises. Nations are angry. But by this we do know. Jesus is coming again! Don’t you think its about time we say that with belief Church? When should we give the second coming of our Lord and Savior the very loud cry that it deserves?

How do we know that Jesus is coming again? Well, John the Revelator was a witness of the terrible scenes that will take place, manifesting as signs of Christ’s coming. He saw armies mustering for battle, and people’s hearts failing them for fear. He saw the earth moved out of its place, the mountains carried into the midst of the sea, the waves thereof roaring and troubled, and the mountains shaking with the swelling thereof. He saw the vials of God’s wrath opened, and pestilence, famine, and death come upon the inhabitants of the earth. {7BC 982.3}

Every form of evil is to spring into intense activity. Evil angels unite their powers with evil men, and as they have been in constant conflict and attained an experience in the best modes of deception and battle, and have been strengthening for centuries, they will not yield the last great final contest without a desperate struggle. All the world will be on one side or the other of the question. The battle of Armageddon will be fought, and that day must find none of us sleeping. Wide awake we must be, as wise virgins having oil in our vessels with our lamps. [see Mat 25:4]

The sources from which these spirits issue, show us in Scripture how that they will work among three great religious divisions of mankind, represented by the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet, or paganism, Roman Catholicism, and apostate Protestantism.

The Bible says

“I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. (Rev 17:6)

And how do we specifically identify this woman? Just a few verses later we are told:

“And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.” (Rev 17:18)

Thus is represented the papal power, The Vatican. (not the general body of faithful Catholic believers). With all deceivablness of unrighteousness, by outside attraction and gorgeous display and pomp, deceives all nations; promising them,as did Satan our first parents, all good to those who receive its mark, and all harm to those who oppose its fallacies.

The power which has the deepest inward corruption will make the greatest outward display, and will clothe itself with the most elaborate signs of power. The Bible plainly declares that this covers a corrupt and deceiving wickedness. “Upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great,The Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth.” {7BC 983.4}

What is it that gives its kingdom to this power? Apostate Protestantism, a power which, while professing to have the temper and spirit of a lamb and to be allied to Heaven, speaks with the voice of a dragon. It is moved by a power from beneath {7BC 983.5}

Could it be that this dragon’s voice is in its early stages of arising when a world power leader states:

“We are going to forge the freest, most advanced, most dynamic and MOST DOMINANT civilization ever to exist on the face of this earth.”

Lets look at the words of Jesus to see what He says about it all:

Signs of the End of the Age

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.

And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But anyone who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Mat 24:3-14)

On every occasion when persecution takes place, those who witness it make decisions either for Christ or against Him. Those who manifest sympathy for the ones wrongly condemned show their attachment for Christ. Others are offended because the principles of truth cut directly across their practice. Many stumble and fall, apostatizing from the faith they once advocated. Those who apostatize in time of trial will,
to secure their own safety, bear false witness, and betray their brethren. Christ has warned us of this, that we may not be surprised at the unnatural, cruel course of those who reject the light. {DA 630.2}

Many are sucked into the commercial vortex of “end time preparations” yet what will all of these people do with their underground bunkers and hoarded foods and other resources that they have horded away somewhere when the first earth quake hits? Just the other week I was sitting at my desk when an earthquake hit our area in Northern Alberta. My computer monitor was waving back and forth, from side to side for several minutes.

Mathew 24:14 gives us the clearest clue on the better way to be properly prepared for the end times, for the end of time.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world AS A WITNESS to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Mat 24:14, NKJV)

Most churches or individuals will just repeat deftly the part that says “this gospel will be preached in all the world, and the end will come.” But so many just gloss over that part that says “AS A WITNESS.” I have sometimes thought this is a very similar trick to what the devil tries to pull in order to deceive believers. “AS A WITNESS” means something that we saw heard and experienced ourselves. Personally. Like the Apostle once said when he was preaching the everlasting gospel

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:1-3, NIV)

Bible prophecy tells us over and over in so many ways

“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. (Dan 12:1)

The true preparation for this time of trouble such as never was is well summarized by the apostle John when he said “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. (Rev 12:11, NIV)

All who will can be over comers. Let us strive earnestly to reach the standard set before us. Christ knows our weakness, and to Him we can go daily for help. It is not necessary for us to gain strength a month ahead. We are to conquer from day to day. {7BC 974.3} We become over comers by helping others to overcome, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. The keeping of the commandments of God will yield in us an obedient spirit, and the service that is the offspring of such a spirit, God can accept {7BC 974.4}

“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls” Jeremiah 6:16

Jesus has not forgotten about coming back again. He is just waiting for us. WE CAN COME TO JESUS NOW, JUST AS WE ARE Perhaps the Holy Spirit has impressed you that you have a sinful heart and has opened your eyes to the load of guilt and shame you are carrying. Are you sick of your sins and how they have made you sick in your heart and mind? Do you want to be free from this heavy burden of sin that has destroyed the peace and happiness in your life and in your home? Are you fed up with how sin has messed up your life and is causing you to mess up the lives of those you love? Jesus is the answer. God’s Spirit has brought you here to this point  to meet Jesus.

You can come to Jesus exactly like you are right now, full of sin and needing His help—with all your bad habits and addictions, impure or mean thoughts, your jealousy, your anger and hatred— everything! Jesus wants to clean up your heart and help you clean up your life. But for Him to be able to do that, you must first come to Him. Jesus promises, “I will never turn anyone away who comes to me.” The Holy Spirit tells us that if we hear His voice today, not to harden our hearts. The “right time” is now, and the “day of salvation” is today.

No matter what your past has been, Jesus, your Creator, is waiting for you to come to Him. He is holding His outstretched, open arms of love
to you. His heart of love is so big! You can say the following prayer with me now, and step onto the trail to heaven with Him in faith.

Jesus will wrap His arms of love around you. You will then begin your amazing walk with Him on the right road to Heaven. This will be
the most exciting, satisfying journey of your life! John 6:37, Hebrews 3:7,8, 2 Corinthians 6:2

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

I am tired of my old, sinful way of life. I know I am a sinner, and I believe you died for my sins. I come to you just as I am. Please take my hand as I seek the right path to Heaven and lead me on this road to freedom from sin and to everlasting life. In Your name, Amen.

Am I so angry that I won’t go to Church? What then might be the problem?

“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. (Luke 15:28-29)

Consider this story of The Prodigal Son. Was it really a story about him or about his older brother who was so angry that he would not go in? Maybe this verse from Proverbs will give us a clue?

The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD has made even both of them. – Proverbs 20:12

Could it be that the older brother’s tongue made him totally deaf?

Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. – AC 22.1

Jesus speaks about several parables in Luke 15 to illustrate the joy that is felt over the recovery of that which was lost. He tells how the woman who had lost one of her ten pieces of silver, sought diligently until she found it, and then called in her neighbors to rejoice with her because she had found that which had been lost.

He spoke the parable of the prodigal son, to show us how God regards those who have strayed away, and have returned again to him. He said:

“A certain man had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of the country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself,”–when reason assumed the throne, and he began to consider what he had been doing,–“he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants.

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; an bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” {RH, July 16, 1889 par. 1}

We read that the elder son took exception to the way in which the prodigal was received. The elder son had had every spiritual and temporal advantage. He represented that class that do not go to great excesses of vice, and because of this they are filled with self-righteousness. This son is represented as being grieved that he had not received some marked attention because of his good works, and he was envious that his wayward brother should be so welcomed by his father. {RH, July 16, 1889 par. 2}

The prodigal’s soul had been stirred to the very depths by remorse and repentance, and why should not those who have been partakers of light, give the repenting sinner the right help at the right time? Tell them the good news instead of doting on the bad news? At one time, Jesus asked Simon who would love his benefactor most, the one to whom a small debt was forgiven, or the one to whom a large debt was forgiven. Simon answered that the one who had been forgiven most, would love most. (Luke 7:41-43) Those who have been in despair over their course of action, will manifest corresponding gratitude and love in return, as they receive the pardoning love of God.

“…forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (Mat 6:12)

I have experienced many people who were in despair over their sins. They would say things like:

“I fear I am past all help.”

Did you know there is a verse that says as long as we are alive, there is hope for us In Christ? (see Eccl 9:4-5)

One man recently told me at our weekly prayer meeting something that really surprised me. We were talking about the resurrection as depicted by the Apostle in 1 Thes 4:13-18. When we got to the part about how the resurrected and living righteous will “rise together” to meet the Lord in the air, he simply said to the group:

“Ill likely be dead and gone by the time all that happens and I highly doubt that I’ll be risen on time for all that. I have not been a very good person and I am sure it will take more time to raise me up than anyone else, so count me out, I guess.”

He said the other even bigger reason he thought this, was because of the verse where we are told:

“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Cor 15:52).

And also, where Jesus says:

“as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (Mat 24:27)

My friend was thinking that because of how fast these verses say the second coming will be that there will not be enough time for someone as far gone as him to be fully resurrected in time to be included in the resurrection, simply because of the kind of life he has so often lived.

Fortunately for my friend, and for all of us, the Bible does tell us a different story.

Our personal identity is preserved in the resurrection, though not the same particles of matter or material substance as went into the grave. The wondrous works of God are a mystery to humanity. The spirit, the character of a person, is returned to God, there to be preserved for ever. In the resurrection everyone will have their own character. (Rev 22:11)  God in His own time will call forth the dead, giving again the breath of life, and bidding the dry bones live. (Ezekiel 37:1-5). From what we can understand, the same bodily form will come forth, but it will be free from disease and every defect. It lives again bearing the same individuality of features, so that friend will recognize friend. Family will recognize family. There is no law of God in nature which shows that God gives back the same identical particles of matter which composed the body before death. God shall give the righteous dead a body that will glorify Him. The prodigals will have nothing to worry about if they come back to Jesus, and give their hearts to Him.

Paul illustrates this subject by the kernel of grain sown in the field. The planted kernel always decays. But there comes forth a new kernel. The natural substance in the grain that decays is never raised as it was before planting. God gives it a new body as it has pleased Him. A much finer material will compose the human body, for it is a new creation, a new birth. (2 Cor 5:17, It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. (1 Cor 15:44)

Are you asking today:

“Is there any hope for me?”

Today, and always, my answer to you would be simple:

“Hope only in God. The Father has bread enough and to spare. Arise, and go to your Father. He will meet you a great way off. He will give you his love and compassion.” The Bible says “God will quiet you with His love…” (Zeph 3:17)

The prodigals in the world around us, in the church we attend,in the homeless camps, in our Indigenous populations, and everywhere that the gospel has been bruted by colonial Christianity. Everywhere that people who have been wounded and harmed by a perverted gospel, Jesus says that all of these beautiful souls that He died for desperately need our personal encouragement. Words of sympathy and love are worth more to them than gold and silver. Why are there so many who stand afar off from the churches when our own Bibles that we so readily proffer to make everyone think like us tell us simply to invite them in?

Some, like the prodigal’s older brother are “angry and will not go in.” Others, are kept out or pushed out by the crimes and abuses of some members who name the name of Christ, but deny the power thereof. Here is how it should be done:

the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev 22:17)

For those of you who do not approve of the prodigals coming into your church, who, like the prodigal’s older brother would have some fancy explanation why they should not be let in the doors of your house of worship, Jesus has the following promise.

“All who are afar off are made near by the blood of Christ.” (Eph 2:13)

It is interesting to note how that Peter came to Jesus, and asked, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” And he said again, “If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

We need to let our hearts break. To be perfectly broken. To let the iron melt out of our souls. Let us be pitiful and courteous. Let us have the spirit of Christ. Let us manifest the compassion of Jesus. (Phil 2:5) Jesus even left his royal throne in heaven to die for us. Jesus clothed his divinity with humanity, and came to this earth, so distorted, cold and unfeeling, so seared by the curse, to meet our common adversary, and deliver us from the bondage of sin and death.

One of my Indigenous friends whom I pray with regularly told me something absolutely amazing. They have had horrific things inflicted and imposed upon them by professing Christians all “in the name of God.” I asked them, “well how on earth can you forgive anyone who treated you like that? They don’t even deserve our time, let alone our prayers. How can they ever be trusted again?” My friend just smiled and said “because it’s what God calls us to do.” Then we had a bit of a chuckle because, as I told them, “they don’t deserve anything from God,” I then realized, as three other fingers were pointing back at me, “well neither do I.” None of us deserve anything from God. While we were yet sinners, Jesus died for us. (Rom 5:8) And now Jesus lives for us that we all might abandon our prodigal life, and return home to our Father’s heart of everlasting love, mercy, and grace:

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Rom 5:10, see also Heb 7:25)

Consider anew this story of The Prodigal Son today, while there is still time. (2 Cor 6:2) Was it really a story about the prodigal? Was it a story about his older brother who was so angry that he would not go in? Consider today friend, which of the two you most closely resemble. Please, consider carefully.

The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD has made even both of them. – Proverbs 20:12

Perhaps the older brother’s tongue made him totally deaf? What about your tongue?

Come Unto Me
(Mat 11:28)

Do hurts of this world; cares of your life
Crush the heart’s hope; pierce like a knife?
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, come unto Me.’

Families break up, by death do we part
Temptations assault, sinking the heart.
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

The hurting soul says ‘Can’t come at all!’
As they toss and turn against His call.
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

Are you dark or lonely, do you sadly frown?
Are you sick or fearful, or lonely or down?
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

You’re mad or glad, or rich or poor?
You can’t resist some evil lure?
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

The story of your life may be Galilee
Raging turmoil, no hope you see.
The Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

Come unto Jesus; and “rest” you’ll find
Whenever a burden shall tie or bind
Your Savior still speaks surely to thee:
‘If ye so labor, Come unto Me.’

• by David T Battler