True, lasting peace, means so much more than some kind of flat-lining policy that is tooted from the steeples by the church rooster. “Harmony” so called is not peace. The peace that the world cannot give, under any circumstance, is something that needs strength and confidence.
“The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.” (Psalms 29:11)
Peace Of Christ
Most people desire both strength and confidence. Throughout history, God has revealed his power through many and various miracles, which I believe the Bible may have alluded to when it said: “Jesus presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”
Jesus promises to continue to reveal his power. True peace is true power. Power is what power does. Paul urged us to understand how great God’s power is (Eph 1:18-23). It takes a special kind of power to have true peace. To have the peace only Jesus can give. (John 14:27) The same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to help us with our daily problems. When we feel weak and limited, there is no need to despair. Scripture tells us that God can give you strength. The same power that controls creation and raises the dead is available to you as we can also see in The Apostle’s prayer:
“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” (Phil 3:10)
Jesus promised just before He ascended to Heaven, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
We have to concede, this kind of peace would need real power.
Jesus’ words show that the way to eternal life, though unseen in most of our dire circumstances, is totally secure. As secure as your trust in Jesus. Jesus has already prepared the way to eternal life. The only issue that may still be unsettled is your willingness to believe all that He has promised in all of His Word. The end result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is deep and lasting peace. Unlike worldly peace, which is usually defined as the absence of conflict, this peace is a confident assurance in any circumstance; with Christ’s peace, we have no need to fear the present or the future.
Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt, and numerous other forces are at war within us. The peace of God moves into our hearts and lives to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict. Jesus says he will give us that peace if we are willing to accept it from him. If your life is full of stress, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ’s peace.
Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds. (Phil 4:6-7, ERV)
The consciousness of right-doing is the best medicine for diseased bodies and minds. All who are at peace with God have secured the most important requisite to health. The blessing of the Lord is life to the receiver.(S.T., 1882, No. 23).
“The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.” (Prov 10:22)
Imagine never worrying about anything! It seems like an impossibility; we all have worries on the job, in our homes, at school, even at Church and other places that are supposed to be “safe.” But Paul’s advice is to turn our worries into prayers. Do you want to worry less? Then pray more! Whenever you start to worry, stop and pray. If you have time to worry, you have time to pray.
“In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.” (Prov 14:26)
“For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But you would not,” (Isa 30:15)
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14)
The emphasis, in both peace and prayer here is on God’s will, not our will.
When we communicate with God, we don’t demand what we want; rather we discuss with him what he wants for us. If we align our prayers to his will, he will listen; and we can be certain that because Jesus listens, he will give us a definite answer. Answers to our prayers may include things such as “yes,” “no,” “maybe,” or “if.” But we all can start praying today with confidence!
Christ has said, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” (Mark 11:24). “Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13).
And the beloved John, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, speaks with great plainness and assurance:
“If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” (1 John 5:14, 15).
Then press your petition to the Father in the name of Jesus. God will always honor that name.
There is great peace that comes from doing what we know is right.
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (Col 3:14-15)
The LORD God put the man in the Garden of Eden to take care of it and to look after it. But the LORD told him, “You may eat fruit from any tree in the garden…(Gen 2:15-16)
God’s reasons
When Adam and Eve sinned in The garden Of Eden, it wasnt simply because they doubted God’s Word. At the heart of the problem was the belief that they had enough wisdom in and of themselves, to decide what is good, what is right. They trusted to their own personal judgment, apart from God’s express Word to them personally. Whenever we are thus opposed to God’s Word, trouble will surely ensue. We will always open up ourselves to all sorts of problems
From the outset, people in today,s world can run with one of two choices in life. Interpret our life task as being responsible to society or as being responsible to our own conscience.
A good conscience in work clothes might for example show loving parents who long to protect their children from the pains of being in this world. But wise parents also know the danger of over-protection. They know that the freedom to choose is at the very heart of what it means to be human, and that a world without choice would be by far, worse than a world without pain. Imagine a world populated by people who could make wrong choices without feeling the pain of said choices. No one is more dangerous than the liar, thief, or killer who does not feel the harm or the pain that they are causing.
What is called self-actualization today is not an attainable goal for anyone, no matter what Maslow or anyone else says. For the simple reason that the more one would strive for it, the more they would be sure to miss it. Perhaps, no one can really change some situations that are causing their sufferings. We can still choose our attitude. Our response. For example, I did not choose to get 50% of my body burned, but I did choose to never let those burns and subsequent pain and surgery break me.
In verity, Jesus has always proffered “free choice” to us, just as He did with the first pair in Eden. The Lord has said:
“…choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15)
God gave Adam and Eve responsibility and choice for The Garden and told them not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Rather than physically preventing them both from eating, God gave them a choice and, thus, the possibility of choosing wrongly. God still gives us choices, and we, too, often choose wrong. These wrong choices may cause us pain, but they can help us learn and grow and make better choices in the future. Living with the consequences of our choices teaches us to think and choose more carefully.
“Look! I have set before you today life and prosperity on the one hand, and death and disaster on the other. (Jer 30:15)
Another Bible story, about Saul, also describes for us the path to self-reliance and the trouble that always follows. Samuel anointed Saul as King (1 Sam 10:1), and then he gave Saul specific instructions, (1 Sam 10:8), but Saul chose to disobey. (1 Sam 13:1-14) outlines what Saul did that led to his own downfall. There were three steps taken that led to his downfall. Each one might seem like a little thing, but because they were all taken independently of God, they led to major trouble.
1) Saul said “I saw.” meaning the scattering of his troops and Samuel’s absence. (1 Sam 13:11). Saul was under pressure and he evaluated with his own eyes and understanding what was happening.
2) Saul moved from “I saw,” to “I said,” that the Phillistines would conquer them. (1 Sam 13:12). What Saul saw with his own eyes shaped what he had said or surmised, about the situation that was then at hand. (1 Sam 13;12)
3) Saul then moved from an “I said” to saying “I felt,” compelled to offer a sacrifice. (1 Sam 13:12) What Saul now was thinking in his own wisdom, was now shaping his feelings and his actions in response to said feelings.
We have all done this. Relied on our own human eyesight. Our own thinking and human wisdom, which will always lead us to rely on our own, very faulty human feelings and judgments. And the trouble begins as we act upon those feelings rather than God’s own, express word.
Decision, Choice to Be Based on Evidence.
It is not the plan of God to compel people to yield their wicked unbelief. Before them are light and darkness, truth and error. It is for them to decide which to accept. The human mind is endowed with power to discriminate between right and wrong. God designs that we shall not decide from impulse, but from weight of evidence, carefully comparing scripture with scripture (Redemption: or the Miracles of Christ, pp. 112, 113).
There is no greater deception than for humanity to suppose that in any difficulty we can find a better guide than God, a wiser counselor in any emergency, a stronger defense under any circumstance (MS 66, 1898). {2BC 993.3}
Behold, a virgin will conceive, and will bear a son, and thou shalt call his name Emmanuel, which is interpreted, Our God with us. (Mat 1:23)
welcome Jesus
Mat 1:23 quotes Isa 7:14 to show a definite fulfillment of this prophecy in that a virgin named Mary conceived and bore a son, Immanuel, the Christ.
With Christmas just around the corner once again, I thought it would be a good idea to dwell for a few weeks now on Bible prophecy. In essence, this is what Christmas is. It is prophecy fulfilled. It is prophecy unfolding. Christmas IS “the story of Jesus.” No. Christmas is not “HISTORY,” Christmas is “HIS Story.”
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Listen carefully, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will call his name Immanuel (God with us). (Isa 7:14). Isaiah was therefore a true prophet. Isaiah spoke prophecies that were only about Jesus. HIS STORY. Jesus came for the cross. To die on Calvary for us. That’s the prophecy. That’s the Christmas story. If someone tries to tell you a different Christmas story than this, then they need to get their story straight. We have many many, too many people online and off now all purporting to preach the “warning message” and most of them do not even mention the cross. But they sure like to dote on and on about the beast!
Hanging upon the cross Christ was the gospel. This is our message, our argument, our doctrine, our warning to the impenitent, our encouragement for the sorrowing, the hope for every believer. If we can awaken an interest in men’s minds that will cause them to fix their eyes on Christ, we may step aside, and ask them only to continue to fix their eyes upon the Lamb of God.– Manuscript 49, 1898. {7ABC 458.2}
So lets start at the beginning.
What are the Bible tests for a true prophet? How does scripture reflect on prophets and prophecy?
The tests for a true prophet are found in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, and pointedly indicate that the many prognosticators (like Jean Dixon) who are not measuring up to these stringent, Bible only qualifications, cannot lay claim to the rare distinction of being true prophets of God. Please find enclosed below, some basics about Bible prophets, as depicted in the Bible:
1) A true prophet does not lie. His/her predictions will be fulfilled. “The prophet which prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, [then] shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.” Jer 28:9
2) A true prophet prophesies in the name of the Lord, not in his own name. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Pet 1:21
3) A true prophet does not give his own private interpretation of prophecy. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” 2 Pet 1:20
4) A true prophet points out the sins and transgressions of the people against God. “Cry aloud, spare not,lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isa 58:1
5) A true prophet is to warn the people of God’s coming judgment. Isa 24:1-23; Rev 14:6,7
6) A true prophet edifies the church, counsels and advises it in religious matters “But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men [to] edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.” I Cor 14:3,4
7) A true prophet’s words will be in absolute harmony with the words of the prophets that have proceeded him. “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them.” Isa 8:20
8) He recognizes the incarnation of Jesus Christ. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.”
I John 4:1-3
9) He can be recognized by the results of his works. “Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Mat 7:16-20
10) A true prophet acts in accordance with the will and approval of God:
“thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh divination [fortune-teller], or an observer of times [astrologer], or an enchanter [magician], or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits [medium possessed with a spirit or a guide], or a wizard [clairvoyant or psychic], or a necromancer [medium who consults the dead]. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD” (Deut 18:9-12)
To be even more precise, the actions of a true prophet are not in contradiction to any basic Biblical doctrines, but rather all prophecies support and strengthen precepts already outlined in Scripture.
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Rev 20:6, Rev 20:14, Rev 21:8)
ANY prophecy or ANY doctrine that does not have “Christ and Him crucified” as the central cornerstone is simply not a true Christian doctrine, no matter how many Bible verses are quoted. We see a lot of false prophets and prophecy on the internet these days. It is important to just know what the Bible says about it all.
Look and Live. Hanging upon the cross Christ was the gospel. Now we have a message, “Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29) Will not our church members keep their eyes fixed on a crucified and risen Savior, in whom their hopes of eternal life are centered? This is our message, our argument, our doctrine, our warning to the impenitent, our encouragement for the sorrowing, the hope for every believer. If we can awaken an interest in people’s minds that will cause them to fix their eyes on Christ, then we may step aside, and ask them only to continue to fix their eyes upon the Lamb of God. They thus receive their lesson. Whosoever will come after Me, let them deny themselves, and take up their cross, and follow Me. One whose eyes are fixed on Jesus will have no trouble to leave all. They will die to selfishness. They will believe in all of the Word of God, which is so gloriously and wonderfully exalted in Christ. {6BC 1113.1}
There is one great central truth to be kept ever before the mind in the searching of the Scriptures–Christ and Him crucified. Every other truth is invested with influence and power corresponding to its relation to this theme. The soul palsied by sin can be endowed with life only through the work wrought out upon the cross by the Author of our salvation. {FLB 50.2}
The Christ hanging on the cross is the Christmas story. HIS STORY. Our “warning message.” Our doctrine. Every doctrine. Starting next week we will look more in depth at some of the above points regarding Bible Prophets, and Bible Prophecy. It truly is about the cross.
Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. (Mat 8:25,26)
peace be still 2
Before anyone may enter upon His service, Jesus places before them the inevitable trials which they must meet, among which loneliness and homelessness loom in threatening and fear. See that in your heart Christ has a home. Where, however, there is lethargy, the Savior stirs the soul to follow Him. Do not mourn about the grave of the past; leave it and enter the life of resurrection and ascension.
Storms must sweep over all our lives. The Master’s sleep indicates the peace and security of His nature. What a contrast between our impatience and His infinite serenity! Our Lord was sure that the Father was with Him, John 8:29. Near though the enemy may be, the Father is nearer. The everlasting arms are beneath you. You are beset behind and before, but no boat can sink when Christ is on board.
Similarly, when they got out of this boat where Jesus was sleeping during the storm, they encountered another type of storm where two demoniacs were in a great tumult of thoughts and feelings. When Jesus cast out the devils in these men, they were thrown into the herd of swine nearby.
Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. (Mark 5:11,13
From the cliff the keepers of the swine had seen all that had occurred, and they hurried away to publish the news to their employers and to all the people. In fear and amazement the whole population flocked to meet Jesus. The two demoniacs had been the terror of the country. No one had been safe to pass the place where they were; for they would rush upon every traveler with the fury of demons. Now these men were clothed and in their right mind, sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to His words, and glorifying the name of Him who had made them whole. But the people who beheld this wonderful scene did not rejoice. The loss of the swine seemed to them of greater moment than the deliverance of these captives of Satan. {DA 338.3}
It was in mercy to the owners of the swine that this loss had been permitted to come upon them. They were absorbed in earthly things, and cared not for the great interests of spiritual life. Jesus desired to break the spell of selfish indifference, that they might accept His grace. But regret and indignation for their temporal loss blinded their eyes to the Savior’s mercy. {DA 338.4}
The manifestation of supernatural power aroused the superstitions of the people, and excited their fears. Further calamities might follow from having this Stranger among them. They apprehended financial ruin, and determined to be freed from His presence. Those who had crossed the lake with Jesus told of all that had happened on the preceding night, of their peril in the tempest, and how the wind and the sea had been stilled. But their words were without effect. In terror the people thronged about Jesus, beseeching Him to depart from them, and He complied, taking ship at once for the opposite shore. {DA 339.1}
The people of Gergesa had before them the living evidence of Christ’s power and mercy. They saw the men who had been restored to reason; but they were so fearful of endangering their earthly interests that He who had vanquished the prince of darkness before their eyes was treated as an intruder, and the Gift of heaven was turned from their doors. We have not the opportunity of turning from the person of Christ as had the Gergesenes; but still there are many who refuse to obey His word, because obedience would involve the sacrifice of some worldly interest. Lest His presence shall cause them pecuniary loss, many reject His grace, and drive His Spirit from them. {DA 339.2}
But far different was the feeling of the restored demoniacs. They desired the company of their deliverer. In His presence they felt secure from the demons that had tormented their lives and wasted their manhood. As Jesus was about to enter the boat, they kept close to His side, knelt at His feet, and begged Him to keep them near Him, where they might ever listen to His words. But Jesus bade them go home and tell what great things the Lord had done for them. {DA 339.3}
Here was a work for them to do,–to go to a heathen home, and tell of the blessing they had received from Jesus. It was hard for them to be separated from the Savior. Great difficulties were sure to beset them in association with their heathen countrymen. And their long isolation from society seemed to have disqualified them for the work He had indicated. But as soon as Jesus pointed out their duty they were ready to obey. Not only did they tell their own households and neighbors about Jesus, but they went throughout Decapolis, everywhere declaring His power to save, and describing how He had freed them from the demons. In doing this work they could receive a greater blessing than if, merely for benefit to themselves, they had remained in His presence. It is in working to spread the good news of salvation that we are brought near to the Savior. {DA 339.4}
The two restored demoniacs were the first missionaries whom Christ sent to preach the gospel in the region of Decapolis. For a few moments only these men had been privileged to hear the teachings of Christ. Not one sermon from His lips had ever fallen upon their ears. They could not instruct the people as the disciples who had been daily with Christ were able to do. But they bore in their own persons the evidence that Jesus was the Messiah. They could tell what they knew; what they themselves had seen, and heard, and felt of the power of Christ.
This is what everyone can do whose heart has been touched by the grace of God. John, the beloved disciple, wrote: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; . . . that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you.” 1 John 1:1,2,3.
As witnesses for Christ, we are to tell what we know, what we ourselves have seen and heard and felt. If we have been following Jesus step by step, we shall have something right to the point to tell concerning the way in which He has led us. We can tell how we have tested His promise, and found the promise true. We can bear witness to what we have known of the grace of Christ. This is the witness for which our Lord calls, and for want of which the world is perishing. {DA 340.1}
Though the people of Gergesa had not received Jesus, He did not leave them to the darkness they had chosen. When they bade Him depart from them, they had not heard His words. They were ignorant of that which they were rejecting. Therefore He again sent the light to them, and by those to whom they would not refuse to listen. {DA 340.2}
In causing the destruction of the swine, it was Satan’s purpose to turn the people away from the Savior, and prevent the preaching of the gospel in that region. But this very occurrence roused the whole country as nothing else could have done, and directed attention to Christ. Though the Savior Himself departed, the men whom He had healed remained as witnesses to His power. Those who had been mediums of the prince of darkness became channels of light, messengers of the Son of God. Men marveled as they listened to the wondrous news. A door was opened to the gospel throughout that region. When Jesus returned to Decapolis, the people flocked about Him, and for three days, not merely the inhabitants of one town, but thousands from all the surrounding region, heard the message of salvation. Even the power of demons is under the control of our Savior, and the working of evil is overruled for good. {DA 340.3}
The encounter with the demoniacs of Gergesa had a lesson for the disciples. It showed the depths of degradation to which Satan is seeking to drag the whole human race, and the mission of Christ to set men free from his power. Those wretched beings, dwelling in the place of graves, possessed by demons, in bondage to uncontrolled passions and loathsome lusts, represent what humanity would become if given up to satanic jurisdiction. Satan’s influence is constantly exerted upon men to distract the senses, control the mind for evil, and incite to violence and crime. He weakens the body, darkens the intellect, and debases the soul.
Whenever men reject the Savior’s invitation, they are yielding themselves to Satan. Multitudes in every department in life, in the home, in business, and even in the church, are doing this today. It is because of this that violence and crime have overspread the earth, and moral darkness, like the pall of death, enshrouds the habitations of men. Through his specious temptations Satan leads men to worse and worse evils, till utter depravity and ruin are the result. The only safeguard against his power is found in the presence of Jesus.
Before men and angels Satan has been revealed as man’s enemy and destroyer; Christ, as man’s friend and deliverer. His Spirit will develop in man all that will ennoble the character and dignify the nature. It will build man up for the glory of God in body and soul and spirit. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7. He has called us “to the obtaining of the glory”–character–“of our Lord Jesus Christ;” has called us to be “conformed to the image of His Son.” 2 Thessalonians 2:14; Romans 8:29. {DA 341.1}
And souls that have been degraded into instruments of Satan are still through the power of Christ transformed into messengers of righteousness, and sent forth by the Son of God to tell what “great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.” {DA 341.2}
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39)
peace be still 1
How quick the Master was to observe the meaning of natural symbols! To Him all things were unfoldings of eternal mystery, and the ways of people unconsciously mirrored the unseen. Are there bushels in your life? Use them as lamp stands, not as coverings.
All secrets come out; beware of what you say. All measures come back to us; take care how you mete.
The mysterious co-operation of God in nature, and the gradual process of growth, are analogous to the co-working of the Holy Spirit with all faithful sowers of the Word, and the imperceptible stages through which the soul reaches maturity.
Sadly, whenever people reject the Savior’s invitation, they are yielding themselves to Satan. Multitudes in every department in life, in the home, in business, and even in the church, are doing this today. Ignoring the express invitation of Jesus.
It had been an eventful day in the life of Jesus. Beside the Sea of Galilee He had spoken His first parables, by familiar illustrations again explaining to the people the nature of His kingdom and the manner in which it was to be established. He had likened His own work to that of the sower; the development of His kingdom to the growth of the mustard seed and the effect of leaven in the measure of meal. The great final separation of the righteous and the wicked He had pictured in the parables of the wheat and tares and the fishing net. The exceeding preciousness of the truths He taught had been illustrated by the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price, while in the parable of the householder He taught His disciples how they were to labor as His representatives. {DA 333.1}
All day He had been teaching and healing; and as evening came on the crowds still pressed upon Him. Day after day He had ministered to them, scarcely pausing for food or rest. The malicious criticism and misrepresentation with which the Pharisees constantly pursued Him made His labors much more severe and harassing; and now the close of the day found Him so utterly wearied that He determined to seek retirement in some solitary place across the lake. {DA 333.2}
The eastern shore of Gennesaret was not uninhabited, for there were towns here and there beside the lake; yet it was a desolate region when compared with the western side. It contained a population more heathen than Jewish, and had little communication with Galilee. Thus it offered Jesus the seclusion He sought, and He now bade His disciples accompany Him thither. {DA 333.3}
After He had dismissed the multitude, they took Him, even “as He was,” into the boat, and hastily set off. But they were not to depart alone. There were other fishing boats lying near the shore, and these were quickly crowded with people who followed Jesus, eager still to see and hear Him. {DA 334.1}
The Savior was at last relieved from the pressure of the multitude, and, overcome with weariness and hunger, He lay down in the stern of the boat, and soon fell asleep. The evening had been calm and pleasant, and quiet rested upon the lake; but suddenly darkness overspread the sky, the wind swept wildly down the mountain gorges along the eastern shore, and a fierce tempest burst upon the lake. {DA 334.2}
The sun had set, and the blackness of night settled down upon the stormy sea. The waves, lashed into fury by the howling winds, dashed fiercely over the disciples’ boat, and threatened to engulf it. Those hardy fishermen had spent their lives upon the lake, and had guided their craft safely through many a storm; but now their strength and skill availed nothing. They were helpless in the grasp of the tempest, and hope failed them as they saw that their boat was filling. {DA 334.3}
Absorbed in their efforts to save themselves, they had forgotten that Jesus was on board. Now, seeing their labor vain and only death before them, they remembered at whose command they had set out to cross the sea. In Jesus was their only hope. In their helplessness and despair they cried, “Master, Master!” But the dense darkness hid Him from their sight. Their voices were drowned by the roaring of the tempest, and there was no reply. Doubt and fear assailed them. Had Jesus forsaken them? Was He who had conquered disease and demons, and even death, powerless to help His disciples now? Was He unmindful of them in their distress? {DA 334.4}
Again they call, but there is no answer except the shrieking of the angry blast. Already their boat is sinking. A moment, and apparently they will be swallowed up by the hungry waters. {DA 334.5}
Suddenly a flash of lightning pierces the darkness, and they see Jesus lying asleep, undisturbed by the tumult. In amazement and despair they exclaim, “Master, carest Thou not that we perish?” How can He rest so peacefully, while they are in danger and battling with death? {DA 334.6}
Their cry arouses Jesus. As the lightning’s glare reveals Him, they see the peace of heaven in His face; they read in His glance self-forgetful, tender love, and, their hearts turning to Him, cry, “Lord, save us: we perish.” {DA 335.1}
Never did a soul utter that cry unheeded. As the disciples grasp their oars to make a last effort, Jesus rises. He stands in the midst of His disciples, while the tempest rages, the waves break over them, and the lightning illuminates His countenance. He lifts His hand, so often employed in deeds of mercy, and says to the angry sea, “Peace, be still.” {DA 335.2}
The storm ceases. The billows sink to rest. The clouds roll away, and the stars shine forth. The boat rests upon a quiet sea. Then turning to His disciples, Jesus asks sorrowfully, “Why are ye fearful? have ye not yet faith?” Mark 4:40, R.V. {DA 335.3}
A hush fell upon the disciples. Even Peter did not attempt to express the awe that filled his heart. The boats that had set out to accompany Jesus had been in the same peril with that of the disciples. Terror and despair had seized their occupants; but the command of Jesus brought quiet to the scene of tumult. The fury of the storm had driven the boats into close proximity, and all on board beheld the miracle. In the calm that followed, fear was forgotten. The people whispered among themselves, “What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” {DA 335.4}
When Jesus was awakened to meet the storm, He was in perfect peace. There was no trace of fear in word or look, for no fear was in His heart. But He rested not in the possession of almighty power. It was not as the “Master of earth and sea and sky” that He reposed in quiet. That power He had laid down, and He says, “I can of Mine own self do nothing.” John 5:30. He trusted in the Father’s might. It was in faith–faith in God’s love and care–that Jesus rested, and the power of that word which stilled the storm was the power of God. {DA 336.1}
As Jesus rested by faith in the Father’s care, so we are to rest in the care of our Savior. If the disciples had trusted in Him, they would have been kept in peace. Their fear in the time of danger revealed their unbelief. In their efforts to save themselves, they forgot Jesus; and it was only when, in despair of self-dependence, they turned to Him that He could give them help. {DA 336.2}
How often the disciples’ experience is ours! When the tempests of temptation gather, and the fierce lightnings flash, and the waves sweep over us, we battle with the storm alone, forgetting that there is One who can help us. We trust to our own strength till our hope is lost, and we are ready to perish. Then we remember Jesus, and if we call upon Him to save us, we shall not cry in vain. Though He sorrowfully reproves our unbelief and self-confidence, He never fails to give us the help we need. Whether on the land or on the sea, if we have the Savior in our hearts, there is no need of fear. Living faith in the Redeemer will smooth the sea of life, and will deliver us from danger in the way that He knows to be best. {DA 336.3}
There is another spiritual lesson in this miracle of the stilling of the tempest. Every man’s experience testifies to the truth of the words of Scripture, “The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest. . . . There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” Isaiah 57:20, 21. Sin has destroyed our peace. While self is unsubdued, we can find no rest. The masterful passions of the heart no human power can control. We are as helpless here as were the disciples to quiet the raging storm.
But He who spoke peace to the billows of Galilee has spoken the word of peace for every soul. However fierce the tempest, those who turn to Jesus with the cry, “Lord, save us,” will find deliverance. His grace, that reconciles the soul to God, quiets the strife of human passion, and in His love the heart is at rest. “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so He bringeth them unto their desired haven.” Psalm 107:29, 30. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” “The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.” Romans 5:1; Isaiah 32:17. {DA 336.4}
In the early morning the Savior and His companions came to shore, and the light of the rising sun touched sea and land as with the benediction of peace. But no sooner had they stepped upon the beach than their eyes were greeted by a sight more terrible than the fury of the tempest. From some hiding place among the tombs, two madmen rushed upon them as if to tear them in pieces. Hanging about these men were parts of chains which they had broken in escaping from confinement. Their flesh was torn and bleeding where they had cut themselves with sharp stones. Their eyes glared out from their long and matted hair, the very likeness of humanity seemed to have been blotted out by the demons that possessed them, and they looked more like wild beasts than like men. {DA 337.1}
The disciples and their companions fled in terror; but presently they noticed that Jesus was not with them, and they turned to look for Him. He was standing where they had left Him. He who had stilled the tempest, who had before met Satan and conquered him, did not flee before these demons. When the men, gnashing their teeth, and foaming at the mouth, approached Him, Jesus raised that hand which had beckoned the waves to rest, and the men could come no nearer. They stood raging but helpless before Him. {DA 337.2}
With authority He bade the unclean spirits come out of them. His words penetrated the darkened minds of the unfortunate men. They realized dimly that One was near who could save them from the tormenting demons. They fell at the Savior’s feet to worship Him; but when their lips were opened to entreat His mercy, the demons spoke through them, crying vehemently, “What have I to do with Thee, Jesus, Thou Son of God most high? I beseech Thee, torment me not.” {DA 337.3}
Jesus asked, “What is thy name?” And the answer was, “My name is Legion: for we are many.” Using the afflicted men as mediums of communication, they besought Jesus not to send them out of the country. Upon a mountainside not far distant a great herd of swine was feeding. Into these the demons asked to be allowed to enter, and Jesus suffered them. Immediately a panic seized the herd. They rushed madly down the cliff, and, unable to check themselves upon the shore, plunged into the lake, and perished. {DA 338.1}
Meanwhile a marvelous change had come over the demoniacs. Light had shone into their minds. Their eyes beamed with intelligence. The countenances, so long deformed into the image of Satan, became suddenly mild, the bloodstained hands were quiet, and with glad voices the men praised God for their deliverance. {DA 338.2}
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. (John 6:12,13)
gather up fragments
Jesus often tests us to see what we shall say and do in the presence of overwhelming difficulty, but He always knows the way out. We at once begin to calculate our paltry resources, and to confess their inadequacy. We come back to explain that when we have done our utmost, we can provide very little.
Then He steps in, determined that everyone shall be filled, with an ample supply left over. He makes His guests sit down in comfort on the grass, because there is plenty of time, as well as an abundance of food, for a happy and comfortable meal. We must bring Him what we have, however slender; must enter into His great plan and arrange the people for the banquet; must distribute the food and gather up the broken pieces. The world is to be fed by the cooperation of Christ and His Church.
The disciples finally came to Jesus, urging that for their own sake the people should be sent away. Many had come from far, and had eaten nothing since morning. In the surrounding towns and villages they might be able to buy food. But Jesus said, “Give ye them to eat,” and then, turning to Philip, questioned, “Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” This He said to test the faith of the disciple. Philip looked over the sea of heads, and thought how impossible it would be to provide food to satisfy the wants of such a crowd. He answered that two hundred pennyworth of bread would not be nearly enough to divide among them, so that each might have a little.
Jesus inquired how much food could be found among the company. “There is a lad here,” said Andrew, “which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes; but what are they among so many?” Jesus directed that these be brought to Him. Then He bade the disciples seat the people on the grass in parties of fifty or a hundred, to preserve order, and that all might witness what He was about to do.
When this was accomplished, Jesus took the food, “and looking up to heaven, He blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to His disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.” “And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.” {DA 365.3}
He who taught the people the way to secure peace and happiness was just as thoughtful of their temporal necessities as of their spiritual need. The people were weary and faint. There were mothers with babes in their arms, and little children clinging to their skirts. Many had been standing for hours. They had been so intensely interested in Christ’s words that they had not once thought of sitting down, and the crowd was so great that there was danger of their trampling on one another. Jesus would give them a chance to rest, and He bade them sit down. There was much grass in the place, and all could rest in comfort. {DA 365.4}
Christ never worked a miracle except to supply a genuine necessity, and every miracle was of a character to lead the person to the tree of life, whose leaves are for the healing of the nations. Jesus said there would be miracles manifested for the express purpose of deceiving of “the very elect,” and so we must examine closely Gods Word to see what Jesus, the Judge of all would say about miracles we may witness.
According to the everlasting gospel, there is hope amongst the fragments. John 6:12. If your heart has been broken by grief, by worry, by fear, by pain, or by suffering, or by someone doing you dirt, or by loved ones dying, or by anything else, God’s desire is that we just make art with all those pieces. Make something beautiful out of all those little pieces of your darkest times. We are born of the anguish we bear, and we are to turn all of our grief, our tears, our clouds, into the love that we want to give. Only then, when we give what we want to receive, are we truly “the children of God.” (Mat 5:9).
“To them that received Him, gave He power to become the sons and daughters of God.” (John 1:12)
And Jesus said “gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost.” (John 6:12)
Many of us have made ship-wreck of our faith, all of us have done wrong and been wronged. (Rom 3:23) But all of us have some fragments of faith that still live in us. (Rom 12:3). And it is our job as Christians to identify with people, in the same ways that Jesus did, for the purpose of gathering up those little shreds and fragments of people’s faith that remain and to come alongside them in the love of Christ, so that NOTHING be lost.”
Scripture tells us that “…they gathered them up, and they filled twelve large baskets with pieces from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten…” (John 6:13). Jesus fed huge crowds of people with those tiny fragments He was talking about!
As Christians, we need to find those fragments of faith in others, and use them to build upon Christ, our Solid Rock.
I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed and said, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and extends loving kindness toward those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed wrong, and have behaved wickedly and have rebelled, turning away from Your commandments and ordinances. (Dan 9:4,5)
vision
“So we have the prophetic word made more certain. You do well to pay [close] attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and light breaks through the gloom and the morning star arises in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19
And the Old Testament also reflects upon the idea of “the Morning Star,” in Numbers 24:17
“”I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near. A star shall come forth from [the descendants of] Jacob, A scepter shall rise out of [the descendants of] Israel And shall crush the forehead of Moab And destroy all the sons of Sheth.”
Christ is here represented as the “Morning Star,” and when He returns, he will shine in his full glory. Until that day we have Scripture and the Holy Spirit to illuminate it [the Morning Star concept] for us and to guide us as we seek the truth about Bible Prophecy. (see also Luke 1:78; Eph 5:14; Rev 2:28; Rev 22:16).
One of the key concepts to derive from Bible prophecy is that it is often nothing to do with dates, history, predictions, or doom and gloom. While Bible prophecy does set before us the motif of “the great controversy,” which is essentially, the war between good and evil, as well as being the main message intended for us to carry forward into the world we live in today.
The best way to think of Bible prophecy, is not by “History,” which by nature is often secular, and activist; but rather, to reflect upon the different ways that prophecy represents “H.I.S. – S.T.O.R.Y.”
We can count on an “everlasting” good story through Bible prophecy. We can count on the triumph of good over evil, through Bible prophecy. For Bible prophecy is in verity, about the cross. The motif of “Christ and Him crucified” is what sets apart true Christianity from everything else. Bible prophecy, in both Old and New Testaments, is an everlasting story. Bible prophecy IS “the everlasting gospel,” as reflected upon in Rev 14:6-12, and many other places.
That precious Morning Star is especially what the Christmas story is about – “HIS – Story” and the moral purpose of Bible prophecy is intended to arise in the hearts of those who are honestly seeking truth about this “everlasting gospel:”
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” (Mat 2:2)
His Story, the everlasting gospel story, is the story of Jesus, which begins for us in a dilapidated manger that no one else wanted to sleep in.
“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you and to give you assurance of these things for the churches. I am the Root (the Source, the Life) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and bright Morning Star.” (Rev 22:16)
Jesus is both David’s “source” and “heir.” As the Creator of all, Jesus existed long before David. As a human, however, he was one of David’s direct descendants (see Isa 11:1,2,3,4,5; Mat 1:1-17). As the Messiah, he is the “bright morning star,” the light of salvation to all. Once when Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, “I am the Light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:12)
And so this is why in scripture, prophecy is called a Light that shines in a dark place. Bible prophecy, correctly represented is the Light in your clouds. The Light of the world is Jesus. (There is Light in every cloud).
To illustrate further the moral purpose of Bible prophecy, and how this purpose can fit into our daily lives, and provide us with a foundation to lean upon in all of the really dark times, we can reflect upon the Bible prophecy found in Daniel, chapter nine.
Here in Daniel, chapter nine, we find a series of visions that teach a similar truth to the experiences of the first six chapters. In chapters 1—6, God is portrayed as being in control of the present. In chapters 7—12, God is seen as also controlling the future. Many self-proclaimed prophets and pundits set forth this chapter as very complicated, and mostly about dates, and history, but not usually as His Story.
Although Daniel, as prime minister of the mightiest kingdom, at the time, on the earth, was cumbered with cares and burdens, he did not let this deprive him of the privilege of studying into things of much higher importance. The purposes of God revealed to His prophets is in Scripture, much more important than secular history and its activism for denominated dross.
The book of Daniel says that this prophet understood by books, that is, the writings of Jeremiah, that God would accomplish seventy years in the captivity of His people. This prediction is found in Jer 25:12; Jer 29:10. The knowledge of it, and the use that was made of it, show that Jeremiah was early regarded as a divinely inspired prophet; otherwise his writings would not have been so soon collected, and so extensively copied. Though for a time contemporary with him, Daniel had a copy of his works which he carried with him in his captivity. Though he was so great a prophet himself, he was not above studying carefully what God might reveal to others of His servants.
Daniel had apparently understood that this 70 years were now drawing to their close, and that God had even begun the fulfillment of the prophecy, by overthrowing the kingdom of Babylon, which back then must have been terrifying. And the implications for its meaning to the world today have been denominated until we can barely recognize what to believe anymore, that is, if we can get past all of the fear mongering being proffered by big media, including many church entities.
What did Jesus say about all of the events in the book of Daniel, and in chapter nine?
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),” (Mat 24:14,15)
The book of Daniel gives a demonstration of the principles according to which God’s wisdom, power, and authority operate through the HIS STORY of nations for the eventual accomplishment of God’s divine purpose. Daniel was given a forward vision of this prophecy of The Second Coming of Christ:
“While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the LORD my God for the holy hill of my God, while I was speaking in prayer,the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice.” (Dan 9::20,21)
I wrote the following poem to reflect a little closer on what was going on, sort of behind the scenes during the times of Daniel, Chapter 9. We may be sure by this wonderful prophecy that the best ways to both prepare and respond to the things we fear may be or will be coming is to dare to be a Daniel. Dare to live Daniel’s life of prayer, in response to all the major world events of this our day, just as Daniel did back in his day:
During the oft-talked about “time of the end,” many, unlike Daniel, will be unprepared because they mistaken “prophecy” as just a series of names, dates, or places, and a few very fearful predictions about these things. But it is obvious that Daniel learned more than just predictions and dates. Daniel learned to pray. This poem reflects what the prophet of old had learned, and what God, through Daniel, is telling us to do today.
During troubled times, we may follow in Daniel’s steps, as we learn to pray in earnest, and with open hearts:
“Understand The Vision” Dan 8:17
(This poem is based on Daniel 8,9)
By the River of Ulai, the prophet “looked up”
As he was seeking
And when he “lifted up his eyes,” Daniel heard
King Jesus speaking
And down the corridors of time to the beast of
This our troubled day
We see the “Little Horn” is speaking peace as he
Forces church his way.
In the “latter times” of his kingdom when
Transgressions marked are “full.”
The time “appointed for the vision” on the
Mind of each will pull
“Dark sentences” embraced the King, when
transgressors all “stood up”
For they only “stand” to destroy; to deceive
We dare not, ever, drink the cup
Daniel fainted at this little bit that he could
See while rapt in vision
Saying how “no one understood” it; as they held
Truth in derision
But the prophet understood the vision as the
Angel swiftly flew
For Daniel prayed and “made confession;” nothing
Less could ever do
In this vision of the end Gabriel spoke to Daniel
Past his praying and his tears
For Jeremiah, wrote before him of the long and
“Desolate years”
And gave Daniel understanding from “the books;” all
The “numbers of the days”
And we can have the understanding too; as we walk
These times in God’s sweet ways.
70 Weeks were “determined” for Jerusalem of old so
That everyone could see
How God will send His mighty angel when we need to
Know the prophecy
Daniel knew the secret of the walk we all must make
With Jesus in our day
He truly understood the “numbers of the years” for
Daniel learned to pray and to
“Consider The Vision” Dan 9:23
Through His chosen agencies God will graciously make known His purposes. The Holy Spirit wants to help us to “consider the vision” today. Then the grand work of redemption will go forward. People will learn of the reconciliation for iniquity and of the everlasting righteousness which the Messiah has brought in through His sacrifice. The cross of Calvary is the great epicenter of the everlasting gospel:
Christ is the foundation of every true church. All who are brought to a new faith are to be established on Him. (Gal 6:14, Eph 2:13). The plain, simple truths of the gospel are to be kept before minds. Christ crucified as the atonement for sin is the great central truth of the gospel, round which all truths cluster. To this great truth all other truths are tributary and are thus invested with both power and influence according to their relation to this theme.
The love of God was to be revealed to the world in the death of his beloved Son, crucified on Calvary for the sins of the world. He was to present to the world the gospel, which was to be the power of God unto salvation. This was not a new truth, but through the traditions of men it had become obscured, and the original truths, by separation from their Author, had lost their meaning to the world. When Christ came, a flood of light was to be shed upon the utterances of patriarchs and prophets. Through this revelation, neglected obligations were to be taken up. Obedience was to take the place of rebellion, and the truth would work a transformation of character in all who should receive it. The great atoning Sacrifice was to be the central and supreme truth, about which all other truths were to cluster. And Christ himself came to the world to bear this truth to his rebellious subjects.
The Church must begin to teach only the great practical truths that must be stamped upon the soul. Teach the saving power of Jesus, “In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of our sins.” It was at the cross that mercy and truth met together, that righteousness and peace kissed each other. Let every student and every worker study this again and again, that they, “setting forth the Lord crucified among us,” may make it a fresh subject to the people. Show that the life of Christ reveals a perfect character.
The Church needs to teach that, “as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:12) Tell it over and over again. We may become the sons of God, members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. Let it be known that all who accept Jesus Christ and hold the beginning of their confidence firm to the end, will be heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ “to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in Heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Pet 1:5). In future prophecy news letters we will focus on this idea much more in depth. (Gal 6:14).
“Behold, I have set before thee an open door.” (Rev 3:8)
The Fathers Love reflected
Let us thank God with heart and soul and voice; and let us learn to approach unto Him as through an open door, believing that we may come freely with our petitions, and that He will hear and answer. It is by a living faith in His power to help, that we shall receive strength to fight the battles of the Lord with the confdent assurance of victory.
Those who are seeking to be faithful to God may be denied many of the privileges of the world; their way may be hedged up and their work hindered by the enemies of truth; but there is no power that can close the door of communication between God and their souls. The Christian may close this door by indulgence in sin, or by rejection of heaven’s light. They may turn away their ears from hearing the message of truth, and in this way sever the connection between God and their own soul.
Every day we have the precious privilege of connecting ourselves with Christ, who has set before us an open door. All heaven is at our command. If we are obedient children of God, we may draw daily supplies of grace. Whatever temptations, trials, or persecutions may come upon us, we need not be discouraged.
Neither humanity nor Satan can close the door which Christ has opened for us. Jesus said
“no human can shut it…” (Rev 3:8)
Friends, our youth need a hand stretched out to them in sympathy. Kind words simply spoken, little attentions simply bestowed, will sweep away the clouds of temptations which gather over the soul. The true expression of heaven-born sympathy has power to open the door of hearts that need the fragrance of Christlike words and the simple, delicate touch of the spirit of Christ’s love. If we would show an interest in the youth, invite them to our homes, and surround them with cheering, helpful influences, there are many who would gladly turn their steps into the upward path.{AH 449.2}
Whenever we are tempted, if we feel we have sunken as low as we can get, when we are in the crowded Church yet feel stark and alone, wherever rejection and disappointment are clouding our way, we have this open door to behold. No power can hide from us the light of the glory which shines from the threshold of heaven along the whole length of the ladder we are to climb; for the Lord has given us strength in His strength, courage in His courage, light in His light.
When the powers of darkness are overcome, when the light of the glory of God floods the world, we shall see and understand more clearly than we do today. If we only realized that the glory of God is round about us, that heaven is nearer earth than we suppose, we should have a heaven in our homes while preparing for the heaven above.
There is before the church the dawn of a bright, glorious day, if she will put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness, withdrawing from all alliance with the things that lead them away from God. The members of the church need now to confess their back slidings, and press together. My brethren and sisters, allow nothing to come in that will separate you from one another and from God.
Stop the intense focus on differences of opinion, but unite in the love of the truth as it is in Jesus. Come before God and plead the shed blood of the Savior as a reason that you should receive help in the warfare against evil. I assure you that you will not plead in vain. As you draw near to God, with heartfelt contrition and in full assurance of faith, the enemy who seeks to destroy you will be overcome by the Holy Spirit of The Living God.
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. (Eph 2:13)
Pious Jews considered all non-Jews (Gentiles) ceremonially unclean. They thought of themselves as pure and clean because of their national heritage and religious ceremonies. Paul pointed out that Jews and Gentiles alike were unclean before God and needed to be cleansed by Christ. In order to realize how great a gift salvation is, we need to remember our former natural, unclean condition. Have you ever felt separate, excluded, hopeless? This verse is for you. No one is alienated from Christ’s love or from the body of believers.
Jews and Gentiles alike could be guilty of spiritual pride — Jews for thinking their faith and traditions elevated them above everyone else, Gentiles for trusting in their achievements, power, or position. Spiritual pride blinds us to our own faults and magnifies the faults of others. Be careful not to become proud of your salvation. Instead, humbly thank God for what he has done, and encourage others who might be struggling in their faith.
Before Christ’s coming, Gentiles and Jews kept apart from one another. Jews considered Gentiles beyond God’s saving power and therefore without hope. Gentiles resented Jewish claims. Christ revealed the total sinfulness of both Jews and Gentiles, and then he offered his salvation to both. Only Christ breaks down the walls of prejudice, reconciles all believers to God, and unifies us in one body.
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'(Acts 2:21)
Peter quoted this passage (see Acts 2:16-21); the outpouring of the Spirit predicted by Joel occurred on Pentecost. While in the past God’s Spirit seemed available to kings, prophets, and judges, Joel envisioned a time when the Spirit would be available to every believer. Ezekiel also spoke of an outpouring of the Spirit (Ezekiel 39:28-29). God’s Spirit is available today to anyone who calls on the Lord for salvation
“After that, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will have dreams. Your young men will have visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit on those who serve me, men and women alike. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth. There will be blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will become dark. The moon will turn red like blood. It will happen before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes. Everyone who calls out to me will be saved. On Mount Zion and in Jerusalem some of my people will be left alive. I have chosen them. That is what I have promised. (Joel 2:28-32,NIrV)
And whoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father, with his holy angels. (Luke 9:26, Murdock)
we have been warned
There are many conspiracy theories, contingency theories, and whacky theories abounding today about what is “really” going on in our world today. To be certain, things are in major upheaval, and many people are becoming scared. In my experience, many of us are frightened because even the churches are buying into the scare tactics and conspiracy theories, leaving people wondering where to find surety of any kind.
There are a couple of things to consider, which I would like to out line in this article. Some have questioned me for constantly writing things about the cross when I talk about end time events, and so I will begin by briefly explaining this concept.
One pastor said to me recently when I questioned his constant obsessive use of articles from so called “alternative news sites.” The articles all contain the latest “news” about the latest, alleged covid plots and capers going on around us. The one article he cited as “must read” and “truth” was actually about modern AI robots that would be sent out to attack and control people who dont want to vax. And there was mention of some kind of electronic chip implant, of course, being claimed as “the mark of the beast.”
The first thing he said in his reply to me was “could it be that such things will be used against God’s people who want to keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus?” That was his paltry reply to my question about why is he constantly sending stuff like this out to the people he is supposed to be pastoring? Could this explain why he has only 40 members that attend his church “on a good sabbath?” My first thought was just “well even if that stuff he cited were true, what on earth does it matter for if we are to have our main focus and foundation on “Christ and Him crucified,” How would this supposed “insider” knowledge of the beast help us to preach the cross or the Man on the cross? We cannot do both!
I have thought about this kind of excuse for citing news as prophecy for some time, and I would concede, ever so slightly, that yes, God wants us to “know whats going on;” but for someone who is supposedly concerned about following “the spirit of prophecy” I found this pastor’s response very strange. Here are some very important thoughts to consider:
God has revealed what is to take place in the last days, that His people may be prepared to stand against the tempest of opposition and wrath. Those who have been warned of the events before them are not to sit in calm expectation of the coming storm, comforting themselves that the Lord will shelter His faithful ones in the day of trouble.{FLB 325.3}
And so yes, there is to be a reasonable, balanced consideration of what is going on. But does this admonition actually refer to all the claimed or supposed events around us as depicted by Big Media? No! And it never will! Almost none of what we hear as “news” is verifiable. And it certainly is not “prophecy.”
Let us consider why the disciples were so unprepared for their “final events” when Jesus was crucified. Let us derive out thoughts from the accounting of scripture:
Before His crucifixion the Savior explained to His disciples that He was to be put to death and to rise again from the tomb, and angels were present to impress His words on minds and hearts. But the disciples were looking for temporal deliverance from the Roman yoke, and they could not tolerate the thought that He in whom all their hopes centered should suffer an ignominious death. The words which they needed to remember were banished from their minds; and when the time of trial came, it found them unprepared. The death of Jesus as fully destroyed their hopes as if He had not forewarned them. So in the prophecies the future is opened before us as plainly as it was opened to the disciples by the words of Christ. The events connected with the close of probation and the work of preparation for the time of trouble, are clearly presented. But multitudes have no more understanding of these important truths than if they had never been revealed. Satan watches to catch away every impression that would make them wise unto salvation, and the time of trouble will find them unready. (GC 594.1}
Satan is ever intruding himself between the soul of man and God. This lesson in regard to Peter needs to be studied carefully. {CC 312.2} Peter did not desire to see the cross in the work of Christ. The impression which his words would make was directly opposed to that which Christ desired to make on the minds of His followers, and the Savior was moved to utter one of the sternest rebukes that ever fell from His lips.{CC 312.3}
This is why Light In The Clouds has often reflected in recent weeks, as I have talked about end times and prophecy, and the three angel’s message, how “its about the cross, I have constantly said: “its about the cross.” The three angels’ message (not messages) is always and only about the cross.
And so the true warning message is the same today as in Peter’s day The warning message for God’s people, for the world at large, is about not being willing to see the cross of Christ in the work of Christ, during these end time events we are seeing today around the world. Its amazing to see how some are more willing to see the work of The Pope, or “the news” rather than the work of Christ during the time of the end.
When God sends people warnings so important that they are represented as proclaimed by holy angels flying in the midst of heaven, He is obviously wanting us to heed the message, and stop trying to mix it all up with alleged, unproven “current events” which are just propaganda, and can never tell us Bible truth. Christians today are just as guilty of spreading fear and lies as Big Media.
Yes, the fearful judgments denounced against the worship of the beast and his image (Revelation 14:9-11), should lead all to a diligent study of the prophecies to learn what the mark of the beast is, and how they are to avoid receiving it. But the masses of the people keep turning away their ears from hearing the truth about the cross and are turned unto fables that are masqueraded as truth. They love to sensationalize the wonder-working Beast powers, (Isa 11:3) and minimize mentions of Jesus until His name is mentioned only once, as a parenthesis, rather than the main message. (Gal 6:14) My friends, do not mistaken what the warning message really is. It is found in your Bible, no matter what version you have:
And whoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father, with his holy angels. (Luke 9;26)
The apostle Paul declared, looking down to the last days: “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:3). That time has fully come. The multitudes do not want Bible truth, because it interferes with the sights and desires of the sinful, world-loving heart; and Satan supplies the deceptions which they love. The disciples were slow to appreciate their Master’s interpretation of the Old Testament kingdom prophecies. They, too, were looking for temporal deliverance from the Romanist terror organization, which continues its disgusting legacy today. Think Indigenous people, and what has happened to them, amongst other things. Who can deny the pattern and the horrific legacy this religious entity has cursed our world with?
The disciples were not prepared for their terrible disappointment when they saw their Lord crucified. There was no room for the cross in their current message of that day and age. And, likewise today, are we prepared in the right ways depicted by scripture alone?
Before His crucifixion, the Savior explained to His disciples that He was about to be put to death,and to rise again from the tomb. The disciples were looking for temporal deliverance from the Romanist terror machine, the words of Truth which they needed to remember were banished from their minds by their weakness, their close-mindedness, and their falsehoods. When the time of trial came, it found them grossly unprepared. The death of Jesus on the cross as fully destroyed their hopes as if He had not ever forewarned them. Like us today, had the disciples a correct understanding of the prophecies they could have had a praise service in recognition of the marvelous fulfillment of prophecy in the death and resurrection of their Lord.
Even on the day of the resurrection the disciples did not know the true interpretation of the prophecies concerning Gods people. Before Jesus revealed Himself to the two disciples of Emmaus, He explained the prophecies, for it was necessary for them to understand the witness borne to Him by the types and prophecies of the Old Testament. Upon these their faith must be established. Christ performed no miracle to convince them, but it was His first work to explain the Scriptures. They had looked upon His death as the destruction of all their hopes. Now He showed from the prophets,The Old Testament that the cross was the very strongest evidence for their faith. The miracles of Christ are a strong proof of His divinity; but a stronger proof that He is the world’s Redeemer is found in comparing the prophecies of the Old Testament with the history of the New Testament
For one example of Bible prophecy fulfilled, about how Jesus would be “the seed of a woman” is recorded for us in Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity (open hostility) Between you and the woman, And between your seed (offspring) and her Seed; He shall [fatally] bruise your head, And you shall [only] bruise His heel.”” (AMP) The fulfillment for Gen 3:15 is found, among several places, such as Gal 4:4: “But when [in God’s plan] the proper time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the [regulations of the] Law,” (AMP)
It is a historical fact that Jesus was born. This historical fact is exactly why we must call Bible prophecy, in all of its correct bearings: HIS – Story. Bible prophecy, all Bible prophecy, is about the cross! If its not central to Christ and Him crucified, then its not even a Christian doctrine, no matter how many Bible verses they quote! Conspiracy theories are not HIS _ Story, they are not prophecy, and most times they are not truth and cannot even be definitively proven. Most of them are anecdotal at best.
Jesus was born. Its a fact “and she gave birth to her Son, her firstborn; and she wrapped Him in [swaddling] cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no [private] room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7, AMP) “And she gave birth to a Son, a male Child, who is destined to rule (shepherd) all the nations with a rod of iron; and her Child was caught up to God and to His throne.” (Rev 12:5)
While the Bible does say there will be a great time of trouble “such as never was since there was a nation,” (Dan 12:1) it never once depends upon so called “news” or conspiracy theories to delineate truth for us, neither yesterday nor today. I am reminded of a time when I had what seemed like a time of trouble such as Daniel described in Dan 12:1. I had massive burns to 50% of my body, For months, I had what is called Debridement surgeries every Friday, and daily, there were painful bandage changes during which nurses would also do some smaller debridement as needed. It was so painful that I cringe, even now just thinking about it, yet those very painful debridement are exactly why I lived to tell you about it now. They were needed for my healing. My healing was slow and very painful, but heal I did. It is the same in Bible prophecy. There is a war between good and evil. The war is going to be painful for everyone, in one way or another. But it will lead us to healing and to at-onement with Jesus, and with one another. (John 14:12, John 17:11)
The words often on Jesus’’ lips in His last days, during the endtimes of His ministry express vividly the idea, “going to the Father.” (John 13:1,John 20:17, Acts 1:2, 1 Tim 3:16)
We, too, who are Christ’s people, have vision of something beyond the difficulties and disappointments of this life. We are journeying towards fulfillment, completion, “healing of the nations and of our hearts. Eternal Life! We, too, are “going to the Father.”
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them who sleep, will God, by Jesus, bring with him. And this we say to you, by the word of our Lord, that we who may survive and be alive, at the coming of our Lord, shall not precede them who have slept. Because our Lord will himself descend from heaven, with the mandate, and with the voice of the chief angel, and with the trump of God; and the dead who are in the Messiah, will first arise; and then, we who survive and are alive shall be caught up together with them to the clouds, to meet our Lord in the air; and so shall we be ever with our Lord. Wherefore, comfort ye one another with these words. (1 Thes 4:14-16, Murdock)
Much is unclear right now concerning whats going on in our world now, but two things are very clear. We are going home. We have a future coming that is wonderful. We are on a pilgrimmage to “the Father’s House.” It is the ultimate presence of the Lord. We are all wayfarers, but the believer knows it and accepts it. We are all travellers, not settlers. Are we going to be like Jesus’ disciples and not have room for the cross in our thinking of end time events today? Is there anyone who doesnt want a better hope than one that is rooted in the lies and propaganda being touted today as “truth?” Friends, the warning message IS about the cross! (Gal 6:14, Eph 2:13)
The little birds trust God, for they go singing
From northern woods where autumn winds have blown,
With joyous faith their trackless pathway winging
To summer-lands of song, afar, unknown.
Let us go singing, then, and not go sighing:
Since we are sure our times are in His hand,
Why should we weep, and fear, and call it dying?
’tis only flitting to a Summer-land.
Respect and obey the LORD! This is the beginning of wisdom. To have understanding, you must know the Holy God. (Prov 9:10, CEV)
true knowledge through God
Like our Savior, we are in this world to do service for God. We are here to become like God in character, and by a life of service to reveal Him to the world. In order to be co-workers with God, in order to become like Him and to reveal His character, we must know Him as He really is. We must know Him as He reveals Himself.
A true knowledge of God is the foundation of all true education and of all true service. It is the only real safeguard against going down a wrong path. It is only by knowing God that we can be made like God in character. (see John 17:3, etc) This is the knowledge needed by all who are working for the uplifting of their fellow human beings. Transformation of character, purity of life, efficiency in service, adherence to correct principles, all depend upon a right knowledge of God. This knowledge is the essential preparation both for this life and for the life to come.
let the one who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me [and acknowledges Me and honors Me as God and recognizes without any doubt], that I am the LORD who practices loving kindness, justice and righteousness on the earth, for in these things I delight,” says the LORD. [1 Cor 1:31; 2 Cor 10:17] “The knowledge of the Holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10.
Through a knowledge of Him are given unto us “all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” 2 Peter 1:3. Let not the rich person glory in their riches: But let anyone that glory, glory in this, That they understand and know Me, That I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, Judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: For in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23, 24. We need to study the revelations of Himself that God has given. “Acquaint now thyself with Him, And be at peace: Thereby good shall come unto thee.
Receive, I pray thee, the law from His mouth, And lay up His words in your heart. And the Almighty will be thy treasure: “Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Almighty, And shalt lift up thy face unto God. Thou shalt make thy prayer unto Him,And He will hear thee; And thou shalt pay thy vows. Thou shalt also decree a thing, And it shall be established unto you; And light shall shine upon your ways. When they cast you down, you shall say, There is lifting up; And the humble person He will save.” Job 22:21-29, A.R.V.
“The invisible things of Him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity.” Romans 1:20, A.R.V. The things of nature that we now behold give us but a faint conception of Eden’s glory. Sin has marred earth’s beauty; on all things may be seen traces of the work of evil. Yet much that is beautiful remains. Nature testifies that One infinite in power, great in goodness, mercy, and love, created the earth, and filled it with life and gladness. Even in their blighted state, all things reveal the handiwork of the great Master Artist. Wherever we turn, we may hear the voice of God, and see evidences of His goodness.
From the solemn roll of the deep-toned thunder and old ocean’s ceaseless roar, to the glad songs that make the forests vocal with melody, nature’s ten thousand voices speak His praise. In earth and sea and sky, with their marvelous tint and color, varying in gorgeous contrast or blended in harmony, we behold His glory. The everlasting hills tell us of God’s power. The trees that wave their green banners in the sunlight, and the flowers in their delicate beauty, point to their Creator. The living green that carpets the brown earth tells of God’s care for the humblest of His creatures. The caves of the sea and the depths of the earth reveal His treasures. He who placed the pearls in the ocean and the amethyst and chrysolite among the rocks, is a lover of the beautiful. The sun rising in the heavens is a representative of Him who is the life and light of all that He has made. All the brightness and beauty that adorn the earth and light up the heavens, speak of God. “His glory covered the heavens.” “The earth is full of Your riches.”
“Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, Without these their voice is heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world.” Habakkuk 3:3; Psalm 104:24;19:2-4, margin. All things tell of His tender, fatherly care and of His desire to make His children happy. The mighty power that works through all nature and sustains all things is not, as some men of science represent, merely an all-pervading principle, an actuating energy. God is a Spirit; yet He is a personal Being; for so He has revealed Himself: “The Lord is the true God, He is the living God, and an everlasting King: The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, Even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.” “The portion of Jacob is not like them:For He is the former of all things.” “He hath made the earth by His power, He hath established the world by His wisdom, And hath stretched out the heavens by His discretion.” Jeremiah 10:10, 11, 16, 12.
Nature Is Not God
God’s handiwork in nature is not God Himself in nature. The things of nature are an expression of God’s character and power; but we are not to regard nature as God. The artistic skill of human beings produces very beautiful workmanship, things that delight the eye, and these things reveal to us something of the thought of the designer; but the thing made is not the maker. It is not the work, but the workman, that is counted worthy of honor. So while nature is an expression of God’s thought, it is not nature, but the God of nature, that is to be exalted. “Let us worship and bow down:
Let us kneel before the Lord.” “In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the mountains are His also. The sea is His, and He made it; And His hands formed the dry land.” Psalm 95:6; 95:4, 5, A.R.V. “Seek Him that maketh the Pleiades and Orion, And turneth the shadow of death into the morning, And maketh the day dark with night;”
“He that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, And declareth unto man what is His thought;” “He that buildeth His spheres in the heaven, And hath founded His arch [Noyes’s translation] in the earth;” “He that calleth for the waters of the sea, And poureth them out upon the face of the earth; Jehovah is His name.” Amos 5:8, A.R.V.; 4:13, A.R.V.; 9:6, margin; 9:6, A.R.V.
The Creation of the Earth
The work of creation cannot be explained by science. What science can explain the mystery of life? “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Hebrews 11:3. “I form the light, and create darkness: I the Lord do all these things. I have made the earth, And created man upon it: I, even My hands, have stretched out the heavens, And all their host have I commanded.” “When I call unto them, they stand up together.” Isaiah 45:7-12; 48:13. In the creation of the earth, God was not indebted to pre-existing matter. “He spake, and it was; He commanded, and it stood fast.” Psalm 33:9. All things, material or spiritual, stood up before the Lord Jehovah at His voice and were created for His own purpose. The heavens and all the host of them, the earth and all things therein, came into existence by the breath of His mouth.
In the creation of man was manifest the agency of a personal God. When God had made man in His image, the human form was perfect in all its arrangements, but it was without life. Then a personal, self-existing God breathed into that form the breath of life, and man became a living, intelligent being. All parts of the human organism were set in action. The heart, the arteries, the veins, the tongue, the hands, the feet, the senses, the faculties of the mind, all began their work, and all were placed under law. Man became a living soul. Through Christ the Word, is personal God created man and endowed him with intelligence and power. Our substance was not hid from Him when we were made in secret; His eyes saw our substance, yet being imperfect, and in His book all our members were written when as yet there were none of them. Above all lower orders of being, God designed that man, the crowning work of His creation, should express His thought and reveal His glory. But man is not to exalt himself as God.
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Serve the Lord with gladness: Come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord He is God: It is He that hath made us, and His we are; We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise: Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.”
“Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at His holy hill; For the Lord our God is holy.” Psalm 100:1-4, margin; 99:9. God is constantly employed in upholding and using as His servants the things that He has made. He works through the laws of nature, using them as His instruments. They are not self-acting. Nature in her work testifies of the intelligent presence and active agency of a Being who moves in all things according to His will.
“Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to Thine ordinances: For all are Thy servants.” “Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He In heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.” “He commanded, and they were created. He hath also established them for ever and ever: He hath made a decree which shall not pass.” Psalm 119:89-91; 135:6; 148:5, 6. It is not by inherent power that year by year the earth yields its bounties and continues its march around the sun. The hand of the Infinite One is perpetually at work guiding this planet. It is God’s power continually exercised that keeps the earth in position in its rotation. It is God who causes the sun to rise in the heavens. He opens the windows of heaven and gives rain.
“He giveth snow like wool: He scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.” “When He uttereth His voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, And He causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He maketh lightnings with rain, And bringeth forth the wind out of His treasures.” Psalm 147:16; Jeremiah 10:13. It is by His power that vegetation is caused to flourish, that every leaf appears, every flower blooms, every fruit develops. The mechanism of the human body cannot be fully understood; it presents mysteries that baffle the most intelligent. It is not as the result of a mechanism, which, once set in motion, continues its work, that the pulse beats and breath follows breath. In God we live and move and have our being. The beating heart, the throbbing pulse, every nerve and muscle in the living organism, is kept in order and activity by the power of an ever-present God.
The Bible shows us God in His high and holy place, not in a state of inactivity, not in silence and solitude, but surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of holy beings, all waiting to do His will. Through these messengers He is in active communication with every part of His dominion. By His Spirit He is everywhere present. Through the agency of His Spirit and His angels He ministers to the children of men. Above the distractions of the earth He sits enthroned; all things are open to His divine survey; and from His great and calm eternity He orders that which His providence sees best. “The way of a person s not in themselves: It is not in man that walks to direct his steps.” “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct thy paths.” “The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him,
Upon them that hope in His mercy; To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.” “How precious is Thy loving-kindness, O God! The children of men take refuge under the shadow of Thy wings.” “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God.” The Earth, O Jehovah, is full of Thy loving-kindness.” Thou lovest “righteousness and justice.” Thou “art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, And of them that are afar off upon the sea: Who by His strength setteth fast the mountains, Being girded about with might; Who stilleth the roaring of the seas, And the tumult of the peoples.”
“Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.” “Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness; And Thy paths drop fatness.” “The Lord upholdeth all that fall, And raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon Thee; And Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand,And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.” Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 3:5, 6; Psalm 33:18, 19; 36:7, A.R.V.; 146:5; 119:64, A.R.V.; 33:5, A.R.V.; 65:5-7, A.R.V.;65:8,11; 145:14-16.
Personality of God Revealed in Christ
As a personal being, God has revealed Himself in His Son. The outshining of the Father’s glory, “and the express image of His person,” Jesus, as a personal Savior, came to the world. As a personal Savior He ascended on high. As a personal Savior He intercedes in the heavenly courts. Before the throne of God in our behalf ministers “One like unto the Son of man.” Hebrews 1:3; Revelation 1:13. Christ, the Light of the world, veiled the dazzling splendor of His divinity and came to live as a man among men, that they might, without being consumed, become acquainted with their Creator. Since sin brought separation between man and his Maker, no man has seen God at any time, except as He is manifested through Christ.
“I and My Father are one,” Christ declared. “No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him.” John 10:30; Matthew 11:27. Christ came to teach human beings what God desires them to know. In the heavens above, in the earth, in the broad waters of the ocean, we see the handiwork of God. All created things testify to His power, His wisdom, His love. Yet not from the stars or the ocean or the cataract can we learn of the personality of God as it was revealed in Christ. God saw that a clearer revelation than nature was needed to portray both His personality and His character. He sent His Son into the world to manifest, so far as could be endured by human sight, the nature and the attributes of the invisible God.
Revealed to the Disciples
Let us study the words that Christ spoke in the upper chamber on the night before His crucifixion. He was nearing His hour of trial, and He sought to comfort His disciples, who were to be so severely tempted and tried. “Let not your heart be troubled,” He said. “Ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. “Thomas saith unto Him, Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him. “Lord, show us the Father,” said Philip, “and it sufficeth us.
Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works.” John 14:1-10. The disciples did not yet understand Christ’s words concerning His relation to God. Much of His teaching was still dark to them. Christ desired them to have a clearer, more distinct knowledge of God.
“These things have I spoken unto you in parables,” He said; “but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in parables, but I shall show you plainly of the Father.” John 16:25, margin. When, on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples, they understood more fully the truths that Christ had spoken in parables. Much of the teaching that had been a mystery to them was made clear. But not even then did the disciples receive the complete fulfillment of Christ’s promise. They received all the knowledge of God that they could bear, but the complete fulfillment of the promise that Christ would show them plainly of the Father was yet to come.
Thus it is today. Our knowledge of God is partial and imperfect. When the conflict is ended, and the Man Christ Jesus acknowledges before the Father His faithful workers, who in a world of sin have borne true witness for Him, they will understand clearly what now are mysteries to them. Christ took with Him to the heavenly courts His glorified humanity. To those who receive Him He gives power to become the sons of God, that at last God may receive them as His, to dwell with Him throughout eternity. If during this life they are loyal to God, they will at last “see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.” Revelation 22:4. And what is the happiness of heaven but to see God? What greater joy could come to the sinner saved by the grace of Christ than to look upon the face of God and know Him as Father?
The Scriptures clearly indicate the relation between God and Christ, and they bring to view as clearly the personality and individuality of each. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son; who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said He at any time. “Thou art My Son, This day have I begotten Thee? And again, I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son?” Hebrews 1:1-5.
The personality of the Father and the Son, also the unity that exists between Them, are presented in the seventeenth chapter of John, in the prayer of Christ for His disciples: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.” John 17:20, 21. The unity that exists between Christ and His disciples does not destroy the personality of either. They are one in purpose, in mind, in character, but not in person. It is thus that God and Christ are one.
Character of God Revealed in Christ
Taking humanity upon Him, Christ came to be one with humanity, and at the same time to reveal our heavenly Father to sinful human beings. He who had been in the presence of the Father from the beginning, He who was the express image of the invisible God, was alone able to reveal the character of the Deity to mankind. He was in all things made like unto His brethren. He became flesh even as we are. He was hungry and thirsty and weary. He was sustained by food and refreshed by sleep. He shared the lot of men; yet He was the blameless Son of God. He was a stranger and sojourner on the earth–in the world, but not of the world; tempted and tried as men and women today are tempted and tried, yet living a life free from sin. Tender, compassionate, sympathetic, ever considerate of others, He represented the character of God, and was constantly engaged in service for God and man. “Jehovah hath anointed Me,” He said, “To preach good tidings unto the poor; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives,”
“And recovering of sight to the blind;” “To proclaim the year of Jehovah’s favor; To comfort all that mourn.” Isaiah 61:1, A.R.V., margin; Luke 4:18; Isaiah 61:2, A.R.V.
“Love your enemies,” He bids us; “bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven;” “for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” “He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” Matthew 5:44, 45; Luke 6:35; Matthew 5:45; Luke 6:36. “Through the tender mercy of our God; The Dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” Luke 1:78, 79.
The Glory of the Cross
The revelation of God’s love to man centers in the cross. Its full significance tongue cannot utter, pen cannot portray, the mind of man cannot comprehend. Looking upon the cross of Calvary, we can only say, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Christ crucified for our sins, Christ risen from the dead, Christ ascended on high, is the science of salvation that we are to learn and to teach. It Was Christ “Who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:6-8, A.R.V.
“It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God.” “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25. “We have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but One that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15, A.R.V.
It is through the gift of Christ that we receive every blessing. Through that gift there comes to us day by day the unfailing flow of Jehovah’s goodness. Every flower, with its delicate tints and its fragrance, is given for our enjoyment through that one Gift. The sun and the moon were made by Him. There is not a star which beautifies the heavens that He did not make. Every drop of rain that falls, every ray of light shed upon our unthankful world, testifies to the love of God in Christ. Everything is supplied to us through the one unspeakable Gift, God’s only-begotten Son. He was nailed to the cross that all these bounties might flow to God’s workmanship. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 3:1. “Men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, Neither hath the eye seen a God besides Thee, Who worketh for him that waiteth for Him.” Isaiah 64:4, A.R.V.
The Knowledge That Works Transformation
The knowledge of God as revealed in Christ is the knowledge that all who are saved must have. It is the knowledge that works transformation of character. This knowledge, received, will re-create the soul in the image of God. It will impart to the whole being a spiritual power that is divine. “We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory.” 2 Corinthians 3:18. Of His own life the Savior said, “I have kept My Father’s commandments.” John 15:10. “The Father hath not left Me alone; for I do always those things that please Him.” John 8:29.
As Jesus was in human nature, so God means His followers to be. In His strength we are to live the life of purity and nobility which the Savior lived. “For this cause,” Paul says, “I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19.
We “do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness.” Colossians 1:9-11. This is the knowledge which God is inviting us to receive, and beside which all else is vanity and nothingness. (adapted, edited from the book Ministry of Healing, chapter 35)
