bible study – Page 13 – Light In The Clouds

Comfort One Another With THESE Words

Post Views: 587

Reading Time: 10 minutes

Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thes 4:18)

This week’s article, and next week’s will talk about the second coming of Jesus. I can imagine how this might sound like science fiction to much of the world because of the many and diverse ways that the world’s denominated sources try to deal with it and explain it. It seems almost everyone has their own doctrine about this sometimes complicated subject. It is quite possible that most of us do have one thing in common. I think many of us can agree that yes, Jesus is coming again. But how many of us can agree on anything else? Some say it will be a secret. Some say everyone will know when it happens. Others say they actually know exactly when Jesus will return. Yet others say no one can know. But there is a developing problem regarding the second coming of Jesus. Many people are starting to echo this verse, and Peter warns us about it:

This letter which I am now writing to you, dear friends, is my second letter. In both my letters I seek to revive in your honest minds the memory of certain things so that you may recall the words spoken long ago by the holy Prophets, and the commandments of our Lord and Savior given you through your Apostles. But, above all, remember that, in the last days, men will come who make a mock at everything, people governed only by their own passion and asking,

“What has become of His promised Return? For from the time our forefathers fell asleep all things continue as they have been ever since the creation of the world.”(2 Pet 3: 1-4, Weymouth)

It is clear that the subject of the second coming is not very clear to much of the world, including church-goers. People either don’t believe it’s going to happen, while others believe it will happen, but they cannot agree on how or when Jesus will come again. The first thing I would personally suggest about this idea of Jesus coming again is that there is something by which we can measure any belief that we think comes from the Bible. I got it from a preacher some years ago when I first became a Christian. I was confused about the many opinions and variations of this Bible prophecy on the second coming of Jesus and the first thing he said to me was

“David, the gospel is simply wonderful, and wonderfully simple.”

The prophecy about Jesus’ second coming actually does fit perfectly with this descriptor of being “wonderfully simple, and simply wonderful.” The way my church has described it in our fundamental belief is as follows: (with minor edits of grammar)

The second coming of Christ is the blessed hope of the church, the grand climax of the gospel. The prophecy of our Savior’s coming will be literal, personal, visible, and worldwide. When Jesus returns, the righteous dead will be resurrected, and together with the righteous living will be glorified and taken to heaven, but the unrighteous will die. Currently, the almost complete fulfillment of most lines of prophecy, together with the present condition of the world, indicates that Christ’s coming is imminent. The time of that event has not been revealed, and we are therefore exhorted to be ready at all times. Fundamental Beliefs, 25

When my boys were little, they would often ask me questions. Very pointed questions. Questions that would come at the most inopportune times. Questions so pointed, that it would be impossible to defer the ‘answers” to some other time. One evening, my youngest asked me one such question. I was just tucking him in and he said

“Daddy, when will Jesus come so that all the days will be over?”

I was taken aback at this question. The depth and theological soundness of it had startled me in unexpected ways. Because after all, how much of this prophecy can a child really understand? How could my little one possibly know that his young heart’s desire has been the longing of the ages. The last words we see in the Bible give us the wonderful promise of the soon return of Jesus: but how did my little one know this? He was only 5 years old? Here is what the verse says:

“He who testifies and affirms these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” (Rev 22:20, AMP)

It is likely that the very first thing we can and really do need to understand about the second coming is about when it is going to happen.Lots of people think they know the “answer.”

Forget what Jehovah’s Witnesses say about how Jesus has already returned, (secretly, in 1914 and 1975 to name just some of the dates of their failed prophecy) because one quick look around us shows that clearly Jesus did not yet return, and the Bible does not support such beliefs! Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught that Jesus Christ is never returning personally or bodily to the earth. What Christians commonly call the “second coming” of Christ, according to the Watchtower doctrine, is his invisible presence in a spiritual, figurative sense. All of this contradicts the Bible.(*1)

And don’t believe what Mormons teach that Jesus has already done a quick side trip to North America BEFORE this second coming of the Bible prophecy. (**2) That is just plain fiction and is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible. I live in North America and I do not see any evidence that Jesus was here to fiddle around for a while in North America, contradicting His own prophecy in the Bible. And so the first thing to understand is really simple. No one can know the exact time Jesus will return.

And according to the Bible we cannot not believe the likes of Dr David Jeremiah who teaches a variation of the widely held beliefs of a secret rapture. (***3) The Bible clearly disproves this in Rev 1:7 and many other places:

“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Many preachers come along and say things that we count as Gospel truth, just because of who they are, what we think they represent. Correctly understood in all its bearings, Bible prophecy is not based on any such “private interpretations:” Jesus says

I have come with my Father’s authority, but you have not received me; when, however, someone comes with his own authority, you will receive him.(John 5:43, GNB)

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. (2 Pet 1:20)

If anyone tells you that they know exactly when Jesus is coming, that is a private interpretation:

“But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son [in His humanity], but the Father alone.(Mat 24:36 AMP)

It is a fact that one day Jesus will return, though even to the saints His coming will be an overwhelming surprise-for all slumber and sleep in their long wait (Mat 25:5).

Even if we are not quite agreed on the nature of the second coming, it is very clear that all are agreed that no one can tell us the actual time date or hour that Jesus is coming.

The Certainty of Christ’s Return

The fact that Jesus is coming again is agreed on by almost everyone so let us see if we can build on that from what the Bible teaches us. The apostles and other early Christians considered Christ’s return “the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13; Heb 9:28). They expected all the prophecies and promises of Scripture to be fulfilled at the Second Advent (see 2 Pet 3:13; Isa 65:17),

The second coming is the very goal of our Christian pilgrimage. The culmination of all Bible prophecy. The second coming is a part of HIS STORY, not history. All who love Christ look forward eagerly to the day when they will be able to share face-to-face fellowship with Him-and with the Father, the Holy Spirit, and the angels.

The day when the Lord comes again will surprise everyone like the coming of a thief. The sky will disappear with a loud noise. Everything in the sky will be destroyed with fire. And the earth and everything in it will be burned up. Everything will be destroyed in this way.

What kind of people should you be (while waiting for Jesus to come?)

Obviously, your lives should be holy and devoted to God.

You should be looking forward to the day of God, wanting more than anything else for it to come soon. When it comes, the earth will be destroyed with fire, and everything in the sky will melt with heat. But God made a promise to us. And we are waiting for what he promised—a new sky and a new earth. That will be the place where goodness lives. (2 Pet 3:10-13, ESV)

IF there was a “secret rapture” then why would the earth not be destroyed then?

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. (2 Thes 2:7-8)

Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen. (Rev 1:7, Dan 7:13, Zech 12:10, John 19:37)

Here John carries us forward to the second advent of Christ in glory, the climax and crowning event of His intervention in behalf of this fallen world. Once Jesus came in weakness, now He comes in power; once in humility, now in glory. Jesus doesn’t come secretly. Jesus comes with clouds, every eye will see Jesus and in like manner as He ascended. (Acts 1:9; Acts 1:11.)

“Every eye shall see Him.” (Rev 1:7)

How much plainer can it be said? All who are alive at the time of His coming shall see Jesus. We know of no personal coming of Christ in Scripture that will be as the stillness of midnight or take place only in the desert or in the secret chamber. Jesus does not come as a thief in the sense of sneaking in secretly or quietly upon the world.

Jesus does come to take to Himself His dearest treasure, His sleeping and His living saints, Himself His dearest treasure, His sleeping and His living saints, whom He has purchased with His own precious blood; whom He has wrested from the power of death in a just, fair, and open conflict.

Jesus’ second coming will be no less open and triumphant. It will be with the brilliancy and splendor of the lightning as it shines from east to the west. (Mat 24:27.) It will be with the sound of a trumpet that will pierce to earth’s lowest depths, and with a mighty voice that shall wake the sainted sleepers from their dusty beds. (Mat 24:31, margin; 1 Thes 4:16.)

Yes, Jesus will come upon the wicked as a thief, only because they persistently shut their eyes to the clear signs in scripture of His approach, and will not believe the declarations of His word that Jesus is at the door. (Mat 24:33, Mark 13:29)

To represent two comings, a private and a public one, in connection with the second advent, as many modern-day preachers represent, is completely misleading and wholly unwarranted from the Scriptures. Such ideas are clear examples of the “private interpretations’ that we are warned against and in some cases may even be referring to the following text about one of the really disturbing signs of the last days:

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, (1 Tim 4:1, NKJV)

“They Also Which Pierced Him.”

They also (in addition to the “every eye” before mentioned) who were chiefly involved as the perpetrators of Christ’s death shall behold Him returning to earth in triumph and glory. But how is this? They are not now living, they are not now resurrected, and how then shall they behold Him when He comes? This question cannot be answered by “secret rapture” tenets.

We know that there will be a resurrection from the dead. This is the only possible avenue to life for those who have already been once laid in the grave. But how is it that these wicked persons who pierced Jesus come up at this time, since the general resurrection of the wicked does not take place until a thousand years after the second advent? (Rev 20:1-6.) Those that pierced Jesus are not alive now. Only the righteous who are alive, and who have died will be resurrected at Christ’s second coming. None of us who may be alive then when Jesus comes will ever go up to meet Jesus in those clouds before those righteous who have already been laid in the grave. We will all go up TOGETHER to meet Jesus “in the air:”

The Coming of the Lord

1Th 4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
1Th 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
1Th 4:17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

There are in the world today many who close their eyes to the evidences that Christ has given to warn men of His coming. They seek to quiet all apprehension, while at the same time the signs of the end are rapidly fulfilling, and the world is hastening to the time when the Son of man shall be revealed in the clouds of heaven.

Paul teaches that it is wrong to be indifferent to the signs which are to precede the second coming of Christ. Those guilty of this neglect he calls children of the night and of darkness. He encourages the vigilant and watchful with these words: “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” {AA 260.1}

Especially important to the church in our time are the teachings of the apostle upon this point. To those living so near the great consummation, the words of Paul should come with telling force: “Let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.” {AA 260.2}

References:

*1 “Shedding Light on Christ’s Presence,” Watchtower, May 1, 1993, 11

**2 see 3 Nephi, in Book Of Mormon

***3 https://davidjeremiah.
WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE THE LORD RETURNS?
This coming event is the first part of Christ’s two-part return to earth. First, He’ll remove the Church from the world. Second, seven years later, He’ll establish His Kingdom on earth.

Has Dr Jeremiah forgotten the following? 3 see Mat 24:33 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.(Mat 24:33, KJV) + Deut 13:1-3; Mark 13:21; Luke 17:23-24, Luke 21:8; John 5:43

YOU Will Rise Again

Post Views: 723

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. (John 11:24)

Martha, one of my favorite women in the Bible looked upon the resurrection and the life as things that were to be in some dim and misty future. But as the scripture record reveals, Jesus said: “No,”

“I am [NOW] the resurrection and the life. Not only do I get these things by prayer from God, but I am these things.” And then he goes on to explain it. He says, “I am the resurrection. Anyone that believes in me, though they were dead, yet shall they live. I am the life. Whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die; they will live.” (John 11:25)

I recall once some years ago during my nursing days, standing by the bedside of an elderly man who was dying. It was the night shift, and as I watched his life current slowly ebb from his emaciated body, I saw an old well used Bible on his bedside table. I asked “George, is it OK if I look in your Bible for a few minutes.” He couldnt speak but he nodded a yes.

I opened up George’s Bible and the very first thing I saw was the following text scrawled on the inside front cover in George’s very shaky looking hand writing:

“I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself.” (Phil 3:10, Message)

What an amazing text for me to discover just at that exact time & place with old George!

I have never forgotten this experience, that text, over the last 25 years. It has stood silently, steadfastly with me through every dark trial.

Jesus once said “I will rise again,” and His experience is to be our experience. The comfort, the assurance, and the power of this one promise, can help anyone at the very point of whatever felt needs are present in their lives. When I lost a loved one a few years ago, this was the very experience that we both had leaned heavily on:

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him all those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For we say this to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall not go before those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thes 4: 14-18, MKJV)

What did Paul mean when he wrote, “We tell you this directly from the Lord”? (vs 15)

Either this was something that the Lord had revealed directly to Paul, or it was a teaching of Jesus that had been passed along orally by the apostles and other Christians.

It was at the bedside of a dying man where this truth was not only passed on to me; but at the point of George’s last breath that night, it became a lived experience, rather than a stale doctrine, or some contested theology.

I have sometimes wondered over the years how my friend could have faced his death with such assurance. He had horrible pain in the end, and his body was marred with the ravages of his disease. And he was alone. No family would come to see him in his last moments. There was no visible sign that he was “happy in the Lord” and trusting in Jesus as he left this life behind. Or was there? Perhaps his yes that he nodded to me when I asked to look in his Bible was the thing that showed He knew Jesus? And that he wanted me to know Him better too?

But when George said “Yes” to my request to look inside his Bible, that my friends was his moment of greatest power. That “yes” is the very definition of “I will rise again.” And it was my personal moment to rise again unto the “lively hope” of the resurrection power, for both this life, and the life to come.

As believers in Jesus today, we too have the opportunity for our moment of greatest power. There is opportunity, for anyone, no matter how rotten they are, to “rise again.” This is why the Bible calls the resurrection our “lively” or “living hope.” Because Jesus is risen! (Mat 1:21), Because Jesus is “the living God” (Psalms 42:2) of our life today:

Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is so good, and by raising Jesus from death, he has given us new life and a hope that lives on. (1 Pet 1:3, CEV)

Do you need encouragement?

Peter’s words offer such powerful joy and hope in times of trouble, and he bases his confidence on what God has done for us in Christ Jesus. We live with the wonderful expectation of eternal life (1 Pet 1:3). Our hope is not only for the future; because eternal life begins when we first trust Christ. Like my Grandmother used to say: Heaven begins on Earth.” Especially when we recognize along with the psalmist:

Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you! And I will praise you again because you help me, (Psalms 42:5)

The Psalmist was rising again when he poured out those words! And when we rise again in our experience, we too will express new or renewed confidence in Jesus! When we pour out our hearts to Jesus. After all, “prayer is the opening of the heart to God, as to a friend.”

My greatest moments of power, my personal experiences of rising again out of whatever horrible pit I have been, in are always when I hear that same “yes,” from someone who cares enough to be there, and recognize that that yes, is just how Jesus will help me too.

“By this shall all people know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another…” (John 13:35)

My personal best antidote for spiritual depression is to meditate on the record of God’s goodness to His people. And to myself. (Rev 12:10-11) This will help take your mind off the present situation as you focus your thoughts on God’s ability, on God’s power, to help you rather than trying to count on your own inability to help yourself. This process is called “rise again.” (2 Cor 5:17) Why not take advantage of the Psalmist’s effectual antidepressant? The Bible accounts of God’s goodness, always give us something at least one step higher than where we are currently.

When I have stood watching death invade, my darkest thoughts oppressed me deeply, buried me in darkness. George’s “YES” turned my heart to God and in touching Jesus in such a very affectionate way like that, I started to rise again. I stopped feeling alone in my situation. This kind of Holy Love to Jesus as our main foundation in life, is the very power of Godliness. The very life and soul of all of us.

I didn’t realize for years how wrong I was about God, until I heard His “yes” through my dying friend, and my tortured heart began to rise again. Standing at George’s bedside, was my moment of greatest power. Through a few tears then, Jesus had just taught me very affectionately to know the worth and power of His everlasting mercies. Simply by providing me with the the very acute wanting of them! Of a truth, His mercies are new every morning! (Lam 3;23)

What power on earth can take that away from any one of us? Scripture asserts how that “nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.”

And you dont have to be a Christian to “rise again!” You just have to be in need, and acutely feel the need for God’s mercy:

keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 1:21)

Do you want to rise out of your darkest experiences? To know and trust Jesus not inspite of them, but because of them?

God’s yes to each of us today would be in His longing for, and providing for us to live close to Him, and to His people, and in giving up our trust of false teachers and any other dark souls who would try to pull us away from God.

And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating—to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. YES! (Jude 1:24-25, Message)

My friends, God wants to say “yes” to you now. God has a special plan for you to rise again! Just like He had for Jesus!

NOW can be your moment of greatest power.

“To them that received Him gave He power to become the sons and daughters of God! (John 1:12)

Under The Shadow: Part 2

Post Views: 572

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Where Is The Secret Place?

Those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalms 91:1, NKJV)

“dwelleth in the secret place” denotes someone’s rest in Christ. This text in Psalms 91:1 for example refers to “living under the shadow of The Almighty.” By mentioning this “secret place” and by being in the secret place, it has to refer to a person who trusts in God. The one who lives close to Him. The one who lives “under the shadow.”

The title in Psalms 91:1 of “Most High” emphasizes God’s majesty (Psalms 92:1) and is parallel to the term Almighty, a translation of the divine title Shaddai. Together the terms Most High and Shaddai speak of God as a mountain-like majesty, in whose presence there is a “secret place” or a shadow.

My refuge and my fortress may be rephrased as “my secure fortress,” for one example. And as evidenced by Solomon, when he answers: “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in him will I trust,” (Psalms 91:2).

Many Bible versions also say for Psalms 91:1 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will REST in the shadow of the Almighty. “Rest in Christ is “the secret place” Psalms 91:1-2, similar to a soliloquy in which the believer states the blessedness of dwelling under God’s sheltering care, and encourages their heart to exercise personal faith; Psalms 91:3-8.

The assurance of a chorus of voices, which emphasize the safety of those who believe; Psalms 91:9, an exclamation in which the believer again expresses their resolve to exercise said personal faith; Psalms 91:9-13, the second assurance of a chorus of reassuring voices; Psalms 91:14-16, God’s ratification of the whole attitude and expressions of the psalmist and his friends.

Perhaps, this “secret place” is called “secret” simply because non-believers cannot see or understand such a thing unless they have that personal faith experience described as “dwelleth in the secret place” — (Psalms 27:5; Psalms 31:20) “Secret place” simply referring to that which denotes nearness to God. Such as do so abide or lodge secure or rest from assaults, and can well use the terms of trust in Psalms 91:2.

When my late wife died in my arms a little over two years ago now, one of our favorite caregivers texted me Psalms 91 and it was certainly appropriate to the occasion. “Yea, though I went through the “valley of the shadow” of death, I will fear no evil; For Jesus is with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Jesus was with me…I was “in the secret place” I was “under the shadow.” (Psalms 23:4) I was resting in Him.

Living “under the shadow,” dwelling in that “secret place,” that no others could see, I rest in Christ. I trust in Him all the way. Others looking at me then would think “Oh that poor fellow.” Yet, when my loved one drew her last breath while I was holding her in my arms, a great peace washed over me, I was filled with The Holy Spirit, and there were no tears that night. I just knew that everything went the way we had prayed, and that was such a great comfort. To the believer, the shadow is protection, opportunity. To the non believer, the shadow is a tragedy with no hope. And this is what makes it “secret.”

In the secret place of Your presence You hide them from the plots and conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter (pavilion) from the strife of tongues. (Psalms 31:20 AMP)

those that fear the Lord and trust in him; are therefore called his “hidden ones”, Psalms 83:3; these the Lord preserves in times of trouble and danger, and when his indignation is out against others. The Targum reads, “in the time of thine anger;” see Isa 26:20; the presence of God is their protection, he himself is a wall of fire round about them, his favor compasses them as a shield, and they are kept as in a garrison by his power; (see Psalms 91:1); protected “from the pride of man”, which otherwise would at once oppress, bear them down, and destroy them, Psalms 124:1

They concoct crafty schemes against Your people, And conspire together against Your hidden and precious ones. (Psalms 83:3), not hidden from the Lord, and unknown unto him, though. But from their enemies, and being unknown by them, the object of their hatred and persecution; but hidden by him as his jewels and peculiar treasure, which he takes care of; hidden under the shadow of his wings, in the secret of his presence and tabernacle, as in a pavilion; and therefore it was a daring piece of insolence in their enemies to attack them: so the life of saints is said to be hid with Christ in God, which denotes both its secrecy and safety; see Col 3:3

“For you died, and your life is now HIDDEN with Christ in God.”

To “think about the things of heaven” (Col 3:2) means to look at life from God’s perspective and to seek what he desires. This would certainly be the “secret place” where God’s people live “under the shadow.”

It was not on the cross only that Christ sacrificed Himself for humanity. As He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), every day’s experience was an outpouring of His life. In one way only could such a life be sustained. Jesus lived in dependence upon God and communion with Him. To the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty, men now and then repair; they abide for a season, and the result is manifest in noble deeds; then their faith fails, the communion is interrupted, and the lifework marred. But the life of Jesus was a life of constant trust, sustained by continual communion; and His service for heaven and earth was without failure or faltering. {Ed 80.3}

Jesus lived in dependence upon God and communion with Him. To the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty, men now and then repair; they abide for a season, and the result is manifest in noble deeds; then their faith fails, the communion is interrupted, and the lifework marred. But the life of Jesus was a life of constant trust, sustained by continual communion; and His service for heaven and earth was without failure or faltering. {HP 83.3}

Pray with humble hearts. Seek the Lord often in prayer. In the secret place, alone, the eye sees Jesus and the ear is opened to Jesus. You come forth from the secret place of prayer to abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Temptations come, but you press closer and still closer to the side of Jesus and place your hand in His hand. Then you gain a rich experience, resting in His love and rejoicing in His mercy. The worries and perplexities and cares are gone, and you rejoice in Jesus Christ. The soul is quick to hear the Father’s voice, and you will commune with God. All criticism is banished, all judging of others has been expelled from the soul.{HP 86.4}

First Reason To Believe In A God Who Allows Suffering

Post Views: 828

Reading Time: 4 minutes

1/ Suffering comes with the freedom to choose.

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)

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}

Understand The Vision

Post Views: 504

Reading Time: 8 minutes

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)

“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).

The True Knowledge Of God

Post Views: 810

Reading Time: 16 minutes

Respect and obey the LORD! This is the beginning of wisdom. To have understanding, you must know the Holy God. (Prov 9:10, CEV)

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)