SAH Issue 1 Web

7/30/2019 SAH Issue 1 Web

1/32

Ellen G. White

hisPremier Issue

commemorates

Five Warriors

Willing to be

Made Willing

Marshall Grosboll Ralph LarsonRobert Pierson Russell Standish

T h e V o i c e o f T r u t h i n P e r i l o u s T i m e s

Issue No. 1

Immutable Law of God Righteousness by Faith Seventh-day Sabbath Victory over Sin

Sanctuary ypes and Antitypes Tree Angels Messages Non-Immortality of the Soul

Health Reform Christs Fallen Human Nature Ellen White - Gift of Prophecy


2/32

SAH Iu N. 1 Inthisissue:

WillingtobeMadeWillingEllenG.White

I we are willing, God will accomplisha work in and through us.

TeSpiritotheAntichristMarshallGrosboll

As the Son o man, Christ inherited the only humannature possible at that time: the allen one.

TeSealotheLivingGod:TeTemeoScripture

RussellStandishTe Seal o God is repeatedly oered to us,but we have to make an eort to receive it.

KeepHolytheSabbathEllenG.White

God calls or a reorm in Sabbath observance.

AhimaazRunsAgainRalphLarson

When the Scriptures are aithullyand earlessly taught, churches grow.

TeOmegaoApostasy

RobertH.PiersonSpecic warnings have been given us.Eternal vigilance is imperative now.

GMOs:GeneticallyModiedFoodJeanHandwerk

Harmul oods are on market shelves, andthe saety o our ood supply is in jeopardy.

6

8

14

19

23

28

29

able of Contents

SECOND ADVENT HE r A l D

www.SAvHl.@SAvHl.

Board of DirectorsRonSpear,JeanHandwerk,PaulWilliams

Magazine Staff

Exuv E:[email protected]

M E:[email protected]

Sy:JoyceBrownLyu/D:PaulWilliams

Nwl:CorlaRankin

SECOND ADVENT Heraldeaturespresent-truth articles concerning historic Seventh-

dayAdventistpropheticunderstandingsand

doctrinalbelies,currentissuesandeventsoconsequence toAdventism,religious liberty

issues, Seventh-day Adventist history, and

health. Our website has more inormation,

and soon will have additional articles thataretoolongorthemagazine,butwillbeo

interesttomany.

E-MAIL NOTIFICATION:Iyouwishtobenotiied via e-mail when each new issue is

posted, and/or i youwish to receive print

versionsothemagazinewhenavailable,you

maywritetousorsignuponourwebsite.

CORRESPONDENCE : Letters to the [email protected]

ortothemagazineaddressnotedabove.

DONATIONS: As events all around us

portendpropheticulllment,wearetrustingintheLordsprovidencetoenableSECONDADVEN Herald to establish Gods present

truthinheartsandmindssormlythatwe

cannot be moved. Tis ministry exists to

servethosewhoreaditspages.Youreedbackthrough cards and letters conrms us in

our purpose. We charge nothing or our

work, yet wedo rely onreadersupport.All

communications, as well as contributions,shouldbe sentto theappropriateaddresses

listedaboveoronourwebsite.

2 SECOND ADVENT Herald


3/32

EllenG.White

MarshallGrosboll

RalphLarson

RobertPierson

RussellStandish

T hisinauguralissueoSECOND ADVENT Heraldisaspecialissuededicatedtoiveallenwarriors:Dr.Russell Standish, Dr. RalphLarson,Dr.MarshallGrosboll,ElderRobertPierson,and,ocourse,EllenWhite.heirlosstoGodsworkcannotbemeasured.heywere

trulywarriorsortheLordJesusChristinthisinalgeneration.Russell Standishwasamedicaldoctorothehighesthonor

Englandcanoerinmedicine.Hespentovertwentyyears inmissionserviceintheFarEastbeorehereturnedtoAustraliato

starthisministriesRemnant HeraldandHighwoodMissionary

CollegeandHealthCenter.HecoauthoredoversixtybookswithhistwinbrotherColin,andseveralohisown.

Robert PiersonandImetinAricabackinthe50s.HespentagreatportionohislieinthemissionieldinJamaicaand

India,aswellasinArica.HealsoservedinAmericaaspresidentotheKentucky-ennesseeConerence andthen as president

o the General Conerence.He was themostgodly o allour

presidentssincetheturnothecentury,andaverydearriend

omineuntilhisuntimelydeath.Ralph Larson was a theologian on the right side o the

doctrinesandissuesotheSeventh-dayAdventistChurch.His

bookshe Word Was Made Flesh, ell o His Power, andPreach theWordandhismanyarticlesorlayandleadershippublications

stirredtheheartsoeveryreader.Hewasagitedwriterand

evangelistandpastor.Marshall Grosbollcameintomyliein1986andbecamea

close associate with me in travel and preaching around the

world.Aterpastoringormanyyears,hebegantheministry

StepstoLie.HistragicdeathwithhisamilyinJuly1991wasatremendouslosstothecauseoGod.

MostreaderswillbeveryamiliarwithEllen G. Whiteandthe inspired writings romher proliic pen thathave guided

Gods remnant church through the mounting challenges otheselastdays.

hesemenwereinharmonywithwhatEllenWhitewrote

andwithwhateverGodspokethroughhismessengersinHis

Word.Wewereverycloselyalliedtoeachotherinourministries.We prayed together, preached together, and walked many

milestogether.Irememberthemasmenwithgreatdiscipline,

wonderul minds, and strong dedication to the Lord JesusChristandtotheinishingoHiswork.Soontheresurrection

willrenewgreatriendships.Intheaceradiantwiththelight

shiningromtheaceoJesus,weshallrecognizethelineaments

othosewelove.DA804.Finally, I must give ull credit to our Creator or the

initiationothismagazine,whichhasledtothesepagesullo

presenttruth.

RonSpear

ExecutiveEditor

Dedication

3SAH Issue No. 1

Cover&Page3PhotoCopyright:iStockPhoto.com


4/32

WewoulddowelltoreviewsomeotheScripturesthat

reertotheapostasyotheOldestamentJewishchurch.

PleasestudyIsaiah1:1-9and30:9-11.InMicah9-12are

yetmoreversesdescribingIsraelsrebellion.Weturntothe New estament to ind to our dismay the horrible

realityoapostasyexistinginthechurchinthetimeso

Christ--totheextentthatJesussaidtothescribesand

Pharisees,hypocrites, thatgenerationo vipers, Yourhouseisletuntoyoudesolate.Mat23:13-38.

So i we have ollowed in the path o the Jewishchurchandaretoldwehavedoneevenworse,howdowe

compare the Jewish church to the Seventh-day Adven-tistchurch?LetusrememberthattheJewscruciiedthe

LordJesus.Coulditbe,dearones,thatwealsoareguilty

othatcruciixion?

Inthisirst issue, I praythe article byElderRobertPierson on the omega o apostasy will be careully,

careullyexamined.

And then the question arises, What are the require-

mentsorthe salvationoGods aithulpeople?Coulditbethatwehavebeenpreachingthewronggospeltoour

people? Savedwhile sinning?WhenJesus came to thisworld,accordingtoMatthew1:21,Hecametosaveusrom

sin,notinsin.Ihecametosaveusinsin,thegreatcon-troversywouldneverend.ButHemadeaprovisionsothat

wecouldovercomeallsinsothatsinwouldneverhave

dominionoverusagain.HowcanGodbeabsolutelysureo

this?Onlybyourcharacters.IreerbacktosomeothestatementsGodhasgivento

ourprophetEllenWhite,inorderthatwemightbealarmed

atourlethargyandindierenceatourLaodiceancondi-

tionwhichismadeveryclearinRevelation3:14-21.HowcanGodspeoplebewretched,miserable,blind,poor,and

nakedandnotknowit?Itsbecauseoourspiritualblind-

ness!IwearentevenawareothisterribleblindnessthatisdestroyingtheSeventh-dayAdventistmessage,howcanwecureit?

WearetoldtobuyoJesusgoldtriedintheire.hat

reersnotonlytotheaithoJesus,buttheloveoJesus.

Howdowegetsuchlove?Andhowdoweunderstandsuchaith?BystudyintheWord.2im2:15.

heresonlyonewaytoheaven,dearriends,andthats

totalsurrenderoeverythought,wordandactiontoChrist,

whodiedtosavethehumanamily.Evenonewrongtraitocharacter,onesinuldesire,persistentlycherished,will

D ear F riends,As thismagazinecomesintoyourhomesortheirst

time, weprayyoullgive itcareul andprayerul consid-eration.Inact,itmaymeanthedierencebetweenyour

eternallieandyoureternaldeath.Godhashelpedusde-

signSecond Advent Heraldtoaidthesaintsinmakingthe

preparationthatissonecessaryorthisinalcrisis.Letusrememberthattheonlythingwetakeoutothisworldis

ourcharacter.heonlywaythatGodcanbe100%surethatwewillneverstartanotherrevolutionisthatwehave

thesweetspiritoJesusinourheartsandminds.WiththeHolySpiritshelpwewillbeperectovercomers,witha

gloriouseternitybeoreus.ohimthatovercomethwillI

granttositwithmeinmythrone,evenasIalsoovercame,

andamsetdownwithmyFatherinhisthrone.Rev3:21.Jesus died to make a way o escape or us, thatwe

mightovercomeeveryeviltemper,everysin,everytemp-

tation,andsitdownatlastwithHim.1144.hismaga-

zineinvitesyoutobeaperectovercomerbythepowerotheHolySpiritinChristJesus.

Friends,thismagazinehasbeenestablishedtouplitthewonderulstoryosalvation,andtoimpressuponusall

therequirementsthatGoddemandsousiwewouldhaveeternallie.Faithulnesstoourmissionalsodemandsthat

whencertaineventsoccuroractionsaretaken,weexam-

inetheminthelightoeternity.huswerecompelledto

ask:CoulditbethatourchurchhasdoneexactlywhattheapostateJewishchurchdid?BoththeSpiritoProphecy

andScripturecontainalotoevidencethatsupportsthat

question.Letsturntosomeothoseinspiredstatements:

Inestimonies to the Church, volume5,wereadthirteentimesthattheSeventh-dayAdventistChurchisollowing

intheveryootstepsotheJewishchurch.Youcan look

verycareullyatpages75-6,94,160and217.Alongwiththat,letusobserveaverystrongstatementgivenbyourprophetEllenWhite:Isawthatmanywhoproesstobe-

lievethetruthortheselastdaysthinkitstrangethatthe

childrenoIsraelmurmuredastheyjourneyed;thatater

thewonderuldealingsoGodwiththem,theyshouldbesoungrateulastoorgetwhatHehaddoneorthem.Said

theangel:Yehavedoneworsethanthey.IsawthatGod

hasgivenHisservantsthetruthsoclear,soplain,that

itcannotberesisted.hisgreatblessinghasnotbeenprized,orevenrealized.1128-9.

Editorial

A Letter to the RemnantRon Spear



5/32

eventuallyneutralizeallthepowerothegospel.SC34.

As you peruse these pages o Second Advent Herald,theresonethingwewantyoutoremember:Christdiedto

saveyouromsin,notinsin.Youcanbeperectovercomers.

Having thereore these promises, dearly beloved, let us

cleanseourselvesromallilthinessotheleshandspirit,

perectingholinessintheearoGod.2Corinthians7:1.AllscriptureisgivenbyinspirationoGod,andispro-

itableordoctrine,orreproo,orcorrection,orinstruc-

tioninrighteousness:hatthemanoGodmaybeperect,thoroughlyurnisheduntoallgoodworks.2im3:16-17.

Letnoonesaywecantovercome,thatwe canthave

victory over every temptation.Its by the power o the

HolySpirit that wecan beperectovercomersin ChristJesus. Remember when Jesus said, Many are called

but ewarechosen?Mat22:14.Howwill Christ choose

thoseSeventh-dayAdventistswhowillbemembersothe

eternalworld?Byourcharacters.

In Christs Object Lessons, 332, a statement reads: Acharacterormedaccordingtothedivinelikenessisthe

only treasure that we can take rom this world to the

next.Howimportant,then,isthedevelopmentochar-

acterinthislie.heheavenlyintelligenceswillworkwiththehuman

agentwhoseekswithdeterminedaiththatperectiono

characterwhichwillreachouttoperectioninaction.o

everyoneengagedinthisworkChristsays,Iamatyourrighthandtohelpyou.

AsthewillomancooperateswiththewilloGod,it

becomesomnipotent.WhateveristobedoneatHiscom-mandmay beaccomplishedin Hisstrength. All Hisbid-dingsareenablings.

And thentheresChrists Object Lessons, 331:Remem-

berthatyouwillneverreachahigherstandardthanyou

yourselset.hensetyourmarkhigh,andstepbystep,eventhoughitbebypainuleort,bysel-denialandsac-

riice, ascendthewholelengthothe ladderoprogress.

Letnothinghinderyou.

Wewant tothank you or readingthismaterial.WepraythatitmayinspireyourmindsandheartstomakeJe-

susyourclosecompanion.Rememberthisinspiredstate-

mentromMinistry o Healing, 492:BybeholdingJesus,talkingoHisloveandperectionocharacter,webecomechangedintoHisimage.Bycontemplatingthelotyideal

Hehasplacedbeoreus,weshallbeuplitedintoapure

andholyatmosphere,eventhepresenceoGod.Whenwe

abidehere,theregoesorthromusalightthatirradiatesallwhoareconnectedwithus.

Despite physical limitations, Elder Spearcontinues to be active in the Lords cause as

preacher, editor and author. As executive editor

o this magazine, he has associated himsel with

a small sta that have to carry the burden to

warn our people that probation is going to closesuddenly. Elder Spear has been in the ministry

or 55 years and is known world-wide or his preaching and

writing. For many o us, hes known as the ounder oOurFirm

Foundationand Hope International ministry, which had only

a property caretaker when he arrived to begin the magazine.

Hes held positions rom the local conerence level to the union

level and on to the general conerence as ield representative orthe Review.He served several years in Arica as administrator

o two dierent missions. He and his wie Carmen reside in

Washington state. [www.RonSpear.org]

5SAH Issue No. 1

PhotoCopyright:iStockPhoto.com


6/32

Thebelatedtraveler,hurryingtoreachthecitygate

bythegoingdownothesun,couldnotturnaside

oranyattractionsbytheway.Hiswholemindwasbentontheonepurposeoenteringthegate.he

sameintensityopurpose,saidJesus,isrequiredinthe

Christianlie.Ihaveopenedtoyouthegloryocharacter,

whichisthetruegloryoMykingdom.Itoersyounopromiseoearthlydominion;yetitisworthyoyoursu-

premedesireandeort.Idonotcallyoutobattleorthe

supremacyo theworldsgreat empire,butdonotthere-

oreconcludethatthereisnobattletobeoughtnorvic-

toriestobewon.I bid you strive, agonize, to enter intoMy spiritual kingdom.

heChristianlieisabattleandamarch.Butthevic-

torytobegainedisnotwonbyhumanpower.heieldoconlictisthedomainotheheart.hebattlewhich

wehavetoight--thegreatestbattlethatwaseverought

byman--isthesurrenderoseltothewill o God,the

yieldingothehearttothesovereigntyolove.heoldnature,bornobloodandothewillothelesh,cannot

inherit the kingdomoGod. he hereditary tendencies,

theormerhabits,mustbegivenup.

Carnal Nature Will Fight Us

Hewhodeterminestoenterthespiritualkingdomwill

indthatallthepowersandpassionsoanunregeneratenature,backedbytheorcesothekingdomodarkness,

arearrayedagainsthim.Selishnessandpridewillmake

astandagainstanythingthatwouldshowthemtobesin-

ul.Wecannot,oourselves,conquertheevildesiresandhabits that strive or themastery.We cannot overcome

themightyoewhoholdsusinhisthrall.Godalonecan

giveusthevictory.Hedesiresustohavethemasteryover

ourselves,ourownwillandways.ButHecannotworkin

uswithoutourconsentandco-operation.hedivineSpiritworksthroughtheacultiesandpowersgiventoman.Our

energiesarerequiredtoco-operatewithGod.

hevictoryis notwonwithoutmuchearnestprayer,withoutthehumblingoselateverystep.Ourwillisnot

tobeorcedintoco-operationwithdivineagencies,butit

mustbevoluntarilysubmitted.Were it possible toorce

uponyouwitha hundredoldgreaterintensitythe inlu-enceotheSpiritoGod,itwouldnotmakeyouaChristian,

aitsubjectorheaven.hestrongholdoSatanwouldnot

bebroken.hewillmustbeplacedonthesideoGods

Ellen G. White

Strive to enter in at the strait gate. . . . Luke 13:24

Willingto be

Made

Willing



7/32

will.Youarenotable,oyoursel,tobringyourpurposes

anddesiresandinclinationsintosubmissiontothewillo

God;butif you are willing to be made willing, God willaccomplish the work for you,evencastingdownimagi-nations,andeveryhighthingthatexaltethitselagainst

theknowledgeoGod,andbringinginto captivityevery

thoughttotheobedienceoChrist.2Corinthians10:5.henyouwillworkoutyourownsalvationwithearand

trembling.ForitisGodwhichworkethinyoubothtowillandtodooHisgoodpleasure.Philippians2:12,13.

Gate Too Strait for Some

ButmanyareattractedbythebeautyoChristandthe

glory oheaven,who yet shrinkrom theconditions by

whichalonethesecanbecometheirown.herearemanyinthebroadwaywhoarenotullysatisiedwiththepath

inwhichtheywalk.heylongtobreakromtheslaveryo

sin,andintheirownstrengththeyseektomakeastand

against their sinulpractices.hey look toward thenar-rowwayandthestrait gate;butselishpleasure, loveo

theworld, pride, unsanctiied ambition, place a barrierbetween them and the Saviour. o renounce their own

will,theirchosenobjectsoaectionorpursuit,requiresasacriiceatwhichtheyhesitateandalterandturnback.

Manywillseektoenterin,andshallnotbeable.Luke

13:24.heydesirethegood,theymakesomeeorttoob-

tainit;buttheydonotchooseit;theyhavenotasettledpurposetosecureitatthecostoallthings.

heonlyhopeorusiwewouldovercomeistounite

ourwilltoGodswillandworkinco-operationwithHim,

hourbyhouranddaybyday.We cannot retain self andyet enter the kingdom of God.Iweeverattainuntoho-

liness,itwillbethroughtherenunciationoselandthereceptionothemindoChrist.Prideandsel-suiciency

mustbecruciied.Arewewillingtopaythepricerequiredous?Arewewillingtohaveourwillbroughtintoperect

conormitytothewilloGod?Untilwearewilling,the

transorminggraceoGodcannotbemaniestuponus.

hewararewhichwearetowageisthegoodightoaith.Ialsolabor,saidtheapostlePaul,strivingac-

cording toHisworking,which workethin memightily.

Colossians1:29.

The Example of Jacob

Jacob, in the great crisis of his life, turned asideto pray. He was filled with one overmastering pur-pose--to seek for transformation of character. ButwhilehewaspleadingwithGod,anenemy,ashesupposed,placedhishanduponhim,andallnighthewrestledor

hislie.Butthepurposeohissoulwasnotchangedby

perilolieitsel.Whenhisstrengthwasnearlyspent,the

Angel putorthHisdivinepower,andatHistouchJacob

knewHimwithwhomhehadbeencontending.Woundedandhelpless,he ellupon theSaviours breast,pleading

orablessing.Hewouldnotbeturnedasidenorceasehis

intercession,andChristgrantedthepetitionothishelp-

less,penitentsoul,accordingtoHispromise,LethimtakeholdoMystrength,thathemaymakepeacewithMe;and

heshallmakepeacewithMe.Isaiah27:5.Jacobpleaded

withdeterminedspirit,Iwillnotletheego,excepthou

blessme.Genesis32:26.hisspiritopersistencewasin-spiredbyHimwhowrestledwiththepatriarch.ItwasHe

whogavehimthevictory,andHechangedhisnamerom

JacobtoIsrael,saying,AsaprincehastthoupowerwithGod and withmen, and hast prevailed. Genesis 32:28.That for which Jacob had vainly wrestled in his ownstrength was won through self-surrender and stead-

fast faith.hisisthevictorythatovercomeththeworld,evenouraith.1John5:4.

Mount o Blessing,p.141144.

Ellen Gould White (1827-1915). Te Seventh-dayAdventist Church believes that when the tests oa true prophet are applied to Ellen G. White, theyconrm beyond doubt that God bestowed upon

her the promised git o prophecy. Tat git is oneo two prominent characteristics o His church inthe last days (Rev. 12:17; Rev. 19:10), and indeed,her prophetic git was instrumental in the

ormation o Seventh-day Adventism. Her inspired writings continueto clariy and uplit the Word o God.

7SAH Issue No. 1

PhotoCopyright:HigherClipsCD


8/32

The Spirit ofAntichrist

If it were unnecessary for Christ to become one of us, who have inherited afallen, sinful nature, it was unnecessary for Him to become a human being at all.

Marshall Grosboll

W

hiletherearethosewhoarelookingorthe

antichrist to come in the uture ater the

saints have been supposedly raptured to

heaven, John the Revelator, who clearlyunderstoodthecharacteranddangerothecominganti-

christpoweronearth,warnedthatthespiritothean-

tichristwas already intheworld inhis day.hatspirithascontinued togrowin strengthandprominence,and

sadly,hadgainedascendancyevenwithintheAdventist

church.heSeventh-dayAdventistChurchistheremnant

churchoBibleprophecy.husSatan,whoistherealan-tichrist,hasmadethechurchhisspecialtargetandhas

sought to bring his spirit and his teachings within the

coninesothismovement.EllenWhitesaysthatmany

willstandinourpulpitswiththetorchoalseprophecyintheirhands,kindledormthehellishtorchoSatan.

estimonies to Ministers, 409-410.Isthisnotbeingulilledintheteachingotheanti-

christwithinmanyoourchurchesandinnearlyalloourschoolsohighereducation?heBibledescribesthespirit

otheantichristasthespiritthatdoesnotconessthat

JesusChristhascomeinthelesh1John4:3.(AllBible

textsareromtheNewKingJamesVersion.)Bythisdeinition,isntitapparentthatthespirito

antichristhasbecometheprevailingteachingwithinthe

Adventistministryandeducationsystemtoday?Itwasnot

oundanywhereinourearlychurchteachings.Wheredid

itcomerom?Manybelieveithascomeasaresultoour

theologians attendance in non-Adventist institutions

wheretheyweretaughtthisconceptotheantichrist,and

thenitwasbroughtintoourownschools,churches,andperiodicals.

The Gospel of Antichrist

SatanbecamejealousoChristinheavenandtriedto

assume the prerogatives and position that belonged to

Himalone.HeenviedChrists authority, andreusedto

recognize His commandHis commandments or laws.hisconstitutedsin.

EllenWhiteisclearthatthis,andthisalone,consti-

tutesthedeinitionosin:Ouronlydeinitionosinis

thatgivenintheWordoGod;itisthetransgressiono

thelaw.Great Controversy, 493,emphasissuppliedinallquotations. In nineteen dierent places she reairmed

theundamentalprinciplethatthis is theoneand only

deinitionosin.Innotoneplaceinalloherwritingsdidshegiveadierentunderstanding.

BybreakingGodscommandandtherebysinning,Sa-

tanbecamearebel.Hisverynaturechangedinaccordance

withhissin.Hethensucceededindrawingthisworldintohisrebellionbycausingourirstparentstobreaktheex-

presslawoGod.AsinthecaseoSatan,theirinherited

naturechangedsothatitbecameimpossibletoobeyGod



9/32

withoutamiraculouschange.Becausethecarnalmindis

enmityagainstGod;oritisnotsubjecttothelawoGod,norindeedcanbe.Romans8:7

A Compassionate God

But man had not had the light or opportunities to

whichSatanandtheangelsinheavenhadbeenprivileged.AdamandEvehadnotsetouttorebel,buthadbeentempt-

edanddeceivedintotheiractotransgression.Althoughtheywereullyaccountableortheiractions,ortheLord

hadgiventhemanexpresscommandwithitsassociated

punishment,yettheircasewasnothopelessandirrevers-

ibleaswasthatotheangelswhohadrebelledinthevery

presenceoGod.ItwouldnothavebeensaetosueranywhounitedwithSataninhisrebelliontocontinuetooc-

cupyHeaven.heyhadlearned thelessonogenuine re-

bellionagainst theunchangeablelawoGod;andthisis

incurable.he Spirit o Prophecy, vol.1,21.Goddevisedtheoneandonlyplanwherebymancould

be redeemed rom hisall. Becauseo histransgression,mansnaturehadbeenbroughtintoharmonywiththena-

tureoSatan. Amongwhomalsowe allonceconductedourselvesinthelustsoourlesh,ulillingthedesireso

theleshandothemind,andwerebynaturechildreno

wrath.Ephesians2:3.Godsirstpromisetomankindwas

thatHewouldbreakthisbondounitybetweenthenatureoSatanandthenatureoman.InaddressingSatan,He

said:Iwillputenmitybetweenyouandthewoman,and

betweenyourseedandherSeed;Heshallbruiseyourhead,

andyoushallbruiseHisheel.Genesis3:15husGodpromisedtobreakthepoweroSatanover

man,sothatmanwouldnotbeheldunderthedominionosin,andthatHewouldsendaSeedothewomanwho

wouldcrushtheheadotheserpent.ForourthousandyearsmankindwaitedortheSeed

othewomantobe born.hroughthehopeothiscom-

ingRedeemer,many God-earingmen andwomensuch

asEnoch,Moses,andElijahwereabletobreakthepowerosinintheirlives,andsomewere

taken to heaven as a token o the

redeemedoalltheageswhowould

alsogainthevictoryoverSatanandhishostsoevilangels.

Nevertheless,allthesemen,even

thebestandmostupright,ellshortothegloryoGodandletthebloto transgressionupon their heavenly record.heywere

orgiven, transormed andsavedby aith inthe coming

Redeemer.

Duringthistimethedevilboastedthatashehadcon-quered allmen, when the Seed o the woman should

comedown,hewouldtriumphoverHimalso.

He told his angels that when Jesus should take

allen mans nature, he could overpower Him.he Spirit o Prophecy, vol.1,48.

Manneededapoweroutsideoandabovehimselto

be united with his weak, allen nature. his necessarypowerGodpromisedtoprovidebysendingHisownSon

tobetheSonoallenmankind.Behold,avirginshallbe

withchild,andbearaSon,andtheyshallcallHisnameIm-

manuel,whichistranslated,GodwithusMatthew1:23.

God With UsJesusdidnotproposetohumbleHimselsimplytotake

onhumannature,asAdamhadbeoreheell.Eventhatwouldhavebeenanininitehumiliation,butHeproposed

tohumbleHimselstillurther,andtobecometheSono

allen humanity.

ChrististheladderthatJacobsaw,thebaserestingontheearth,andthetopmostroundreachingtothegateo

heaven,totheverythresholdoglory.Ithatladderhad

ailedby asinglestepo reaching the earth,we should

havebeenlost.ButChristreachesuswhereweare.Hetookournatureandovercame,thatwethroughtakingHisna-

turemightovercome.Madeinthelikenessosinullesh(Romans8:3),Helivedasinlesslie.NowbyHisdivinity

Helaysholduponthethroneoheaven,whilebyHishu-manityHereachesus.he Desire o Ages, 311.

InstoopingtotakeuponHimselhumanity,Christre-

vealedacharactertheoppositeothecharacteroSatan.

ButHesteppedstilllowerinthepathohumiliation.Itwouldhavebeenanalmostininitehumiliationor

the Son o God to takemansnature,evenwhenAdam

stood in his innocence in Eden. But Jesus acceptedhu-

manity when theracehadbeenweakenedby our thou-sandyearsosin.LikeeverychildoAdamHeacceptedthe

resultsotheworkingothegreatlawoheredity.WhattheseresultswereisshowninthehistoryoHis

earthlyancestors.Hecamewithsuchahereditytoshareoursorrowsandtemptations,andtogiveustheexample

oasinlesslie.GodpermittedHisSontocome,ahelpless

Babe,subjecttotheweaknessohumanity.Hepermitted

Himtomeetliesperilincommonwitheveryhumansoul,

toightthebattleaseverychildohumanitymustightit,

attheriskoailureandeternalloss.Ibid.,25,49.

Christwasnotanewcreatedbeing,simplymadelike

unto the human race, and yet not actually becoming a

memberothisallenrace.ButHewasinactandinrealitytheSonomankind.herewasonlyonebloodlineinthe

humanraceowhichHecouldbecometheson,andthat

wasthebloodlineoallenAdam.Adamhadnounallen

children.ForChristtobecomethesonomannecessitated

It was within my nature that Jesus developed aperfect character as an example for me to follow.

9SAH Issue No. 1


10/32

HisbecomingtheSonoallenman,ortherewasnoother

mankindorHimtoinherit.Moreover,itwasallenmanwho neededsalvation. I itwere unnecessary or Christ

tobecomeoneous,whohaveinheritedaallen,sinul

nature,itwasunnecessaryorHimtobecomeahuman

beingatall.HehadtobecomeonewiththoseHesoughttosave.ItwasallenhumanitywithwhichHemustunite

thepoweroDivinity.HewastheladderthatstretchedallthewayromthethroneoGodtothehelplessdespairo

allenhumanity.ForitwasittingorHim,orwhomareallthingsand

bywhomareallthings,inbringingmanysonstoglory,to

make theAuthor o their salvation perect throughsu-

erings. For bothHe who sanctiies and thosewho arebeingsanctiiedarealloone,orwhichreasonHeisnot

ashamedtocallthembrethren....ForindeedHedoesnot

giveaidtoangels[whoareunallen]butHedoesgiveaid

totheseedoAbraham.hereore,inallthingsHehadtobemadelikeHisbrethren,thatHemightbeamerciuland

aithulHighPriestinthingspertainingtoGod,tomake

propitiationorthesinsothepeople.ForinthatHeHim-selhassuered,beingtempted,Heisabletoaidthosewhoaretempted.Hebrews2:1018.

Combined Nature Offered Us

Yet, in takingmans allen nature, Christ did not or

amomentparticipateinhissin.Rather,Heemancipatedmanromsin.InHimwereunitedtheoendingnature

othesinnerwiththeomnipotentnatureoDivinity,and

therebysinwasconquered.henatureoGod,whoselaw

hadbeentransgressed,andthenatureoAdam,thetrans-

gressor, meet in Jesus. he Seventh-day Adventist BibleCommentary, vol.7,926.oday,GodoersusHis divine

naturetocombinewithoursinulnature,thatwetoocan

liveavictoriouslieoverourcultivatedandinheritedten-denciestosin.

houghChristwasbornwithaunionodivineandall-

enhumannature,andwedonotreceivethisunionuntil

conversion,neverthelessJesushadtomaintainthatunionothetwonaturesintheverysamewayeveryconverted

childoAdammustmaintainit.Hecameasahelpless

Babe,bearingthehumanitywebear.Heovercameinhu-

mannature,relyinguponGodorpower.Ibid.,925,924.Not only did He take our nature, but He took

upon Himsel our sins and guilt. He made Him who

knewnosintobesinorus,thatwemightbecomethe

righteousnessoGodinHim.2Corinthians5:21.

SomewouldhaveJesuslivingasinlesslie,notbecauseHecombineddivinitywithallenhumanity,andthereby

overcamebycruciyingthelustsotheleshandlivingac-

cordingtothedictatesotheSpirit,butbecauseHenever

hadanythingtoovercomeintheirstplace.ManywouldmakeJesusessentiallydierentromusinHisveryhu-

manity,sothatwemighthavenoexampletoollow.heysayHewasbornwiththenatureoAdambeoreHeell,

andthatHethushadnointrinsictendenciestosinevenwithinHisunsurrenderednature.Butthiskindovictory

wouldmeannothingtous,nordousanygood.ItisI,not

Adambeoreheell,whoneedsaSavior.

Crucifying the Flesh

Itwaswithinmy naturethatJesusdevelopedaperect

characterasanexampleorme toollow.hatwasanex-

amplethatIcan ollow.Christdidnotleaveanunreachableideal.Jesussaid:IanyonedesirestocomeaterMe,let

himdenyhimsel,andtakeuphis cross,andollowMe.Matthew16:24.AllHisbiddingsareenablings. Christs

Object Lessons, 333.Jesuslivedaperectliebydailycruciyingthelustso

thelesh.Whensomethingiscruciied,itisdead,andyet,

inthecaseotheallenhumannature,ithastobecruci-

iedeveryday,momentbymoment.heNewestamentcalled the allen, sinul nature o Adams descendants

lesh. he works o the lesh are evident, which are:

adultery, ornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idola-

try,sorcery,hatred,contentions,jealousies,outburstsowrath,selishambitions,dissensions,heresies,envy,mur-

ders,drunkenness,revelries,andthelike.Galatians5:19-21.Alltheworksothelesharebad.hereisnotonegood

thingmentioned.ItwasbecauseotheleshthatPaulcouldnotkeepthe

law.Hesaid:ForIknowthatinme(thatis,inmylesh)

nothinggooddwells....ForIdelightinthelawoGod

accordingtotheinwardman.ButIseeanotherlawinmymembers, warring against the law

o my mind, and bringing me into

captivitytothelawosinwhichisin

mymembers.OwretchedmanthatIam!Whowilldelivermeromthis

bodyodeath?Romans7:18-24.

ItwasbecauseotheleshthatPaulcouldnotdogoodwhenHehadbeen convicted o sin by the Holy

Spirit.Eventhoughhewasconvicted,heoundit impos-

sibletoollowhisconvictions.Yet,hedidnotrejoice,as

manydotoday,andsay:SinceIcannotdothewilloGod,Godwillexcusemeandsavemeevenwithinmysin.No!

Heexclaims,withunutterablewoe,0wretchedmanthat

Iam!Whowilldelivermeromthisbodyodeath?He

recognizedthatthewagesosinisdeath(Romans6:23),andthatwhoevercontinuedtosincouldinnowiseinherit

What a wonderful promise!We can overcome just as Jesus overcame.

In fact, we must overcome just as Jesus overcame.



11/32

eternallieandenterheaven,orthereshallbynomeans

enteritanythingthatdeiles,orcausesanabominationoralie,butonlythosewhoarewrittenintheLambsBooko

Lie.Revelation21:27.

Paul Grasped Hope

SowhatwasPaultodo?Wouldhecomeupwithsomenew, man-made theology that would allow him to con-

tinuetosinandyetvainlyhopethathe couldalsoenter

heaven?No!Heratheroundtheonlyhopeosalvation:themanChristJesus.Forwhatthelawcouldnotdoin

thatitwasweakthroughthelesh[becauseomysinul,

allennature],GoddidbysendingHisownSoninthelike-

nessosinullesh,onaccountosin:Hecondemnedsininthelesh,thattherighteousrequirementothelawmight

beulilledinuswhodonotwalkaccordingtotheleshbut

accordingtotheSpirit....Foriyouliveaccordingtothe

leshyouwilldie;butibytheSpirityouputtodeaththedeedsothebody,youwilllive.Romans8:313.

Whatawonderulpromise!healcoholicdoesnothavetoremainanalcoholic!hehomosexualdoesnothaveto

continuetopracticehissin!hegluttoncanindperectvictory over his appetite!heimpatient canbecomepa-

tient!hedesponding,discouragedsoulcangainperect

aithandpeaceandjoy!Nolongerdoweneedtoremain

underthebondageosin.Forsinshallnothavedomin-ionoveryou,oryouarenotunderlawbutundergrace.

Romans6:14.Wemayhaveinheritedallen,weakenedna-

tureswiththeeectsogenerationsosinrestingwithin,

butthroughJesusChristwecandevelopcharacterswith-outasinglesinulpropensity,justasJesusdid.

Overcoming Brings PeaceWemustlearnoChrist.WemustknowwhatHeisto

thoseHehasransomed.Wemustrealizethatthroughbe-lieinHimitisourprivilegetobepartakersothedivine

nature,andsoescapethecorruptionthatisintheworld

throughlust.henwearecleansedromallsin,alldeects

ocharacter. We need not retain one sinul propensity. . . . Aswepartakeothedivinenature,hereditaryandcultivated

tendenciestowrongarecutawayromthe character, and

we are made a living power or good. Ever learning o

thedivineteacher,dailypartakingoHisnature,weco-

operatewithGodinovercomingSatanstemptations.Godworks,andmanworks,thatmanmaybeonewithChrist

asChristisonewithGod.henwesittogetherwithChrist

inheavenlyplaces.hemindrestswithpeaceandassur-anceinJesus.Review and Herald, vol.4,175.

Whatawonderulpromise!Wecan overcomejustas

Jesusovercame.Inact,wemust overcomejustasJesus

overcame.EveryonewhohasthishopeinHimpuriieshimsel,justasHeispure.1John3:3.Jesuswaspure,not

justin thebooksoheaven,butinHisverythoughts,mo-

tives,andcharacter.hisisthewaywetooaretobecome

pure.ohimwhoovercomesIwillgranttositwithMeonMythrone,asIalsoovercameandsatdownwithMy

FatheronHisthrone.Revelation3:2l.Wemustovercome

inthesamewayJesusdid.

Characters Change, Not Natures

It shouldbe noticedthat it isin our charactersnot

in our naturesthatwewill retain no propensities or

sin.hereisaanaticism,calledtheholyleshmovement,whichteachesthatwewillnotretainanytemptationtosin

inourinheritednatures.Butthisisaalseteaching.Our

allennatureswillneverbechangeduntilwereceiveim-mortality.EvenJesuswastemptedtosin.Forwedonot

haveaHighPriestwhocannotsympathizewithourweak-

nesses,butwasinall pointstemptedasweare,yetwith-

outsin.Hebrews4:15.EllenWhitesays,Herealizedthestrengtho indulged appetite andunholypassionwhich

controlledtheworld.Conrontation,36.

SorelyasHewastriedonthepointohastyandangry

speech,HeneveroncesinnedwithHislips. he Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol.7,936.Hedeveloped

acharacterthatturnedtoHisFatherorstrengthinev-ery timeo need,andwiththetwoolduniono divine

powercombinedwithhumaneort,Herecoiledromsinandtemptation.NotevenbyathoughtdidHeyieldtothe

powerosin.Andthusitcanbewithus.

What He Had, We May Have

ManyhavemademuchoutothestatementoEllenWhiteinaprivatelettertoanElderBakerthatChristhad

nopropensitiesorsin.his,incontext,wasreerringto

11SAH Issue No. 1




12/32

Hischaracter.WithintheverystatementsheexplainsthatHehadnopropensitiesorsinbecauseHeneveryielded

totemptation.hisisthesamepuritythatwecanhave.

Ellen White gives the same assurance to us. We, too,

need not retain one sinulpropensity, as noted in thestatementabove.

Christshumanhereditywaslikeours,butHischaracter

waspureandperect.AsHewas,sowecanbecome.Jesus

revealednoqualities,andexercisednopowers,thatmen

maynothavethroughaithinHim.HisperecthumanityisthatwhichallHisollowersmaypossess,itheywillbe

insubjectiontoGodasHewas.he Desire o Ages, 664.

What hope! What wonderul hope! hrough JesusChristwecanbevictoriousoverthewilesothedeviland

thetendenciesothelesh.YetthisisthetruththatSatan

hates,oritmakeshimaconqueredoe.

SatanwasembarrassedbyJesusvictory.Hehadboast-edtohisangelsthatwhenJesusshouldtakeallenmans

nature, he could overpowerhim. Spirit o Prophecy, vol.

1,48.Hehadailed.Stillhereusedtoadmithisailure.

Likeaproudandspoiledchildupontheplayingieldwhenheisdeeated,heshouted:He cheated! hats the reason I

lost! Godisacheater.IHehadplayedair,IwouldhaveconqueredHim.Hehadanunairadvantage.Hedidnot

really come down inmans nature. He took Adams un-allennature.But mankind is still under my dominion! I will

not let them go!

Jesus Fallen Humanity

SatanreusedtoadmitthatJesusreallydidcomeinthelesh(meaninginAdamsallennature)andovercame.He

willneveradmitit.Notasingleevilangelwilladmitit.Yet

everyheavenlybeingboastsotheveryopposite.hatiswhytheBiblesays:Every spiritthatconessesthatJesus

ChristhascomeintheleshisoGod.1John4:2.here

aremany,manyalsespiritswhoconessthatJesusChrist

hascomeinahumanphysicalbody.hisisacardinaldoc-trineotheCatholicChurchandotheEasternOrthodox

ChurchandotheEvangelicalsandoalseprophetsand

religionsoeveryhueanddescription.

I presented these thoughts toan Adventist theology

departmentsomeyearsago,andtheheadothedepart-mentassuredmethat,indeed,Pauldiduseleshtomean

allen,humannature,butheassertedthatthetextquoted

abovewasnotcorroboratingPaulswritings.HeassuredmethatJohn,in1John4:2,wastalkingsimplyaboutskin

andbones,notallennatureasPaulinhiswritingsused

thetermtomean.HeassuredmethatPaulistheonlyBible

writerwhousedthetermleshtomeanallennature.Ioundthisastoundingandunbelievable!Intheirst

place,theBiblewritersreadeachotherslettersandspoke

andwroteinharmonywitheachother.Furthermore,is

itnotevidentthattherearethousandsoalseprophetswhoproessthatJesuscameinliteralskinandbones?And

inally,itliesintheaceoreality,becauseinactalltheBibleauthorsintheNewestamentuseleshtomeanall-

enhumannature:Consider1Peter4:1-2,whichisanobvioustextwritten

byPetertellinguswearenottoliveinthelesh.Would

anyonebesonaiveastointerpretPetertosaywearenot

tolivewithinourskin?Or consider First John itsel: For all that is in the

worldthe lusts o the lesh, the lust o the eyes, and

theprideolieisnototheFatherbutisotheworld.

1John2:16.Itisnotouringernails,hairolliclesandear



13/32

lobesthatlust,butoursinulnaturethatweinherit.his

isnotonlyPaulsunderstandingolesh,butPetersand

Johns.heyall spokethesamelanguage.

Antichrists Teaching

Johnthensaysthatthisistheteachingotheanti-christ.Andindeeditis.hebulwarkothedoctrineisthe

ImmaculateConceptionwhichteachesthatJesus,orevenMary,didnotcomeinournature,butinthenatureoAdam

beoreheell.Satanhasdeveloped,ostered,andortiiedthisteachingbymanyassociatedphilosophies,suchasthe

doctrineooriginalsin,ororiginalguilt;abeliethatwe

areguiltyosinatbirth.hisledtoinantbaptism,anec-

essaryriteinordertowashawaythisblotoguilt.Jesus,itwassaid,couldnotbebornlikeus,orHewouldnecessarily

beaguiltysinnertoo,simplybytheactthatHewasborn.

And thus, through the teachingoAugustineandothers

whoosteredthisalsedoctrine,todayspopularteachingotheantichristcametopredominateoverthetruegospel.

ButGodhasraisedupHisremnantchurchtogiveagain

totheworldthetrue gospel.histruegospelisabletosaveallenmanromall sinandprepareapureandholypeopletobereadyorJesustocome.Itisthroughaithinthe

SonoMan thatwecanindredemption.AsMoseslited

uptheserpentinthewilderness,evensomusttheSono

Man belitedup,thatwhoeverbelievesinHimshouldnotperishbuthaveeternallie.John3:14-15.

Satan knowsthat we have no powerin ourselvesto

breakourslaveryosin.Itisonlybyapoweroutsideo

ourselves that we can be transormed, and this power

comesonlybyaithinJesus,theSonoGodandtheSonoMan.ButiwedonotbelievethatJesusprovidedthis

wayoescape,wearehopelesslylost.heteachingthatJe-suscameinAdamsunallennatureisa lwaysassociated

withoneotwoheresies:eitherthatwetoomustreceiveunallennature(theholy leshdoctrine),or thatwecan

neverovercome,andthereoremustbesavedinoursins

(aataldelusion).

Falsehood vs. Truth

oday,themostterriblethinghashappened.hedoc-

trineotheantichristhasbeenacceptedintoourchurch

bymanyo ourministers,teachers,editors,and leaders.

hisstateoaairswasexpressedbythepresidentoone

oour conerences recently in a letter toHartland.heconerencepresidentstatedthatthisalsedoctrineisthe

acceptedteachinginourchurchtoday.

Could anything bemore alarming?Let the truthbetold.ItistimetoCryaloud,sparenot;litupyourvoice

like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and

thehouseoJacobtheirsins.Isaiah58:1.AsEllenWhite

said:Manywillstandinourpulpitswiththetorchoalseprophecyintheirhands,kindledromthehellishtorcho

Satan.estimonies to Ministers, 409410.

ListentowhatSatanteaches,andcompareittowhatis

beingtaughttoday:SatanrepresentsGodslawoloveas

alawoselishness.He declaresthatitisimpossibleorustoobeyitsprecepts[ateachingotheNewheology]....

Jesuswastounveilthisdeception.AsoneousHewasto

giveanexampleoobedience.ForthisHetookuponHim-

selournatureandpassedthroughourexperiences.InallthingsitbehovedHimtobemadelikeuntoHisbrethren.

Hebrews2:17.IwehadtobearanythingwhichJesusdid

notendure, thenuponthis pointSatanwouldrepresentthepoweroGodasinsuicientorus.hereoreJesuswasinall pointstemptedlikeaswe

are.Hebrews4:15.Heenduredeverytrialtowhichweare

subject.AndHeexercisedinHisownbehalnopowerthat

isnotreelyoeredtous.Asman,Hemettemptation,andovercameinthestrengthgivenHimromGod....Hislie

testiiesthatitispossibleorusalsotoobeythelawo

God.he Desire o Ages, 24.

hisisthegospel,withoutwhichnomancanbesaved.Letusnot,withancyootwork,twistedstatements,and

smoothreasoning overthrow theveryplan osalvation.

Letussearchorthisprecioustruthwithallhumility,tak-

ingoourshoes,andwithalldiligence,searchorthehid-dentreasuresoGodasorthePearlogreatprice.here

isnootherplanosalvation.

hegreatworkoredemptioncouldbecarriedoutonly

byourRedeemerstakingtheplaceoallenAdam.WiththesinsotheworldlaiduponHim,Hewouldgooverthe

groundwhereAdamstumbled.Hewouldbeara testini-

nitelymoreseverethanthatwhichAdamailedtoendure.

Hewouldovercomeonmansaccount...that,throughHisobedience,...Hisrighteousnessmightbeimputedtoman,

that,throughHisname,manmightovercometheoeon

his own account.What love! What amazing condescen-

sion!heKingo glory purposed tohumbleHimsel toallenhumanity!HewouldplaceHiseetinAdamssteps.

Hewouldtakemansallennature.Conrontation, 1718.

As JesusputHis eet inthe ootsteps oallenAdam,

mayweputoureetintheootstepsotheOnewhowasaltogethervictoriousoversinandSatanwithinournature,

andthus,byaithinthatall-suicientsacriiceandthe

powerotheHolySpirit,maywetoobemorethancon-

querorsthroughthenameoJesusChrist.

Dr. Marshall Grosboll (19471991) graduated rom Union

College. Ater a urther degree in Health

Sciences rom Loma Linda, he pastored in

several o our churches rom 1975 to 1987.During those years he wrote StepstoLie

BibleStudies, which the Review and Herald

printed and disseminated widely, and wentto Andrews or advanced studies and degree.

He also traveled around the world as an associate speaker with

Ron Spear. In late 1987, he let denominational work to devote

ull-time energies to ounding his ministry Steps to Lie. He haslet a legacy o worldwide Bible study correspondence schools

and a host o insightul, spiritual writings.

13SAH Issue No. 1


14/32

Seventh-dayAdventistshavelongunderstoodthat

nomanwillenterthekingdomoheavenunlesshehasthesealothelivingGodinhisorehead.

Presently,Godisholdingbacktheterriblewindso

strieuntileverymanandwomanhastheopportunityto

acceptthisseal:

AndIsawanotherangelascendingromtheeast,hav-ingthesealothelivingGod:andhecriedwithaloudvoice

totheourangels,towhomitwasgiventohurttheearth

andthesea,saying,Hurtnottheearth,neitherthesea,northetrees,tillwehavesealedtheservantsoourGodin

theiroreheads.Revelation7:2-3.

Scripturetestiiestotheactthatthosesealedatthe

endotimearedesignatedasthe144,000:AndIheardthenumberothemwhichweresealed:and

thereweresealedanhundredandortyandourthousand

oallthetribesorthechildrenoIsrael,Revelation7:4.

hesealothelivingGodrepresentsthenameotheFatherwrittenintheiroreheads:

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mountSion,andwithhimanhundredortyand ourthousand,

having his Fathers name written in their oreheads.Revelation14:1.

Gods name isHis character.1Tosewho receive thesealoGodwillconstitutethosewhopossessthecharacter

oChrist.TisisevidentromthetestimonyoScripture:

Andintheirmouthwasoundnoguile:ortheywere

withoutaultbeorethethroneoGod.Revelation14:5.TeyhaveacceptedChristastheirexample:

Forevenhereuntowereyecalled:becauseChristalso

Russell Standish

sueredorus,leavingusanexample,thatyeshouldol-

lowhissteps:whodidnosin,neitherwasguileoundinhismouth.IPeter2:21-22.

Teyarealsotermedtheremnant:

TeremnantoIsraelshallnotdoiniquity,norspeak

lies: neither shall a deceitul tongue be ound in their

mouth:ortheyshalleedandliedown,andnoneshallmakethemaraid.Zephaniah3:13.

Tose who receive the seal o the Jiving God will

bevirgins:Teseare theywhichwere not deledwithwomen;

ortheyarevirgins.TesearetheywhichollowtheLamb

whithersoeverhegoeth.Tesewereredeemedromamong

men, being the rst ruits unto God and to the Lamb.Revelation14:4.

Te term virgin is used to indicate purity o lie

andpurity odoctrine.Paul desired such purity or the

Corinthianbelievers:ForIamjealousoveryouwithgodlyjealousy:orIhave

espousedyoutoonehusband,thatImaypresentyouasachastevirgintoChrist.2Corinthians11:2.

He contrasts chaste virgins with those who are be-guiledbyalsedoctrines:

ButIear,lestbyanymeans,astheserpentbeguiledEve

throughhis subtilty,so yourminds shouldbe corrupted

romthesimplicitythatisinChrist.ForihethatcomethpreachethanotherJesus,whomwehavenotpreached,or

iyereceiveanotherspirit,whichyehavenotreceived,or

anothergospel,whichyehavenotaccepted,yemightwell

bearwithhim.2Corinthians11:3-4.



15/32

Elements of a Seal

We, asa people,have also recognized that the termsealreerstotheancientsealsusedbythesecularrulers

inthedayswhenScripturewaswritten.Tesesealscon-

tainedthreeelements:therulersname,histitleorauthor-

ity,andhisareaojurisdiction.Tus,EmperorAugustusseal stated:Caesar Augustus (name) Emperor (title) Ro-

manEmpire (dominion).Teseal oPilate,used tosealChriststombinapatheticeortto preventChristsres-

urrection, stated:Pontius Pilate (name),governor (title)Judea(areaojurisdiction).Isaiahprovidestheclueasto

wherethesealoGodmaybeound:

Bindupthetestimony,sealthelawamongmydisciples.

Isaiah8:16.An examination o the lawoGoddemonstrates that

notoneothelastvecommandmentscontainasingle

elementotheseal.Tesecond,third,andthcommand-

mentsdocontainGodsname,buttheothertwoelementsare absent. Te rst commandment likewise contains

Godsnamealoneinthepronounme.

Onlytheourthcommandmentoallthetencontainsallothemandatorythreeelementsotheseal:Rememberthesabbathday,tokeepitholy.Sixdaysshaltthoulabour,

anddoallthywork:buttheseventhdayisthesabbatho

theLORDthyGod:[name]initthoushaltnotdoanywork,

thou,northyson,northydaughter,thymanservant,northymaidservant,northycattle,northystranger thatis

within thygates: or insixdaystheLORD[name]made

[title]heavenandearth,thesea,andallthatinthemis[do-

minion],andrestedtheseventhday:whereoretheLORDblessedthesabbathday,andhallowedit.Exodus20:8-11.

TusthosewhoreceivethesealothelivingGodwill

bethosewhomaniestChristscharacterbykeepingtheourth commandment.ManySeventh-dayAdventists to-daydisputetheactthatthesealothelivingGodisen-

shrinedin theourthcommandment,advancingurther

to doubtthattheSabbathwillbe the

chiepointoissueattheendotime.Suchareontheroadtoperil.

Te seal o the living God and

theSabbathareinextricablyunited.

Tey have ever been the points atissue in the great controversy.Te

ourthcommandmentisplacedcen-

trallyinthelawoGodoragoodrea-

son.Itisthecentralissueinthelaw.Tekeytothiscentral-ityisoundinthersteightwordsothecommandment:

Rmmb h Sbbh y kp hly. (Allem-phasisaddedunlessotherwisenoted).

The Sabbath Seal

ManyemphasizetheneedtoprepareourSabbathood,

clothing,andtoiletriesonthepreparationday.Inthistheydowell,orsuchpreparationismandatedintheScriptures

andintheSpiritoProphecy.However,anv

pp isalsorequiredonthesixthdayotheweek:thepreparationoourheartsinholinesstotheLord.In

ordertokeeptheSabbathholy,menmustthemselvesbeholy.Te Desire o Ages, 283.

OuropeningoSabbathworshipsshouldcontainmo-

mentso reection. Iunconessed andunorsakensins

remaininourlives,thesemustbebroughttotheLordintruerepentanceoheart.IweentertheSabbathhours

with breaches o any one o the other nine command-mentsunconessed andunorsaken,we arenotkeeping

theourth.WemaylustilysingthehymnsoZion;wemaypray;wemayteachtheSabbathschoolclass,collectthe

oeringsorevenpreachthedivineservice,butwearenot

keepingtheSabbath.WearemereSaturdaykeepersnot

Sabbathkeepers.TustrueSabbathkeepinginholinessoheartinvolves

thekeepingotheentirelawoGod.rulythisdoesrep-

resentHis seal. Sincethe law o God isa transcript o

Hischaracter,thisistheexplicitreasonwhyonlythosewho reect Christs character will receive the seal o

thelivingGod.

ItisSatansstudiedaimthatnonewillreceivethisseal.TegreatcontroversyhasbeenoverthecharacteroourGod.SatanhasmadethevileaccusationthattheBiblical

claimthatGodislove(IJohn4:8)isalse.Heevencon-

vincedone-thirdotheangelsothisdiabolicalalsehood.

Obeying Gods Law

It was because o this accusation that Jesus spent

thirty-threeyearsonthisearthinordertodemonstrate

the act that God could save only thosewho keep His

lawthosewhoreceivedthesealothelivingGod.Christ

demonstratedthealsityoSatansclaimthatGodwasun-justinrequiringperectobediencetoHislawrombeings

withallennatures.Tearchdeceiver couldhardlyclaim

thatbeingswithunallennaturescouldnotkeepthelaw.

Teholyangelsandcreatedbeingsonotherplanetshaveamplydemonstratedthatact.Butallenman,Satancon-

tended, could never obey Gods law.Tus he indicated

thatnomancouldkeepthelawoGod.TeworldsRe-deemerpassedoverthegroundwhereAdamellbecause

ohisdisobeyingtheexpressedlawoJehovah;andthe

onlybegottenSonoGodcametoourworldasaman,to

revealtotheworldthatmencouldkeepthelawoGod.Satan,theallenangel,haddeclaredthatnomancould

keep the law o God the disobedience o Adam.Manuscript Releases, vol.5,112;vol.6,334.

However, an even greater preparation is also requiredon the sixth day of the week: the preparation of ourhearts in holiness to the Lord. In order to keep the

Sabbath holy, men must themselves be holy.

15SAH Issue No. 1


16/32

A key word in the above statement is the one

emphasized:ater.IJesushadenteredthisworldwith

thenatureoAdambeoretheall,Hecouldneverhavesi-lencedSatansclaimthatallenhumanbeings,whenlled

withthepowerotheHolySpirit,couldnotobeythelawo

GodaterthedisobedienceoAdam.Tusnomanwould

receivethesealothelivingGod.Had it not been necessary or Christ inHis earthly

lietochallengethisdespicablesataniclie,HecouldhavesimplyarrivedonthisearthontheTursdaypriortothe

crucixion and ullled the sacricial atonement. How-ever,itwasacrucialpartotheplanosalvationthatrom

childhoodtomaturemanhoodChristcouldprovethata

manwithaallennature,whenempoweredwiththeHoly

Spirit,couldkeepthelawoGodandlivealieoChristiancharacter perection. In this demonstration, there was

nolessanassurancethanthatwemayreceivethevital

sealothelivingGod.

Jesus kept the ourth commandment perectly, theshameul accusations o the Jewish church leadersnot-

withstanding,andindoingso,Hekeptallotheother

ninecommandments.TisisthespecicreasonwhytheSabbathisasignosanctication,whichmeansholiness:SpeakthoualsountothechildrenoIsrael,saying,Ver-

ilymysabbathsyeshallkeep:oritisasignbetweenme

andyouthroughoutyourgenerations;thatyemayknow

thatIamtheLORDthatdothsanctiyyou.Exodus31:13.

Again,itisemphasizedthattheentire controversybe-

tweenChristandSatancentersaroundthelawoGod,o

whichtheSabbathisthecentraleatureandthesealo

thelivingGod.Tus,weshouldnotbesurprisedtodiscoverthatthe

veryrstverseoScripturecontainsthesealotheliving

Godandthatintheverylastmessageolovetotheworld

isalsoenshrinedthesealothelivingGod.Tisisnomat-terochance.ItisinthedesignotheAuthoroScripture,

ortheentireScriptureisprovidedthatwemightreceive

thebestowaloourGodsgreatestgit:thesealotheliv-ingGod.Tus,thatsealispresentedromtheveryincep-tionoHolyWritinasentenceoameretenwords:Inthe

beginningGod[name]created[title]theheavenandthe

earth[dominion].Genesis1:1.TisisHisrstoerothe

sealothelivingGod.

The First Angels Call

oday it is our privilege and our obligation to pres-

entGodslastandgreatestmessageoloveto theworld.

Few have recognized in the rst angelsmessage Gods

plaintive plea that mankind receive Hisgreatestgit o

love,Hisseal:

Sayingwithaloudvoice,FearGod,[name]andgiveglo-rytohim;orthehourohisjudgmentiscome:andwor-

shiphimthatmade[title]heaven,andearth,andthesea,andtheountainsowaters.[dominion]Revelation14:7.

Indeed,Gods creatorship isHis ultimate title to beacknowledgedastheKingokingsandLordolords,the

Rulerotheentireuniverse.SeeDeuteronomy4:32.

Aswerecognizetheactthattherstangelsmessage

insummaryisanurgentcallorman-kind to receive the Lords greatest

gitthesealothelivingGod,His

characterasenshrinedinthelawo

Godandthelawonature,andthelaw o health (Give glory to Him,

Revelation14:7;comparewith1Cor-inthians 6:19-20; 10:31), the mag-

nicentsymmetryothethreeangelsmessagesbecomesevident.

Terstangelsmessageoersreelythesealotheliv-

ingGod.Tethirdangelsmessage,bycontrast,isGods

lastdesperatewarningtothosewhohaveeschewedthere-ceptionotheseal,settingoutingraphictermstheterror

andtormentomindandbodyawaitingthosewhowould

ratheracceptthemarkothebeast.SeeRevelation14:9-

11.Bothmessagesdemonstrate thedictumthatGodislove.

The Second Angels Message Still Relevant

ButwhyhasthealloBabylonandthewarningagainst

thedrinkingothewineothewrathoherornication

beenplacedcentrallyinthislastmessage?First,wemustdeterminethemeaningothisapparentlycurioussecond

angelsmessage.Aterall,whatrelevancedoesanevent

whichoccurredtwoandone-halmillenniaagohavetothe

nalgenerationothisearth?Surelythe alloBabylonunder themilitary thrust oMedo-Persia is ancient his-

tory,ratherthanpresenttruth.

It was a crucial part of the plan of salvation thatfrom childhood to mature manhood Christ could prove

that a man with a fallen nature, when empowered

with the Holy Spirit, could keep the law of God.



17/32

No!Neverwasthismessagemorerelevantthanitis

today,orthereligionoBabylonhasspreadworldwide.It

isthelargestreligioninthisoldworld.Babylonsreligionisaliveandwell,andGoddeclaresittobeallen.

Inordertounderstandthemeaningotheallospiri-

tualBabylon,wemustunderstandtheeventssurrounding

thealloliteralBabylon,orthesamewordswereutteredpropheticallyconcerningliteralBabylonsallaswerepro-

claimedconcerningtheallospiritualBabylon.TusIsa-iahdeclared,Babylonisallen,isallen.Isaiah21:9.Jer-

emiahproclaimedthewineothewrathotheornicationoBabylonsall:

Babylonhathbeena goldencupintheLORDShand,

thatmadealltheearthdrunken:thenationshavedrunken

oherwine;thereorethenationsaremad.Jeremiah51:7.Fortunately,adetailedhistoryothealloliteralBab-

ylonisoundinScripture.OnthelasteveningotheBaby-

lonianEmpire:Belshazzarthekingmadeagreateastto

athousandohislords,anddrankwinebeorethethou-sand.Daniel5:1.Tatwinewasthewineothewratho

Babylonsornication!

Tis blasphemous King Belshazzar, who well knewalloGodsmercyextendedtohisgrandather,KingNe-buchadnezzar (see Daniel 5:22), deigned to insult the

Godoheaven:

Belshazzar,whileshetastedthewine,commandedto

bringthegoldenandsilvervesselswhichhisatherNebu-chadnezzarhadtakenoutothetemplewhichwasinJe-

rusalem;thattheking,andhisprinces,hiswives,andhis

concubines,mightdrinktherein.Daniel5:2.

ToseholyvesselshadbeendedicatedortheserviceoGodalone.Inthetempleservicestheyhadbeendesig-

natedasreceptaclesorthesymbolsothepureandholy

bloodwhichtheSonoGodwastoshedoroursins.Teywerenevercratedinorderthatalcohol,asymbolosin,shouldbeplacedinthem.Teunermentedgrapejuiceo

thedrinkoeringsandthebloodoanimalswithoutspot

orblemishaloneweretoenterthosevessels.

ButBelshazzar,inanactoearuldeanceotheGodoheaven, contrived todesecratethoseholyvessels. He

mixedthesacredandtheproane,truthwitherror,the

pureandholyreligionoChristwithpaganworship.

Tis act is documented by his subsequent worshipo idols using these sacred vessels while engaged in a

drunkenorgy:

Tentheybroughtthegoldenvesselsthatweretaken

outothetempleothehouseoGodwhichwasatJerusa-lem;andtheking,andhisprinces,hiswives,andhiscon-

cubines,drankinthem.Teydrankwine,andpraisedthe

godsogold,andosilver,obrass,oiron,owood,ando

stone.Daniel5:3-4.Maniestly,thewineothewrathoBabylonsornica-

tionwasthemixingotheundeledreligionoGodwith

paganworship.Tisadmixtureothesacredandproane,

God would not tolerate. Just as sexual immorality wasaptlyusedtoillustrateJudahsapostasy,sotoowithBaby-

lonwhenJudahturnedtothemixtureoGodsreligion

withidolworship.SeeEzekiel8.Goddeclared,thouhast

playedtheharlotwithmanylovers(Jeremiah3:1);thou

hastpollutedthelandwiththywhoredomsandwiththywickedness (Jeremiah 3:2); thou hadst a whores ore-

head,thoureusedsttobeashamed(Jeremiah3:3);thou

hathplayedtheharlot(Jeremiah3:6).

odayGoddeclaresthatthevastmajorityoChristiansareguiltyotheverysamespiritualornication.BothCa-

tholicism and apostate Protestantism have unied ourGodspureandholyaithwithnumerouspagandoctrines,

estivals,andpractices.Goddeclaressuchreligiontobeallen.Hislasturgentcallisorthetrueinhearttocome

outoher,mypeople,thatyebenotpartakersohersins,

andthatyereceivenotoherplagues.Revelation18:4.

Tus,thesecondangelsmessageiscentrallyplacedinGodslastmessagetotheworld,orwhetherwereceivethe

sealothelivingGodorthemarkothebeastisdependent

uponourresponsetothereligionoBabylon.Iweaccept

thereligionoBabylon,weshallreceivetheearulmarkothebeast.Iweeschewthatreligion,weshallreceive

thesealothelivingGod.Godhasletthisdecisionoall

decisionstous.Tisisnotaneasydecision,orthereligionoBabylon

willbeorcedupontheworldbothbyuniversaleconomic

boycottsanddeathdecrees:

Andhehadpowertogivelieuntotheimageothe

beast,thattheimageothebeastshouldbothspeak,andcausethatasmanyaswouldnotworshiptheimageothe

beastshouldbekilled.Andhecausethall,bothsmalland

great,richandpoor,reeandbond,toreceiveamarkin

theirrighthand,orintheiroreheads:andthatnomanmightbuyorsell,savehethathadthemark,orthenameo

thebeast,orthenumberohisname.Revelation13:15-17.

Many,inordertoescapethesedirepenalties,willwor-

shipinthismannerwhilebeingullyawareothealsity

otheBabylonianreligion.Teywillreceivethemarkothebeastbypretenseintheirhands.Otherswillhave

chosentoacceptthealseaith,eschewingevidencerom

Scripture,and theyhaveollowedthisalseaithby con-

viction.Teyreceivethemarkothebeastintheirore-

heads.TesealothelivingGodisneverreceivedin the

17SAH Issue No. 1



18/32

hand(seeRevelation7:3;14:1),orthatsealcanneverbe

receivedbypretenseonlybyconvictionoheart.

New Doctrines in our Midst

odaythereligionoBabylonisknockingpersistently

onthedooroSeventh-dayAdventism.Many,tragically,are welcoming its entrance into our midst. Te sacred

andproaneareunitedinnewdoctrinesenteringourbe-lovedchurchromBabylonincludingproaneSabbath

keeping,disobediencetotheDecalogue,dismissalothehighpriestlyministryoChrist,disregardothecounsels

otheSpirito Prophecy,questioningothe imminence

oChristsreturn,unaithulstewardshipandnumerous

otherbreachesoourpureandholyaith.Our worship services today have introduced pagan

charismaticelements,believingthatapureandholyGod

willacceptsuchaninsulttoHisholinessandmajesty.We

have adopted pagan standards o entertainment, dressandmorality, andotenauntthesebeoreourGodpre-

sumptively,believingthatHisgreatloveandmercywill

stayusromthewrathothelastdays.Wehaveunitedin

ecumenicalcontacts,services, andprograms,disdainingGodscallthatwebeachosengeneration,aroyalpriest-

hood, anholy nation,a peculiar people;thatye shouldsheworththepraisesohimwhohathcalledyououto

darknessintohismarvelouslight(1Peter2:9),orgettingthatHegavehimselorus,thathemightredeemusrom

all iniquity, and puriy unto himsel a peculiar people,

zealousogoodworks.itus2:14.

ManyarenowullyespousingpaganestivalssuchasEasterwithitssun-worshipingsunriseservices.Weollow

the pagan practice o religious intolerance, persecuting

thosewho,inloveortheirLordandHisbrothersandsis-

ters,callorareormationsosorelyneededinourmidst.

All these andmuchmoreareoursins,while atender,

lovingGod,Hisscarredhandsoutstretched,warnsuso

the catastrophic results o accepting these Babylonianwayswhich,iunrepentedo,willleadtoourreceptiono

themarkothebeast.Incontrast,intheselastew,dwin-

dlingdaysoprobation,HeoersusHeavensgreatestgit:

thesealothelivingGod.Howcanweanylongerdisdainsuchlove?

1 MosesaskedGod,whoappearedtohimattheburningbush,Behold,whenIcomeuntothechildrenoIsrael,andshallsayuntothem,TeGodoyourathershathsentmeuntoyou:

andtheyshallsaytome,Whatishisname?whatshallIsayuntothem?NotethatGodsanswertoMosesclearlyemphasizesHisnaturewhatHeisorHischaracter.AndGodsaiduntoMoses,IAMHAIAM:andhesaid.TusshaltthousayuntothechildrenoIsrael.Exodus3:13-14.

Pleasenotealsothat,whentheangelappearedtoJosephinadream,hetoldhimthatMarywouldbringorthaSon,and

thattheyshouldcallHimJesus,whichmeanssaviour,becauseHewouldsavehispeopleromtheirsins.Matthew1:21.

Dr. Russell Standish (19332008) beganhis service or the Lord as a teacher indenominational schools. Ater earning degreesin psychology and medicine, he practiced in

Australia and England, and then entered themission eld in Tailand and Singapore beorereturning to Australia. Perhaps his greatest andbest-known experience occurred during his next

missionary role as president o Bangkok Adventist Hospital, whosedire economic plight reversed exceedingly when the Sabbath was

honored there, and many were converted. Tat story was repeated atPenang Adventist Hospital. His soul-winning eorts were such thathe was ordained to the gospel ministry. In his 40s, he and his brotheraccepted the plea o some concerned brethren to warn Gods churchabout theological errors creeping into it. Tat led to the Bangkoktapes and to the rst o 64 books he coauthored with his twin brotherColin:AdventismVindicated . Russell ultimately settled in Australiawhere he began Highwood College, along with a health center and theRemnant Herald. His wie Glenice and devoted others carry on hiswork.

Today the religion of Babylon is knocking persistentlyon the door of Seventh-day Adventism. Many, tragically,

are welcoming its entrance into our midst.



19/32

Far more sacredness is attached to the Sabbath than is

given it by many proessed Sabbathkeepers. he Lord

has been greatly dishonored by those who have not kept

the Sabbath according to the commandment, either in the letteror in the spirit. He calls or a reorm in the observance o the

Sabbath. CounselsortheChurch , 263.

Heed the First Word

of the Fourth CommandmentRememberis placed at the very irsto the Fourth

Commandment. Parents,youneedto remember theSab-

bathdayyourselvestokeepitholy.Andiyoudothis,youaregiving theproper instruction toyourchildren; they

will reverence Gods holy day. . . . Christian education

isneededinyourhomes.Allthroughtheweekkeepthe

LordsholySabbathinview,orthatdayistobedevotedtotheserviceoGod.Itisadaywhenthehandsaretorest

romworldlyemployment,whenthesoulsneedsaretore-

ceiveespecialattention.

WhentheSabbathisthusremembered,thetemporal

will not be allowed to encroach upon the spiritual. Nodutypertainingtothesixworkingdayswillbeletorthe

Sabbath.Duringtheweekourenergieswillnotbesoex-

haustedintemporallaborthatonthedaywhentheLordrestedandwasrereshed,weshallbetoowearytoengage

inHisservice.

Preparation Day

OnFridayletthepreparationortheSabbathbecom-

pleted.Seethatall theclothingisinreadiness,andthat

allthecookingisdone.Letthebootsbeblacked,andthe

bathsbetaken.Itispossibletodothis.Iyoumakeita

rule,youcandoit.heSabbathisnottobegiventothe

repairingogarments,tothecookingoood,topleasureseeking,ortoanyotherworldlyemployment.Beorethe

settingothesun,letallsecularworkbelaidaside,and

all secular papers be put out o sight. Parents, explain

yourworkanditspurposetoyourchildren,andletthem

shareinyourpreparationtokeeptheSabbathaccordingtothecommandment.

Inmany amilies [on Sabbath] boots and shoes are

blackedandbrushed,andstitchesaretaken,allbecausetheselittleoddsandendswerenotdoneonFriday.hey

didnotremembertheSabbathdaytokeepitholy....

OnFridaytheclothingothechildrenistobelooked

ater.Duringtheweektheyshouldbealllaidoutbytheirownhandsunderthedirectionothemother,sothatthey

candressquietly,withoutanyconusionorrushingabout

andhastyspeeches.

hereisanotherworkthatshouldreceiveattentiononthepreparationday.Onthisdayalldierencesbetween

brethren,whetherintheamilyorinthechurch,shouldbeputaway.

The Sabbath OpensWith the Family at Worship

Beorethesettingothesun,letthemembersothe

amily assemble to read Gods Word, to sing and pray.

hereisneedoreormhere,ormanyhavebeenremiss.WeneedtoconesstoGodandtooneanother.Weshould

begin anew to make special arrangements that every

KeepHolytheSabbath

Ellen G. White

19SAH Issue No. 1

PhotoCopyright:PaulWilliams


20/32

He who from the heart obeys the fourthcommandment will obey the whole law. He is

sanctified through obedience. CC, 261.

memberotheamilymaybepreparedtohonortheday

whichGodhasblessedandsanctiied.

Sabbath Hours Not Ours but Gods

God has givenus the whole o six days inwhich to

doourwork,andhasreservedonlyonetoHimsel.hisshouldbeadayoblessingtous--adaywhenweshouldlay

asidealloursecularmattersandcenterourthoughtsuponGodandheaven.

WhentheSabbathcommences,weshouldplaceaguarduponourselves,uponouractsandourwords,lestwerob

Godbyappropriatingtoourownusethattimewhichis

strictly theLords.We shouldnot doourselves, nor su-

erourchildrentodo,anymanneroourownworkoralivelihoodoranythingwhichcouldhavebeendoneonthe

sixworkingdays.Fridayisthedayopreparation.ime

canthenbedevotedtomakingthenecessarypreparation

ortheSabbathandtothinkingandconversingaboutit.NothingwhichwillinthesightoHeavenberegardedasa

violationotheholySabbathshouldbeletunsaidorun-

done,tobesaidordoneupontheSabbath.GodrequiresnotonlythatwererainromphysicallaborupontheSab-bath,butthatthemindbedisciplinedtodwelluponsacred

themes. he Fourth Commandment is virtually trans-

gressedbyconversinguponworldlythingsorbyengaging

inlightandtrilingconversation.alkinguponanythingoreverythingwhichmaycomeintothemindisspeaking

ourownwords.Everydeviationromrightbringsusinto

bondageandcondemnation.

Sabbath Time Too Precious to Sleep Away

Noneshouldpermitthemselves,throughtheweek,tobecomesoabsorbedintheirtemporalinterests,andsoex-

haustedbytheireortsorworldlygain,thatontheSab-

baththeyhavenostrengthorenergytogivetotheserviceoGod.WearerobbingtheLordwhenweunitourselves

toworshipHimuponHisholyday.Andwearerobbingour-selvesaswell;orweneedthewarmthandglowoassocia-

tion,aswellasthestrengthtobegainedromthewisdom

andexperienceootherChristians.LetnottheprecioushoursotheSabbathbewastedin

bed.OnSabbathmorningtheamilyshouldbeastirearly.

Itheyriselate,thereisconusionandbustleinpreparing

orbreakastandSabbathschool.hereishurrying,jos-tling,andimpatience.husunholyeelingscomeintothe

home.heSabbath,thusdesecrated,becomesaweariness,

anditscomingisdreadedratherthanloved.

Attend Public Worship With Children

Fathersandmothersshouldmakeita rulethattheirchildrenattendpublicworshipontheSabbath,andshould

enorcetherulebytheirownexample.Itisourdutyto

commandourchildrenandourhouseholdaterus,asdid

Abraham.Byexampleaswellaspreceptweshouldimpressuponthemtheimportanceoreligiousteaching.Allwho

havetakenthebaptismalvowhavesolemnlyconsecratedthemselvestotheserviceoGod;theyareundercovenant

obligationto place themselves andtheir childrenwherethey may obtain all possible incentives and encourage-

mentintheChristianlie.

ButwhileweworshipGod,wearenottoconsiderthisa

drudgery.heSabbathotheLordistobemadeablessingtousandtoourchildren.heyaretolookupontheSab-

bathasadayodelight,adaywhichGodhassanctiied;

andtheywillsoconsiderititheyareproperlyinstructed.

Wear Comely Garments

for the House of WorshipManyneedinstructionastohowtheyshouldappearin

theassemblyorworshipontheSabbath.heyarenotto

enterthepresenceoGodinthecommonclothingwornduringtheweek.AllshouldhaveaspecialSabbathsuit,to

bewornwhenattendingserviceinGodshouse.Whilewe

shouldnotconormtoworldlyashions,wearenottobe

indierentinregardtoouroutwardappearance.Wearetobeneatandtrim,thoughwithoutadornment.hechil-

drenoGodshouldbepurewithinandwithout.

Explain Sabbath Sermon to the Children

Ministersare engaged ina sacred, solemnwork,but

uponthosewhohearrestsjustassacredaresponsibility.

hey are to hearwitha determination to ollow the in-

structionthatallmustpracticewhogaineternallie.Eachhearer should strive to understand

eachpresentation oBible truth as

Godsmessagetohim,tobereceived

byaithandputintopracticeinthedaily lie. Parents should explain

to their children thewords spoken

romthepulpit,thattheyalsomay

understandandhavethatknowledge

whichiputintopracticebringsabundantgraceandpeace.

Provide Special Treat for Mealtime

WeshouldnotprovideortheSabbathamoreliberalsupply or a greatervariety o oodthan or otherdays.

Insteadothistheoodshouldbemoresimple,andless

shouldbeeaten,inorderthatthemindmaybeclearand

vigorous to comprehendspiritual things.Overeating be-ogsthebrain.hemostpreciouswordsmaybeheardand

notappreciated,becausethemindisconusedbyanim-



21/32

proper diet. By overeating on the Sabbath, many have

donemorethantheythinktodishonorGod.WhilecookingupontheSabbathshouldbeavoided,it

isnotnecessarytoeatcoldood.In coldweatherlettheoodpreparedthedaybeorebeheated.Andletthemeals,

thoughsimple,bepalatableandattractive.Providesome-thingthatwillberegardedasatreat,somethingtheam-

ilydonothaveeveryday.

The Rest of the Day Is Precious

heSabbath school andthemeeting or worship oc-

cupyonlyapartotheSabbath.heportionremaining

totheamilymaybemadethemostsacredandprecious

seasonoalltheSabbathhours.Muchothistimeparents

shouldspendwiththeirchildren.

Plan Suitable Reading and Conversation

he Sabbath--oh!--make it the sweetest, the mostblesseddayotheweek....Parentscanandshouldgiveat-

tentiontotheirchildren,readingtothemthemostattrac-

tiveportionsoBiblehistory,educatingthemtoreverence

the Sabbathday, keeping it according to the command-ment.hiscannotbedoneitheparentseelnoburden

tointeresttheirchildren.ButtheycanmaketheSabbath

adelightitheywilltakethepropercourse.hechildren

canbeinterestedingoodreadingorinconversationabout

thesalvationotheirsouls.Buttheywillhavetobeedu-catedandtrained.henaturalheartdoesnotlovetothink

oGod,oheaven,oroheavenlythings.heremustbea

continualpressingbackothecurrentoworldlinessandinclinationtoevilandalettinginoheavenlylight.

Not Indifferent to Childrens Activities

IhaveoundthatontheSabbathdaymanyareindi-erentanddonotknowwheretheirchildrenareorwhat

theyaredoing.Parents,aboveeverythingtakecareoyour

childrenupontheSabbath.Donotsuerthemtoviolate

Godsholydaybyplayinginthehouseorout-o-doors.You

mayjustaswellbreaktheSabbathyourselvesastoletyourchildrendoit,andwhenyousueryourchildrentowan-

deraboutandsuerthemtoplayupontheSabbath,

GodlooksuponyouasSabbathbreakers.

Out-of-doors With the Children

he parentsmay take their children outdoors

toviewGodinnature.heycanbepointedtothe

bloominglowersandtheopeningbuds,thelotytreesandbeautiulspiresograss,andtaughtthatGodmade

alltheseinsixdaysandrestedontheseventhdayand

hallowedit.hustheparentsmaybinduptheirlessonso

instructiontotheirchildren,sothatwhenthesechildrenlookuponthethingsonature,theywillcalltomindthe

greatCreatorothemall.heirthoughtswillbecarriedup

tonaturesGod--backtothecreationoourworld,when

theoundationotheSabbathwaslaid,andallthesonsoGodshoutedorjoy.Sucharethelessonstobeimpressed

onthemindsoourchildren.Wearenottoteachourchildrenthattheymustnot

behappyontheSabbath,thatitiswrongtowalkout-o-doors.Oh,no.ChristledHisdisciplesoutbythelakeside

ontheSabbathdayandtaughtthem.Hissermonsonthe

Sabbathwerenotalwayspreachedwithinenclosedwalls.

Other Lessons From NatureObject Lessons

eachthechildrentoseeChristinnature.akethem

outintotheopenair,underthenobletrees,intothegar-

den;andinallthewonderulworksocreationteachthem

toseeanexpressionoHislove.eachthemthatHemadethelawswhichgovernalllivingthings,thatHehasmade

lawsorus,andthattheselawsareorourhappinessand

joy.Donotwearythemwith longprayersandtediousex-hortations,butthroughnaturesobjectlessonsteachthem

obediencetothelawoGod.

Give True Concept of Gods Character

Howcanchildrenreceiveamorecorrectknowledgeo

God,andtheirmindsbebetterimpressed,thaninspend-

ingaportionotheirtimeout-o-doors,notinplay,but

incompanywiththeirparents?Lettheiryoungmindsbe

associated withGod in thebeautiul scenery onature;lettheirattentionbecalledtothetokensoHisloveto

maninHiscreatedworks,andtheywillbeattractedand

interested.heywillnotbein dangeroassociatingthecharacteroGodwitheverythingthatissternandsevere;

butas theyviewthebeautiul things whichHehas cre-

atedorthehappinessoman,theywillbeledtoregard

Himasatender,lovingFatherheywillseethatHispro-hibitions and injunctions arenot made merely to show

Hispowerandauthority,butthatHehasthehappinesso

Hischildreninview.

21SAH Issue No. 1

PhotoCopyright:PaulWilliams


22/32

AsthecharacteroGodputs onthe aspecto love,be-

nevolence,beauty,andattraction,theyaredrawntolove

Him.Youcandirecttheirmindstothelovelybirdsmak-ingtheairmusicalwiththeirhappysongs,tothespireso

grassandthegloriouslytintedlowersintheirperection

perumingtheair.Alltheseproclaimtheloveandskillo

theheavenlyArtistandshoworththegloryoGod.Parents, why not make use o the precious lessons

whichGodhasgivenusinthebookonature,togiveour

childrenacorrectideaoHischaracter?hosewhosacri-

icesimplicitytoashionandshutthemselvesawayrom

thebeautiesonaturecannotbespirituallyminded.heycannotunderstandtheskillandpoweroGodasrevealed

inHiscreatedworks;thereoretheirheartsdonotquickenandthrobwithnew love andinterest,and they arenot

illedwithaweandreverenceastheyseeGodinnature.

A Day to Live the Life of Eden

hevalueotheSabbathasameansoeducationisbe-

yondestimate.WhateverooursGodclaimsromus,Here-turnsagain,enriched,transigured,withHisownglory....

he Sabbathand the amily were alike instituted in

Eden,andinGodspurposetheyareindissolublylinked

together.Onthisdaymorethanonanyother,itispos-

sibleorustolivethelieoEden.ItwasGodsplanorthemembersotheamilytobeassociatedinworkand

study,inworshipandrecreation,theatheraspriestohis

household,and both atherandmotheras teachersandcompanionsotheirchildren.Buttheresultsosin,hav-

ingchangedtheconditionsolie,toagreatdegreeprevent

thisassociation.Otentheatherhardlyseestheaceso

hischildrenthroughouttheweek.Heisalmostwhollyde-privedo opportunity or companionship orinstruction.

ButGodslovehassetalimittothedemandsotoil.Over

theSabbathHeplacesHismerciulhand.InHisownday

HepreservesortheamilyopportunityorcommunionwithHim,withnature,andwithoneanother.

Make the Sabbath a Delight

All who love God should do what they can to make

theSabbath a delight, holy andhonorable.heycannotdothisbyseekingtheirownpleasureinsinul,orbidden

amusements.YettheycandomuchtoexalttheSabbathin

theiramiliesandmakeitthemostinterestingdayothe

week.Weshoulddevotetimetointerestingourchildren.Achangewil lhaveahappy inluenceupon them.Wecan

walkoutwiththemintheopenair;wecansitwiththem

inthegrovesandinthebrightsunshine,andgivetheir

restlessmindssomethingtoeeduponbyconversingwith

themupontheworksoGod,andcaninspirethemwithloveandreverencebycallingtheirattentiontothebeauti-

ulobjectsinnature.

he Sabbath should be made so interesting to our

amiliesthatitsweeklyreturnwillbehailedwithjoy.Innobetterway canparentsexaltand honorthe Sabbath

than by devising means to impartproperinstructiontotheiramilies

and interesting them in spiritualthings,givingthemcorrectviewso

thecharacteroGodandwhatHere-

quiresousinordertoperectChris-

tiancharactersandattaintoeternallie.Parents,maketheSabbathade-

light,thatyourchildrenmaylookorwardtoitandhavea

welcomeintheirheartsorit.

A Fitting Climax in Prayer and Song

As thesungoesdown, let thevoiceoprayerand thehymnopraisemarkthecloseothesacredhours,andin-

viteGodspresencethroughthecaresotheweekolabor.

hus parents canmake theSabbath, as itshould be,themostjoyuldayotheweek.heycanleadtheirchil-

drento regard it asa delight,thedayo days,theholy

otheLord,honorable.

Child Guidance,p.527537.

Te Seventh-day Adventist Church believes thatthe when the tests o a true prophet are appliedto Ellen G. White, they conrm beyond doubtthat God bestowed upon her the promised gito prophecy. Tat git is one o two prominentcharacteristics o His church in the last days (Rev.12:17; Rev. 19:10), and indeed, her prophetic g itwas instrumental in the ormation o Seventh-day Adventism. Her inspired writings continue

to clariy and uplit the Word o God.

It means eternal salvation to keep the Sabbathholy unto the Lord. God says: Them that honor

Me I will honor. 1 Samuel 2:30. CCh 264.



23/32

History reveals that when the Scriptures are taught,conversions ollow. When preachers ail to give thetrumpet a certain sound, the church declines.Wearethechurchthatistakingtotheworldthethree

angels messages o Revelation 14. Tese words were

spokenbyamissionaryoanotheraithtoaSeventh-day

Adventistminister,whoheardtheminastonishment.Hehadneverbeoreheardarepresentativeoanyaithother

than Seventh-day Adventist make such a reerence tothesemessages.

Recovering romhissurprise,theAdventistministerasked:Whatareyoutellingtheworldaboutthemarko

thebeastinthethirdangelsmessage?Whatisthemark

othebeast?

Oh,wedonotknowwhatthatis,wasthereply.Andthesecondangelsmessage,aboutthealloBabylon?

Wedonotknowyet,wasagaintheanswer.

Andtherstangelsmessage,aboutthejudgmenthour?

Wedonotknowyet.Tey were taking the three angels messages to the

world,but theydid not knowwhat theymeant.We areorciblyremindedothestoryoAhimaaz,anaidetoKing

DavidsgeneralJoab,whowasdeendingthekingagainstarebellionledbyDavidsownsonAbsalom.See2Samuel

18.Absalomsrebelarmyhadbeendeeated,andAbsalom

himsel had been killed. Joab had dispatched another

aide,Cushi,whohadbeenacloseobserverotheevents,tocarrythenewsovictorytoDavid.Ahimaazbeggedor

theprivilege oalso running tothe king. Joab elt that

Ahimaaz, although he could run well, had no accurate

knowledgeothesituation,butheyieldedtohisappeal.Sotheeet-ootedAhimaazovertooktheslowerCushi

andarrivedinthepresenceothekingaheadohim.But

toDavidsanxiousquestion,IstheyoungmanAbsalomsae?Ahimaazcouldonlyanswer,1sawagreattumult,but I knew notwhat it was. From thenuntilnowthis

biblicalexperiencehasbeentheclassicillustrationothe

problemothemessengerwithoutamessage.

When the Christian Church Grew

How unlikely seems the strange situation, but howoteninthehistoryoChristianityhastheexperiencebeen

repeated!Whenwelookbackatthehistoryopreaching

inthechurchatlarge,weseeneitherasteadilyascending

graphlinenorasteadilydescendinggraphline,butrather

aseriesohighsandlows,ocontrastinghillsandvalleys.

HughTompsonKerrcountsourperiodsoelevationinthepreachingotheChristianchurch,andbetweenthem

threeperiodsodecline,timesinwhichthemessengers

losttheirmessage,andAhimaazranagain.1

Te high points, as he sees them, are (1) Tepreaching o the apostles in the rst century; (2)Te

ministries o Ambrose, Augustine, Basil, Chrysostom,andthetwoGregoriesintheourthandthcenturies;

(3) Te Reormation period in the sixteenth century;and (4) Te evangelical preaching o John and Charles

Wesley, Whiteeld, and their contemporaries in the

eighteenthcentury.

It willbe worthourtimeto pause and consider thecharacteristicsothepreachinginthetimeswhenitwas

mostsuccessul.TeNewestamentreportsvesermons

preached byPeter, one byStephen, andseveralbyPaul.

Tough much condensed, these sermons provide aninterestingviewotheapostolicstyle.

Itwasauthoritative, invokingtheauthorityoScripture,and with particular emphasis, the prophetic portions

oscripture.Itwas uncompromising. Neither is there salvation in

any other: or there is none other name under heaven

givenamongmen,wherebywemustbesaved.Acts4:12.

Itwasconrontational. TeGodoourathersraisedupJesus,whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.Acts5:30,all

emphasissupplied.

Itwasethically demanding. Nothinglessthanaholylie,

livedthroughHispower,wouldmeetthedemandsothe

gospel.TepastliewillbecoveredbyHisorgiveness,buttheremustbenointentionocontinuinginsin.

Itwassimple, practical, and direct. ohaveclothedsucha message in ornate rhetorical orms would have been

obviouslyinappropriate.Claritywasimportant;elegancewasnot.

Itincludedappeals or personal repentance. Tesewere

never omitted.Teguilt o the hearerswas seen to be

enormous,involvingtherejectionotheSonoGod.Buttheir cases were not hopeless. Forgiveness was oered

upontheconditionorepentance,anoptionavailableto

everyone,sononeneeddespair.

Tesewerethecharacteristicsothehighlysuccessul

AhimaazRuns Again

RalphLarson

23SAH Issue No. 1



24/32

apostolic preaching, and indeed o the preaching in all

otheourperiodsoeective andsuccessul preachingnotedbyKerr.

When the Christian Church Declined

Whatthenothethreeperiodsolessthansuccessul

preaching?Tey were clearly times when Ahimaaz ranagain,asthemessengerslosttheirmessage.Welookrst

attheperiododecline,betweentheapostolicpreachingand the more eective preaching o the ourth and

thcenturies:

Aterthedeathotheapostlesandtheirellowworkers

thereisadecline. 2

Wemust wait or threeormore centuriesater theapostolicpreachingortheeloquenceoChrysostomand

theGregories,AmbroseandAugustine. 3

Mucho the blame orthisdeclinein the quality o

preaching was due to the allegorizingoOrigen,whichwasimitatedbymanyothers,and,asMartinLutherlater

said,...putanoseowaxontheScriptures,whichcouldbeturned inany direction. We submit a sample,rom

OrigenshomilyonRebekahatthewell,romthevolumesoTe Church Fathers:

Rebekah going daily to the well represents daily

devotions.TewellistheScriptures.Abrahamsservantis

thepropheticword.Hiscamelsareirrationalandperversepeople.Puttingdownthewaterjarromhershoulderis

the rejectingoGreek pride and eloquence.Goingwith

Abrahamsservant tomeet Isaac is the church ollowing

the prophetic word. Dismounting rom her camel isdepartingromallvices.Tejewelryinherearsandonher

handsisgoldenwordsandgoldendeeds.HermarriagetoIsaacistheunionothesoulwithGod.

With such ludicrous distortions o the meaning oScriptureasthis example,itisreadilyapparentthatthe

vocation o preaching suered a great decline. It could

be accurately stated that themessengershad lost their

message,andAhimaazwasrunningagain.

Preachers Didnt Preach

TeinuenceoOrigen,whowascountedoneothe

great church athers, carried past the era o the great

preachers o the ourth and th centuries, whichKerr

seesasoneothehighsinpreaching,intothedarkandgloomyMiddleAges.Terewasactually little preaching

done, or the celebration o the mass came to be the

acceptedormoworship,andsuchpreachingaswasdonetendedtobeinLatinandinthestyleoOrigen.

Ingeneral,theclergydidnotpreach. 4

Overwidedistricts,andthroughlongyearsatatime,

therewouldbealmostnopreaching.Whenmenassembled

in churches itwas only towitnessceremonies andhearchantingandintoning.Isermonsweregiven,itwasin

manycountriesstillthecustomtopreachonlyinLatin,

whichthepeopledidnotunderstand. 5

Withceremoniesdisplacingsermons,andallegorizingdisplacing the proper use o Scripture, the long period

rom the th century to the sixteenth century was

tragicallyatimeinwhichthemessengershadnomessage,

andAhimaazranagain.Andjustastheourthandthethcenturiesbroughta

highinpreachingwhichwasollowedbyasharpdecline,evensotheReormationothesixteenthcenturybrought

ahighwhichwasinitstumollowedbyasharpdecline.TeeighteenthcenturymaterialismoFrance,thedeism

o England and the illuminism o Germany produceda

changeinsermonstyleandcontent.(Deismisthebelie

thatGodcreate

Documents

SAH Issue 1 Web