Vol. 38 Denver, Colorado, December 1963 No. 5

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Issued by the.

GENERAL CONFERENCE, S. D. A. REFORM MOVEMENT

To Be Read From December 6 to 15, 1963

INTRODUCTION

(N NEARLY every introduction to the Week\+-of Prayer it has been stressed that these

seasons of prayer are exceptionally earnestand solemn, because the fate of all human

ity now lies in the balance. Today, more than everbefore, we may say, “This is the preparation forthe hour of decision!” The prayer seasons thisyear are even more serious and solemn, not because we are one year nearer the closing ofearth’s history, but because every individualamong God’s people is now, or in the near future,facing a decision. Our days are days of the mostserious preparation!

Despite the injustices that are mounting higherevery day in the world, the Lord, in His greatmercy and grace, has given us another year. Atthe end of the old and the threshold of the newyear, it is our special duty to come as a peoplebefore the mercy seat of God to offer praise forthe blessings obtained, for all gifts of mercy, forgood health, for our daily bread, and for all guidance and assistance which the Lord has given toeach of us in His love. We have received greatprivileges and great evidences of his unfailing love.

If we, once more, review the past year and itsevents, we can say that it has again proved thetruth. Therefore let the seasons of prayer thisyear be convocations of an earnest nature, in whichthe petitions offered may ascend to the Throne ofGrace for a personal conversion and dedication toGod, and with thankfulness on our lips. We should

diligently pray that the Lord may keep us from allself-deception. In this time we must develop acharacter that will stand unspotted and withoutfault in the coming trials. Self must be completely buried. It will cost all to buy the field.Let us therefore pray that the Lord may give us aheart to love Jesus — one that is obedient in loveto Him—so that we may be partakers of the blessings of these days before us and may be strengthened for the new year of our pilgrim journey.

With this aim before us, we wish for our dearbelievers in all the world a very blessed seasonof prayer! Let us be in earnest about followingJesus. Also, let us especially remember thebelievers in oppressed territories, the poor andthe sick.

Church elders and leaders should conscientiously feel their great responsibility and carefullyplan for these days, that they may be days ofblessing.

We kindly request that the offering envelopes bedistributed among the believers on the first Sabbathof prayer and that their attention be drawn to theimportance of these offerings. The second Sabbath, December 14, is a day of fasting and ofingathering of the offerings. May the blessingsof the Lord be showered upon His people, so thatthese days of prayer may serve to renew theirspiritual strength and deep contemplation of thesoon coming of Jesus.

ThE BRETHREN

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IN THIS ISSUEIntroductionThe Finishing of the WorkSteadfast Adherence to Principle.The Need of a Noble Character.Your Home and the ChurchWho is My Neighbor?They Follow the LambThe Message for Our Time — Jesus Is

Coming Soon! 21

A FuB HeartYou have seen the great reservoirs provided by

our water companies, in which water for the supplyof thousands of houses is kept. Now, the heart isthe reservoir of man, from which the streams ofhis life flow.

That life may flow through different pipes — themouth, the hand, the eye; but still all the issues ofhand, of eye, of lip, derive their source from thegreat fountain and central reservoir, the heart; andhence there is no difficulty in showing the greatnecessity that exists for keeping this reservoirin a proper state and condition, since otherwisethat which flows through the pipes must be tainted and corrupt. Not only must the heart be keptpure, but it must also be kept full. However purethe water may be in the central reservoir, it willnot be possible for us to have an abundant supply,unless the reservoir itself be full. An emptyfountain will most assuredly beget empty pipes;let the machinery be ever so accurate, let everything else be well ordered, yet if that reservoir bedry, we may wait in vain for water. See, then, thenecessity of keeping the heart full; and let thenecessity make you ask this question — “But howcan I keep my heart full? How can my emotionsbe strong? How can I keep my desires burningand my zeal inflamed?” Christian! there is onetext which will explain all this. “All my springsare in Thee,” said David. If thou hast all thysprings in God, thy heart will be full enough. Ifthou goest to the foot of Calvary, there will thyheart be bathed in love and gratitude. If thou artoften in the vale of retirement, talking with thyGod, thy heart shall be full of calm resolve. Ifthou goest with thy Master to the hill of Olivet,with Him to weep over Jerusalem, then will thyheart be full of love for . . . souls. If thou artcontinually drawing thine impulse, thy life,the whole of thy being from the Holy Spirit,without whom thou canst do nothing, and if thouart living in close communion with Christ, therewill be no fear of thy having a dry heart. He wholives without prayer —he who lives with littleprayer_he who seldom reads the Word—he whoseldom looks up to heaven for a fresh influencefrom on high —he will be the man whose heart willbecome dry and barren; but he who calls in secreton his God —who spends much time in holy retirement—who delights to meditate on the words ofthe Most High — whose soul is given up to Christ —

who delights in His fulness, rejoices in His all-sufficiency, prays for His second coming, anddelights in the thought of His glorious advent —

such a man must have an overflowing heart; andas his heart is, such will his life be. It will be afull life; it will be a life that will speak from thesepulchre, and wake the echoes of the future.“Keep thine heart with all diligence,” and entreatthe Holy Spirit to keep it full; for otherwise, theissues of thy life will be feeble, shallow, andsuperficial; and thou mayst as well not have livedat all.

O for a heart thus full, and deep, and broad!Find the man that hath such a heart, and he is theman from whom living waters shall flow, to makethe world glad with their refreshing streams.—C. H. Spurgeon.

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2 THE SABBATH WATCHMAN

Reading No. I — Friday, December 6, 1963

7k ?or€d 4 *e 74by E. G. WHITE

“And he said unto them, It is not for you toknow the times or the seasons, which the Fatherhath put in his own power. But ye shall receivepower, after that the Holy Ghost is come uponyou: and ye shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and untothe uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:7,8.

]/flORE THAN eighteen centuries have passedsince the apostles rested from their labors;but the history of their toils and sacrificesfor Christ’s sake is still among the most

precious treasures of the church. This history,written under the direction of the Holy Spirit, wasrecorded in order that by it the followers of Christin every age might be impelled to greater zeal andearnestness in the cause of the Saviour.

The commission that Christ gave to the disciples, they fulfilled. As these messengers of thecross went forth to proclaim the gospel, there wassuch a revelation of the glory of God as had neverbefore been witnessed by mortal man. By the cooperation of the divine Spirit, the apostles did awork that shook the world. To every nation wasthe gospel carried in a single generation.

THE GLORIOUS BEGINNING

Glorious were the results that attended theministry of the chosen apostles of Christ. At thebeginning of their ministry some of them wereunlearned men, but their consecration to the causeof their Master was unreserved, and under Hisinstruction they gained a preparation for the greatwork committed to them. Grace and truth reignedin their hearts, inspiring their motives and controlling their actions. Their lives were hid withChrist in God, and self was lost sight of, submerged in the depths of infinite love.

The disciples were men who knew how to speakand pray sincerely, men who could take hold ofthe might of the Strength of Israel. How closelythey stood by the side of God, and bound theirpersonal honor to His throne! Jehovah was theirGod. His honor was their honor. His truth wastheir truth. Any attack made upon the gospel wasas if cutting deep into their souls, and with everypower of their being they battled for the cause ofChrist. They could hold forth the word of life,because they had received the heavenly anointing.They expected much, and therefore they attemptedmuch. Christ had revealed Himself to them, andto Flim they looked for guidance. Their understanding of truth and their power to withstandopposition were proportionate to their conformity

to God’s will. Jesus Christ, the wisdom and powerof God, was the theme of every discourse. Hisname — the only name given under heaven wherebymen can be saved — was by them exalted. As theyproclaimed the completeness of Christ, the risenSaviour, their words moved hearts, and men andwomen were won to the gospel. Multitudes whohad reviled the Saviour’s name and despised Hispower, now confessed themselves disciples of theCrucified.

Not in their own power did the apostles accomplish their mission, but in the power of the livingGod. Their work was not easy. The openinglabors of the Christian church were attended byhardship and bitter grief. In their work the disciples constantly encountered privation, calumny,and persecution; but they counted not their livesdear unto themselves, and rejoiced that they werecalled to suffer for Christ. Irresolution, indecision, weakness of purpose, found no place intheir efforts. They were willing to spend and bespent. The consciousness of the responsibilityresting on them purified and enriched their experience; and the grace of heaven was revealed inthe conquests they achieved for Christ. With themight of omnipotence God worked through them tomake the gospeltriumphant.

ON A SURE FOUNDATION

Upon the foundation that Christ Himself hadlaid, the apostles built the church of God. In theScriptures the figure of the erection of a templeis frequently used to illustrate the building of thechurch. Zechariah refers to Christ as the Branchthat should build the temple of the Lord. Hespeaks of the Gentiles as helping in the work:“They that are far off shall come and build in thetemple of the Lord;” and Isaiah declares, “Thesons of strangers shall build up thy walls.”

The apostles built upon a sure foundation, eventhe Rock of Ages. To this foundation they broughtthe stones that they quarried from the world. Notwithout hindrance did the builders labor. Theirwork was made exceedingly difficult by the opposition of the enemies of Christ. They had to contend against the bigotry, prejudice, and hatred ofthose who were building upon a false foundation.Many who wrought as builders of the church couldbe likened to the builders of the wall in Nehemia’s day, of whom it is written: “They whichbuilded on the wall, and they that bare burdens,with those that laded, every one with one of hishands wrought in the work, and with the otherhand held a weapon.”

December 1963 3

ADVERSARIESKings and governors, priests and rulers, sought

to destroy the temple of God. But in the face ofimprisonment, torture, and death, faithful mencarried the work forward; and the structure grew,beautiful and symmetrical. At times the workmenwere almost blinded by the mists of superstitionthat settled around them. At times they were almost overpowered by the violence of their opponents. But with unfaltering faith and unfailingcourage they pressed on with the work.

One after another the foremost of the buildersfell by the hand of the enemy. Stephen wasstoned; James was slain by the sword; Paul wasbeheaded; Peter was crucified; John was exiled.Yet the church grew. New workers took theplace of those who fell, and stone after stone wasadded to the building. Thus slowly ascended thetemple of the church of God.

FAITHFUL WITNESSES IN THE DARK AGES

The enemy of righteousness left nothing undonein his effort to stop the work committed to theLord’s builders. But God “left not Himself without witness.” Workers were raised up who ablydefended the faith once delivered to the saints.History bears record to the fortitude and heroismof these men. Like the apostles, many of themfell at their post, but the building of the templewent steadily forward. The workmen were slain,but the work advanced. The Waldenses, JohnWycliffe, Huss and Jerome, Martin Luther andZwingle, Cranmer, Latimer, and Knox, the Huguenots, John and Charles Wesley, and a host ofothers’ brought to the foundation material that willendure throughout eternity. And in later yearsthose who have so nobly endeavored to promotethe circulation of God’s word, and those who bytheir service in heathen lands have prepared theway for the proclamation of the last great message — these also have helped to rear the structure.

THE FINISHING OF THE WORK

Paul and the other apostles, and all the righteous who have lived since then, have acted theirpart in the building of the temple. But the structure is not yet complete. We who are living inthis age have a work to do, a part to act. We areto bring to the foundation material that will standthe test of fire, — gold, silver, and precious stones,“Polished after the similitude of a palace.” Tothose who thus build for God, Paul speaks wordsof encouragement and warning: “If any man’swork abide which he bath built thereupon, he shallreceive a reward. If any man’s work shall beburned, he shall suffer loss: but he himselfshall be saved; yet so as by fire.” The Christianwho faithfully presents the word of life, leadingmen and women into the way of holiness andpeace, is bringing to the foundation material thatwill endure, and in the kingdom of God he will behonored as a wise builder.

Of the apostles it is written, “They went forth,and preached everywhere, the Lord working withthem, and confirming the word with signs following.” As Christ sent forth His disciples, so

today He sends forth the members of His church.The same power that the apostles had is forthem. If they will make God their strength, Hewill work with them, and they shall not labor invain. Let them realize that the work in whichthey are engaged is one upon which the Lord hasplaced His signet. God said to Jeremiah, “Saynot, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that Ishall send thee, and whatsoever I command theethou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces:for I am with thee to deliver thee.” Then theLord put forth His hand, and touched His servant’smouth, saying, “Behold, I have put My words inthy mouth.” And He bids us go forth to speak thewords He gives us, feeling His holy touch uponour lips.

Christ has given to the church a sacred charge.Every member should be a channel through whichGod can communicate to the world the treasuresof His grace, the unsearchable riches of Christ.There is nothing that the Saviour desires so muchas agents who will represent to the world HisSpirit and His character. There is nothing thatthe world needs so much as the manifestationthrough humanity of the Saviour’s love. All heavenis waiting for men and women through whom Godcan reveal the power of Christianity.

The church is God’s agency for the proclamationof truth, empowered by Him to do a special work;and if she is loyal to Him, obedient to all Hiscommandments, there will dwell within her theexcellency of divine grace. If she will be true toher allegiance, if she will honor the Lord God ofIsrael, there is no power that can stand againsther.

Zeal for God and His cause moved the disciplesto bear witness to the gospel with mighty power.Should not a like zeal fire our hearts with a determination to tell the story of redeeming love, ofChrist and Him crucified? It is the privilege ofevery Christian, not only to look for, but to hastenthe coming of the Saviour.

SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD

If the church will put on the robe of Christ’srighteousness, withdrawing from all allegiancewith the world, there is before her the dawn of abrigju and glorious day. God’s promise to herwill stand fast forever. He will make her aneternal excellency, a joy of many generations.Truth, passing by those who despise and rejectit, will triumph. Although at times apparentlyretarded, its progress has never been checked.When the message of God meets with opposition,He gives it additional force, that it may exertgreater influence. Endowed with divine energy,it will cut its way through the strongest barriers,and triumph over every obstacle.

What sustained the Son of God during His lifeof toil and sacrifice? He saw the results of thetravail of His soul, and was satisfied. Lookinginto eternity, He beheld the happiness of thosewho through His humiliation had received pardonand everlasting life. His ear caught the shout ofthe redeemed. He heard the ransomed ones singingthe song of Moses and the Lamb.

4 THE SABBATH WATCHMAN

We may have a vision of the future, the blessedness of heaven. In the Bible are revealed visionsof future glory, scenes pictured by the hand ofGod, and these are dear to His church. By faithwe may stand on the threshold of the eternal city,and hear the gracious welcome given to those whoin this life cooperate with Christ, regarding it asan honor to suffer for His sake. As the words arespoken, “Come, ye blessed of My Father,” theycast their crowns at the feet of the Redeemer,exclaiming, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slainto receive power, and riches, and wisdom, andstrength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.Honor, and glory, and power, be unto Flim thatsitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb foreverand ever.”

There the redeemed greet those who led them tothe Saviour, and all unite in praising Him whodied that human beings might have the life thatmeasures with the life of God. The conflict isover. Tribulation and strife are at an end. Songsof victory fill all heaven as the ransomed onestake up the joyful strain, Worthy, worthy is theLamb that was slain, and lives again, a triumphantconqueror. —Acts of the Apostles, pp. 593-60 2.

PREPARATION FOR THE LAST EVENTS

The work which the church has failed to do ina time of peace and prosperity, she will have todo in a terrible crisis, under most discouraging,forbidding circumstances. The warning that world

ly conformity has silenced or withheld, must begiven under the fiercest opposition from enemiesof the faith.... The members of the church willindividually be tested and proved. They will beplaced in circumstances where they will be forcedto bear witness for the truth. Many will be calledto speak before councils and in courts of justice,perhaps separately and alone. The experiencewhich would have helped them in this emergencythey have neglected to obtain, and their souls areburdened with remorse for wasted opportunities andneglected privileges.

Eternity stretches before us. The curtain isabout to be lifted. We who occupy this solemn,responsible position, what are we doing, what are

we thinking about, that we cling to our selfishlove of ease, while souls are perishing around us?Have our hearts become utterly callous? Cannotwe feel or understand that we have a work to dofor the salvation of others?..

It is no time now for God’s people to be fixingtheir affections or laying up their treasure in theworld. The time is not far distant, when, like theearly disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refugein desolate and solitary pla ces. As the siege ofJerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal forflight to the Judean Christians, so the assumptionof power on the part of our nation, in the decreeenforcing the papal Sabbath, will be a warning tous. It will then be time to leave the large cities,preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retiredhomes in secluded places among the mountains.And now, instead of seeking expensive dwellingshere, we should be preparing to move to a bettercountry, even a heavenly. Instead of spendingour means in self-gratification, we should bestudying to economize. Every talent lent of Godshould be used to his glory, in giving the warningto the world.

My brethren and sisters, awake, I beseech you,from the sleep of death. It is too late to devotethe strength of brain, bone, and muscle to self-serving. Let not the last day find you destituteof heavenly treasure. Seek to push the triumphs ofthe cross, seek to enlighten souls, labor for thesalvation of your fellow-beings, and your work willabide the trying test of fire.

But when mortal shall have put on immortality,the ransomed ones are like Jesus, for they seehim as he is. They stand before the throne, signifying that they are accepted. All their sins areblotted out, all their transgressions borne away.Now they can look upon the undimmed glory fromthe throne of God. They have been partakers withChrist of his sufferings, they have been workerstogether with him in the plan of redemption, andthey are partakers with him in the joy of beholdingsouls saved through their instrumentality to praiseGod through all eternity. —Testimonies, Vol.5, pp.463-467.

December 1963 5

Reading No. 2 — Sabbath, December 7, 1963

S€e44a4€ %deectce øby CARLOS KOZEL, Central America

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in thebehalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”2 Chronicles 16:9.

TO STAND OR TO FALL

QN THE point of steadfastness and adherenceto principle we stand or fall! A Christianstands if he possesses steadfastness andfalls if he loses it. Yet no Christian desires

to fall; all wish to enter the promised heaven. Ifthe children of God, now being weighed in the balances of the sanctuary in the investigative judgment, are found wanting, it is because they didnot remain steadfast and faithful in their Christianjourney. God is no respecter of persons, but Helooks upon the character. And as testing pointsin particular, the forementioned two fundamentalChristian virtues are of great importance, Themany children of God who lacked these chiefdivine requirements and were lost had only themselves to blame, for God extends His helping handto everyone. However, He can extend it only tothose whose hearts are perfect toward Him. Allheaven is interested that we make our hearts perfect toward Him! We cannot be one of the lukewarmLaodiceans, as are the majority of Advent believers, yielding only part way. This the Spirit ofprophecy verifies in the following words: “Half-and-half service places the human agent on theside of the enemy, as a successful ally of thehosts of darkness.” —Mount of Blessing, p.139.

how often the Lord was compelled to punishHis people heavily, leaving them, and partiallydestroying them, because they became unfaithfuland did not remain steadfast to His divine requirements, The deplorable history of the many apostatekings of the people of Israel, who constantly drewthe people into apostasy with them, bears eloquentwitness to this. Admonitions such as the following were often repeated: “Hear the word of theLord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord bath acontroversy with the inhabitants of the land,because there is no truth, nor mercy,nor knowledgeof God in the land.” Hosea 4:1.

Are these things not lacking among many —

perhaps even among us? Is not faithfulness thevery first thing required of any human being?May everyone during this Week of Prayer examinehimself whether he has been faithful to Heaven,to the church, and also to men. For the most part,Laodicea is marked by unfaithfulness, disobedience, and instability in the precious messagesgiven by God. Modern Israel, in the same manner as ancient Israel, erects its altars for idol

worship on the hills all about. It is by consciousdisobedience and unfaithfulness that varied idolsreceive sacrifice and incense. Listen to the wordsof the Lord: “My soul is burdened as I see thegreat want of spirituality among us. The fashionsand customs of the world, pride, love of amusementlove of display, extravagance in dress, in houses,in lands, — these are robbing the treasury of God,turning to the gratification of self the meanswhich should be used to send forth the light oftruth to the world.” —Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 10.

“The Laodicean message applies to the peopleof God who profess to believe present truth. Thegreater part are lukewarm professors, having aname but no zeal. God signified that He wantedmen at the great heart of the work to correct thestate of things existing there, and to stand likefaithful sentinels at their post of duty.” —Testimonies, Vol. 4, p. 87.

“But many of those who have had special lightare so conformed to the world that they can scarcely be distinguished from worldlings. They do notstand forth as God’s peculiar people, chosen andprecious. It is difficult to discern between himthat serveth God and him that serveth Him not.”—Testimonies, Vol. 8, p. 247.

‘‘God’s professed people are selfish and self-caring. They love the things of this world, andhave fellowship with the works of darkness. Theyhave pleasure in unrighteousness. They have notlove toward God, nor love for their neighbors. Theyare idolaters, and are worse, far worse, in thesight of God, than the heathen, graven-image worshipers who have no knowledge of the betterway....

“Like ancient Israel, the church has dishonoredher God by departing from the light, neglecting herduties, and abusing her high and exalted privilegeof being peculiar and holy in character. Hermembers have violated their covenant to live forGod and Him only. They have joined with theselfish and world loving. Pride, the love of pleasure, and sin have been cherished, and Christ hasdeparted. His Spirit has been quenched in thechurch. Satan works side by side with professedChristians; yet they are so destitute of spiritualdiscernment that they do not detect him.... Therecording angel has faithfully written their deeds.”—Testimonies, Vol. 2, pp. 440-442.

“I was referred to the words of the prophet, ‘Sonof man, these men have set up their idols in their

6 THE SABBATH WATCHMAN

heart, and put the stumbling-block of their iniquitybefore their face: should I be inquired of at all bythem? Therefore speak unto them, and say unto

them, Thus saith the Lord God: Every man of thehouse of Israel that setteth up his idols in hisheart, and putteth the stumbling-block of hisiniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet,I the Lord will answer him that cometh accordingto the multitude of his idols; that I may take thehouse of Israel in their own heart, because theyare all estranged from me through their idols.’

“The people of God were presented to me as ina backslidden state.” —Testimonies, Vol.2, p.444.

“God leads His people on, step by step. liebrings them up to different points calculated tomanifest what is in the heart. Some endure at onepoint, but fall off at the next. At every advancedpoint the heart is tested and tried a little closer,If the professed people of God find their heartsopposed to this straight work, it should convincethem that they have a work to do to overcome, ifthey would not be spewed out of the mouth of theLord. Said the angel, ‘God will bring His workcloser and closer to test and prove every one ofHis people.’ Some are willing to receive onepoint; but when God brings them to another testingpoint, they shrink from it and stand back, becausethey find that it strikes directly at some cherishedidol.... If any will not be purified through obeyingthe truth, and overcome their selfishness, theirpride, and evil passions, the angels of God havethe charge, ‘They are joined to their idols, letthem alone,’ and they pass on to their work,leaving these with their sinful traits unsubdued,to the control of evil angels.” —Testimnoities, Vol.1, p. 187.

Only true and humble faithfulness and steadfastness toward all the principles laid down in thetruths and requirements of God in the three angels’messages for our time can save us. There mustno longer be a swaying back and forth betweenthe half and full position of surrender. It was onthis point that Elijah made the worst experienceswith God’s people of his time. He desired toarouse the people to true steadfastness and faithfulness, to bring about a thorough reformationwhich, because of the lukewarm state of the people,was a futile attempt. “And Elijah came unto allthe people, and said, Flow long halt ye betweentwo opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him: butif Baal, then follow him. And the people answeredhim not a word.” I Kings 18:21.

Has God, perhaps, changed? Flow does Heregard unfaithfulness, disobedience, and instability today? “It would be more pleasing to theLord if lukewarm professors of religion had nevernamed Flis name. They are a continual weight tothose who would be faithful followers of Jesus.They are a stumbling-block to unbelievers, andevil angels exult over them, and taunt the angelsof God with their crooked course. Such are a curseto the cause at home or abroad,” —Testimonies,Vol. 1, p. 188.

Now is tile time when every member must teardown the high places and burn the idols which theministers and brethren cannot see because they

are hidden in the heart. The sooner, the better!God is waiting for a full surrender, that He maybless His people with the latter rain, On the otherhand, the ministers and leaders must take a decisive stand against idols that have, perhaps, come

in openly, such as fashion, worldliness in general,and many other things, in order to ward off thedisapproval of God. How the Lord and all heavenrejoiced in olden times when a faithful king appeared among His people and cleansed the highplaces of all the idols! “And the Lord was withJ ehoshaphat, because he walked in the first waysof his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;But sought to the Lord God of his father, andwalked in his commandments, and not after thedoings of Israel. Therefore the Lord stablishedthe kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought toJ ehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honourin abundance, And his heart was lifted up in theways of the Lord: moreover he took away the highplaces and groves out of Judah.” 2 Chron, 17:3-6.

THE MARK OF TIlE BEAST

All things — even the smallest, most insignificantmatters — bring a result. It is like a chain that hasno end. But there is one exception; namely, allthings good and lawful and which correspond withall truth are carried upward; while the evil, perverse, or lukewarm is transported downward, untilit ends in the bottomless pit of destruction.

Children of God inclined to the world most certainly are traveling downward. Although thiscannot be seen and ascertained with certaintytoday, it will be clearly evident by and by. Whenthe great controversy between Sabbath and Sundaywill be carried to the front, they will most certainly be found on the side of the mark of the beast,unless they make a drastic change beforehand.They are not in this opportune time putting fortheffort to develop steadfastness and fidelity toprinciple in all phases of truth and life. Then,when the severe hour of testing comes, they willbe without fortitude to face the battle alone. Lukewarmness is a sign of a mediocre conversion thathas come to a standstill. May these well- meant,stimulating thoughts work to the end that such acourse might be changed and that as long asprobation lingers conversion may be continuousas if it were on a running chain in an upwarddirection, by the strength of God.

‘‘What are you doing, brethren, in the great workof preparation? Those who are uniting with theworld, are receiving the worldly mold, and preparing for the mark of the beast. Those who are distrustful of self, who are humbling themselvesbefore God and purifying their souls by obeyingthe truth, — these are receiving the heavenly mold,and preparing for the seal of God in their foreheads.When the decree goes forth, and the stamp is impressed, their character will remain pure and spotless for eternity.

“Now is the time to prepare. The seal of Godwill never be placed upon the forehead of an impureman or woman. It will never be placed upon theforehead of the ambitious, world-loving man orwoman, It will never be placed upon the foreheadof men or women of false tongues or deceitful

December 1963 7

hearts. All who receive the seal must be withoutspot before God — candidates for Heaven. Go forward, my brethren and sisters. I can only writebriefly upon these points at this time, merelycalling your attention to the necessity of preparation.” —Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 216.

We can fully join this wonderful appeal withhearts that are strongly moved, for these wordscontain terms which could not be expressed moreclearly and are now more timely than ever before.All officers of the church, as well as all Bibleworkers and ministers, must earnestly work in thisdirection, helping the people of God to make atrue preparation, by watching carefully over faithfulness and steadfastness in them, keeping themin the right way, for one day all must give anaccount for the condition of souls they were responsible for.

“If wrongs are apparent among His people, andif the servants of God pass on indifferent to them,they virtually sustain and justify the sinner, andare alike guilty, and will just as surely receive thedispleasure of God; for they will be made responsible for the sins of the guilty. In vision I havebeen pointed to many instances where the displeasure of God has been incurred by a neglect onthe part of His servants to deal with the wrongsand sins existing among them. Those who haveexcused these wrongs have been thought by thepeople to be very amiable and lovely in disposition, simply because they shunned to discharge aplain Scriptural duty. The task was not agreeableto their feelings; therefore they avoided it.”—Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 266.

The words of the Lord spoken at one time toIsrael by Hosea in Hosea 13:9, most certainlyare appropriate for all Adventists today:

“0 Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but inme is thine help,”

For example, was it not a terrible calamity thatIsrael, because of its disobedience, unfaithfulness,and idolatry, at one time lost 500,000 men on thebattlefield? (2 Chron. 13:17.) Many more suchexamples of calamity could be cited. Is it not apenetrating warning for all Adventists that, afterthe exodus from Egypt, only two men of the firstgeneration were judged steadfast and could enterCanaan — Joshua and Caleb?

There was a different spirit in these faithfulones, the Bible relates to us — a spirit of full surrender, faithfulness, and steadfastness to theLord’s cause, making them ready at any time tolive or to die for God. This is the Spirit that mustcome within us if we would enter the heavenlyCanaan.

“Even one wrong trait of character, one sinfuldesire cherished, will eventually neutralize all thepower of the gospel. The prevalence of a sinfuldesire shows the delusion of the soul. Everyindulgence of that desire strengthens the soul’saversion to God. The pains of duty and the pleasures of sin are the cords with which Satan bindsmen in his snares. Those who would rather diethan perform a wrong act are the only ones who willbe found faithful.” —Test., Vol. 5, p. 53.

We have revealed in Gehazi, the servant ofElisha, and his unexpected fate a class of Christians who will, in a time of stress and importance,place their own interests before the interest of thecause of God. And today, more than ever, thecause is in need of self-denying service and assistance of all kinds. “But he went in, and stoodbefore his master. And Elisha said unto him,Whence comest thou, Gehazi?, And he said, Thyservant went no whither. And he said unto him,Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turnedagain from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a timeto receive money, and to receive garments, andoliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen,and menservants, and maidservants? The leprosytherefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, andunto thy seed for ever. And he went out from hispresence a leper as white as snow.” 2 Kings 5:25-27.

Is today the time for young Adventists to withdraw from self-denying service in the Lord’s vineyard, because of a good income and the probabilityof the highest-paid steady employment, leavingHis few consecrated servants alone in the battle?Where is the true future? Here or in heaven? Is itpossible that occasionally, perhaps, the Sabbathis begun too late — after it is dark? Woe to theGehazis, the Ananiases and Sapphiras, who allowthemselves either to withhold the tithe wholly orpartly or, on the other hand, do not fulfill theirpledges and promises before the church and Godconcerning donations. But blessed is he who givesa second tithe in gifts to help the cause of God inits need! He shall be richly blessed from Heaven!

Has not the time also come when all should observe the finer phases of health reform, such as:to eat only three times a day with not a morsel inbetween; not to eat fruits and vegetables at oneand the same meal, but separate from each other?Let us ponder over the following warning given bythe Spirit of prophecy: “God gave the light onhealth reform, and those who reject it are rejecting God.” Also certain indigestable cheeses areunsuitable for our stomachs.

As mentioned in the beginning, if God is lookingfor souls in this wide world whose hearts are withHim, to strengthen them in steadfastness andfaithfulness, should we not also believe that moralpurity belongs to this full and true surrender of theheart?

Soon the dreaded and fearful leprosy of greatfear and complete despondency will take possession of the whole world. “Men’s hearts failingthem for fear, and for looking after those thingswhich are coming on the earth: for the poers ofheaven shall be shaken.” Luke 21:26.

What then? Unfaithfulness and lack of steadfastness will cause fear and despondency at thathour when all men must give an account of theiractions. This false joy of worldly-minded children of God, who imitate fashion and amuse themselves before the radio and television, will oneday change to abrupt sadness and an awakeningaltogether too late when the Lord will make Hisvoice heard from heaven. It is the most solemnduty of minister and layman alike to withstandwith authority the world that is moving into thechurch.

8 ThE SABBATH WATCHMAN

Only the faithful and steadfast ones can possesstrue joy and satisfaction, qualities which will beblessed and rewarded by God in a most remarkablemanner. May we remember the case of the Rechabites: “The words of Jonadab the sop of Rechab,that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, areperformed; for unto this day they drink none, butobey their father’s commandment: notwithstandingI have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking;but ye hearkened not unto me. Because the sonsof Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed thecommandment of their father, which he commandedthem; but this people hath not hearkened unto me:Therefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, theGod of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judith andupon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evilthat I have pronounced against them, because Ihave spoken unto them, but they have not heard;and I have called unto them, but they have notanswered.

“And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel,

Because ye have obeyed the commandment ofJonadab your father, and kept all his precepts,and done according unto all that he bath commandedyou: Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, theGod of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shallnot want a man to stand before me for ever.” Jer.35:14, 16-19. The faithful ones shall at all times —

now and in times to come — stand before the Lord.

Faithfulness in all matters will produce steadfastness. May we in all principles and messagesof our glorious truth be found faithful unto death.(Rev. 2:10.) Then we shall also be steadfast inall conceivable positions and dangers of life; yes,even in view of the fiery oven which Shadrach,Meshach, and Abednego were not afraid of. As itwas during this terrible danger, so the Lord willbe a companion to His faithful ones today.

May God grant this in mercy.

AMEN!

Reading No. 3 — Sunday, December 8, 1963

7%eT1eed4aTfo&eea4acte’iby E. ESCOBAR, Chile

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with allreadiness of mind, and searched the scripturesdaily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11.

J7S WE look upon the world today in the lightof God’s word, we regret to find that trulythere are but few who possess a noblecharacter. There are few because the form

ing of a noble character depends on a willing andzealous study of the Holy Scripture. Unfortunately, many millions of human beings are studyingthe Bible today without receiving that noble character which the Lord requires of those whom lIewill one day claim as His own. Yes, in most ofthese people we find an opposite character, infulfillment of Bible prophecy for these last days:“This know also, that in the last days periloustimes shall come. For men shall be lovers of theirown selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,without natural affection, trucebreakers, falseaccusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of thosethat are good, traitors, heady, highminded, loversof pleasures more than lovers of God; having aform of godliness, but denying the power thereof:from such turn away.” 2 Tim. 3:1-5.

Using these significant words, the apostle Paulcasts light upon the great sham of Christianity of

these last days in which we are privileged to live.The persons living in these sins we must avoid,even if they call themselves Christians. Not onlydiseases are dangerous and contagious to thoseliving nearby, but ignoble and detrimental characters are just as dangerous. They are transmittedgradually before the damage received is reallynoticed. This is especially the case with non-suspecting children, because it is much easier toaccept evil than to accept something noble. Yetthis battle between good and evil, between nobleand ignoble, between true Christianity, which iscapable of changing man, and false, spuriousChristianity must be fought today. We must beever willing to search for the ennobling things ofthe Holy Scripture. He who will endure the testwill receive the latter rain and be counted withthe 144,000 overcomers, The most noble of all thenoble ones is our dear Saviour. Only through himcan this high goal be reached. “... For they arevirgins. These are they which follow the Lambwhithersoever he goeth.” Rev. 14:4.

To be noble means to think first, not of self but,of others and to treat them accordingly. Doingthis would with one stroke eliminate all strife andcontention among men. How wicked man is! Heis much more capable of doing away with the otherman than relinquishing his apparent rights in anoble manner. Flow was it possible for Cain,coming from the best family of mankind, to kill his

December 1963 9

brother Abel? He lacked that noble mind whichwas a part of his brother and which made Abelwilling to die as a martyr. Martyrs are noblecharacters marked by a spirit that holds no grudgeand is conciliatory and forgiving.

He who delights in being obstinate, feels he isalways right, is always ready to fight and show awrong zeal, and is easily hurt must first learn todrink from the fountain of nobleheartedness andhumility. “And whosoever will, let him take thewater of life freely.” Rev. 22:17.

Noble traits may also be developed by a certaindegree of human education beginning in earlyyouth. As a result, many things may appear outwardly good and please people. But God looksbeneath the outward appearance. He knows andtests the heart for its true motive.

If the motive is false, insincere, perhaps veiledbehind cunning thoughts and purposes, then allgood education is of no value before Heaven.Still there are noble people in the world whom weare to seek and bring under the roof of our ennobling truth, In the same manner there are veryignoble and even outright mean characters amongChristians who have erroneous thoughts and givenothing good to their fellow men, They are immersed inthe muddy, evil mass of their imaginationsand train themselves to criticize and defame, untilthey become fully blinded and feel they are farabove all men and brethren. And this is whatdispleases the Lord the most and leads to rejection.

Only the diligent and thoughtful reading of theBible can create noble characters that meet God’sstandard. For us the Bible is a polished mirrorin which we can see all our sins and mistakes,Yet as we see them, a responsibility is given usby Heaven to repent and fight against our sins inan upright and earnest manner, with the help ofour dear Saviour.

Joseph, who was sold by his brethren into Egypt,is an example of a noble man. Words such as,“...How then can I do this great wickedness, andsin against God?” (Gen. 39:9) could proceed onlyfrom noble lips.

These words wç should always carry on ourlips, no matter what trials or issues might be involved. They make a trusty shield against sin.To wield such words in all directions is the onlyway to bring spiritual advantages withsuch wonderful results,

Joseph also gave his brethren the good counselfor their homeward journey, “See that ye fall notout by the way.” Gen. 45:24.

Most people today often have ignoble and meancharacters, which lead to lives of dissatisfaction,murmuring, lamenting, and jealous contention,There are even wicked people whose apparentnature is to make the lives of their fellow menburdensome by molesting them behind their backsor directly. May God keep us from this ignoblespirit, because anyone who acts thusly will oneday find heaven forever closed to him,

Noble characters have great love! This traitof character was found in Joseph, How much morehe might have suffered by the separation from hisfather’s house! But his great faithfulness to duty

in all things, his outstanding diligence in nobleservice, his dependability, his self-denying service, his word, and his promises gave him internalfortitude and helped him to forget his pain andhurt in the overabundance of his work and greatresponsibility. For noble men, although they mighthave to pass through great trials, everything willwork out for the best. Thus it was when Josephwas reunited with his family. “Then Joseph couldnot refrain himself before all them that stood byhim; and he cried, Cause every man to go out fromme, And there stood no man with him, while Josephmade himself known unto his brethren. And hewept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house ofPharaoh heard, And Joseph said unto his brethren,I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And hisbrethren could not answer him; for they weretroubled at his presence. And Joseph said untohis brethren, Come near to me, I pray you.! Andthey came near. And he said, I am Joseph yourbrother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now thereforebe not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that yesold me hither: for God did send me before you topreserve life,” Gen, 45:1-5.

Other noble words followed: “...Be not...angry with yourselves that ye sold me hither,”Noble characters do not hold grudges. Althoughthey do, as a rule, suffer many things in life because of evil men, they are at all times gladlyready to forgive and forget it all, They do notreward evil for evil, The coin of payment whichthey use—the love of God—is always of higherclass,

Let us therefore always be noble, dear brethrenand sisters, With the test of nobility Christianitystands or falls, for ignoble and insincere men withfalse motives will not enter heaven,

Lying and deception make people ignoble. Andsince the desire to disobey the ten commandmentsis the greatest lie and deception, how horriblemankind, bound for destruction, appears in God’ssight! “And hereby we do know that we know him,if we keep his commandments, He that saith, Iknow him, and keepeth not his commandments, isa liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:3,4.Is it then any wonder that today nearly all men’swords and promises cannot be trusted? I feel thatleading out in this terrible lying and unreliabilityare the Latin Americans. It is clear that falsereligion is a contributing factor in this, ButAdventists as well, if they are not fully convertedwhen accepting the truth, are not free from lying.In these lands lying has become an honorable thing.It is deeply imbedded, as weeds are in a field.Nothing can make a person more ignoble than canlying and deception. A child of God can neverlie, even at the cost of life or a prison term. Soonthe Lord will appear in the clouds of heaven, andall of His children must walk before him in sincerity and consecration, standing with His cause,With the dear Saviour in our hearts, we can partfrom everything that is not right with God.

Moses also was not only a great man but, aboveall else, a most noble person. In spite of thiswonderful character he was constantly a target forthe accusations of the people of God who were ledon by the powers of darkness. Yet Moses stoodas a rock, His leader was Jesus.

10 THE SABBATH WATCHMAN

Noble people are often deeply plagued men.They receive evil for good, are badly thought of,their best deeds are interpreted as containing anulterior motive, and this so much more as theystand faithfully for God and His cause. Behindall this hides the great adversary, Satan, for alltrue children of God are thorns in his side. Andso it was said of Moses, “Now the man Moseswas a very plagued man, above all men whichwere upon the face of the earth.” Num. 12:3 (Lutheran Translation).

But, dear brethren and sisters, we are not tofear ill treatment and disregard, for was not thisthe lot of all faithful men of God? We are notfighting for our cause, but for the great cause ofGod, which will never perish, no matter how oftenthe enemies of truth might want to predict itscollapse. It is our faithfulness alone that counts.From this let us not deviate one finger’s width,even if all accusing fingers point at us and ourgreat cause. Only a few more battles and the Lordwill take us away from this wicked world. Thenwe will enter a place where only noble and upright beings dwell. For this we long with all ourhearts.

How high God estimated the nobility and faithfulness of Moses! “And he said, hear now mywords: If there be a prophet among you, I theLord will make myself known unto him in a vision,and will speak unto him in a dream, My servantMoses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude

of the Lord shall he behold: wherefore then wereye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?And the anger of the Lord was kindled againstthem; and he departed.” Num. 12:6-9.

Only children of God who are faithful iii allprinciples of the truth and in all actions of lifewill be regarded by Heaven as noble. To thisrule of upright conduct we must cling, and clingwith all our strength; only noble children of Godwill enter heaven. The time has come when allwrongs and sinful things must be overcome, thatGod may count us among the noble ones. “Andhe saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of theprophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. Hethat is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he whichis filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that isrighteous, let him be righteous still: and he thatis holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I comequickly; and my reward is with me, to give everyman according as his work shall be. I am Alphaand Omega, the beginning and the end, the firstand the last, Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the treeof life, and may enter in through the gates intothe city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers,and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters,and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Rev. 22:10-15. Very soon our dear Saiour will open theheavenly gates for all noble children of God.May He give us grace to enter in with Him thenand be with the noble ones throughout time andeternity.

AMEN!

Reading No. 4 — Wednesday, December 11, 1963

oa ,42me ac’td ate C&tc%by JAMES M. BARBOUR, Australia

their households, who teach their children that thefear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,glorify God before angels and before men, by presenting to the world a self-ordered, well-disciplinedfamily,_a family that love and obey God, insteadof rebelling against Him. Christ is not a strangerin their homes; His name is a household name,revered and glorified. Angels delight in a homewhere God reigns supreme, and the children aretaught to reverence religion, the Bible, and theirCreator. Such families can claim the promise,‘Them that honor me, I will honor.’” —Test., Vol.5, p.424.

“Fathers and mothers who make God first i%ROM the very beginning our Heavenly Fatherhas set ‘ the solitary (one) in families

) (Ps. 68:6), for it was not good for man to bealone. In the home, God has taught the great

principles of love: that no man liveth unto himself, but unto his family and church; that insacrificing selfish individuality for the greatergood of the society to which he belongs, he canfind power from God to love others as himself—even his enemies. Certainly Christ was the greatexample of this. He showed us that “Flis Father’sbusiness” was not only in the temple but in thehome, where lie was subject to Mary and Joseph.As we are recreated in the image of Christ, our

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homes will become the beginning of our church;also, our family will embrace not only the household of faith, but every man for whom Jesus died.Finally, we shall become the sons of God and beat home in the fellowship of the angels.

OUR HOMES IN PERIL

The apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3 that “inthe last days perilous times shall come.” Insteadof loving “their neighbors as themselves” (Matt,22:39), “men shall be lovers of their own selves”(2 Tim. 3:2). Instead of “honoring their parents”(Matt. 19:19), they will be “disobedient to parents”(2 Tim. 3:2). Denying the power of the Holy Spirit,they will be “lovers of pleasures more than loversof God” (2 Tim. 3:4). Dear brethren and sisters,never have our homes stood in such peril as theydo today. f.Ian has split the atom, and Satan hassplit the home. While the father of the family iswalking the treadmill of ambition until midnight,the mother is out working for luxuries. As a result,the children organize gang warfare around TV sets.How sweet home once was — the loving look, thesympathizing tear, the tender moments, the laughing hearth and joyful songs. But today the divorcerate alone reveals the deterioration of the home.Nowhere does man seem more lonely than in hisown home; and he tries to create for himself a newhome iti the office, the social hall, the church,the school, the tavern, or the club. Surely allsociety seems like the “foolish man, which builthis house upon the sand: and the rain descended,and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beatupon that house; and it fell: and great was the fallof it.” (Matt. 7:26, 27.)

As God’s remnant people, we have a greatmission to perform. In the spirit and power ofElijah we must restore the sanctity of the home.“The restoration and uplifting of humanity beginsin the home. The work of parents underlies everyother. Society is composed of families, and iswhat the heads of families make it. Out of theheart are ‘the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23);’and the heart of the community, of the church, andof the nation is the household. . . . The successof the church, the prosperity of the nation, dependupon home influences.” —Ministry of Healing, p.349.

BACK TO EDEN

“The Lord God planted a garden eastward inEden. . . .“ (Gen. 2:8.) Man’s first home was in agarden; and precious are the lessons, fellow believers, to be learned from this. We read how Adamand his dear helpmeet learned together to dressthe trees of the garden and care for them. Thecanopy of heaven was the roof of their home, andnight after night showed them knowledge. Thefirst pair knew all the creatures by name and helddominion over them in love. As children of nature,they enjoyed the best diet natule had to offer —

lovely life-giving fruits, grains, and nuts. Theyundoubtedly rejoiced in drinking the pure waterof a river and in immersing their bodies in itssparkling waters. The sun aroused them for labor,and the moon announced the time for sweet sleep.Amid the glowing testimonies of His love, God

was their Teacher and Friend; in return, withintheir family life they gave glory to the Creator ofthe universe.

The Servant of our Lord calls us back to Eden,away from the cities of Egypt teeming with temptations and ripening for destruction. There in acountry setting ve may establish a home, beingsure that it has proper ventilation, sunlight, anddrainage, that it is gracefully furnished with simplicity and comfort, and that kindness dwellsthere. What were the conditions for the home lifeof the Majesty from on High? “A secluded homein the Galilean hills; a household sustained byhonest, self-respecting labor; a life of simplicity;daily conflict with difficulty and hardship; self-sacrifice, economy, and patient, gladsome service;the hour of study at His mother’s side, with theopen scroll of Scripture; the quiet of dawn or twilight in the green valley; the holy ministriesof nature; the study of creation and providence;and the soul’s communion with God, — these werethe conditions and opportunities of the early lifeof Jesus.” —llinistry of Healing, pp. 365, 366.

“My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a veryfruitful hill.” (Isa. 5:1) From the beginning Godalso established a garden in every home, wallingit in with the ten commandments and setting atower in the midst of it, signifying that the Fatheris the true husbandman and that Jesus Christ isthe true vine to which we must cling. We, thespirituaI Israelite children, learn of one cause toleave our parents — marriage. Husband and wifeshould maintain the sacred circle of the homewithin which no other has any right. They shouldbe all to each other, holding back no secrets fromone another, and burying one another’s faults.Unitedly father and mother should safeguard thegarden in the home from Satan’s noxious weeds —

selfish tempers, evil associates, romantic literature, and shameful, worthless television programs.May we ever cultivate the bright flowers of cheerfulness, carefulness, and usefulness. How important it is to learn faithfulness in little things: thechildren should learn thrift and economy; the parents, the right time for work, play, meals, worship,and sleep. Parents, take time for your children.And may we all remember that to make a homemeans to be at home!

“Home is to be the center of the purest andmost elevated affection. Peace, harmony, affection, and happiness should be perseveringly cherished every day, until these precious things abidein the hearts of those who compose the family.The plant of love must be carefully nourished,else it will die.... That which Satan plants inthe heart_envy, jealousy, evil surmising, evilspeaking, impatience, prej udice, selfishness,covetousness, and vanity —must be uprooted.”—The Adventist Home, pp. 195, 196. Some parents“...permit an enemy to sow the garden of theheart; they suffer wrong principles to grow, andin many cases all the labor afterward bestowed onthat soil will avail nothing.” —Test., Vol. 1, p.403. “They should aim so to cultivate the tendencies of the youth, that at each stage of theirlife they may represent the natural beauty appropriate to that period, unfolding gradually, as do

12 THE SABBATH WATCHMAN

the plants and flowers in the garden.” —Test.,Vol. 6, p. 204.

MAN - THE HOUSEBAND

“A bishop then must be blameless, the husbandof one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour,given to hospitality, apt to teach; . . . one thatruleth well his own house, having his children insubjection with all gravity; moreover he must havea good report of them which are without:..1 Tim. 3:2,4,7.

As head of the family, the father is both lawmaker and priest, as well as family supporter. Aspriest he is to gather his wife and children aroundhim for morning and evening worship and to seethat his family attends prayer meetings and guardscarefully the edges of the Sabbath, keeping theday holy. Also representing the Lord as lawgiver,the father should bring forth things old and newfrom the Word of God and render judgment in matters of family import. Although his are the sternervirtues of energy, integrity, honesty, patience,and practical usefulness, he should manifesttenderness toward his wife and lighten her loadwhen possible. Whenever he returns home, caresand business perplexities should be left behind;he should enter with smiles and pleasant words.The household economy will run smoothly if heappropriates the money wisely for tithes andofferings, savings, and joint account. While hemust study the dispositions of all his children, tomete out correct discipline, the father should givespecial attention to his sons and train them to beuseful and manly. Jacob’s manner is praiseworthyas he said, “...My lord knoweth that the childrenare tender, and the flocks and herds with young arewith me: and i men should overdrive them oneday, all the flock will die. Let my lord, I praythee, pass over before his servant: and I will leadon softly, according as the cattle that goeth beforeme and the children be able to endure,.. .“ Gen.33:13, 14.

“He (the father) is bound to his family by sacred,holy ties. Every member of the family centers inthe father. His name, ‘house-band,’ is the truedefinition of husband.... I saw that but fewfathers realize their responsibility.” —Test.,Vol. 1, p. 547. “The husband and father is thehead of the household. The wife looks to him forlove and sympathy, and for aid in the training ofthe children; and this is right. The children arehis as well as hers, and he is equally interestedin their welfare. The children look to the fatherfor support and guidance; he needs to have a rightconception of life and the influences and associations that should surround his family; above all,he should be controlled by the love and fear ofGod and by the teaching of His word, that he mayguide the feet of his children in the right way.”—Ministry of Healing, p. 390.

THE QUEEN OF THE HOUSEHOLD

The aged women should “teach the young womento be sober, to love their husbands, to love theirchildren. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home,good, obedient to their own husbands, that theword of God be not blasphemed.” (Titus 2:4, 5.)

As co-worker with the mInister, the mother hasa God-appointed work—that of sculpturing a likeness of the Divine in her children. She mustnever regard herself as a martyr of the kitchensink or laundry room, Whether quieting a cryingbaby in her arms or serving good, nourishingfood, the mother must realize that, next to God’s,her power for good is the strongest on earth. Dearsisters, no duty at the church, no visitor at thedoor should turn you from your primary concern oftraining your children to be models of goodnessand courtesy, of neatness and purity, Don’t letpublic opinion force you to meet the world’s standards. Mothers, train your daughters to cook andsew and clean die house; show them the religionin homemade bread. Be the close confident of yourdaughters as you teach them to economize andregulate the household. Study the Spirit of prophecy books for ways to maintain good healthreform and home reform. And remember, dearsister, to put on a cheerful look, a pretty dress,and a tempting dish when your husband comeshome from work, With God’s help, encourage himto give you his best. Kneel knee to knee with himto face life’s trials, “Above all put on charity.”(Col. 3:14,) “Btter is a dinner of herbs wherelove is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith,”(Ptov. 15:17.)

‘‘The mother is the queen of de h,ne, and thechildren are her subjects. She is to rule her household wisely in the dignity of her mothcrhood, Herinfluence in the home is to be paramount; her wordlaw, If she is a Christian, under God’s control,she will command the respect of her children.”—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students,p. 111. “There is a God above, and the light andglory from His throne rest upon the faithful motheras she tries to educate her children to resist theinfluence of evil. No other work can equal hersin importance. .. . It is hers, with the help ofGod, to develop in a human soul the likeness ofthe divine,” —Ministiy of Healing, pp. 377, 378.

THE CHILDREN

“That our sons may be as plants grown up intheir youth; that our daughters may be as cornerstones, polished after the similitude of a palace.”(Ps. 144:12.)

Children are God’s property, entrusted to earthlyparents much as was Samuel to Eli. They havebeen purchased with Christ’s blood, and “of suchis the kingdom of heaven,” (Mart. 19:14,) Notwithstanding, they are loved and cared for by theirearthly parents; and so they should consider it aprivilege to share home responsibilities. It is amistaken kindness, dear parents, to indulge children in idleness, Encourage them to take up theirdaily chores cheerfully before engaging in play orschool work. What satisfaction you receive, dearyouth, when you relieve mother of her many burdens: not only will you strengthen home ties butstimulate a healthy appetite and sound sleep.Remember that our parents are entitled to a degreeof love and respect given to no other persons andthat, like Jesus of Nazareth, as we honor them weserve our Heavenly Father. Above all, dear youngpeople, invite the Lord Jesus to be with youwhatever you do or wherever you go. How thrill-

December 1963 13

things, to be regulated by the law of God; theother class is made up of so-called little things,in which the command, ‘Thou shalt love thyneighbor as thyself,’ is ignored. This sphere ofwork is left to caprice, subject to inclination orimpulse. Thus the character is marred, and thereligion of Christ misrepresented.

“There are those who would think it loweringto their dignity to minister to suffering humanity.Many look with indifference and contempt uponthose who have laid the temple of the soul inruins. Others neglect the poor from a differentmotive. They are working, as they believe, in thecause of Christ, seeking to build up some worthyenterprise. They feel that they are doing a greatwork, and they cannot stop to notice the wants ofthe needy and distressed. In advancing theirsupposedly great work they may even oppress thepoor. They may place them in hard and tryingcircumstances, deprive them of their rights, orneglect their needs. Yet they feel that all thisis justifiable because they are, as they think,advancing the cause of Christ.

“Many will allow a brother or a neighbor tostruggle unaided under adverse circumstances.Because they profess to be Christians, he may beled to think that in their cold selfishness they arerepresenting Christ.” —Christ’s Object Lessons,pp. 387, 388.

The Samaritan, on the other hand, representsthose who work with Christ and imitate His example.n doing good.

“The Samaritan had fulfilled the command,‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,’ thusshowing that he was more righteous than those bywhom he was denounced.. Risking his own life,he had treated the wounded man as his brother.This Samaritan represents Christ. Our Saviourmanifested for us a love that the love of man cannever equal. When we were bruised and dying, Hehad pity upon us. He did not pass us by on theother side, and leave us, helpless and hopeless,to perish. He did not remain in His holy, happyhome, where he was beloved by all the heavenlyhost. He beheld our sore need, He undertook ourcase, and identified His interests with those ofhumanity. He died to save His enemies. Heprayed for His murderers. Pointing to His ownexample, He says to His followers, ‘These thingsI command you, that ye love one another;’ ‘as Ihave loved you, that ye also love one another.’”—Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 386, 387.

The one who has pity on the unfortunate, thesick and poor, the widows and orphans is revealing Christ. He therefore, as a true doer of thelaw, will receive eternal life.

“We should anticipate the sorrows, the difficulties, the troubles of others. We should enterinto the joys and cares of both high and low, richand poor. ‘Freely ye have received,’ Christ says,‘freely give.’ All around us are poor, tried soulsthat need sympathizing words and helpful deeds.There are widows who need sympathy and assistance. There are orphans whom Christ has biddenHis followers receive as a trust from God. Toooften these are passed by with neglect. They

may be ragged, uncouth, and seemingly in everyway unattractive; yet they are God’s property.They have been bought with a price, and they areas precious in His sight as we are. They aremembers of God’s great household, and Christiansas His stewards are responsible for them. ‘Theirsouls,’ He says, ‘will I require at thine hand.’”—Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 392, 393.

“By our churches there is a work to be doneof which many have little idea, a work as yetuntouched. ‘I was an hungered,’ Christ says, ‘andye gave Me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave Medrink; I was a stranger, and ye took Me in; naked,and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visitedMe; I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.’ Matt.25:35, 36.

“The work of gathering in the needy, theoppressed, the suffering, the destitute, is thevery work which every church that believes thetruth for this time should long since have beendoing. We are to show the tender sympathy of theSamaritan in supplying physical necessities,feeding the hungry, bringing the poor that are castout to our homes, gathering from God every daygrace and strength that will enable us to reach tothe very depths of human misery, and help thosewho cannot possibly help themselves. In doingthis work we have a favorable opportunity to setforth Christ the crucified One.” —Test., Vol.6,pp. 275, 276.

GOD PROMISES TO HEAL THE MERCIFUL

“Blessed is he that considereth the poor: theLord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lordwill preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shallbe blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lordwill strengthen him upon the bed of languishing:thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. Isaid, Lord, be merciful unto me: heal my soul;for I have sinned against thee.” “And if thoudraw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy theafflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: And theLord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thysoul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thoushalt be like a watered garden, and like a springof water,, whose waters fail not.” Psalm 41:1-4;Isa. 58:10, 11.

“All His gifts are to be used in blessing humanity, in relieving the suffering and the needy. Weare to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, tocare for the widow and the fatherless, to ministerto the distressed and downtrodden. God nevermeant that one man should have an abundance ofthe luxuries of life, while the children of othersshould cry for bread. The means over and abovethe actual necessities of life are entrusted to manto do good, to bless humanity.” —Christ’s ObjectLessons, p. 375.

In the last time, the final decision of the Judgeof the earth will be in accordance with our workfor the needy, the bowed down, and the tempted.

“In placing among us the poor and the suffering,the Lord is testing us to reveal to us what is inour hearts. We cannot with safety swerve from

16 THE SABBATH WATCHMAN

principle, we cannot violate justice, we cannotneglect mercy.

“It should be written upon the conscience aswith a pen of iron upon a rock, that he who disregards mercy, compassion, and righteousness; hewho neglects the poor, who ignores the needs ofsuffering humanity, who is not kind and courteous,is so conducting himself that God cannot cooperate with him in the development of character.The culture of the mind and heart is more easilyaccomplished when we feel such tender sympathyfor others that we bestow our benefits and privileges to relieve their necessities. Getting andholding all that we can for ourselves tends topoverty of soul.” —Test., Vol.6, p.262.

“The spirit of liberality is the spirit of Heaven;the spirit of selfishness is the spirit of Satan.Christ’s self-sacrificing love is revealed upon thecross. He gave all He had, and then gave Himself, that man might be saved. The cross of Christappeals to the benevolence of every follower ofthe blessed Saviour. The principle there illustrated is to give, give. This, carried out in actualbenevolence and good works, is the true fruit ofthe Christian life.” —Test., Vol.4, pp.79,80.

THE WORK IN SOUTH AFRICA

We believers in South Africa praise God for thesacrifices that were brought by the brethren and.sisters in Europe and elsewhere for the furtheranceof the cause here. The work of God is progressing in many parts, such as in the South AfricanUnion and in Southern and Northern Rhodesia.With God’s help new territories have also beenopened so that in the protectorate of Swazilandthe missionary home “Hebron” could be built tothe glory of the precious name of God. It is thedesire of the Chief of this district that a largecenter might develop for training the youth forservice. God will hear our prayers. Swaziland islar, and much is to be accomplished here. Thereare still other pjaces where missionary posts fortraining the youth could be built. I am glad toreport that in Mafeteng of the protectorate ofBasutoland we have been presented with a propertyby the Chief for the erection of a missionary station.

Our African Field is in need of the prayers ofall dear believers in the whole world. We areasking for families and workers to come to Africa,for this continent is very large and millions mustbe warned by the commission of God.

From Africa we cordially greet all believerswho are with us in the same precious faith. TheLord bless and reward you for the sacrifices youhave given for Africa. “For the administration ofthis service not only supplieth the want of thesaints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivingsunto God; Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for yourliberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;and by their prayer for you, which long after youfor the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks beunto God for his unspeakable gift.” 2 Cor. 9:12-15.

“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth untothe Lord; and that which he hath given will he

pay him again.” “Then shall the King say untothem on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of myFather, inherit the kingdom prepared for you fromthe foundation of the world.” Prov. 19:17; Matt.25:34.

“Think of our missions in foreign countries.Some of them are struggling to gain even a foothold; they are destitute of even the most meagerfacilities. Instead of. adding to facilities alreadyabundant, build up the work in these destitutefields. Again and again the Lord has spoken inregard to this. His blessing cannot attend Hispeople in disregarding His instruction.” —Test.,Vol. 6, p. 450.

“My brethren and sisters..., it may be that inlifting up your eyes to see afar off the fieldswhite unto the harvest, you will receive into yourown hearts the abundant grace of God. You whothrough unbelief have been spiritually poor will,through personal labor, become rich in good works.You will no longer starve your souls in the midstof plenty, but will appropriate the good things Godhas in store for you. When you begin to realizehow destitute of means the laborers are to carryforward the work in foreign fields, you will do whatyou can to help, and your souls will begin torevive, your spiritual appetite will become healthy,and your mind will be refreshed with the word ofGod, which is a leaf from the tree of life for thehealing of the nations.

“You, my brother, my sister, may not be able togo into the Lord’s vineyard yourself, but you mayfurnish the means to send others. Thus you willbe putting your money out to the exchangers; andwhen the Master comes, you will be able to returnto Him His own with usury. Your means can beused to send forth and sustain the messengers ofGod, who by voice and by influence will give themessage,...

“If you work with self-denial, doing what youcan to further the advancement of the cause innew fields, the Lord will help and strengthen andbless you. Trust in the assurance of His presence,which sustains you, and which is light and life.Do all for love of Jesus and the precious soulsfor whom He has died. Work with a pure, divinelyinwrought purpose to glorify God.” —Test., Vol. 8,p. 33.

“Our watchword is to be, Onward, ever onward.The angels of God will go before us to prepare theway. Our burden for the ‘regions beyond’ cannever be laid down until the whole earth shall belightened with the glory of the Lord.” —Test.,Vol. 6, p. 29.

May the Lord richly bless all dear believersin the whole world.

AMEN!

“There are three watchwords in the Christianlife, which must be heeded if we would not haveSatan steal a march upon us; namely: Watch, pray,work.” —Test,, Vol. 1, p. 283.

December 1963 17

Reading No. 6 — Sabbath, December 14, 1963

7Xe 4t€c24i ile 4amdby S. GUTKNECFIT, Western Germany

“These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.” Revelation 14:4.

O FOLLOW Christ, the Lamb of God, whichtaketh away the sins of the world, meansmore than a mere lip confession or a niceChristian name. It is not what we profess,

but wilat we are, that will decide our destiny inthis life and the life to come.

To follow Jesus means to take self-denial,suffering, and privation upon oneself and to exercise self-abnegation every day anew. The apostlePaul says, “I am crucified daily,” and a composerof sacred music expresses the same thought inthese words: “I will follow Jesus in this vale onearth, If the way be forbidding, cross and painprepared; Following in His footsteps, to be homeat last, In the peace of Heaven and the land ofrest. I will follow Jesus, though the world makesfun; I will suffer gladly, pleasing only God; On theway forbidding, hasten on with glee, Till by Hisgrear mercy I with Flim shall be.”

The way of the Lamb is the only way in whicha follower of Jesus will progress. On this way hewill find enduring peace of heart. It leads to afruitful life, assists in overcoming difficulties andobstacles, and its goal is life in God’s eternalglory. Whoever follows the Lamb in this life willgo to dwell with the Lamb.

It is very possible that we, for years or perhapsdecades, have been Adventists, calling ourselvesGod’s children, professing to be reformers, andyet in reality are not Advent believers, becausewe do not live and work to hasten the return ofChrist. Yes, we may call ourselves children ofGod, and yet very little of the traits and thecharacter of Jesus Christ may be seen in us. Wemay even profess to be reformers, desiring to reform others, but not be reformed, ourselves. It istherefore an absolute necessity that we take toheart the invitation of Jesus, “Come unto Meand learn... .“ World-shaking events proclaim themidnight hour, the sure end of all things; the timewhen every name will be called in heaven forjudgment, and the final decision will be made forlife or death. Let us in all humility enter into theschool of the Lamb and learn of Him.

(1) LOVE

Concerning love and how to love, the Lamb ofGod is our only perfect example. Jesus teaches usunselfish, self-sacrificing, unpretentious, andcordial love. Of Him it says, “As He loved hisown, so He loved them unto the end.” The apos

tles had many occasions to see for themselvesthat Jesus was the Son of God. The many miraclesHe performed were sufficient proof of the fact.But in the hour of suffering and dying they notonly forsook Flim, but denied and betrayed Him.The Benefactor, 1-lelper, and Saviour was betrayedin a hypocritical manner and sold for cheap anddisdainful money. Yet these actions, unexplainable to us, did not change the love and faithfulnessof the Lamb. He loved them unto the end, and atthe torturous cross He prayed for His enemies.0, how far behind we are! So often we have begunto love, but our love quickly ended; we did notlove to the end.

Today the warning is given to us, “There is nofear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:because fear hath torment. He that feareth is notmade perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18. “Let love bewithout dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil;cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned to one another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” Rom. 12:9, 10.

There is no realm in which so much sin is committed as in love. Even in hatred not as muchdamage is done as in false love.

(2) SERVICE

Only in the school of the Lamb can we learn toserve. The life of Jesus was devoted entirely tothe service of others. He “. . . came not to beministered unto, but to minister.” He who is bornof Him has His mind, and whoever comes unto Flimwill walk His way. For what purpose are wecalled? Paul says it is for service. But only hewho is humble can serve. Why are you givencapabilities and talents? To serve! Often themen who are the most gifted and capable place thegreatest demands upon the church without firstconsidering their own obligations and how theycan serve others with the talents entrusted tothem by God.

For what purpose is your property, your youthfulstrength, and your health given? To serve others!0, if this would only be recognized by all churchmembers, there would be no want of messengersand means in the cause of God. May God in mercyopen the ears of His people in this Week of Prayerto hear the sound of the Master’s call, “Come andserve Me!” And may the decision of your heart bethis: “Then they left all” —occupation, comforts,worldly ties, and friends —to follow Him and serveothers.

18 THE SABBATH WATCHMAN

(3) CARRYING BURDENS

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man ofsorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hidas it were our faces from him; he was despised,and we esteemed him not. Surely he bath borneour griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we didesteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.But he was wounded for our transgressions, hewas bruised for our iniquities: the chastisementof our peace was upon him; and with his stripeswe are healed.” Isa. 53:3-5.

The Lamb of God teaches us to carry burdensin life until our death. Fle carried and He borethem. Jesus not only carried and is still carryingour sins, weaknesses, iniquities, and sicknesses;but He also bore up under all temptations, scoffing,enmity, sufferings, betrayal, hypocrisy, and manymore thi” without losing His patience. How muchfortitu. do you reveal if others fail to appreciateor eve;, misconstrue your work, your sacrifices, oryour best motives, and thus undermine others’confidence in you? How great is your longsuffer.ing in the family when all is not according to yourwishe and will? What if your husband or yourwife ::ts all excited and talks back to you instead ‘f having love? If, perhaps, you have lostyour pition in an apparently unjust manner, areyou ab .t to bear it? Have you given thought tohow .i.;Iy things the Lord permits in our life totest us to see how much we are able to bear? Areyou satisfied with every climate, food, and condition which the Lord has given you? Also, can youforbear with the weak, the sick, and the peculiarones in the church? “Carry one another’s burden.”Only then shall we fulfill the will of God. Peoplewho wish to be admired are not strong, bearingpillars; they will crumble as soon as somethinghas to be carried or endured. People who are stillsensitive are not pillars, for to be too sensitive isthe opposite of bearing one’s burdens quietly.

The Lord needs people •who are able to bearburdens. This is especially called for in thechurch, in the cause of God. People are neededon whom the too sensitive and division-causingspirit smashes. People who follow the Lamb arepeople who have carrying strength.

(4) HUMILITY

“I am meek and lowly in heart,” therefore learnof Me!” Only Jesus was able to say this, for Hegave proof of humility by leaving heaven and allits glory, taking upon himself the form of a servant. There is nothing that is, by nature, moreforeign and of less understanding to us than humility. And because we possess the very smallestamount of humility by nature, it is so needful forus to learn it from Jesus.

Humility is not only a beautiful virtue; it is thevery soil upon which all other virtues will grow.Humility is the power which will minister to all.It will hide its activity, so that it may not drawattention and cause praise to oneself. The surestsign that we possess humility is when we do nottry to evade the humiliations that meet us in ourlives, but are thankful, saying with the Psalmist,“Thy humiliation has made me great.” Ps. 18:35 (Luth. trans.). The apostle Paul said, “...I

will not glory, but in mine infirmities.” 2 Cor. 125. Yes, we must reach the point that we find joyin humiliation for Christ’s sake. “. . . God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, andhe shall lift you up.” James 4:6, 10.

(5) SELF-DENIAL

There is but one glorious, shining Example inself-denial. In Philippians 2:7, we read, “Butmade himself of no reputation, and took upon himthe form of a servant... .“ The deepest lesson ofthe cross is in redeeming and setting man at liberty from the clamor of self-seeking. A selfish manseeks everything for himself and tries to makehimself the center of attraction in all things; andwhen this fails, he either withdraws feeling deeply hurt or, far worse, degenerates into rebellion,as did Satan.

The best remedy against the six appearances ofself self-confidence, self-reliance, self-pleasing,self-seeking, self-will, and self-glorification — isone look at Calvary. Christ alone is able to healus from these tendencies.

(6) BECOMING QUIET

‘‘Fle was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yethe opened not his mouth.” Isa. 53:7. During allthe slander, false accusations, charges, maltreatment, and, early triumph of Satan, we only read,“But he held his peace.” Mark 14:61. This is thefirst lesson we have to learn in the school ofChrist — to be still and submissive.

Elijah needed to learn that God was neither inthe windstorm, nor the earthquake, nor fire, butrather in the still, small voice. Only in quietness,or remaining calm, can you learn the most important lessons of life. “In returning and rest shallye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shallbe your strength....” Isa. 30:15.

(7) SUFFERING

It is said in hTeb. 5:8, “Though he were a Son,yet learned he obedience by the things which hesuffered.” Whoever wants to follow the Lambmust suffer with the Lamb. “Affliction endured isheaven secured!” The followers of Christ wentthrough much want, suffering, pain, and bitter torture; but their suffering led them to the gate ofglory. God’s word says, “Behold, I have refinedthee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in thefurnace of affliction.” Isa. 48:10.

Dear soul, even if you have to carry a heavycross and no one seems to really understand,learn to carry it quietly by God’s grace. Learn tosuffer without complaint! Know that “All thingswork together for good to them that love God!”Rom. 8:28, and “that the sufferings of this presenttime are not worthy to be compared with the glorywhich shall be revealed in us.” Rom. 8:18.

(8) OBEDIENCE

An unmistakable sign of the end is disobedience.Children are disobedient to parents, disobedient tosuperiors. The spirit of uprising and rebellion iseverywhere. But a child of God learns obedience

December 1963 19

from his Saviour. It is said of Him, “and becameobedient unto death... .“ Nothing could shakeHim from His obedience. Even during His deepestsufferings and indescribable mental and physicaltorture He learned a more perfect obedience.Christ did nothing by Himself, although He wasthe Creator of the universe; but He performed allthat His Father had commanded Him. “The Lordhas opened my ear; and I am not disobedient,neither do I turn back.” Isa. 50:5 (Luth. Trans.).

0, that the Lord might give us, as children ofthe heavenly Father, an obedient heart that we maybe obedient in good and evil days.

(9) CONFIDENCE

“He trusted in God!” This attribute even thebitterest enemies had to acknowledge that theSaviour possessed. His confidence could not beshaken by anything—not even in the darkest houron the cross.

It is two different things to trust God in thedarkness and to follow Him in the sunshine. Job,Abraham, Daniel, and the many prophets and martyrs were a shining example in this. When thenight of trial is shrouded in darkness and no staris shining; when disappointments multiply andsuffering seems without end; when the dearest toyour heart is taken from you and the time of waitingbecomes agony — then we are called upon to trustin God. Do we, as Advent believers today, believewith a lively and secure hope that Jesus is comingsoon; or is this confidence beginning to show defects? Are we still solidly convinced that we arein God’s church and carry the last message; orhas this confidence been shaken by the manywinds of doctrine? The Lamb teaches us, “Buthe that shall endure unto the end, the same shallbe saved.” And one more goodly counsel at thiseve of the world’s history: “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompenceof reward. For ye have need of patience, that,after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Heb. 10:35, 36.

One who casts away his confidence casts awayhis eternal life. God has no pleasure in him whoturns back.

(10) WORK

“And because his soul has laboured, He shallsee his delight, and have abundantly. By hisknowledge shall my servant, the righteous one,justify many, for he carries their sins.” Isa. 53:11(Luth. Trans.). Not only did Christ place Hiswhole time, strength, and life into the service ofhumanity; but we read that His soul labored. This,no doubt, was the most essential part. He carriedburden for souls. Jesus wept over unrepentinghumanity, and He died of a broken heart.

The Spirit of prophecy says, “Jesus did notmeasure His time by the hours.” How do youstand? How far does your burden for souls reach?Are you watering the seed sown with your tears,that it may spring up and bear fruit? Is it notshocking that workers who are entering the vineyard today prefer to have a written contract thatassures them their livelihood, that they may have

every evening with their family, that they have aspecific time for vacation set aside, and that notransfer should interfere with it! 0, you servantsof the gospel, look to your Master, who was alsotransferred —no, who even asked to be transferred —

from heaven into a cold world marked by death,far away from the glory of the Father into a stable,from the atmosphere of adoration and worship intoa world filled with enemies and torture. He workedday and night and “...offered up prayers andsupplications with strong crying and tears;. . .“

and you are seeking to secure for yourself the mosttime off. Jesus wrestled for every soul. Even onthe cross He did not cease laboring to save souls;but today it matters not to the hireling when, bytheir criticism, envy, jealousy, faultfinding, andtalebearing, souls for whom Jesus gave His lifeare destroyed.

During this hour of prayer, may God in mercydraw our eyes away from ourselves and all thingsearthly and turn them to Calvary and the heavenlysanctuary, that we may learn to know ourselves inthe light of Christ’s righteousness.

At this solemn moment when all people areapproaching the throne of the Eternal, let us makea complete sacrifice. Not only should we give theLord of the means that we have left, but we shouldbring an offering which hurts. And above all, letus lay our whole lives on the altar of God, so thatthe fire may consume all our passions, all longingfor the world and its fashions, all lack of love, allindolence, and all things that hinder us, leavingonly the pure gold which fits into the Lamb’s crownof honor.

Following the Lamb on His way leads overGethsemane and Calvary, through the gates intoglory. It ends with the King of kings and Fliseternal kingdom. Therefore the return of Jesusmust not remain a side thought but a main topic.Workers and laymen are impressed with the thoughtthat our churches are in need of a revival. Howcan this come about? When the hope in the sooncoming of Jesus is revived again, we will rally tothe work.

May God give grace to all, that in this hour manyof our brethren and sisters may resolve to give uptheir earthly occupations and connections to enterinto the service of Jesus. May the Lord open ourears to hear Flis call and enlighten our eyes tobehold His person, so that the first love mightawaken in our hearts and we may become a peoplethat is working and waiting.

GOD’S PAY

AMEN!

Who does God’s work will get God’s pay,However long may seem the day,However weary be th.e way,God does not pay as others pay,In gold or land or raiment gay,In goods that perish or decay.But God’s high wisdom knows the way;And that is sure, let come what may,Who does God’s work will get God’s pay.

20 THE SABBATH WATCHMAN

Reading No. 7 — Sunday, December 15, 1963

71e 1te4ae Fo C4ct 7ime -

fleU€4 ‘Y imât9 S4fUtIby A. W. DOERSCHLER, North America

“I saw that the quick work that God was doingon the earth would soon be cut short in righteousness, and that the messengers must speed swiftlyon their way to search out the scattered flock. Anangel said, ‘Are all messengers?’ Another answered, ‘No, no; God’s messengers have a message....’

“There are many precious truths in the word ofGod, but it is ‘present truth’ that the flock needsnow.” —Early Writings, pp. 50,63.

THE TIME IS NEAR

(WHAT is the message of the present time?“Son of man, what is that proverb that yehave in the land of Israel, saying, The daysare prolonged, and every vision faileth?

Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord God; Iwill make this proverb to cease, and they shall nomore use it as a proverb in Israel; but say untothem, The days are at hand, and the effect ofevery vision.” Eze. 12:22, 23.

AS AT THAT TIME, SO TODAY

For 120 years Noah proclaimed the destructionof the world by water. That was, about 4400 yearsago. Today buried forests, oilwells, petrifiedfish, and seashells on high mountains testify tothe fact that a fearful catastrophe visited theearth. This man, Noah, a simple citizen amongthe thousands of the inhabitants of the earth atthat time, stands justified today; but the companions of his time ridiculed him in their unbelief.They lie today in mud and earth, buried as sacrifices to their own folly.

WILLINGLY IGNORANT

From this mighty historical event the apostledraws an instructive parallel for the last days ofthis earth, the days in which we are living. Flesays about the present human race, “For thisthey willingly are ignorant of, that by the word ofGod the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Wherebythe world that then was, being overflowed withwater, perished.” And to this he adds the factthat “But the heavens and the earth, which arenow, by the same word are kept in store, reservedunto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Pet. 3:5-7.

It was with wicked defiance that men in Noah’sday soothed their aroused consciences to finallyquiet them. David says, “Rest in the Lord and

wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because ofhim who prospereth in his way, because of the manwho bringeth.wicked devices to pass.” Ps.37:7.

“In Noah’s day, philosophers declared that itwas impossible for the world to be destroyed bywater; so now there are men of science whoendeavor to show that the world cannot be destroyed by fire, — that this would be inconsistentwith the laws of nature. But the God of nature,the maker and controller of her laws, can use theworks of His hands to serve His own purpose.

“When great and wise men had proved to theirown satisfaction that it was impossible for theworld to be destroyed by water, when the fears ofthe people were quieted, when all regarded Noah’sprophecy as a delusion, and looked upon him as afanatic, — then it was that God’s time had come.‘The fountains of the great deep were broken up,and the windows of heaven were opened’ (Gen.7:11), and the scoffers were overwhelmed in thewaters of the flood.” —Patriarchs and Prophets,pp. 103, 104.

THE PREDICTED DELAY

Our beginning text told us that in the land ofIsrael, among God’s people, the rumor was spreadthat because of the long delay or the failure ofprophecy’s fulfillment the whole matter would notmaterialize or was nothing but a mistake. Thisthe Saviour also expresses when He says, “Butand if that evil servant shall say in his heart, MyLord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to smitehis fellowservants, . . .“ Mart. 24:48, 49. And maywe also mention that the ten virgins went througha lengthy testing time of waiting because theBridegroom tarried..

Thus the apparent failure of the prophecy’sfulfillment concerning the destruction of all thingsis a portion of the prophecy itself; and it musttherefore be fulfilled also among us. And this isexactly one of the reasons why our Saviour hasnot come yet. We have already waited for Him formany decades, seemingly in vain. And yet theprophecy will fulfill itself, even as in Noah’s days,although it took a full 120 years. It was fulfilledat that time, and it will be fulfilled today. “Butye have need of patience.”

OUR TIME

The present time demands our interest in manyrespects. We see with horror the increase in allkinds of crime; instability of the political situation

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among nations; and the restless activity of anti-christian powers in their effort to influence themass of mankind through false religion to resistGod’s law. We see the three unclean spirits ofRevelation in feverish activity, in secret and inpublic, to deceive, if possible, even the very elect.

We know by divine prophecy that there is nomedical remedy for the sufferings of this evilworld. The only means is rejected—the onlyname in whom is our salvation. And thus the worldis rushing to its destruction — without hope, withouta ray of light to brighten the future.

OUR HOPE

But where is our hope? Where do we find comfort among the confusion of our time? What is themessage for our time? What is present truth?We thank God that the age-old truth, “Behold, theLord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,”Jude 14, being prophetic words which were spokenat that time, have become present truth today.Also, God’s children have prayed in the prayer ofJesus nearly 2000 years that His kingdom mightbe established. Today the fulfillment is beforeus. In this lies our hope, as the prince of theapostles says, “Looking for that blessed hope,and the glorious appearing of the great God andour Savioui Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13.

0, blessed lope for you and me, dear brother,dear sister, and dear friend! Do you carry thishope as a solid anchor in your soul? Yes, this isthe command of the hour! This is the heart of thesubject around which all other messages mustrevolve. Why look only at the political and religious events, which are nothing more than devicesof Satan? Why not look forward positively to themost precious event of all ages — the coming ofour Redeemer, which now stands immediately atthe door? Today should this not be the chiefsubject of all our conversation and deep reflection?And why? It is because with this precious hopeis bound up the overwhelming thought of our ownpreparedness. “Therefore be ye also ready: forin such an hour as ye think not the son of mancometh.” Matt. 24:44. “Seeing then that all thesethings shall be dissolved, what manner of personsought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,... Be diligent that ye may be found ofhim in peace, without spot, and blameless.”2 Pet. 3:11, 14.

OF GREATEST INTEREST

The preparation for the greatest of all events —

the coming of Jesus in the clouds of heaven —

must be the most important and all-embracing realmof interest for every true child of God in thesedays. On this condition depends, to the greatestex tent, everlasting life or everlasting death. Andtherefore it is the message of our time that I, asyour fellow brother and pilgrim, would like tosound out to you in an impressive voice. Yes,“Get ready! get ready!” was the voice of the angel in the ears of Sister White; and this echomust ring today through all our ranks, in order toarouse us to the sober fact that we are still faraway from the perfect goal, to meet the Saviour,whose presence is as a consuming fire. Where is

our spiritual progress, our spiritual development,our deep devotion for the service of the Master?Where is our personal victory over our naturalinclinations, weaknesses, and sinful habits?

“Faith in the soon coming of Christ is waning.‘My Lord delayeth His coming’ is not only said inthe heart, but expressed in words, and most decidedly in works. Stupidity in this watching timeis sealing the senses of God’s people as to thesigns of the times. The terrible iniquity whichabounds calls for the greatest diligence and forthe living testimony, to keep sin out of the church.Faith has been decreasing to a fearful degree,and it is only by exercise that it can increase.”—Test.. Vol. 3, pp. 255, 256.

FEW WHO WATCH

Yes, there lies a kind of stupidity, a paralysisof the spiritual perceptions, like a heavy weight,on mankind and, unfortunately, also on many ofGod’s people. This is further explained by theSpirit of prophecy as follows: “Thank God, allwill not be rocked to sleep in the cradle of carnalsecurity. There will be faithful ones who willdiscern the signs of the times. While a largenumber professing present truth will deny theirfaith by their works, there will be some who willendure unto the end.

“The same spirit of selfishness, of conformityto the practices of the world, exists in our day asin Noah’s. Many who profess to be children ofof God, follow their worldly pursuits with anintensity that gives the lie to their profession.They will be planting and building, buying andselling, eating and drinking, marrying and givingin marriage, up to the last moment of their probation. This is the condition of a large number ofour own people.

“My soul is burdened as I see the great wantof spirituality among us.” —Test., Vol.5, p. 10.

THE DANGERS OF TODAY

This gives a solemn note to the whole subject.It demands of us an earnest self-examination.Surrounded by a materialistic point of view of theworld, where money-making, luxurious living,amusements, benumbing of senses, indifference,and other things are indulged in, the true Christianholds an opposite position. He serves neitherMammon nor fleshly lusts or amusements. Hedoes not seek to benumb his senses in the hustleand bustle of these days but is deeply concernedabout his eternal salvation. How does it standwith your soul, dear brother, dear sister, and dearfriend? Ilave you freed yourself from the spirit ofthis wicked and evil world? Or do you fail in linewith the others, trying only occasionally to be achild of God—perhaps only on Sabbath? Is yourlife thoroughly permeated with the thought thatJesus’ coming is waiting in front of the door? Areyour thoughts on your heavenly treasure or onearthly idols which will become a snare for yousooner or later if you do not give them up now?

Do you have no room for Jesus?Lo! a Saviour He will be.At your door lie knocks; 0, listen!Sinner, let Him come to thee!

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Room is there for vain allurements,But for Jesus none is left.0, alas! you keep Him waiting,Broken hearted and bereaved.

Do you have no time for Jesus?Standing at your soul’s closed gate?Use the bless’d “today” He gave you,For tomorrow is too late!

Give your all to Jesus gladly.Soon probation will be past.Quickly comes the judgment hour.Condemnation comes at last.

JESUS IS COMING VERY SOON

Let us place special emphasis on the last twowords: “Very soon.” It sounds so full of hope; itis so full of consolation, so full of refreshingsatisfaction for the tired pilgrim on his longjourney. These words include a concept of time.And while we think of the time, we look instinctively at our watch. Wherever we go or whereverwe are, we carry a watch with us. Why? Becausewe know that we have to fit ourselves into time,whether we like it or not. It would be foolish tostop our watches and to think that now time hasceased to go forward. Is not a precious lessonfound in this? Men might set their watches at thefull midday of their false hope, but they cannotthereby hinder the sun suddenly setting for them.So today the world dreams of a golden millenialage in front of us, when the multimillion inhabitants of earth will be converted to Christianity;but in the middle of all their blissful dreams theunmixed wrath of God will suddenly surprisethem.

MIDNIGHT DRAWS NEAR

The great clock of the world stands, so to say,at one minute before midnight. “Gross exaggeration!” says modern unbelief. But the signs of thetime speak another language. If all the propheciesof the Bible could be counted up by percentageand would be examined according to their fulfillment, we could probably come unhindered to theconclusion that possibly only one to two percentlies unfulfilled before us. Is the end near? It isnot oniy near — it is at our heels! Either the Bibleis the truth, or it is not. But we “have the moresure word of prophecy.” Yes, more sure than allhuman surmising. Therefore, dear brother, dearsister, and dear friend, let us proclaim it with onevoice: “Jesus is coming soon! even very soon!and perhaps earlier than we will be ready for Him!”

THE TIME ELEMENT

We wish to mention the ten virgins again briefly,who waited so longingly for the appearing of theBridegroom. What a parallel for our time! Theywere, like you and me, Adventists. Only thefoolish had not reckoned with something, and thiswas, no doubt, the time element. It lasted toolong even for them, and so they lost interest. Theywere bitterly disappointed that the appearanceprevailed that they had been deceived and that,perhaps, the Bridegroom would never come. Butthe worst for them was the fact that they were now

covered with darkness, for their iamps began to goout. In other words, their first love was diminishing, and the Holy Spirit gradually left them. Theystill had the form, the lamp; but their supply ofoil had run out.

Do we, you and I, find ourselves in the samesituation today? Has our first love, the first fireof godly zeal gradually left us? Or are we readytoday with new courage to proclaim joyfully andloudly in all the world, “The Saviour is coming;yes, His coming is at the door! Prepare yourselvesfor eternity!

BUILDING FOR ETERNITY

The great God has through His faithful Servantleft behind the following solemn words:

“Let all who have received the light, who havehad the opportunity of reading and hearing the prophecy, take heed to those things that are writtentherein; ‘for the time is at hand.’ Let none nowtamper with sin, the source of every misery in ourworld. No longer remain in lethargy and stupidindifference. Let not the destiny of your soulhang upon an uncertainty. Know that you are fullyon the Lord’s side. Let the inquiry go forth fromsincere hearts and trembling lips, ‘Who shall beable to stand?’ Have you, in these last precioushours of probation, been putting the very bestmaterial into your character-building? Have youfollowed the light? Have you works correspondingto your profession of faith?

“Is the softening, subduing influence of thegrace of God working upon you? Have you heartsthat can feel, eyes that can see, ears that canhear...?

It is possible to be a partial, formal believer,and yet be found wanting, and lose eternal life.It is possible to practice some of the Bible injunctions, and be regarded as a Christian, and yetperish because you lack qualifications essentialto Christian character. If you neglect or treatwith indifference the warnings that God has given,if you cherish or excuse sin, you are sealing yoursoul’s destiny. You will be weighed in the balance, and found wanting. Grace, peace, and pardonwill be forever withdrawn; Jesus will have passedby, never again to come within reach of yourprayers and entreaties. While mercy lingers, whilethe Saviour is making intercession, let us makethorough work for eternity....

“The blessed hope of the second appearing ofChrist, with its solemn realities, needs to be oftenpresented to the people. Looking for the soonappearing of our Lord will lead us to regard earthlythings as emptiness and nothingness....

“The day of the Lord is approaching withstealthy tread; but the supposed great and wisemen know not the signs of Christ’s coming or ofthe end of the world. Iniquity abounds, and thelove of many has waxed cold.

THE HOUR OF DECISION

“There are thousands upon thousands, millionsupon millions, who are now making their decisionfor eternal life or eternal death. The man who is

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wholly absorbed in his counting-room, the man whofinds pleasure at the gaming table, the man wholoves to indulge perverted appetite, the amusement lover, the frequenters of the theater and theball-room, put eternity out of their reckoning. Thewhole burden of their life is, What shall we eat?what shall we drink? and wherewithal shall we beclothed? They are not in the procession that ismoving heavenward. They are led by the greatapostate, and with him will be destroyed.

ARE YOU READY?

“Our time is precious. We have but few, veryfew days of probation in which to make ready forthe future, immortal life. We have no time to spendin haphazard movements. We should fear to skimthe surface of the word of God....

“Could the curtain be rolled back, could youdiscern the purposes of God and the judgmentsthat are about to fall upon a doomed world, couldyou see your own attitude, you would fear andtremble for your own souls and for the souls ofyour fellow-men. Earnest prayers of heart-rendinganguish would go up to heaven. You would weepbetween the porch and the altar, confessing yourspiritual blindness and backsliding....

“The restraining Spirit of God is even now beingwithdrawn from the world. Hurricanes, storms,empests, fire and flood, disasters by sea andland, follow each other in quick succession.Science seeks to explain all these. The signsthickening around us, telling of the near approachof the Son of God, are attributed to any other thanthe true cause. Man cannot discern the sentinelngels restraining the four winds that they shallnot blow until the servants of God are sealed;but when God shall bid His angels loose thewinds, there will be such a scene of strife as nopen can picture.” —Test., Vol. 6, pp. 404-408.

A CLOSING WORDYes, one minute before midnight! Place your

self once more, dear reader, in the time of Noah.Noah opens the massive door of the ark; once morethe inviting voice of the preacher of righteousnesscalls you in; he even implores you to come in.

you do not do it to please him, but it is foryour own soul’s sake. It is for the redemption ofyour own person. It is only love, unending love,that invites you. “Yes, but,” your soul perhapssays, “you have preached this for nearly 120years already, Noah; and look, we have not comeone step closer to this event. The world stillcontinues on in the same course. How can I believe what you say?” And, therefore, you continue waiting, —one day after the other. How longyet? Perhaps until the door closes? And I sayto you with deep conviction in my heart: It willclose in a short time. Yes, it closed before theeyes of the many thousands in Noah’s days. Itstood written in shining, solemn letters in frontof their souls: “Too late! forever too late!”What cries of anguish from the lips of fathers andmothers, the once happy youth, and the littlechildren! It was now too late to weep; tears foundan end in the fearful agony of looking death intothe face.

MY HAND iN GOD’S

Each morning when / wake I say,“1 place my hand in God’s today”;I know He’ll walk close to my sideMy every wandering step to guide.

He leads me with the tenderest careWhen paths are dark and 1 despair—No need for me to understandIf 1 but hold fast to His hand.

My hand in his! No surer wayTo walk in safety through each day.By His great bounty 1 am fed;Warmed by His love, and comforted.

When at day’s end 1 seek my restAnd realize how much I’m blessed,My thanks pour out to Him; and thenI place my hand in God’s again.

—Florence Scripps Kellogg

jJ

Is this to be your fate? May the Almighty prevent it in mercy. The door of mercy still remainsopen. “Today, as you hear His voice, hardennot your hearts!” May we all, you and I, be readywith all our loved ones to greet our beloved Sayiour with shouts of triumph. May we today, inthis Week of Prayer, add to the message for ourpresent time, “Jesus is Coming Soon!” the heartfelt wish, “Yes, Lord Jesus, come quickly!” ismy desire and prayer.

AMEN!

And your name shall be rememberedIn the blessed presence there

Where remembrances are sacredAnd each memory holds a prayer.

And where loving thoughts shall leave youIn a loving Father’s care.

—Beth Ogden

A PRAYER FOR YOU

What greeting shall 1 send youAs I think of you today?

For the wish that I could wish youGoes beyond what 1 can say!

Yet Unspoken thoughts rise heavenwardIn silence, when we pray.

I will breathe my intercessionsBefore God’s altar throne

And the best I can wish youShall be told to Him alone

And the best thoughts 1 can send youAre from Him and not my own.

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