FoundationOurFirmFoundationOurFirm

Consecration, Spiritualismand the Terrible Ordeal

Shall We Stand Up forReligious Liberty?

Volume 15, Number 1Volume 15, Number 1 January 2000January 2000

Christ Our Righteousness

The Three Angels’ Messages The Sanctuary

The Immutable Law of God

The Non-Immortality of the Soul

The Seventh-day Sabbath Christ Our Righteousness

The Three Angels’ Messages The Sanctuary

The Immutable Law of God

The Non-Immortality of the Soul

The Seventh-day Sabbath Christ Our Righteousness

The Three Angels’ Messages The Sanctuary

The Immutable Law of God

The Non-Immortality of the Soul

The Seventh-day Sabbath

Is Jesus Really Coming Soon?Is Jesus Really Coming Soon?

! Our Firm Foundation

od promises, “When thoupassest through the waters,I will be with thee; and

through the rivers, they shall notoverflow thee: when thou walkestthrough the fire, thou shalt not beburned; neither shall the flamekindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:2.

God has a remnant church inthis world that keeps His command-ments. Yet this remnant church willbe shaken until only the true andfaithful are left in Zion. Sister Whitewrote, “The church may appear asabout to fall, but it does not fall. Itremains, while the sinners in Zionwill be sifted out—the chaff sepa-rated from the precious wheat.”Maranatha, 203.

We are not to have any fears ordoubts about God finishing thework. He is at the helm of this greatAdvent movement. Everything that isnow in disorder He will put in order.Even now, while the Omega ofApostasy continues to develop withinthe church, there is a great move-ment—a work of revival—goingforward among God’s people.

However, a terrible crisis iscoming to God’s Seventh-dayAdventist Church. Sister White

God Will Guide His People

e d i t o r i a leditorial

G

Hope International is a special ministry assisting in the God-given work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Webelieve this Remnant Church of Bible prophecy has been brought into existence by the calling of the Lord, and welook for its final triumph in purity at the second coming of Christ. That the church does not now perfectly reflect thewill of our Lord is cause for sorrow, but not for discouragement. The Word of God stands pledged that all within herborders will be sifted and tried, and though the greater portion will fail the test, there will yet remain a remnant tohonor the Lord by their obedience to all His commands. Therefore, Hope International urges upon all the duty ofsupporting the Seventh-day Adventist Church in every way possible, insofar as is consistent with the principles of thegovernment of God and the leading of His Holy Spirit upon the heart.

About Hope International . . .

2 Our Firm Foundation

wrote, “As trials thicken around us[God’s remnant church], bothseparation and unity will be seen inour ranks. Some who are now readyto take up weapons of warfare will intimes of real peril make it manifestthat they have not built upon thesolid rock; they will yield to tempta-tion. . . . This is a terrible ordeal,but nevertheless it must take place.None but those who have beenovercoming by the blood of theLamb and the word of their testi-mony will be found with the loyaland true, without spot or stain ofsin, without guile in their mouths.. . . Then will come the times whichwill try men’s souls; for the confed-eracy of apostasy will demand thatthe loyal subjects of God shallrenounce the law of Jehovah, andrepudiate the truth of His Word.Then will the gold be separatedfrom the dross, and it will be madeapparent who are the godly, who arethe loyal and true, and who are thedisloyal, the dross and the tinsel.”Maranatha, 202–204.

Only those who place them-selves under God’s divine guidancewill discern the steady tread ofevents taking place that point to the

soon return of Christ. Only thoseunder His guidance will stand inthat time when the terrible crisis hitsour church. The remnant thatremains will be united. They will goforth with self-denying efforts to savethe lost. The third angel’s messagewill swell into a loud cry, and thefaces of God’s people will shine withthe light of Heaven. While compa-nies leave the remnant church,tribes will come in. Then will comethe fulfillment of Isaiah 60:1–2:“Arise, shine; for thy light is come,and the glory of the LORD is risenupon thee. For, behold, the darknessshall cover the earth, and grossdarkness the people: but the LORD

shall arise upon thee, and his gloryshall be seen upon thee.”

When darkness covers theearth and the terrible ordeal hitsour church, the remnant will ariseand shine! The Holy Spirit will guidethem. God will take the work intoHis own hands. And we will all beamazed by the simple means Godwill use to finish His work in right-eousness. So be of good cheer—Christ has overcome the world! !

Jeff Wehr, Associate Editor

"Vol. 15, No. 1

January 2000Volume 15, Number 1

c o n t e n t stable of contents

Departments

4 Consecration, Spiritualism and theTerrible OrdealHow will spiritualism play a part in the shaking of God’sremnant church?Jeff Wehr

8 The Snares of SatanSatan’s secret plans to deceive and destroy God’s peopleEllen G. White

12 Is Jesus Really Coming Soon?How can we cooperate with God to hasten Christ’s coming?Dennis Priebe

20 The Gospel in Type and AntitypeOf what significance are the Old-Testament sanctuaryservices to us today?S. N. Haskell

The Law and the ProphetsHistory teaches us that if we reject one we will rejectthe otherKent Millard

24Shall We Stand Up for Religious Liberty?How does God say Seventh-day Adventists should relate tosuch political questions?Russell Standish

26Satan’s DevicesHow to protect ourselves and our families from our wily foeEllen G. White

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FoundationIt is the mission of Hope International andthe editors of Our Firm Foundation to clearlypresent Christ and His truth. The days thatyet remain of this world are few, and whatwe do we must do quickly. We must boldlyproclaim the historic truths of Adventismthat place us on so firm a foundation in themidst of this troubled world. –Editors

Executive Editor: Ron SpearAssociate Editor: Jeff WehrAdministrator / Editorial Committee

Chairman: Harry HansenManaging Editor: Harvey SteckEditorial Staff: Philip GarberDesign & Layout: Fallen Timber

Graphics, Kevin Patterson

Subscription InformationPrices for the annual subscription arelisted below. Although we strive to keepthem as low as possible, if your financescannot meet the requested amount, pleasesend whatever you can. We want this ma-terial to be available to all. If you wish togive a donation to assist in providing sub-scriptions for those whose funds may belimited, send your gift marked “Subscrip-tion Assistance” to the address below. Yourdonation is tax deductible.

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Defending the Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

News Watch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Health for Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Letters to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

# Our Firm Foundation4

Brothers and sisters, we arestanding on the threshold ofgreat and solemn events.

Soon a crisis will come to theSeventh-day Adventist Church thatwill cause both separation and unity.At the time of this terrible ordeal,companies will leave and tribes willcome in.

What is the context of thisterrible exodus from the church andthe tremendous influx into thechurch? What will be some of itsmain characteristics? I believe weshall discover that: (1) consecration,or the lack thereof, is at the centerof this crisis, while (2) spiritualismserves as its catalyst. Let us considerthe following quotations from theSpirit of Prophecy:

Unity and SeparationUnder the Loud Cry

“As trials thicken around us,both separation and unity will beseen in our ranks. Some who arenow ready to take up weapons ofwarfare will in times of real perilmake it manifest that they have notbuilt upon the solid rock; they willyield to temptation. Those who havehad great light and precious privi-leges, but have not improved them,

will, under one pretext or another,go out from us. Not having receivedthe love of the truth, they will betaken in the delusions of the enemy;they will give heed to seducingspirits and doctrines of devils, andwill depart from the faith. But, onthe other hand, when the storm ofpersecution really breaks upon us,the true sheep will hear the trueShepherd’s voice. Self-denyingefforts will be put forth to save thelost, and many who have strayedfrom the fold will come back tofollow the great Shepherd. Thepeople of God will draw togetherand present to the enemy a unitedfront. In view of the common peril,strife for supremacy will cease; therewill be no disputing as to who shallbe accounted greatest. No one ofthe true believers will say: ‘I am ofPaul; and I of Apollos; and I ofCephas.’ The testimony of one andall will be: ‘I cleave unto Christ; Irejoice in Him as my personalSaviour.’ ” Maranatha, 202.

Notice that as “trials thickenaround us,” there will be bothseparation and unity among themembers of God’s remnant church.Those who will leave will not have“received the love of the truth.”

Tragically, they will have beendisputing over “who shall be ac-counted greatest,” while failing toimprove on the precious light theyhad already received. While theirLaodicean condition will haveprepared them for their exodusfrom the remnant, it will be spiritu-alism that will deceive them andprepare them for their departure.“Not having received the love of thetruth, they will be taken in thedelusions of the enemy; they willgive heed to seducing spirits anddoctrines of devils, and will departfrom the faith.”

On the other hand, those whohad been going about their Father’sbusiness will present to the world “aunited front.” There will be nodisputing among them over who isthe greatest. They will be united inearnest prayer to God, and then Hewill lead them to choose leaders oftheir own who have never sought forpositions. As they pray for powerfrom on high, they will receive theoutpouring of the Holy Spirit, whichwill enable them to go fearlessly intoall the world to proclaim the lastmessage of mercy to the world.

Then will be fulfilled theprophecy: “Arise, shine; for thy light

J e f f W e h r

Consecration, Spiritualism and the Terrible Ordeal

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is come, and the glory of the LORD isrisen upon thee. For, behold, thedarkness shall cover the earth, andgross darkness the people: but theLORD shall arise upon thee, and hisglory shall be seen upon thee.”Isaiah 60:1–2. At the darkest mo-ment of earth’s history, when thegreatest persecution comes fromwithin and without, God’s peoplewill shine all the brighter!

The Church AppearsAs About to Fall

“Satan will work his miracles todeceive; he will set up his power assupreme. The church may appear asabout to fall, but it does not fall. Itremains, while the sinners in Zionwill be sifted out—the chaff sepa-rated from the precious wheat. Thisis a terrible ordeal, but neverthelessit must take place. None but thosewho have been overcoming by theblood of the Lamb and the word oftheir testimony will be found withthe loyal and true, without spot orstain of sin, without guile in theirmouths. . . . The remnant thatpurify their souls by obeying thetruth gather strength from the tryingprocess, exhibiting the beauty ofholiness amid the surroundingapostasy.” Ibid., 203.

The time is coming when thechurch will go through “a terribleordeal.” At that time the “churchmay appear as about to fall.” Sinnersin Zion will be sifted out, whilethose who had been overcoming bythe blood of the Lamb will remain.These overcomers will be found tobe loyal and true followers, “withoutspot or stain of sin, without guile intheir mouths.” Those who will besifted out will have desired to beforgiven, but not cleansed. Tragically,they will have chosen to hang on tosome cherished sin or sins.

Again, we find spiritualism asthe context of this terrible ordealand the separation within theremnant church. “Satan will work hismiracles to deceive; he will set uphis power as supreme. The churchmay appear as about to fall, but itdoes not fall.” Satan’s miracle-working power will deceive multi-tudes of Seventh-day Adventists whohave not made the necessary heartpreparation. While they do notbelieve in the immortality of the

soul, they fail to believe in thepower of the gospel to sanctify themwholly. This failure to cooperate withGod in the work of sanctificationmakes them easy targets for Satan’smasterpiece of deception.

The Purification ofthe Church

“The time is upon us when themiracle-working power of the

archdeceiver will be more decidedlyrevealed. And his deceptions willincrease in their delusive attraction,so that they will perplex, and ifpossible, deceive, the very elect. . . .

“An apostate church will unitewith the powers of earth and hell toplace upon the forehead or in thehand, the mark of the beast, andprevail upon the children of God toworship the beast and his image.They will seek to compel them torenounce their allegiance to God’slaw, and yield homage to the Papacy.Then will come the times which willtry men’s souls; for the confederacyof apostasy will demand that the loyalsubjects of God shall renounce thelaw of Jehovah, and repudiate thetruth of His Word. Then will the goldbe separated from the dross, and itwill be made apparent who are thegodly, who are the loyal and true,and who are the disloyal, the drossand the tinsel. What clouds of chaffwill then be borne away by the fan ofGod! Where now our eyes candiscover only rich floors of wheat, willbe chaff blown away with the fan ofGod. Every one who is not centeredin Christ will fail to stand the test andordeal of that day. While those whoare clothed with Christ’s righteous-ness will stand firm to truth and duty,those who have trusted in their ownrighteousness will be ranged underthe black banner of the prince ofdarkness. Then it will be seenwhether the choice is for Christ orBelial.” Ibid., 204.

The time is nearly upon uswhen “an apostate church will unite

with the powers of earth and hell”and will “demand that the loyalsubjects of God shall renounce thelaw of Jehovah.” Under this pressure,there will be a great separation inthe church; the gold will “be sepa-rated from the dross.” Those whowill be “blown away with the fan ofGod” are those who have notcentered their life in Christ. Bytrusting in their own righteousness

they will have failed to put onChrist’s righteousness.

Again, we find that the time ofthis terrible ordeal is couched in thecontext of spiritualism, when “themiracle-working power of thearchdeceiver will be more decidedlyrevealed.” His satanic delusions willbecome so deceptive, that, if it werepossible, they would deceive the veryelect of God.

God’s People Broughtto the Test

“We need not to be deceived.Wonderful scenes, with which Satanwill be closely connected, will soontake place. God’s Word declares thatSatan will work miracles. He willmake people sick, and then willsuddenly remove from them hissatanic power. They will then beregarded as healed. These works ofapparent healing will bring Seventh-day Adventists to the test. Many whohave had great light will fail to walkin the light, because they have notbecome one with Christ.” Ibid., 209.

Those who have had greatlight, but have failed to walk in thelight, will fall in that day whenSatan’s wonder-working powers will“bring Seventh-day Adventists to thetest.” By not becoming one withChrist and failing to stand on theliving Word of God, they will bedeceived when Satan makes peoplesick and then suddenly lifts hissatanic power over them to make itappear to be a miraculous healing.

Not long ago, at one of ourmeetings, a brother from South

Satan’s miracle-working power will deceive multitudesof Seventh-day Adventists who have not made thenecessary heart preparation.

% Our Firm Foundation

America shared with me the follow-ing account of a false healing: Hewas in the hospital when a very illyoung lady was admitted. Thedoctors performed all kinds of testson her, but could not ascertain thecause of her sickness. After every testfailed, a spiritualist came in andperformed some sort of ritual. In amatter of moments the lady rose upin perfect health.

Satan Pretends to Be theGreat Medical Missionary

In these last days, thousands, ifnot millions, will come down withsudden illness. Satan will then usesome members in the apostatechurches to perform false “miraclesof healing.” These apparent miracleswill bring Seventh-day Adventists tothe test. Those Adventists who havenot faithfully prayed, studied, andapplied God’s Word will reason thatthese other churches could notpossibly then be part of Babylon andwill be deceived because of all thesefalse miracles of healing.

Sister White wrote, “Papists,who boast of miracles as a certainsign of the true church, will bereadily deceived by this wonder-working power; and Protestants,having cast away the shield of truth,will also be deluded. Papists, Protes-tants, and worldlings will alike acceptthe form of godliness without thepower, and they will see in this uniona grand movement for the conversionof the world and the ushering in ofthe long-expected millennium.

“Through spiritualism, Satanappears as a benefactor of the race,healing the diseases of the people,and professing to present a new andmore exalted system of religiousfaith; but at the same time he worksas a destroyer.” The Great Controversy,588–589.

In that day of spiritualisticfrenzy, these apostate churches will

have “declared that they had thetruth, that miracles were amongthem, that angels from heaventalked with them, and walked withthem, that great power, and signsand wonders were performed amongthem, and this was the TemporalMillennium, which they had beenexpecting so long. The whole worldwas converted and in harmony withthe Sunday law.” Maranatha, 209.

These lying wonders and falsemiracles of healing will take theworld captive, thus deceiving theminto believing that the “long-expectedmillennium” of peace on earth hasbegun or is near at hand. At thistime, “Satan will come in to deceive ifpossible the very elect. He claims tobe Christ, and he is coming in,pretending to be the great medicalmissionary. He will cause fire to comedown from heaven in the sight ofmen to prove that he is God.” Ibid.,208. (All emphasis supplied by authorunless otherwise noted.)

The Remnant That RemainsAt that critical moment, when

multitudes of fellow believers will beleaving the Seventh-day AdventistChurch, there will still stand aremnant. “We shall be attacked onevery point; we shall be tried to theutmost. We do not want to hold ourfaith simply because it was handeddown to us by our fathers. Such afaith will not stand the terrible testthat is before us. We want to knowwhy we are Seventh-day Adventists,what real reason we have for comingout from the world as a separate anddistinct people.” Ibid., 217.

While God’s remnant churchwill be shaken during those times oftremendous stress and lying won-ders, the process of the sealing ofGod’s people will have already beenset in motion. “Just as soon as thepeople of God are sealed in theirforeheads—it is not any seal or mark

that can be seen, but a settling intothe truth, both intellectually andspiritually, so they cannot bemoved—just as soon as God’s peopleare sealed and prepared for theshaking, it will come.” Ibid., 200.

With the church purified, evenunder these troublous times, Godwill reveal that He is in control ofthe situation. The Bible says, “Andafter these things I saw anotherangel come down from heaven,having great power; and the earthwas lightened with his glory.”Revelation 18:1.

“The prophecies in theeighteenth of Revelation will soonbe fulfilled. During the proclamationof the third angel’s message, ‘an-other angel’ is to ‘come down fromheaven, having great power,’ and theearth is to be ‘lightened with hisglory.’ The Spirit of the Lord will sograciously bless consecrated humaninstrumentalities that men, women,and children will open their lips inpraise and thanksgiving, filling theearth with the knowledge of God,and with His unsurpassed glory, asthe waters cover the sea.

“Those who have held thebeginning of their confidence firmunto the end will be wide-awakeduring the time that the thirdangel’s message is proclaimed withgreat power. During the loud cry,the church, aided by the providen-tial interpositions of her exaltedLord, will diffuse the knowledge ofsalvation so abundantly that light willbe communicated to every city andtown. The earth will be filled withthe knowledge of salvation. Soabundantly will the renewing Spiritof God have crowned with successthe intensely active agencies, thatthe light of present truth will beseen flashing everywhere.

“There is to be, at this period,a series of events which will revealthat God is Master of the situation.The truth will be proclaimed inclear, unmistakable language. . . .Through most wonderful workingsof Divine Providence, mountains ofdifficulties will be removed, and castinto the sea. The message thatmeans so much to the dwellersupon the earth will be heard andunderstood. Men will know what istruth. Onward, and still onwardthe work will advance, until the

Satan will then use some members in the apostatechurches to perform false “miracles of healing.” Theseapparent miracles will bring Seventh-day Adventiststo the test.

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whole earth shall have beenwarned. And then shall the endcome.” Ibid., 218.

While it saddens my heart tothink of the millions who will leavethe ranks of our beloved church, Iam yet thankful for those who byGod’s grace will take their stand fortruth. These faithful ones will beempowered by the latter rain—thegreat outpouring of the HolySpirit—to lighten the world with theprecious message for this time.

However, it is now that wemust get ready for the time of trialahead. Each one of us must have anindividual experience in walkingwith God. We cannot rely on othersfor our spirituality. Daily we mustgrow in Christ by: (1) treasuring upin our hearts the very promises ofGod, (2) contemplating the alto-gether lovely life of Jesus, (3)establishing a strong prayer life ofcommunion with God, (4) increas-ing our abilities for service, and (5)

choosing to be converted every day.Then will come the time when the“Servants of God, with their faceslighted up and shining with holyconsecration, will hasten from placeto place to proclaim the messagefrom Heaven. By thousands ofvoices, all over the earth, thewarning will be given. Miracles willbe wrought, the sick will be healed,and signs and wonders will followthe believers.” Ibid., 256. !

Much of the professed Christian world today believes that man has an immortal soul, and that when he dies his soul goesto heaven—or perhaps hell. This belief was handed down to us from paganism, and, as with most heathen beliefs, thereis no truth in it.

While the belief in the immortality of the soul seems to many to be an innocent philosophy, it lays the foundation for awhole false religion—spiritualism. It opens an unobstructed line of communication through which Satan, with hisconfederate evil angels, can communicate soul-destroying errors to the unsuspecting.The following inexpensive books are excellent to share personally or door-to-door with friends, family, neighbors, or bybulk mail to your whole Zip code area:

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&Vol. 15, No. 1

' Our Firm Foundation

AE l l e n G . W h i t e

s the people of God ap-proach the perils of the lastdays, Satan holds earnest

consultation with his angels as to themost successful plan of overthrowingtheir faith. He sees that the popularchurches are already lulled to sleepby his deceptive power. By pleasingsophistry and lying wonders he cancontinue to hold them under hiscontrol. Therefore he directs hisangels to lay their snares especiallyfor those who are looking for thesecond advent of Christ and endeav-oring to keep all the command-ments of God.

Says the great deceiver: “Wemust watch those who are callingthe attention of the people to theSabbath of Jehovah; they will leadmany to see the claims of the law ofGod; and the same light whichreveals the true Sabbath reveals alsothe ministration of Christ in theheavenly sanctuary, and shows thatthe last work for man’s salvation isnow going forward. Hold the mindsof the people in darkness till thatwork is ended, and we shall securethe world and the church also.

“The Sabbath is the greatquestion which is to decide thedestiny of souls. We must exalt thesabbath of our creating. We havecaused it to be accepted by bothworldlings and church members;now the church must be led to unitewith the world in its support. Wemust work by signs and wonders toblind their eyes to the truth, andlead them to lay aside reason andthe fear of God and follow customand tradition.

“I will influence popularministers to turn the attention oftheir hearers from the command-ments of God. That which theScriptures declare to be a perfectlaw of liberty shall be represented asa yoke of bondage. The peopleaccept their minister’s explanationsof Scripture and do not investigatefor themselves. Therefore, byworking through the ministers, I cancontrol the people according to mywill.

“But our principal concern isto silence this sect ofSabbathkeepers. We must excitepopular indignation against them.

We will enlist great men and worldly-wise men upon our side, and inducethose in authority to carry out ourpurposes. Then the sabbath which Ihave set up shall be enforced by lawsthe most severe and exacting. Thosewho disregard them shall be drivenout from the cities and villages, andmade to suffer hunger and priva-tion. When once we have the power,we will show what we can do withthose who will not swerve from theirallegiance to God. We led theRomish church to inflict imprison-ment, torture, and death upon thosewho refused to yield to her decrees;and now that we are bringing theProtestant churches and the worldinto harmony with this right arm ofour strength, we will finally have alaw to exterminate all who will notsubmit to our authority. When deathshall be made the penalty of violat-ing our sabbath, then many who arenow ranked with commandmentkeepers will come over to our side.

“But before proceeding tothese extreme measures, we mustexert all our wisdom and subtlety todeceive and ensnare those who

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UpcomingEvents

9

Week of Prayerwith Danny Vierra

Eatonville, WAMarch 13–18, 2000

Camp MeetingHope International

Portland, TNMay 25–28, 2000

Camp MeetingHope International

Eatonville, WAJuly 25–30, 2000

Camp MeetingHartland Institute

Rapidan, VAAugust 1–6, 2000

Camp MeetingHope International

Angelus Oaks, CASeptember 7–10, 2000

Camp MeetingHope International

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strength to resist our power, anderelong they will be ready to ridiculetheir former zeal and devotion.

“Until the great decisive blowshall be struck, our efforts againstcommandment keepers must beuntiring. We must be present at alltheir gatherings. In their largemeetings especially our cause willsuffer much, and we must exercisegreat vigilance, and employ all ourseductive arts to prevent souls fromhearing the truth and becomingimpressed by it.

“I will have upon the ground,as my agents, men holding falsedoctrines mingled with just enoughtruth to deceive souls. I will alsohave unbelieving ones present who

will express doubts in regard to theLord’s messages of warning to Hischurch. Should the people read andbelieve these admonitions, we couldhave little hope of overcoming them.But if we can divert their attentionfrom these warnings, they willremain ignorant of our power andcunning, and we shall secure themin our ranks at last. God will notpermit His words to be slighted withimpunity. If we can keep soulsdeceived for a time, God’s mercy willbe withdrawn, and He will give themup to our full control.

“We must cause distraction anddivision. We must destroy theiranxiety for their own souls, and leadthem to criticize, to judge, and toaccuse and condemn one another,and to cherish selfishness andenmity. For these sins, God banishedus from His presence; and all whofollow our example will meet asimilar fate.” !

The Spirit of Prophecy, book 4, 337–340. For further study, see The GreatControversy, chapter 32.

honor the true Sabbath. We canseparate many from Christ byworldliness, lust, and pride. Theymay think themselves safe becausethey believe the truth, but indul-gence of appetite or the lowerpassions, which will confuse judg-ment and destroy discrimination, willcause their fall.

“Go, make the possessors oflands and money drunk with thecares of this life. Present the worldbefore them in its most attractivelight, that they may lay up theirtreasure here and fix their affectionsupon earthly things. We must do ourutmost to prevent those who laborin God’s cause from obtainingmeans to use against us. Keep the

money in our own ranks. The moremeans they obtain, the more theywill injure our kingdom by takingfrom us our subjects. Make themcare more for money than for theupbuilding of Christ’s kingdom andthe spread of the truths we hate,and we need not fear their influ-ence; for we know that every selfish,covetous person will fall under ourpower, and will finally be separatedfrom God’s people.

“Through those that have aform of godliness but know not thepower, we can gain many who wouldotherwise do us great harm. Loversof pleasure more than lovers of Godwill be our most effective helpers.Those of this class who are apt andintelligent will serve as decoys todraw others into our snares. Manywill not fear their influence, becausethey profess the same faith. We willthus lead them to conclude that therequirements of Christ are less strictthan they once believed, and that byconformity to the world they wouldexert a greater influence withworldlings. Thus they will separatefrom Christ; then they will have no

They may think themselves safe because they believethe truth, but indulgence of appetite or the lower

passions, which will confuse judgment and destroydiscrimination, will cause their fall.

)* Our Firm Foundation

How to mark your Bible and know God’s Word better

The Snare of Spiritualism

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d e f e n d i n gdefending the faith P h i l i p G a r b e r

1SS: Genesis 3:1–5.In the Garden of Eden we

have the first manifestation ofspiritualism. Through the mediumof the serpent Satan spoke to Eve.Eve by entering into dialogue withthe serpent, ventured upon forbid-den ground, and thus was ensnaredby Satan’s bewitching sophistries.

Satan questioned God’s author-ity: “Yea hath God said, Ye shall noteat of every tree of the garden?” Thelies that Satan told then are the veryfoundation of spiritualism: “Ye shallnot surely die . . . Ye shall be asgods.” These falsehoods have becomecornerstones of not only paganreligions but also of much of what iscalled Christianity.

2SS: Ecclesiastes 9:5.The Scripture is very plain

regarding the state of the dead:“The dead know not anything.” Thedead have no part in anything doneamong the living. The dead have noreward given to them until theresurrection. Both the righteous andthe wicked remain in their gravesawaiting either everlasting life oreverlasting destruction.

3SS: Isaiah 8:19.The Scripture plainly states that

we should seek God for our an-swers—not the dead. In spite of thiswarning, many have bought the lie ofSatan regarding death, and haveentered into communication withdemons purporting to be the spiritsof dead people. The doctrine of thenatural immortality of the soul hasopened a floodgate of error uponour world. Key among these errors is

the falsehood that when people diethey become ministering spirits whoreturn to comfort the living.

God commanded His ancientpeople, upon pain of death, thatthey should not attempt to commu-nicate with the dead. See Leviticus20:6, 27; Deuteronomy 18:10–14.

4SS: Hebrews 1:14.In contrast to the erroneous

doctrine that the dead are minister-ing spirits, the Scripture is very plainthat the holy angels are the minister-ing spirits who minister to the saints.

5SS: 1 Samuel 28:7–19.In the latter years of Saul’s

reign, he departed more and morefrom the Lord. When facing anespecially difficult war with thePhilistines, and seeing that the Lorddid not answer him, he consulted awoman who had a familiar spirit.This woman through her sorcerycalled up a “spirit” who appeared tolook like the prophet Samuel.However, that which was supposedlySamuel was in reality an evil angel.Saul, because of his disobedience toGod’s clear commands, died inbattle. See 1 Chronicles 10:13–14.The lesson we learn from this storyis that those who appear to bedeceased people are in realitySatan’s angels.

6SS: Revelation 13:13–14.The Bible declares that in the

final moments of time, the miracle-working power of spiritualism will bemanifest. The agents of Satan willeven call fire down from heaven.These events will be more than mereimpostures—Satan’s agents will

We present this study with the desirethat it will encourage you, our read-ers, to pursue a deeper examinationof God’s Word. The warning hasbeen given us that “none but thosewho have fortified the mind with thetruths of the Bible will stand throughthe last great conflict.” The GreatControversy, 593–594. It is our sug-gestion that you use this study per-sonally, in group settings, or withyour family. We also encourage youto add other Scriptural references tothis study as you proceed in your ownpersonal, attentive scrutiny of God’sWord.

The Editors

Bible Marking Directions

1. In this month’s study ourBible marking key lettersare SS, which represent“The Snare of Spiritualism.”

2. On the blank flyleaf ateither the beginning or theend of your Bible, write inthe key letters followed bythe first Scriptural text. Thismonth’s beginning entryshould appear as follows:1 SS Genesis 3:1-5.

3. Turn to the first referenceand, in the margin near it,write the second reference.Then turn to the secondreference and, in themargin near it, write thethird reference, and so onto the end of the lesson.When you come to the lastreference write “End SS.”

))Vol. 15, No. 1

perform real miracles. Part of thegreat test—which will determinewhether men will receive the mark ofthe beast—will be if they can seethrough Satan’s supernatural manifes-tations. This deception of miracleswill be almost irresistible unless weare kept by the Spirit of God.

7SS: Isaiah 8:20.Our only safety in the last days

will be in a “thus saith the Lord.”The Bible must be our Guide—notfeelings or impressions. We mustmeet all of Satan’s deceptions asChrist met them when He was uponthe earth. Christ’s response wasalways, “It is written,” and ouranswer should be the same.

8SS: Revelation 16:13–14.Satan has been orchestrating

his plans to deceive the nations for

many years. Through spiritualisticmanifestations Satan will deceivealmost all of the people of the earth,joining them in one universalalliance. A confederacy will beformed between Catholicism, Protes-tantism and the pagan religions.

The foundation that Satanlaid in Eden will soon be fullydeveloped into his masterpiece ofdeception. Christ, the apostles,Mary and other people will bepersonated by Satan and his evilangels. This error of spiritualismwill soon reach its most deceptiveand powerful stage. Unless we arekept by God’s power, we will bedeceived. See Matthew 24:24.

9SS: 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12.Even those who are the

professed children of God—including Seventh-day Adventists—

but who have no love for the truthwill also be deceived by thesepowerful manifestations of spiritual-ism. The Scripture states that theywill receive a strong delusion andbelieve a lie.

10SS: Isaiah 28:17–18.God has declared that there is

coming a time when with judgmentHe will sweep away the refuge ofSatan’s lies. And this work of un-masking Satan’s deceptions refersespecially to the state of the deadand spiritualism.

But before that day, God hasallowed us to have a part in warningthe world. Our commission is con-tained in the second angel’s messageof Revelation 14. We are to unmaskthe errors of Babylon, exposing herdeadly wine. Let us do our part toawaken those in darkness. !

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)! Our Firm Foundation

D e n n i s P r i e b e

DO you believe that Jesus iscoming soon? Was thisexact question asked of

Seventh-day Adventists in 1950? In1910? In 1890? Of Millerites in 1844?Yet we are still here, asking the samequestion a century and a half later.Hasn’t something gone tragicallywrong? Could our sons and grand-sons be asking the same question offuture Adventists fifty years down theline? What is to prevent that fromhappening? What guarantee do wehave that Jesus is really comingsoon? The shocking reality is that wehave no guarantee. Jesus may not becoming soon. I am unable to sayunequivocally that Jesus will returnwithin the next ten or even twentyyears.

Revelation 7:1–3 describes theperiod of time in which we live.“And after these things I saw fourangels standing on the four cornersof the earth, holding the four windsof the earth, that the wind shouldnot blow on the earth, nor on thesea, nor on any tree. And I sawanother angel ascending from the

east, having the seal of the living God:and he cried with a loud voice to thefour angels, to whom it was given tohurt the earth and the sea, saying, Hurtnot the earth, neither the sea, nor thetrees, till we have sealed the servants ofour God in their foreheads.”

The four angels have beenholding the winds of destruction for along time now. They have beenspecifically ordered to keep holdingthe winds until God’s final sealingwork could be finished. This tells ustwo things. First, the sealing work isnot yet finished. Second, we will notsee an end to this world’s suffering untilthe sealing work is finished, even if thatshould be decades in the future. Doyou see why we have no guarantee thatJesus’ coming will be soon?

God’s Will for AdventismHaving said that we have no

guarantee that Jesus is coming soon,may I hasten to add that I believe thatthe possibility is that Jesus may comevery, very soon. It seems that thereare certain periods when God movesevents in the world and the church

toward an impending climax, andthen waits to see if His people areready to move with Him.

In 1844 He moved mightilythrough the Millerite movement,and if His people would have hungtogether in faith after the GreatDisappointment, the sealing workcould have been finished ratherquickly. But the great Milleritemovement fractured apart after theDisappointment, and God couldnot finish His sealing work.

Then things went into a sortof plateau for forty years until Godbegan to move things in the worldand the church toward anotherclimax point in 1888. Once againGod watched hopefully to see ifHis people would catch the visionand get serious about going home.Once again God’s desires werethwarted, this time by selfish, fault-finding, power-seeking Seventh-dayAdventist men and women.

So we went into anotherplateau of ninety years. It is myconsidered judgment that we aremoving toward another of those

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rare climax points in history, whenGod is moving events once againinto a final countdown. And onceagain He is hoping that His peoplewill catch the vision of eternity andjoin with Him in bringing an end tothe sin problem. Will they do it thistime? Will we do it this time? If wedecide that we are ready to getserious about our chosen name—Seventh-day Adventists—then thehistory of sin could be over in a veryshort time. On the other hand, if wekeep sleeping along, and congratu-lating ourselves about our beautifulchurches and our fine organs andthe surging number of baptisms inparts of the world other than NorthAmerica, then this climax point willpass just like others have done, andthis tired old world will go on strug-gling for survival, while you and I willgo to our graves in disappointment.

God’s Chosen PeopleBack in the time of Christ, the

Jews had some treasured statementswhich they loved to quote whenthings looked dark for them. Onewas Jeremiah 31:35–37: “Thus saiththe LORD, which giveth the sun for alight by day, and the ordinances ofthe moon and of the stars for a lightby night, which divideth the seawhen the waves thereof roar; TheLORD of hosts is his name: if thoseordinances depart from before me,saith the LORD, then the seed ofIsrael also shall cease from being anation before me for ever. Thussaith the LORD; If heaven above canbe measured, and the foundationsof the earth searched out beneath, Iwill also cast off all the seed of Israelfor all that they have done, saith theLORD.” Speaking of Jerusalem inverse 40, the Lord said, “It shall notbe plucked up, nor thrown downany more for ever.”

God told the Jews that as longas the sun and moon and starsremained in the sky, Israel wouldremain as His chosen nation. Hepromised that, just as surely as noone could ever measure the heavensor the depth of the earth, He wouldnever cast off Israel as His chosenpeople. Ellen White comments,“These words the Jews applied tothemselves; and because God hadshown them so great favor and

mercy, they flattered themselves that,notwithstanding their sins andiniquity, He would still retain themas His favored people, and showerespecial blessings upon them. Thishas been the danger of the peopleof God in all ages; and especially isthis the danger of those living nearthe close of time. . . . If they shut

their eyes, as did the Jews, to theirown corruption, and choose theirown ways, the Lord will give themup to blindness of mind, andhardness of heart, that they cannotdiscern the things of the Spirit ofGod.” Redemption, vol. 1, 38–39.

But doesn’t the promise wejust read sound absolute, andweren’t the Jews justified in believingthat Israel would stand forever asGod’s chosen people? Are we notlikewise justified in believing thatour church will go through when weread that, though it appears to fall,it will not fall? Or have they and weboth forgotten another crucialprinciple found in the same book[of scripture]? “And at what instant Ishall speak concerning a nation, andconcerning a kingdom, to build andto plant it; if it do evil in my sight,that it obey not my voice, then I willrepent of the good, wherewith I saidI would benefit them.” Jeremiah18:9–10.

Any promise which God evermakes to an individual or a peopleconcerning their relationship to Himand their future is always conditionalon their response to His declaredwill. Moses laid it all out inDeuteronomy 28: “And it shall cometo pass, if thou shalt hearkendiligently unto the voice of the LORD

thy God, to observe and to do all hiscommandments which I commandthee this day, that the LORD thy Godwill set thee on high above allnations of the earth: and all theseblessings shall come on thee, and

overtake thee, if thou shalt hearkenunto the voice of the LORD thy God.”Verses 1–2.

“The LORD shall establish theean holy people unto himself, as hehath sworn unto thee, if thou shaltkeep the commandments of theLORD thy God, and walk in his ways.”Verse 9.

“And the LORD shall make theethe head, and not the tail; and thoushalt be above only, and thou shaltnot be beneath; if that thou hearkenunto the commandments of theLORD thy God, which I commandthee this day, to observe and to dothem.” Verse 13.

“But it shall come to pass, ifthou wilt not hearken unto the voiceof the LORD thy God, to observe todo all his commandments and hisstatutes which I command thee thisday; that all these curses shall comeupon thee, and overtake thee.”Verse 15.

“The LORD shall send uponthee cursing, vexation, and rebuke,in all that thou settest thine handunto for to do, until thou bedestroyed, and until thou perishquickly; because of the wickedness ofthy doings, whereby thou hastforsaken me.” Verse 20.

“Moreover all these curses shallcome upon thee, and shall pursuethee, and overtake thee, till thou bedestroyed; because thou hearkenedstnot unto the voice of the LORD thyGod, to keep his commandmentsand his statutes which he com-manded thee.” Verse 45.

Moses clearly warned Israelthat they faced the possibility of totaldestruction if they proved to beintransigently disobedient to God’scommandments. Ellen White saysvery succinctly, “It should be remem-bered that the promises and thethreatenings of God are alikeconditional.” Evangelism, 695.

God is moving events once again into a finalcountdown. And once again He is hoping that Hispeople will catch the vision of eternity and join with Himin bringing an end to the sin problem.

)# Our Firm Foundation

Do you know that we are indanger of forgetting this principlejust as the Jews were in the time ofChrist?

Warnings for UsPerhaps we need to look at

some inspired statements which arenot read very often in Seventh-dayAdventist circles:

“I am filled with sadness whenI think of our condition as a people. . . our own course of continualbacksliding has separated us fromGod. . . . And yet the generalopinion is that the church is flour-ishing and that peace and spiritualprosperity are in all her borders.The church has turned back fromfollowing Christ her Leader, and issteadily retreating toward Egypt.”Testimonies, vol. 5, 217.

“The whole body is sickbecause of mismanagement andmiscalculation.” Testimonies to Minis-ters, 397.

“Some power has cut the cable. . . [we] are drifting away to sea,without chart or compass.” Reviewand Herald, July 24, 1888.

“You are following the samepath as did ancient Israel. . . . Yourneglect to follow the light will placeyou in a more unfavorable positionthan the Jews upon whom Christpronounced a woe.” Testimonies, vol.5, 75–76.

“Unless the church, which isnow being leavened with her ownbacksliding, shall repent and beconverted, she will eat of the fruit ofher own doing, until she shall abhorherself.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 250.

“It pains me to say, my breth-ren, that your sinful neglect to walkin the light has enshrouded you indarkness. You may now be honest innot recognizing and obeying thelight; the doubts you have enter-

tained, your neglect to heed therequirements of God, have blindedyour perceptions so that darkness isnow to you light, and light isdarkness.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 71.

“Oh, what privileges aregranted to us as a people! And ifGod spared not His people that Heloved, because they refused to walkin the light, how can He spare the

people whom He has blessed withthe light of Heaven in havingopened to them the most exaltedtruth ever intrusted to mortal manto give to the world? . . . Internalcorruption will bring the denuncia-tions of God upon this people as itdid upon Jerusalem. . . . My breth-ren, we know not what is before us.. . . God will work with us and for usif the sins which brought His wrathupon the old world, upon Sodomand Gomorrah and upon ancientJerusalem, do not become ourcrime.” Letter to Butler and Haskell,December 8, 1886, ManuscriptReleases, vol. 12, 320–322.

“What would the Saviour do ifHe should come to us now as Hedid to the Jews? He would have todo a similar work.” Review andHerald, vol. 2, 308.

“Jerusalem is a representation ofwhat the church will be if it refuses towalk in the light that God has given.. . . These are no idle tales, but truth.”Testimonies, vol. 8, 67–68.

“If we imitate their [Israel’s]example of transgression and departfrom God we shall fall as surely asdid they.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 609.

“Let a church become proudand boastful, not depending onGod, not exalting His power, andthat church will surely be left by theLord, to be brought down to theground. Let a people glory inwealth, intellect, knowledge, or inanything but Christ, and they will

soon be brought to confusion.”Testimonies, vol. 8, 127.

These are extremely soberingstatements from Inspiration. Theyshould make us aware that theprinciple of conditional prophecyapplies to us just as much as it didto Israel of old. We are also on trial,to see what we will do with thecommandments of God. Will weobey and receive all the blessings ofthe covenant, or will we by disobedi-ence place ourselves outside theboundaries of God’s covenantpromises?

The ship that will go through isyou and I, not some entity outside ofus which will carry us through if wejust hang on to it. And the ship ofAdventism will go through only if youand I dedicate our entire energies tolearning and living God’s will for thiscrisis time. In other words, it is ourdecisions that will determine whathappens to this church.

A word of caution may be inorder here. I am not suggesting thatwe can best do God’s will by separat-ing ourselves from the organizedchurch. In fact, I am afraid that if allGod’s faithful ones would separatefrom the church, then the churchwould surely be doomed to destruc-tion, and we might indeed miss themagnificent opportunity we have tousher in the Second Coming quickly.We might even face the unpleasantprospect of going to our graves indisappointment. What I am saying isthat we dare not be too complacentin our belief that the church isgoing through automatically, and wewill make it too if we just hang on.Hanging on is just not good enough.Our only hope lies in study andprayer such as none of us has everexperienced before.

What Is the Remedy?How can we be sure that we

will not make the mistakes of theJews and lose our position as God’sremnant? How can we go throughourselves and make it possible forJesus to end this planet’s suffering inthe very near future? May I suggestthat we are never so blind as whenwe ignore the past and assume thatpast failures can never happen tous? We have had a dramatic demon-

“Let a church become proud and boastful, notdepending on God, not exalting His power, and thatchurch will surely be left by the Lord, to be broughtdown to the ground.”

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stration of God’s will, and man’sability to thwart that will, within ourchurch. If we have the slightestchance to be God’s final remnanttoday, we must understand ascompletely as is humanly possiblewhat happened between 1888 and1900. That was our most recentopportunity to go home, and wemust know why it never happened.May I urge you to make that subjecta top priority on your list of topicsfor study and prayer.

What is the divine analysis ofthe 1888 message? “The Lord in Hisgreat mercy sent a most preciousmessage to His people throughElders Waggoner and Jones.”Testimonies to Ministers, 91. “Thismessage, understood in its truecharacter, and proclaimed in theSpirit, will lighten the earth with itsglory.” The Ellen G. White 1888Materials, 166; This Day With God,314. That is the language of theloud cry of the third angel’s mes-sage. We can conclude that God wasintending to prepare His people andto give a final warning to the worldthrough the 1888 message. But whathappened?

“By exciting that oppositionSatan succeeded in shutting awayfrom our people, in a great measure,the special power of the Holy Spiritthat God longed to impart to them.. . . The light that is to lighten thewhole earth with its glory wasresisted, and by the action of ourown brethren has been in a greatdegree kept away from the world.”Selected Messages, book 1, 234–235. Inother words, by quibbling andjealousy and open opposition, mensucceeded in delaying the secondcoming of Christ for one hundredyears.

“God has given Brother Jonesand Brother Waggoner a messagefor the people. . . . When you rejectthe message borne by these men,you reject Christ, the Giver of themessage.” The Ellen G. White 1888Materials, 1353.

During the presentations atMinneapolis in 1888, Ellen White saton the front row and was heard tosay over and over, “Amen, there ismuch light here.” On one occasionshe said that Dr. Waggoner was able

to present righteousness by faith in away that she could not.

In recent years there has beena major attempt to prove that, whilesome of the leading brethrenrejected the message in 1888, mostaccepted it, and even the opposerslater repented and came into line.As a result, we have been told, ourchurch eventually accepted the 1888message of righteousness by faith,and we have been teaching it ever

since. This attempt is seriouslyflawed. First, if we had accepted themessage, we would have been in thekingdom long before now. Ourpresence on this earth shows thatthere is still a problem. Second, thehistorical evidence shows continuedrejection of the message well after1888. I will go one step further. Idon’t believe that we, as a church,have understood, taught, or livedthe 1888 message from that time tothis. We have either been trapped inlegalism or the gospel ofunrighteousness by presumption.

In 1926 Elder A. G. Daniells,former General Conference Presi-dent, wrote, “The message has neverbeen received, nor proclaimed, norgiven free course as it should havebeen in order to convey to thechurch the measureless blessingsthat were wrapped within it.” ChristOur Righteousness, 47.

In 1898 Ellen White was stillspeaking of stubborn defiance,disunion, and rejection of light. In1902 she said, “I have been in-structed that the terrible experienceat the Minneapolis Conference isone of the saddest chapters in thehistory of the believers in presenttruth.” Letter 179, 1902; ManuscriptReleases, vol. 1, 142.

W. C. White, her son, wrote,“But the most serious feature of thedisaffection was the fact that,because Sister White urged the

importance of the message ofrighteousness by faith, and becausethereby she seemed to be upholdingthese brethren (Waggoner andJones), contrary to their judgment, itgrew into a spirit of rejection of thetestimonies of Sister White.” A. V.Olson, Thirteen Crisis Years, 332.Could our present plague of attack-ing or ignoring Sister White’swritings have its roots in the yearsfollowing 1888?

Perhaps the heart of the wholeproblem is found in these commentsby Ellen White in 1901: “Enough hasbeen said over and over and overagain, but it does not make anydifference; they go right on just thesame, professedly accepting it; butthey do not make any change.” Talkin Battle Creek College library, April1, 1901. Professedly accepting butmaking no changes will never finishGod’s work, even in a thousandyears. Could this be what hasconfused certain historians intoassuming that lip service meantheart acceptance? Could the samething be our problem today?

Inspiration tells us that theleaders of the 1901 General Confer-ence “closed and bolted the dooragainst the Spirit’s entrance. . . . Thedoors were barred against theheavenly current that would haveswept away all evil.” Letter fromElmshaven, August 5, 1902; The KressCollection, 95. “The result of the lastGeneral Conference has been thegreatest, the most terrible sorrow ofmy life. No change was made.”Letter from Elmshaven, January 15,1903; Manuscript Releases, vol. 13,122.

What Is the 1888 Message?Now, if it is really true that

God was going to finish His work onearth through the 1888 message,and, if it is true that we have never

Could our present plague of attacking or ignoring SisterWhite’s writings have its roots in the years following1888?

)% Our Firm Foundation

really heard the message since thattime, with isolated exceptions; whatis the message that could haveproduced the latter rain and theloud cry then, and will produce ittoday if we will accept it? Themessage can be summed up in oneBible verse—“Christ in you, the hopeof glory.” Colossians 1:27. (Allemphasis supplied.) The 1888message was focused on preparingGod’s people for translation; thus it

had much to say about how to beperfect in Christ and thus ready forthe close of probation. The messagewas not about personal assurance ofsalvation, but about vindicating andglorifying God’s name.

Perhaps some brief excerptsfrom the messages of Jones andWaggoner might be helpful:

“Christ took upon Himself theflesh, not of a sinless being, but of asinful man, that is, that the fleshwhich He assumed had all theweaknesses and sinful tendencies towhich fallen human nature issubject.” Waggoner, Christ and HisRighteousness, 26–27.

“In all our Christian experi-ence we have left little loopholesalong here and there for sin. Wehave never dared to come to thatplace where we would believe thatthe Christian life should be a sinlesslife. We have not dared to believe itor preach it. But in that case wecannot preach the law of God fully.Why not? Because we do notunderstand the power of justificationby faith.” Waggoner, 1891 GeneralConference Bulletin, 159.

Right here is the differencebetween justification as taught byEvangelicals and justification in the1888 message. Only in the 1888message do we hear about power tokeep from sinning, and this victoryover sin is always linked with thefallen nature of Christ.

“Christ is to be in us, just asGod was in Him, and His character

is to be in us, just as God was inHim. . . . It is the cooperation of theDivine and the human—the mysteryof God in you and me . . . that is thethird angel’s message.” Jones, 1893General Conference Bulletin, 207.

“In Jesus Christ as He was insinful flesh, God has demonstratedbefore the universe that He can sotake possession of sinful flesh as tomanifest His own presence, Hispower, and His glory, instead of sin

manifesting itself. . . . Then God willso take us and so use us that oursinful selves shall not appear toinfluence or affect anybody, but Godwill manifest His righteous self, Hisglory, before men, in spite of allourselves and our sinfulness. . . . Andthat is the mystery of God, ‘Christ inyou, the hope of glory.’ God mani-fest in sinful flesh.” Jones, 1895General Conference Bulletin, 303.

“Now the flesh of Jesus Christwas our flesh, and in it was all ‘thatis in our flesh—all the tendencies tosin that are in our flesh were in Hisflesh, drawing upon Him to get Himto consent to sin.” Jones, Ibid., 328.

“Perfection, perfection ofcharacter, is the Christian goal—perfection attained in human fleshin this world. Christ attained it inhuman flesh in this world and thusmade and consecrated a way bywhich, in Him, every believer canattain it.” Jones, The Consecrated Wayto Christian Perfection, 84.

“But before probation ends,there will be a people so completein Him that in spite of their sinfulflesh, they will live sinless lives. Theywill live sinless lives in mortal flesh,because He who has demonstratedthat He has power over all flesh,lives in them—lives a sinless life insinful flesh.” Waggoner, 1901 GeneralConference Bulletin, 147.

Don’t you agree that this is arare message today? Instead ofstudying this message and learninghow to live this message, we are very

divided on whether Christ took ourfallen, or Adam’s unfallen nature.We are even advising our people notto discuss it at all. We are pretty surethat perfection is a bad word, andthat sinless living is a fanaticalextreme. Satan has done a masterfuljob of closing our minds to the onlymessage which can prepare us forthe Second Coming. But Satanhasn’t done his job well enough. Inspite of his best efforts to destroythis message, it is alive and well, andmore and more people are wakingup to its importance.

I believe that God’s people willnot let this golden opportunity passthem by again. I see an awakeningamong church members, and I don’tthink that Satan will be able to putthem all to sleep again. But markone thing. This awakening is hap-pening among a small minority ofchurch members. The majoritycontinue to sleep on in a deathsleep, assuming that, as long as theykeep coming to church, they aresafe. What a tragic awakening it willbe when, too late, most Seventh-dayAdventists will realize that they havethe mark of the beast. If you want toavoid this tragedy, and, if you wantto see Christ return to this earthvery soon, then I plead with you toreorder your lives if necessary. Makethe study of the 1888 message yourtop priority, and spend more time instudy and prayer than ever before inyour lives.

Listen to God’s appeal to usthrough His inspired messenger:“Light is flashing from the throne ofGod, and what is this for?—It is thata people may be prepared to standin the day of God. You who havedevoted time and money to theadornment of your apparel and tothe decoration of your homes, Iwould ask you, ‘Is Christ formedwithin you the hope of glory?’ It istoo late in the day to be taken upwith the frivolous things of theworld—too late for any superficialwork to be done. It is too late in theday to cry out against men formanifesting too much earnestness inthe service of God; to say, ‘You areexcited; you are too intense, toopositive.’ ” Review and Herald, March4, 1890. !

Only in the 1888 message do we hear about power tokeep from sinning, and this victory over sin is always

linked with the fallen nature of Christ.

)&Vol. 15, No. 1

German Churches OpposeSunday BusinessNews Item: Berlin—“ ‘They aredancing with the golden calf,’ wasManfred Kock’s cryptic comment onthe events last Sunday in threeGerman cities, namely Halle, Dessau,and Berlin. Kock is president of theCouncil of German LutheranChurches. The offending cities hadopen stores, large fully stockedsupermarkets as though it wasnormal weekday.

“In Berlin, even the regulationsset down for the event were ignored.Kaufhof, a department store locatedin the famous Alexanderplatz, didnot limit itself to selling touristitems, a concession made to it by thelocal administration, but, instead,put its whole line of products onsale. Kaufhof announced it willrepeat its action this weekend,despite a threat of fines, given thegreat results of its sales.” Zenit,August 10, 1999.

Prophetic Perspective: “And he[the United States] exerciseth allthe power of the first beast [thePapacy] before him, and causeth theearth and them which dwell thereinto worship the first beast [thePapacy], whose deadly wound washealed.” Revelation 13:12.

“As America, the land ofreligious liberty, shall unite with thePapacy in forcing the conscienceand compelling men to honor thefalse sabbath, the people of everycountry on the globe will be led tofollow her example.” Testimonies, vol.6, 18.

Already the controversyregarding Sunday is being agitatedin foreign lands. We await only thefinal movements by our nation tobring the world to the test.

Lutheran-Catholic AgreementIs “Baby Step” Toward UnityNews Item: Augsburg, Germany—“Putting aside five centuries ofdifferences in theology,” RomanCatholic and Lutheran Churchleaders embraced at a serviceSunday where they signed a declara-

tion ending a dispute over salvationthat sparked the Protestant Reforma-tion and led to the Thirty Years War.

“During the Augsburg service,Bishop Christian Krause, presidentof the Lutheran World Federation,also spoke of the agreement’simportance.

“ ‘For the first time in centu-ries we are walking on commonground together,’ Krause said.”Associated Press, October 31, 1999.

“Pope John Paul has hailed adoctrinal accord between the RomanCatholic and Lutheran Churches asa milestone on the difficult pathtowards Christian unity.” BBC News,October 31, 1999.

“Pat Keifert, theology professorat Luther Seminary in St. Paul,called the agreement a ‘baby step,’but said that even a baby step issignificant.” National Catholic Register,October 31–November 6, 1999.

“Lutherans and Catholics arevowing to continue the dialogue,hoping for a reconciliation that willlead to ‘full communion’ whichliterally would allow followers ofeach faith to share communion Masstogether.” Ventura County Star, Friday,October 8, 1999.

“The agreement is significantbeyond the dispute over doctrinethat it resolves. It has deep implica-tions for future relations amongCatholics and Protestants, saidtheologians and church leaders.Many said the accord gives addedpromise to the ideal their denomina-tions champion–of full communion,or merger, between the churches.”The [Tacoma] News Tribune, Novem-ber 1, 1999.

Prophetic Perspective: “Associateyourselves, O ye people, and ye shallbe broken in pieces; and give ear, allye of far countries: gird yourselves,and ye shall be broken in pieces;gird yourselves, and ye shall bebroken in pieces. Take counseltogether, and it shall come tonought; speak the word, and it shallnot stand: for God is with us. Forthe LORD spake thus to me with astrong hand, and instructed me thatI should not walk in the way of this

people, saying, Say ye not, A confed-eracy to all them to whom thispeople shall say, A confederacy;neither fear ye their fear, nor beafraid.” Isaiah 8:9–12; see also Isaiah54:15.

At this very hour the spirits ofdevils are going forth to “gather” thenations for the last great conflict.See Revelation 16:14.

But the message for God’speople is “come out from amongthem, and be ye separate, saith theLord, and touch not the uncleanthing.” 2 Corinthians 6:17.

Is England “Coming Home”to Rome?News Item: Birmingham, Eng-land—“It may come as a surprise tosome but pre-Reformation Englandwas one of the most devout Catholiccountries in Europe.

“A series of speakers at a Pathto Rome Conference held here inOctober made just that point andspeculated that the country is quietlybecoming Catholic once again.

“ ‘One of the common experi-ences [expressed in the stories ofrecent English converts] is the senseof coming home,’ said DwightLongenecker, a former Anglicanminister. ‘No matter what theperson’s background, no matterwhat the previous denomination, itwas this sense of fulfillment’ thatconvinces the convert to enter theChurch. . . .

“The 1990s has seen a newwave of high-profile converts whicheven included members of theextended royal family, academia, themedia and the world of politics.

“The late Cardinal Basil Hume,archbishop of Westminster, openlytalked of ‘the conversion of Eng-land,’ and few would disagree thatconversions to Catholicism is a majorfactor in English religious life thatcannot be ignored or dismissed as apassing fad.” National Catholic Register,November 7–13, 1999.

Prophetic Perspective: “Catholi-cism is gaining ground upon everyside. See the increasing number ofher churches and chapels in Protes-

n e w snews watch P h i l i p G a r b e r

)' Our Firm Foundation

tant countries. Look at the popular-ity of her colleges and seminaries inAmerica, so widely patronized byProtestants. Look at the growth ofritualism in England and thefrequent defections to the ranks ofthe Catholics. These things shouldawaken the anxiety of all who prizethe pure principles of the gospel.”The Great Controversy, 566.

Sadly, England has for manyyears been departing from the purityof the gospel. Today there is hardlya voice of true Protestantism to beheard in all of the British Isles. Maywe pray that the God of heaven willraise up faithful souls to once againhold high the standard of truth inthis once-strong Protestant nation.

An Eve Haunted by a PaganPastNews Item: Mashpee, Mass.—“ ’Tis the season when the linebetween Christian and paganpractices seems to blur.

“Halloween, derived from AllHallowed’s Eve, refers to the nightbefore All Saints’ Day. But it comesfrom the Celtic pagan feastSamhain, when spirits from theOtherworld (which should not beconfused with either heaven or hell)were most able to enter the regularworld through a fairy mound, calledin Irish ‘síd.’ On this day, Nov. 1,more than any other the Celtsbelieved they were most likely to beaccosted by foreign spirits, whocould influence their lives.

“This feast, though probablyolder than Christianity, lent itself tothe Christian idea of communingwith the dead through prayer andsacrifice, now especially marked bythe Church on All Saints’ Day on Nov.1 and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2. . . .

“Union with the dead wasreaffirmed by the Second VaticanCouncil’s Dogmatic Constitution onthe Church, Lumen Gentium: ‘Thismost sacred Synod accepts with greatdevotion the venerable faith of ourancestors regarding this vital fellow-ship with our brethren who are inheavenly glory or who are still beingpurified after death.’ (No. 51). . . .

“Father Benjamin Luther,pastor of St. John the Evangelist

parish in Paducah, Ky., said manyfunerals nowadays are framed in thelanguage of unofficial canonizations,with nary a mention of purgatory.

“ ‘People don’t pray for thedead,’ Father Luther said. ‘And ofcourse, it’s a big mistake.’. . .

“What the Church onceborrowed from the pagans to makea point can still be useful, the priestsaid, but that requires making thepoint.

“ ‘We need to complete theprocess of truly Christianizing theobservance,’ Father Luther said.”National Catholic Register, October 31–November 6, 1999.

Prophetic Perspective: “Thussaith the LORD, Learn not the way ofthe heathen.” Jeremiah 10:2.

“And ye shall not walk in themanners of the nation, which I castout before you: for they committedall these things, and therefore Iabhorred them.” Leviticus 20:23.

“And when they shall say untoyou, Seek unto them that havefamiliar spirits, and unto wizards thatpeep, and that mutter: should not apeople seek unto their God? for theliving to the dead?” Isaiah 8:19.

“Now the Spirit speakethexpressly, that in the latter timessome shall depart from the faith,giving heed to seducing spirits, anddoctrines of devils.” 1 Timothy 4:1.

We have been warned in theScriptures regarding the RomanCatholic power. She has “a goldencup in her hand full of abomina-tions.” Revelation 17:4. Rome’steaching regarding the dead hasmade the people of this earthspiritually drunk. May God give Hispeople the courage to raise the cry:“Come out of her, my people, thatye be not partakers of her sins, andthat ye receive not of her plagues.”Revelation 18:4.

Cursed Vineyards Hit byFungusNews Item: “ ‘Black goo’ maysound like some funky ’50s horrorflick, only it’s winemakers—notteenage movie-goers—who aregetting the creeps. Turns out thatblack goo is the nickname for a

puzzling new disease plaguingvineyards worldwide, especially thosein California, where about 1 percentof the state’s 900,000 acres of winegrapes have been hit. Experts saythe disease, if not stopped, coulddestroy millions of dollars worth ofCalifornia’s grapevines, as well asthose in New York, Virginia, andRhode Island where black goo hasstruck. The blight is also attackingvineyards in Europe, Australia, NewZealand and South Africa, andwinemakers say if it continues thedisease could bankrupt somegrowers and decrease the winesupply at a time when the $17billion industry is experiencing aconsumer boom, sending wine pricesup. . . .

“Some 120 scientists from 20countries gathered in Siena, Italy,last month to wrestle with black goo,a form of which was first identifiedin 1912. The American VineyardFoundation has allocated $50,000 tofinding a cure and UC–Davis is onthe case, but there’s no solution insight.” U.S. News & World Report,November 8, 1999.

Prophetic Perspective: Thefollowing interesting report wastaken from the audio tape I KnewSister White, by Sister Alma McK-ibben. In this tape Sister McKibbenshares a most fascinating account ofhow Ellen White became theinstrument God used to pronouncea curse upon the wine grower’svineyards of California over onehundred years ago.

In the summer of 1891,before going to Australia, SisterEllen White spoke at theHealdsburg camp meeting. Asalways on Sunday, the last day of thecamp meeting, she spoke on temper-ance. The meeting was largelyattended by the people ofHealdsburg. A large crowd sat intheir carriages outside the meetingplace listening to Sister White.

Sister McKibben relates thefollowing story:

“On the road leading northout of Healdsburg and west out ofHealdsburg were large wineries. Thetown itself had eleven saloons, and

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Have a news item of interest?contact newswatch@hopeint.orgTo mail or fax us a copy, see page 2.

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the country beyond the valleys andthe hills were covered with vine-yards—wine grapes.

“And as she [Ellen White] wasspeaking, looking out, she said, ‘Obeautiful, beautiful Healdsburg, howI love you! But,’ and she stopped,‘but the curse of God is on you. Youhave taken the benefits of Heaven,the beautiful fruit that God gaveyou, that was to cheer the heart ofman, and have made of it a poisonthat destroys both body and soul.’

“I shall never forget the calmthat fell over the people, and, sittingwhere I did, I almost forgot tobreathe. Soon the meeting was over,and that fall she left for Australiaand was gone nine years.

“Soon after that I leftHealdsburg and was gone for fiveyears. When I returned, the firstSabbath that I was back again, afriend Ms. Amelia Heald took meout for a ride. And as we rode outthrough Healdsburg toward thewest, I said, ‘Amelia, what is thematter with all the vineyards?’

“ ‘Oh,’ she said, ‘hadn’t youheard? You know the phylloxera—that’s a disease of the vineyards—gotinto all the vineyards in SonomaCounty. You know Sonoma County isthe greatest wine-growing county inthe United States of America. Thephylloxera got in and it’s killing allthe vineyards.’

“ ‘Amelia,’ I said, ‘do youremember what Sister White said inthat last sermon that she preachedto the camp meeting?’

“ ‘Why yes,’ she said, ‘I believeI do. I hadn’t thought of it before.She [Ellen White] had said, “Thecurse of God is on you.” ’

“And I said: ‘And it is!’“Did men take heed of it?—No,

they had done everything in the wideworld they knew to do to destroy thephylloxera. And when they didn’tsucceed they sent a committee to Italy.There they would get the bestinformation, you know, about what todo for vineyards. And there theyfound that there was a resistant vine, avine that would resist phylloxera. And

they had ordered a large number ofshoots—roots.

“ ‘Now,’ Amelia said, ‘when fallcomes, they are going to tear out allof these vineyards.’

“And they did, and burnedthem and the smoke went up toheaven for months and months. Justa pall of smoke hung over us. Andthey disinfected that land. And theyplanted the resistant vines. And theyestablished a great Italian colony atAsti [just north of Healdsburg], andbuilt the largest winery in America.

“But I never forgot what theprophet of God had said, ‘The curseof God is on you.’ ”

I believe that the curse of Godis also following the modern-daywinemaker’s vineyards. In thejudgments falling on modern-dayvineyards we can see the Creator’sdispleasure as truly as when theprophet pronounced the curse onthem over 100 years ago. I believethat God in His mercy is sendingthis blight to restrain the evils of thealcohol industry in this our day. !

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S . N . H a s k e l l

uch of the service andmany of the customs ofancient Israel were

designed to call out questions fromthe children, that the spirituallyminded parents might instruct themin the ways of God.

After speaking of the peculiarmanner in which the Passovershould be eaten, God adds, “Yourchildren shall say unto you, Whatmean ye by this service?” (Exodus12:26), showing that He intendedthat it should call forth questionsfrom children of all ages, and thusthe children become acquaintedwith the saving blood of the greatPassover Lamb.

The sight of the pile of stonesby Jordan was to arouse inquiries inthe minds of the children of futuregenerations, which, if answeredproperly, would acquaint them withthe mighty power of God. The samewas true of the whole Jewish service.

Cedar, Scarlet, and HyssopThe leper that sought cleans-

ing was to bring two birds alive and

clean, and cedar wood and scarletand hyssop. The priest commandedthat one of the birds be killed in anearthen vessel, over running water.The live bird, cedar wood, scarlet,and hyssop were all dipped in theblood, and the leper was sprinkledwith the blood; then the live birdwas let loose in the open field. Itflew through the air, bearing on itsfeathers the blood, which was a typeof Christ’s blood that will purify theair, and remove from it all the germsof sin and death. Now death comesin at our windows, but the blood ofChrist will give us a new atmosphere.

Earth, air, and water are theelements which compose our planet.All are tainted by sin. The earthendish containing the blood held overthe running water typified the timewhen earth, air, and water would befreed from the curse of sin by theblood of Christ. The cedar wood andhyssop represented the two extremesin vegetation, from the giant of theforest to the hyssop on the wall. Theywere dipped in the blood, thusteaching Israel that Christ’s blood

would free the entire vegetable worldfrom the curse, and again clothe theearth in Eden beauty.

It might seem to man that thecurse was so deeply marked uponthe earth, air, and sea that it couldnever be removed; but the littlepiece of scarlet wool, dipped in theblood with the live bird, the cedar,and hyssop, was a pledge that theblood of Christ would remove thedeepest marks from the sin-cursedearth.

We have the real Sacrifice tostudy as well as the shadow. Typemet antitype. The blood of Christhas been shed; the price has beenpaid that will restore the purity ofearth, air, and sea. The sin-cursedearth received the blood of Christ asHe prayed in the garden. “From Hishands and feet the blood fell, dropby drop, upon the rock drilled forthe foot of the cross.” The Desire ofAges, 760. Thus through the airpassed the precious blood. From thewound in His side “there flowed twocopious and distinct streams, one ofblood, the other of water.” The Desire

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The little piece of scarlet wool, dipped in the blood withthe live bird, the cedar, and hyssop, was a pledge thatthe blood of Christ would remove the deepest marksfrom the sin-cursed earth.

of Ages, 772. The blood of Christ wasbrought in contact with earth, air,and water. The two extremes invegetation also met at Calvary. Thecross was made of wood taken fromthe trees of the forest; “and theyfilled a sponge with vinegar, and putit upon hyssop, and put it to hismouth.” John 19:29.

Was there an antitype of thescarlet while His blood was tricklingfrom those cruel wounds?—Yes. InJesus as He hung upon the cross,bruised, mocked, and bleeding, thethief beheld the Lamb of God thattaketh away the sins of the world.Hope kindled in his soul, and hecast himself upon a dying Saviour.With full faith that Christ wouldpossess the kingdom, he cried,“Lord, remember me when thoucomest into thy kingdom.” Luke23:42. In a soft, melodious tone, fullof love, the answer was quickly given:“Verily I say unto thee to day shaltthou be with me in paradise.” Luke23:43. As these words were spoken,the darkness around the cross waspierced with living light. The thieffelt the peace and joy of sinsforgiven. Christ was glorified. Whileall thought they beheld Him con-quered, He was the Conqueror.They could not rob Him of Hispower to forgive sins.

Type has fully met antitype; theprice has been paid; the blood ofthe world’s Redeemer has beenpoured upon the ground. It hasdropped through the air from thecruel cross. It has flowed with waterfrom the wound of the cruel spear.The extremes of vegetation alsocame in contact with it, and hewhose sins were as scarlet, experi-enced the peace of having themmade white as snow by the preciousblood, even while it was flowingfrom the open wounds.

The various feasts throughoutthe year typified different phases ofthe gospel. The Passover was a typeof Christ in an especial sense. Christis our Passover. The first fruitsoffered the third day after thePassover lamb was slain, taught theresurrection of Christ. Type metantitype, and was fulfilled whenChrist, the first fruits of them thatslept, came forth on the third day,and presented Himself before theFather.

Throughout the varied serviceof the year, everything pointedforward to the Lamb of God, while italso taught the lesson of cleansingthe body, and keeping the templepure for the Spirit of God.

The Day of AtonementIn the autumn, on the tenth

day of the seventh month, came thecrowning service of the year. All

other services were a preparation forthis. Day by day the sins of thepeople had been transferred in typeand shadow to the priest and thesanctuary, and once each year thesewere to be cleansed, and the sinsforever removed.

Gabriel revealed to Daniel theantitype of the time of cleansing theearthly sanctuary. “Unto two thousandand three hundred days; then shallthe sanctuary be cleansed.” Daniel8:14. This period of cleansing, we havefound in the study of the ninthchapter of Daniel, began in 1844. Thecover of the ark in the heavenlysanctuary was then lifted, and the lawof God was seen by the people, notbroken, but entire. In the midst of thelaw they traced the words, “Theseventh day is the sabbath of the LORD

thy God: in it thou shalt not do anywork.” Exodus 20:10. They awoke tothe fact that they had been restingupon the first day of the week insteadof the seventh. As they gazed at thelaw, a halo of light seemed to encirclethe fourth commandment, which forso many years had been trampledunderfoot. Reverently they listened tothe words, “If thou turn away thy footfrom the sabbath, from doing thypleasure on my holy day; and call thesabbath a delight, the holy of theLORD, honourable; and shalt honourhim, not doing thine own ways, norfinding thine own pleasure, norspeaking thine own words: then shaltthou delight thyself in the LORD.”Isaiah 58:13–14.

They thought on their ways,and made haste, and delayed not tokeep the commandments. Theperiod of the investigative judgmentopened in 1844 when every charac-ter would be measured by thestandard of God’s law. As the workopened in heaven, it was the will ofGod that on earth His peopleshould test their lives by the law ofGod, and come into harmony with

its holy precepts. The day of atone-ment was the type of the judgment.This was the most solemn day of theyear to ancient Israel.

When the sun gilded thewestern hills of the land of Judea,on the ninth day of the seventhmonth, the trumpet was blownthroughout Israel. The solemnwarning of the trumpet produced amarked effect in every home. Allwork was laid aside, and quietreigned. It was not the ordinary restof the weekly Sabbath, for noevening meal was spread. There wasnot the usual baking and seethingcustomary on the preparation forthe Sabbath. No food was prepared,for this was not a feast, but a fastday. The father of the householdgathered his family about him, andread from the Sacred Scroll: “Yeshall do no manner of work: it shallbe a statute for ever throughoutyour generations in all your dwell-ings. It shall be unto you a sabbathof rest, and ye shall afflict yoursouls.” Leviticus 23:31–32. Withprayer, fasting, and deep searchingof heart the day was spent by theIsrael of God. With solemn awe theyrepeated, “Whatsoever soul it be thatshall not be afflicted in that sameday, he shall be cut off from amonghis people.” Verse 29.

In the Gentile homes aroundthem were eating and drinking andall the busy activities of daily life, butquiet reigned in the homes of Israel.In the temple court all was activity.

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The bullock without blemishwas brought, and the high priest laidhis hands on its head, confessing hissins and the sins of his household.Then it was slain, and with theblood he made an atonement forhimself and his household, that hemight be prepared to perform thesolemn service of the day.

When he came out, afterpresenting the blood of the bullockbefore the Lord, two goats werebrought, lots were cast, and one waschosen for the Lord’s goat, while theother, Azazel, the scapegoat, repre-sented the evil one. The Lord’s goatwas slain. With its blood and thegolden censer, the priest enteredwithin the second veil of the sanctu-ary. As he neared the mercy seatwith the glorious light of theshekinah shining above it, hesprinkled “much incense” upon thecoals in the censer, “that the cloudof the incense may cover the mercyseat that is upon the testimony, thathe die not.” Leviticus 16:13. Thenwith his back toward the sun rising,he sprinkled the atoning bloodseven times above and before thatbroken law within the ark. Hepaused in the holy place, and madeatonement for it, and for thetabernacle of the congregation. Thegolden altar, that had so oftenduring the year witnessed to the sinsof Israel by the scarlet spots upon itshorns, was now cleansed from alldefilement by the blood of theLord’s goat. The people withoutlistened attentively to the sound ofthe bells on his robes, as he movedabout within the sanctuary.

“When he hath made an endof reconciling the holy place, andthe tabernacle of the congregation,and the altar, he shall bring the livegoat.” Verse 20. The work of recon-ciliation ended, God and man wereone. The at-one-ment had beenmade in figure. The separating sinshad been removed. The peoplerejoiced in God that He had ac-cepted them, and that their sinswere all removed from before theLord.

As they beheld the high priestlay his hands on the head of thescapegoat, and confess over him allthe iniquities of the children ofIsrael, and all their transgressions inall their sins, putting them upon the

head of the goat, and sending himaway “by the hand of a fit man intothe wilderness” (verse 21), theirhearts filled with the peace thatpasseth understanding. They praisedGod for the wonderful gift of Hislove in giving His Son to die forsinful man, delivering him from sinand death. It was not until the goatwas sent away into the barrenwilderness that this peace filled thehearts of the people, and they feltthat they were forever free fromtheir sins.

That was the type. What doesthe antitype mean to us? Since 1844the world has been living in thegreat antitypical day of atonement.The investigative judgment has beenin session in heaven. In the type thepeople were to control their appe-tites, and to hold their own businessinterests secondary to the worship ofGod. This was shown by the Day ofAtonement in the type being a restand fast day.

We are living in the time whenour great High Priest is cleansingthe heavenly sanctuary, removing thesin records. We are admonished torepent and be converted, that oursins may be blotted out “when thetimes of refreshing shall come fromthe presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19.When the reconciling is completed,and the last case is decided in thefinal judgment of Heaven, theSaviour will pronounce the decree:“He that is unjust, let him be unjuststill: and he which is filthy, let himbe filthy still: and he that is right-eous, let him be righteous still: andhe that is holy, let him be holy still.”Revelation 22:11. Every case will bedecided for eternity. Satan, the greatinstigator of all evil, the antitypicalscapegoat, will then come in for hispart of the service.

In the type the sins were laidupon the scapegoat in the presenceof the congregation; in the antitype,the Saviour, in the presence of theFather, the angels of God, and allthe redeemed host, will lay the sinsof the righteous upon the head ofSatan, and a mighty angel will leadhim away to the desolate earth,where he will remain a thousandyears. At the end of the thousandyears, he will go into the fire whichdestroys the earth. Type will fullymeet antitype when all the sins of

the righteous are burned up withSatan. Nothing remains but theashes in “a clean place.” Leviticus6:11. It will then be seen that “Satanbore not only the weight andpunishment of his own sins, but alsothe sins of the redeemed host,which had been placed upon him;and he must also suffer for the ruinof souls which he had caused.” EarlyWritings, 294–295.

The sins of Israel will neveragain be found. The former thingswill not be remembered nor comeinto mind. Throughout eternity joyand peace will forever reign. Theprophet says, “He will make an utterend: affliction shall not rise up thesecond time.” Nahum 1:9.

Type must meet antitype. Thegreat High Priest in heaven is nowperforming His service. Are youperforming your part? In homesscattered all over the earth, faithfulchildren of God will carry out theantitype in the way God directed theIsraelites to spend the typical Day ofAtonement.

The priest might have per-formed his part of the serviceperfectly in the temple; but unlessthe people in their homes fasted,rested, and prayed, the work was ofno avail for them. Every Israelitewho ate and conducted himself likethe Gentiles around him on the Dayof Atonement was cut off fromamong the people of God.

Is your home a place wherethe appetite is controlled? Do youhold your business interests second-ary to the work of God? Are youheeding the Saviour’s words, “Takeheed to yourselves, lest at any timeyour hearts be overcharged withsurfeiting [eating to excess], anddrunkenness [partaking of improperfood], and cares of this life, and sothat day come upon you unawares”?Luke 21:34. There will be onehundred and forty-four thousandwho will heed the warning, and inthe fear of God will fulfill theantitype. While Christ in heaven isfaithfully interceding for them, theywill present their bodies a livingsacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,that God may be glorified. !

S.N. Haskell, The Story of Daniel theProphet, 144–153.

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Ways to keepthat unnecessaryweight off

h e a l t hhealth for life P h i l C o l l i n s

“I am going to loose thisweight.” “I will start my exerciseprogram soon.”

Sound familiar? 71% ofAmericans are at risk for healthdifficulties resulting from excessweight. Many are very concernedabout it and want to shed the extraweight.

One of the first steps to loseweight should be to drink lots ofwater. Water suppresses your appe-tite, rids the body of toxic wastes,relieves constipation, and reduces fatdeposits. Water also prevents fluidretention problems because yourbody realizes that it does not needto save fluid when it is getting aconsistent supply. When maintainingweight, eight cups of water shouldbe drunk daily, but when cleansing,ten or more is very helpful. Opti-mally, the urine color should be verypale, or clear; if it is dark, you arenot drinking enough water.

Diet also plays a big role inlosing weight. Those who can eatonly fresh fruits and vegetables forone to two weeks will have definitecleansing and weight loss results.After the first two weeks, it isimportant to eat mostly fresh foods,with the addition of some low-fatcarbohydrates such as bread,oatmeal, and pasta. You should eatmainly of foods that will fill you up,but will not add much fat; in thisway, you will not feel underfed, butcan still be losing weight. Nuts andseeds should be used sparingly;processed oils should be avoided.When the ideal weight is reached,you may add in more nuts andseeds, but still be very careful ineating processed foods.

The saying, “Eat breakfast likea king, lunch like a queen, andsupper like a pauper,” has a greatdeal of truth in it. Just by eating theright amount at the right time you

Shedding the Winter Bulge“For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9.

can make a big difference in yourweight control. Making breakfast thelargest meal of the day gets yourcalories into the body so that theycan be utilized during the day.Eating a medium-sized lunch helpsto maintain energy and re-fuel thebody. Eat nothing in between meals,

as this puts a lot of stress on yourstomach. Supper, if eaten, should belight, because this is the food thatwill be in your stomach while yousleep. Ideally, a light, early supper,could be digested before bedtimeand could give the stomach a rest.

Exercise is essential to weightloss. The safest and best exercise iswalking; with swimming as a closesecond. Speed is not the goal; whatcounts is the total distance coveredand the duration of the activity. Thosewho are losing weight should walk orexercise at least 30–60 minutes daily.

To reach an ideal weight is thegoal of many people, but it shoulddefinitely be the aim of all thosewho follow Christ. We have givenourselves to Him; we have presentedour bodies for His service, and Herequests that they be a fit offering.He has provided the power for us tobe overcomers in this area—we musttake hold of His strength.

When you are tempted to givein to the call of appetite, think ofthe following verses:

“I can do all things throughChrist which strengtheneth me.”Philippians 4:13.

“My grace is sufficient for thee:for my strength is made perfect inweakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9.

“There hath no temptationtaken you but such as is common toman: but God is faithful, who will notsuffer you to be tempted above that yeare able; but will with the temptation

also make a way to escape, that ye maybe able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians10:13.

You may consider memorizingthese scriptures to use when thetemptation of appetite is strong—they will help!

May you resolve to allow Christto work in you and use your body asHis dwelling place! !

This article is an excerpt from anewsletter published by PreventiveHealth Care, the ministry of Dr. PhilCollins. Preventive Health Care offers avariety of services:! Office Consultations and follow-up! Phone Consultations! Health Seminars! A full line of vegetarian supple-

ments (herbs, vitamins andminerals)

If you are interested in receivinghis newsletter and order form, pleasecontact:

Preventive Health Care556 Blue Hill Rd.Marshall, NC 28753E-mail: phil_collins@usa.netPhone: (828) 649-9166

The saying, “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen,and supper like a pauper,” has a great deal of truth in it.Just by eating the right amount at the right time you canmake a big difference in your weight control.

!# Our Firm Foundation

The Biblical theme of the “lawand the prophets” is thefoundational theme of the

entire Bible. What the prophets havedeclared and the law has revealed,embraces and gives expression to allother subjects of Divine Inspiration.

Christ Himself declared in HisSermon on the Mount, “Think notthat I am come to destroy the law,or the prophets: I am not come todestroy, but to fulfil.” Matthew 5:17.(All emphasis supplied unlessotherwise noted.)

In this statement, Jesus was notonly referring to all that is revealedin the law and the prophets but alsoto Himself. When Christ came tothis earth He came as a prophet.See Acts 3:22–23; 7:37. He was alsothe very embodiment and expres-sion of the law. Christ says ofHimself in Psalm 40:8, “I delight todo thy will, O my God: yea, thy lawis within my heart.”

Therefore, those who attackthe law attack the very heart ofChrist. And those who reject theprophets, reject Christ, for HeHimself was One of the prophets.

In this article we will discoverhow Ahab, the king of Israel, rejectedthe “law and the prophets.” Then wewill see how Nebuchadnezzar, the kingof Babylon, and also the RomanCatholic Church have rejected the“law and the prophets.” Finally, wewill see how this same danger existstoday for those who claim to be partof God’s remnant church.

As we begin, let us read just afew of the many texts which explic-

itly present this theme. When theapostle Paul was making his defensebefore Felix, he said, “But this Iconfess unto thee, that after the waywhich they call heresy, so worship Ithe God of my fathers, believing allthings which are written in the lawand in the prophets.” Acts 24:14.

Solomon wrote, “Where thereis no vision [a message from theprophets], the people perish: but hethat keepeth the law, happy is he.”Proverbs 29:18.

Then in the book ofNehemiah, we read, “Neverthelessthey were disobedient, and rebelledagainst thee, and cast thy law behindtheir backs, and slew thy prophetswhich testified against them to turnthem to thee.” Nehemiah 9:26.

Ahab, Jezebel, and NabothDo you remember the story of

Ahab, Jezebel, and Naboth in1 Kings, chapter 21? Ahab waspouting because he wanted Naboth’svineyard, but he did not own it. SoJezebel said, “Let thine heart bemerry: I will give thee the vineyardof Naboth.” Verse 7.

So Jezebel had Naboth falselyaccused, and then murdered by themen of his city. Then Ahab wentdown to see his new property whichhe had obtained by theft andmurder. The Bible says, “And theword of the LORD came to Elijah theTishbite, saying, Arise, go down tomeet Ahab king of Israel, which is inSamaria: behold, he is in thevineyard of Naboth, whither he isgone down to possess it. And thou

shalt speak unto him, saying, Thussaith the LORD, Hast thou killed, andalso taken possession? And thoushalt speak unto him, saying, Thussaith the LORD, In the place wheredogs licked the blood of Nabothshall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thoufound me, O mine enemy? And heanswered, I have found thee:because thou hast sold thyself towork evil in the sight of the LORD.”1 Kings 21:17–20.

Ahab was a breaker of God’slaw—a murderer and a thief. Healso declared himself to be anenemy to Elijah the prophet, saying,“Hast thou found me, O mineenemy?”

This one point always holdstrue, that those who accept and obeythe law will accept and obey theprophets. However, those who rejectthe prophets will also reject the law,and vice versa.

What then exposes a falseprophet? A false prophet is one whoteaches disobedience to the law ofGod. In Revelation 2:20, Jesus said,“Notwithstanding I have a few thingsagainst thee, because thou sufferest[you allow] that woman Jezebel,which calleth herself a prophetess,to teach and to seduce my servantsto commit fornication, and to eatthings sacrificed unto idols.” Bothfornication and idolatry are viola-tions of God’s law. Therefore, falseprophets, like Jezebel, lead people tobecome transgressors of the law.

Nebuchadnezzar and theGolden Image

Let us now turn to the book ofDaniel and examine this sametheme. In Daniel, chapter two,Nebuchadnezzar was given a dreamof the history of the world—fromBabylon to the second coming ofChrist. The interpretation of thedream that God gave toNebuchadnezzar through Daniel iswhat we call the historical interpreta-tion of prophecy. This method ofinterpretation follows the line ofhistory from the point of which itbegins, and follows the unfolding ofhistory until it reaches its point ofconclusion with Heaven’s completetriumph.

In Daniel, chapter two, we sawthe rise and fall of empires, begin-

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ning with Babylon the head of gold,followed by the Medo-Persia as thesilver breast and arms, Greece as thebrass belly and thighs, and Rome asthe legs of iron, and the feet of ironand clay. For a time,Nebuchadnezzar believed and wasawed by this interpretation of hisdream. However, as he continued toponder the dream and realize that itplainly foretold the end of Babylonas the world’s superpower, herejected the prophet Daniel’sinterpretation.

In Daniel, chapter three, wefind the king setting up an imagemade of all gold on the Plain ofDura, representing his intention tomake Babylon an empire that wouldnever end. All that glittering goldbelow the head of the image was anoutright rejection of the propheticword. But it also represented anoutright rejection of God’s law,which forbade the worship of idols.Had Nebuchadnezzar accepted theprophetic word, he would neverhave had the golden image built,and he would not have forced thepeople to worship it by penalty ofdeath. But in rejecting the prophet,he rejected God’s law.

The Catholic ChurchThose who follow the historical

method of prophetic interpretationhave long identified the RomanCatholic Church as being the “littlehorn” power of Daniel, chapterseven. Concerning this “little horn,”the prophetic word declares that hewill “think to change times andlaws.” Daniel 7:25.

How did the Catholic Churchthink to change “laws”? The CatholicCatechism reveals that she thought toget rid of the second commandmentof the Decalogue, which forbids theworship of idols. Then, of course,came her attempt to transferreverence from the seventh-daySabbath to Sunday. She has clearlyadmitted that this change has noBiblical foundation, but rests solelyupon her own authority.

What then are the “times” thatshe has thought to change? Theanswer is found in this same text,namely, Daniel 7:25. “And he [thelittle horn] shall speak great wordsagainst the most High, and shallwear out the saints of the most

High, and think to change timesand laws: and they shall be giveninto his hand until a time and timesand the dividing of time.”

The phrase “time and timesand the dividing of time” refers tothe 1260-year rule of the Papacy—both civilly and religiously from A.D.538 to A.D. 1798 [see The GreatControversy, 306]. When the Reform-ers began to identify the Papacy as

being the little horn power and theantichrist of Bible prophecy, thehierarchy of the Church of Romebecame very alarmed. So during theCouncil of Trent, two Jesuit priestscontrived deviant principles ofprophetic interpretation, knowntoday as the preterist and futuristviews.

These two intentionally falseand erroneous views of interpretingprophecy were the Catholichierarchy’s attempt to derail anyinterpretation pointing to thePapacy as being the little hornpower of Daniel, chapter seven, andthe antichrist power. Therefore, the“times” that the Papacy rejected wasprophetic time. Had she not rejectedthe law of God she would not havebeen in the position of rejecting theprophet. But again we see thatrejecting the one leads to violatingthe other.

A Warning to the Rem-nant

This warning is also for us whocompose the remnant church. Wecannot afford to play fast and loosewith the law or the prophets.Therefore, we must ask, Are someSeventh-day Adventists on dangerousground? Sadly, we find that some,who have imbibed in the futuristschool of interpretation, havealready given up the Sabbath andabandoned the faith altogether.Others who currently reject theSpirit of Prophecy, whether out-

rightly or through disuse, arepreparing themselves for a realdownfall. Most of them will not takea stand for God’s law when theSunday test comes.

The special test for the worldin the time of Christ was to acceptHim as “that prophet.” Acts 3:23.The special test for our time is toaccept or reject “the commandmentsof God.” Revelation 14:12.

As the Psalmist says, “If thefoundations be destroyed, what canthe righteous do?” Psalm 11:3. Theanswer is, Nothing. That is why, dearfriends, we must never let ourfoundation be destroyed. God hassaid, “Nevertheless the foundation ofGod standeth sure, having this seal.The Lord knoweth them that arehis.” 2 Timothy 2:19.

In closing, I would like toshare a quotation from Prophets andKings, 188–189, which shows that thisgreat subject is not only a doctrine,it is also to be our experience in avery real and profound way:

“Among earth’s inhabitants,scattered in every land, there arethose who have not bowed theknee to Baal. Like the stars ofheaven, which appear only atnight, these faithful ones will shineforth when darkness covers theearth and gross darkness thepeople. In heathen Africa, in theCatholic lands of Europe and ofSouth America, in China, in India,in the islands of the sea, and in allthe dark corners of the earth, Godhas in reserve a firmament ofchosen ones that will yet shine forthamidst the darkness, revealingclearly to an apostate world thetransforming power of obedience toHis law.”

So let us all therefore dedicateourselves to be faithful and true tothe “law and the prophets,” for bybeing faithful we will be receivingthe joy of the Lord fully! !

The special test for the world in the time of Christ wasto accept Him as “that prophet.” The special test forour time is to accept or reject “the commandments ofGod.”

!% Our Firm Foundation

s we approach the timewhen our liberties will betaken away, it is natural that

this question is being posed in someSeventh-day Adventist circles. Whilemost Adventists who are ponderingthis question appear to answer inthe affirmative, few have actuallystudied the subject. We are too latein this world’s history to draw such asignificant conclusion without theevidence of a plain “thus saith theLord” to verify that conclusion.

A few Adventists are formingalternative conclusions. Some believethat this is a political issue and thatwe should have nothing to do withany potential breach of our religiousliberty apart from praying for God’scare. Others see any attempt todelay that which Scripture plainlyforetells, as being equivalent to aneffort to postpone the coming ofour Lord.

So what does Inspiration haveto say? Does it settle this matter, or isit open to other interpretations? Theanswer is that Inspiration plainly andunequivocally settles the issue. Inthis brief study, we will ask somequestions relevant to the issue andexamine God’s answers.

1. When religious liberty is threat-ened, is prayer sufficient?

“We as a people have notaccomplished the work which God

has committed to us. We are notready for the issue to which theenforcement of the Sunday law willbring us. It is our duty, as we see thesigns of approaching peril, to arouseto action. Let none sit in calmexpectation of the evil, comfortingthemselves with the belief that thiswork must go on because prophecyhas foretold it, and that the Lordwill shelter His people. We are notdoing the will of God if we sit inquietude, doing nothing to preserve libertyof conscience. Fervent, effectual prayershould be ascending to heaven thatthis calamity may be deferred untilwe can accomplish the work whichhas so long been neglected. Letthere be most earnest prayer, andthen let us work in harmony with ourprayers.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 713–714.(All emphasis supplied unlessotherwise noted.)

2. Why should we act to protectreligious liberty?

“It may be that a respite mayyet be granted for God’s people toawake and let their light shine. Ifthe presence of ten righteouspersons would have saved the wickedcities of the plain, is it not possiblethat God will yet, in answer to theprayers of His people, hold in checkthe workings of those who aremaking void His law?” Testimonies,vol. 5, 714.

3. Should we be inactive in thesituation?

“If our people continue in thelistless attitude in which they havebeen, God cannot pour upon themHis Spirit. They are unprepared tocooperate with Him. They are notawake to the situation and do notrealize the threatened danger. Theyshould feel now, as never before,their need of vigilance and concertedaction.” Ibid.

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4. Is the defense of religious libertypresent truth?

“When the National Reform-ers began to urge measures torestrict religious liberty, ourleading men should have beenalive to the situation and shouldhave labored earnestly to counter-act these efforts. It is not in theorder of God that light has beenkept from our people—the verypresent truth which they needed forthis time.” Ibid., 715.

5. In defending religious liberty, arewe neglecting the preaching of thethird angel’s message?

“Not all our ministers who aregiving the third angel’s message reallyunderstand what constitutes thatmessage. The National Reform move-ment has been regarded by some asof so little importance that they havenot thought it necessary to give muchattention to it and have even felt thatin so doing they would be giving timeto questions distinct from the thirdangel’s message. May the Lord forgiveour brethren for thus interpreting thevery message for this time.” Ibid.

6. Is the Papacy involved in thismatter?

“Any movement in favor ofreligious legislation is really an act ofconcession to the Papacy.” Ibid., 711.

7. Should we protest our cause tothe people?

“God has revealed what is totake place in the last days, that Hispeople may be prepared to standagainst the tempest of oppositionand wrath. Those who have beenwarned of the events before themare not to sit in calm expectation ofthe coming storm, comfortingthemselves that the Lord willshelter His faithful ones in the dayof trouble. We are to be as menwaiting for their Lord, not in idleexpectancy, but in earnest work,with unwavering faith. It is no timenow to allow our minds to beengrossed with things of minorimportance. While men are sleep-ing, Satan is actively arrangingmatters so that the Lord’s peoplemay not have mercy or justice. TheSunday movement is now making itsway in darkness. The leaders areconcealing the true issue, and manywho unite in the movement do notthemselves see whither the under-current is tending. Its professionsare mild and apparently Christian,but when it shall speak it will revealthe spirit of the dragon. It is ourduty to do all in our power to avertthe threatened danger. We shouldendeavor to disarm prejudice byplacing ourselves in a proper lightbefore the people. We should bringbefore them the real question atissue, thus interposing the mosteffectual protest against measures torestrict liberty of conscience. Weshould search the Scriptures and beable to give the reason for ourfaith.” Ibid., 452.

8. What should we do with thebanner of religious liberty?

“The banner of truth andreligious liberty which these Reform-ers held aloft has in this last conflictbeen committed to us. The responsi-bility for this great gift rests withthose whom God has blessed with aknowledge of His Word.” Testimonies,vol. 6, 402.

“This principle [“In matters ofconscience the majority has nopower”] we in our day are firmly tomaintain. The banner of truth andreligious liberty held aloft by thefounders of the gospel church andby God’s witnesses during the

centuries that have passed sincethen, has, in this last conflict, beencommitted to our hands.” The Acts ofthe Apostles, 68–69.

9. Before whom should we pleadthe cause of religious liberty?

“We may have to plead mostearnestly before legislative councilsfor the right to worship God accord-ing to the dictates of conscience.Thus in His providence God hasdesigned that the claims of His lawshall be brought before men inpositions of highest authority.”Selected Messages, book 2, 375.

10. What are we to do just priorto the time of trouble?

“So should the followers ofChrist, as they approach the time oftrouble, make every exertion toplace themselves in a proper lightbefore the people, to disarm preju-dice, and to avert the danger whichthreatens liberty of conscience.” TheGreat Controversy, 616.

This matter of religious libertyis poorly understood among God’speople, despite the fact that weknow the future. It is only througha knowledge of this truth that wewill serve our God faithfully in thisregard. This is the time to spreadour message by every meanspossible in the South Pacific andthroughout the world. This is thetime to preach the three angels’messages—of which religious libertyis a crucial part:

“Thus will the message of thethird angel be proclaimed. As thetime comes for the loud cry to begiven, the Lord will work throughhumble instruments, leading theminds of those who consecratethemselves to His service. Thelaborers will be qualified rather bythe unction of His Spirit than by thetraining of literary institutions. Menof faith and prayer will be con-strained to go forth with holy zeal,declaring the words which God givesthem. The sins of Babylon will be laidopen. The fearful results of a union ofChurch and State, the inroads ofSpiritualism, the stealthy but rapidprogress of the papal power—all willbe unmasked. By these solemnwarnings the people will be stirred.”The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4, 424. !

Art,

Bob

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!' Our Firm Foundation

E l l e n G . W h i t e

T he great controversy betweenChrist and Satan, that has beencarried on for almost six

thousand years, is soon to close. Andyet how few have their attentioncalled to this matter, how few realizethat we are living amid the closingscenes of earth’s history! Satan isworking diligently, binding hissheaves preparatory to gathering inhis harvest. He is uniting the ele-ments of his kingdom for the finalstruggle. Since his fall, he has beenthe great adversary of God and man,and has shown a masterly activity intrying to defeat our Saviour’s effortsin our behalf. He thinks that becauseso many readily yield to his tempta-tions and believe his lies, he may yetgain some advantage over Christ, wholeft the royal courts of Heaven thathe might defeat this wily foe on hisown battlefield, and open a waywhereby man might escape from hiscruel power.

He is called in the Bible,Satan, Beelzebub, the serpent, thedeceiver, a liar, the accuser of thebrethren, the prince of the power ofthe air, the prince of darkness, and

the god of this world. Frightfulnames, infernal agencies! This fallenspirit, so malignant and subtle, iswalking about like a roaring lion,seeking whom he may devour. Whenthere is no special effort made toresist his power, when profoundindifference prevails in the churchand in the world, he is not con-cerned; for he is in no danger oflosing those whom he is leadingcaptive at his will. But when theattention is called to eternal things,and souls are inquiring, “What shallI do to be saved?” he is on theground, seeking to match his poweragainst the power of Christ, anddoubling his efforts to counteractthe influences of the Holy Spirit.Angels of God, with Jesus at theirhead, are present to press back thepowers of darkness; but no one isforced to accept Jesus, and no onecan be compelled by Satan’s powerto reject Him.

Satan is at your side when youleast suspect it, watching to find aweak spot in your armor, where hecan introduce his darts, and woundyour soul by betraying you into sin.

He has access to minds that areopen to receive his suggestions, andby long experience he has learnedhow to apply his temptations to thebest advantage. His first effort is tokeep as many minds as possible in astate of careless indifference. He willinvent every imaginable excuse tokeep people away from meetingswhere they might receive benefitfrom hearing the truth. He willespecially work to make of noneeffect these morning meetings,where the Spirit of God is at work;and when he cannot keep personsaway, his next effort will be to fill themind with unimportant matters, thuspreventing them from treasuring upthe truths they hear.

This work Satan is engaged inat every meeting. He has differenttemptations prepared for differentminds, and souls are continuallyyielding to his suggestions. He willadopt any means by which he maygain control of the thoughts andpurposes of the heart. He will workto divert the mind from Heaven andheavenly things by the absorbingcares of this life. He will produce Im

age,

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temporary indisposition to keep youaway from meetings where testimo-nies from Heaven will be borne, andyour hearts would be impressed withthe deep movings of the Spirit ofGod. If you attend the meetings,and your heart is impressed, he willtempt you to engage in unprofitableconversation on trivial things, so thatyou will forget the words spoken.

Circumstances will arise todivert the mind. Visitors, relatives, orworldly friends, or some temporalmatter, will engage the attention;and then “cometh the devil, andtaketh away the word out of theirhearts, lest they should believe andbe saved.” Luke 8:12. These friendswill make demands upon your timeand strength, and thus God isrobbed of the service due Him. Yetyou flatter yourselves that youcannot do otherwise; for how canyou displease your friends? God willnot bring a curse upon you for thusrobbing Him, but your own courseof action brings its sure result. Buthowever alluring Satan’s temptations,however natural and unavoidablethey may seem to the mind that isnot clear and sharp in spiritualdiscernment, you must not be lulledto carnal security. However dearyour friends may be, if they lead youaway from God they are emissariesof Satan, who works through thechildren of disobedience, speaksthrough human organs.

God will not work a miracle tochange natural causes which you cancontrol. If you place yourself andfamily in the current of the world,you and your children will be bornedownward by it. Be wise and dis-criminating in regard to spiritualadvantages, and gather aboutyourselves and your children correctinfluences. We may have a beautifuland fertile country; but surroundinginfluences may be weaving a spellupon our souls that will sink us toperdition, and our children may belost to the cause of God because wedid not place them where theywould cultivate a love for divinethings. We may save our own souls,as did Lot when he fled fromSodom; but the habits and customswith which we have become familiarmay cling to us, and we may findthat we have assimilated to themmore than we were aware. This is a

risk that we cannot afford to run.We might better lose every worldlyadvantage than to lose Jesus, ordishonor Him by our carelessinattention to His requirements. It isbest to obey God at any sacrifice.

Another way that Satan comesin between God and your soul is tolead you to criticize the defects ofyour brethren and sisters, to watchtheir mistakes and talk about them.

You think it is right to grieve overtheir errors; but the enemy takesadvantage here, and hurls hispoisoned darts through the defectiveplaces in your armor. You let bitter-ness into your soul, then jealousyand evil-surmising, and you do notrealize it. Your heart becomeshardened against your brethren, andyou speak evil of them. You do notknow that you are doing the work ofSatan, but you are; and you aregrowing spiritually weaker andweaker, and darker and darker.

The right course for you topursue is marked out in the Bible,and you should follow it strictly. Goto your brother, and with your heartfilled with tender, pitying love—justsuch love as inspired Jesus in Hisefforts to save a fallen race—tellhim his fault between you and himalone. If you fail, do not let thisdepress you. It will do you harm,and not good, to let your minddwell upon the mistakes and errorsof others. Learn from their weak-ness to be strong yourself. Avoidtheir failures. Because Jesus isgrieved by their faults, try theharder to honor Him yourself by awell-ordered life and godly conver-sation. If you think your neighboror brother is defective in character,make him a special subject ofprayer; but do not lift up your soulunto vanity by saying, “I am not likehim. In contrast with him, I amrighteous.” This is not obeying the

injunction of the apostle to esteemothers better than yourself.

By beholding we becomechanged. If you allow your mind todwell upon the imperfections andmoral deformities of others, you willbe changed into the same image.You will become deformed incharacter, and mentally one-sidedand unbalanced. Let the minddwell upon the perfect life of

Christ. If the thoughts are centeredupon Him, and the conversation ison heavenly themes, you will be“changed into the same image fromglory to glory.” 2 Corinthians 3:18.You will become “partakers of thedivine nature, having escaped thecorruption that is in the worldthrough lust.” 2 Peter 1:4.

The way to eternal life is abattle and a march. The greatadversary of souls is continuallyseeking to insinuate himself betweenyou and the Source of your strength.If you allow your mind to be takenup with worldly cares, he willmanage to have these cares so variedin character, and press so continuallyupon you, that you can find no timefor the spiritual and the eternal.Worldly acquaintances introducesubjects that are of the greatestimportance to them; you listen andare attracted, and these things ofminor consequence absorb the mindand affections. You give time andattention, skill and inventive facul-ties, to outward ornamentation, tothe neglect of the inward adorningof the soul. Time is worse than lostwhich should be devoted to thesearching of the Scriptures and toearnest prayer for divine guidance;you rob your own souls of grace andpower, and others of the light thatshould be reflected through you tothe world.

But few know the real power ofreligion. They do not appreciate its

However alluring Satan’s temptations, however naturaland unavoidable they may seem to the mind that is notclear and sharp in spiritual discernment, you must notbe lulled to carnal security.

"* Our Firm Foundation

CornerstonePublishing

needs your help!Cornerstone Publishing is known best for three 16-page outreach

tabloids that are sharing the Seventh-day Adventist message with peoplearound the world—! Earth’s Final Warning — Highlights of the message of The Great Contro-

versy which reveal the change of the Sabbath and the future mark of thebeast. Now in at least 10 languages.

! Behold He Cometh — A 24-lesson Bible study of the Seventh-day Adventistmessage. Includes all the scriptural texts, so even someone who does nothave a Bible can read the scriptures for themselves.

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Up to this time Cornerstone Publishing has published approximately25 million tabloids, most of which have been sent to poorer countries of theworld. Cornerstone is currently sending shipping containers holding around450,000 tabloids each to the Middle East, South America, the Caribbean,and Africa.

Why not make it a special project of your family and otherAdventists in your area to raise $15,000 to $20,000 to sponsor a container tosome needy field? Whatever you can contribute—$5, $500, or $500,000—theLord will reward you for your faithfulness.

If you would like to help further this important work of declaringthe three angels’ messages through the printed page, please send yourdonation to Hope International, marked “Cornerstone Publishing.”

“I received a copy of yourtabloid Earth’s Final Warning in themail the other day, and I wasfascinated by what I read. I am atrue believer in the Word of God,and I know that when all else fails,God’s Word will prevail. I believewholeheartedly in Bible prophecy,so when I read the heading ofyour tabloid—“A New World OrderIs Coming”—I knew in my spiritthat Bible prophecy was unfoldingright before my eyes! I am writingthis letter to you to ask if youwould send me more information.Whatever you can send me,whether it be more tabloids, books,or other materials, I will be morethan grateful.”

AB, Georgia

A letter from one of themillions of people reachedby Conerstone Publishing:

refining and elevating influence onthe character; they do not partake ofits joys nor enter into its spirit. Weneed constant communion with Jesusjust as much as we need daily food tonourish the body. If there is a mo-ment when we are in no danger ofbeing deceived by the enemy, then forthat moment we may dispense withdivine aid. If there is any momentwhen we are not dependent on Godfor our breath, then there is a timewhen we need not obey the injunc-tions of His Word.

We should be sanctified by thetruth. The conscience and theunderstanding, the words, the deeds,and the thoughts, should be con-trolled by truth, and not error. Theprinciple of truth and righteousnessimplanted in the heart, will berevealed in the life, and especially inthe family circle. God estimates aman by what he is in the bosom ofhis family. Fix the mind on thingsthat are pure and holy. “Whatsoeverthings are true, whatsoever thingsare honest, whatsoever things are

just, whatsoever things are pure,whatsoever things are lovely, whatso-ever things are of good report; ifthere be any virtue, and if there beany praise, think of these things.”Philippians 4:8. And the life will beclothed with the beauty of holinesseven here; but who shall tell what itwill be, when the great controversybetween sin and righteousness isforever closed, and we appear in“the beauty of the LORD our God”?Psalm 90:17. !

Signs of the Times, May 8, 1884.

")Vol. 15, No. 1

Have a letter to share?contact editor@hopeint.org or see page 2 for our mailing address.

31Vol. 14, No. 12

l e t t e r sletters to the editor

Thank you for the inspiringmagazine, Our Firm Foundation. It isvery encouraging when truth is writ-ten straight and plain.

I especially like News Watch.Prophecy is fulfilling rapidly!

CH, Oregon

We have really been blest read-ing Our Firm Foundation!

Our prayer is that God will con-tinue to bless you and your coworkersin your ministries.

JD, Arizona

Praise God! And thank you sovery, very much in the name of Jesusfor the Seventh-day Adventist StudyBible. May God, our Father, and Jesusforever bless you for this true gift youhave given me.

I pray that someday I will be ableto see and meet with some of you at aconference.

Oh, I just really and truly wishto thank you sincerely for the Biblewhich I will treasure until I die!

DW, Oregon

From OverseasGreetings to you in the precious

name of our Lord and Savior JesusChrist!

I have to express my thanks andappreciation for what the Lord has donefor us through you. Many souls havebeen won to Christ! Many plans havebeen made to carry the message to un-entered areas. Continue to pray for us.

May God bless you. Thanks.BK, Nigeria

You will be surprised to hear froman unknown brother. I am Pastor ____,a minister of a small group of brethrenin Ghana, believing the Bible and theSpirit of Prophecy. Again you would in-quire, how did I happen to get one ofyour books, The Lord’s Day and A Na-tional Sunday Law, and in fact I was im-pressed in reading it.

I would like to know more aboutyour ministry and your interest in Afri-

can missions. Your brother has interestin warning the inhabitants of the im-pending conflict and the Third Angel’sMessage. My work is mostly concen-trated in the rural areas which are of-ten neglected by most religious groups.

The time in which we live calls formore intensive warning since time waitsfor no man and the people of Godshould come together and give thetrumpet specific sound. God has blessedme with the talent of preaching publiclyand my little effort is greatly blessed. Iwish to get counseling materials, andyour prayers are needed to help in mylittle outreach programs.

Ending with many Christian greet-ings. Yours in the service of Christ.

BN, Ghana

Greetings in the name of ourKing and Lord Jesus Christ! Our Lordhas given me the wonderful opportu-nity to write to you this letter of re-quest for some religious books likeGospel Workers, Gospel Herald, Acts of theApostles, just to name a few for freedistribution even old ones.

We have started our own lendinglibrary which has only eleven books.Please kindly help us. Your support ismuch needed by us who are in the smallcountry where most people believe inspirit mediums and idols. I hope in Jesusname my humble application will re-ceive your urgent attention.

May the God of Heaven blessyou abundantly for what you are do-ing and may your loving kindness andsacrifices be richly blessed. Keep onwith the good work. Amen!

Pastor SC, Zimbabwe

I wish to extend my sincerethanks to you for sending me the HolyBibles and the other tracts. In fact, Iwas really, really happy to see thetwenty-two Bibles and the number oftracts. I have distributed some of theBibles and the tracts to my students.They have enjoyed reading the tractsand I am sure sooner or later some ofthem will write for more copies. Please

continue sending me more copies sothat I can extend the distribution toother non-Adventist schools.

The Seventh-day Sabbath and a Na-tional Sunday Law book will be of im-mense help to the non-Adventists.There are some of the students who willnot even listen to your preaching butwhen books are given to them they willfind time to read at least once in theirlife time. God can, through His miracu-lous ways, change these students with aglance at some of the pages!

Your appeal for sponsorship forthe printing of subsequent editions haswell been taken and we are planning togive the little that we can. Our problemis the postage of the money to you sincewe in Ghana use the cedi which is aboutthree thousand cedis to one dollar.

However, our prayers can doeven more without money. We alwayspray for you so that God will replen-ish your treasury with abundance sothat you can extend the same facilityto other peoples elsewhere.

Please do everything within yourmeans to help me win many of my stu-dents for Christ. Many of them haveunderstood the truth about the Sab-bath. But just because their parentsare Catholics, there is the fear that ifthey accept the truth and be baptizedas we Adventists do it, their parentswill stop taking care of them.

I have about ten students in myschool whose parents have stopped tak-ing care of them because of their newfound faith. I pay their fees and givethem pocket money every morningfrom my own resources. I am not wor-ried because I know this is what I cando to spread the gospel to these youngsouls and to win them for Christ.

Some of them are not even al-lowed to read the Bible at home. So Ihave given them one in the schoolwhich they read during break time. Atleast fifteen of them have joined thebaptismal class to experience baptismby immersion.

JA, Ghana

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Face-to-Face With theReal Gospelby Dennis Priebe

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