king of the north part3

8/14/2019 King of the North Part3

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Foundation

FirmOurVolume 23, Number 3 March 2008

Liberty of Conscienc

Threatened - Part 3

The Prosperity Gospel

Joseph of Arimathea

and Nicodemus

The King of the NorthPart 3

The Story of Joseph

Joseph In Egypt

What Kindof Fruit Are You

Bearing?Page 4

The Statin ScamMarches On


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EditorialThe Lost Sheep

Joe Olson

2 Our Firm Foundation

Joe Olson serves as theexecutive director and

chairman of the board

of Hope International. He

also travels as an

international speaker

Whatmanofyou,havinganhundredsheep,ifheloseoneofthem,dothnotleavetheninetyandnineinthewilder-

ness,andgoafterthatwhichislost,untilhefindit?Andwhenhehathfoundit,helayethitonhisshoulders,rejoicing.Andwhenhecomethhome,hecallethtogether his friends and neighbours,sayinguntothem,Rejoicewithme;forIhavefoundmysheepwhichwaslost.Luke15:4-6. Thisstoryhasalwaysimpressedme.Not so much the going after the onethatwaslost,oreventheleavingoftheninetyandninetogoaftertheone.Itwasthefactofcallinghisfriendsandneighbors together to rejoice after hehadfoundit. Nodoubtifweweretohavealamb,acow,ahorseoranyotheranimalthatwaslost,wewouldcertainlybehappyifitwasfound.Buthaveyoueverknownanyonewho hasmany,many animalsthat,havinglostoneandfounditagain,calledallofhisfriendsandneighborstogethertorejoiceaboutit?Idoubtit. Remember,theywerenotjustcalled;theywere called together!They are to

comeandrejoicetogetherwithhim.Canyouimaginegettingacalllikethat?Yourgoodfriend calls youup and tells youthathehasfoundoneofhishundredsofcowsorsheeporgoatsorwhatever,andhetellsyoutocomeoversothatheandalltherestofhisfriendsandhisneigh-borscancelebratetogetheroverit.Whatwouldyouthinkaboutthatcall? The Lord has already told us thatHedoesnotthinklikewedo.Formythoughts are not your thoughts, nei-therareyourwaysmyways,saiththe

LORD.Isaiah55:8.Hehasacomplete-ly different way of looking at thingsthanwedo.Nothingisunimportantto

Him.Evenleftoverpieces offishandbreadareimportant! AndJesustooktheloaves;andwhenhehadgiventhanks,hedistributedtothedisciples,andthedisciplestothemthatweresetdown;andlikewiseofthefishesasmuchastheywould.Whentheywerefilled,hesaiduntohisdisciples,Gatherupthefragmentsthatremain,thatnoth-ingbelost.John6:11-12. There is nothing in thisworld thatescapestheattentionofourheavenlyFather,noteventhebirds.Arenottwosparrowssoldforafarthing?andoneofthemshallnotfallonthegroundwith-outyourFather.Matthew10:29.Hewhoupholds theunnumberedworldsthroughout immensity, at the sametime cares for thewants of the littlebrown sparrow that sings its humblesongwithoutfear.Steps to Christ,85. No,wecannotimaginethattheGodwhohascreatedunnumberedworldswould have that much concern for alostlamb,muchlessacommonspar-

row. Yet Jesus declared toHis dis-ciples that not a sparrow falls to thegroundwithoutthenoticeoftheheav-enlyFather,andthatifGodcankeepinmindthewantsofallthelittlebirdsoftheair,HewillmuchmorecareforthosewhomaybecomethesubjectsofHiskingdomandthroughfaithinHimmaybetheheirsofimmortality. Tes-timonies, Vol.5,749. In our finite minds we just can-notconceive ofconcerning ourselvesthatmuchoverjustoneofsomething

whenwehavesomanyofthem.Theclosest that wemay be able to cometo understanding the concept iswith

ourchildren.Nomatterhowmanywehave,eachoneisdistinctlyimportantand valuableto us. I say the closeswecancome,becauseveryfewofushavemorethantenortwelvechildrenImaginebillionsandbillionsofthemAnd this isjustonearth!Rememberthatthereareworldsunnumbered! AnotherthingthatbogglesmymindisthefactthattheGodofalltheuni-verses has a specificplacewhereHeresides.The placeis called the CityofGodinheaven.Ofalltheunnum-beredworldsthathaveeverbeencre-ated,throughouttheceaselessagesoeternity,onlyonehaseverrebelledandturneditsbackofitsCreator.Then,notonly arewe forgiven,andGodsSondiesinourplacetoredeemus,butalofheavenispreparingtopackupandmove to this insignificant speck of aworld.Thistinyworldwillthenbethecenteroftheuniverse! Canyouimagineit!?Godpacksupthe heavenly U-Haul and moves the

entireoperationofheavenhere!!!Itisbeyondallcomprehension!Therearenot evenwords todescribe that kindof love, mercy and compassion. YoubetterbelievethatHisthoughtsarenoour thoughts and His ways not oursNowonder theheavenlybeings canquitpraisingHisname!Andwewonteither,whenwebegintoseewhatouheavenly Father and His wonderfuSon,ourSaviour,isreallylike.Icantwait!Iknowyoucanteither.


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Living The Faithpage 4

Liberty of ConscienceThreatened - Part 3

Page 7The Prosperity Gospel

Page 11

Health GemThe Statin Scam

Marches On - Part 1Page 23

Newswatch Page 26

Table of ContentsVolume 23

Number 3

March 2008

The Story of Joseph:

Joseph In EgyptPage 22

Historical FootnotesPage 28

Our Mission - It is the mission o Hope International and theeditors oOur Firm Foundation to clearly present Christ andHis truth. The days remaining or this world are ew, and wemust work quickly. We must boldly proclaim the historic truthso Adventism that place us on so frm a oundation in the midsto this troubled world. Editor

Executive Director: Joe [email protected]

Editor: Heidi [email protected]

Bookstore Manager: Kaye [email protected]

Hope For Health Center: Heather Olson, R.N., [email protected]

Layout & Design: Sherrie [email protected]

Our Firm Foundation is published monthly by: Hope International

P.O. Box 220Knoxville, Illinois 61448 USA

Phone: 309.343.1844 Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Central Time

Friday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Central Time

Fax: 309.343.3721Email: [email protected]: www.hopeint.org

Hope

International

About Hope International - We are a lay ministry ounded, supported,and operated by Seventh-day Adventists to assist Gods Church in theproclamation o the Everlasting Gospel in every way that is consistent withthe principles o God as revealed in Inspiration.

Invitation to Writers - We are accepting article-length manuscripts orpossible publication in Our Firm Foundation. We preer that submissions besubmitted in Word .doc ormat as a computer fle. Include a digital pictureand a short bio. Please address all correspondence to Editor, Our FirmFoundation, P.O. Box 220, Knoxville, IL 61448, or by email [email protected].

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Cover Photo: Shutterstock.com All Photos unless otherwise noted: Shutterstock.com

Joseph of Arimatheaand Nicodemus

Page 14The King of

The North - Part 3Page 18

Volume 23, Number 3 3

Letters To The EditorPage 31


4/324 Our Firm Foundation

Our first work is with the heart.

A profession of faith and the possession of truth inthe soul are two different things.

How can we be like Christ?In Matthew 5:48, Jesus tells us,Thereforeyoushallbeperfect,justasyourFatherinheavenisperfect,and1John3:9tellsusthat,WhoeverhasbeenbornofGoddoesnotsin,forhisseed remains in him; and he cannotsin,becausehehasbeenbornofGod.WeknowthatChristcannotcome toclaimusuntilHisSpiritisperfectedin

us,fornothingunholyorimpurewillbeallowedtoenterheaven.ButIstillsin, and I certainly dont reflect thecharacterofChristatall!

Broken Promises Itryall thetimetodowhat isright,butIfallquitefrequentlyandwonderifIwilleverbereadyforJesustocome.Doanyofyoueverfeelthisway?Haveyoupromised to followHim and obeyHisWord,onlytofailoverandoveragain? Have you promised to be patient

withyourspouse,familyandfriends,and failed? Promised to cut downon snacking between meals, andfailed? Promised and promised, justto find that you keep breaking thosepromises?Havecircumstancesseemedtoruinyourbest-laidplanstohaveasuccessful day, have all your goodresolutionsbecomelikewaterand,likeme,youdontunderstandwhy?

Itissaidthatmancannottransformhimself by the exercise of his will.Hepossessesnopowerbywhichthischangecanbeeffected....Therearemanywhotrytoreformbycorrectingthis or that bad habit, andthey hopeinthiswaytobecomeChristians,buttheyarebeginninginthewrongplace....Ourfirstworkiswiththeheart.Aprofessionoffaithandthepossessionof truth in the soul are two differentthings.Themereknowledgeoftruthisnotenough.Wemaypossessthis,butthetenorofourthoughtsmaynotbechanged.Theheartmustbeconverted

and sanctified. Christs ObjectLessons,96-97.

We Cant Change OurselvesCan you make a tree produce

better fruit just by picking off therottenfruitanddeadleaves?No,youcant.You need to get to the reasonthetreeisdiseased.FollowingJesusissimilar.Jeremiah13:23tellsus,Canthe Ethiopian changehis skin or theleoparditsspots?Thenmayyoualsodo good who are accustomed to doevil. Yet we cannot do anything ofourselvestobecomebetterChristians.

WecannotmakeourselvesbetterChristiansby correctingouroutwardflawsourselves.Weneedtogetridofthereasonforourbadhabits.Weknowthatallevilcomesfromthedevil,soweneedtogethimoutandChristintoourhearts.Therottenfruitanddeadleavesofsininourliveswillfalloffbythemselves.

Now,althoughIsaytheywillfalloffbythemselves,thisisnotexactlytrue.

Itistruethatwecanchangenothingofourselves,butwhenyouhaveChristinyou,you can work with Christ tochange.AndIthinkChristexpectsustoprayforHishelp.ToexplainthisIwouldliketosaythatifyouneedhelptoquitsmokingandyouaskChristtohelp,youdonthangaroundatobaccoorsmokeshopinyoursparetime.If

you needtoquitgossiping,youdoncall all your old gossip buddies andhopetheywonttalkaboutanyone.

Itsasifyouarelookingforajob.With Gods help you write resumes

with Gods helpyou write let ters toprospectiveemployersYou put the lettersin the mailbox; youdrivetotheplacesfointerviews. Althoughyou prayed to God to

helpfindajob,Idonthink He expects youtojustsitathomeandwait for a knock onthe door. He gives ustheabilitytohelpHimhelpus.

The Process ofConversionWewanttobebet

terpeople,tobecon-verted,butwhatdoe

being convertedmean? Most peoplethinktheyareconvert-

edwhen they decide to accept JesusastheirSavior,andwecertainlymusmakethisdecision.Butthereismoretohavingaconvertedheart.WhenJesustellsusthatwemustbebornagainHemeansweneedaconvertedheartaswellasaconvertedmind,aconvertedlifestyle,aconvertedbeing.

Itwouldbeasifyouwereinthegovernmentwitnessprogram.Thegov-ernmentwould giveyouanew identity,andyouwouldneedtofindnewfriendsandanewwayoflife.InourChristianlife,wecannotdothisonouown.Jeremiah17:9-10tellsus,Theheartisdeceitfulaboveallthings,anddesperatelywicked;whocanknowit?I,theLordsearchtheheart,ItestthemindThedesiresofourheartsarenaturallyworldly anddownward.Wecannot change them and make themclean.Sowhatarewesupposedtodo?

Living the FaithPART 1

Peter Laurin


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so deplorably hard, whytheyaresofickle,sovari-able,isthattheytrytoattachthemselvestoChristwithout first detachingthemselves from thesecherished idols (emphasisadded).

And in the Seventh-

day Adventist BibleCommentary, vol. 6, page1101,weread,Godmakesnocompromisewithsin.Agenuineconversionchangeshereditary and cultivatedtendencies to wrong. . .Christs plan is the only

safe one.He declares, Behold, Imakeallthingsnew.IfanymanbeinChrist,he is anewcreature.Christ givesmannoencouragement tothinkthatHewilaccept a patchwork character,made up

mostlyofself,withalittleofChrist.ThiistheconditionoftheLaodiceanchurchAtfirstthereseemstobesomeofselfandsomeofChrist,butsoonitisallofselfandnoneofChrist.Therootofselfishnessisrevealed(emphasisadded).

Laodicean UnforgivenessRealizingwhattheBiblesaysabou

the Laodicean church is essential toourhavingaclosewalkwithourLordJesus Christ. I hear now and againhowwe are the Laodicean church. I

dontknow if thosewho say this arereferringtotheSeventh-dayAdventistmovementor to the Christian churchas a whole. It is my understandingthatthesevenchurchesinRevelationaresevenperiodsinthehistoryoftheChristianchurch,withtheLaodiceanchurchbeingthelast.

Sometimes when I listen toministersandlaypeopleinourchurchtalk,itsoundsasiftheyareproudobeing the Laodicean church. In myunderstanding of the Bible, whilethe church is lukewarm, this is nosomething to be proud of. So thenbecauseyouarelukewarm,andneithecoldnorhot,IwillspewyououtofMymouth.Rev.3:16.

It sounds to me that the churchmentionedwouldfinditswayoutofthmouthofChristfasterthanitwentin.

Becauseyousay,Iamrichandinneedofnothinganddonotknowthatyouarewretched,miserable,poorblind,andnaked.Rev3:17.

WeretoldinRomans10:17:FaithcomesbyhearingandhearingbythewordofGod.TheScripturesarethebestplacetogoforthetransformationofcharacter.DidntJesusprayinJohn17:17, Sanctify them by Your truth:Yourword is truth? If we do asweshould and study the Scriptures, theWordwouldworkonourheartsandwe

wouldbesofilledwithChristandHisloveforusthatwewouldnthavetimefor the evil, worldly things we findourselvesalwaysfallingbackinto.TheHoly Spirit would convict us of oursinsandmoldusintoGodsimage.

The Word destroys thenatural, earthly

nature, and imparts anew life in

Christ Jesus.

We are told that we must spendtimein theScriptures,not justreadatextfromourmorningdevotionalsandthenforgetitandgetonwithourlife.No,wemustreadtheBibleandfillourspiritualneedatleastasmuchaswefillourbellieswithphysicalfood.

The Scriptures are the power ofGoduntosalvationifwecometotheirstudy with a humble spirit, desiring

tobeledtoandbytheLord. The De- sire of Ages,page391,says:AstheyfeeduponHisWord,theyfindthatitisspiritandlife.TheWorddestroysthenatural,earthlynature,andimpartsanewlifeinChristJesus.

Justasintheparableoftheleaven,whenyeastisputintoonepartofthedoughand then spreads to thewholelump,sodoestheWordofGodasweread and study it. InChrists ObjectLessons, page 98, were told, Theleavenoftruthworkssecretly,silently,steadily, to transform the soul. Thenatural inclinations are softened andsubdued.Newthoughts,newfeelings,new motives, are implanted. A newstandardofcharacterissetup-the lifeof Christ.

ThemoreweopentheBibleandread about Jesus, the more our eyeswould be opened. We would have acloserwalkwithChrist,andwewouldseeexactlywhatsinis.

A Change of HeartHowgreatitwouldbetohaveJe-

sus in close companionship, to haveourhearts affections going out afterHim rather than to the cares of this

world,which last but amoment andthenaregone!Itisheart-work,heart-change,realheart-changethatwemusthave,anditcomesbyseeingJesusandgivingintotheloveweseereflectingfromHim.

TohavethiscloseofarelationshipwithJesusdoescostussomething.Wemust all have a complete change ofheart.Itisarelationshipofcompletedependence,whichcanonlybeobtainedby people who have surrenderedcompletely to God. Someone whowants this close relationship mustchooseChristfirst,lastandtotallyineverything.WeneedtofeeltheatoningbloodofJesus.Wemusthaveachangeofheart.Butthischangeofheartisnoteasy.Therewillbeaconstantstrugglewithworldlyandpersonalobstacles.

There must be apainful work of

detachment,as well as a work

of attachment.

WearetoldinTestimonies,vol.5,page231, that theremustbeapain-fulworkofdetachment,aswellasaworkofattachment.Pride,selfishness,vanity, andworldliness--sin in all itsforms--mustbeovercomeifwewouldenterintoaunionwithChrist.Therea-sonwhymanyfindtheChristianlife



tothinking,Ifonlytheycouldbelikeme.ButthenIthinkofChristcom-paredtomyself,andIthankGodthattheyarentasbadasIam. SometimesIthinkitishardforustoforgiveothersbecauseitwouldmeanthatwewouldhavetoacceptthefactthat there areother circumstances orpeoplewhowouldalsoneedtoshare

in the forgiving process. Sometimeswemightactuallyneedtoforgiveour-selves.ButthismustbedoneinorderfortheretobetheclosecommunicationwithChristweneedforHimtodwellinus.AclosewalkwithChristisnotpossibleifweholdontounnecessarybaggage. It tends to get in betweenChristandus.Youcannotservetwomasters.

If God Has Forgiven . . . Dont we realize that claiming to

forgiveandactuallyforgivingaretwodifferentthings?Dontwerealizethatthecuttingremarkswemakeandtheactions we do reflect on us as wellasonChrist,ifweclaimtobelongtoHim? IknowtherearesomethingsIhavedoneinmypastthat,ifcertainpeopleheardme,theywouldwonderwhyIamallowedtowritearticleswhichmighthelpothers.IhaveaskedGodtoforgive

me.ImtoldthatsinceIwasbaptized,Iamanewperson;mypastsinsarecasintothesea.Youdontknowaboutmypast,soitdoesntbotheryou.Itshouldbenodifferentwithourchurchmembers,familyorfriends.Ifyouknowanythingaboutthepasofafamilymember,afriend,orevenachurchmember, if theyhaveasked

Christ to forgive them, who are wetosay they havent been forgiven? Iafriendorfamilymemberorevenastrangerhassinnedagainstus,whoarwenottoforgivethem?AndifChrishasforgiventhemandwedontallowourselvestoforgivethem,wearehurt-ing only ourselves. This unforgivingwillkeepusoutofheaven. If a church has toomanyof thesetypes of issues within itself, it wilmore than likely not be a growingchurch.Itwouldbetheworstformof

the Laodicean church. Do you thinkGodwouldwantnewChristianstojoinachurchwherethisunrestandillfeel-ingtowardoneanotherexists?

To be continued. .

Peter enjoys gardening, writingand reading books and articles on re-ligious topics. He and his wife live insoutheastern Wisconsin.

Idontknowaboutyou,butIcanlookandlisten,andIcanputtwoandtwo together.Allaround--atwork,atfamily gatherings, even at church--Ihearpeopleclaimtohaveaclosewalkwith Christ, but I hear wretchedcomplaints about former and currentchurch members, former and currentfamily members, complaints about

friends. There are complaints abouthow someone treated them in thepast, complaints about how peopleare treating them now. ApparentlywehaventforgivenasChristsaystoforgive. Since Christ will forgive allofusforwhateverwemayhavedoneinourpastandpresent,areweaboveChrist, that we hold resentmentsagainstothers?

Are we above

Christ, that wehold resentmentsagainst others?

S o me t i me swethinkwearerich becausewehave the truthoftheBible.Weneed to realizethereismuchintheBiblethatwe

haveyettolearn.Sometimes wethink we arerich because ifeveryone werejustlikeus,thechurchwouldbeready for Christto come and getit. We think wearerich;thereisnothing wrongwithus. Butwedontrealizehowpathetic in the eyesof God we reallyare.Ifweholdgrudges,oreventhinkwearebetterthananyone,wearemostcertainlyNOT living up to the stan-dardsChrist expects fromus.And, ifweholdillfeelingsoranythinginourhearts,thereisnoroomforChristthere,andHewillNOTcomein. Iknowinmyownlife,itismucheas-iertoseethefaultsofothers--orwhatIthinkaretheirfaults.SometimesIget


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T h r e a T e n e dEllen G. White

Gods word has given warning of the impending danger; let this be unheeded,

and the Protestant world will learn what the purposes of Rome really are,

only when it is too late to escape the snare.

Pa r T


Sunday Exalted then Enforced Asthepapacybecamefirmlyestab-lished,theworkofSundayexaltationwascontinued.Foratimethepeopleengagedinagriculturallaborwhennotattendingchurch,andtheseventhdaywasstillregardedastheSabbath.Butsteadilyachangewaseffected.Thoseinholy officewereforbidden topassjudgment in anycivil controversy ontheSunday.Soonafter,allpersons,ofwhateverrank,werecommandedtore-frainfromcommonlaboronpainofafineforfreemenandstripesinthecaseofservants.Lateritwasdecreedthatrichmenshouldbepunishedwiththelossofhalfoftheirestates;andfinally,that if still obstinate they should be

madeslaves.Thelowerclassesweretosufferperpetualbanishment.

Divine Disapproval Claimed Miracles alsowere calledinto req-uisition.Amongotherwonders itwasreported that as a husbandman whowas about to plow his field on Sun-daycleanedhisplowwithaniron,theironstuckfastinhishand,andfortwoyearshecarrieditaboutwithhim,tohisexceedinggreatpainandshame.--FrancisWest,Historical and PracticalDiscourse on the Lords Day,page174. Later thepope gave directions thattheparishpriestshouldadmonishtheviolators of Sunday and wish themtogotochurchandsaytheirprayers,

lesttheybringsomegreatcalamityonthemselves and neighbors. An ecclesiastical council brought forward theargument, since sowidelyemployedeven by Protestants, that becausepersonshad been struckby lightningwhilelaboring onSunday, itmustbetheSabbath.Itisapparent,saidtheprelates,howhighthedispleasureoGodwasupontheirneglectofthisday.Anappealwasthenmadethatpriestsandministers,kingsandprinces,andall faithful people use their utmosendeavorsandcarethatthedayberestoredtoitshonor,and,forthecreditof Christianity, more devoutly ob-servedforthetimetocome.--ThomaMorer,Discourse in Six Dialogues on



the Name, Notion, and Observation ofthe Lords Day,271.

Civil Backs Ecclesiastical Thedecreesofcouncilsprovingin-sufficient,thesecularauthoritieswerebesoughttoissueanedictthatwouldstriketerrortotheheartsofthepeopleandforcethemtorefrainfromlaboron

theSunday.AtasynodheldinRome,allpreviousdecisionswerereaffirmedwith greater force and solemnity.Theywere also incorporated into theecclesiasticallawandenforcedbythecivil authoritiesthroughoutnearly allChristendom.(SeeHeylyn,History ofthe Sabbath,pt.2,ch.5,sec.7.)

Forgeries and Other Lies Still the absence of Scriptural au-thorityforSundaykeepingoccasionedno little embarrassment. The people

questionedtherightoftheirteacherstosetasidethepositivedeclarationofJe-hovah,TheseventhdayistheSabbathoftheLordthyGod,inordertohonorthedayofthesun.Tosupplythelackof Bible testimony, other expedientswere necessary. A zealous advocateofSunday,whoaboutthecloseofthetwelfth century visited the churchesof England, was resisted by faithfulwitnesses for the truth; and so fruit-lesswerehiseffortsthathedepartedfromthecountryforaseasonandcast

abouthimforsomemeanstoenforcehis teachings.When hereturned, thelackwassupplied,andinhisafterla-borshemetwithgreatersuccess.HebroughtwithhimarollpurportingtobefromGodHimself,whichcontainedthe neededcommandforSunday ob-servance,withawfulthreatstoterrifythe disobedient. This precious docu-ment--asbaseacounterfeitasthein-stitutionitsupported--wassaidtohavefallen from heaven andtohave beenfoundinJerusalem,uponthealtarofSt.Simeon,inGolgotha.But,infact,thepontificalpalaceatRomewasthesource whence it proceeded. Fraudsand forgeries to advance the powerand prosperity of thechurch have inallagesbeenesteemedlawfulbythepapalhierarchy.

Therollforbadelaborfromtheninthhour, three oclock, onSaturday after-noon,tillsunriseonMonday;anditsau-thoritywasdeclaredtobeconfirmedbymanymiracles.Itwasreportedthatper-sonslaboringbeyondtheappointedhourwere strickenwith paralysis.Amillerwhoattempted togrindhis corn, saw,insteadofflour,atorrentofbloodcome

forth,andthemillwheelstoodstill,not-withstandingthestrongrushofwater.Awomanwho placeddoughin theovenfounditrawwhentakenout,thoughtheovenwas very hot. Another who haddoughpreparedforbakingattheninthhour,butdeterminedtosetitasidetillMonday,found,thenextday,thatithadbeen made into loaves and baked bydivinepower.AmanwhobakedbreadaftertheninthhouronSaturdayfound,whenhebrokeitthenextmorning,thatbloodstartedtherefrom.Bysuchabsurd

andsuperstitiousfabricationsdidthead-vocatesofSundayendeavortoestablishitssacredness.(SeeRogerdeHoveden,Annals,vol.2,pp.526-530.)InScotland,asinEngland,agreaterregardforSundaywassecuredbyunitingwithitaportionoftheancientSabbath.Butthetimerequiredtobekeptholyvar-ied.AnedictfromthekingofScotlanddeclared that Saturday from twelve atnoon ought tobeaccounted holy, andthatnoman,fromthattimetillMondaymorning,shouldengageinworldlybusi-

ness.--Morer,pages290,291.

Papists Admit to Changed Day But notwithstanding all the effortstoestablishSundaysacredness,papiststhemselves publicly confessed the di-vine authorityof theSabbath and the

humanoriginoftheinstitutionbywhichithadbeensupplanted.In thesixteenthcenturyapapalcouncilplainlydeclared:Let all Christians remember that theseventh day was consecrated by Godand hath been received and observednotonlybytheJews,butbyallotherswhopretendtoworshipGod;thoughweChristians have changed their Sabbath

intotheLordsDay.--Ibid.,pages281282. Thosewho were tampering withthedivinelawwerenotignorantofthecharacteroftheirwork.TheyweredeliberatelysettingthemselvesaboveGod.

Woe to Dissenters; African Churches A striking illustration of RomespolicytowardthosewhodisagreewithherwasgiveninthelongandbloodypersecutionoftheWaldenses,someofwhomwereobserversoftheSabbathOtherssufferedinasimilarmannerfo

theirfidelitytothefourthcommand-ment.Thehistory of the churchesoEthiopia and Abyssinia is especiallysignificant. Amid the gloom of theDarkAges, the Christiansof CentraAfricawerelostsightofandforgottenbytheworld,and formanycenturiestheyenjoyedfreedomintheexerciseoftheirfaith.ButatlastRomelearnedoftheirexistence,andtheemperorofAbyssiniawassoonbeguiledintoanac-knowledgmentofthepopeasthevicaofChrist.Otherconcessionsfollowed

Anedictwas issued forbidding theobservanceoftheSabbathundertheseverestpenalties.(SeeMichaelGeddesChurch History of Ethiopia,pages311312.)ButpapaltyrannysoonbecameayokesogallingthattheAbyssiniansdeterminedtobreakitfromtheirnecksAfteraterriblestruggletheRomanistswere banished from their dominionsandtheancientfaithwasrestored.Thechurchesrejoicedintheirfreedom,andtheyneverforgotthelessontheyhadlearnedconcerningthedeception,thefanaticism,andthedespoticpowerof

Rome is aiming to re-establish her power,

to recover her lost supremacy.

Those who were

tampering with the

divine law were not

ignorant of the

character of their work.



Rome.Withintheirsolitaryrealmtheywere content to remain, unknown totherestofChristendom. ThechurchesofAfricaheldtheSab-bathasitwasheldbythepapalchurchbefore her complete apostasy. Whilethey kept the seventh day in obedi-ence to the commandment of God,theyabstainedfromlaborontheSun-

dayinconformitytothecustomofthechurch.Uponobtainingsupremepow-er,RomehadtrampledupontheSab-bathofGodtoexaltherown;butthechurchesofAfrica,hiddenfornearlyathousandyears,didnotshareinthisapostasy. When brought under theswayofRome,theywereforcedtosetasidethetrueandexalt thefalsesab-bath;butnosoonerhadtheyregainedtheirindependencethantheyreturnedtoobediencetothefourthcommand-ment.(SeeAppendix.)

Hatred of True Sabbathto Resurface

These records of the past clearlyrevealtheenmityofRometowardthetrueSabbathanditsdefenders,andthemeanswhichsheemploystohonortheinstitutionofhercreating.ThewordofGodteachesthatthesescenesaretoberepeatedasRomanCatholicsandProt-estantsshallunitefortheexaltationoftheSunday.

Worship Papacy byHonoring Sunday

The prophecy of Revelation 13de-clares that the power represented bythe beast with lamblike horns shallcausetheearthandthemwhichdwellthereintoworshipthepapacy--theresymbolized by the beast likeunto aleopard.Thebeastwithtwohornsisalsotosaytothemthatdwellontheearth,thattheyshouldmakeanimagetothebeast;and,furthermore,itistocommandall, both small and great,rich and poor, freeand bond, tore-ceivethemarkofthebeast.Revelation13:11-16. It has been shown that theUnitedStatesisthepowerrepresentedbythebeastwithlamblikehorns,andthat this prophecy will be fulfilledwhen the UnitedStates shallenforceSunday observance, which Romeclaimsasthespecialacknowledgmentofhersupremacy.ButinthishomagetothepapacytheUnitedStateswillnotbealone.TheinfluenceofRomeinthe

countriesthatonce ac-knowledgedher domin-ionisstillfarfrom beingdes t royed . And proph-ecy foretells

a restorationofherpower.I saw oneof his headsas it werewounded todeath; andhis deadlywound washealed: andall the worldwonderedaf-terthebeast.

Verse3.

The infliction of the deadly woundpoints to the downfall of the papacyin1798.After this, says the prophet,hisdeadlywoundwashealed:andallthe world wondered after the beast.

Paul states plainly that the man ofsin will continue until the secondadvent.2Thessalonians2:3-8.Tothevery close of time he will carry for-ward theworkofdeception.Andtherevelatordeclares,alsoreferringtothepapacy:Allthatdwellupontheearthshallworship him,whose names arenotwritteninthebookoflife.Revela-tion13:8.InboththeOldandtheNewWorld,thepapacywillreceivehomageinthehonorpaidtotheSundayinstitu-tion,thatrestssolelyupontheauthor-ityoftheRomanChurch.

Prophecy Soon to be Fulfilled Since themiddle of the nineteenthcentury, students of prophecy in theUnitedStateshavepresentedthistes-timonytotheworld.Intheeventsnowtaking place is seen a rapid advancetoward the fulfillment of the predic-tion.WithProtestantteachersthereisthesameclaimofdivineauthorityforSundaykeeping,andthesamelackof

A movement to enforce Sunday observance

is fast gaining ground.Scripturalevidence,aswiththepapaleaderswhofabricatedmiraclestosupplytheplaceofacommandfromGodTheassertionthatGodsjudgmentsarevisiteduponmenfortheirviolationof

theSunday-sabbath,willberepeatedalready it is beginning to be urgedAnd a movement to enforce Sundayobservanceisfastgainingground.

Protestants Obey Rome, Not God Marvelous in her shrewdness andcunning is the Roman Church. Shecan read what is to be. She bidesher time, seeing that the Protestanchurches are paying her homage intheiracceptanceofthefalsesabbathandthattheyarepreparingtoenforceitbytheverymeanswhichsheherselfemployedinbygonedays.Thosewhorejectthelightoftruthwillyeseektheaidofthisself-styledinfal-lible power to exalt an institutionthatoriginatedwithher.HowreadilyshewillcometothehelpofProtestants in thisworkit isnotdifficultoconjecture.Whounderstandsbet-terthanthepapalleadershowtodealwiththosewhoaredisobedienttothechurch?



Rome vs. Governments The Roman Catholic Church,withall its ramifications throughout theworld,formsonevastorganizationun-derthecontrol,anddesignedtoservetheinterests,ofthepapalsee.Itsmil-lionsofcommunicants,ineverycoun-tryontheglobe,areinstructedtoholdthemselvesasbound inallegiance to

the pope.Whatever their nationalityortheirgovernment,theyaretoregardtheauthorityofthechurchasaboveallother.Thoughtheymaytaketheoathpledgingtheirloyaltytothestate,yetbackofthisliesthevowofobediencetoRome, absolving them from everypledgeinimicaltoherinterests.

History testifies of her artful andpersistent efforts to insinuate herselfintotheaffairsofnations;andhavinggaineda foothold,to furtherherownaims,evenattheruinofprincesandpeople. In the year 1204, PopeInno-cent IIIextracted fromPeterII, kingof Arragon, the following extraordi-naryoath:I,Peter, king of Arrago-

nians,professandpromisetobeeverfaithfulandobedienttomylord,PopeInnocent, to his Catholic successors,andtheRomanChurch,andfaithfullytopreservemykingdominhisobedi-ence, defending the Catholic faith,and persecuting heretical pravity.--JohnDowling,The History of Ro-manism,b.5,ch.6,sec.55.

We shall soon see and shall feelwhat the purpose of the Roman element is.

Thisisinharmonywiththeclaimsre-gardingthepoweroftheRomanpon-tiffthatitislawfulforhimtodeposeemperors and that he can absolvesubjects from their allegiance to un-righteousrulers.--Mosheim,b.3,cent.11,pt.2,ch.2,sec.9,note17.(SeealsoAppendixnoteforpage447.)

Romes Power Regained And letitbe remembered, it is theboastofRomethatsheneverchanges.TheprinciplesofGregoryVIIandIn-nocentIIIarestilltheprinciplesoftheRomanCatholicChurch.Andhadshebutthepower,shewouldputtheminpracticewithasmuchvigornowasin

pastcenturies.Protestantslittleknowwhat they are doing when they proposetoaccepttheaidofRomeintheworkofSundayexaltation.Whiletheyarebentupon the accomplishmentotheirpurpose, Romeisaiming toreestablishherpower,torecoverherlossupremacy.Let the principleoncebeestablished in the United States tha

thechurchmayemployorcontrolthepower of the state; that religious observances may be enforced by secu-lar laws; in short, that the authorityofchurchandstateistodominatethe

conscience,andthetriumphofRomeinthiscountryisassured.

Secret GrowthThen the Strike

Godswordhasgivenwarning of the impend-

ingdanger; let thisbe unheeded, and the Protestanworld will learn what thepurposes of Rome reallyare,onlywhenitistoolatetoescape the snare.She issilentlygrowingintopowerHer doctrines are exertingtheirinfluenceinlegislativehalls, in the churches,andin the hearts of men. Sheis piling up her lofty andmassive structures in the

secretrecessesofwhichherformerpersecutionswillberepeated.Stealthilyandun-suspectedlysheisstrength-eningher forces tofurtheherownendswhenthetimshallcomeforhertostrike.Allthatshedesiresisvantageground,andthisisal-ready beinggivenher.WeshallsoonseeandshallfeewhatthepurposeoftheRo

manelementis.WhoevershallbelieveandobeythewordofGodwilltherebyincurreproachandpersecution.

Great Controversy, 575-581.

Ellen G. White, 1827-1915, receivedthe spiritual gift of prophecy, and thefruits of her life and work accord withthe biblical tests of a true messenger ofGod. To this day, her counsels are anincalculable blessing to Gods peoplearound the world.


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Appealing tocarnal minds,

prosperity preachersviolate biblical

principles.Volume 23, Number 3 11

Anunhealthyexcitementisbeingfueledamongstprofessed followers of God over temporalprosperity.Everywhereisseenthemushroomingof prosperity preachers, business orentrepreneurshipseminars,andliteratureonhow

toprospermaterially.FrequentlyfromthepulpitsChristiansaretaughtthatGodsultimatewill for them ismaterialprosperityandthatpoverty,misfortuneorsufferingwantisacurse.Ifoneishavingfinancialproblems,itistakenasignofnotbeingtrue

to God. Initially I thought our denomination was immune tosuchperversionsofthetruth,but,sadtosay,eventhetraditionalstewardshipseminarsamongAdventistsaretakingthismode,whereinmembersareencouragedtogivesothattheygetandtostriveformaterialprosperityallbecausethisisGodspurposeforthem.

Prosperity, not Soul Preparation This implies that those Christians who are not materiallyprosperousareunderacurse,andthatthemoreprosperousoneisthemoreapprovedandrighteousbeforeGod.Therefore,materialprosperitybecomesayardsticktomeasureonesspiritualityandfaithinGod.Bibletextsaremisquotedandmisappliedtosustain

suchthinking.CallsforChristianstobebusiness-mindedignitesinthemazealtocompetewiththeworldinacquiringmaterialwealth--consequentlymakingittheobjectoftheirexistence.Inthisprosperitygospel,membersaremotivatedonprinciplesoftemporalsuccess,i.e.,howtheycanacquiremorematerially,insteadofhowtheycanbestdevelopChrist-likecharactersandadvance His kingdom. Little or nothing is mentioned aboutpreparingfortheimminentreturnofourLordJesusChrist.Belowaresomeoftheshockingstatementsonprosperityfromrenowned charismatics. These sentiments in a subtleway arecreepingintoourranks:

I Want It Now!

Prosperity is a major requirement in the establishment ofGodswill,andGodswillforHispeopletodayisabundance.Gods Will is Prosperity, article downloaded from the KCMwebsite http://www.kcm.org/studycenter/nances/pdf/gods_will_prosperity.pdf. Imsickandtiredofhearingaboutstreetsofgold[inheaven].Idontneedgoldinheaven,Ivegottohaveitnow....ButifIhearthethingonemoretimeofhowitwillbeandhowitwas,Imgonnakicksomebody.BennyHinnonPraise the Lord Show,TrinityBroadcasting Network,Dec. 9, 1990, quoted inHankHanegraaffs Counterfeit Revival,page120. The implications of such thinking are profound. ManyChristians,insteadofseekingthebeautyofChristsrighteousness,focustheirenergiesandeffortsonmaterialprosperity.LiketheancientJews,theyequatematerialprosperitytoGodsapproval,blessingandrighteousness.Liketheworldaroundthem,manyhavecometobelievethatlifeismeaningfulonlywhenonehasthings,andthishasbeenturnedtobethemessageofthehour!Asweinvestigatethetruthofsuchissues,letusconsiderwhatGodswillforusreallyis:

Gods Will: It Is Written ForthisisthewillofGod,evenyoursanctication.. ..1Thessalonians4:3. Whogavehimselfforoursins,thathemightdeliverusfrom

AdmiralNcube


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thispresentevilworld, according to thewill ofGod and ourFather.Galatians1:4. ItisclearthatGodspriorityisourdeliverancefromthepowerofSatan,tolivelivesofobediencetoHiscommandsthroughHisgrace.Ultimately,Hiswillforusisnotthatwemakemoney

Our greatest object and ambition in life should be to conformto His will, rather than compete with the world in acquiringmaterial wealth.

and becomematerially prosperous,but rather thatwebe truesaintshereonearth.Therefore,ourgreatestobjectandambitioninlifeshouldbetoconformtoHiswill,ratherthancompetewiththeworldinacquiringmaterialwealth.Totreatthisprosperitygospelasthemessageofthehouristoimplythatmaterialwealthisourgreatestneed--whichisoutrightfalsehood. Inconjunctionwiththeabove,itshouldalsobecategoricallystatedthattheideathattruefaithwillbringthebelieverloadsofmoneyhasnoscripturalbasis,either.Infact,ourSaviourJesus,whileHenevercondemnedmaterialpossessionsoutright, Preached that thosewho serveGodmust despisemoney

(Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13-15) becausetheirheartswillbe

wherevertheirtreasureis(Matthew 6:21); Did warn us not to store up earthly treasure (Matthew

6:19); Saidgivingisbetterthanreceiving(Acts 20:35); Taughtthatwealthisdeceitfulandcanchokeoutourfaith

(Matthew 13:5, 22; Luke 8:14); Warnedustobeonguardagainstself-indulgenceandgreedin

allitsforms(Matthew 23:25; Mark 7:21-23; Luke 12:15); Made it clearour object in life should notbe to have an

abundance of material possessions but rather seek Hiskingdomandrighteousness(Matthew 6:32,33);

Saiditisalmostimpossibleforarichpersontoenterheaven(Matthew 19:21-24);

Commandsallhisfollowerstolaydowntheirlivesinself-denial(Matthew 16:24) andtoldawealthywould-bediscipletosellallhispossessions(Matthew 19:21-24);

Saidtherewillalwaysbethepoorintheworld,andthesemayeitherbeChristiansornon-Christians(Matthew 26:11);

PointedoutHedidnotevenhaveabedtosleepon(Matthew8:20).

True Riches Therefore,neverdidourSaviourpromisematerialpossessionsorinspirementoyearnforthem.AlwaysHesoughttoleadmentoseektrueriches.Furthermore,theapostlesdidnotputemphasisonnancial ormaterialprosperity. See2Corinthians6:10;1Timothy6:10-11;Hebrews13:5,Colossian3:5,1Timothy3:2-3,Colossians3:2. TothinkthatGodswill forusisthatwebecomemateriallyprosperousistolosetheessenceofthegospel,whichiscompletedeliverance from sin. God has not promised us materialprosperity,butHehasassuredusthatHewillsupplyourneeds.Scripture is full ofpromisesalludingto the fact thatHewilldo that. (See Philippians4:19,Matthew 6:33,Hebrews 13:5,Isaiah 41:17, Psalm23:1,Psalm37:25.)Therefore,insteadofmakingthesearchformammontheobjectoflife,letusratherseekthedevelopmentofChristiancharacterandadvancementofHiscause.IfHeblessesuswithmaterialwealth,letusalways


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bearinmindthatthewealthisnotforself-gloricationandindulgence,butservice.

God has not promised us material prosperity,but He has assured us He will supply our needs.

Wealth Given in Trust MoneyisatrustfromGod. It is notours to expend forthegraticationofprideorambition.InthehandsofGods

childrenitisfoodforthehungry,andclothingforthenaked.Itisadefensetotheoppressed,ameansofhealthtothesick,ameansofpreachingthegospeltothepoor.Youcouldbringhappinesstomanyheartsbyusingwiselythemeansthatisnow spentfor show.Considerthe lifeofChrist.StudyHischaracter, and be partakers with Him in His self-denial.Ministry of Healing,287.

Of all the gifts that heaven can bestow upon men,fellowship with Christ in His sufferings is the most weightytrust and the highest honor.

OurLord inLuke4:18 clearlysetforthHismission on

earth,whichwasnotmakemenmateriallyprosperous,butratherto...preachthegospeltothepoor;hehathsentmetohealthebrokenhearted,topreachdeliverancetothecaptives,andrecoveringofsighttotheblind,tosetatlibertythemthatarebruised,topreachtheacceptableyearoftheLord.NowheredidHepromiseHisfollowersworldlywealth,butrathereternallifewhentheyacceptHimintotheirlives.Inlightofthis,letthefollowingwarningbeborneinmind:

Prosperity DangerousAndPossibly Misleading

Inthemidstofprosperitylurksdanger.Throughouttheages,richesandhonorhaveeverbeenattendedwithperilto

humilityandspirituality.Itisnottheemptycupthatwehavedifcultyincarrying;itisthecupfulltothebrimthatmustbecarefullybalanced.Afiction andadversitymaycausesorrow,butitisprosperitythatismostdangeroustospirituallife.UnlessthehumansubjectisinconstantsubmissiontothewillofGod,unlessheissanctiedbythetruth,prosperitywillsurelyarousethenaturalinclinationtopresumption.

Prophets and Kings, 59.Theothererrorthatisbeingechoedbytheseprosperity

preachersisthatatruefollowerofGodshouldNEVERsuffermisfortuneorillness.NoticethewordsofBennyHinn: Sicknessdoesnot belong to you. It has no part intheBodyofChrist.Sicknessdoesnotbelongtoanyofus. The Bible declares if theWord of God is in yourlife, therewillbe health, therewill behealing--divinehealthanddivinehealing.TherewillbenosicknessforthesaintofGod.IfMosescouldlivesuchahealthylife,socanyou.BennyHinn, Rise and Be Healed! (1991),page 14, quoted inHankHanegraaffs Christianity inCrisis, 242.

Christians Have Trials, Too Infact,nowheredoestheBibleteachthatChristianswillneverbesickorfacemisfortune.TheBibleactuallycontainsmanyexamplesoftruefollowersofGodfacingtrialsand

afictions.AclassicexamplewouldbetheapostlePaul.In2Corinthians11:24-28hewrites: OftheJewsvetimesreceivedIfortystripessaveoneThricewas Ibeatenwithrods,oncewasI stoned, thrice Isufferedshipwreck, a nightand a day I have been in thedeep;Injourneyingsoften,inperilsofwaters,inperilsofrobbers,inperilsbymineowncountrymen,inperilsbytheheathen,inperilsinthecity,inperilsinthewilderness,inperilsinthesea,inperilsamongfalsebrethren;Inweariness

andpainfulness,inwatchingsoften,inhungerandthirst,infastingsoften, incoldand nakedness.Beside those thingsthatarewithout,thatwhichcomethuponmedaily,thecareofallthechurches. NowifPaulwasindeeda trueChristianwhose lifewadedicatedtoGodsservice,whywouldhegothroughallthatsuffering?WhywouldhetalkaboutsufferingswithjoyiftheyareindeednotpartoftheChristiansordeal?Seealso2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 16-18; James 1:2; 1 Peter 4:12,13Philippians3:8-10;Job23:10;1Peter5:10;Philippians1:29;Hebrews12:6-11. Even the young evangelist Timothy suffered frequenillnesses(1Timothy5:23),but insteadof tellingTimothy

to claim a healing or rebuke the devil, Paul actuallyinstructedhimtoaddunfermentedwinetohisdiet(itwasusedasaformofmedicine).InMiletus,PaulalsoleftamannamedTrophimussick(2Timothy4:20).Therefore,thoughmisfortunemaybefallatrueChristian,Godsgraceissufcienttoseehimorherthrough.TosaythattrueChristiansshouldneverfacetrials,wantormisfortunewouldthereforerenderfalsethenumeroustextswhichpointto trialsaspartoftheChristiansexperience.IfourSaviourwentthroughthesameordeal, what aboutHis beloved children? See Philippians1:29,1Peter2:21,Hebrews5:8,Romans8:18,James1:2.

Fellowship in Christs

Suffering the Highest Honor GodneverleadsHischildrenotherwisethantheywouldchoosetobelediftheycouldseetheendfromthebeginninganddiscernthegloryofthepurposewhichtheyarefulllingascoworkerswithHim.NotEnochwhowastranslatedtoheaven,not Elijahwho ascendedina chariotofre,wasgreaterormorehonoredthanJohntheBaptistwhoperishedaloneinthedungeon.UntoyouitisgiveninthebehalfoChrist,notonlytobelieveonHim,butalsotosufferforHissake.Philippians1:29.Andofallthegiftsthatheavencanbestowuponmen,fellowshipwithChristinHissufferingisthemostweightytrustandthehighesthonor.Desire of

Ages, 224-5. MayGodhelp us towake up andcastoff the shackleswithwhichtheeviloneattemptstobindus.Thetimewearelivinginistoo,toosolemntobetriedwithinpursuitomaterialwealthwhichwewillnottakewithustoheavenanddoesnotaddvaluetoourspirituality.Wehavebeencallednottobebusinesspeoplebuttobesaints.Standup.Refusetolistentoerrororallowprosperitypreacherstoadministertheirpoisontoyou.WecannotandshouldnotallowsucherrortaketheplaceofvitalandrelevanttruthsthatGodhasgivenustobeembracedandproclaimedtotheworld.Wearealmosthomeandwecannotallowsuchadiversion.Bewareofbeingdiverted,deludedanddiluted!


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Joseph of Arimathea

and NicodemusJeanHandwerk

God prepared two menfor special rolesin prophetic history.



ThestoriesofJosephofArimatheaandNicodemusrevealthepowerofdivinelovethatdrewthesemenofwealthandinfluence. The record of these unselfishmen shows howwillingly theygaveall tohonor, followand obeytheOnewhomtheycametoknowasthesacrificialLambofGod.

Joseph of Arimathea JosephofArimatheaismentionedonlyonceineachofthegospels;eachacknowledgesJosephasadiscipleofJesusanddefineshisimportantroleofbeggingfromPilatethebodyof

Jesus.MatthewaddsthatJosephwaswealthy,andMark,thathewas a respected counseloralawyer.Those two factswerecentraltoJosephsroleinJesuslifeanddeath. Joseph,likemuchofJerusalem,waspresentduringthecrucifixion. Joseph knew the disciples had nomoney toburyJesus.Intruth,theyhadntevenanticipatedHisdeath,despiteHisplainwarningsofit.Notably,theonlyapostleatthecrosswasJohn.StillexpectingJesustoestablishanearthlykingdom,thediscipleswerecompletelyunpreparedspiritually,emotionally,andevenpracticallyforwhatoc-curred. This example of deceptiveness of wrong under-standingandtheunpreparednessforcrisesitbrings,evendespiteforewarnings,isaforcefulreminderforusintheselastdays. Andyet,notwithstandingthediscipleshadbeendisap-pointedintheirhopesconcerningJesus,theyyetlovedHimanddesiredtogiveHisbodyanhonoredburial,butknewnothowtoobtainit.Early Writings, 181.Onlyfaithfulmenofinfluenceandwealthcouldaccomplishthat.JosephofAri-matheawasthatman,theoneGodhadpreparedforthiscri-sis.ItwasatthispointthatJosephofArimatheaentersScrip-turechronologybyname.Hesteppedforwardinthehourofneed,heedlessofallthepoliticalandsocialconsequencesofhisact.ToPilateheimmediatelyheaded.

Time Constraints and Possible Opposition Jesusdiedaround3pm;theSabbathwouldbeginaround6:30pmatthattimeinJerusalem,sotherewassomeur-gencytoJosephsmissiontoPilate.HehadtogotoPilate,secureanaudiencewithhim,statehiscaseandgetpermis-sionforthebody,return,removethebodyfromthecross,carryittothetomb,washittenderlyandwrapitwithspicesandlinenallbeforesunset.Also,hehadtomakehisrequestofPilatebeforetheoth-erJewishleaderswouldbecertaintoarrivetomaketheirownrequest.ItwasagainstthelawofMosesthatbodiesofimpaledcriminalsremaindisplayedaftersundown,andespeciallythissundown,becauseitwasahighSabbathof

Passover.WeknowfromJohn19:31thattheotherJewishleadersalsoappearedbeforePilateafterJesusdeathtore-questthatthebodiesnotremainonthecrosses.HadtheyprecededJosephorbeenpresenttolearnofJosephsplan,theymighthavepersuadedPilateagainstit.Afterall,itwastheywhohadinsistedJesusbepositionedbetweenthetwocriminals,apublicmessagethatHewas theworstof thedyingcriminals.TheycertainlywouldobjecttoHisbeingburiedinanhonorablemanner.Therefore,Josephunder-standablyfeltconsiderableurgencyinhismissionduetotheimminentsunsetandthehatredoftheJewstowardhisMaster.

Joseph stepped forwardin the hour of need, heedlessof all the political and socialconsequences of his act. Fortunately,therewasonlyonemomentofdelay.PilatehadnotbelievedJesushaddiedsosoon(Mark15:44),butacen-turionwhowaspresentwasabletoconfirmthefact.Josephs

hastewasrewarded,asPilategrantedhimJesusbody. ScripturetellsusJosephaskedboldly forJesusbody.OnemightwonderhowhecouldbeconsideredboldwhilehewasactingsecretlyandforfearoftheJews.John19:38.How-ever,althoughJosephwentsecretlytobeseechPilateforfearoftheJews,hiswasnotfearforhisownsafetybutwisdombornofknowingthattheJewshatredwassogreattheymighthavepreventedJesushavinganhonoredrestingplace.JosephsburdenwasthatChristsbodywouldbecarefullydealtwithTherefore,theplantoaskforHisbodyandburyHiminhisowntombhadtobekeptquietuntilitwasaccomplished. MatthewandLukesaidhebeggedforJesusbody;Marksaidhecravedit.Againweseehisurgency;delaywould

beserious.PilatemayhavebeenincredulouspossiblyevenresistantwhenheheardsucharequestfromaJewishleader,whomhegenerallydespisedfortheirrecentmanipulationofhimduringJesushearing.HealsohadnowayofknowingJosephandNicodemushadbeenexcludedfromtheshamefumeetingsatwhichJesushadbeencondemned.ButperhapsPilateknewJosephasLukedescribeshim:agoodman,andajust.CertainlyPilatehadjudgedJesusfavorably:Ifindinhimnofaultatall.Perhapshewascooperativeonthaaccount.WhateverthereasoningofPilate,Josephprevailedwithhim.The scheming yetfearfulJewish leadershad tocontentthemselveswithpetitioningPilateonPassoverSab-bathforathree-dayguardatthetomb(Mat27:62).

Nicodemus UnlikeJoseph,Nicodemusismentionedinonlythreedifferentplaces,allinthegospelofJohn.Priortothecross,whenthesoldiersreturnedtothePhariseeswithouthavingcarried out their instructions toarrest Jesus,weread thathoseincensedleadersdidntevenaskthemwhatJesushadsaidthatsoaffectedthem.John7:45-53.Theywerentinter-estedinanythingbutwhatwouldaidtheirgoaltosilenceJesus.Intheirtwoquestionstothesoldiers,Areye alsode-ceived?HaveanyoftherulersorthePhariseesbelievedonHim?theyplacedthemajorityopinionsofinfluentialand

evilmenabovethecleardemandsofthelaw. Nicodemusdarednotremainsilentatthisjuncture,foralthoughhewasnotyetfullyconvincedJesuswastheMessiah,thelawprohibitedthecondemnationofaninnocentmanandheknewJesustobeinnocentoftheircharges.TheHolySpirithadbeenstrivingwithNicodemusduring[hisnight-timeconversationwithJesus],andNicodemusreceivedthlessonfromChrist,andcarrieditwithhim.HesearchedtheScripturesinanewway,notforthediscussionofatheorybutinordertoreceivelifeforthesoul.ForatimeNicodemusdidnotpubliclyacknowledgeChrist,buthewatchedHislifeandponderedHisteachings.IntheSanhedrincouncilhere



peatedlythwartedtheschemesoftheprieststodestroyHim....Conflict and Courage, 291-3. SpiritofProphecytellsus,Againthepriests and rulersproceededtolayplansforarrestingJesus.ItwasurgedthatifHewerelongerleftatliberty,Hewoulddrawthepeopleawayfromtheestablishedleaders,andtheonlysafecoursewastosilenceHimwithoutdelay.Inthefulltideoftheirdiscussion,theyweresuddenlychecked.Nicodemusquestioned,Dothourlawjudgeanyman,beforeithearhim,andknowwhathedoeth?[John7:51]Silencefellontheassembly.Thewords

ofNicodemuscamehometotheirconsciences.Theycouldnotcondemnamanunheard.Butitwasnotforthisreasonalonethatthehaughtyrulersremainedsilent,gazingathimwhohaddaredtospeakinfavorofjustice.TheywerestartledandchagrinedthatoneoftheirownnumberhadbeensofarimpressedbythecharacterofJesusastospeakawordinHisdefense.Recoveringfromtheirastonishment,theyaddressedNicodemuswithcuttingsarcasm,ArtthoualsoofGalilee?Searchandlook:foroutofGalileearisethnoprophet. Yettheprotestresultedinstayingtheproceedingsofthecouncil.TherulerswereunabletocarryouttheirpurposeandcondemnJesuswithoutahearing.Defeatedforthetime,everymanwentuntohisownhouse.Jesuswentuntothe

MountofOlives.Desire of Ages, 460,italicssupplied.

By remaining in theSanhedrin, Joseph andNicodemus had hoped toprotect Jesus by their insistencein those councils that the law befollowed.

ThepriestsandrulersrepresentthoseecclesiasticalandcivilleaderswhowillspeakcontrarytotheprinciplesoftheUnitedStatesConstitutionandagainstSabbathkeepersinthetimeoftrouble.Whentheimagetothebeastisformed,wewillwalkthepathourMasterwalkedbeforeus.Forawhilehonorablemen,likeJosephandNicodemusbeforethem,willsuccessfullyinsistonadherencetojustlawsand/orprinciples.ThatwillbeprecioustimefortheproclamationoftheLoudCry.But eventually their influencewillbecircumventedtoaccomplishdestructiveends.Reasonswithoutfoundationinjusticeorlawwillbeputforthandacceptedthatonegroupshoulddieforthesakeandsurvivalofthenations.

Secret Disciples

EllenWhitewrote,NeitherJosephnorNicodemus hadopenlyacceptedtheSaviourwhileHewasliving.TheyknewthatsuchastepwouldexcludethemfromtheSanhedrin.Yousee,indesperationtheJewshadfinallypassedanedictthatanymanwhoprofessedfaithinJesusshouldbecastoutofthesynagogue.TheJewishleaderscouldntkickthemout,because theyhadntopenlydeclared forJesus.Andbyre-mainingintheSanhedrin,JosephandNicodemushadhopedtoprotectJesusbytheirinsistenceinthosecouncilsthatthelawbefollowed.Foratimetheyhadseemedtosucceed;butthewilypriests,seeingtheirfavortoChrist,hadthwartedtheirplansbysimplynotcallingthemtothathastily-callednight -

timemeeting.IntheirabsenceJesushadbeencondemnedanddeliveredtobecrucified.Therewerepresent atthe counci

otherinfluentialmenwhobelievedonJesus,buttheirinflu-ence prevailednothing against that of themalignant Phari-sees.Ibid.,538.TheirnamesarenothonoredinScripture,anfromthisweknowthatNicodemusandJosephwereJesustwomostcapableandoutspokendefendersintheSanhedrinfortheirnamesweknow.TheotherbelieversinJesushadnotbeenexcludedandtheirwordswerepowerlesstostopthetideofevil,nordidtheystepforwardforJesusburial.

Jesus Burial ButnowthatJesuswasdead, theynolongerconcealedtheirattachmenttoHim.WhilethedisciplesfearedtoshowthemselvesopenlyasHisfollowers,JosephandNicodemuscameboldlytotheiraid....Conflict and Courage,327. InJohn19weseethatNicodemusworkedwithJosephtoprepareJesusforburial.Timewasoftheessence,sowhileJosephwasbeggingPilate,Nicodemuswasgatheringburialspicesandlinencloth.OnlyJohn,ofJesusclosestfollow-ers,wasatthecross,andbeingwithoutinfluenceormoney,hestayedwiththebody,alongwithsomewomen.AlthoughMatthewandLukecreditonlyJosephfortakingJesusbodyfromthecrossandcompletingalltheburialnecessities,hewouldnothavehadtimetodoallthatwasnecessary.Norwouldhehavebeenableto lowerortransport Jesus limpbodywithcareandhonorbyhimself.Norwouldtheprivi-

legeofpreparingJesusforburialhavebeenselfishlywith-heldfromappropriateotherspresent.ThuswereadinJohn19:39-42ofNicodemusparticipation,andthattheytookthebodyfromthecross,andtheywounditinlinen. Uptothispoint,sohiddenwastheirlegaldefenseofJesuthatSpiritofProphecytellsusthatthewomenofGalileehadremainedwiththediscipleJohntoseewhatdispositionwouldbemadeofthebodyofJesus,whichwasveryprecioustothem....ThewomenwereastonishedtoseeJosephandNicodemus,bothhonoredandwealthycouncilors,asanxiousandinterestedasthemselvesfortheproperdisposalothebodyofJesus.Spirit of Prophecy, Vol.3,174-5(1878).



InthenormalcourseofeventsJesus,asatraitortoRome,wouldhavebeengivena dishonorableburial ina fieldre-servedforthebasestofcriminals.5BC551.Inthesureprov-idenceofGod,though,thewealthyJosephownedanewsep-ulchreamongthoseofotherwealthymen,whichhereadilyrelinquishedfortheSonofGod,thusfulfillingtheprophecythathewaslaidtorestwiththerichinhisdeath.Isa53:9.

The disciples had been afraid

to show themselves openly asChrists followers, butNicodemus and Joseph hadcome boldly to their aid.

AlthoughJesuswasburiedexpeditiouslywithoutthecus-tomaryrecognitionaccordedtherespecteddead(hemadehisgravewiththewickedIsa53:9),wereassuredthemosthonored inallJerusalemcouldnothavebeenshownmorerespectindeath.Story of Redemption,227.WeretoldthewomenwhohadbeenChristshumblefollowerswhileHelived,wouldnotleaveHimuntiltheysawHimlaidin

thetombandastoneofgreatweightplacedbeforethedoor,lest his enemies should seek to obtain His body (EarlyWritings,181),buttheyneednothaveworried.Invisiblean-gelssentfromheavenguardedthattomb,aswellasRomanguardsrequestedbytheworriedJewishleaders.

Acts of the Apostles, page104,revealsthatwithJosephofArimathea,NicodemushadbornetheexpenseoftheburialofJesus.ThediscipleshadbeenafraidtoshowthemselvesopenlyasChristsfollowers,butNicodemusandJosephhadcomeboldlytotheiraid.Thehelpoftheserichandhonoredmenwasgreatlyneededinthathourofdarkness.TheyhadbeenabletodofortheirdeadMasterwhatitwouldhavebeenimpossibleforthepoordisciplestodo;andtheirwealthandinfluencehadprotectedthem,inagreatmeasure,fromthemaliceofthepriestsandrulers.

Josephs Story Ends ThusendstheBiblicalchronicleofwealthycounselorJo-sephofArimathea.AlongwithNicodemus,Godhadpre-paredhimtoenableJesusministrytocontinuelongerthanthejealousJewishleaderswouldhavepermitted--indeedforthefull3yearsofprophecy--andtosolvetheproblemofatimelyandhonoredburialforHisSon.Josephswisely-con-cealeddiscipleshipwhileJesuslived,andhissteppingfor-wardopenlyafterwardtoobtainJesusbody,regardlessof

consequences,reflectadiscernmentandacouragefueledbydevotionthatserveasexamplestous.

Nicodemuss Conversion Bore Fruit Althoughweknownomoreabout JosephofArimatheaaftertheburial,wearetoldmoreaboutNicodemus.John3:21says,Buthethatdoethtruthcomethtothelight,thathisdeedsmaybemademanifest,thattheyarewroughtinGod.ThatistrueofNicodemus. OnthatSabbath,whenChristlayinthegrave,Nicodemushadopportunityforreflection.Aclearerlightnowilluminat-edhismind,andthewordswhichJesushadspokentohim

werenolongermysterious.HefeltthathehadlostmuchbynotconnectinghimselfwiththeSaviourduringHislife.NowherecalledtheeventsofCalvary.TheprayerofChristforHismurderersandHisanswertothepetitionofthedyingthiefspoketotheheartofthelearnedcouncilor.AgainhelookedupontheSaviourinHisagony;againheheardthatlastcry,Itisfinished,spokenlikethewordsofa conqueror.Againhebeheldthereelingearth,thedarkenedheavens,therentveil,theshiveredrocks,andhisfaithwasforeverestablished. Theveryeventthatdestroyedthehopesofthedisciples

convincedJosephandNicodemusofthedivinityof JesusTheirfearswereovercomebythecourageofafirmandun-waveringfaith.Conflict and Courage, 327. AftertheLordsascension,whenthediscipleswerescat-teredbypersecution,Nicodemuscameboldlytothefront.HeemployedhiswealthinsustainingtheinfantchurchthattheJewshadexpectedtobeblottedoutatthedeathofChrist.Inthetimeofperilhewhohadbeensocautiousandquestioningwasfirmasarock,encouragingthefaithofthedisciplesandfurnishingmeanstocarryforwardtheworkofthegospel.Hewasscornedandpersecutedbythosewhohadpaidhimreverenceinotherdays.Hebecamepoorinthisworldsgoods;yethefalterednotinthefaithwhichhaditsbeginninginthatnightconferencewithJesus.Ibid.,293. WiththeexamplesofJesusandNicodemusbeforeus,mayweendureourowncrossesanddespiseanyshame.Maywestepforwardinthisportentoustime,choosingtherightbecauseitisrightandleavingtheconsequenceswithGod(GC460),tellingfellowsoulsoftheonlysafeharborinthecomingstorm.

True Conversion ThestoryofJosephofArimatheaandNicodemusisoneoftheworkingoftheHolySpiritforthattimeandforeternityItisastoryoftrueconversion.EllenWhitewrote,...WhiletheworkoftheSpiritissilentandimperceptible,itseffect

aremanifest.IfthehearthasbeenrenewedbytheSpiritofGod,thelifewillbearwitnesstothefact....Whohastheheart?Withwhomareourthoughts?Ofwhomdowelovetoconverse?Whohasourwarmestaffec-tionsandourbestenergies?IfweareChrists,ourthoughtsarewithHim,andoursweetestthoughtsareofHim.AllwehaveandareisconsecratedtoHim.WelongtobearHisim-age,breatheHisspirit,doHiswill,andpleaseHiminallthings.Steps to Christ, 57-8. When,aserring,sinfulbeings,wecometoChristandbecomepartakersofHispardoninggrace, love springsupintheheart.Everyburdenislight,fortheyokethatChrisimposes is easy.Duty becomes a delight, and sacrifice a

pleasure.Thepaththatbeforeseemedshroudedindarkness,becomesbrightwithbeamsfromtheSunofRighteousness.Ibid.,59. SoitwasforJosephofArimatheaandNicodemus.Soimaybeforus.

Jean Handwerk isa former teacher

who writesfrom Delaware


18/3218 Our Firm Foundation18 Our Firm Foundation

The King o the North

Part 3

The glorious land that Rome enters to overthrow is Gods church.

Heidi Heiks

TheologicalWaymarks

Dan. 11:41 He shall enter935 also intothe glorious6643 land,776 and many7227countries shall be overthrown:3782but these428 shall escape4422 out ofhis hand,4480, 3027 even Edom,123 andMoab,4124 and the chief7225 of thechildren1121 of Ammon.5983

11:41 . . . into THE

GLORIOUSLAND. . .

Inour last issuewe discovered thegloriouslandwasatermdesignatedforthechurch.WithallthedifferenttermsusedtodesignateGodschurch,why did heaven use the term glori-oustodefineHislastdaychurchinthebookofDaniel?Wesuggestedthiswas brisling with meaning. TurningtoachapterinChrist Object Lessonsentitled The Lords Vineyard, Hischurch;EllenWhiteclarifiesthemat-

terforus:

Representing the Character of God TheparableofthevineyardappliesnotalonetotheJewishnation.Ithasalessonforus.The churchinthisgen-erationhasbeenendowedbyGodwithgreatprivilegesandblessings,andHeexpects corresponding returns. . . . .The husbandman chooses a piece ofland from the wilderness; he fences,clears, and tills it, and plants it withchoicevines,expectingarichharvest.

Thisplotofground,initssuperiorityto the uncultivatedwaste, heexpectstodohimhonorbyshowingtheresultsof his care and toil in its cultivation.SoGodhadchosenapeoplefromtheworld tobe trained and educated byChrist.The prophet says, The vine-yardoftheLordofhostsisthehouseof Israel, and the men of Judah His

pleasantplant.Isa.5:7.[Thispieceoflandis thesameasinDaniel8:9,thepleasantland]UponthispeopleGodhad bestowedgreat privileges, bless-ing them richly from His abundantgoodness.HelookedforthemtohonorHimby yielding fruit. They were toreveal the principles of His kingdom.Inthemidstofafallen,wickedworldthey were to representthe character ofGod.AstheLordsvineyardtheywereto produce fruit altogether differentfromthatoftheheathennations....

The great work of life ischaracter building. . .

ItwastheprivilegeoftheJewishna-tiontorepresent the character of Godas it had been revealed to Moses.InanswertotheprayerofMoses,ShowmeThy glory, theLordpromised, Iwillmake allMy goodness pass be-forethee.Ex.33:18,19.AndtheLordpassedbybeforehim,andproclaimed,TheLord,theLordGod,mercifulandgracious,longsuffering,andabundant

ingoodnessandtruth,keepingmercyfor thousands, forgiving iniquity andtransgressionandsin.Ex.34:6,7.Thiwas the fruit that God desired fromHis people.Inthepurity of their characters,intheholiness of their lives,intheir mercy and loving-kindness andcompassion, they were to show thathelawoftheLordisperfect,convert

ingthesoul.Ps.19:7.

Israels Duty and Privilege Through the Jewish nation it waGods purpose to impart rich blessingstoallpeoples.Through Israel theway was to be prepared for the diffu sion of His light to the whole worldThenationsoftheworld,throughfollowingcorruptpractices,had losttheknowledge ofGod.Yet inHis mercyGoddidnotblotthemoutofexistence He purposed to give them opportuni

ty for becoming acquainted with Himthrough His church.Hedesignedthathe principles revealed through Hipeopleshouldbethemeansofrestor-ingthemoralimageofGodinman....Andasthetowerinthevineyard,Godplaced in the midst of the land His holytemple.....GoddesiredtomakeoHis people Israel a praise and a gloryEvery spiritual advantage was giventhem.God withheld from them nothing favorable to the formation of character that would make them representa


19/32Volume 23, Number 3 19Volume 23, Number 3 19

Not all the beauty o art can bearcomparison with the beauty o temperand character to be revealed in thosewho are Christs representatives.

tives of Himself.TheirobediencetothelawofGodwouldmakethemmarvelsofprosperitybeforethenationsoftheworld...The glory of God,Hismaj-estyandpower,weretoberevealedinalltheirprosperity.They were to be akingdom of priests and princes. Godfurnishedthemwitheveryfacilityforbecoming the greatest nation on the

earth..... the people were to reflectthe attributes of His character.

Robbing Men and God Even theheathenwould recognizethe superiority of those who servedand worshiped the living God. . . .The children of Israel were to occupyall the territory which God appointedthem[Hischurch].ThosenationsthatrejectedtheworshipandserviceofthetrueGodweretobedispossessed.Butit was Gods purpose that by the rev-

elation of His character through Israelmen should be drawn unto Him....Hedesires that the families below shall bea symbol of the great family above....ButIsraeldidnotfulfillGodspur-pose....Alltheiradvantageswereap-propriatedfortheirown glorification....They robbed God of the serviceHe required of them, and they robbedtheir fellow men of religious guidanceand a holy example....Likethein-habitants of the antediluvian world,they followed out every imagination

of their evil hearts. Thus they madesacred things appear a farce, saying,ThetempleoftheLord,thetempleoftheLord,arethese(Jer.7:4),whileatthesametimethey were misrepresent-ing Gods character,dishonoringHisname,andpollutingHissanctuary.....Thus the Gentile world was given oc-casion to misinterpret the character ofGod and the laws of His kingdom....

The Jewish rulers did not love God....The Jewish people cherished the

idea that they were the favorites ofheaven, and that they were always tobe exalted as the church of God....AsapeopletheJewshadfailedoffulfill-ing Gods purpose, and thevineyardwas taken from them.The privilegesthey had abused, the work they hadslighted,wasentrustedtoothers....

Obedience to Right PrinciplesGlorifies God EllenWhitenowdescribesthechurchoftoday:InthelivesofGodspeoplethe truths of Hisword are to revealtheirglory and excellence. Through

His people Christ is to manifest Hischaracter and the principles of Hiskingdom. . . . The Lord desires throughHis people to answer Satans chargesby showing the results of obedience toright principles. These principles aretobemanifestintheindividualChris-

tian,inthefamily,inthechurch,andinevery institutionestablished forGodsservice....Not all the beautyof art can bearcomparison withthe beauty of tem-per and characterto be revealed inthose who areChrists repre-sentatives....We

aretopraiseGodby tangible ser-vice,by doing allin our power toadvance the gloryof His name.Godimparts His giftstousthatwealsomaygive,andthusmake known His character to theworld....Godclaimsthewholeearth

asHisvineyard.Though now inthehandsoftheusurper, it be-longstoGod.... Yettheworldis asleep. Thepeople knownot the time oftheir visitation. In this crisis,where is the

church to be found? Are its membersmeeting the claims of God? Are they

fulfilling His commission, and representing His character to the world? . . The glorious possibilities set before Israel could be realized only throughobedience to Gods commandmentsThe same elevation of character, the same fulness of blessing--blessing onmind and soul and body, blessing onhouse and field, blessing for this life

and for the life to come--is possible forus only through obedience. In the spiri-tual as in the natural world, obedienceto the laws of God is the condition offruit bearing. And when men teach thepeople to disregard Gods commandments, they are preventing them frombearing fruit to His glory. ChristsObject Lessons,284-306(allemphasisours). Paul admonishesus to glorifyGodineverythingwedoincludingourspir-itual,mentalandphysicalwellbeing

andtobeblamelessatHisappearing

AndtheveryGod of peace sanctifyyouwholly;andIprayGodyourwholespiritandsoulandbodybepreservedblamelessuntothecomingofourLordJesusChrist.1Thess.5:23. In Egypt their taste had becomeperverted. God designed to restoretheirappetitetoapure,healthystate,inorderthattheymightenjoythesim-plefruitsthatweregiventoAdamandEve inEden.Hewas aboutto establishthemina second Eden,agoodlyland,wheretheymightenjoythefruitand grains thatHewould provideforthem.Hepurposedtoremovethefeverishdietuponwhich theyhad sub-sisted inEgypt; for Hewished themtobeinperfecthealthandsoundness



whentheyenteredthegoodly landtowhichHewasleadingthem,sothatthesurroundingheathennationsmightbeconstrainedtoglorify the God of Isra-el,theGodwhohaddonesowonder-fulaworkforHispeople.UnlessthepeoplewhoacknowledgedHimastheGodofheavenwereinperfect sound-ness of health, His name could not be

glorified.1SDABC1102.

Character DevelopmentEssential Now

InPs. 96:3weare commissionedtoDeclare His glory [character] amongthenations.Danielpresents thechar-acterforthosewhowouldbeendowedwith the Holy Spirit when the churchistomeetherenemiesinthefinalon-slaughtwiththeforcesofeviljustbe-foresheistoenterthepromisedland.Theconditionissummarizedhere:Thegreatworkoflifeischaracterbuilding..

.Patriarchs and Prophets,596. Here, then, lies themost importantaspect of Daniel 11 and why Satanwould introduce a counterfeit of sogreatamagnitude.InDaniel1wehavethe history of the Jews being takencaptive, but we were not specificallytoldwhy in thatchapter.That reasonisaddressedinInspiration:By theirspiritandworksthechildrenofIsraelmisrepresented the righteousness ofGods character,andtheLordallowedtheBabylonianstotakethemcaptive.Helefthispeopletotheirways;andinthecalamitiesthatbefellthemthein-nocentsufferedwiththeguilty.YouthInstructor,May14,1903. Itwasallbecauseofamisrepresenta-tionofGodscharactertothesurround-ingnations.Andtousthemessageismadeplain:Nowallthesethingshap-pened unto them for ensamples: andthey are written for our admonition,uponwhomtheendsoftheworldarecome.1Cor.10:11.Andweallknow

thattheconditionsandpromisesarethesameintheOldTestamentastheyare intheNew.The favor of God ispromisedonlytothosewhoobeyhim.Signs of the Times,January6,1888. Letustakeheed, brothers andsis-ters, for we have an admonition thatnoonecanmisunderstand.Johncom-plements Daniel in Revelation 14:1:

AndIlooked,and,lo,aLambstoodon the mountSion, and withhim an hundredforty and fourthousand, hav-ing hisFathersname written intheir foreheads.Aname denotescharacter, andhaving the Fa-thersnamewrit-

ten in ones foreheaddenotes havingHisgloriouscharacterexemplifiedinoneslife.InRevelation14wehavetheclearestinstructionforthosewhowillact a part in theproclamation of thelast warning messages to the world,and the condition for thosewhowillbe able to stand when Michal Him-selfwillstandup,Daniel12:1.Manyarenowhidden,butneverthelessHisglorious church will arise and theirlight will shine forth: Arise, shine;forthylightiscome,andthegloryof

the LORD is risen upon thee. For,behold, the darkness shall cover theearth,andgrossdarknessthepeople:but the LORD shallarise upon thee,andhisgloryshallbeseenuponthee.Isa.60:1-2.

The Glorious Roleof the End-Time Church

EllenWhite describes thisgloriousascent of the church in the followingexcerpts: Christs true followers are kind,tender, pitiful. They will realize themeaningof theworkof the angel ofRevelation 18, who is to lighten thewhole earth with his glory,while hecrieswitha loudvoice,Babylon thegreat is fallen, is fallen. Many willheedthiscall....Whentheearthislighted with the glory of the angel of Revelation 18, thereligious elements,goodandevil,willawakefromslum-ber,andthearmiesofthelivingGodwilltakethefield.19Manuscript Re-

leases, 159-60. Duringtheloudcry,thechurch,aidedbytheprovidentialinterpositionsofherexaltedLord,willdiffusetheknowledgeofsalvationsoabundantlythatlightwilbecommunicatedtoeverycityandtownTheearthwillbefilledwiththeknowl -edgeofsalvation.Soabundantlywilltherenewing Spirit of God have crowned

with successtheintenselyactive agencies,thatthelightofpresenttruthwillbeseenflashingeverywhere.Review andHerald,Oct.13,1904. ThemessageofChristsrighteousnessistosoundfromoneendoftheearthtotheothertopreparethewayoftheLord.ThisisthegloryofGod,whichclosestheworkofthethirdangel.Testimonies, Vol.6,19. When the Lord was about to manifesto them his great power and goodnessto make his name glorious in the earth,

and exalt his people as a nation favoredand honored of Heaven, they becamediscouraged.TheyknewthatwhenevertheyhadtrustedinGodhehadmightilywroughtforthem.Yettheirunbeliefstrengthened into rebellion; their ownperversewillsobstructedtheway,makingwallsbeforethemhigherthanhadbeenbuiltbytheirenemies. ThehistoryofthechildrenofIsraeis written as awarning to us, uponwhomtheendsoftheworldarecome.Wearestanding,asitwere,uponthe

verybordersoftheheavenly CanaanWemay,ifwewill,lookoverontheother side, and behold the attractionsofthegoodly land.IfwehavefaithinthepromisesofGod,weshallshowinconversation and in deportment thawearenotlivingforthisworld,butaremakingitourfirstbusinesstoprepareforthatholy land. Thedangersanddifficultiesbeforeusareincreasingasweneartheheavenly rest. Satan is filledwith deadlyhatred against all who are seekingtogain the land whichwasonce hishome.HisenvyhaslostnoneofitsbitternesssincehewasexcludedfromthbrightnessandgloryofHeaven.BeforehisfallanenemytoChrist,seekingtorobhimofhishonorandglory,heisnolesshisenemynow.Hehasdeterminedtotaketheworldcaptive.Heseesthathistimeisshort,thatamightierthanhewillsoontakeawayhispower,andhe will make one last mighty efforagainstChrist and his church.Review

A name denotes character, andhaving the Fathers name written inones orehead denotes having His

glorious character exemplifed in ones lie.


21/32Volume 23, Number 3 21Volume 23, Number 3 21

and Herald, November29,1881. The third angels message is tolightentheearthwithitsglory;butonlythosewho havewithstoodtemptationinthestrengthoftheMightyOnewillbepermittedtoactapartinproclaim-ing itwhenit shallhave swelledintotheloudcry.Historical Sketches,155.

Supreme Love for Godthe Christians Only Foundationin the Coming Storm

Our instruction for preparation isclearlysetbeforeus.TheJews,weweretold,didnotloveGod;therefore,itwasanimpossibilityforthemtoreflectHisgloryorcharactertothesurroundingnations.Hencetheyfailedtocompre-hendandexperiencethatobediencetoGods commands springs forth onlyafteroneexperiencessupremeloveforGod.Accordingtothescriptures,this

istheveryrootandfoundationfortheborn-againChristian:

Yethathhenotrootinhimself,butdurethforawhile:forwhentribulationorpersecutionarisethbecauseoftheword,byandbyheisoffended.Matt.13:21. That Christ may dwell in yourhearts by faith; that ye, being rootedandgroundedinlove....Eph.3:17. Afterbeingbeaten, stoned, impris-oned,shipwreckedandthelike,whatwas Pauls secretfor not harboring abitter spirit and forsaking his Lord?For the love of Christ constrainethus.2Cor5:14. Hisanswerwassimpleyetprofound.Itshouldbeofnowonder,then,whyPaulwouldexclaiminsummation: Though Ispeakwith the tonguesof

menandofangels,andhavenotcharity,Iambecomeassoundingbrass,oratin-klingcymbal.AndthoughIhavethegiftofprophecy,andunderstandallmyster-ies,andallknowledge;andthoughIhaveall faith, sothat Icould removemoun-tains,andhavenotcharity,Iamnothing.AndthoughIbestowallmygoodstofeedthepoor,andthoughIgivemybodytobe

burned,andhavenotcharity,itprofitethmenothing.1Cor13:1-3. Itwasthisstrongmotivatingprinci-palofsupremeloveforGodthatpre-paredShadrach,Meshach,andAbed-negonottobowtothekingsimage,and enabled them to accept withouthesitationthefierytrialresultingfromtheirrefusal.Onadailybasistheyhadfaithfullylivedtheprinciplesofrigh-teousness in truth, thus sealing theirfateinthathouroftemptation. Lo,Iseefourmenloose,walkingin

themidstofthefire,andtheyhavenohurt;andtheformofthefourthisliketheSon

ofGod.Howdidthatheathenkingknow what theSon ofGodwaslike?TheHebrewcaptives fillingpositionsoftrustinBabylonhadinlifeandcharacterrepresented be-forehimthetruth.

When asked fora reason of theirfaith, they hadgiven it withouthesitation.Plainlyand simply theyhadpresentedtheprinciplesofrigh-

teousness, thus teaching those aroundthemoftheGodwhomtheyworshiped.TheyhadtoldofChrist,theRedeemertocome;andintheformofthefourthinthemidstofthefirethekingrecognizedtheSonofGod.Prophets and Kings,509. Soitisthatinthesoon-comingcrisiswhentheimagetothebeastistobesetup,theonlyoneswhoshallescapeoutofhishandwillbethosewho,inlifeandcharacter,haveglorifiedtheirRedeemerinalifeofloving,willingobedience.

The Ornament GivenGods Church

Thelasttermmentionedinthemar-gins of Daniel 11:16 and 41was the

landofornament.Whatwastheornament thatGodwantedtoextend tothe borders of Palestineand beyond?She[Wisdom]shallgivetothineheadanornamentofgrace:acrownofgloryshallshedelivertothee.Prov.4:9. IwillgreatlyrejoiceintheLORDmysoulshallbejoyfulinmyGod;forhehathclothedmewiththegarments

ofsalvation,hehathcoveredmewiththerobeofrighteousness,asabridegroom decketh himself with ornaments,andasabrideadornethherselwithherjewels.Isa.61:10. AndwhatdidJohnsayisthecover-ingorornamentofsalvationfortheborn-againChristian?Andtoherwasgrantedthatsheshouldbearrayedinfinelinen,cleanandwhite:forthefinelinen is the righteousness of saints.Revelation19:8. The ornament of salvation or glory

thatistoshineandsoundfromoneendoftheearthtotheotherinthesoon-comingcrisisisnoneotherthanChrisand His righteousness, exhibitedthroughthepersonsandcharactersofhiswitnesses,HisChurch. Paul encouraged the believers tolookforwardtothetimewhenChristwholovedthechurch,andgaveHim-selfforit,wouldpresentittoHimselfaglorious church,nothavingspot,orwrinkle,oranysuchthing--achurchholyandwithoutblemish.Ephesians

5:25,27.Acts of the Apostles,470. Having allowed the scriptures andSpirit of Prophecy to interpret them-selves, it is transparently clear thawhenRomeinvadesintothegloriousland,sheisinvadingtherealmoftheChurch.Inournextissuewewillshowwhen,whereandhowRomeistoaccomplishthisapparentoverthrow.

To be continued.

Heidi Heiks, editor ofOurFirm Foundation maga- zine, has been a collegeducator, an author, anda radio speaker forThePeopleoftheBook radio program. He continue

to write and is currently a teacherand speaker for Hope Internationathroughout the United States.


22/32

Childrens


Story

James Edson White

The Story of Joseph: Joseph in egypt

T

he Ishmaelites, whobought Joseph, tookhimtoEgypt.There

they sold him toPotiphar,whowasa very richman,and captain of the kingsguard.TheLordblessedJoseph,and Potiphar soon saw thatwhatever he did prospered.So hemadehim steward ofallthathehad.ButGodhadahigherplacefor Joseph, and he mustreach it through affliction.Inallhistroublesitwasthe

LordwhowasgivingJosephjustthetrainingheneededtofithimforthegreatworkbeforehim.WhilelivinginthehouseofPotiphar,JosephmetthemostlearnedmenofEgypt,and from themgainedknowledgethathelpedtofithimtoruleinthelandwhenhewascalledtodoso.Potipharswifewasawickedwoman,andtoldafalsehoodaboutJoseph.ThenPotipharhadJosephcastintoprison,whereheremainedforseveralyears.ButeveninprisontheLordwaswithJoseph,andshowedhimmercy,andgavehimfavorinthesightofthekeeperoftheprison.ThejailorsoonsawthatJosephcouldbetrusted,sohegavehimchargeoftheprisonandalltheprisoners.Nowthekingschiefbutlerandchiefbakerhaddispleasedhimandhecast them into the prisonwhere Josephwas.Andtheywerebothplacedunderhisspecialcare. Onemorning,when Josephcame to see thesemen,he found them looking very sad. And he asked them,Whereforelookyesosadlyto-day?Andtheyansweredhim,Wehavedreamedadream,andthereisnointerpreterofit.Josephsaid,DonotinterpretationsbelongtoGod?Thenheaskedthemtotelltheirdreamstohim.

Thenthechiefbutlersaidthat in his dream, a grapevine with three branches

was before him. And thevineborefruit,andhetookthegrapes,andpressedtheminto Pharaohs cup for himtodrink.TheLordgavetoJosephthe meaning of the dreamso he told the chief butlerthat the three branches inhis dream were three daysand that in three days kingPharaohwouldtakehimouof prison, and restore him to

hispositionaschiefbutler.Josephtoldthebutlerthestoryofhisownwrongs.Heaskedthebutlertotellhisstorytotheking,andtodoallhcouldtogethimoutofprison.Butthebutlerwaslikemanyotherpeoplewhoforgethosewhohavebeentheirfriendsintrouble.Whenhecameoutofprison,heforgotallaboutJoseph.Whenthechiefbakersawthatthedreamofthechiefbutlerwasgood,hewasencouragedtotellhisdreamalso.Hedreamedthathehadthreewhitebasketsonhishead,one above the other. In the top baskedwere all kinds obakedfoodfortheking.Andthebirdscameandatethefoodfromthetopbasket.Josephtoldhimthatthethreebasketswerethreedays,andthatinthreedaysPharaohwouldtakehimfromprisonandhanghimonatree,andthebirdswouldeathisflesh. Both of these dreams came true according to theinterpretationthatJosephhadgiven.AlthoughthechiefbutlerforgotaboutJosephassoonashewastakenoutofprison,theLorddidnotforgethim,forHehadagreatworkforhimtodo.

FromThe Story of Joseph byJamesEdsonWhite(1902),Vol. III of the Pioneer Series (UpwardWay: 1989), andavailableatHopeInternationalBookStore.



Heather Olson, R.N., C.H.

HealthGem

C

onsideringthattensofmillionsof Americans now take statinstolowercholesterol,thefollow-

ing headline was conspicuously ab-sentfromthemajormediathismonth:StatinsFoundToTurnOnGeneThatCauses Muscle Damage. Its now afactofscience;anewstudyshowsthattaking statinsdestroysyourmuscle toagreaterorlesserdegree.Andletsnotforgetthattheheartisamuscle. Placethisstudyjuxtaposedtoanoth-erratherinterestingrecentfinding:themorefityouarethelongeryouwillliveandthetwojustdontaddup.How

The

Statin ScamMarches On

The

Statin ScamMarches On Byron J. Richards, CCN

December 11, 2007

can you destroymuscle and be morefit?Youcant.Sure,youcandrugyourcholesterolnumberlower,butwillyoubehealthier,fit,andlivelonger? In thenewstudy researchers foundthat statins activate a gene signal inmuscles called atrogen-1. When thisgene activates, it targets key muscleproteins for destruction. The activa-tionofthisgenedrivestheprocessofmuscleatrophyandmusclewasting.Itisinducedincardiacmuscleinfailinghearts.Whyonearthwouldanypersonwantthisgeneactivatedbyadrug? The researchers tested statin-taking

humanswhowere complainingof severemusclepain.Musclebiopsyfoundthat theatrogen-1genewas activatedcomparedtopeoplewithseveremusclepainnotonstatinsandcontrols.Theywent on to show through various ex-perimentsthatstatinsactivatethegene.Thisisextremelybadnewsforanyper-sontakingastatin. Rightnowdoctorsignorethemajor-ityofmuscleachesandpainscausedbystatins,andintheirmindonlyconsidethe problemseriouswhen it isdebili-tating (rhabdomyolysis), which appar-entlyhappenslessthan1%ofthetime

Part 1



However,atleast5%-7%ofstatinus-ersexperiencesignificantmuscleprob-lems.Thenumberisgreaterthan10%ifapersonistakingthenowcommonlyprescribedhigherdoses.Andifaper-sonistryingtobefitandexercise,thenumberjumpsto25%.Thesenumbersareclearlyonthelowendasithasnowbeen shown that doctors are ignoringtheirpatients,notreportingthesideef-fectsofstatinstotheFDA,andtellingthem the sideeffects theyare experi-encingarenotfromthedrug! Thisnewscienceshowsthatassoonastheatrogen-1geneisactivatedbystatins,itstartsdestroyingmuscle.Thismeansthatevenmildachesorpainswhiletak-ingastatinareasignthatmuscleisbe-ingdestroyed,anentirelynew andso-bering perspective on the side effectsofstatins.Statinsdirectlyworkagainstbeingphysicallyfit,asisevidencedbythedifficultystatinusershaveexercis-ingwithouttroublingsymptoms.

Cardiomyopathy (seriousweakeningoftheheartmuscle)isaknownadverseand often not reported side effect ofstatintherapy,previouslythoughttobetheresultofastatin-inducedcoenzymeQ10deficiency.Itislikelythatthecom-bination of Q10 deficiency with atro-gen-1activationisbehindthisproblem.

Statins Perversion of Sciencefor Profit

Thestatinindustryisa20-billion-a-year propaganda machine, producingmoreyearlyrevenuesfromoneclassofdrug thanall professionalU.S. sportscombined.Justlikeanyhot-sellingdrugonthemarket,negativestudiesaredis-couraged,tosaytheleast.Theyareei-therthrowninthetrashcanwhentheydont work out or critical researchersareoftenblackmailed,meaningifthey

publish something negative they wilnever again get research money fromtheindustry.Thesewellknowntacticsdiscourage basic research ondrug-relatedtoxicityproblems. When statistics are honestly lookedatinthecaseofusingstatinsformanyyears to prevent a first heart attackforeverylifethatissaved(1%over10yearsuse),statinscauseanequalnum-berofadversedeathsduetoaccidentsinfection,suicide,andcancer(1%ove10 years use). This means that as ageneralpublichealthmeasure,whichisnowthelionsshareofcurrentstatinusetheyareanineffectualwasteofmoney.Ithasnowbeenproventhatmiddle-agemenwouldbebetterofftakinganaspi-rinadayforatinyfractionofthecos(ofcourse,therearemanysupplementoptions).Statin-takingforanumberofyears does not reduce mortality rateNoneofthesefactsfazethestatinin-dustry,whichkeepschurningoutposi


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Current clinical evidence does not demonstrate

that titrating lipid therapy to achieve

low LDL cholesterol levels is beneficial or safe.


tive spin and moving right along, re-gardlessofthedamagebeingdoneandthemoneywasted. ThefraudofstatinsinsideonesbodycentersontheregulationofanenzymeknownasHMGCoAreductase.Statinsworkbyreducingthefunctionofthisen-zyme.Thehigherthedose,themoretheenzymeisreducedandthelesscholes-terolismade.Itiswellknownthatindi-vidualswithnaturallylowercholesterol

(LDLat130,totallessthan200)intheir40sand50s have fewercardiovascularproblemsastheygrowolder.However,taking a statin toreducecholesterol totheselevelsorevenlowerisnotthesamethingasnaturalhealthyfunction. In healthy individuals with lowercholesterol the HMG CoA reductaseenzymeisactiveatahighlevelaspartofhealth.Itispartofacomplexcom-municationsystemwithinthebodythatregulates energy, immunity, fat me-tabolism, leptin, cellular thyroid hor-mone activity, liver-related synthesis,stress tolerance, adrenal function, sexhormonesynthesis,andbrainfunction.This system is core to survival! Thehighactivityofthisenzymeisatypeofmetabolicfitness,similartotheideaofmusclefitness.Theenzymeisveryactiveinahealthystateforavarietyofimportantandvitalneeds. Drugging this enzyme is similar tomakingapersongetaroundinawheel-chair,whetherhe or she needsone or

not.Ifyouputapersonsmetabolisminastatin-inducedstraitjacket,thenmaybeHumptyDumptywontfalloffthewallsoeasily.Thatmaybeausefulconceptfor someone in brittle cardiovascularhealth,butithaslittletodowiththeaver-agepersonconcernedaboutgeneralcar-diovascularwellbeingandmaintainingahealthyleveloffitnessandvitality. Doctorsdontuse statinsto try andreduceHMGCoAactivity a littlebit,with the idea of approximating sometypeofhealthyfunctionoftheenzyme

(thelowestandleasttoxicdosepossibletoprovideimprovement).Doctorsactu-allycouldcarelesswhathealthyfunc-tionoftheenzymeactuallyis.Rather,thenewgoldstandardofmedicalcareistobattertheenzymeintoastateofsubmissionsothatcholesterollevelsareabnormallylow.Anyapparentbenefitsof a statin,manyofwhichare falselytouted, is accomplished by poisoningsome aspect of health. How long can

suchacharadebeallowedtocontinueon millions of unsuspecting Ameri-cans?WhywonttheFDAdemanddrugcompaniesincludeacorrectriskprofileaspartofthelabeling?Asnormal,theFDAcontinuestosleeponduty.

Double the Dose Rake in the Billions

In2004thegovernment-fundedNa-tional Cholesterol Education Programselected a panel of nine experts toreview statin drug use andmake rec-ommendationsastoguidelinesdoctorsshouldfollowtoreducecardiovasculardisease.Theyrecommendedthatindi-viduals athigh cardiovasculardiseaseriskattainLDLlevels



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Arouse Fear to Get Votes Half a century of research hasshown that fear is one of the mostpolitically powerful emotions acandidate can tap.Candidateswho

exploit voters fears and anxietiesgrab attention in a way that othersappeals, such as those toexperience,competence, vision or even angerdonot. The skillful use of fear isunmatched in leading to enthusiasmforonecandidateandcausingvoterstoturnawayfromanother. ButPoliticianswhospeakonlytothefearandanxietypartwithouttran-sitioningtosomethingmoreoptimisticdontwin.Justasfearwithouthopeisseldomawinningstrategy,sofailing

toremindvotersoftheirfearscanleaveeventhemostoptimisticcandidateonthe short end of the ballot count.Sharon Begley,Newsweek, Dec. 24,2007,37-40.End-time perspective: The Lordwould have His people bury politicalquestions. On these themes silenceis eloquence. Christ calls upon Hisfollowers to come into unity on thepuregospelprincipleswhichareplainlyrevealedinthewordofGod.Wecannotwithsafetyvoteforpoliticalparties;forwe donot knowwhomwe arevotingfor.Wecannotwithsafetytakepartinanypoliticalschemes.FE475.

Returning to Tradition There is a growing appetite forsomethingmorethanworshipthatisaglorifiedBibleclassinsomeways. Something curious is happeninginthewideworldoffaith,somethingthat defies easy

king of the north part3

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