Week of Prayer, December 6–15, 2013 - sdarm.ca

EditorialThe symbolic Elijah, the greatreformer who would come before thesecond coming of Christ is to “turnthe heart of the fathers to the children,and the heart of the children to theirfathers” (Malachi 4:6). Here we see awork of revival and reformation startingat home.“Those who bear the last message ofmercy to the world should feel it theirduty to instruct parents in regard tohome religion. The great reformatorymovement must begin in presentingto fathers and mothers and childrenthe principles of the law of God. As theclaims of the law are presented, and menand women are convicted of their dutyto render obedience, show them theresponsibility of their decision, not onlyfor themselves but for their children.Show that obedience to God’s word isour only safeguard against the evils thatare sweeping the world to destruction.” 1In preparation for the first comingof Christ, the prophetic Elijah—whomJesus identified as John the Baptist (Matthew11:11–14)—was to “go before himin the spirit and power of Elias, to turnthe hearts of the fathers to the children,and the disobedient to the wisdom ofthe just; to make ready a people preparedfor the Lord” (Luke 1:17).Likewise, it is the mission of God’speople in these last days to prepare apeople before the second coming ofChrist in glory. Through the divinegrace, these “reformers,” and “restorers”are to bring to the attention ofthe people the divine institutionsestablished in Eden: Marriage accordingto God’s principle (Genesis 1:27),the original diet (verse 29), and theseventh-day Sabbath (Genesis 2:1–3)are among those institutions whichmust be restored in the process ofpreparing a peculiar people to receivethe Lord in glory.The apostle Peter, speaking of thework to be done before the “great dayof the Lord”—the close of probation—declared: “Repent ye therefore, and beconverted, that your sins may be blottedout, when the times of refreshingshall come from the presence of theLord; and he shall send Jesus Christ,which before was preached unto you:whom the heaven must receive untilthe times of restitution of all things,which God hath spoken by the mouthof all his holy prophets since the worldbegan” (Acts 3:19–21).Here we have:1. Repentance, which is sorrow forsin and turning away from it.2. Conversion, “the renewing ofyour mind, that ye may prove what isthat good, and acceptable, and perfect,will of God” (Romans 12:2).3. “Blotting out of sins” as an essentialcondition to receive the “refreshing”baptism of the Holy Spirit uponGod’s people before the finishing ofGod’s work on earth.The apostle explains that Christmust be kept in heaven “until the timesof restitution of all things.”Therefore, “in this age, just priorto the second coming of Christ in theclouds of heaven, God calls for menwho will prepare a people to standin the great day of the Lord. Just sucha work as that which John did, is tobe carried on in these last days. TheLord is giving messages to His people,through the instruments He has chosen,and He would have all heed theadmonitions and warnings He sends.The message preceding the publicministry of Christ was, Repent, publicansand sinners; repent, Pharisees andSadducees; ‘for the kingdom of heavenis at hand’. Our message is not to beone of peace and safety. As a peoplewho believe in Christ’s soon appearing,we have a definite message to bear—‘Prepare to meet thy God.’“Our message must be as direct aswas that of John. He rebuked kings fortheir iniquity. Notwithstanding the perilhis life was in, he never allowed truth tolanguish on his lips. Our work in thisage must be as faithfully done. . . .“In this time of well-nigh universalapostasy, God calls upon His messengersto proclaim His law in the spiritand power of Elias. As John the Baptist,in preparing a people for Christ’s firstadvent, called their attention to theTen Commandments, so we are to give,with no uncertain sound, the message:‘Fear God, and give glory to him; forthe hour of his judgment is come’(Revelation 14:7). With the earnestnessthat characterized Elijah the prophetand John the Baptist, we are to striveto prepare the way for Christ’s secondadvent.” 2May the Lord give us His wonderfulgrace to prepare a people for His imminentcoming! RReferences1Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 119.2The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. WhiteComments], vol. 4, p. 1184.The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6 3

Friday, December 6, 2013Extracts from the writings of E. G. WhiteWe areto bea peopledistinct fromthe world. The eyes of the world areupon us, and we are observed bymany of whom we have no knowledge.There are those who knowsomething of the doctrines we claimto believe, and they are noting theeffect of our faith upon our characters.They are waiting to see what kind ofinfluence we exert, and how we carryourselves before a faithless world. Theangels of heaven are looking uponus. “We are made a spectacle unto theworld, and to angels, and to men” (1Corinthians 4:9). 1Don’t be surprised by what youseeIs there not enough taking placeabout us to show us the dangers thatbeset our path? Everywhere are seenwrecks of humanity, neglected familyaltars, broken-up families. There is astrange abandonment of principle,a lowering of the standard of morality;the sins are fast increasing whichcaused the judgments of God to bepoured upon the earth in the Floodand in the destruction of Sodom byfire. We are nearing the end. Godhas borne long with the perversity ofmankind, but their punishment is noless certain. Let those who profess tobe the light of the world depart fromall iniquity. We see the very samespirit manifested against the truththat was seen in Christ’s day. Forwant of Bible arguments, those whoare making void the law of God willmanufacture falsehoods to stain andblacken the workers. They did thisto the world’s Redeemer; they willdo it to His followers. Reports thathave not the least foundation will beasserted as truth. 2Remember: We as Christians are tobe Christlike!The conformity of professed Christiansto the world is a disgrace to theirprofession, a disgrace to the cause ofGod. They profess to have come outfrom the world and to be separateyet are so near like them in dress, inconversation, and actions, that thereis no distinction. While in the possessionof life and health, many devotetheir God-given time and means to theadorning of the poor mortal bodies,forgetting that these are liable at anymoment to be touched by the finger ofGod and laid upon a bed of death. Butas they approach their last change, andmortal anguish racks their frames, thegreat inquiry is, “Am I prepared to die?prepared to appear before God in judgment,and pass the grand review?” Askthem then how they feel about decoratingtheir persons, and if they have anysense of what it is to be prepared toappear before God, they will tell you4 The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6

that if they could take back and liveover the past, they would correct theirlives and shun the folly of the world,its vanity and pride; they would live tothe glory of God, and set an exampleto all around them.Why are so few interested in theireternal welfare, so few preparing for theirlast change? Earth attracts them, its treasuresseem of worth to them. They findenough to engross the mind and haveno time to prepare for Heaven. Satan isever seeking to plunge them deeper anddeeper into difficulty. As soon as oneperplexity or trouble is off the mind, hestands ready to involve them in anotherby begetting within them an unholydesire for more of the things of earth.Thus their time passes, and when it istoo late, they see that they have gainednothing substantial. They have graspedat shadows, and lost eternal life.Many who imitate the customs andfashions of the world claim that they dothis in order to have an influence withworldlings. But here they make a sadand fatal mistake. If they would have atrue and saving influence, let them liveout their profession, show their faith bytheir righteous works, and make widethe distinction between the Christianand the world. Our words, our dress,our actions, should tell for God. Thenall will take knowledge of us that wehave been with Jesus. Unbelievers willsee that the truth which we profess hasa holy influence, that faith in Christ’scoming affects our character. If any wishto have their influence sell in favor ofthe truth, let them live it out, and thusimitate the humble Pattern. 3Adjusting our attitudeFrom the light which God has givenme, I know that the Lord would do farmore for us as a people if we wouldwalk in humility before Him. Everyone of God’s people will be tested andproved, and we want you to be in aposition where you will bear the provingof God and not be found wantingwhen your moral worth is weighed inthe balances of the sanctuary. We wantyou to be constantly moving onwardand upward; but that which hindersyour progress in a large degree is yourself-esteem, the high opinion that youThe Lord would do far more for us as apeople if we would walk in humility beforeHim. . . . If we have not a meek and teachablespirit, we shall not be where we can learnthe lessons He desires to teach us.entertain of your own ability. If therewas ever a place where self neededto die, it is here. Let us see the deathstruggle. Let us hear the dying groans.Self-exaltation ever separates the soulfrom God, no matter in whom it isfound, whether in those in responsiblepositions or in those who are in someless important place. Whatever hasbeen done to attract the attention toself has detracted from the glory thatshould have been rendered to God,and has brought leanness to yoursouls. It is through this avenue of selfesteemand self-sufficiency that Satanwill seek to ensnare the people of God.The Lord has very important lessonsfor us to learn; and if we have not ameek and teachable spirit, we shallnot be where we can learn the lessonsHe desires to teach us. We shall thinkwe are wise when we are not. We shallthink that we know the whole story,when we have need to study the a-b-c’sof the lesson. God will prove us againand again, until we overcome ourbesetments or are wholly given over toour rebellion and stubbornness. Thereis danger, when the Lord deals with usthus, that we shall rise up against Him,and set ourselves determinedly not tosubmit to His will. We are living in solemntimes. We are looking forward tothe judgment, and onward to eternity,and it is fitting for us to walk in greathumiliation of soul before God.There have been those who haverisen up against the testimonies thatGod has sent them. They have beenwilling to acknowledge that thetestimony given to others was all right,and that the truth was pointed out inthe cases of their brethren; but whentheir own errors were laid bare, andtheir own faults pointed out, theyhave declared that it could not be so.They have wrapped the garments oftheir self-righteousness around them,and have said, “That does not meanme.” A spirit of Phariseeism has beencoming in upon the people who claimto believe the truth for these last days.They are self-satisfied. 4Guarding our childrenAs the Israelites kept their childrenwithin their houses during the timewhen the judgments of God werein the land of Egypt, so in this timeof peril we are to keep our childrenseparate and distinct from the world.We are to teach them that the commandmentsof God mean much morethan we realize. Those who keep themwill not imitate the practices of thetransgressors of God’s law.Parents must regard God’s Wordwith respect, obeying its teachings.To the parents in this day, as well asto the Israelites, God declares: “Thesewords … shall be in thine heart: andthou shalt teach them diligently untothy children, and shalt talk of themwhen thou sittest in thine house, andwhen thou walkest by the way, andwhen thou liest down, and when thourisest up. And thou shalt bind themfor a sign upon thine hand, and theyshall be as frontlets between thine eyes.And thou shalt write them upon theposts of thy house, and on thy gates”(Deuteronomy 6:6–9).Notwithstanding this plain instruction,some of God’s people permittheir children to attend the publicschools, where they mingle with thosewho are corrupt in morals. In theseschools their children can neither studythe Bible nor learn its principles. Christianparents, you must make provisionfor your children to be educated inBible principles. And do not rest satisfiedmerely with having them study theWord in the church school. Teach theThe Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6 5

Scriptures to your children yourselveswhen you sit down, when you go out,when you come in, and when you walkby the way. Walk with your childrenmuch oftener than you do. Talk withthem. Set their minds running in aright channel. As you do this, you willfind that the light and glory of Godwill come into your homes. But howcan you expect His blessing when youdo not teach your children aright? 5Parents, when you set an example ofpride for your children, you are sowingseed that will spring up and bear fruit.That which you sow you will reap. Theharvest will be plenteous and sure. It iseasier to teach a lesson of pride than alesson of humility. Satan and his angelsstand ready to make the act of yours orthe word that you may speak effectualto encourage your children to imitatethe fashions of the world, and in theirpride to mingle with society that is notholy. O parents, you thus plant in yourown bosoms a thorn that you will oftenfeel in anguish. When you would counteractthe sad lesson you have taughtyour children, you will find it well-nighimpossible. You may deny them thosethings that would gratify their pride,yet it still lives in the heart, and nothingcan destroy it but the quick andpowerful Spirit of God. When this findsits way to the heart, it will work like arefining fire, and pride and love of theworld will be consumed.Unless you awake to the eternal interestsof your children, they will surelybe lost through your neglect. And thepossibility that unfaithful parents willbe saved themselves is very small. Thelives of parents should be exemplary.They should exert a holy influence intheir families. As they value the eternalinterests of their children, they shouldrebuke pride in them, faithfully rebukeit, and encourage it not in word ordeed. 6Parents, I entreat you, for Christ’ssake, for the sake of your dear children,teach them that God has claims uponthem, and that they must be fully preparedfor whatever work they may findto do. Educate, train them to have theeye single to the glory of God. In orderto grow in grace, they must becomeacquainted for themselves with theA vital issue is before the world. . . . Letmen see that we believe that we are on theborders of the eternal world.reasons of our faith. Teach them to belearners in the school of Christ, to obtaina knowledge of the Scriptures, todiligently employ every means of grace,that their love may abound more andmore, that they may approve thingsthat are excellent. 7Jesus, the King of glory, who gaveHis life to redeem us, wore a crown ofthorns. It was thus that our Master’ssacred head was adorned. “He waswounded for our transgressions, he wasbruised for our iniquities; the chastisementof our peace was upon him, andwith his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah53:5). Yet the very ones that professto be redeemed by the blood of Jesus,spilled for them, can indulge pride inthe adornment of their persons, andstill claim to be followers of the holy,humble, self-denying Pattern. Oh thatall could see this as God sees it!Israel have been asleep to the pride,and fashion, and worldliness in thevery midst of them. It is these thingsthat separate God from His people,that shut the ark away from them.When the truth affects their hearts,it will cause a death to the world.They will then lay aside the outwardadorning, and if they are dead theywill not be moved by the laugh, jeer,and scorn of unbelievers. They willfeel an anxious desire to be separatefrom the world, like their Master. Theywill not imitate its pride, fashions, orcustoms. The noble object will be everbefore them, to glorify God, and gainthe immortal inheritance. This prospectwill swallow up all beside of anearthly nature. God will have a peopleseparate and distinct from the world.And as soon as any indulge a desire toimitate the fashions of the world, justso soon God ceases to acknowledgethem as His children. They show thatthey are strangers to grace, strangers tothe meek and lowly Jesus. If they hadacquainted themselves with Him, theywould walk worthy of Him.A form of godliness will not saveany. All must have a deep and livingexperience. This alone will save themin the time of trouble before us. Thentheir work will be tried, of what sortit is. If it is gold, silver, and preciousstones, they will be hid as in the secretof the Lord’s pavilion. But if theirwork is wood, hay, stubble, nothingcan shield them from the fierceness ofJehovah’s wrath.Many measure themselves amongthemselves and compare their liveswith the lives of others. This shouldnot be. No one but Christ is given us asan example, and each should strive toexcel in imitating Him. We are coworkerswith Christ, or coworkers with theenemy. We either gather with Christ, orscatter abroad. We are decided, wholeheartedChristians, or none at all.None will enter Heaven without makinga sacrifice. Those who are willing tomake any and every sacrifice for eternallife will have it; and it will be worthsuffering for, worth crucifying self for,and sacrificing every idol for. The farmore exceeding and eternal weight ofglory outweighs every earthly treasure,and eclipses every earthly attraction. 8Focusing the mind and conversationWhat is more worthy to engross themind than the plan of redemption? Itis a subject that is exhaustless. The loveof Jesus, the salvation offered to fallenman through His infinite love, holinessof heart, the precious, saving truth forthese last days, the grace of Christ—these are subjects which may animatethe soul and cause the pure in heartto feel that joy which the disciples feltwhen Jesus came and walked withthem as they traveled toward Emmaus.He who has centered his affectionsupon Christ will relish this kind ofhallowed association and will gatherdivine strength by such intercourse;but he who has no relish for thiskind of conversation, and who is best6 The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6

pleased to talk sentimental nonsense,has wandered far away from God andis becoming dead to holy and nobleaspirations. The sensual, the earthly,is interpreted by such to be heavenly.When the conversation is of a frivolouscharacter and savors of a dissatisfiedreaching out after human sympathyand appreciation, it springs fromlovesick sentimentalism, and neitherthe youth nor the men with gray hairsare secure. When the truth of God is anabiding principle in the heart, it willbe like a living spring. Attempts maybe made to repress it, but it will gushforth in another place; it is there andcannot be repressed. The truth in theheart is a wellspring of life. It refreshesthe weary and restrains vile thoughtand utterance. . . .God has blessed His commandment-keepingpeople and all theopposition and falsehoods that maybe brought against them will onlystrengthen those who stand firm in defenseof the faith once delivered to thesaints. But if those who profess to bethe depositaries of God’s law becometransgressors of that law, His protectingcare will be withdrawn, and manywill fall through perverseness andlicentiousness. Then we shall indeedbe unable to stand before our enemies.But if His people remain separate anddistinct from the world, as a nationthat do righteousness, God will betheir defense, and no weapons formedagainst them shall prosper. 9Appreciating our unique callingThe Lord Himself has establisheda separating wall between the thingsof the world and the things whichHe has chosen out of the world andsanctified to Himself. The world willnot acknowledge this distinction; theyclaim that it is needless. The servantsof mammon make every effort tobreak down the barriers, and destroythe line of demarcation betweenthe holy and the profane. Many ofthe professed followers of Christ aredetermined to break it down, and tomaintain concord between Christ andBelial. But God has made this separation,and He will have it exist. In boththe Old and the New Testaments theLord has positively enjoined upon Hispeople to be distinct from the world,in spirit, in pursuits, in practice, tobe a holy nation, a peculiar people,that they may show forth the praisesof Him who hath called them out ofdarkness into His marvelous light. Theeast is not farther from the west thanare the children of light, in customs,practices, and spirit, from the childrenof darkness.This distinction will be more marked,more decided, as we near the close oftime. It is not a profession of faith, ora name registered in the church book,that constitutes us children of God.We must have a vital connection withChrist; we must be one with Him,imbued with His Spirit, partakers ofthe divine nature, crucified to the worldwith its affections and lusts, renewed inknowledge and true holiness. 10It’s time to wake up!Peculiar and rapid changes will soontake place, and God’s people are to beendowed with the Holy Spirit, so thatwith heavenly wisdom they may meetthe emergencies of this age, and as faras possible counteract the demoralizingmovements of the world. If thechurch is not asleep, if the followers ofChrist watch and pray, they may havelight to comprehend and appreciatethe movements of the enemy.The end is near! God calls upon thechurch to set in order the things thatremain. Workers together with God,you are empowered by the Lord to takeothers with you into the kingdom. Youare to be God’s living agents, channelsof light to the world, and round aboutyou are angels of heaven withtheir commission from Christto sustain, strengthen, anduphold you in working for the salvationof souls.I appeal to the churches in everyconference: Stand out separate and distinctfrom the world—in the world, butnot of it, reflecting the bright beamsof the Sun of Righteousness, beingpure, holy, and undefiled, and in faithcarrying light into all the highways andbyways of the earth.Let the churches awake before it iseverlastingly too late. Let every membertake up his individual work and vindicatethe name of the Lord by which heis called. Let sound faith and earnestpiety take the place of slothfulness andunbelief. When faith lays hold uponChrist, the truth will bring delight tothe soul, and the services of religionwill not be dull and uninteresting. Yoursocial meetings, now tame and spiritless,will be vitalized by the Holy Spirit;daily you will have a rich experienceas you practice the Christianity youprofess. Sinners will be converted. Theywill be touched by the word of truthand will say, as did some who listenedto Christ’s teaching: “We have seen andheard wonderful things today.”In view of what might be done ifthe church would meet its God-givenresponsibilities, will its memberssleep on, or will they arouse to a senseof the honor conferred upon themthrough the merciful providence ofGod? Will they gather up their hereditarytrusts, avail themselves of thepresent light, and feel the necessity ofrising to meet the urgent emergencythat now presents itself? Oh, that allmay arouse and manifest to the worldthat theirs is a living faith, that a vitalissue is before the world, that Jesuswill soon come. Let men see that webelieve that we are on the borders ofthe eternal world. 11 RReferences1The Review and Herald, June 18, 1889.2Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 601.3The Review and Herald, December 12, 1882.4Ibid., June 18, 1889.5The Spalding Magan Collection, p. 244.6The Review and Herald, December 12, 1882.7Ibid., January 8, 1884.8Ibid., December 12, 1882.9Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 600, 601.10The Review and Herald, January 8, 1884.11Testimonies, vol. 6, pp. 436, 437.The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6 7

Sabbath, December 7, 2013StandardBearersA compilation from the Bible and theSpirit of Prophecy, with commentsby D. GuzmanThe timehas come for usto contemplate theLord, that He may putin our heart the desirethat today—more than ever, together asone—we can lift up the truth God hasgiven us for these last days of humanhistory in which we live. The churchhas reached a crucial and decisivemoment in which we need to clotheourselves in the armor of God to dealwith the powerful work of Satan andhis evil forces that flood the world withsubtle temptations to ensnare humanityand lead it to perdition.Let us pray to God that duringthis Week of Prayer we may haveprofound and serious reflections,and this occasion may be morethan a merely haphazard andinsipid reading, finishing off thereadings without a real spiritualexperience. No! Rather, may thesedays be full of heart searching with astrong decision to turn over our life,our families, and everything we haveto the loving hands of God, so that Hecan guide us today and forever, Amen.At the edge of eternityAs we unroll the scroll of prophecybefore us, the great I AM clearly showsthat we have reached the brink ofeternity. We are now in the twilightof our earthly history. Just a thin lineseparates us from eternity. We areon the verge of the greatest crisis ofall centuries. The pen of Inspirationclearly declares that “we are living inthe time of the end. The fast-fulfillingsigns of the times declare that thecoming of Christ is near at hand. Thedays in which we live are solemn andimportant. The Spirit of God is graduallybut surely being withdrawn fromthe earth. Plagues and judgments arealready falling upon the despisers ofthe grace of God. The calamities byland and sea, the unsettled state of society,the alarms of war, are portentous.They forecast approaching events of thegreatest magnitude.” 1The condition of God’s people inthe final daysAlmost 2,000 years of history havepassed since that glorious momentwhen the Redeemer of the world calledtwelve men to accompany Him in Hisearthly ministry. That was the beginningof what would later be called theChristian church. What an awesomescene! What sublime work has begunto develop since then! What throbbingjoy the Master must have felt to see Hischurch being born! Surely also, theeyes of Jesus at the time, contemplatedthe future ahead of the long history ofHis church, even to the time when He8 The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6

shall return, gather His own, and takethem to the mansions promised to Hischildren since the ancient times. Howdoes the Lord view His remnant peoplein these last days? What impressionmust His tender heart have felt uponbeholding our current condition? It islikely that the loving Saviour has feltsadness and anguish in His Being tosee our present situation as a people towhom He has entrusted solemn truthsfor these last days. With this in mind,let us meditate and consider our presentcondition while honestly askingourselves: Are we faithfully representingthe One who has called us to beHis people? Do our actions clearly statethat we are living in the light God hasbestowed upon us? Is there a clear lineof distinction between unbelievers—the worldly—in clear contrast to uswho claim to be the remnant people ofGod? Sadly we can say that the churchtoday, in almost nothing, can be comparedto the early Christian church thatJesus founded. The years have passed,and today we have a different church, achurch that is gradually allowing itselfto be dragged into the world. It is withhesitance and with great concern thatwe see and hear young leaders with thedesire to see the church grow, allowingworldly fashions and habits to be toleratedamong God’s people who havebeen called to carry the bloodstainedbanner of Emmanuel. Let us makea fervent appeal to our young leadersin the heart of the work—even thoselaboring in small and humble churchesall over the world: Let us strive not tolower down the flag but rather to raiseit! This flag—this standard—the Lordhas placed in our hands, and He commandsus to keep it very, very high.The standard of the remnantWhat is the standard of God’sremnant people? Certainly, thestandard that divine Providence hasplaced in our hands is the one thatdeclares: “Here is the patience of thesaints: here are they that keep thecommandments of God, and the faithof Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). “The thirdangel’s message, embracing the messagesof the first and second angels, is themessage for this time. We are to raisealoft the banner on which is inscribed,‘The commandments of God, and thefaith of Jesus.’ ” 2God calls us to fly our flag andwork together“God calls upon all to lift thestandard bearing the inscription, ‘Hereare they that keep the commandmentsof God, and the faith of Jesus.’ He callsupon His people to work in perfectharmony. He calls upon those engagedin our medical work to unite with theministry; He calls upon the ministry tocooperate with the medical missionaryworkers; and He calls upon the churchto take up their appointed duty, holdingup the standard of true reform intheir own territory, leaving the trainedand experienced workers to press oninto new fields. No word is to be spokento discourage any, for this grievesthe heart of Christ and greatly pleasesthe adversary. All need to be baptizedwith the Holy Spirit; all should refrainfrom censuring and disparagingremarks and draw near to Christ, thatthey may appreciate the heavy responsibilitieswhich the coworkers withHim are carrying. ‘Press together; presstogether,’ are the words of our divineInstructor. Unity is strength; disunionis weakness and defeat.” 3The duty of church members andministers“Let faithful house-to-house workbe done. Souls are perishing out of theark of safety. Let the standard of truthbe lifted up by the church membersin their neighborhoods. Let ministerspitch their tent, and preach the truth tothe people with power, and then moveto another vicinity and preach the truththere.” 4A Christlike attitudeThe Lord’s messenger makes theappeal:“God is in earnest with us. Thoseonly who are converted will enter intothe kingdom of heaven. What would wethink of Christ manifesting no warmthof love, no disposition to help those inneed? Yet many who profess to be Hisfollowers are cold and unsympathetic.They make little effort to help thosewith whom they come in contact. Theyare not transformed in character. Theirwords show that they are not converted.They have none of Christ’s tenderness.Their unamiable traits of character, theirlack of sympathy, show that they havelost their first love. They need to repentand be converted; for Christ is greatlydishonored by their selfishness. TheSaviour does not abide in their hearts,or they would be touched with thefeeling of others’ infirmities. They areself-centered, harsh, unaccommodating.“If, when Christ comes the secondtime, they are as they are now—harshin words, coarse in spirit, destitute ofChristlike love—their candlestick willbe removed out of its place. They willnot be ready to meet their Lord. O, thatthey would feel the necessity of puttingon the Lord Jesus! O, that they wouldseek to understand what is due fromman to his fellow man!“I tell you in the name of Jesus ofNazareth that there must be a reformationamong us as a people. Unlessmen reveal Christlikeness in all theirdealings with their fellow men, unlessthey obey the laws of heaven in everyparticular, they will never enter the cityof God. There is no excuse for anyoneto fail. Christ’s character is before all,for study and imitation.“If one does a piece of work that isnot wholly perfect, shall his brethren“Let the standard of truth be lifted up by thechurch members in their neighborhoods. Letministers pitch their tent, and preach the truthto the people with power, and then move toanother vicinity and preach the truth there.”The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6 9

pull it to pieces, speaking of it scathinglyand contemptuously? The onewho has made mistakes may be doinghis very best. Did Christ treat theimperfect work of His disciples thus? IfHe should treat erring human beings asthey too often treat one another, whatwould become of them? Well may wesay, ‘Let us fall into the hands of theliving God, rather than into the handsof men.’ God is too wise to err, and toogood to do us harm.“Those who are connected withGod’s service should be sanctified, body,soul, and spirit, else they will mar God’swork and put Christ to open shame.What does God’s Word mean when itdeclares that Christ will present to Himselfa church without spot or wrinkleor any such thing? It means that God’speople can and must reach the standardof Christian perfection. But, in order todo this, they must learn of Christ Hismeekness and lowliness.“By the sacrifice of Christ, everyprovision has been made for believersto receive all things that pertain to lifeand godliness. The perfection of Hischaracter makes it possible for us togain perfection.” 5We need to raise the standard ofthe Sabbath“The Sabbath question is to be theissue in the great final conflict in whichall the world will act a part. Men havehonored Satan’s principles above theprinciples that rule in the heavens.They have accepted the spurious sabbath,which Satan has exalted as thesign of his authority. But God has setHis seal upon His royal requirement.Each sabbath institution bears thename of its author, an ineffaceablemark that shows the authority of each.It is our work to lead the people tounderstand this. We are to show themthat it is of vital consequence whetherthey bear the mark of God’s kingdomor the mark of the kingdom of rebellion,for they acknowledge themselvessubjects of the kingdom whose markthey bear. God has called us to upliftthe standard of His downtrodden Sabbath.How important, then, that ourexample in Sabbathkeeping should beright.” 6“We should pursue such a course toward theunbelieving that our souls will be clear of theirblood when we meet them in the great day offinal reckoning.”A selfless and humble ministry isneeded—free from earthly or ecclesiasticalambition and fully consecrated tothe service of God.“There is an element called lovewhich would teach us to praise andflatter our associates and not tofaithfully tell them of their dangersand warn and counsel them for theirgood. This love is not Heaven-born.Our words and actions should beserious and earnest, especially beforethose who are neglecting their soul’ssalvation. If we profess to be sons anddaughters of God, we should pursuesuch a course toward the unbelievingthat our souls will be clear of theirblood when we meet them in the greatday of final reckoning. If we unite withthem in lightness, trifling, pleasureseeking, or in any pursuit which willbanish seriousness from the mind, weare constantly saying to them by ourexample, ‘Peace, peace; be not disturbed.You have no cause for alarm.’This is saying to the sinner, ‘It shall bewell with thee.’ Oh, how many easelovingsouls there are among us, whovirtually unite with sinners, and whilein their society say and do nothing toawaken conviction, nothing to disturbtheir carnal security! Many who professto be sons and daughters of God, andcall themselves the light of the world,reflect no light upon its darkness. Ifthese half-hearted, slothful, pleasurelovingprofessors of Christ were whatthey profess to be, how much goodthey might do! . . .“The message borne to the peopleby the faithful servants of God will notbe calculated to lull them to carnal security.They will have words to speak tostir them to action. We call upon thosewho are imitating Meroz to arouse. Goto work; do something for the salvationof souls, something to advance thecause of God; and do it now.” 7“God requires His servants to standunder the blood-stained banner ofPrince Emmanuel, striving in His powerto keep the principles of truth pureand uncorrupted. They must never stepaside from the path of self-denial andhumility which every true Christianmust travel. As they thus cooperatewith God, Christ is formed within,‘the hope of glory’ (Colossians 1:27).Clad in His meekness and lowlinessthey find their highest joy in doing Hisservice. Earthly ambition gives way to adesire to serve the Master.” 8“God wants men in His service,under His banner, to be strictly honest,unimpeachable in character, that theirtongues shall not utter a semblance ofuntruth. The tongue must be true, theeyes must be true, the actions whollyand entirely such as God can commend.”9“We must have a converted ministry.The efficiency and power attending atruly converted minister would makethe hypocrites in Zion tremble andsinners afraid.” 10God requires His people to be holyand pure“It is the purpose of God that Hispeople shall be a sanctified, purified,holy people, communicating lightto all around them. But only as theykeep the standard uplifted, only asthey reveal that the truth they professto believe is able to influence themfor righteousness and to sustain theirspiritual life; only as they make theprinciples of truth a part of their dailylives, can they be a praise and honor toGod in the earth.” 11“God will have a people separateand distinct from the world. When anycherish a desire to imitate the fashionsof the world, He ceases to acknowledgethem as His children, and theybecome the children of the world and10 The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6

of darkness. Those that had professedChrist, virtually put Him off, and showthat they are strangers to grace and tothe meek and lowly Jesus. Had theyacquainted themselves with Him, theywould walk worthy of Him.“Young and old, God is now testingyou. You are deciding your own eternaldestiny. Your pride, your vain andempty conversation, your selfishness,are all put in the scale, and in manycases the weight of evil is fearfullyagainst you. While evil is increasingand taking deep root, it is choking thegood seed which has been sown in theheart. Many are flattering themselvesthat they are good Christians who havenot a single ray of light from Jesus.They know not what it is to have theheart renewed by grace. They have noliving experience for themselves in thethings of God.“God proves His people in thisworld. This is the fitting up place toappear in His presence. Here personsshow what power affects their heartsand controls their actions. If it is thepower of divine truth, it will lead togood works. It will elevate the receiverand make him noble-hearted andgenerous, like his divine Lord. But ifevil angels control the heart, it willbe seen in various ways. The fruit willbe covetousness, selfishness, pride,and evil passions. The heart is deceitfulabove all things and desperatelywicked. Many professors of religionare not willing to examine themselvesclosely to see whether they are in thefaith, and some are leaning of a falsehope. They seem to think a professionof the truth will save them. When theysubdue those sins which God hates,Jesus will come in and sup with themand they with Him. They will thendraw divine strength from Jesus, andwill grow up in Him, and be able tosay with holy triumph. ‘Thanks be toGod, who giveth us the victory throughour Lord Jesus Christ’ (1 Corinthians15:57).“It is the privilege of every Christianto enjoy the deep movings of theSpirit of God. A sweet, heavenly peacemay pervade the mind, and you maymeditate with pleasure upon God andheaven. You may feast upon the gloriouspromises of His word. But knowfirst that you have begun the Christiancourse. Know that the first steps aretaken in the road to everlasting life. Benot deceived here; for eternal interestsare at stake.” 12“When you do not want to be distinctfrom the world, but desire to mixup with it so that no difference is seenbetween you and the world, then youmay know that you are drunken withthe cares of this life. Oh, there are somany selfish interests, so many cordsto bind us to this world! But we mustkeep cutting these cords, and be in acondition of waiting for our Lord.“The world has forced itself inbetween our souls and God. But whatright have we to allow our hearts to becomeovercharged with the cares of thislife? What right have we, through ourdevotion to the world, to neglect theaffairs of the church and the interestsof our fellow men?” 13“Instead of becoming like theworld, we are to become more andmore distinct from the world. Satanhas combined and will continue tocombine with the churches in makinga masterly effort against the truth ofGod. Everything that is done by God’speople to make inroads upon theworld will call forth determined oppositionfrom the powers of darkness.The enemy’s last great conflict will be amost determined one. It will be the lastbattle between the powers of darknessand the powers of light. Every truechild of God will fight bravely on theMay these days be full of heart searchingwith a strong decision to turn over our life, ourfamilies, and everything we have to the lovinghands of God.side of Christ. Those who in this greatcrisis allow themselves to be more onthe side of the world than of God willeventually place themselves wholly onthe side of the world.” 14ConclusionWe would appeal to our ministers,pastors, Bible workers, leaders, and ourpeople in general, that we work withall the strength that God has givenus to maintain our high principles atany cost. By the grace that God hasgranted us, let us close the door toworldliness. Pastors and ministers,let us clearly and strongly condemnany deviation from the truth, howeversmall it may be—and at whatever costto ourselves. Let us not permit anyworldly practice, first in our families,and then by our testimony, thatGod may make a reformation in thechurches where we labor.“May the Lord attract souls to Himselfand impart to them individually asense of their sacred responsibility toform such characters that Christ willnot be ashamed to call them brethren.Elevate the standard, and then theheavenly benediction will be pronouncedupon you in that day whenevery man will receive according to thedeeds done in the body.” 15Let us be watchful and realizethe dangers of the present days; thatwe may accept our solemn duty touphold until the close of probationthe standard of eternal truth which theLord has given us, that we may allowthis eternal truth to shine before theworld. May God bless His people todayand always. Amen. RReferences1Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 11.2Counsels on Health, p. 357.3Ibid., pp. 517, 518.4Evangelism, p. 397.5Pacific Union Recorder, February 9, 1905.6Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 352.7The Review and Herald, January 8, 1884.8That I May Know Him, p. 123.9Child Guidance, p. 152.10Gospel Workers (1892), p. 28.11This Day With God, p. 53.12The Review and Herald, September 9, 1884.13The Signs of the Times, January 7, 1886.14The Kress Collection, p. 105.15Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 602.The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6 11

Sunday, December 8, 2013By Daniel BoarimThe biggest dreamIf we were to ask people about theirfuture aspirations and what they planfor their lives, we would get a widevariety of responses. Of course, age andsocial status would help determine thecourse of those responses. The youngwould say: To graduate from school,get a job, get married, and prosper.The older and more established wouldmention retirement and the pursuitWhat about you? What do you planfor your future? Dreaming is not a sin,as long as your dreams don’t interferewith God’s great plans for you. It’s notdifficult to understand: God loves youso much that since He can foresee thefuture we are unable to see, He sometimesallows your plans to not workout. It can be painful, but it is just asHe can guarantee us: “Eye hath notseen, nor ear heard, neither have enofa better quality of life. One time Iheard about an elderly lady who hadfulfilled her dream of spending herold age in a small, tranquil town onthe coast so she could walk by the seaevery day. Between these two extremeswe would certainly have a number of“journeys” with emphasis on certainspecific goals and aims—and perhapswe would even catch a glimpse into thelack of ambition on the part of some.12 The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6

God wants to restore our happiness, the integrity, and the welfare thatwe were violently dispossessed of by sin.tered into the heart of man, the thingswhich God hath prepared for themthat love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). Letus pause a moment to try to imaginewhat the apostle meant. This is one ofthe most sublime verses of the Bible.The most fertile imagination, even inthis era of incredible digital realities,cannot visualize the grandeur andexcellence of what God has reservedfor His friends. For it was Jesus Himselfwho said: “Henceforth I call you notservants, for the servant knoweth notwhat his lord doeth; but I have calledyou friends, for all things that I haveheard of my Father I have made knownunto you” (John 15:15).A better place—incomparablybetter!Yes, that’s right: God has reserved forHis friends a marvelous place that exceedsour most formidable dreams. It’snot really necessary to ask if you wantto be there. Whatever answer other thana sonorous “Yes, of course, I want to bethere” would be at least incoherent or afruit of incredulity. The scriptural bookof Revelation—erroneously called thebook of “tragedies and terrors”—in itslast chapters tells of the happy endingof the friends of God. “And God shallwipe away all tears from their eyes, andthere shall be no more death, neithersorrow, nor crying, neither shall therebe any more pain; for the former thingsare passed away” (Revelation 21:4).Imagine a reality as stupendous as thisin which bad news will simply disappearfrom the “media.” In fact, therewon’t be “media” as we know it now.The technology and science of God willbe sufficient to dazzle the most brilliantminds.AccessThe way to get to Heaven is clear.The door is open. In the Bible thereare, undeniably, some things that aredifficult to understand, but the scienceof salvation is so objective that evena child can understand and enjoy it.“And let him that is athirst come. Andwhosoever will, let him take the waterof life freely” (Revelation 22:17). Itis necessary to thirst; therefore it isnecessary to desire it! Do you desire it?Do you really? But, wait a minute; the“desire” mentioned here isn’t a “magicdesire” of the “all-you-have-to-do-iswant-it-and-everything-will-happen”scenario. In contrast to this dangerousbelief, it is only an active, dynamic, desirethat acts. By the power of the HolySpirit in alliance with total consent andinitiative on the part of the individual,a new mental disposition is installedthat results in two things: Self-controland willpower. To better explain:1. Self-control to not do what isharmful, and2. Willpower to do what is right.In other words, determine to:1. Abandon all that is sinful, and2. Do all that is edifying.Have you noticed the ever presentverb “desire” beside the verb “do”?That is the secret to success in thislife and, no doubt, to the success inconquering life eternal. But there isanother vital aspect involved here:Both our “desire” and our “doing”find themselves weakened by thesinful condition of humankind. Weare, of ourselves, helpless. The carnalnature, however much it may want todo good, tends to the opposite direction(Romans 7)! This is why the Bibleaffirms: “For it is God which workethin you both to will and to do of hisgood pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Andin the same context we read: “Workout your own salvation with fear andtrembling” (verse 12). There is just oneway to understand this: God works andman cooperates. It’s a harmonious andmarvelous work. United with Christ,there will be no insurmountableobstacle. Do you believe in the powerthat comes from uniting with Christ?It is the power that outbids all evil andguarantees the victory.“The truth shall make you free”Along the Christian life, manytransforming and revitalizing truthsare revealed in how a person relatesto Christ and His amazing character.The objective of these truths that Jesusreveals to us bit by bit is to bring usfrom the extreme degeneration intowhich sin has thrown us, to the otherextreme of perfection and happinessfrom which the first couple fell. Whatdoes this mean in practice? Besidesthe need for purity and sanctity, itmeans to go in the direction of peace,happiness, and health. It means torecuperate the good things that sinhas deprived us of and to throw awaythe waste from bad attributes andtheir resulting evil with which sinhas harmed and continues to harmus. Ultimately, it means freedom.To be exact: Sin is an addiction thatfascinates, deludes, and enslaves. It isjust transient excitement that leads tosadness, sickness, and death. And whenwe know that, through communionwith Jesus the truth sets us free!The miracle of miraclesIs it clear? God wants to restoreour happiness, the integrity, and thewelfare that we were violently dispossessedof by sin. That is the essence ofthe plan of redemption. Many timeswe abuse the freedom of choice thatGod has given us, and as stubborn andimmature children, we run straighttoward the danger. It is throughdaily communion with Christ that wemature spiritually, eventually lookingaround us through different eyes, aprocess that Paul describes very wellwith the words: “What things were gainto me, those I counted loss for Christ”(Philippians 3:7).Many things change in our lives.Have you, dear reader, experienced this?It is the biggest of all miracles in whichaction in our lives is as invisible as thewind, but perceptive in the transformationthat happens in the happy, day-todaywalk with Jesus. It happened withThe Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6 13

“We should not be prevailed upon to take anything into the mouth that willbring the body into an unhealthy condition, no matter how much we like it.”the disciples, and it will happen with ustoo if we open the doors of our heartsin answer to Jesus’ soft knocking!What changes?Everything changes for the better.Everything that God asks us to leavebehind is what harms us, and everythingthat He asks us to do is always healthy.In the “no” of Jesus, when He says,“Thou shalt not do this, Thou shalt notdo that,” we find an embedded “Yes, Iwant you to be successful; I want you tobe a conqueror.” Read slowly and withclose attention the next couple of textsthat state clearly the good intention ofGod toward all humanity: “Choose life,that both thou and thy seed may live”(Deuteronomy 30:19). “I know thethoughts that I think toward you, saiththe Lord, thoughts of peace, and notof evil, to give you an expected end.”And next, one of the most beautifuland moving appeals of the Bible: “Andye shall seek me, and find me, when yeshall search for me with all your heart”(Jeremiah 29:11, 13).The grand finale: TranslationAll of heaven is employed full-time inpreparing us for the last chapter of thestory of humanity. God knows that inorder for us to be approved in the greatestof all tests, we need to submit ourselvesto the transforming and discipliningprocess previously mentioned andknown as the “transferring of the justiceof Christ.” Of what are we speaking? Weare pointing to a special people livingin a special time, with a special mission,and a stupendous message to give to theworld: The one hundred and forty-fourthousand. And there’s one more thing:This special group of people should takeon a special lifestyle as well.The lifestyle of the candidates fortranslationWe’ve all heard the cliché: “Modernhumans adopt a suicidal lifestyle.” Itmakes sense! Now I must ask you, doesit make sense for the candidate fortranslation to adopt the same lifestyle?Does it make sense to harm the precioushealth that God gives with eating habits,sleeping habits, and admittedly harmfulthoughts? I once heard someone say:“The matters concerning eating habitsare only ‘counsels’ and not ‘principles.’Advice that may or may not be followedwithout bigger implications towardsour salvation.” What do you think? Let’sthink about this. In Revelation 3:18 weread: “I counsel thee (notice: I counsel thee)to buy of me gold tried in the fire . . . ;and white raiment . . . ; and anoint thineeyes with eye salve.”(emphasis added).These are also “counsels”! What willhappen if we don’t follow these divine“counsels”? Once again it is easy to understandhere the embedded concept offreedom of choice. But, “whatsoever a mansoweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians6:7), and “all things are lawful untome, but all things are not expedient” (1Corinthians 6:12).Eating habits of the candidates fortranslationWe’re all acquainted with the storyof the prophet Elijah, but we need todeepen our study a bit more into hislifestyle, for it has very much to dowith our own experience. As the momentfor his translation approached,Elijah stripped himself of his ownnature and incorporated more andmore the divine nature of Christ. Evenhis eating habits suffered essentialchanges—they became simpler andmore healthful. (See 1 Kings 17:6, 14,15; 19:6.) Why? The answer is readilyfound: He was preparing himself forthe celestial citizenship, both in hisrelationship with others and in hislifestyle. This is no different from ourcase! Our eating habits should progressivelybecome more natural, simple,and healthy as the glorious epilogue ofour story nears, or, in other words, ifwe really want to be approved to jointhe happy group of the translated.“More than conquerors on theirown account”Pay close attention to the followinginspired text: “If Christians will keepthe body in subjection, and bring alltheir appetites and passions underthe control of enlightened conscience,14 The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6

feeling it a duty that they owe to Godand to their neighbors to obey thelaws which govern health and life, theywill have the blessing of physical andmental vigor. They will have moralpower to engage in the warfare againstSatan, and in the name of Him whoconquered appetite in their behalf theymay be more than conquerors on theirown account. This warfare is open toall who will engage in it.” 1Blessings you cannot miss!Among all the blessings that God hasallocated to His church, one of the mostspecial is the health reform message,because we have much to win whenwe accept it and much to lose when wereject it. Did you pay attention to the textof Inspiration? The care of our eatinghabits and health contribute to theclarity of mind and moral strength thatprepares and strengthens us in the waragainst evil in which we are all engaged.The next text is even more specific: “Weshould not be prevailed upon to takeanything into the mouth that will bringthe body into an unhealthy condition,no matter how much we like it. Why?—Because we are God’s property. You havea crown to win, a heaven to gain, and ahell to shun. Then for Christ’s sake I askyou, Will you have the light shine beforeyou in clear and distinct rays, and thenturn away from it and say, ‘I love this,and I love that’? God calls upon everyone of you to begin to plan, to cooperatewith God in His great care and love, toelevate, ennoble, and sanctify the wholesoul, body, and spirit, that we may beworkers together with God.” 2They don’t like you!It’s worth emphasizing the beginningof the text: “We should not beprevailed upon to take anything intothe mouth that will bring the bodyinto an unhealthy condition, no matterhow much we like it.” The conclusionis clear. Do you like junk foods? Realize,however, that they don’t like you!Do you like chocolate, refined, andfried foods? Do you like sodas? All ofthem hate you! The list is long—you’reacquainted with it—and it isn’t part ofa sensible diet, the diet of the candidatesfor translation. There are thosewho would say that the relationshipof many with their traitorous foods isa case of unrequited love. These hypercaloric, unhealthy foods would onlyserve to leave your body ugly and sickand your conscience as heavy as yourbody, with negative repercussions inyour reasoning power and the “finetuning” of your spirituality. Besides,all of this is nothing more than “blindpassion.” You are being betrayedwithout knowing it. It’s time to add aperiod to this one-sided relationship inwhich you are the one being harmed.Two pleasures instead of oneIt’s time to change your relationshipwith food. Decide to like only thoseprovisions that really like you—healthful foods freely provided by theCreator that are healthy and tasty!They will grant you two pleasures: Thepleasure of good flavor, and the biggestpleasure—do you know which one itis? The pleasure of feeling well! For thisis what our loving God has plannedfor us with the health reform message:Quality of life and good mentaldisposition to understand and also toshare His good news with the world.Delicious limitsEstablish goals for your life, traceout a feasible plan, and follow it withdetermination—but especially withpleasure. This will be your personalhealth challenge. You are acquaintedwith the pitfalls and know how toescape them. Overall, you can counton Him who triumphed over the godof appetite in the desert, starting yourvictory exactly where our forefatherssealed their defeat. Prove with praise,to yourself and to all who observe you,who really is in control: Christ, withyour complete consent and initiative.Only this way can you experience thedelicious limits of moderation, alwayswith your eyes on the bigger prize. Inother words, don’t commit the follyof sacrificing the bigger pleasure forsmaller and fleeting pleasures.Do you feel powerless against yourbad habits?Then read this: “The Saviour overcameto show man how he may overcome.. . . Bid the tempted one looknot to circumstances, to the weaknessof self, or to the power of temptation,but to the power of God’s word.” 3Now it’s up to you“Let none who profess godlinessregard with indifference the health ofthe body, and flatter themselves thatintemperance is no sin.” 4“No man can become a successfulworkman in spiritual things until heobserves strict temperance in his dietetichabits. God cannot let His HolySpirit rest upon those who, while theyknow how they should eat for health,persist in a course that will enfeeblemind and body.” 5“We need to learn that indulged appetiteis the greatest hindrance to mentalimprovement and soul sanctification.” 6“It is impossible for those who indulgethe appetite to attain to Christianperfection.” 7“Those who have received instructionregarding the evils of the use offlesh foods, tea and coffee, and richand unhealthful food preparations,and who are determined to make acovenant with God by sacrifice, will notcontinue to indulge their appetite forfood that they know to be unhealthful.God demands that the appetites becleansed, and that self-denial be practicedin regard to those things whichare not good. This is a work that willhave to be done before His people canstand before Him a perfected people.” 8So, why not begin a revision ofour menu and life habits today? Onething is for sure: If you choose the waydivinely indicated, in the future youwill be able to look back without regret.Truly you will have much to celebrateand thank God for this marvelous light.So marvelous and necessary that we—aswe’ve just finished reading—“can standbefore Him a perfected people.” RReferences1Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 35, 36.2The Review and Herald, January 7, 1902.3The Ministry of Healing, p. 181.4Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 62.5Ibid., pp. 55, 56.6Ibid., p. 45.7Ibid., p. 22.8Ibid., p. 36.The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6 15

Wednesday, December 11, 2013By Peter LausevicManyyearsago asa BibleWorkerTrainee with a senior pastor, we werevisiting various isolated members andinterests. In one place we wanted tosee a church member whom neitherone of us had ever met, so I wonderedhow we were going to recognize her.Observing many people coming out ofelevators in the lobby where we wereto meet, one lady walked out and immediatelywe knew this was our sister.SeparationThe reason we immediatelyrecognized this woman as a memberof our church was because she clearlydistinguished herself from all theother women in that establishment.God made it plain that He will havea people that are very distinct andseparate from all other peoples on theface of this earth. “Wherefore come outfrom among them, and be ye separate,saith the Lord, and touch not theunclean thing; and I will receive you,and will be a Father unto you, and yeshall be my sons and daughters, saiththe Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians6:17, 18).When God says that His people areto come out from the world, that Hispeople are to come out of Babylon, Heexpects us to come all the way out—not just part of the way. It is only whenwe decide to separate completely fromanything that He calls an abominationthat we actually become the sons anddaughters of the Almighty.We realize that we are His possessionbecause Jesus came to this worldand paid the purchase price for ourredemption. However, it is only whenwe voluntarily accept the sacrifice ofJesus and commit ourselves fully toHim, that we enter into that specialrelationship as sons and daughters. “Ifany man will come after me, let himdeny himself, and take up his crossdaily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).“Christ’s followers are required tocome out from the world, and beseparate, and touch not the unclean,and they have the promise of being thesons and daughters of the Most High,members of the royal family. But ifthe conditions are not complied withon their part, they will not, cannot,realize the fulfillment of the promise.A profession of Christianity is nothingin the sight of God; but true, humble,willing obedience to His requirementsdesignates the children of His adoption,the recipients of His grace, thepartakers of His great salvation. Suchwill be peculiar, a spectacle unto theworld, to angels, and to men. Theirpeculiar, holy character will be discernible,and will distinctly separate themfrom the world, from its affectionsand lust.” 116 The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6

Experiencing doctrineGod loves His people so much thatHe wants to spend eternity with them.“And I saw a new heaven and a newearth: for the first heaven and the firstearth were passed away; and there wasno more sea. And I John saw the holycity, new Jerusalem, coming down fromGod out of heaven, prepared as a brideadorned for her husband. And I heard agreat voice out of heaven saying, Behold,the tabernacle of God is with men, andhe will dwell with them, and they shallbe his people, and God himself shall bewith them, and be their God” (Revelation21:1–3). Can you imagine that thegreat God of the universe wants totabernacle with His people and live withthem throughout all eternal ages?This is not only speaking of a futurelife that we only speak about in theologicalcircles. God wants to begin livingwith us right here, right now—today.“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branchcannot bear fruit of itself, except it abidein the vine; no more can ye, except yeabide in me” (John 15:4). And it isthrough the Holy Spirit that this constantliving with us is accomplished. “Thosewho see Christ in His true character, andreceive Him into the heart, have everlastinglife. It is through the Spirit that Christdwells in us; and the Spirit of God,received into the heart by faith, is thebeginning of the life eternal.” 2As we look to the future when theHoly Spirit will be poured out uponGod’s people in the fullness of theLatter Rain experience, we have manylessons to learn from the early Christianchurch. What did it make possiblefor them to receive the fullness ofthe power of the Holy Spirit in theirtime? Why did this relatively unknownpeople, who for all intents and purposescould not attract any followersto their new religion, terrify the world?“The early Christians were indeed apeculiar people. Their blameless deportmentand unswerving faith werea continual reproof that disturbed thesinner’s peace. Though few in numbers,without wealth, position, or honorarytitles, they were a terror to evildoerswherever their character and doctrineswere known.” 3 It was not just theirnew teaching that was provoking an interest.It was this lethal combination ofdoctrine and character that disturbedthe entire Roman empire as well as anyculture and religion that met with thisunique people.The world could tolerate anotheridea or teaching. However, it was thisdoctrine that actually had power tochange the character that made it sopowerful. “The greatest deception of thehuman mind in Christ’s day was thata mere assent to the truth constitutesrighteousness. In all human experiencea theoretical knowledge of the truthhas been proved to be insufficient forthe saving of the soul. It does not bringforth the fruits of righteousness. A jealousregard for what is termed theologicaltruth often accompanies a hatred ofgenuine truth as made manifest in life.” 4It was this truth that the early Christiansactually experienced.We as Adventists often talk aboutthe coming Sunday decree and when itwill come upon this world. In reality, itwill never come until there is a peoplethat actually experience the truth intheir lives to such an extent that theyare living the life of Jesus in their dailyexperiences. That they in reality areChristians—ones who are like Christ.So the real question we need to beasking ourselves is, Are we in realityChristians—or are we such only in profession?It is impossible for us to serveboth the world and Jesus. “No mancan serve two masters: for either he willhate the one, and love the other; or elsehe will hold to the one, and despisethe other. Ye cannot serve God andmammon” (Matthew 6:24).When we speak of separation fromthe world, we have to understand thatit primarily includes three specificissues. “Therefore I say unto you, Takeno thought for your life, what ye shalleat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet foryour body, what ye shall put on. Is notthe life more than meat, and the bodythan raiment?” (verse 25). It involveswhat we eat; what we drink; and howwe clothe ourselves.This is why, in speaking of dressreform, the Spirit of the Lord gives usa sobering evaluation. “Let the fashionchange, and convenience would nolonger be mentioned. It is the duty ofevery child of God to inquire: ‘Whereinam I separate from the world?’ Let ussuffer a little inconvenience, andbe on the safe side. What crosses doGod’s people bear? They mingle withthe world, partake of their spirit, dress,talk, and act like them.” 5Does this mean that they don’t carewhat they eat or how they dress? “Beholdthe fowls of the air: for they sow not,neither do they reap, nor gather intobarns; yet your heavenly Father feedeththem. Are ye not much better than they?”(verse 26). Quite obviously the birds carefor the type of food they eat. However,they are not preoccupied with thesethings. In the same way, the people ofGod will not be preoccupied with theirfood and clothing. They will always dothese things to God’s honor and glory,but never be so occupied with thesethings that it takes them away from theirspiritual experience with the Lord as theirprimary goal in life.Original clothingWhatever subject we consider, wealways need to compare present ideasand practices to God’s original designfor His people. “Thus saith the Lord,Stand ye in the ways, and see, and askfor the old paths, where is the good way,and walk therein, and ye shall find restfor your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16). JesusHimself when on earth had to makemany corrections based on the originalplan. He could say, “but from the beginningit was not so” (Matthew 19:8).When God made our first parents,they were different than any other creation.“All heaven took a deep and joyfulinterest in the creation of the worldand of man. Human beings were a newand distinct order.” 6 They were actuallymade in God’s image. “So God createdman in his own image, in the image ofGod created he him; male and femalecreated he them” (Genesis 1:27).Since humankind was made in theimage of God, do we ever considerwhat type of clothing God wears? DoesHe wear anything? “Bless the Lord, Omy soul. O Lord my God, thou art verygreat; thou art clothed with honourand majesty. Who coverest thyself withlight as with a garment: who stretchestout the heavens like a curtain” (PsalmThe Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6 17

104:1, 2). Yes! God wears honor, majesty,and light. So we can expect thatour first parents, as they were frolickingaround in the garden, were clothed inhonor, majesty, and light as they werecreated in God’s very own image. It is avery worldly-minded picture of Adamand Eve naked in the garden of Eden aswe understand nakedness today.It is true that in one sense they werenaked without any clothes. “And theywere both naked, the man and hiswife, and were not ashamed” (Genesis2:25). However, this nakedness mustbe distinguished from the conditionin which they were in after theysinned. “And the eyes of them bothwere opened, and they knew that theywere naked; and they sewed fig leavestogether, and made themselves aprons”(Genesis 3:7). As soon as they sinned,they knew they had lost something,and they tried to cover what they hadlost by making a garment of fig leaves.“God instructed our first parents inregard to the tree of knowledge, andthey were fully informed relative to thefall of Satan, and the danger of listeningto his suggestions. He did not deprivethem of the power of eating the forbiddenfruit. He left them as free moralagents to believe His word, obey Hiscommandments and live, or believe thetempter, disobey, and perish. They bothate, and the great wisdom they obtainedwas the knowledge of sin and a sense ofguilt. The covering of light about themsoon disappeared, and under a sense ofguilt and loss of their divine covering,a shivering seized them, and they triedto cover their exposed forms.” 7Why was it that they made thisgarment of fig leaves? They had regulartimes for meeting with their Creatorand because they knew they were cominginto His presence, they knew theyhad to be clothed. They could not befully clothed as they had been with thegarment of light, so they put on whatthey could find.It is interesting to note that the morepeople fall into sin, the more they wantto come into the presence of God naked—orat least with less and less clothing.This is why years ago when peopleentered a church, they would make surethey were clothed sufficiently. Nowadayswe see tight and/or embarrassinglylow-cut tops revealing much of thechest area, short sleeves or no sleeves atall, along with shorts or short dresses inthe church, all showing clearly that weare becoming desensitized to sin andare coming in the presence of God withour aprons of fig leaves.And yet the reverence of holy angelswho have never sinned is remarkableas they cover themselves when theyapproach the great God in His holytemple. “In the year that king Uzziahdied I saw also the Lord sitting upona throne, high and lifted up, and histrain filled the temple. Above it stoodthe seraphims: each one had six wings;with twain he covered his face, andwith twain he covered his feet, andwith twain he did fly” (Isaiah 6:1, 2).Having said all that, it is better that aperson comes into the presence of Godwith his or her scantily clad fig-leavedgarments rather than not coming atall. As sinners, God wants us to cometo Him just as we are, because He hasa remedy for our miserable, rottencondition as sinners.The plan of redemptionAdam and Eve came before God, notonly clothed outwardly in a manner unfitfor God’s presence, but their inwardcondition was like that described byIsaiah of the professed people of God inhis own time. “From the sole of the footeven unto the head there is no soundnessin it; but wounds, and bruises, andputrifying sores: they have not beenclosed, neither bound up, neither mollifiedwith ointment” (Isaiah 1:6).And what did Christ do with suchsinners whom He loved so much thatHe was willing to exchange His lifewith theirs? After explaining the planof redemption to Adam and to his wifeand the sacrifice that needed to be madeto redeem them from such degradation,the Lord God did “make coats of skins,and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). Godpractically illustrates His sacrifice for thesinner, and He then embeds it into theirmemory by exchanging their fig-leafedgarments with coats of skins that fitlyrepresents the plan of redemption, becauseof the sacrifice made of an animalto benefit them.Each day as they placed this clothingupon their bodies that God hadprepared specifically for them, theywould be reminded that they had acceptedChrist as their righteousness. Inthis manner, their change of clothingactually affects their character. “Perhapsno question has ever come up among uswhich has caused such development ofcharacter as has the dress reform.” 8For this reason, when we see a persondressing in the wrong way, what do weknow? “I saw that the outside appearanceis an index to the heart. . . . Unlesssuch persons are cleansed from theircorruption, they can never see God, foronly the pure in heart will see Him.” 9Have we accepted Jesus as ourpersonal Saviour? If so, then therewill be a corresponding change in ouroutward appearance. It is true that onecan change the outward appearancewithout the inward change; however,one cannot change the inward withoutshowing it on the outside.If we look at the various changeswith our first parents, it is remarkableto see that each time their spiritualitychanged, so did their outward appearance.First they were clothed with afull garment of light. As soon as theysinned, there was an automatic changein their outward appearance—the lightdisappeared. If we are living a Christianlife and then lose our connection withthe Lord, one of the first signs is thechange in the way we dress. For manyyears I have watched church membersas they begin the road to apostasy, thevery first change is in the way they dress.When Adam and Eve rememberedthat they needed to meet with God forHis regular appointments with them,they realize their sense of nakednessand shame and tried to do their bestto cover up their exposed forms. It wasself-righteousness at best as they triedto appear before God as if nothinghad happened. But our God was notdeceived. He loved them too much toleave them the way they were then. Afterthey understood the plan that Deity hadto save humanity and they personallyaccepted that plan, immediately therewas a change in the way they weredressed. God did not leave them withtheir fig leaves or replicate some kind18 The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6

of “caveman-style” clothing, He madethem coats of skins. He fully clothedthem with garments that symbolizedthe plan of redemption. In the sameway, when a person finally acceptsChrist as his or her personal Saviour,immediately there is seen a change inthe way he or she dresses. Instead of figleaves, people are fully clothed, as willbe discussed in the next article.In the same manner as Adam and Evelooked upon their new clothing, theywould remember that Christ died so thatthey could live. We also would, whenwe accept Jesus as our personal Saviour,have a change of clothing. Whenever welook at the principles of dress reformas given to the people of God in thelast days and even see a cross attachedto it at times, we remember the plan ofredemption for sinners and that Christ isour righteousness. “The dress reform istreated by some with great indifferenceand by others with contempt, becausethere is a cross attached to it. For thiscross I thank God. It is just what weneed to distinguish and separate God’scommandment-keeping people fromthe world.” 10Identification“I saw that the ax must be laid at theroot of the tree. Such pride should notbe suffered in the church. It is thesethings that separate God from Hispeople, that shut the ark away fromthem. Israel have been asleep to thepride, and fashion, and conformity tothe world, in the very midst of them.They advance every month in pride,covetousness, selfishness, and loveof the world. When their hearts areaffected by the truth, it will cause adeath to the world, and they will layaside the ribbons, laces, and collars;and, if they are dead, the laugh, thejeer, and scorn of unbelievers will notmove them. They will feel an anxiousdesire to be separate from the world,like their Master. They will not imitateits pride, fashions, or customs. Thenoble object will be ever before them,to glorify God and gain the immortalinheritance. This prospect will swallowup all beside of an earthly nature. Godwill have a people separate and distinctfrom the world. And as soon asany have a desire to imitate the fashionsof the world, that they do not immediatelysubdue, just so soon God ceases toacknowledge them as His children.” 11God gave Israel the principles ofdress reform not only as a reminderof Christ’s sacrifice for humanity, butalso for the purpose of identifying Hispeople. As we read Numbers 15:37–41,God made a simple arrangementof placing a ribbon of blue to identifywho are His people. “Here Godexpressly commanded a very simple arrangementof dress for the children ofIsrael for the purpose of distinguishingthem from the idolatrous nationsaround them. As they looked upontheir peculiarity of dress, they wereto remember that they were God’scommandment-keeping people, andthat He had wrought in a miraculousmanner to bring them from Egyptianbondage to serve Him, to be a holypeople unto Him. They were not toserve their own desires, or to imitatethe idolatrous nations around them,but to remain a distinct, separatepeople, that all who looked upon themmight say: These are they whom Godbrought out of the land of Egypt, whokeep the law of Ten Commandments.An Israelite was known to be such assoon as seen, for God through simplemeans distinguished him as His.“The order given by God to the childrenof Israel to place a ribbon of bluein their garments was to have no directinfluence on their health, only asGod would bless them by obedience,and the ribbon would keep in theirmemory the high claims of Jehovahand prevent them from mingling withother nations, uniting in their drunkenfeasts, and eating swine’s flesh andluxurious food detrimental to health.God would now have His peopleadopt the reform dress, not only todistinguish them from the world asHis ‘peculiar people,’ but because areform in dress is essential to physicaland mental health. God’s people have,to a great extent, lost their peculiarity,and have been gradually patterningafter the world, and mingling withthem, until they have in many respectsbecome like them. This is displeasingto God. He directs them, as He directedthe children of Israel anciently, tocome out from the world and forsaketheir idolatrous practices, not followingtheir own hearts (for their hearts areunsanctified) or their own eyes, whichhave led them to depart from God andto unite with the world.” 12ConclusionBy looking at all these statementsfrom the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy,we can see that our God really lovesus. “And we have known and believedthe love that God hath to us. God islove; and he that dwelleth in love dwellethin God, and God in him” (1 John4:16). He gives us the principles of dressreform from His perspective of love. It isfor our benefit to follow these principlesfor physical, mental, and spiritualhealth and well-being. Not only does itbenefit us personally, but it identifies usas His peculiar people in this world.Every time we feel it is a cross todress in the prescribed manner thatGod gives us through the inspiredwritings, we are to remember that thismanner of dressing symbolizes thesacrifice of Jesus for a lost world. Themost important question for you todayis, Have you seen yourself as a sinnerin need of a Saviour? Have you seenJesus as the sacrifice for your sins? Haveyou accepted Him as your personalRedeemer? If you have not, then nowis the time to make this decision toaccept Him wholeheartedly and gladlyaccept the coats of skins (principlesof dress reform) as a symbol of thatacceptance. RReferences1Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 441. [Emphasissupplied.]2The Desire of Ages, p. 388.3The Great Controversy, p. 46. [Emphasis supplied.]4The Desire of Ages, p. 309.5Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 278. [Emphasis supplied.]6The SDA Bible Commentary [E. G. WhiteComments], vol. 1, p. 1081.7The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, p. 40. [Emphasissupplied.]8Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 636.9Ibid., vol. 1, p. 136. [Emphasis supplied.]10Ibid., vol. 3, p. 171.11Ibid., vol. 1, pp. 136, 137. [Emphasis supplied.]12Ibid., pp. 524, 525. [Emphasis supplied.]The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6 19

Friday, December 13, 2013By David ZicThe issueof dress reformis both simple andcomplicated. Simple,because Scriptureand Inspiration so clearly outline itsimportance and give clear instructionon the issue. Complicated, because fortoo long we have not taken the issueseriously. While a few have sighed andcried about the increasing influence ofworldly fashion among our own people,the majority of us were inclined toset this aside as a fringe issue. Now theresults of years of neglect on this issueare being felt in the overall conditionfound among the professed people ofGod. We must now confront this issueas never before, or face a consequencethat will lead us to destruction.As a man I must admit that the issuein the past did not seem to be so importantto me. Clearly the fashion industryis targeted more at women thanmen. But the trends are changing andmen are now as likely as women to betargets of Satan’s devices in this respect.The moral depravity so rampant insociety must be addressed, or we willbe swallowed up as a people by a wavethat will take us far out to sea and awayfrom the Rock of our Salvation.“Enter ye in at the strait gate: forwide is the gate, and broad is the way,that leadeth to destruction, and manythere be which go in thereat: becausestrait is the gate, and narrow is the way,which leadeth unto life, and few therebe that find it” (Matthew 7:13, 14).The call to be separateGod’s people are a separate people.That is why we are clearly bidden:“Be ye not unequally yoked togetherwith unbelievers: for what fellowshiphath righteousness with unrighteousness?and what communion hath lightwith darkness? And what concord hathChrist with Belial? or what part hathhe that believeth with an infidel? And20 The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6

what agreement hath the temple ofGod with idols? for ye are the templeof the living God; as God hath said, Iwill dwell in them, and walk in them;and I will be their God, and they shallbe my people. Wherefore come outfrom among them, and be ye separate,saith the Lord, and touch not theunclean thing; and I will receive you,and will be a Father unto you, and yeshall be my sons and daughters, saiththe Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians6:14–18).The fashion industryClothing is not sinful. In fact, clothingis used in Scripture to symbolizethe covering righteousness of Christ.But the enemy of souls has taken clothingand made it an idol that separateshumanity from their Creator. Thefashion industry is exploiting humanweakness to pride and vanity and thustying its victims to the things of thisworld.In contrast, the sons and daughtersof God take the position to separatefrom the things of this world.“Love not the world, neither thethings that are in the world. If any manlove the world, the love of the Father isnot in him” (1 John 2:15).“Christ’s followers are requiredto come out from the world and beseparate, and touch not the unclean,and they have the promise of being thesons and daughters of the Most High,members of the royal family. But ifthe conditions are not complied withon their part, they will not, cannot,realize the fulfillment of the promise.A profession of Christianity is nothingin the sight of God; but true, humble,willing obedience to His requirementsdesignates the children of His adoption,the recipients of His grace, the partakersof His great salvation. Such will bepeculiar, a spectacle unto the world, toangels, and to men. Their peculiar, holycharacter will be discernible, and willdistinctly separate them from the world,from its affections and lust.” 1Distinguished by the ribbon of blueWhen God wanted His people to bedifferent from the world, He wantedtheir dress to reflect this separation.“And the Lord spake unto Moses,saying, Speak unto the children ofIsrael, and bid them that they makethem fringes in the borders of theirgarments throughout their generations,and that they put upon the fringe ofthe borders a ribband of blue: and itshall be unto you for a fringe, that yemay look upon it, and remember allthe commandments of the Lord, anddo them; and that ye seek not afteryour own heart and your own eyes,after which ye use to go a whoring: thatye may remember, and do all my commandments,and be holy unto yourGod. I am the Lord your God, whichbrought you out of the land of Egypt,to be your God: I am the Lord yourGod” (Numbers 15:37–41).The ribbon of blue was a mark ofidentification, not for them, but for theworld. Likewise, in the new dispensationour clothing is an identifyingmark to the world. As they see ouroutward appearance they are looking atour inward hearts.“Ye are our epistle written in ourhearts, known and read of all men” (2Corinthians 3:2).“Let the fashion change, and conveniencewould no longer be mentioned.It is the duty of every child of God toinquire: ‘Wherein am I separate fromthe world?’ Let us suffer a little inconvenience,and be on the safe side. Whatcrosses do God’s people bear? Theymingle with the world, partake of theirspirit, dress, talk, and act like them.” 2You cannot serve two masters. Whenyou become a slave to worldly fashion,you cannot at the same time claim tobe a follower of Christ.“No man can serve two masters: foreither he will hate the one, and lovethe other; or else he will hold to theone, and despise the other. Ye cannotserve God and mammon. Therefore Isay unto you, Take no thought for yourlife, what ye shall eat, or what ye shalldrink; nor yet for your body, what yeshall put on. Is not the life more thanmeat, and the body than raiment?”(Matthew 6:24, 25).Does this mean diet and dress arenot important? No. It’s simply thatwholehearted Christians are not preoccupiedwith these things because theyhave submitted their lives to Christ andobediently do what Christ would do inregard to diet and dress.“Behold the fowls of the air: forthey sow not, neither do they reap, norgather into barns; yet your heavenlyFather feedeth them. Are ye not muchbetter than they?” (verse 26).In the same manner we should beseparate from the world in eating anddressing. We will not be preoccupiedwith these things.Christ is ready to lead you to Himfrom wherever you are at this moment.Do not worry where you havebeen till now. Do not worry aboutthose around you who will see thechange in your life. If we have notproperly reflected Christ to the worldtill now, we can begin today. What awonderful living testimony you canbecome of the power of Christ inconversion. A slave of fashion can befreed from this snare. Your connectionwith Christ will thus be evident to allthe world.For myself it was difficult to realizethe importance of the issue of dressreform until I realized this hard fact:There are only two things that you canreflect to this world. While the worldtries to tell you to be an “individual,”the reality is that you will reflect onlyone of two things to others. Whensomeone looks at you, you will either“True, humble, willing obedience to [God’s] requirementsdesignates the children of His adoption.”. . . Our clothing is an identifying mark tothe world. As they see our outward appearancethey are looking at our inward hearts.The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6 21

e a reflection of the meek and lowlyJesus, or you will be a reflection ofthe enemy of souls. Your dress is theoutward index of your heart.“The very ones that profess to bewashed by the blood of Jesus, spilledfor them, can dress up and decoratetheir poor, mortal bodies, and dareprofess to be followers of the holy,self-denying, humble Pattern. Oh, thatall could see this as God sees it andshowed it to me! It seemed too muchfor me to bear, to feel the anguish ofsoul that I felt as I beheld it.Said the angel: ‘God’s peopleare peculiar; such He ispurifying unto Himself.’ I sawthat the outside appearanceis an index to the heart.When the exterior is hungwith ribbons, collars, andneedless things, it plainlyshows that the love for allthis is in the heart; unlesssuch persons are cleansedfrom their corruption, theycan never see God, for onlythe pure in heart will seeHim.” 3“A person’s character isjudged by his style of dress.A refined taste, a cultivatedmind, will be revealed inthe choice of simple andappropriate attire. Chastesimplicity in dress, whenunited with modesty ofdemeanor, will go far towardsurrounding a young womanwith that atmosphere ofsacred reserve which willbe to her a shield from athousand perils.” 4The “rules” of dressWith so much tied up in the issue ofdress, what guidelines does Inspirationgive us? We want in this reading notonly to tell you the issue of dress isimportant but also give you practicaladvice to help solve the difficulty.Below is a collection of guidelines thatshould guide your selection of what towear each and every day. If the issueof dress has been a burden for you, gothrough this checklist every morningwhen deciding what to wear.1. Is it modest?Clothing is a “covering,” so when itis “revealing,” suddenly it is contrary toits very purpose. Your clothing shouldbe a modest covering, neither too shortnor too tight.“In like manner also, that womenadorn themselves in modest apparel,with shamefacedness and sobriety; notwith broided hair, or gold, or pearls,or costly array; but (which becomethwomen professing godliness) withgood works” (1 Timothy 2:9, 10).2. Does it draw attention to me?Since clothing reflects your heart,you should ask yourself if the clothingyou are wearing is designed to attractattention to you. Any clothing wornfor the purposes of pride and vanity,even if it is modest, is an abominationto God. Your clothing should notdraw attention but reflect an inwardrelationship with God. Consider thepurpose for which you are choosingthese clothes as well as color, cut,tightness, and so forth.“Whose adorning let it not be thatoutward adorning of plaiting the hair,and of wearing of gold, or of puttingon of apparel; but let it be the hiddenman of the heart, in that which is notcorruptible, even the ornament of a meekand quiet spirit, which is in the sight ofGod of great price” (1 Peter 3:3, 4).3. Is it clean, neat, and healthful?“Know ye not that ye are the templeof God, and that the Spirit of Goddwelleth in you? If any man defile thetemple of God, him shall Goddestroy; for the temple of Godis holy, which temple ye are”(1 Corinthians 3:16, 17).“[Our Creator] desiresour clothing to be not onlyneat and healthful, butappropriate and becoming.” 54. Is it appropriate for theweather?You should consider ifyour clothes are appropriatefor the temperature topromote health. There is aclose link between dress andhealth reform.The virtuous woman “isnot afraid of the snow for herhousehold: for all her householdare clothed with scarlet[i.e., double layers, margin]”(Proverbs 31:21).5. Is it appropriate for my ageand the work I’m doing?Too often people forgettheir age when they look atwhich clothes to wear. “It isalways right to be neat andto be clad appropriately ina manner becoming to your age andstation in life.” 66. Does it avoid resembling the clothingof the opposite sex?There is an increasing tendency inmodern fashion to either produce immoralclothing or else try to have womenappear as much as men as possible.“The woman shall not wear thatwhich pertaineth unto a man, neithershall a man put on a woman’s garment:for all that do so are abomina-22 The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6

The real issue is not What you are wearing,but Why you are wearing it. If you are drawingattention to yourself, you cannot at the sametime be reflecting Christ to the world.tion unto the Lord thy God” (Deuteronomy22:5).“There is an increasing tendency tohave women in their dress and appearanceas near like the other sex aspossible, and to fashion their dressvery much like that of men, but Godpronounces it abomination.” 77. Hair is part of your coveringRemember that your hair is also partof how you dress (or cover) yourself.The style in which you keep your hairalso reflects your relationship with Godto the world. “Doth not even natureitself teach you, that, if a man havelong hair, it is a shame unto him? Butif a woman have long hair, it is a gloryto her: for her hair is given her for acovering” (1 Corinthians 11:14, 15).8. Does what I am wearing glorify God?The real issue is not WHAT you arewearing, but WHY you are wearing it. Ifyou are drawing attention to yourself,you cannot at the same time be reflectingChrist to the world. Even if you arecompletely covered, but in a manner,style, or color, which will draw attentionto your body instead of your face, thenyou cannot be glorifying God at thesame time. “Whether therefore ye eat, ordrink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to theglory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).Church actionCan the church discipline memberswho violate the above rules ofChristian dress? Can the church denybaptism to someone who does notwish to live up to these principles?The Lord’s messenger writes: “I sawthat the ax must be laid at the rootof the tree. Such pride should not besuffered in the church. It is these thingsthat separate God from His people,that shut the ark away from them.Israel have been asleep to the pride,and fashion, and conformity to theworld, in the very midst of them. Theyadvance every month in pride, covetousness,selfishness, and love of theworld. When their hearts are affectedby the truth, it will cause a death tothe world, and they will lay aside theribbons, laces, and collars; and, if theyare dead, the laugh, the jeer, and scornof unbelievers will not move them.They will feel an anxious desire to beseparate from the world, like theirMaster. They will not imitate its pride,fashions, or customs. The noble objectwill be ever before them, to glorify Godand gain the immortal inheritance.This prospect will swallow up all besideof an earthly nature. God will havea people separate and distinct from theworld. And as soon as any have a desireto imitate the fashions of the world,that they do not immediately subdue,just so soon God ceases to acknowledgethem as His children. They are thechildren of the world and of darkness.They lust for the leeks and onions ofEgypt, that is, desire to be as muchlike the world as possible; by so doing,those that profess to have put on Christvirtually put Him off, and show thatthey are strangers to grace and strangersto the meek and lowly Jesus. If theyhad acquainted themselves with Him,they would walk worthy of Him.” 8“Fashion is deteriorating the intellectand eating out the spirituality ofour people. Obedience to fashion ispervading our Seventh-day Adventistchurches and is doing more than anyother power to separate our peoplefrom God. I have been shown thatour church rules are very deficient. Allexhibitions of pride in dress, which isforbidden in the word of God, shouldbe sufficient reason for church discipline.If there is a continuance, in faceof warnings and appeals and entreaties,to still follow the perverse will, it maybe regarded as proof that the heart is inno way assimilated to Christ. Self, andonly self, is the object of adoration,and one such professed Christian willlead many away from God.“There is a terrible sin upon us asa people, that we have permitted ourchurch members to dress in a mannerinconsistent with their faith. We mustarise at once and close the door againstthe allurements of fashion. Unlesswe do this, our churches will becomedemoralized.” 9Fulfillment of prophecyWe are eagerly waiting for the LatterRain. But we must prepare for thisevent. In the early church, it was theirdoctrine plus character that made thema terror to the world.“The early Christians were indeeda peculiar people. Their blamelessdeportment and unswerving faith werea continual reproof that disturbed thesinner’s peace. Though few in numbers,without wealth, position, or honorarytitles, they were a terror to evildoerswherever their character and doctrineswere known.” 10In the period of Laodicea we are alsocalled upon to lay aside our garmentsand take up the garments offered to usby the Lord. Now is the time to buy thewhite raiment.“I counsel thee to buy of me goldtried in the fire, that thou mayest berich; and white raiment, that thoumayest be clothed, and that the shameof thy nakedness do not appear; andanoint thine eyes with eyesalve, thatthou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebukeand chasten: be zealous therefore,and repent. Behold, I stand at the door,and knock: if any man hear my voice,and open the door, I will come in tohim, and will sup with him, and hewith me” (Revelation 3:18–20). RReferences1Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 441.2Ibid., vol. 1, p. 278.3Ibid., p. 136.4Education, p. 248.5Ibid.6Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 142.7Ibid., vol. 1, p. 421.8Ibid., pp. 136, 137.9Ibid., vol. 4, pp. 647, 648.10The Great Controversy, p. 46.The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6 23

Sabbath, December 14, 2013A compilation from the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, with comments by Manuel HendaSeventh Day PlusAs a people, we are well aware ofthe wonderful truth of the seventh-daySabbath given to us in Scripture, andthe desire of the Lord to lift up Hisdowntrodden law in this dark world.We are often content in this knowledge,going to church week by week, payingour tithe, and believing the truth. Aswe study the subject of the Sabbathin its framework of truth, we will findmore—much more—that God desiresto teach us and help us to live.Sabbath is more than going tochurch on the 7th day“God blessed the seventh day, andsanctified it” (Genesis 2:3).“The Sabbath is a golden clasp thatunites God and His people.” 1To keep the Sabbath holy, we mustbe a holy people. This cannot be if weare not united with Christ, who is ourRighteousness. It also cannot be keptholy if we do not do the will of Godthe other six days of the week. It is adeeper study, but let us endeavor topray and dig deeper into the Word ofGod to understand our privilege andour responsibility before God. 1 Peter2:9 gives us that special calling, thatwonderful mandate as believers andfollowers of Christ.“Far more sacredness is attached tothe Sabbath than is given it by manyprofessed Sabbathkeepers. The Lord hasbeen greatly dishonored by those whohave not kept the Sabbath according tothe commandment, either in the letteror in the spirit. He calls for a reform inthe observance of the Sabbath.” 2“And they that shall be of thee shallbuild the old waste places: thou shaltraise up the foundations of many generations;and thou shalt be called, Therepairer of the breach, The restorer ofpaths to dwell in. If thou turn awaythy foot from the sabbath, from doingthy pleasure on my holy day; and callthe sabbath a delight, the holy of theLord, honourable; and shalt honourhim, not doing thine own ways, norfinding thine own pleasure, nor speakingthine own words: then shalt thoudelight thyself in the Lord” (Isaiah58:12–14).“In establishing new churches,ministers should give careful instructionas to the proper observance of theSabbath. We must be guarded, lest thelax practices that prevail among Sundaykeepersshall be followed by thosewho profess to observe God’s holy restday. The line of demarcation is to bemade clear and distinct between thosewho bear the mark of God’s kingdom24 The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6

and those who bear the sign of thekingdom of rebellion.” 3What are the lines of demarcation?Be prepared daily“All through the week we are to havethe Sabbath in mind and be makingpreparation to keep it according to thecommandment. We are not merely toobserve the Sabbath as a legal matter.We are to understand its spiritualbearing upon all the transactions oflife. All who regard the Sabbath as asign between them and God, showingthat He is the God who sanctifiesthem, will represent the principles ofHis government. They will bring intodaily practice the laws of His kingdom.Daily it will be their prayer that thesanctification of the Sabbath may restupon them. Every day they will havethe companionship of Christ and willexemplify the perfection of His character.Every day their light will shineforth to others in good works.“In all that pertains to the success ofGod’s work, the very first victories areto be won in the home life. Here thepreparation for the Sabbath must begin.Throughout the week let parents rememberthat their home is to be a school inwhich their children shall be preparedfor the courts above. Let their words beright words. No words which their childrenshould not hear are to escape theirlips. Let the spirit be kept free from irritation.Parents, during the week live as inthe sight of a holy God, who has givenyou children to train for Him. Train forHim the little church in your home, thaton the Sabbath all may be prepared toworship in the Lord’s sanctuary.” 4Be prepared in rest“When the Sabbath is … remembered,the temporal will not beallowed to encroach upon the spiritual.No duty pertaining to the six workingdays will be left for the Sabbath.During the week our energies will notbe so exhausted in temporal labor thaton the day when the Lord rested andwas refreshed we shall be too weary toengage in His service.” 5Be prepared on Preparation Day. Itis not difficult, with proper planning,to have our duties finished with extratime to relax, pray, and sing before theSabbath draws on. The PreparationDay is exactly that, the day to makesure that our Sabbath clothing, ourSabbath food, and our personal cleanlinessof home and body are taken careof before the Sabbath begins.“While preparation for the Sabbathis to be made all through the week,Friday is to be the special preparationday. Through Moses the Lord said tothe children of Israel: ‘Tomorrow is therest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord:bake that which ye will bake today,and seethe that ye will seethe; and thatwhich remaineth over lay up for youto be kept until the morning’ (Exodus16:23). . . . There was something tobe done in preparing the heaven-sentbread for the children of Israel. TheLord told them that this work must bedone on Friday, the preparation day.This was a test to them. God desired tosee whether or not they would keep theSabbath holy.” 6“While cooking upon the Sabbathshould be avoided, it is not necessaryto eat cold food. In cold weather letthe food prepared the day beforebe heated. And let the meals, thoughsimple, be palatable and attractive. Providesomething that will be regardedas a treat, something the family do nothave every day.” 7“On Friday let the preparation forthe Sabbath be completed. See that allthe clothing is in readiness and thatall the cooking is done. Let the bootsbe blacked and the baths be taken.It is possible to do this. If you makeit a rule you can do it. The Sabbathis not to be given to the repairing ofgarments, to the cooking of food,to pleasure seeking, or to any otherworldly employment. Before thesetting of the sun let all secular workbe laid aside and all secular papers beput out of sight. Parents, explain yourwork and its purpose to your children,and let them share in your preparationto keep the Sabbath according to thecommandment.” 8Be prepared in heartThe Sabbath is the day to draw evencloser to the Lord, our families, and ourbrethren and sisters. How importantthen to have the right heart preparationso that we can be in a frame of mind toseek and receive blessings from our Lord.Be prepared early. We don’t need tobe rushing about and late to receive theSabbath blessings. If we are habituallylate to prepare on a weekly basis, whatwill happen as we prepare to meetJesus at His return?“We should jealously guard theedges of the Sabbath. Remember thatevery moment is consecrated, holytime. Whenever it is possible, employersshould give their workers the hoursfrom Friday noon until the beginningof the Sabbath. Give them time forpreparation, that they may welcomethe Lord’s day with quietness of mind.By such a course you will suffer no losseven in temporal things.” 9Be prepared in your relationships. It isnot true worship if we meet with othersand have wrong feelings in our heart. Wemust put forth efforts to be truly unitedin spirit with our brethren and sistersand our families or we will not receivethe blessings of God. “Follow peace withall men, and holiness, without which noman shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).“There is another work that shouldreceive attention on the preparationday. On this day all differences betweenbrethren, whether in the familyor in the church, should be put away.Let all bitterness and wrath and malicebe expelled from the soul. In a humblespirit, ‘confess your faults one toanother, and pray one for another, thatye may be healed’ (James 5:16).“Before the setting of the sun letthe members of the family assembleto read God’s word, to sing and pray.There is need of reform here, for manyhave been remiss. We need to confessto God and to one another.” 10Be prepared in worshipful attitude.Whether or not you have children, eachshould be in an attitude of worship,seeking the Lord, praising His goodness,listening for His still, small voice. It isappropriate to have a special set of clothingappropriate for this reverent worship.Remember, church is not a fashion show;it is the seeking place of God.“At family worship let the childrentake a part. Let all bring their BiblesThe Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6 25

and each read a verse or two. Then letsome familiar hymn be sung, followedby prayer. For this, Christ has givena model. The Lord’s Prayer was notintended to be repeated merely as aform, but it is an illustration of whatour prayers should be—simple, earnest,and comprehensive. In a simplepetition tell the Lord your needs andexpress gratitude for His mercies. Thusyou invite Jesus as a welcome guestinto your home and heart.” 11“Many need instruction as to howthey should appear in the assemblyfor worship on the Sabbath. They arenot to enter the presence of God inthe common clothing worn duringthe week. All should have a specialSabbath suit, to be worn when attendingservice in God’s house. Whilewe should not conform to worldlyfashions, we are not to be indifferent inregard to our outward appearance. Weare to be neat and trim, though withoutadornment. The children of Godshould be pure within and without.” 12Be early to rise and cheerful athome. This is part of having the rightattitude to worship the Lord. If all riseearly, well-rested, there will be a holycalm and expectancy to meet with theLord and others.“Let not the precious hours of theSabbath be wasted in bed. On Sabbathmorning the family should be astirearly. If they rise late, there is confusionand bustle in preparing for breakfastand Sabbath school. There is hurrying,jostling, and impatience. Thus unholyfeelings come into the home. TheSabbath, thus desecrated, becomes aweariness, and its coming is dreadedrather than loved.” 13Eat lighter for clearer minds. Somuch is lost when we are overly tired oroverfed. Our mind becomes dull, andwe do not discern all the Lord wants toteach us.“We should not provide for theSabbath a more liberal supply or agreater variety of food than for otherdays. Instead of this the food should bemore simple, and less should be eaten,in order that the mind may be clear andvigorous to comprehend spiritual things.Overeating befogs the brain. The mostprecious words may be heard and notappreciated, because the mind is confusedby an improper diet. By overeatingon the Sabbath, many have done morethan they think to dishonor God.” 14Sabbath worship“Serve the Lord with gladness: comebefore his presence with singing. Knowye that the Lord he is God: it is he thathath made us, and not we ourselves;we are his people, and the sheep ofhis pasture. Enter into his gates withthanksgiving, and into his courts withpraise: be thankful unto him, and blesshis name.” “Holy and reverend is hisname” (Psalms 100:2–4; 111:9).“As you enter the place of worship,ask the Lord to remove all evil fromyour heart. Bring to His house onlythat which He can bless. Kneel beforeGod in His temple, and consecrate toHim His own, which He has purchasedwith the blood of Christ. Pray for thespeaker or the leader of the meeting.Pray that great blessing may comethrough the one who is to hold forththe word of life. Strive earnestly to layhold of a blessing for yourself.” 15It is important to remember thatwe are called to represent Christ in allthat we say and do. Neatness and orderand cleanliness should characterize theappearance and dwellings of Sabbathkeepersand also the whole place ofworship and its service. It is importantto teach the children this by precept andexample and to keep them from causingconfusion and noise in the church.Yet we are commanded: “Let allthings be done decently and in order”(1 Corinthians 14:40).“The house of God is often desecratedby Sabbathkeepers’ children.Their parents allow them to run aboutthe house, play, talk, take the attentionof the people, and manifest their eviltempers in the very meetings wherethey have assembled to worship God.I have seen that in the assembly of thesaints a holy stillness should reign.But the house where God’s peopleassemble is often made a perfect babylon,a place of confusion and disorder.This is displeasing to God.” 16“If when the people come into thehouse of worship, they have genuinereverence for the Lord and bear inmind that they are in His presence,there will be a sweet eloquence insilence. The whispering and laughingand talking which might be withoutsin in a common business place shouldfind no sanction in the house whereGod is worshiped. The mind should beprepared to hear the word of God, thatit may have due weight and suitablyimpress the heart. . . .“When the meeting is opened byprayer, every knee should bow in thepresence of the Holy One, and everyheart should ascend to God in silentdevotion. . . . All the service should beconducted with solemnity and awe, asif in the visible presence of the Masterof assemblies.” 17This same principle applies after theservice, that our hearts can absorb thesolemn message we have been given.“When the word is spoken, youshould remember, brethren, thatyou are listening to the voice of Godthrough His delegated servant. Listenattentively. Sleep not for one instant,because by this slumber you may losethe very words that you need most—the very words which, if heeded, wouldsave your feet from straying into wrongpaths. Satan and his angels are busycreating a paralyzed condition of thesenses so that cautions, warnings, andreproofs shall not be heard; or if heard,that they shall not take effect upon theheart and reform the life. Sometimes alittle child may so attract the attentionof the hearers that the precious seeddoes not fall into good ground andbring forth fruit. Sometimes youngmen and women have so little reverencefor the house and worship of Godthat they keep up a continual communicationwith each other during thesermon. Could these see the angels ofGod looking upon them and markingtheir doings, they would be filled withshame, with abhorrence of themselves.God wants attentive hearers. It waswhile men slept that Satan sowed histares.“When the benediction is pronounced,all should still be quiet, asif fearful of losing the peace of Christ.Let all pass out without jostling orloud talking, feeling that they are inthe presence of God, that His eye is26 The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6

esting upon them, and that they mustact as in His visible presence. Let therebe no stopping in the aisles to visit orgossip, thus blocking them up so thatothers cannot pass out. The precinctsof the church should be invested with asacred reverence. It should not be madea place to meet old friends and visitand introduce common thoughts andworldly business transactions. Theseshould be left outside the church. Godand angels have been dishonored bythe careless, noisy laughing and shufflingof feet heard in some places.” 18Enjoy fellowshipPart of the purpose of gatheringtogether is to meet with each otherto fellowship, to encourage, and tostrengthen in the most holy faith. Itis not to be a common gathering buta holy one. Conversations should beuplifting, edifying.“Let no corrupt communicationproceed out of your mouth, but thatwhich is good to the use of edifying,that it may minister grace unto thehearers” (Ephesians 4:29).“We do not obtain a hundredth partof the blessing we should obtain fromassembling together to worship God.Our perceptive faculties need sharpening.”19The Sabbath is the time to get thedouble portion of manna. That does notmean that we need hours of sermons. Ifwe have the proper attitude and heart,and the preacher has the same, God canspeak without our becoming weary. Theservice time is also the opportunity toshare His goodness shown in our life, achance to praise Him.“The preaching at our Sabbathmeetings should generally be short.Opportunity should be given for thosewho love God to express their gratitudeand adoration.” 20“[Daniel Webster aptly declared:]Many of the ministers of the presentday take their text from St. Paul andpreach from the newspapers. Whenthey do so, I prefer to enjoy my ownthoughts, rather than listen. I wantmy pastor to come to me in the Spiritof the gospel, saying, ‘You are mortal.Your probation is brief, your workmust be done speedily. . . . You arehastening to the bar of God. The Judgestandeth before the door.’ ” 21“Let none come to the place ofworship to take a nap. There shouldbe no sleeping in the house of God.You do not fall asleep when engaged inyour temporal business, because youhave an interest in your work. Shall weallow the service which involves eternalinterests to be placed on a lower levelthan the temporal affairs of life?” 22Sabbath afternoonThe afternoon and evening of theSabbath is also a special time. It is notfor us to use it for our own pleasure orto talk about our own things. It is dedicatedtime to learn more of our Creatorthrough His creation. Especially forthose with families, this is the idealtime to draw closer. It will then be thebest day of the week.“The Sabbath school and the meetingfor worship occupy only a partof the Sabbath. The portion remainingto the family may be made themost sacred and precious season ofall the Sabbath hours. Much of thistime parents should spend with theirchildren.” 23“Ask now the beasts, and they shallteach thee; and the fowls of the air,and they shall tell thee: Or speak tothe earth, and it shall teach thee: andthe fishes of the sea shall declare untothee” (Job 12:7, 8).“In pleasant weather let parentswalk with their children in the fieldsand groves. Amid the beautiful thingsof nature tell them the reason for theinstitution of the Sabbath.” 24Traveling on the Sabbath“If we desire the blessing promisedto the obedient, we must observe theSabbath more strictly. I fear that weoften travel on this day when it mightbe avoided. In harmony with the lightwhich the Lord has given in regardto the observance of the Sabbath, weshould be more careful about travelingon the boats or cars on this day.In these matters we should set a rightexample before our children andyouth. In order to reach the churchesthat need our help, and to give themthe message that God desires themto hear, it may be necessary for us totravel on the Sabbath; but so far aspossible we should secure our ticketsand make all necessary arrangementson some other day. When starting on ajourney we should make every possibleeffort to plan so as to avoid reachingour destination on the Sabbath.” 25(It is important to understand theabove in the context of the days whenthis text was written. The boats andcars referred to paid transportationneeded when traveling a great distance.The believers at that time travelled byhorse and carriage which took considerabletime. Increased technology mayhave facilitated our transportation optionstoday, but the principles involvedare timeless.)Summary“Great blessings are enfolded in theobservance of the Sabbath, and Goddesires that the Sabbath day shall be tous a day of joy.” 26Let us remember that the Sabbath isa time to commune with our Creator,Redeemer, and Sanctifier. May we eachreceive His blessing is my prayer.“For the Son of man is Lord even ofthe sabbath day” (Matthew 12:8). RReferences1Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 351.2Ibid., p. 353. [Emphasis supplied.]3Ibid.4Ibid., pp. 353, 354. [Emphasis supplied.]5Ibid., p. 354.6Ibid., pp. 354, 355.7Ibid., p. 357. [Emphasis supplied.]8Ibid., pp. 355, 356. [Emphasis supplied.]9Ibid., p. 356.10Ibid.11Ibid., p. 357.12Ibid., p. 355.13Ibid., p. 357.14Ibid.15Ibid., pp. 362, 363.16Spiritual Gifts, vol. 2, pp. 288, 289. [Emphasissupplied.]17Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 492, 493.18Ibid., pp. 493, 494.19Ibid., vol. 6, p. 362.20Ibid., p. 361.21The Review and Herald, June 23, 1891.22Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 361. [Emphasis supplied.]23Ibid., p. 358. [Emphasis supplied.]24Ibid.25Ibid., pp. 359, 360.25Ibid., p. 349.The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6 27

Sunday, December 15, 2013A compilation from the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, with comments by F. MatyasOne of the characteristicsof our modernworld is that we havelost the original purposeof day and night. But“God saw the light, that it was good:and God divided the light from thedarkness” (Genesis 1:4).When I was a little boy there weresome quiet villages where peopledisapproved of night shifts at workplaces.“Daytime is for work, nighttime isfor rest,” they said. The old enemy ofgood things has been crafty: As theconcept of daytime shifts is ceasing,nightspots are multiplying, destroyingthe love of daytime work in people.Different modern gadgets have creptinto our homes and unfortunately havedestroyed the good daily routine ofmany households. People are unable towork simply because they are exhaustedby late nights. During the times ofthe patriarchs, people understood themeaning of day and night. They knewhow to use their time well. The nighttimewas devoted for rest and sleeping andthe daytime for work and other activities.Jacob complained to Laban for thehardness of the nights of work that kepthim without rest. “Thus I was; in the daythe drought consumed me, and the frostby night; and my sleep departed frommine eyes” (Genesis 31:40).David praised the Lord early in themorning: “Awake, psaltery and harp: Imyself will awake early” (Psalm 108:2).Jesus Himself made good use ofthe the light of the daytime: “In themorning, rising up a great while beforeday, he went out, and departed into asolitary place, and there prayed” (Mark1:35). He also pointed out who likes towork in the dark of night: “While menslept, [the] enemy came and sowedtares among the wheat, and went hisway” (Matthew 13:25).God’s purpose for His chosen people“Behold, the darkness shall cover theearth, and gross darkness the people:but the Lord shall arise upon thee,and his glory shall be seen upon thee”(Isaiah 60:2).“God had designed that His peopleshould be the light of the world. Fromthem was to shine forth the glory ofHis law as revealed in the life practice.For the carrying out of this design,He had caused the chosen nation tooccupy a strategic position among thenations of earth.” 1Through the prophets He warnedthem for not being faithful in thismatter; “Hear the word of the Lord,ye children of Israel: for the Lord hatha controversy with the inhabitants ofthe land, because there is no truth, normercy, nor knowledge of God in theland” (Hosea 4:1).“For centuries preceding Christ’s firstadvent, darkness covered the earth, andgross darkness the people. Satan wasthrowing his hellish shadow athwart thepathway of men, that he might preventthem from gaining a knowledge of Godand of the future world. Multitudeswere sitting in the shadow of death.28 The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6

Their only hope was for this gloom tobe lifted, that God might be revealed.” 2The working JesusDavid, the anointed of God, withprophetic eyes foresaw that the secondcoming of Christ would be “as thelight of the morning, when the sunriseth, even a morning without clouds”(2 Samuel 23:4). This was Hosea’stestimony: “His going forth is preparedas the morning” (6:3).“Quietly and gently the daylightbreaks upon the earth, dispelling theshadow of darkness and waking theearth to life. So was the Sun of Righteousnessto arise, ‘with healing in Hiswings’ (Malachi 3:20). ‘The multitudesdwelling ‘in the land of the shadow ofdeath’ were to see ‘a great light’ (Isaiah9:2).” 3How was this promise fulfilled?Jesus said, “I am the light of the world:he that followeth me shall not walkin darkness, but shall have the light oflife” (John 8:12).“As long as I am in the world, I amthe light of the world” (John 9:5).“And they were astonished at hisdoctrine: for he taught them as onethat had authority, and not as thescribes” (Mark 1:22).“But when the multitudes saw it,they marvelled, and glorified God,which had given such power untomen” (Matthew 9:8).“And great multitudes followed him;and he healed them there” (Matthew19:2).“But Jesus withdrew himself withhis disciples to the sea: and a greatmultitude from Galilee followed him,and from Judaea, and from Jerusalem,and from Idumaea, and from beyondJordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon,a great multitude, when they had heardwhat great things he did, came untohim. And he spake to his disciples,that a small ship should wait on himbecause of the multitude, lest theyshould throng him. For he had healedmany; insomuch that they pressedupon him for to touch him, as many ashad plagues. And unclean spirits, whenthey saw him, fell down before him,and cried, saying, Thou art the Son ofGod” (Mark 3:7–11).“Jesus watched with deep earnestnessthe changing countenances ofHis hearers. The faces that expressedinterest and pleasure gave Him greatsatisfaction. As the arrows of truthpierced to the soul, breaking throughthe barriers of selfishness, and workingcontrition, and finally gratitude,the Saviour was made glad. When Hiseye swept over the throng of listeners,and He recognized among themthe faces He had before seen, Hiscountenance lighted up with joy. Hesaw in them hopeful subjects for Hiskingdom.” 4Jesus calls to work“When he saw the multitudes, hewas moved with compassion on them,because they fainted, and were scatteredabroad, as sheep having no shepherd.Then saith he unto his disciples,The harvest truly is plenteous, but thelabourers are few; pray ye therefore theLord of the harvest, that he will sendforth labourers into his harvest” (Matthew9:36–38).“And Jesus came and spake untothem, saying, All power is given untome in heaven and in earth. Go yetherefore, and teach all nations, baptizingthem in the name of the Father,and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:teaching them to observe all thingswhatsoever I have commanded you:and, lo, I am with you alway, even untothe end of the world. Amen” (Matthew28:18–20).Was this call made only for thedisciples?“As many as received him, to themgave he power to become the sons ofGod, even to them that believe on hisname” (John 1:12). What did this callinvolve? A mission. “Ye are the light ofthe world. A city that is set on an hillcannot be hid” (Matthew 5:14).Those who understand their missionneed to possess this power, that throughpraise, gratitude, and happy service theywill reflect the character of the greatGiver and the law of that country wherenone “seeketh . . . her own.”“The gems of truth that fell fromChrist’s lips on that eventful daywere treasured in many hearts. Forthem new thoughts started into life,new aspirations were awakened,and a new history began. After thecrucifixion and resurrection of Christ,these persons came to the front, andfulfilled their divine commission witha wisdom and zeal corresponding tothe greatness of the work. They bore amessage that appealed to the hearts ofmen, weakening the old superstitionsthat had long dwarfed the lives ofthousands. Before their testimonyhuman theories and philosophiesbecame as idle fables. Mighty were theresults flowing from the words of theSaviour to that wondering, awestruckcrowd in the temple at Jerusalem.” 5Jesus said about Himself: “I mustwork the works of him that sent me,while it is day: the night cometh, whenno man can work. As long as I am inthe world, I am the light of the world”(John 9:4, 5).“ ‘If any man walk in the day,’ Hecontinued, ‘he stumbleth not, becausehe seeth the light of this world’ (John11:9). He who does the will of God,who walks in the path that God hasmarked out, cannot stumble and fall.The light of God’s guiding Spirit giveshim a clear perception of his duty, andleads him aright till the close of hiswork. ‘But if a man walk in the night,he stumbleth, because there is no lightin him’(verse 10). He who walks ina path of his own choosing, whereGod has not called him, will stumble.For him day is turned into night, andwherever he may be, he is not secure.” 6The Danger“It suits the policy of Satan that menshould retain the forms of religion if butthe spirit of vital godliness is lacking.” 7“The spiritual darkness whichfalls upon nations, upon churchesand individuals, is due, not to anarbitrary withdrawal of the succorsof divine grace on the part of God,but to neglect or rejection of divinelight on the part of men. A strikingillustration of this truth is presented inthe history of the Jewish people in thetime of Christ. By their devotion to theworld and forgetfulness of God and hisWord, their understanding had becomedarkened, their hearts earthly andThe Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6 29

sensual. Thus they were in ignoranceconcerning Messiah’s advent, and intheir pride and unbelief they rejectedthe Redeemer.” 8In the time of the disciplesAfter the ascension of Jesus and thefulfillment of the promised Holy Spirit,the disciples were able to testify aboutChrist with great power.“Christ filled [the disciples] thoughts;the advancement of His kingdom wastheir aim. In mind and character they hadbecome like their Master, and men ‘tookknowledge of them, that they had beenwith Jesus’ (Acts 4:13). . . . They couldspeak the name of Jesus with assurance;for was He not their Friend and ElderBrother? Brought into close communionwith Christ, they sat with Him in heavenlyplaces. With what burning language theyclothed their ideas as they bore witnessfor Him! Their hearts were surchargedwith a benevolence so full, so deep, sofar-reaching, that it impelled them to goto the ends of the earth, testifying to thepower of Christ. They were filled withan intense longing to carry forward thework He had begun. They realized thegreatness of their debt to heaven and theresponsibility of their work. Strengthenedby the endowment of the Holy Spirit, theywent forth filled with zeal to extend thetriumphs of the cross. The Spirit animatedthem and spoke through them. The peaceof Christ shone from their faces. They hadconsecrated their lives to Him for service,and their very features bore evidence tothe surrender they had made.” 9“In the days of the apostles theChristian believers were filled withearnestness and enthusiasm. Sountiringly did they labor for theirMaster that in a comparativelyshort time, notwithstanding fierceopposition, the gospel of the kingdomwas sounded to all the inhabited partsof the earth. The zeal manifested at thistime by the followers of Jesus has beenrecorded by the pen of inspirationfor the encouragement of believers inevery age.” 10God can only bless the soul whocooperates with Him“Like Christ, the messengers of theMost High today should take their“Children and youth should be missionariesat home . . . You can prove by faithfulperformance of the little things that seem toyou unimportant that you have a truemissionary spirit.”position in these great thoroughfares,where they can meet the passingmultitudes from all parts of the world.Like Him, hiding self in God, theyare to sow the gospel seed, presentingbefore others the precious truths ofHoly Scripture that will take deep rootin mind and heart, and spring up untolife eternal.” 11The Lord’s messenger warns us: “Iwas shown that if God’s people makeno efforts on their part, but wait forthe refreshing to come upon themand remove their wrongs and correcttheir errors; if they depend upon thatto cleanse them from filthiness of theflesh and spirit, and fit them to engagein the loud cry of the third angel, theywill be found wanting.” 12“We may be sure that when the HolySpirit is poured out those who did notreceive and appreciate the early rainwill not see or understand the value ofthe latter rain.” 13Who is to work? Everyone.“While all heaven is astir, dispatchingmessengers to all parts of the earthto carry forward the work of redemption,the church of the living God arealso to be colaborers with Jesus Christ.We are members of His mystical body.He is the Head, controlling all themembers of the body. Jesus Himself, inHis infinite mercy, is working on humanhearts, effecting spiritual transformationsso amazing that angels lookon with astonishment and joy.” 14“If ever the Lord has spoken by me,He speaks when I say that the workersengaged in educational lines, in ministeriallines, and in medical missionarylines must stand as a unit, all laboringunder the supervision of God, onehelping the other, each blessing each.Those connected with our schools andsanitariums are to labor with earnestalacrity. The work that is done underthe ministration of the Holy Spirit,out of love for God and for humanity,will bear the divine signature and willmake its impression on human minds.The Lord calls upon our young peopleto enter our schools and quickly fitthemselves for service. In various placesoutside of cities, schools are to be establishedwhere our youth can receivean education that will prepare themto go forth to do evangelical work andmedical missionary work.” 15“These women who are doing withready willingness what their handsfind to do, with cheerfulness of spiritaiding their husbands to bear theirburdens and training their childrenfor God, are missionaries in the highestsense.” 16“Children and youth should bemissionaries at home by doing thosethings that need to be done and thatsomeone must do. . . . You can proveby faithful performance of the littlethings that seem to you unimportantthat you have a true missionaryspirit.” 17“When the Spirit of the Lord worksupon the hearts of the parents, theirprayers and tears will come up beforeGod, and they will earnestly entreat,and will receive grace and wisdomfrom heaven, and will be able to workfor their unconverted children. As thisSpirit is manifested in the home, it willbe brought into the church, and thosewho are home missionaries will alsobecome agents for God in the churchand in the world. The institutionswhich God has planted will bear anentirely different mold.” 18Christ is waiting for you“The Lord calls for every talent30 The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6

and ability to be put to use. When thereproach of indolence and slothfulnessshall have been wiped away from thechurch, the Spirit of the Lord will begraciously manifested; divine powerwill combine with human effort, thechurch will see the providential interpositionsof the Lord God of hosts,the light of truth will be diffused, theknowledge of God and of Jesus Christwhom He has sent. As in the apostles’time, many souls will turn unto theLord. The earth will be lighted with theglory of the angel from heaven. . . .“If the wilderness of the churchis to become as a fruitful field, andthe fruitful field to be as a forest, itis through the Holy Spirit of Godpoured out upon His people. Theheavenly agencies have long beenwaiting for the human agents, themembers of the church, to cooperatewith them in the great work to bedone. They are waiting for you. Sovast is the field, so comprehensivethe design, that every sanctifiedheart will be pressed into service asan agent of divine power. . . . Let allwho believe the truth for this time putaway their differences; put away envyand evil speaking and evil thinking.Press together, press together. ‘Seeingye have purified your souls in obeyingthe truth through the Spirit untounfeigned love of the brethren, seethat ye love one another with a pureheart fervently’(1 Peter 1:22).” 19“Those who make no decided effort,but simply wait for the Holy Spirit tocompel them to action, will perish indarkness. You are not to sit still and donothing in the work of God.” 20This is the prophecy for our time:“When divine power is combined withhuman effort, the work will spread likefire in the stubble. God will employagencies whose origin man will beunable to discern. Angels will do a workwhich men might have had the blessingof accomplishing had they not neglectedto answer the claims of God.” 21“The angel who unites in theproclamation of the third angel’smessage is to lighten the whole earthwith his glory. A work of worldwideextent and unwonted power is hereforetold. . . . Servants of God, withtheir faces lighted up and shining withholy consecration, will hasten fromplace to place to proclaim the messagefrom heaven.” 22Dear brethren and sisters, let uswork while there is daylight. It is notenough to accept the truth and to bepart of God’s remnant church. Let uswork while our Light “Jesus” is in theholy place. Let us work while the HolySpirit is working for us!If we do not work . . .“The period of great spiritual light, ifthat light is not sacredly cherished andacted upon, will be turned into a timeof corresponding spiritual darkness.The impression made by the Spirit ofGod, if men do not cherish the sacredimpression, and occupy holy ground,will fade from the mind. Those whowould advance in spiritual knowledgemust stand by the very fount of God,and drink again and again from thewells of salvation so graciously openedunto them. They must never leave thesource of refreshment; but with heartsswelling with gratitude and love at thedisplay of the goodness and compassionof God, they must be continuallypartakers of the living water.” 23“Self-righteousness is not truerighteousness, and those who cling toit will be left to take the consequencesof holding a fatal deception. Manytoday claim to obey the commandmentsof God, but they have not thelove of God in their hearts to flow forthto others. Christ calls them to unitewith Him in His work for the saving ofthe world, but they content themselveswith saying, ‘I go, sir.’ They do not go.They do not cooperate with those whoare doing God’s service. They are idlers.Like the unfaithful son, they makefalse promises to God. In taking uponthemselves the solemn covenant of thechurch they have pledged themselvesto receive and obey the word of God,to give themselves to God’s service, butthey do not do this. In profession theyclaim to be sons of God, but in life andcharacter they deny the relationship.They do not surrender the will to God.They are living a lie.” 24“How many will mourn for lostopportunities when it is eternally toolate! Today we have talent and opportunity,but we know not how longthese may be ours. Then let us workwhile it is day; for the night cometh,in which no man can work. “Blessedis that servant, whom his Lord whenHe cometh shall find so doing’ (Luke12:43).” 25“If you cultivate faithfully the vineyardof your soul, God is making youa laborer together with Himself. Andyou will have a work to do not onlyfor yourself, but for others. In representingthe church as the vineyard,Christ does not teach that we are torestrict our sympathies and labors toour own numbers. The Lord’s vineyardis to be enlarged. In all parts of theearth He desires it to be extended. Aswe receive the instruction and graceof God, we should impart to others aknowledge of how to care for the preciousplants. Thus we may extend thevineyard of the Lord. God is watchingfor evidence of our faith, love, and patience.He looks to see if we are usingevery spiritual advantage to becomeskillful workers in His vineyard onearth, that we may enter the Paradiseof God, that Eden home from whichAdam and Eve were excluded by transgression.”26 RReferences1Prophets and Kings, p. 70.2Ibid., pp. 687, 688.3Ibid., p. 688. [Emphasis added.]4The Desire of Ages, p. 255.5Ibid., p. 620.6Ibid., p. 527.7The Great Controversy, p. 378.8Ibid., pp. 377, 378.9The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 45, 46.10Ibid., p. 578.11Prophets and Kings, p. 74.12Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 619.13Testimonies to Ministers, p. 399.14The Review and Herald, December 24, 1908.15Testimonies, vol. 9, pp. 169, 170.16The Adventist Home, p. 245.17Ibid., p. 300.18The Review and Herald, March 14, 1893.19General Conference Daily Bulletin, February28, 1893. [Emphasis supplied.]20Christian Service, p. 228.21Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 118.22The Great Controversy, pp. 611, 612.23Selected Messages, bk. 1, p. 135.24Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 279.25Testimonies to Ministers, p. 167.26Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 282.The Reformation Herald, Vol. 54, No. 6 31

Periodical Postage PAIDRoanoke, VA 24022P.O. Box 7240Roanoke, VA 24019-0240Return Service RequestedMOVING? Please let us know.The PurifyingProcessThe church is not a temple grandOn which is topped a steeple.It’s formed of many different folks—A struggling, erring people.The rending of the heart and mindIs needed till we’re ready:Settled in the present truth,Firm, watchful, grounded, steady.The Lord will work in human heartsUntil He sees that number.Now’s the time to look to Heav’n;It’s not the time for slumber!The testing time is very brief.Let He not find us sleeping.It’s time to mourn for all our sins:Repent in faith with weeping!Let’s live like Christ in daily life:Pure, innocent, efficient.‘Tis only through redeeming blood—His grace—it is sufficient!Unitedly we must press onTo seek to work as brothers.And not just that—we also aimTo find and help still others.So soon will come our blessed Lord—We’ll see for whom we’re yearning:The One whose blood was shed for thee,Let’s watch for His returning!With Christ as King we cannot fail,While meekly on probation.So, selflessly we’ll walk with Him,Till vict’ry’s jubilation!— B. Montrose