Laodicean

Bible Study Guides – And knowest not

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December 5 – 11, 1999

MEMORY VERSE: ‘I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.’ Revelation 3: 18.

STUDY HELP: Testimonies Volume 4, pages 87 – 90.

Introduction

‘I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God’s people. I saw that the testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. The solemn testimony upon which the destiny of the church hangs has been lightly esteemed, if not entirely disregarded. This testimony must work deep repentance; all who truly receive it will obey it and be purified.’ Early Writings, page 270.

 ‘The Faithful and True Witness’

  •  Who is the One who addresses the church of the Laodiceans? Revelation 3: 14.

NOTE: ‘The names of the seven churches are symbolic of the church in different periods of the Christian Era. The number indicates completeness, and is symbolic of the fact that the messages extend to the end of time, while the symbols used reveal the condition of the church at different periods in the history of the world.’ Acts of the Apostles, page 585.

‘The Holy Spirit… comes to the world as Christ’s representative. He is not only the faithful and true witness to the Word of God, but He is the searcher of the thoughts and purposes of the heart. He is the source to which we must look for efficiency in the restoration of the moral image of God in man… His transforming influence was to bring even the thoughts into harmony with the will of God, and establish a living connection between earth and heaven.’ Advent Review & Sabbath Herald, October 8th, 1908.

  • What solemn statement does the faithful and true Witness make to the Laodiceans, and all the churches? Revelation 3: 15, first part. (Compare Revelation 2: 2, 9, 13, 19; 3: 1, 8.)

NOTE: ‘“I know thy works”(not thy profession), says the True Witness. God is now sifting His people, testing their purposes and their motives. Many will be but as chaff, no wheat, no value in them.’ Testimonies Volume 4, page 51.

‘It will be found in the day of final settlement that God was acquainted with everyone by name. There is an unseen Witness to every action of the life. “I know thy works,” says He that “walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.” It is known what opportunities have been slighted, how untiring have been the efforts of the Good Shepherd to search out those who were wandering in crooked ways, and to bring them back to the path of safety and peace.’ Testimonies Volume 5, page 435.

‘Neither cold nor hot’

  •  How does the faithful and true Witness describe the spiritual state of the Laodicean church? Revelation 3: 15.

NOTE: ‘Satan is willing that you should be Christians in name, for you can suit his purpose better. If you have a form and not true Godliness, he can use you to decoy others into the same self-deceived way. Some poor souls will look to you, instead of looking to the Bible standard, and will come up no higher. They are as good as you, and are satisfied.’ Testimonies Volume 1, page 162.

‘Were you cold, there would be some hope that you would be converted; but where self-righteousness girds one about, instead of the righteousness of Christ, the deception is so difficult to be seen, and the self-righteousness so hard to be put away, that the case is the most difficult to reach. An unconverted, godless sinner stands in a more favourable condition than such.’ Testimonies Volume 2, page 175.

  • How does the faithful and true Witness describe His reaction to those who are spiritually lukewarm? Revelation 3: 16.

NOTE: ‘The True Witness hates this lukewarmness. He loathes the indifference of this class of persons. Said He: “I would thou wert cold or hot.” Like lukewarm water, they are nauseous to His taste. They are neither unconcerned nor selfishly stubborn. They do not engage thoroughly and heartily in the work of God, identifying themselves with its interests; but they hold aloof and are ready to leave their posts when their worldly personal interests demand it. The internal work of grace is wanting in their hearts.’ Testimonies Volume 4, page 87.

‘This record is made for the special benefit of those who are living in these last days. Many who have had great light have not appreciated and improved it, as it was their privilege to do. They have not practised the truth. And because of this the Lord will bring in those who have lived up to all the light they have had. Those who have been privileged with opportunities to understand the truth, and who have not obeyed its principles, will be swayed by Satan’s temptations for self-advancement. They will deny the principles of truth in practice and bring reproach upon the cause of God. Christ declares that He will spew these out of His mouth, and leave them to follow their own course of action to distinguish themselves. This course of action does indeed make them prominent as men that are unfaithful householders. The Lord will give His message to those who have walked in accordance with the light they have had, and will recognise them as true and faithful, according to the measurement of God. These men will take the place of those who, having light and knowledge, have walked not in the way of the Lord, but in the imagination of their own unsanctified hearts.’ Spalding-Magan Collection of Unpublished Testimonies, page 207.

‘And knowest not…’

  •  How does the Laodicean church regard itself? Revelation 3: 17, first part.

NOTE: ‘What greater deception can come upon human minds than a confidence that they are right when they are all wrong! The message of the True Witness finds the people of God in a sad deception, yet honest in that deception. They know not that their condition is deplorable in the sight of God. While those addressed are flattering themselves that they are in an exalted spiritual condition, the message of the True Witness breaks their security by the startling denunciation of their true condition of spiritual blindness, poverty, and wretchedness. The testimony, so cutting and severe, cannot be a mistake, for it is the True Witness who speaks, and His testimony must be correct. It is difficult for those who feel secure in their attainments, and who believe themselves to be rich in spiritual knowledge, to receive the message which declares that they are deceived and in need of every spiritual grace. The unsanctified heart is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” I was shown that many are flattering themselves that they are good Christians, who have not a ray of light from Jesus. They have not a living experience for themselves in the divine life.’ Testimonies Volume 3, page 252.

‘Especially should our ministers beware of indolence and pride, which are apt to grow out of a consciousness that we have the truth and strong arguments which our opponents cannot meet; and while the truths which we handle are mighty to the pulling down of the strongholds of the powers of darkness, there is danger of neglecting personal piety, purity of heart, and entire consecration to God. There is danger of their feeling that they are rich and increased with goods, while they lack the essential qualifications of Christians.’ Testimonies Volume 3, page 210.

  • How does the faithful and true Witness view the Laodicean church? Revelation 3: 17, last part.

NOTE: ‘I have been shown that unbelief in the testimonies of warning, encouragement, and reproof is shutting away the light from God’s people. Unbelief is closing their eyes so that they are ignorant of their true condition. The True Witness thus describes their blindness: “And knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Faith in the soon coming of Christ is waning. “My Lord delayeth His coming” is not only said in the heart, but expressed in words and most decidedly in works. Stupidity in this watching time is sealing the senses of God’s people as to the signs of the times. The terrible iniquity which abounds calls for the greatest diligence and for the living testimony, to keep sin out of the church. Faith has been decreasing to a fearful degree, and it is only by exercise that it can increase.’ Testimonies Volume 3, page 255 – 256.

‘I counsel thee…’

  •  To restore the Laodicean church, what precious counsel does the faithful and true Witness give? Revelation 3: 18.

NOTE: ‘The True Witness counsels us to buy of Him gold tried in the fire, white raiment, and eyesalve. The gold here recommended as having been tried in the fire is faith and love. It makes the heart rich; for it has been purged until it is pure, and the more it is tested, the more brilliant is its lustre. The white raiment is purity of character, the righteousness of Christ imparted to the sinner. This is indeed a garment of heavenly texture, that can be bought only of Christ for a life of willing obedience. The eyesalve is that wisdom and grace which enables us to discern between the evil and the good, and to detect sin under any guise. God has given His church eyes which He requires them to anoint with wisdom, that they may see clearly; but many would put out the eyes of the church if they could; for they would not have their deeds come to the light, lest they should be reproved. The divine eyesalve will impart clearness to the understanding. Christ is the depository of all graces. He says: “Buy of Me.”’ Testimonies Volume 4, page 88.

  • In order to buy these precious gifts from the faithful and true Witness, what work are the Laodiceans called upon to engage in? Revelation 3: 19.

NOTE: ‘The Lord has shown me in vision some things concerning the church in its present lukewarm state, which I will relate to you. The church was presented before me in vision. Said the angel to the church: “Jesus speaks to thee, ‘Be zealous and repent.’” This work, I saw, should be taken hold of in earnest. There is something to repent of. Worldly-mindedness, selfishness, and covetousness have been eating out the spirituality and life of God’s people. The danger of God’s people for a few years past has been the love of the world. Out of this have sprung the sins of selfishness and covetousness. The more they get of this world, the more they set their affections on it; and still they reach out for more. Said the angel: “It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Yet many who profess to believe that we are having the last note of warning to the world, are striving with all their energies to place themselves in a position where it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for them to enter the kingdom. These earthly treasures are blessings when rightly used. Those who have them should realise that they are lent them of God and should cheerfully spend their means to advance His cause. They will not lose their reward here. They will be kindly regarded by the angels of God and will also lay up a treasure in heaven. I saw that Satan watches the peculiar, selfish, covetous temperament of some who profess the truth, and he will tempt them by throwing prosperity in their path, offering them the riches of earth. He knows that if they do not overcome their natural temperament, they will stumble and fall by loving mammon, worshipping their idol. Satan’s object is often accomplished. The strong love of the world overcomes, or swallows up, the love of the truth. The kingdoms of the world are offered them, and they eagerly grasp their treasure and think they are wonderfully prospered. Satan triumphs because his plan has succeeded. They have given up the love of God for the love of the world.’ Testimonies Volume 1, pages 141 – 142.

‘Behold I stand at the door’

  •  Where is the faithful and true Witness pictured as standing? Revelation 3: 20, first part.

NOTE: ‘I saw that many have so much rubbish piled up at the door of their heart that they cannot get the door open. Some have difficulties between themselves and their brethren to remove. Others have evil tempers, selfish covetousness, to remove before they can open the door. Others have rolled the world before the door of their heart, which bars the door. All this rubbish must be taken away, and then they can open the door and welcome the Saviour in.’ Testimonies Volume 1, pages 143.

‘The True Witness says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” Revelation 3: 20. Every warning, reproof, and entreaty in the word of God or through His messengers is a knock at the door of the heart. It is the voice of Jesus asking for entrance. With every knock unheeded, the disposition to open becomes weaker. The impressions of the Holy Spirit if disregarded today, will not be as strong tomorrow. The heart becomes less impressible, and lapses into a perilous unconsciousness of the shortness of life, and of the great eternity beyond. Our condemnation in the judgement will not result from the fact that we have been in error, but from the fact that we have neglected heaven-sent opportunities for learning what is truth.’ Desire of Ages, page 490.

  • What exceeding great and precious promise does the faithful and true Witness give to the one who opens the door to Him? Revelation 3: 20.

NOTE: ‘Oh, how precious was this promise, as it was shown to me in vision! “I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Oh, the love, the wondrous love of God! After all our lukewarmness and sins He says: “Return unto Me, and I will return unto thee, and will heal all thy backslidings.”’ Testimonies, Volume 1, page 143.

‘So great is the unwillingness of the Lord to leave you, and such is His love toward you, that notwithstanding your life has not been in accordance with His will, and your works and ways have been offensive to Him, the Majesty of heaven condescends to beg the privilege of making you a visit and leaving you His blessing: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” The mansions in glory are His, and the joy of that heavenly abode; yet He humbles Himself to seek an entrance at the door of your heart, that He may bless you with His light and make you to rejoice in His glory. His work is to seek and to save that which is lost and ready to perish. He wishes to redeem as many as He can from sin and death, that He may elevate them to His throne and give them everlasting life.’ Testimonies Volume 2, page 224.

‘The Saviour… is not repulsed by scorn or turned aside by threatening, but continually seeks the lost ones, saying, “How shall I give thee up?” Hosea 11: 8. Although His love is driven back by the stubborn heart, He returns to plead with greater force, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” The winning power of His love compels souls to come in. And to Christ they say, “Thy gentleness hath made me great.” Psalm 18: 35.’ Christ’s Object Lessons, page 235.

‘To him that overcometh…’

  •  What promise is given to the overcomer? Revelation 3: 21.

NOTE: ‘“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” We can overcome. Yes; fully, entirely. Jesus died to make a way of escape for us, that we might overcome every evil temper, every sin, every temptation, and sit down at last with Him. It is our privilege to have faith and salvation. The power of God has not decreased. His power, I saw, would be just as freely bestowed now as formerly. It is the church of God that have lost their faith to claim, their energy to wrestle, as did Jacob, crying: “I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.” Enduring faith has been dying away. It must be revived in the hearts of God’s people. There must be a claiming of the blessing of God. Faith, living faith, always bears upward to God and glory; unbelief, downward to darkness and death.’ Testimonies Volume 1, page 144.

  • How can we overcome our sins and weaknesses? Revelation 3: 21, 1 Peter 2: 21 – 23.

NOTE: ‘Ample provisions have been made for all who sincerely, earnestly, and thoughtfully set about the work of perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Strength, grace, and glory have been provided through Christ, to be brought by ministering angels to the heirs of salvation. None are so low, so corrupt and vile, that they cannot find in Jesus, who died for them, strength, purity, and righteousness, if they will put away their sins, cease their course of iniquity, and turn with full purpose of heart to the living God. He is waiting to strip them of their garments, stained and polluted by sin, and to put upon them the white, bright robes of righteousness; and He bids them live and not die. In Him they may flourish. Their branches will not wither nor be fruitless. If they abide in Him, they can draw sap and nourishment from Him, be imbued with His Spirit, walk even as He walked, overcome as He overcame, and be exalted to His own right hand.’ Testimonies Volume 2, pages 453 – 454.

‘We are to seek for the pearl of great price, but not in worldly marts or in worldly ways. The price we are required to pay is not gold or silver, for this belongs to God. Abandon the idea that temporal or spiritual advantages will win for you salvation. God calls for your willing obedience. He asks you to give up your sins. “To him that overcometh,” Christ declares, “will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” Revelation 3: 21. There are some who seem to be always seeking for the heavenly pearl. But they do not make an entire surrender of their wrong habits. They do not die to self that Christ may live in them. Therefore they do not find the precious pearl. They have not overcome unholy ambition and their love for worldly attractions. They do not take up the cross and follow Christ in the path of self-denial and sacrifice. Almost Christians, yet not fully Christians, they seem near the kingdom of heaven, but they cannot enter there. Almost but not wholly saved, means to be not almost but wholly lost.’ Christ’s Object Lessons, pages 117 – 118.

What Does Soul-Saving Mean?

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There are two reasons why the majority of remnant-church members, among big or small congregations, have fallen into the Laodicean condition: 1) Misdirected delegation. They have gladly turned over the work of soul-saving to the institution’s soul-saving departments, a distinctly human tendency of escaping responsibility or “passing the buck.” 2) They do not fully realize that the work of soul-saving encompasses their daily lives and every little thing they say and do. The impartial, yet merciful and accurate, judgment will take all of these into account. “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14.

“Everywhere there is a tendency to substitute the work of organizations for individual effort. Human wisdom tends to consolidation, to centralization, to the building up of great churches and institutions. Multitudes leave to institutions and organizations the work of benevolence; they excuse themselves from contact with the world, and their hearts grow cold. They become self-absorbed and unimpressible. Love for God and man dies out of the soul.

“Christ commits to His followers an individual work—a work that cannot be done by proxy. Ministry to the sick and the poor, the giving of the gospel to the lost, is not to be left to committees or organized charities. Individual responsibility, individual effort, personal sacrifice, is the requirement of the Gospel.” The Ministry of Healing, 147.

Individual Accountability

On the other hand, not enough is being said and done by the leadership itself to emphasize the very nature of the Investigative Judgment as regards the individual accountability of each member for how his character exerts an influence, consciously or unconsciously, upon others, towards eternal life or eternal death. Soul-saving is thought to be the exclusive work and responsibility of evangelists, pastors, ministers, Bible workers, etc. While this is true in the strictest sense, each member has a non-transferable, inescapable, definite role for soul-saving—because of the talents entrusted to him, especially that of life and time. Notice the following:

“Thou God seest me.” Genesis 16:13. “God is a vigilant observer of the actions of the children of men. Nothing occurs in earth or heaven without the knowledge of the Creator. Nothing can happen without His permission. He on whom the fate of an empire may depend is watched over with a vigilance which knows no relaxation by Him who ‘giveth salvation into kings,’ [Psalm 144:10] to whom belong ‘the shields of the earth’ [Psalm 47:9]. And the poor man is as tenderly watched over as the monarch upon his throne.

“God is constantly at work for the good of His creatures. . . . Times without number God has interposed to avert death, to keep men, women, and children in safety when Satan purposed a result wholly disastrous. . . .” My Life Today, 291.

While the above passages offer great comfort and assurance to God’s people who are in distress or who are being persecuted for righteousness sake (Matthew 5:10), it must never be forgotten that God loves righteousness but hates iniquity or sin, as well as rebellious sinners, “with perfect [or righteous] hatred.” (See Hebrews 1:8, 9; Psalm 139:22.) Because God is merciful, just, and righteous, His perfect love of purity will bring sin and impenitent sinners to a just and merciful judgment. Thus, the pre-advent or Investigative Judgment:

“In the Judgment the use made of every talent will be scrutinized. How have we employed the capital lent us of Heaven? Will the Lord at His coming receive His own with usury? Have we improved the powers entrusted us, in hand and heart and brain, to the glory of God and the blessing of the world? How have we used our time, our pen, our voice, our money, our influence? What have we done for Christ, in the person of the poor, the afflicted, the orphan, or the widow? God has made us the depositaries of His Holy Word; what have we done with the light and truth given us to make men wise unto salvation? No value is attached to a mere profession of faith in Christ; only the love which is shown by works is counted genuine. Yet it is love alone which in the sight of Heaven makes any act of value. Whatever is done from love, however small it may appear in the estimation of men, is accepted and rewarded of God.” The Great Controversy, 487.

Love for Self

While one may hasten to point out that whatever he or she is currently doing is “being done out of love” and thus is “accepted and rewarded by God,” the following paragraph qualifies it and takes it beyond any level of rationalization or self-justification. The secret motives that actuated their deeds that were supposedly “done out of love,” hidden to men and women their whole lives, will be revealed. They were actually done out of love for self, not for God’s glory, in accordance to His revealed will in the Law and Testimonies.

“The hidden selfishness of men stands revealed in the books of heaven. There is the record of unfulfilled duties to their fellow men, of forgetfulness of the Saviour’s claims. There they will see how often were given to Satan the time, thought, and strength that belonged to Christ. Sad is the record which angels bear to heaven. Intelligent beings, professed followers of Christ, are absorbed in the acquirement of worldly possessions or the enjoyment of earthly pleasures. Money, time, and strength are sacrificed for display and self-indulgence; but few are the moments devoted to prayer, to the searching of the Scriptures, to humiliation of soul and confession of sin.” Ibid., 487, 488.

“How solemn is the thought! Day after day, passing into eternity, bears its burden of records for the books of Heaven. Words once spoken, . . . can never be recalled. Angels have registered both the good and the evil. The mightiest conqueror upon the earth cannot call back the record of even a single day. Our acts, our words, even our most secret motives, all have their weight in deciding our destiny for weal or woe. Though they may be forgotten by us, they will bear their testimony to justify or condemn.

“As the features of the countenance are reproduced with unerring accuracy on the polished plate of the artist, so the character is faithfully delineated in the books above. Yet how little solicitude is felt concerning that record which is to meet the gaze of heavenly beings. Could the veil which separates the visible from the invisible world be swept back, and the children of men behold an angel recording every word and deed, which they must meet again in the judgment, how many words that are daily uttered would remain unspoken, how many deeds would remain undone.” Ibid., 486, 487.

In addition to doing the actual medical missionary work, giving Bible studies, preparing souls to accept Christ through baptism, and nurturing new members to grow in the faith and in the knowledge of the Scriptures towards character perfection, the following ways of witnessing are not given the attention of which they are worthy. Yet they are as important as a successful campaign of public evangelism!

A Saving Silent Influence

“Ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the Word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.”

1 Thessalonians 1:7, 8.

“If you can exert a saving influence over one soul, remember there is joy in heaven over the one that repented. . . . You may, by judicious effort, be the means of bringing back the lost sheep to Jesus’ fold. Although you may be young, you must work with Christ; with His Spirit in your heart you can do much more than it now seems possible for you to do.

“If your example is Christlike, that alone, if you do not say a word, will be a help to many. Patient continuance in well-doing will help others to place their feet in the path of truth and righteousness. . . . Be careful to start right, and then keep quietly on.

“The firm purposes you may possess in carrying out good principles will have an influence to balance souls in the right direction. There is no limit to the good you may do. If you make the Word of God the rule of your life, and govern your actions by its precepts, making all your purposes and exertions in the fulfilling of your duty a blessing . . . , success will crown your efforts.

“The youth [as well as the older ones, too] who are consecrated to God sway a mighty influence for good. Preachers or laymen advanced in years cannot have one half the influence for good upon the young that the youth, if devoted to God, can have upon their associates.” My Life Today, 122.

Influence by Example

“The unstudied, unconscious influence of a holy life is the most convincing sermon that can be given in favor of Christianity.” The Acts of the Apostles, 511.

“Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12.

Influenced by our Atmosphere

“By the atmosphere surrounding us, every person with whom we come in contact is consciously or unconsciously affected.

“This is a responsibility from which we cannot free ourselves. Our words, our acts, our dress, our deportment, even the expression of the countenance, has an influence. Upon the impression thus made there hang results for good or evil which no man can measure. Every impulse thus imparted is seed sown which will produce its harvest. It is a link in the long chain of human events, extending we know not whither.” Messages to Young People, 417

“Every soul is surrounded by an atmosphere of its own [counterfeited by the New Age aura],—an atmosphere, it may be, charged with the lifegiving power of faith, courage, and hope, and sweet with the fragrance of love. Or it may be heavy and chill with the gloom of discontent and selfishness, or poisonous with the deadly taint of sin.” Ibid.

“If by our example we aid others in the development of good principles, we give them power to do good. In their turn they exert the same influence upon others, and they upon still others. Thus by our unconscious influence thousands may be blessed.

“Throw a pebble into the lake, and a wave is formed; and another and another; and as they increase, the circle widens, until it reaches the very shore. So with our influence. Beyond our knowledge or control it tells upon others in blessing or cursing.

“Character is power. The silent witness of a true, unselfish, godly life carries an almost irresistible influence. By revealing in our own life the character of Christ, we co-operate with Him in the work of saving souls. It is only by revealing in our life His character that we can co-operate with Him. And the wider the sphere of our influence, the more good we may do. When those who profess to serve God follow Christ’s example, practicing the principles of the law in their daily life; when every act bears witness that they love God supremely and their neighbor as themselves, then will the church have power to move the world.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 339, 340.

Our Words

“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.” 1 Peter 3:10, 11.

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Proverbs 25:11.

“If the lips were constantly guarded so that no guile could corrupt them, what an amount of suffering, degradation, and misery might be prevented. If we would say nothing to wound or grieve, except in necessary reproof of sin, that God might not be dishonored, how much misunderstanding, bitterness, and anguish would be prevented. If we would speak words of good cheer, words of hope and faith in God, how much light we might shed upon the pathway of others, to be reflected in still brighter beams upon our own souls. . . .” My Life Today, 180.

Help Others

“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 1 Timothy 4:16.

“I have read of a man who, journeying on a winter’s day through deep drifts of snow, became benumbed by the cold, which was almost imperceptibly freezing his vital powers. He was nearly chilled to death, and was about to give up the struggle for life, when he heard the moans of a fellow traveler who was also perishing with cold. His sympathy was aroused, and he determined to rescue him. He chafed the ice-cold limbs of the unfortunate man, and after considerable effort raised him to his feet. As the sufferer could not stand, he bore him in sympathizing arms through the very drifts he had thought he could never get through alone.

“When he had carried his fellow traveler to a place of safety, the truth flashed home to him that in saving his neighbor he had also saved himself. His earnest efforts to help another had quickened the blood that was freezing in his own veins and sent a healthy warmth to the extremities of his body.

“The lesson that in helping others we ourselves receive help must be urged upon young believers continually, by precept and example, that in their Christian experience they may gain the best results. Let the desponding ones, those disposed to think that the way to eternal life is trying and difficult, go to work to help others.” My Life Today, 234.

“Every truly converted soul will be intensely desirous to bring others from the darkness of error into the marvelous light of the righteousness of Jesus Christ.” Ibid., 59.

Speak the Truth

Ezekiel 3:17–21 says that if we speak the truth boldly in God’s love to warn the erring one, and he repents, we have saved a soul and saved our souls as well. But if we refuse to warn the erring when God plainly brings the task upon us, that person will lose his soul and you and I have lost ours as well. It is in this sense that we are expected of God, by His enabling grace, to possess the courage of heroes and the faith of martyrs!

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58.

“Those who stand in defense of the honor of God, and maintain the purity of truth at any cost, will have manifold trials, as did our Saviour in the wilderness of temptation. The yielding temperaments, who have not courage to condemn wrong, but keep silent when their influence is needed to stand in the defense of right against any pressure, may avoid many heartaches and escape many perplexities, and lose a very rich reward, if not their own souls.

“Those who in harmony with God, and through faith in Him, receive strength to resist wrong, and stand in defense of the right, will always have severe conflicts and will frequently have to stand almost alone [in the choices and in the decisions they make]. But precious victories will be theirs while they make God their dependence. His grace will be their strength. Their moral sense will be keen, clear, and sensitive. Their moral powers will be equal to withstand wrong influences. Their integrity, like that of Moses, of the purest character.” My Life Today, 320.

Relieve Suffering

“And He sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.” Luke 9:2.

“Christ established His temporary hospital on the green hill slopes of Galilee and in every other place where the sick and the suffering could be brought to Him. In every city, every town, every village through which He passed, with the tender compassion of a loving Father He laid His hand upon the afflicted ones, and made them whole. This same work Christ has empowered His church to do.

“At the close of His earthly ministry, when He charged His disciples with a solemn commission to go ‘into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,’ He declared that their ministry would receive confirmation through the restoration of the sick to health. Ye ‘shall lay hands on the sick,’ He said, ‘and they shall recover.’ Mark 16:15, 18. By healing in His name the diseases of the body, they would testify to His power for the healing of the soul.

“The Saviour’s commission to the disciples includes all believers to the end of time. . . . Never has the world’s need for teaching and healing been greater than it is today. The world is full of those who need to be ministered unto—the weak, the helpless, the ignorant, the degraded.

“God’s people are to be genuine medical missionaries. They are to learn to minister to the needs of soul and body. They should know how to give the simple treatments that do so much to relieve pain and remove disease. They should be familiar with the principles of health reform, that they may show others how, by right habits of eating, drinking, and dressing, disease may be prevented and health regained. . . . The Great Physician . . . will bless every one who will go forward humbly and trustfully, seeking to impart the truth for this time.

“In a special sense the healing of the sick is our work.” My Life Today, 226.

“The necessities of life must be attended to, the sick must be cared for, the wants of the needy must be supplied. He will not be held guiltless who neglects to relieve suffering on the Sabbath. God’s holy rest day was made for man, and acts of mercy [not mercenary acts!] are in perfect harmony with its intent. God does not desire His creatures to suffer an hour’s pain that may be relieved upon the Sabbath or any other day. . . .

“Labor to relieve the suffering was pronounced by our Saviour a work of mercy and no violation of the Sabbath.” Ibid., 231. (See John 9:1–14.)

Remember, we are saved in order to save others, not that we are saviours in and of ourselves, but that we are engaged in the sacred work of saving souls as co-laborers with Christ, pointing the sinner to Christ Jesus, the Source of salvation! Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.” John 12:32.

Lessons From the Book of Amos, Part IV

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What Might Have Been

Ellen White records for us a vision that was given to her of the work that was taking place in Battle Creek, Michigan. The vision that she relates is about a meeting that occurred in the Tabernacle Church:

“We were assembled in the auditorium of the Tabernacle. Prayer was offered, a hymn was sung, and prayer was again offered. Most earnest supplication was made to God. The meeting was marked by the presence of the Holy Spirit. The work went deep, and some present were weeping aloud.” Testimonies, vol. 8, 104.

She goes on to say that the issue at hand involved the reception of the message to the Laodicean church, the need for repentance on the part of God’s people, and their reconciliation one with another. Those attending the meeting were often heard repeating the words of Jesus: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19.

She continues: “No one seemed to be too proud to make heartfelt confession, and those who led in this work were the ones who had influence, but had not before had courage to confess their sins.

“There was rejoicing such as never before had been heard in the Tabernacle.” Ibid., 105.

Would not that have been a tremendous occasion to witness?

“Then I aroused from my unconsciousness, and for a while could not think where I was. My pen was still in my hand. The words were spoken to me: ‘This might have been. All this the Lord was waiting to do for His people. All heaven was waiting to be gracious.’ I thought of where we might have been had thorough work been done at the last General Conference, and an agony of disappointment came over me as I realized that what I had witnessed was not a reality.” Ibid., 105, 106.

What a disappointment! You know, it is not good to dwell on things that might have been. It means sweet dreams dispelled, fair hopes blighted, and human lives ruined. Yet, dear friend, this was the prophet’s task.

Sorrow of a Prophet

This is the setting for the fifth chapter of Amos. Amos has a very heavy heart as he writes these words concerning the Northern kingdom of Israel: “Hear ye this word which I take up against you, [even] a lamentation, O house of Israel. The virgin of Israel is fallen; she shall no more rise: she is forsaken upon her land; [there is] none to raise her up. For thus saith the Lord God; The city that went out [by] a thousand shall leave an hundred, and that which went forth [by] an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel.” Verses 1–3.

Amos was chosen by God because he was spiritually in tune with God. He understood what was transpiring, and no doubt, the lament had at its core “what might have been.” And now, instead of “what might have been,” there comes the need to face the reality of “what is.”

I wonder how many prophets have been shown “what might have been” down though the centuries of time. Many prophets wrote, “I have seen things that I cannot describe. I have seen things that I cannot put into words.” How many times have prophets seen what might have been and, because they were in one accord with God and desired His will, were overcome with sorrow upon returning to a state of consciousness?

Think of the Lord Jesus Christ, the God of heaven, Who came down to this earth and walked among men, taking upon Himself human flesh, knowing the realities of heaven and knowing what it was like to be in tune with the Father. Yet, as He walked and as He saw what was taking place in the temple porticos, the Bible tells us that He was “a man of sorrows.” Isaiah 53:3. I can understand that. The Scriptures tell the sad story.

God has always extended a very glorious picture to His people. So often, however, they respond in like manner as we find recorded in Ezekiel 33:31–33: “And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee [as] my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, [but] their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou [art] unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.”

The Virgin is Fallen

Amos describes the people of God as wanting to come, sit, and listen to very melodious and beautiful music, but when the prophet comes to them with a message in hope of changing the direction of their lives, they do not want to hear it. They want to hear a lovely song sung. When the reality finally sets in of the consequences for rejecting God, it will be for them too late. This is the story that Amos here records. He says, “The virgin of Israel is fallen.”

Amos presents this matter to the Northern kingdom, using the illustration of a girl in her beautiful youth who is cut down, never to rise again. In every culture, in every land, there seems to be an awesome regard for youth. Youth is portrayed as that time in life when everything is a bowl of cherries. When a young person tragically loses his or her life, old and young feel it very deeply. That is the picture presented here—a girl in the blossoming of her youth was cut down.

Every time I hear of a young person who has lost his or her life, the thought always comes to me, What might it have been for that person, had he or she lived? What would have been the direction of his or her life?

The Reality

Amos is entertaining the same thought, and then he brings us the reality of the picture. Those who compose the cities, Amos says, will suffer until they are left with only ten percent of what they formerly had.

When a city suffers a fate like this, its glory is gone. It is not a very bright picture that is painted here by Amos. But what we need to focus on is the fact that this ten percent constitutes a remnant. The 90 percent that were sufficient to produce a glory of the city are going to be stripped away. We are told in Psalm 37:11 that “the meek shall inherit the earth.” And so a remnant is left. It is not intended to be a bright picture. It is a picture that is painted with dark colors, a picture of darkness and gloom.

“For thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live.” Amos 5:4. God is hoping that the ten percent will increase. There will be a remnant that will be left, but He is wanting more than that. Most are going to be lost; the virgin is going to be cut down.

“But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought. Seek the Lord, and ye shall live; lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and devour [it], and [there be] none to quench [it] in Bethel.” Verses 5, 6. The places that Amos refers to here—Bethel, Gilgal, and Beersheba—were places of sacred memory to Israel.

One of my responsibilities as a pastor is that of marriage counseling. I always ask the couple in distress what it was that brought them together in the first place. How did they meet? What are the memories of their early affections?

These verses reveal that God is basically doing the same thing. These three locations were places of sacred memory. Bethel was where Jacob dreamed of the ladder that led to heaven and where he made his vow to be the Lord’s. Gilgal was the place where the people reconsecrated themselves before they entered into Canaan. Beersheba was where Abraham called on the Lord, where Isaac built his altar, and where Jacob offered sacrifice before going into Egypt to be re-united with his son, Joseph.

But the tragedy is that all of these places of sacred memory for Israel and the resulting heritage had now been transformed into places of idolatrous practices. It is sad but true that places of sacred memory can be, through a transforming process, turned into places of haunt.

Plea to Return

So God appealed to His people to seek Him and to turn back. Even though the divine sentence had been pronounced, God was still pleading with any that may have been in the valley of decision.

Hosea was a contemporary with Amos. They wrote at the same time, and the story and the appeal were the same. Hosea unfolded to his readers that, even though Israel was unfaithful, God could take them back. The cry was, “How can I give thee up, O Ephraim? Turn and come back to Me, and I will heal all your backslidings. I will forgive your sins, if you will only come back.” (See Hosea 14:1–4.) Amos gave the same appeal.

This has always been the appeal that God has given. Regardless of what you have done, He says, “I will take you back. Just come to Me. Learn of Me. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me.”

In the time of the antediluvians, Noah built an ark, which held the portent of their destruction. For 120 years, with every wooden peg that was driven, Noah proclaimed to the people that destruction was on its way. “Turn from your wicked ways,” was the cry, but when the time came and the door of the ark was closed, only eight were saved.

Then there was Jerusalem. Jerusalem was thrust into a position of desolation. When Jesus stood on the Mount of Olives and cried out, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not!” Matthew 23:37. You would not what? You would not come to Me. You would not come and have your sins forgiven. You would not put away your unrighteous ways. You would not allow the Spirit to change your heart. Therefore, “your house is left unto you desolate.” Verse 38. Interestingly, even though these words of Jesus held the portent of their destruction, those in Jerusalem still received the exposure and witness of Pentecostal power, as He hoped that more would come to Him.

God’s threatenings are based upon the condition of man’s conduct. The threatenings of God are given concerning a certain set of circumstances created by men. If and when those circumstances change, through their repentance, the threatenings cease to apply. You see, those threatenings are designed to turn men back to God, not to plunge them into despair.

Protection of the Poor

“Ye who turn judgment to wormwood, and leave off righteousness in the earth, [Seek him] that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The Lord [is] his name: That strengtheneth the spoiled against the strong, so that the spoiled shall come against the fortress.” Amos 5:7–9.

God does not leave them wondering what they are going to do when the judgement comes. They have turned “judgment to wormwood.” Wormwood is mentioned in the Book of Revelation. It is a plant that has a very bitter, pungent taste, and here, Amos denounces those who have made the procedure of going to tribunals for protection a hateful, bitter experience. They have gone for a resolve, only to find bitterness.

The Lord had set in place the process of resolve for the purpose of protecting the poor from those who would try to take advantage of their unfortunate circumstances. There are always people who would fall into this category, and God takes a special interest in protecting His people from hurt and harm.

The interesting part about this is that the Jews have always had the reputation of striking a sharp deal, and they have handed this trait down to their posterity—literally as well as spiritually. Ellen White writes about striking sharp deals: “There should be in our business deal no shadow of selfishness or overreaching. Let no one take advantage of any man’s ignorance or necessity.” Testimonies, vol. 7, 163. We, as Seventh-day Adventists, have some things to learn in these areas. God especially hates this. In the days of Amos, it had become so difficult to obtain justice that God termed it “wormwood.” As a result, righteousness was left off in the earth. This should speak to us, as a church, today.

Turn Away

I could not begin to count the number of times I have heard stories in which individuals have made appeals to the church to do the right thing, only to be brushed aside. I do not know how many letters I have written about such situations. Maybe you have written letters, too, only to be flicked off like a bug. God said that is not the way it is to be. He pleaded for His people to turn away from sin and not do it anymore, because there are consequences that will come from such actions.

When we have it set in our minds that we are the only ones who have the right answer, and we fail to take into account the understandings of others, an attitude develops that we are right, that we will always be right, and that no one can tell us what we need to do. God says to turn away from this.

God says, “I am the One Who is to be your wisdom. I am the One Who, if you look to Me, will give you guidance and direction in every situation that you face, that indeed you will do the right thing, because I am the holy measurement. And every thing that you take off of Me will be measured right and correctly.”

This whole passage is an appeal to the people’s better sight. Turn away from sin, because there is infinite power in God, Who will help you through to salvation.

Prudent Silence

But the words take a turn in Amos 5:10, 11: “They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly. Forasmuch therefore as your treading [is] upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.” This is God’s view of the whole thing.

Isaiah gives a different view: “They [God’s people] shall build houses, and inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.” Isaiah 65:21. That will happen only when we have put ourselves into God’s care and keeping.

But the people depicted in the Book of Amos had become so self-exalted that they said, “We will be able to plant our vineyards, and we will have good wine next year, and we will build our houses, and we will be able to rejoice.” But God said, “No. You are not going to enjoy any of it,” for Amos 5 continues, “For I know your manifold transgressions, and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate [from their right]. Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it [is] an evil time.” Verses 12, 13.

An interesting fact of reality comes alive here. Verse 10 says, “They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.” The one that was set up in the gate was appointed by God and was a mouthpiece or a spokesman for God. The gate was that special place of appointment where justice was to be rendered. If there was any place that was to hold a place of right doing, it was the gate of the city. Many times, throughout Scripture, God talks about the injustice that takes place at the gate. There will be an accounting for that.

What is the attitude revealed here? Well, it is an attitude of selfishness and arrogance—don’t tell me what to do; I want my own way. When this type of an attitude prevails, the Bible says that the prudent man keeps silence.

Have you ever heard someone say, Don’t keep harping on that; it makes me mad? Perhaps we have even said that ourselves. The better part of wisdom is, when something has been said, leave it alone. If there is no change, prudence dictates that silence is golden.

To know when to be silent and when to speak takes much wisdom. Why does it take wisdom? Because self gets in the way. Self wants to assert self. We always want the last word, do we not? Why? Because we know we are right, and the other person is wrong. If we can just speak a little bit longer, we feel that our last word will have the power of convincing. But I can tell you, if we would follow the counsel of the prophet about being prudent in knowing when to remain silent, it could save a lot of domestic dispute and violence. Be quiet!

Patiently Wait Upon the Lord

There is a tendency for us to run ahead of God. There is a tendency for us to become impatient. Do you remember the story of King Saul? When the Israelites were getting ready to go into battle against the Philistines, Samuel was to come and offer sacrifice. King Saul was to wait for Samuel to come, but he grew impatient and offered the sacrifice himself. (See 1 Samuel 13:8–10.) He had no business offering sacrifice. “Samuel had appointed to meet the king at Gilgal, there to ‘offer burnt-offerings and sacrifices, and to show him what he should do.’ The prophet did not arrive within the allotted time, and as Saul saw their dangers increasing, and the hearts of the people failing for fear, he became impatient. Instead of resorting to prayer, and humbling his soul before God, he determined to do something himself to relieve the difficulties of the situation.” The Signs of the Times, August 3, 1882. Ellen White wrote that “equipped as he was with armor and weapons of war, he approached the altar and offered sacrifice before God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 618.

As soon as the sacrifice was offered, Samuel approached the encampment. Saul went out to greet him, proud of himself, of what he had done, and yet it was at that moment that judgment fell upon Saul’s house. “Saul endeavored to excuse his own course, by depicting the terror of the people and the danger of an immediate attack from the Philistines. But the prophet returned the stern and solemn answer,—

“ ‘Thou hast done foolishly. Thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee; for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue; the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him [to be] captain over his people, because thou hast not kept [that] which the Lord commanded thee.’ [1 Samuel 13:13, 14.]” The Signs of the Times, August 3, 1882.

Saul failed the test God had given him. “The Lord had detained his servant [Samuel], in order to test the faith and obedience of the king. Saul did not stand the test. God had promised to be with him, if he would be obedient. He should have trusted this promise, and waited patiently for divine instruction and guidance.” Ibid. Since he disobeyed, Saul had to suffer the consequence of his disobedience. “This act [the sacrifice] was a flagrant violation of the divine command that only those should offer sacrifice who had been sacredly consecrated to the work. Moreover, the public nature of the act, as well as the high position of the offender, added greatly to the pernicious influence of his example, and rendered prompt punishment indispensably necessary.” Ibid.

Accept the Remedy

“Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.” Amos 5:15. God is talking here to religious people. He is saying, “Let there be a change. Let things come about where it will be a seeking of Me and My way.” How do people get into such conditions? It seems that there is always a pattern followed from which the end can be quite accurately forecast.

One of the interesting things about the ministry is that in many ways the work of a pastor parallels that of a physician. People have trouble recognizing that fact.

A physician goes to school and studies medical practices and techniques for years. Then he or she serves an internship where hands-on-instruction is experienced. The intern sees patients with a skilled physician. After examining a patient, the intern will make a diagnosis, based on the information gleaned from other patients with the same symptoms. Perhaps 98 percent of the time, people accept the diagnosis of the physician. The physician generally will write a prescription for medicine. The patient willingly takes it to a pharmacy, receives and takes the medication, and usually gets over the problem.

A pastor’s work is a little different in that it deals with fruit. A pastor goes to school to learn how to inspect fruit, along with the study of the Word, because the Word tells the pastor what kind of fruit to look for. (“By their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:20.) When a pastor spots bad fruit, he says, “My, my, what I see here is bad fruit; let me give you a prescription.”

Do you know what the responses of the people are? “Who are you to tell us?”

The pastor may respond, “I have been sent to this church as the pastor to try to help you see where you are going. I have seen your condition before. I have seen this and this and this happen in this and this and this individual, so I can tell you where you are going, because your fruit is the exact same fruit.”

And the people say, “Who do you think you are?” They do not want to accept the diagnosis or the offered remedy.

Prophets have the same calling, to a great degree. There is always a pattern that is followed, and it can be pretty well forecast. What is taking place in Amos 5? Why did all these things transpire in the way that they did?

Too Pure

Amos was trying to say that, first of all, God had given the children of Israel a true system of worship. It was the same system that had been delivered in the Garden of Eden. When man was put out of the Garden, the system of religious worship was changed to give man hope of redemption.

Another element was at work then, as it is today. When God gives man something good, the devil is not content to leave well enough alone. Man, in and of himself, cannot create religion, but he can adapt it. He adapts it because the devil, who knows all about God and religion, gives him ideas. The sad revelation is that what God gives us in the way of religious principles—now consider this carefully—are too pure for us. Think about that for a minute.

What God gives us in the way of religious principles are too pure for us. If we would accept the principles He gives for what they are, they have the potential of lifting us up to the state of purity, to the perfection He requires. We, in our human nature, want to bring those principles down to a comfortable level for us. We accomplish this by compromising what we know is right and good, that which is delivered to us by the hand of God. We change the good that God has given to us to fit the ideals that the devil gives to us.

Idolatrous worship seems less of an apostasy if it retains some forms of true worship. That is usually the compromise. We do not want to go too fast or too far away from God’s principles, but we do want to feel comfortable, so the devil lets us down into idolatry, as into other sin, by easy stages. First, we get rid of the spirit of true worship but retain the form. Then we get rid of the object of worship, which then corrupts the form. And then we adopt a new object, and we adopt that into the worship, which is really corrupted. This is the way that all sin goes. Easy does it, until we do not recognize the path down which the small steps have led us.

This is exactly the process of how the papacy was formed. It did not happen overnight. It took nearly five centuries for the papacy to form into the institution that persecuted the saints.

Creeping Compromise

The worship that was set up at Bethel and Gilgal was not pure and simple idol worship. It was worship of God by means of idols and in forms that mimicked the worship at Jerusalem. You see, heresy at the outset always masquerades in the guise of truth. Sometimes, when you see this process taking place, it is very difficult to put your finger right on the issue. This is why it is called creeping compromise. It moves imperceptibly, but it moves. If it moves far enough for someone who is in tune with God to raise an alarm, usually that person is chastised that he or she is just being legalistic or is trying to ruin what others are attempting to accomplish. So the prudent man remains silent, and things begin to change. Heresy masquerades. By adopting a sheep’s clothing, the wolf gets easy access into the fold, and it is only after he has entered into the fold and the immediate danger is over that his true character is revealed. But then it is very hard to catch him and to throw him out of the fold.

We must know what truth is, be able to recognize it, and prevent error from corrupting that which is pure. That is the mission to which historic Adventism has been called. It has been called to stop these false issues, to give a warning, and to hold the truth in purity very high.

Day of Darkness

The people in Amos 5 were not only to stop seeking evil, but they were to hate evil and to love good. Unfortunately, they did not go in that direction.

“Therefore the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing [shall be] in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing. And in all vineyards [shall be] wailing: for I will pass through thee, saith the Lord. Woe unto you that desire the day of the Lord! to what end [is] it for you? the day of the Lord is darkness, and not light.” Amos 5:16–18.

The word therefore, in verse 16, has a reference that carries us back to the cause of this judgment. That which has been outlined earlier is now the cause of that which is to come. These people thought they were just about right on as far as religion was concerned, but they were a long way off. They were even looking forward to the day of the Lord to come. They were Seventh-day Adventists; they kept the Sabbath. They looked forward to the coming of Christ, but they did not have a clue as to what the real state of things was all about, because they hated everyone who tried to share the real issues with them. They abhorred those who were speaking the truth, and the prudent kept silent. They thought they were ready for the day of the Lord. They knew that when this event happened they would be set in a place of security and power. They felt that this was the time when God would conquer their foes and set them up as His people forever. They looked forward to that day. They would be the beneficiaries of it all. But the truth of the matter was that when the day of the Lord came, it would be a time when God would judge all sin—even theirs.

So Amos said that that day would be a day of darkness. He described it for them: “As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him. [Shall] not the day of the Lord [be] darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?” Verses 19, 20.

Then God continued to describe His feelings of nausea when it came to worship time. “I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.” Verse 21. This has to do with the incense of prayer that is being offered. “Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols. But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith the Lord, whose name [is] The God of hosts.” Verses 23–27.

God said, “I do not want anything to do with you. I hate everything with which you come to Me. You come and you offer worship; I hate it. I hate your feast days. You come and you sing your beautiful songs before Me; I do not want to listen. I do not even want anything to do with your instruments of music.”

Comparison Contrast

It is interesting that Amos played a comparison contrast here. God said, “I want to send you the purity of religion. I want to send you a purity that will elevate you. In order for you to rise to that purity, you need to have some guidance, some counsel, and I will send you prophets to accomplish that task.”

What did the people do? They hated those that God sent to them to help them. With the feeling of hatred in their hearts, they went to the temple and there began to play on the viols. They began to sing songs of music, and they bowed down in worship. God said, “You hate what I did for you. I hate what you are doing. I do not want to have anything to do with it. You do not want to have anything to do with those that I have sent to you; I do not want to have anything to do with you either.” There is a comparison contrast. Amos was trying to convey to them the feelings of God and how He felt about what they were doing with what He had sent to them as His good gifts.

“You will not listen; I will not listen. You hate; I hate.” But God said, “Mark it down. You will be the ones who will suffer far more than I. Judgments will come running down like a river upon you. You have neglected Me in times past. You have neglected Me in times present. You will not escape.”

Amos was not an easy prophet to have around—none of the prophets were. This is why the people killed them. This is why attempts were made to destroy their influence. The surprising thing about all of this is God’s forbearance.

God will forbear, but finally, there is a moment reached. None of us knows when our moment is reached, so the questions that we really need to ask ourselves are, How am I relating to the counsel that God gives? Are there things that, when I have heard them or when I have read them in the words of inspiration, I have ignored? I do not want to hear them, and if anyone says I ought to do them, I do not like them.

I have heard people, and I am sure you have heard people, who, when invited to a worship service, will ask, Who is preaching? If the speaker is perceived as one who preaches smooth things, you can be sure they will be there. If the speaker is known as one who speaks hard things, if he uses the Spirit of Prophecy, you will not see these people in attendance.

I saw this happen repeatedly when I pastored in Riverside, California,—right out the back door of Loma Linda. Many churches are clustered within close proximity of that area, and people are church floaters, going where they can get their ears tickled. (See 11 Timothy 4:3, 4.) That is not the way God would have it.

To be continued . . .

Pastor Mike Baugher is Associate Speaker for Steps to Life Ministry. He may be contacted by e-mail at: mikebaugher@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Inspiration – The Present Crisis

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The faith and patience of those who have waited long, have been sorely tried. “Hope deferred has made the heart sick;” and the cry has come up before God, “Lord, how long?” But now the signs are fulfilling—nation rising against nation, startling calamities by land and by sea, famine, pestilence, fearful storms, sweeping floods, and great conflagrations. All these testify that we are approaching the grand consummation. The cry going up to God from the waiting ones, will not be in vain. The response will come, “It is done.”…

The crisis is now upon us. The battle is to be waged between the Christianity of the Bible and the Christianity of human tradition. Is there not a criminal neglect in our present sleepy condition? There must be a decided advance movement among us. We must show to the world that we recognize, in the events that are now taking place in connection with the National Reform movement, the fulfillment of prophecy. …

The National Reform movement, that the world and the church have linked hands to bring about, will manifest the same oppression, haughtiness, arrogance, and intolerance which have prevailed in past ages. …

This nation has been highly favored of God. It has been the great center of religious light and liberty. O, do not sleep now, and in your inactivity feel that you are doing the will of God! The experience of God’s commandment-keeping people now should correspond with the events that are crowding upon us.

It should be the business of all the righteous in the land, as they see signs of the approach of peril, to arouse to action, and not sit in calm expectation of ruin, comforting themselves with the belief that this work must go on, because prophecy has foretold it, and that the Lord will shelter his people in the day of trial. Effectual, fervent prayers should be ascending to Heaven, that this calamity may be deferred; for we are not ready to meet it.

Every passing hour now is one of activity in the heavenly courts, to make ready a people upon the earth to act a part in the great scenes that are soon to open upon us. These transient moments, that seem of so little value to us, are weighty with eternal interests. They are molding the destiny of souls for everlasting life or everlasting death. The words we utter today in the ears of the people, the works we are doing, the spirit of the message we are bearing, will be to human souls the savor of life unto life or of death unto death. We must be washing our robes of character in the blood of the Lamb. If we would be saints above, we must first be saints below.

We have lost much time in inaction, because we have not realized the time in which we are living. This we deplore, and would humble our souls before God, pleading with him for pardon for sleeping at our post of duty, and allowing the enemy to gain the advantage over us. Many have chosen to do nothing, when they should have been diligent to repulse the enemy. Let your services now be dedicated to God. Gird on the armor for vigorous work, saying, “Here am I, Lord, send me.”

It is essential that we be much in prayer to God, that his voice and his power may be manifested in behalf of his people, and that the angels may hold the four winds until the truth is more fully proclaimed, and the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads. God is not pleased with the attitude of his people. Satan is taking the world captive, and the sentinels for God and the truth are letting him do it. “Watch then, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” [I Corinthinians 16:13]. Arouse, and come to the front. Be stanch to defend your religious liberty.

Many of our people are registered in the books of heaven as slothful servants. They have buried their talents of money and capability in the world, and the work they should have done has been left undone. Some to whom the Lord has intrusted means, have been ease-lovers, and have not done their duty in the fear and love of God. Many have left the smaller churches, to unite with larger ones, where they carry no burden of responsibility, and are only in the way. Such lose their spirituality and vital force, because they do comparatively nothing for the truth. What account will these have to give to the Master when he shall say, “Give account of thy stewardship”?

We are not ready for this great issue to which the enforcement of the Sunday law will bring us. Let the members of our churches become missionaries for the Master; let them not linger in ease and indifference; but let them go forth to work for God. Their spiritual muscles have been nearly palsied with inaction. Go without the camp, bearing the reproach for Christ and the truth. Work today in the Lord’s vineyard. Go out into the highways and hedges, and stir up the people to investigate the truth. Woe to all who profess to walk in the light, yet who are at ease in Zion. They absorb the God-given rays of righteousness, but do not diffuse the light to others. The parable of the faithless servant who hid his Lord’s money, condemns them, and they are classed among those who refuse to be co-laborers with Jesus Christ, selfishly caring for their own ease, and leaving those for whom Christ has died, to perish without the knowledge of the truth which God has graciously given to them. Those who have been the receivers of spiritual light, may become the receptacles of darkness, to whom the words of Christ are applicable, “If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! [Matthew 6:23] …

Every true child of God should now be inquiring, “What wouldst thou have me to do? Brethren, for Christ’s sake, do something, and do it now. Satanic influences are all around us, to be met and resisted. The tares are mingled with the wheat, error with truth, coldness with zeal, darkness with light. There must be a returning to our first love. We must battle nobly with tribulation and danger, in the midst of trials, tests, and provings of God. We must be rich in faith and good works. The message to the Laodicean church is applicable to those who have been made the repository of rich truth. This church is distinguished in prophecy by its great profession of advanced light; yet it was filled with spiritual pride and lukewarmness in religion. They had a religious theory, but were greatly lacking in moral power and holiness. They are pronounced wretched, poor, blind, and naked. O that our people would realize the danger, and heed the counsel of the True Witness, “Buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed; … and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see” [Revelation 3:18].

Will we now, who have such great light, make some sacrifice for Jesus, who for our sakes became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich? We must arouse, and through piety and earnest work for the Master, partake of his spirit of love for souls, of faith in God, that he may work with us, by us, and through us.

Excerpts from The Review and Herald, January 1, 1889.