top To Ancient SDA's ............ To "What's New?"
Comments on "Which God?"
Youth's Instructor 1903-09-22.002
(Also in 4BC 1168).
"The image revealed to Nebuchadnezzar, while representing
the deterioration of the kingdoms of the earth in power and
glory, also fitly represents the deterioration of religion and
morality among the people of these kingdoms. As nations forget
God, in like proportion they become weak morally."
YI.1903-09-22.003
"Babylon passed away because in her prosperity she forgot
God, and ascribed the glory of her prosperity to human
achievement."
YI.1903-09-22.004
"The Medo-Persian kingdom was visited by the wrath of heaven
because in this kingdom God's law was trampled under foot. The
fear of the Lord found no place in the hearts of the people. The
prevailing influences in Medo-Persia were wickedness, blasphemy,
and corruption."
YI.1903-09-22.005
"The kingdoms that followed were even more base and corrupt.
They deteriorated because they cast off their allegiance to God.
As they forgot him, they sank lower and still lower in the scale
of moral value."
YI.1903-09-22.006
"The vast empire of Rome crumbled to pieces, and from its
ruins rose that mighty power, the Roman Catholic Church. This
church boasts of her infallibility and her hereditary religion.
But this religion is a horror to all who are acquainted with the
secrets of the mystery of iniquity. The priests of this church
maintain their ascendency by keeping the people in ignorance of
God's will, as revealed in the Scriptures."
YI.1903-09-22.007
"It is sin that is ruining nations to-day. Even many leaders
in the religious world have not a good conscience toward God.
Many of those who claim to be Protestants have not the faith in
God's word that Luther had in the early days of the Reformation.
They have left the old landmarks, and depend on ceremony and
formal display to make up for their lack of the purity and piety,
the meekness and lowliness, found in obedience to God." Back to "Which
God?"
PK 623.003
"Ezra's motives were high and holy; in all that he
did he was actuated by a deep love for souls. The compassion and
tenderness that he revealed toward those who had sinned, either
willfully or through ignorance, should be an object lesson to all
who seek to bring about reforms. The servants of God are to be as
firm as a rock where right principles are involved; and yet,
withal, they are to manifest sympathy and forbearance. Like Ezra,
they are to teach transgressors the way of life by calculating
principles that are the foundation of all rightdoing."
RH.1908-02-06.002
"As Ezra strove to promulgate the truths he had learned, his
capabilities for labor increased and developed. He became a man
of piety and zeal, because the truth was a sanctifying power in
his soul. He was the Lord's witness to the world of what Bible
truth is when revealed in the daily life of the receiver. His
life, like the life of Christ, sowed the seeds of truth, by a
revelation of the pure principles that can save the soul. Far
happier would professed Christians be to-day if they would in the
same way reflect the light of heaven upon the pathway of others,
teaching in the life the statutes and judgments that rule in the
heavenly courts."
RH.1908-02-06.003 (Also in 3BC 1134).
"Shall we let the example of Ezra teach us the use we should
make of our knowledge of the Scriptures? The life of this servant
of God should be an inspiration to us to serve the Lord with
heart and mind and strength. We each have an appointed work to
do, and this can be accomplished only by consecrated effort. We
need first to set ourselves to know the requirements of God, and
then to practise them. Then we can sow seeds of truth that will
bear fruit unto eternal life." Back to "Which
God?"
DA 036.002 (Speaking of the Jews in Christ's
day, EGW wrote...)
"The people whom God had called to be the pillar and ground
of the truth had become representatives of Satan. They were doing
the work that he desired them to do, taking a course to
misrepresent the character of God, and cause the world to look
upon Him as a tyrant. The very priests who ministered in the
temple had lost sight of the significance of the service they
performed. They had ceased to look beyond the symbol to the thing
signified. In presenting the sacrificial offerings they were as
actors in a play. The ordinances which God Himself had appointed
were made the means of blinding the mind and hardening the heart.
God could do no more for man through these channels. The whole
system must be swept away."
DA.036.003
"The deception of sin had reached its height. All the
agencies for depraving the souls of men had been put in
operation. The Son of God, looking upon the world, beheld
suffering and misery. With pity He saw how men had become victims
of satanic cruelty. He looked with compassion upon those who were
being corrupted, murdered, and lost. They had chosen a ruler who
chained them to his car as captives. Bewildered and deceived,
they were moving on in gloomy procession toward eternal ruin, --
to death in which is no hope of life, toward night to which comes
no morning. Satanic agencies were incorporated with men. The
bodies of human beings, made for the dwelling place of God, had
become the habitation of demons. The senses, the nerves, the
passions, the organs of men, were worked by supernatural agencies
in the indulgence of the vilest lust. The very stamp of demons
was impressed upon the countenances of men. Human faces reflected
the expression of the legions of evil with which they were
possessed. Such was the prospect upon which the world's Redeemer
looked. What a spectacle for Infinite Purity to behold!"
DA.037.001
"Sin had become a science, and vice was consecrated as a
part of religion. Rebellion had struck its roots deep into the
heart, and the hostility of man was most violent against heaven.
It was demonstrated before the universe that, apart from God,
humanity could not be uplifted. A new element of life and power
must be imparted by Him who made the world."
DA.037.002
"With intense interest the unfallen worlds had watched to
see Jehovah arise, and sweep away the inhabitants of the earth.
And if God should do this, Satan was ready to carry out his plan
for securing to himself the allegiance of heavenly beings. He had
declared that the principles of God's government make forgiveness
impossible. Had the world been destroyed, he would have claimed
that his accusations were proved true. He was ready to cast blame
upon God, and to spread his rebellion to the worlds above. But
instead of destroying the world, God sent His Son to save it.
Though corruption and defiance might be seen in every part of the
alien province, a way for its recovery was provided. At the
very crisis, when Satan seemed about to triumph, the Son of God
came with the embassage of divine grace. Through every age,
through every hour, the love of God had been exercised toward the
fallen race. Notwithstanding the perversity of men, the signals
of mercy had been continually exhibited. And when the fullness of
the time had come, the Deity was glorified by pouring upon the
world a flood of healing grace that was never to be obstructed or
withdrawn till the plan of salvation should be fulfilled." Back to "Which
God?"
PK 615.001
"All were now ready to set forth. Before them was a journey
that would occupy several months. The men were taking with them
their wives and children, and their substance, besides large
treasure for the temple and its service. Ezra was aware that
enemies lay in wait by the way, ready to plunder and destroy him
and his company; yet he had asked from the king no armed force
for protection. 'I was ashamed,' he has explained, 'to require of
the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the
enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying,
The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him; but
His power and His wrath is against all them that forsake
Him'." Verse 22.
PK.615.002
"In this matter, Ezra and his companions saw an opportunity
to magnify the name of God before the heathen. Faith in the power
of the living God would be strengthened if the Israelites
themselves should now reveal implicit faith in their divine
Leader. They therefore determined to put their trust wholly in
Him. They would ask for no guard of soldiers. They would give the
heathen no occasion to ascribe to the strength of man the glory
that belongs to God alone. They could not afford to arouse in the
minds of their heathen friends one doubt as to the sincerity of
their dependence on God as His people. Strength would be gained,
not through wealth, not through the power and influence of
idolatrous men, but through the favor of God. Only by keeping the
law of the Lord before them, and striving to obey it, would they
be protected." Back to "Which God?"
Signs
of the Times 1894-09-10.011
The Importance of the Work.
"The word of God abounds in precious jewels of truth, and parents should bring them forth from their casket and present them before their children in their true luster. Parents, you think you have no time to do all this work; but if you do not train your family, Satan will supply your deficiency and educate them after his own Satanic order. Better to neglect anything of a temporal nature, to be satisfied to live economically, to bind about your wants, than to neglect the work of training yourselves and your children in the way that God would have you. In the word of God you have a treasure house from which you may draw precious stores, and as Christians you should furnish yourself for every good work. Look upon the family circle as a training school, where you are preparing your children for the performance of their duties at home, in society, and in the church. Seek to cultivate every power of mind and body in order that the whole family may be soldiers for Christ. Teach your children to love truth because it is truth, and because they are to be sanctified through the truth, and fitted to stand in the grand review that shall erelong determine whether they are qualified to enter into higher work, and become members of the royal family, children of the heavenly King." Back to "Which God?"
Ms 42, 1890. Quoted in "Our High
Calling", page 281
"Every word from the lips of Jesus was
precious. It was joy to Him to see Mary appreciate His
instruction. The more frequently the words of Christ are heard
the more deeply do they influence the mind, the better they are
understood, and the more easily and perfectly are they
obeyed". Back to "Which God?"
PP.147.001
"The instruction given to Abraham touching the sacredness of
the marriage relation was to be a lesson for all ages. It
declares that the rights and happiness of this relation are to be
carefully guarded, even at a great sacrifice. Sarah was the only
true wife of Abraham. Her rights as a wife and mother no other
person was entitled to share. She reverenced her husband, and in
this she is presented in the New Testament as a worthy example.
But she was unwilling that Abraham's affections should be given
to another, and the Lord did not reprove her for requiring the
banishment of her rival. Both Abraham and Sarah distrusted the
power of God, and it was this error that led to the marriage with
Hagar."
PP.147.002
"God had called Abraham to be the father of the faithful,
and his life was to stand as an example of faith to succeeding
generations. But his faith had not been perfect. He had shown
distrust of God in concealing the fact that Sarah was his wife,
and again in his marriage with Hagar. That he might reach the
highest standard, God subjected him to another test, the
closest which man was ever called to endure. In a vision of the
night he was directed to repair to the land of Moriah, and there
offer up his son as a burnt offering upon a mountain that should
be shown him." Back to "Which God?"
James 1:12-17
"Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he
is tried [and overcomes], he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord
has promised to them that love Him. [However] let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of
God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts He any
man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own
lust, and enticed. Then when lust has conceived, it bringsh forth
sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death."
"Do not err, my beloved brethren. For every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
In these words we have three plain statements.
1. No man may say that he is tempted by God.
2. Neither tempts He [God] any man.
3. Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust.
and a fourth, which says that God does not change.
Because of these there should be no debate over the question as to whether God tempts any one, but there often is! It seems that most questioners do not distinguish between a "test" and a "temptation". As shown above, temptation has as its end, the action of sin and a separation from the God of life. To say that God attempts to make man or woman sin is ludicrous but this is what is being implied. However, to say that God investigates us is correct, for a test is designed to show the strength or weakness of the person being tested. Not to God, who already knows our weaknesses and strengths, but to ourselves and to those who have a concern about us.
4T.540.003
"It is far better to yield some advantages that might be gained than to cultivate an avaricious spirit and thus make it a law of nature. Petty sharpness is unworthy of a Christian. We have been separated from the world by the great cleaver of truth. Our wrong traits of character are not always visible to ourselves, although they may be very apparent to others. But time and circumstances will surely prove us and bring to light the gold of character or discover the baser metal. Not one of us is known or read of all men, till the crucible of God tests us. Every base thought, every wrong action, reveals some defect in the character. These rugged traits must be brought under the chisel and hammer in God's great workshop, and the grace of God must smooth and polish before we can be fitted for a place in the glorious temple."
RH.1897-12-14.006
"Individually, we are tried as was the young ruler. God tests us to see if, as stewards, we can safely be trusted with the eternal riches. Shall we do as the ruler did, -- fasten our grasp upon the treasures lent us by God, choosing that which appears most agreeable to the natural heart, and refusing to use our possessions as God plainly states he expects us to? or shall we take up our cross, and follow our Saviour in the path of self-denial?"
Remember, he came to Jesus and asked the question. "And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" Matthew 19:16.
Youth's
Instructor 1894-07-26.001 ....... Love God
Practically
"'Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.'
How sad it is that Jesus has to stretch out his hands pleading
with his people to come unto him, and they refuse to hear, refuse
to believe, refuse to receive the comfort of the fulness that God
designed should be theirs. Jesus wept over the impenitent city of
Jerusalem, and cried with brokenness of heart, 'O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are
sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children
together, even as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings,
and ye would not!'"
YI.1894-07-26.002
"What a work might have been done for us as individuals, if
our proud and stubborn wills had been wholly submerged in the
will of God, and our souls lifted up from earthliness to a
higher, purer atmosphere! O that those who claim to be children
of God, would invest every talent that God has intrusted to them
for his glory! All should educate themselves to exercise faith in
the promises of God, in order that faith may grow into perfect
trust. Have you human love for the few with whom you are
associated? You must have a deeper love than this. You must have
the love of Jesus, which is an abiding, increasing love, that can
be cultivated by bestowing it upon those for whom Christ
died." Back
to "Which God?"
DA 331.003
"As through Jesus we enter into [Sabbath] rest, heaven begins here. We respond to His invitation,
Come, learn of Me, and in thus coming we begin the life eternal.
Heaven is a ceaseless approaching to God through Christ.
The longer we are in the heaven of bliss, the more and still more
of glory will be opened to us; and the more we know of God, the
more intense will be our happiness. As we walk with Jesus in this
life, we may be filled with His love, satisfied with His
presence. All that human nature can bear, we may receive
here." Back to "Which God?"
PP 318.002
"'Let Me alone, . . . that I may consume them,'
were the words of God. If God had purposed to destroy Israel, who
could plead for them? How few but would have left the sinners
to their fate! [How many leave the
church when they think God has turned against it!] How few but would have gladly exchanged a lot of toil
and burden and sacrifice, repaid with ingratitude and murmuring,
for a position of ease and honor, when it was God Himself that
offered the release."
PP.318.003
"But Moses discerned ground for hope where there appeared
only discouragement and wrath. The words of God, 'Let Me
alone,' he understood not to forbid but to encourage
intercession, implying that nothing but the prayers of Moses
could save Israel, but that if thus entreated, God would
spare His people. [Comment]. He 'besought
the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth Thy wrath wax hot
against Thy people, which Thou hast brought forth out of the land
of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?' "
PP.318.004
"God had signified that He disowned His people. He had
spoken of them to Moses as 'thy people, which thou broughtest
out of Egypt.' But Moses humbly disclaimed the leadership of
Israel. They were not his, but God's-- 'Thy people, which
Thou has brought forth . . . with great power, and with a mighty
hand. Wherefore,' he urged, 'should the Egyptians speak,
and say, For mischief did He
bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume
them from the face of the earth?'
"
PP.319.001
"During the few months since Israel left Egypt, the report
of their wonderful deliverance had spread to all the surrounding
nations. Fear and terrible foreboding rested upon the heathen.
All were watching to see what the God of Israel would do for His
people. Should they now be destroyed, their enemies would
triumph, and God would be dishonored. The Egyptians would claim
that their accusations were true -- instead of leading His people
into the wilderness to sacrifice, He had caused them to be
sacrificed. They would not consider the sins of Israel; the
destruction of the people whom He had so signally honored, would
bring reproach upon His name. How great the responsibility
resting upon those whom God has highly honored, to make His name
a praise in the earth! With what care should they guard against
committing sin, to call down His judgments and cause His name to
be reproached by the ungodly!"
PP.319.002
"As Moses interceded for Israel [like
his LORD], his timidity was lost in his
deep interest and love for those for whom he had, in the hands of
God, been the means of doing so much. The Lord listened to his
pleadings, and granted his unselfish prayer. God had proved His
servant; He had tested his faithfulness and his love for
that erring, ungrateful people, and nobly had Moses endured the
trial. His interest in Israel sprang from no selfish motive. The
prosperity of God's chosen people was dearer to him than personal
honor, dearer than the privilege of becoming the father of a
mighty nation. God was pleased with his faithfulness, his
simplicity of heart, and his integrity, and He committed to him,
as a faithful shepherd, the great charge of leading Israel to the
Promised Land." Back to "Which God?"
DA 353.001
" 'Behold,' said Jesus, 'I send you forth as
sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents,
and harmless as doves.' Christ Himself did not suppress one
word of truth, but He spoke it always in love. He exercised the
greatest tact, and thoughtful, kind attention in His intercourse
with the people. He was never rude, never needlessly spoke a
severe word, never gave needless pain to a sensitive soul. He did
not censure human weakness. He fearlessly denounced hypocrisy,
unbelief, and iniquity, but tears were in His voice as He
uttered His scathing rebukes. He wept over Jerusalem, the
city He loved, that refused to receive Him, the Way, the Truth,
and the Life. They rejected Him, the Saviour, but He regarded
them with pitying tenderness, and sorrow so deep that it broke
His heart. Every soul was precious in His eyes. While He always
bore Himself with divine dignity, He bowed with tenderest regard
to every member of the family of God. In all men He saw fallen
souls whom it was His mission to save." Back to "Which
God?"
DA 340.003
"In causing the destruction of the swine, it was Satan's
purpose to turn the people away from the Saviour, and prevent the
preaching of the gospel in that region. But this very occurrence
roused the whole country as nothing else could have done, and
directed attention to Christ. Though the Saviour Himself
departed, the men whom He had healed remained as witnesses to His
power. Those who had been mediums of the prince of darkness
became channels of light, messengers of the Son of God. Men
marveled as they listened to the wondrous news. A door was opened
to the gospel throughout that region. When Jesus returned to
Decapolis, the people flocked about Him, and for three days, not
merely the inhabitants of one town, but thousands from all the
surrounding region, heard the message of salvation. Even the
power of demons is under the control of our Saviour, and the
working of evil is overruled [nicely -
without force] for good." Back to "Which
God?"
To Ancient SDA's ............ To "What's New?"