by Ellen G. White
"Ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." (Mark 14:62)
When Jesus comes on clouds of glory...
As they [the Jewish rulers] gaze upon His glory, there flashes before their minds the memory of the Son of Man clad in the garb of humanity. They remember how they treated Him, how they refused Him, and pressed close to the side of the great apostate. The scenes of Christ's life appear before them in all their clearness. All He did, all He said, the humiliation to which He descended to save them from the taint of sin, rises before them in condemnation.They behold Him riding into Jerusalem, and see Him break into an agony of tears over the impenitent city that would not receive His message. His voice, which was heard in invitation, in entreaty, in tones of tender solicitude, seems again to fall upon their ears. The scene in the garden of Gethsemane rises before them, and they hear Christ's amazing prayer, "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me."
Again they hear the voice of Pilate, saying, "I find in him no fault at all." They see the shameful scene in the judgment hall, when Barabbas stood by the side of Christ, and they had the privilege of choosing the guiltless One. They hear again the words of Pilate, "Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, orJesus which is called Christ?" They hear the response, "Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas." To the question of Pilate," What shall I do then with Jesus?" the answer comes, "Let him be crucified."
Again they see their Sacrifice bearing the reproach of the cross. They hear the loud, triumphant tones tauntingly exclaim, "If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross." "He saved others; himself he cannot save."
Now they behold Him not in the garden of Gethsemane, not in the judgment hall, not on the cross of Calvary. The signs of His humiliation have passed away, and they look upon the face of God--the face they spit upon, the face which priests and rulers struck with the palms of their hands. Now the truth in all its vividness is revealed to them. SDA
Be Proud of Who We Are
adapted from the Sabbath testimony
given by Brother Chinniah (Balestier Rd. SDA, Singapore)
"Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part." (1 Corinthians 13:7-9)
TONGUES
I believe that the popular manifestation of tongues in churches today is not of God, but of the devil. Why do I say that? Because it is not biblical teaching:-
The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:5, "I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification." Tongues shouldn't be just unintelligible gibberish; they must be interpreted for the edification (spiritual encouragement) of fellow believers.
Regarding prophesying, I am glad that the Adventist Church has the inspired writings of Ellen White to guide us through the garbage of error currently prevading Christendom. "Read the writings of the prophet and know for yourself......we have a rich heritage, and we should be proud of it." I admonish the Adventist people not to keep turning to other churches for new styles, new solutions and new sources of power. Yes, popular churches have powerful manifestations (e.g. healings, casting-out of demons and speaking in tongues), but it could very well be one grand show staged by Satan and his minions. Rely on the Word of God (the Bible) for every wind of doctrine, and bravely advocate the Truth.
Adventists believe that tongues, when spoken, must be interpreted. "But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? (1 Corinthians 14:6,7)
"I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue." (1 Corinthians 14:17-19)
Not every member of the church possess the gift of tongues! 1 Corinthians 12:27-30 say "Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?" (emphasis supplied)
Again from the first book of Corinthians, chapter 12, verses 9 to 11, "to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills." So it appears that not every Christian will possess the one and same gift. To each his own.
SABBATH & CHARACTER
I encourage you to continue keeping the Sabbath. It is not a popular thing to do, but it is the right thing to do. Also remember that, in the Christian walk, character development is more important than rock-and-roll worship entertainment and the latest in stageplay technologies. I know of someone who left the Adventist movement for a Sundaykeeping church because things were more 'happening' in the latter; this line of thinking isn't very wise. What is more important is accurate preaching from the Scriptures and the development of righteous and holy character!
HOW MUCH IS GOOD ENOUGH?
You may have grievances about how things are done in your local Adventist church, but we are not one to emulate others just for the sake of popularity, acceptance and numbers.
What we're going for is QUALITY, not QUANTITY. People should be inducted into fellowship not by 'happening' things or soul-stirring music-and-dance, but by the testimony of the Scriptures.
Acts 17:11, 12 tell us that the believers at Berea "were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." By studying the Word, "many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men."
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) SDA
No comments:
Post a Comment