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Home , Ministry of Jesus

3 essential steps towards living “The Life”

Rebirth Ministry

by Neil Valentine

For further copies of this book and a complete book and price list, write to:-

Behold Your God Ministry 1590 Gradys Creek Road Cougal. 2474 NSW. Australia.

Phone 0407052041 E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Web: behold-your-god.com

4 Cover Picture and Introduction Jesus said, “Except a man be , he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3. He also said, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the spirit is spirit.” John 3:6. Jesus was clearly talking of a spiritual change that needs to take place in every person who is to enter the kingdom. In nature He illustrated this also. “Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles.” :16. The fruit the tree produces is dependant on the seed that has been planted. A grape plant will produce grapes, but a thorn- bush will never produce grapes. Instead it will produce thorns. “The axe is to be laid at the root of the trees.” :10. The cover page shows in nature the lesson from the spiritual. The thornbush (1st photo) is taken out to make way for the good seed (Avocado). This exchange of spiritual natures illustrates the change from the inherited stony heart to the new heart in . In the 2nd photo there are 2 pots, and while the pot on the right has sprouted an Avocado, the pot “seed” on the left will never sprout, because it is a stone! So those who try to produce “The Jesus Life” without His life within are doomed to failure. The 3rd photo represents the “Re-form-ation”, a change in ideas, habits, practises learned in the old life. A re-organisation of the life practises. As in the photo, branches have been pruned back or out, new wood grafted in, so in the life major changes will be necessary to be ready for Jesus’ coming. The appetites and passions are to be brought into obedience to Jesus’ will. The last photo shows in nature the tree ministering to others when sharing the fruits “and works” of the Spirit with others. This expression of the life of Jesus within is an essential part also in co-operation with Jesus in His mission to the world. It develops and causes to grow the character of Jesus in the indi- vidual.

5 Contents Rebirth, Reformation, Ministry Revealing God through Jesus ...... 6 Born Again...... 9 Summing Up ...... 14 Truly a New Life...... 14 Reforming of the Life after the Rebirth .18 Purifying and Subduing of the Mind and Flesh...... 18 Wrong Ideas and Theories...... 18 Magnifying the Law...... 21 Thou Shalt not Kill...... 22 Out of Egypt...... 23 Habits, Practises...... 26 Knowledge, Faith & Power...... 27 Appetites & Passions...... 28 Mind to be Purified...... 30 Appetites...... 31 Summary ...... 32 Ministry ...... 33 The Responsibility of God’s Workers...... 37 Christ the Head of the ...... 40 Who are our Brethren?...... 45 The Good Samaritan...... 46 The True Fast...... 49 144,000...... 50

6 REBIRTH REFORMATION MINISTRY Revealing God through Jesus

The greatest lack throughout the ages in our world has been the revealing of the beauty of God as revealed in the life of Je- sus. Jesus is the only one who was qualified to give the com- plete authentic revelation of what the Father is really like. He testified again and again to this when He said, 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 14:7, If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 14:8, Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 14:9, Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou [then], Show us the Father? 14:10, Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Fa- ther in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of my- self: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. 14:11, Believe me that I [am] in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. 14:12, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” John 14:6-12. To understand what is like has been and still is clouded and obscured by faulty reasoning, wrong ideas and con- cepts brought about by ages of misrepresentation and misunder- standing. People of all nations, religions, beliefs have sort methods based on force to solve their problems, or to establish their politi- cal or religious or ethnic systems on others. This is often done in the name of God or an inherent basic belief in the justice of their

7 cause and that God is supporting them no matter how they con- duct themselves. Jesus came to this earth to not only die for mankind, but just as importantly give people a living picture of the love of God to the needy people of this earth. He came to give a decided check to the wrong ideas that had been circulating for thousands of years about the character of God. He came to show that God loves all nations, tongues and peoples equally and that His love is accessible and available to all. Jesus loved the Jews, but He also loved the Samaritans, the Romans, and the vast diversity of people of every nation, kindred, tongue and people who made up the rest of the world. Jesus’ mission is well summed up in the words of the far- sighted Christian writer Ellen White, in her book, Desire of Ages . “The earth was dark through misapprehension of God. That the gloomy shadows might be lightened, that the world might be brought back to God, Satan's deceptive power was to be bro- ken. This could not be done by force. The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God's government; He desires only the service of love; and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened. To know God is to love Him; His character must be manifested in contrast to the character of Satan. This work only one Being in all the universe could do. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it known. Upon the world's dark night the Sun of Righteousness must rise, "with healing in His wings." Mal. 4:2.” Desire of Ages, 22:1. Jesus was the only Being then in all the universe who could do this work. This revealing of the Father and Son would change the course of history. This work would be so completely accurate that to see the Son would be to see the truth about the Father’s love. And again! 5:19, “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 5:20, For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and he will show him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.” John 5:19-20. This revelation of the Father, Son and has become lost to or blocked out from the great majority of people

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9 today, so that they live as if the revelation had never been given. Today then this revealing of Jesus which is a revealing of the Father is needed desperately in a world which has lost sight of the beauty of the Christlike character. The problem is not only one of seeing the beauty and how that beauty can solve prob- lems in us and in the world. It is much more than that and goes much deeper. It is a question of regeneration and a change of heart. It is a question of how our lives can be brought into har- mony with the characters of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is one important step to see the beauty of Jesus in His life, of self sacrifice for the good of others. But it is of crucial importance that we will want to possess that character ourselves and har- monise with that character. That will take us into a life changing, life transforming experience, which is what Jesus had in mind when he said to the disciples in the passage already quoted in John 14:12, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” Which is why Jesus said, “You must be born again.”

Born Again To be born again is the key to any real change in the life that has its origin in God. There are changes we can have which modify or improve the life, but are not of a character to make us ready for the coming of Christ. Jesus alerted Nicodemus to the dangers of trusting to his own works in instruction to him in John 3. Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews and was conscientious in following the law. He paid tithe, gave money to God’s work, kept the Sabbath hours faithfully and gave assistance to the poor. Yet the first words Jesus addressed him with, as recorded in their interview together were, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” The story is found in John 3:1-16 3:1, “There was a man of the , named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 3:2, The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these that thou doest, except God be with him. 3:3, Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the king-

10 dom of God. 3:4, Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 3:5, Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 3:6, That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 3:7, Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 3:8, The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 3:9, Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 3:10, Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 3:11, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our wit- ness. 3:12, If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you [of] heavenly things? 3:13, And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, [even] the Son of man which is in heaven. 3:14, And as lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 3:15, That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begot- ten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Nicodemus was thinking in terms of physical things when he talks about entering his mother’s womb the second time, but Jesus had a very different concept in mind. He was talking of a spiritual change that would be the catalyst for an entire transfor- mation of the life. The water Jesus mentions is a symbol of cleansing. We need cleansing from the past sins of our lives which are a burden of guilt and shame, but we also need clean- sing from the presence within of the old spiritual life that we all receive as an inheritance from Adam. Jesus said that what is born of the flesh is flesh. Here he is talking about the physical body including the mind.

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12 He also said that what is born of the Spirit is spirit. He is talking here of a new spiritual life that is needed to replace the old one we inherit from Adam. This old life is under condemnation be- cause it is not capable of producing a Christlike life. In Romans 5:12-21 this point is brought out again and again. 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 5:14, Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 5:15, But not as the offence, so also [is] the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, [which is] by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 5:16, And not as [it was] by one that sinned, [so is] the gift: for the judgment [was] by one to condemnation, but the free gift [is] of many offences unto justification. 5:17, For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 5:18, Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life. 5:19, For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made right- eous. 5:21, That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” From Adam we have lost our spiritual connection with God. We are found dead in trespasses and sins. “And you [hath he quick- ened], who were dead in trespasses and sins:” Ephesians 2:1. Fortunately we have a desire to be separate from sin. This de- sire implanted by God is revealed in Genesis 3:15. “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed;” This is the opening through which God leads us towards the rebirth experience and a desire for holiness. But the desire for something is not the thing itself. Co-operation with God will lead us through the experiences necessary to find peace with Him. When Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness it was a

13 sign of Jesus to come as the Sin-bearer, the one who would take upon Himself the sins of the whole world. When the people looked at the uplifted serpent they lived. In the same way when Jesus was uplifted on the cross by cruel hands, those who saw Him as the Sin-bearer and wanted the cleansing He was offering, found in Him the solution to their sin problem. Nicodemus was one of these. Not just the sins of the past, but also He is the one who would liberate them from the old spiritual heart or stony heart inherited by them through Adam’s sin. The born again experience then is when the individual asks God to forgive and cleanse the past sins, and to take out the old heart or spiritual inheritance. Then to implant in its place the new heart which has its origin in Jesus and is indeed His seed. Galations 3:16. “And to thy seed, which is Christ.” Colossians 1:27. “To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the ; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” Psalms 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Ezekiel 36:24-29, “For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 36:25, Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 36:26, A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 36:27, And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them]. 36:28, And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fa- thers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. 36:29, I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.” This passage has all the elements we are expecting in the born again experience as Jesus outlined it to Nicodemus. There is the gathering of those whose desire for a new life has grown into a willingness to be changed in heart in v24. There is the cleansing and separation from sin in v25. Then in v26 there

14 is the taking away of the stony heart out of the flesh and the giv- ing of the new heart and the new spirit within the person so that they have a heart of flesh or a living spiritual nature. V27 brings to view a reforming of the life which follows and a learning of the ways of Jesus as the law is written in the heart. Subsequent cleansings follow as the work of reform goes deeper.

Summing Up Jesus continued: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." By nature the heart is evil, and "who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one." Job 14:4. No human invention can find a remedy for the sinning soul. "The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." "Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." Romans 8:7; :19. The fountain of the heart must be purified before the streams can become pure. He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law is attempting an impossibility. There is no safety for one who has merely a legal religion, a form of god- liness. The Christian's life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit.” Desire of Ages 172.1, by E.G White.

Truly a New Life. The Rebirth that Jesus spoke about as being essential to even see the kingdom of God is even more essential to be a part of it. The rebirth creates spiritual regeneration that is the foundation of the changes that need to take place in the mind and the body. While there is a long preparatory work normally in being lead by God into the rebirth, the actual exchange of heart is the work of a moment. Nicodemus was led over a long period of time through different stages of conviction and revelation to the inter- view with Jesus. After the interview he pondered these things in his heart for quite some time until he saw Jesus lifted up on the cross as Jesus had explained to him. He recognised in Jesus the great Sin-bearer, the Saviour of the world and experienced the rebirth of which Jesus spoke, becoming a strong of the Lamb of God. What does God have then after the rebirth? He has special

15 access to the born again believer through the implantation of Christ’s seed within. 2 Peter 1:4, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” Like any seed grown, growth must take place for fruit to come. When a Mango seed is planted for example, there are certain conditions necessary for it to grow and develop and eventually come to maturity. There must be a cultivation of the soil so that weeds shall not strangle the young plant. There must be water, and in many cases nutrients added to the soil. In the spiritual counterpart the soil is like the body and the weeds take many different forms. In the soil we may have a Thornbush growing, which is like the Stony Heart spoken of in Ezekiel 36:26, or we can have our Mango tree which is like the New Heart. When a Thornbush is taken out and a Mango seed put in, it does not change the soil. So, when God takes out the Stony Heart and puts in the New Heart it does not change our body. The water and nutrients necessary for growth come from feed- ing on God’s word and the prayer life. The beauty of nature, rightly understood is also an inspiration to the Christian.

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temptations works from find response the outside easily sinful flesh

willing sinner Observations. ignorant of the law Under sin’s power. old heart or stony heart But God implanted desire for something better. satan’s seed See Genesis 3:15.

sinful flesh

Mind that acknowledges God’s law. Unwilling sinner.

old heart

sinful flesh

Mind that acknowledges God’s law. Wants obedience

new heart Christ’s seed Observations. Physical Appetites, passions & affections need to be brought into harmony with God’s will. Mind May be wrong concepts, theories, habits and practises which will hinder spiritual growth or lead to temptation into sin. Partial harmony with God. Spirit New heart seed only. Requires certain conditions to grow, e.g. prayer, study, etc. God has an access to the individual through new heart, not possible before. Holy Spirit can fill heart.

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Eventually, e.g. 144,000

sinful flesh total oneness with God fullness of statue in Christ Jesus

When Christ comes and takes the redeemed home

Holy flesh

oneness with God

accelerated growth

Question to think about:about:---- How many times between Romans 5:12 and Romans 5:21 is the truth taught that sin passes onto us by Adam and righteousness by Jesus Christ?

The Holy Spirit has access to the born again Christian and brings growth to the new spiritual life within. Indeed, the Holy Spirit dwells in the person providing He is not grieved, but wel- comed. 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20, 6:19, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 6:20, For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” Desire of Ages 391, “By looking constantly to Jesus with the eye of faith, we shall be strengthened. God will make the most precious revelations to His hungering, thirsting people. They will find that Christ is a personal Saviour. As they feed upon His word, they find that it is spirit and life. The word destroys the natural, earthly nature, and imparts a new life in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit comes to the soul as a Comforter. By the trans- forming agency of His grace, the image of God is reproduced in the disciple; he becomes a new creature. Love takes the place of hatred, and the heart receives the divine similitude.”

18 REFORMING of the life after the REBIRTH.

Purifying and Subduing of the Mind and Flesh. A liberating army will often try to secure the most essential places in its quest to liberate a land of a cruel despotic invader. In the battle for the of the individual, God puts a pow- erful force in the moral spiritual centre with the consent of the oppressed. The newly converted born again Christian becomes a partaker of the divine nature. The Holy Spirit always works with the consent of the person to subdue the elements of the mind and body. The next key in the battle with sin in the person is the purifying of the mind. In this everything depends on the right action of the will. Whereas we were before slaves to sin, we are not in the same sense slaves to righteousness. We are volunteers and will not be forced by compelling power to follow in the steps of Je- sus. On a day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment basis we must be choosing the way of God. With the right choice comes the power to walk in that way. Against the learning of the new ways of Jesus are wrong ideas, habits and practises embedded in the mind and body of the person learned in the past life. The repetition of these thoughts and actions over and over throughout the previous life- time is a great barrier to spiritual growth. For every wrong thought and action from the past, God has replacement values which invigorate the mind and body.

Wrong Ideas and Theories. The disciples held some serious wrong ideas concerning the new kingdom, Jesus had come to establish. They expected a kingdom based on the conquering power of the Jewish armies over the Romans and in turn the other nations of the world. The army would be led by the . These wrong ideas about the nature of the kingdom of God led to serious problems in their thinking and in turn actions on numerous occasions. Can we expect we will be free of wrong ideas? People today have wrong ideas about God’s character in the same way the disciples had. :46-56, 9:46, “Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

19 9:47, And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, 9:48, And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me re- ceiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. 9:49, And John answered and said, Master, we saw one cast- ing out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he fol- loweth not with us. 9:50, And Jesus said unto him, Forbid [him] not: for he that is not against us is for us. 9:51, And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusa- lem, 9:52, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 9:53, And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to . 9:54, And when his disciples James and John saw [this], they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 9:55, But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 9:56, For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save [them]. And they went to another village.” Here we have outlined some wrong concepts the disciples had about God’s character, and the corrections Jesus gave which were not understood and accepted at that time by them. No doubt a good start had been made already in the penetrating of their darkened minds. They had beheld His life month after month and the mighty works of healing, love, and com- passion He demonstrated during that time. However this had not transferred into changed characters as yet. They still held the view that the greatest among them would be the strongest, most ambitious among them, while Jesus showed instead the willingness of a weak child to learn and grow in God’s ways as being all important. They forbid one to work in His name because he was not di- rectly of the same group or fellowship as theirs, but He told them that they should broaden their understanding of God’s work. James and John thought that the Samaritans who refused Je-

20 sus a place to stay for the night, were deserving of being burned by fire from heaven, as they thought God had done in the at the command of . Once again Jesus had to correct their wrong theories about His character and that of His Father. We see again that there is only One who could give a perfect representation of God the Father and that was Jesus. If we do not see something in the life of Jesus we know it is almost cer- tain we have wrong concepts of God’s character and what has taken place in the Old Testament. “James and John, Christ's messengers, were greatly annoyed at the insult shown to their Lord. They were filled with indignation because He had been so rudely treated by the Samaritans whom He was honoring by His presence. They had recently been with Him on the mount of transfiguration, and had seen Him glorified by God, and honored by Moses and Elijah. This manifest dishonor on the part of the Samaritans, should not, they thought, be passed over without marked punishment.” De- sire of Ages 487.1. “Coming to Christ, they reported to Him the words of the peo- ple, telling Him that they had even refused to give Him a night's lodging. They thought that a grievous wrong had been done Him, and seeing Mount Carmel in the distance, where Elijah had slain the false prophets, they said, "Wilt Thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?" They were surprised to see that Jesus was pained by their words, and still more surprised as His rebuke fell upon their ears, "Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." And He went to another village.” Desire of Ages 487.2 “It is no part of Christ's mission to compel men to receive Him. It is Satan, and men actuated by his spirit, that seek to compel the conscience. Under a pretence of zeal for righteousness, men who are confederate with evil angels bring suffering upon their fellow men, in order to convert them to their ideas of religion; but Christ is ever showing mercy, ever seeking to win by the reveal- ing of His love. He can admit no rival in the soul, nor accept of partial service; but He desires only voluntary service, the willing surrender of the heart under the constraint of love. There can be no more conclusive evidence that we possess the spirit of Satan than the disposition to hurt and destroy those who do not appre- ciate our work, or who act contrary to our ideas.” Desire of Ages

21 487.3. “Every human being, in body, soul, and spirit, is the property of God. Christ died to redeem all. Nothing can be more offensive to God than for men, through religious bigotry, to bring suffering upon those who are the purchase of the Saviour's blood.” Desire of Ages 488.1. The misunderstanding of God has been deeply embedded in human thinking for thousands of years but the intelligent study of God’s word under the guidance of the Holy Spirit will bring an increase in the overthrow of wrong ideas. We receive from the society we live in, theories and ways of thinking that do not match the witness of Jesus’ life without so much as a second thought. We ourselves also develop ideas in life that support our particular lifestyle, habits, practises, etc, that are often not correct when tested against the word of God.

Magnifying the Law Jesus overthrew these time honoured misunderstandings of God’s actions in the past by revealing the love of God in His ac- tions and His teachings. Isaiah 42:21, “ is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make [it] honourable. Jesus interpreted God’s law to us in His life.” :17-19, 5:17, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 5:18, For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be ful- filled. 5:19, Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least com- mandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” He directed the people back to the understanding of God’s love which they should still have had, but had lost through not walking in the light over hundreds of years. Matthew 5:38-48, 5:38, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 5:39, But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

22 5:40, And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have [thy] cloak also. 5:41, And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 5:42, Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 5:43, Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 5:44, But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 5:45, That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 5:46, For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 5:47, And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so? 5:48, Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” It is clear from the texts above that Jesus kept the law and re- stored the understanding of its meaning to its proper place. It is also clear that the Father keeps the law also to perfection and Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” It is God’s purpose that we also in the truest sense be law-keepers too.

Thou Shalt not Kill. Jesus never killed nor instructed anyone to kill on His behalf. In fact on many occasions he turned back the popular tide of feel- ing among the people to make Him a king like the kings around in order to prevent bloodshed. In Exodus 20:13 we see that the law forbids killing, as this is the 6 th commandment. In as much as Jesus and the Father are perfect law-keepers, we know that God destroys no man. God’s kingdom is in fact only safe because it is built on the principles of truth and love without hypocrisy. Matthew 26:52, “Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” If God destroys as men destroy then God is ruling a kingdom that will perish. God’s principles are far higher than this.

23 Out of Egypt. When Moses attempted a military solution to the slavery of Israel in Egypt it was a miserable failure because God was not in that way. He had to flee to Midian and spend the next 40 years unlearning what he had learned in Egypt as the Commander of Egypt’s armies under Pharaoh. Later unarmed, but protected by the highest Authority in the universe he was sent to be God’s spokes person in behalf of the nation in slavery. It was never God’s plan to deliver the people by a military solu- tion. There is plenty of evidence for this in the law of God, in Je- sus’ life, and in the Old Testament. Indeed the greatest evidence is the fact that God led them out without a military encounter or weaponry. The Egyptian army was foolish enough to pursue the Israelites into the Red Sea and were overthrown by the return of the wa- ters. Soon after that we hear of Israel fighting with the Amale- kites and it is evident that they armed themselves from the dead bodies of the Egyptian army. There is no record of Moses in- structing the people not to take up the sword and recounting the lessons he had learned in his re-education in Midian. He may have, but the people were not spiritual enough to trust in God’s protection alone and indeed for the most part did not have the love of God in their hearts. Deuteronomy 7:17-21, 7:17, “If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations [are] more than I; how can I dispossess them? 7:18, Thou shalt not be afraid of them: [but] shalt well remem- ber what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt; 7:19, The great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the LORD thy God brought thee out: so shall the LORD thy God do unto all the people of whom thou art afraid. 7:20, Moreover the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed. 7:21, Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God [is] among you, a mighty God and terrible.” Exodus 23:27, 28, 23:27, “I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine ene-

24 mies turn their backs unto thee. 23:28, And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.” “The Lord had never commanded them to "go up and fight." It was not His purpose that they should gain the land by warfare, but by strict obedience to His commands.” Patriarchs and Proph- ets 392.3, by E.G. White. Speaking of the Jews when Jerusalem was taken by the Roman armies. “Their sufferings are often represented as a punishment visited upon them by the direct decree of God. It is thus that the great deceiver seeks to conceal his own work. By stubborn rejection of divine love and mercy, the Jews had caused the protection of God to be withdrawn from them, and Satan was permitted to rule them according to his will. The horrible cruelties enacted in the destruction of Jerusalem are a demonstration of Satan's vindic- tive power over those who yield to his control.” Great Contro- versy 35-36. We cannot know how much we owe to Christ for the peace and protection which we enjoy. It is the restraining power of God that prevents mankind from passing fully under the control of Satan. The disobedient and unthankful have great reason for gratitude for God's mercy and long-suffering in holding in check the cruel, malignant power of the evil one. But when men pass the limits of divine forbearance, that restraint is removed. God does not stand toward the sinner as an executioner of the sen- tence against transgression; but He leaves the rejecters of His mercy to themselves, to reap that which they have sown. Every ray of light rejected, every warning despised or unheeded, every passion indulged, every transgression of the law of God, is a seed sown which yields its unfailing harvest. The Spirit of God, persistently resisted, is at last withdrawn from the sinner, and then there is left no power to control the evil passions of the soul, and no protection from the malice and enmity of Satan. The destruction of Jerusalem is a fearful and solemn warning to all who are trifling with the offers of and resisting the pleadings of divine mercy. Never was there given a more decisive testimony to God's hatred of sin and to the certain pun- ishment that will fall upon the guilty.” Great Controversy 36.1, by E.G . White. This passage demonstrates how God leaves the rejecters of His mercy to themselves to reap what they have sown. When this point is reached as it was in the cases of the people of Ca-

25 naan, and of the Jews, God destroys ONLY in the sense of not protecting them for they do not want Him in their lives. They are left with sin’s destructive power in evil passions and the natural elements out of God’s direct control. “God destroys no man. Everyone who is destroyed will have destroyed himself.” Christ’s Object Lessons 84, by E. G. White. “The Jews had forged their own fetters; they had filled for themselves the cup of vengeance. In the utter destruction that befell them as a nation, and in all the woes that followed them in their dispersion, they were but reaping the harvest which their own hands had sown. Says the prophet: "O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself;" "for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity." Hosea 13:9; 14:1.” Great Controversy 35. God worked with the Israelites in the context of their being not yet born again and having been degraded by years of slavery. Ezekiel 20:25, “Wherefore I gave them also statutes [that were] not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;” The people’s to whom the Lord sent them had reached a point of total rejection of God, so God was no longer able to protect those people from themselves and their evil ways. Neither was He able to protect them from the Destroyer, Satan nor from na- ture out of control. God will not force His presence where it is not wanted. Once the use of the sword was introduced among God’s peo- ple it has been thought that this was God’s way and God’s char- acter. It wasn’t until the life of Jesus that the correction to this misunderstanding was shown in it’s full revelation. While the lessons God gave through Jesus were clear, the general Christian world has still not taken the lessons to heart and still sees military solutions as a legitimate method of solving problems. Thus the revelation of God in Jesus has not been given as it is so desperately needed today, by the following gen- erations. Wrong concepts will always lead to wrong actions as is evidenced in the human misery brought into our world by war and violence.

Habits, Practises. The older we are when we come to Jesus the more the habits have become established in the life. Habits of eating, drinking, dressing, working, talking, using time, thinking etc will all have to come under review in the light of the example of Jesus. Our lives will have been shaped up to that point of time by a

26 complex mix of training in home, schools, work, life experiences and circumstances. Hereditary factors inherited and then devel- oped will be all having a major impact on the life experience. The amount of change necessary will vary from person to per- son according to the former life. For all there will be considerable changes, but for some the work will be extensive. The work that needs to be done for many can be likened to the renovating of an old house that has had no occupants for many years. There is an enormous amount of work to be done in such a place that has been left without care. Those who have under- taken such a task will know from experience that it is not easy. We must always remember that Jesus is the Author, [and eve- rywhere along the way] and Finisher of the transformation that He is undertaking in us. Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith;” We began with the rebirth, which was a gift from Jesus of His life for our old life. Now along the way there is to be a co- operative work in which there will be more gifts from Him to transform and heal and a work for us to do in putting the will on His side in the battle with old habits and practises. Here is an inspiring passage from the book Desire of Ages by E.G. White which speaks of both the rebirth and the changes that are to take place after. “Through the same faith we may re- ceive spiritual healing. By sin we have been severed from the life of God. Our souls are palsied. Of ourselves we are no more capable of living a holy life than was the impotent man capable of walking. There are many who realize their helplessness, and who long for that spiritual life which will bring them into harmony with God; they are vainly striving to obtain it. In despair they cry, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from this body of death?" Romans 7:24, margin. Let these desponding, strug- gling ones look up. The Saviour is bending over the purchase of His blood, saying with inexpressible tenderness and pity, "Wilt thou be made whole?" He bids you arise in health and peace. Do not wait to feel that you are made whole. Believe His word, and it will be fulfilled. Put your will on the side of Christ. Will to serve Him, and in acting upon His word you will receive strength. Whatever may be the evil practice, the master passion which through long indulgence binds both soul and body, Christ is able and longs to deliver. He will impart life to the soul that is "dead in trespasses." Ephesians 2:1. He will set free the captive that is held by weakness and misfortune and the chains of sin.” Desire of Ages 203.2.

27 Knowledge, Faith and Power Knowledge of better ways comes through the study of God’s word and Jesus life in all areas where we are seeking to replace the old habits with the new. For example if we are sick we can get many ideas from the Bible. Reading in the word we come across this verse 1:29 “ And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” So we think, “Wow, God origi- nally gave us fruit, nuts, grains and vegetables to eat. That is a lot different to what I am eating, He is the one who created us, so He must know what is best for us!” Knowledge has come. Many people have knowledge but lack the power to implement the better way. With knowledge comes conviction and a realising of what a wrong habit has cost us in our life. In the case under consideration poor eating choices have contributed to our sick- ness. Deeper search will no doubt show other areas that need improving. This has made us less able to serve God and man and should lead to confession. Romans 10:17, “So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Feeding on God’s word builds faith and increases the desire for the change we want to bring about. Reading books and literature that support the biblical view help to clarify the issues. Of course speaking with those that have encountered similar problems and situations to ours and found success in the way forward will encourage us. We can also learn from others mistakes as well. Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” This is from a chapter about faith and the mighty works brought about by God’s people through faith. Now we are building on the hope of personal change to make those hopes a reality through faith. True faith will bridge the gap between hope and reality, with its evidences and new actions. Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believ- eth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 1:17, For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” The gos- pel then is God’s power to save us from our weaknesses in our old habits and practises that hinder the progress in our growth towards God, and the fulfilling of His plan in our lives. It is the

28 same power that brought about the change of heart or rebirth that continues the work in the reformation. It is from faith to faith. Here is an area where to maintain the progress made, the will of man must be constantly co-operating with the will of God to reinforce the new habits and practises until they become a part of the life and character. It becomes natural and enjoyable to nurture in this case the healthy lifestyle.

Appetites and Passions The appetites and passions are very much a part of and tied up with the other areas of the reformation. While we know that “love takes the place of hatred” at the rebirth, there is a further work to be done in developing this love so that we do not build again the ways of the past. Therefore we would expect that someone truly born again who has the love of Jesus in his heart would not want to kill his or injure through physical vio- lence his wife or children in a fit of rage. If such was the case with a person we would need to go back to the basics and find in Jesus that spiritual change from bondage to evil passion that is spoken of in this passage. “By looking constantly to Jesus with the eye of faith, we shall be strengthened. God will make the most precious revelations to His hungering, thirsting people. They will find that Christ is a per- sonal Saviour. As they feed upon His word, they find that it is spirit and life. The word destroys the natural, earthly nature, and imparts a new life in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit comes to the soul as a Comforter. By the transforming agency of His grace, the image of God is reproduced in the disciple; he becomes a new creature. Love takes the place of hatred, and the heart re- ceives the divine similitude. This is what it means to live "by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." This is eating the Bread that comes down from heaven.” Desire of Ages 391.1. However, those who have led violent lives ruled by evil pas- sions may find that there are battles to fight against the old ten- dencies of the human nature to habitually act in a certain way instinctively to situations that disturb them. I say may, because many with this problem find the change at rebirth such that the wolf has become a lamb indeed. The love of Jesus within achieves quickly the change spoken of here. “Supreme love for God and unselfish love for one another --this is the best gift that our heavenly Father can bestow. This love is not an impulse, but

29 a divine principle, a permanent power. The unconsecrated heart cannot originate or produce it. Only in the heart where Jesus reigns is it found. "We love Him, because He first loved us." In the heart renewed by divine grace, love is the ruling principle of action. It modifies the character, governs the impulses, controls the passions, and ennobles the affections. This love, cherished in the soul, sweetens the life and sheds a refining influence on all around.” 551:2. Others, who have now experienced rebirth, and to all appear- ances have the change of heart continue to struggle against these evil passions when their eyes are off Jesus, or a sudden situation develops in which they are caught off guard and habit- ual instincts kick in learned in the old life. The above quote from AA is applicable here because the reformation is designed to take care of these very problems. Jesus has the heart now and where as before He had the heart we struggled, tried and failed, now, when we align our wills with Him the victory’s will start to flow. Aligning our wills with Him has to do with co-operation with the Divine agencies through feeding on the life of Jesus within. As we build on these victory’s our characters will be modified, our impulses governed and our passions controlled. Repeated victory’s will form new habits and the instinctive reactions to sud- den temptations will change for the better gentle ways of Jesus. Persistence will bring the rewards of peace. There is a place for the emotions and passions to be stirred in a good way. For example, when we see a situation such as Je- sus saw in the temple, the people being exploited and ill used . :12, “And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and over- threw the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 21:13, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 21:14, And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.” Jesus was moved with compassion at dif- ferent times. :35, “And Jesus went about all the cities and vil- lages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 9:36, But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”

30 Mind to be purified Jesus said, Matthew 5:21, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 5:22, But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: 5:27, Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 5:28, But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” These verses show that while the outward actions of pas- sion are made manifest, and must be corrected, the reformation work is to reach to the inward man and woman so that the temp- tations will find no answering cord in the thoughts as well. Satan will tempt us through the mind and flesh, make no mistake about that. Even Jesus was tempted. Hebrews 4:15, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. 4:16, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” But the reformation is to go deeper and deeper, so that when a temptation is flashed into the mind, it is not entertained or cher- ished, but dismissed by the power of God and our love for Him. We choose Him habitually, and this is something that has to be learned. All that has been said of the evil passions is true of the pas- sions seen in the mating instincts. In our age today society is feeding their minds constantly with sexual stimulus thinking that unrestrained passion is virtually normal. Some people have changed partners regularly in the search for their true soul mate. There is every variation seen today from the way God designed us in this area. It is God who made us and gave us legitimate desires to love and marry and express these desires in the union. When true conversion takes place and a new life in Christ is begun here is an area that in many will require a huge struggle to bring the habits back into harmony with God’s plan and ways. In many others there will be some serious work to do where the mind has been exercised towards indulgence and in all there will need to be a purifying of the mind at least.

31 The rebirth will bring us “on side” with God and His plans in this area. To strengthen our love to do God’s will through knowl- edge, conviction, repentance, faith in His better way and receiv- ing the power. Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gos- pel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;” Deliberately avoiding sights, sounds and places that encour- age wrong desires is crucial in this battle. When we are called to go somewhere that will pose temptations for us, let us go with the purpose to do the task, and not linger there and return again. When we have spare time choose your recreation, we can go to natural surroundings rather than places that encourage the flesh. REMEMBER, GODS POWER IS THE GREATEST POWER IN THE UNIVERSE. It conquers the power of sin and the weakness of the flesh if we allow GOD to finish the work HE has begun.

Appetites What we eat and drink, how often we eat and how much has a lot to do with our future usefulness as followers of Jesus. It was so important that Jesus fasted 40 days and nights to demon- strate the control of appetite . :1, “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wil- derness to be tempted of the devil. 4:2, And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. 4:3, And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the , command that these stones be made bread. 4:4, But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” He will not ask this of us but preparing for his coming will certainly require changes for the better. And we should rejoice in this as improvement in diet will bring improve- ment in health and improvement in service. 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 3:17, If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God de- stroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.” The control of the appetites is a progressive work as well and the more in harmony we live with the original diet God gave us in the beginning the better off we shall be. Genesis 1:29, “And God said, Behold, I have given you every

32 herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” This diet, intelligently used will work for our benefit in other areas than health. It will help to put a check on the wrong desires of the body. In contrast, the use of meats in particular has a stimulating effect in the flesh making it more difficult to control the passions. The discontinuance of all animal products such as dairy products, eggs will help to deepen the spiritual impressions. Ministry of Healing 127, “Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power --these are the true remedies. Every person should have a knowledge of nature's remedial agencies and how to apply them.” The use of sugary drinks, alcohol, coffee, tea all weaken the health making it more difficult to progress in the reformation.

Summary The rebirth is an exchange of heart that takes place in the spiritual nature of the person putting the life of Jesus there. The Holy Spirit waters the seed to cause growth to take place. With the consent and co-operation of the person the character is shaped and re-formed to reflect Jesus. In this process which is a lifetime work the new spiritual life is to purify the mind. The mind in turn is to control the body regulating and correct- ing the behaviour. The natural outworking of this process is Ministry to others.

33 MINISTRY The love which Jesus implants in the grateful recipient must find expression if the process of spiritual development is to con- tinue. God’s love is not to be confined to a few chosen ones who will also love us back in the same way. God’s love is as uncon- fined as the shoreless ocean. God wants to use us to help in His plan to bring relief to suffering humanity. More particularly yet to bring the plan of Salvation within reach of those who do not know the provision God through Jesus has made. God can only really use us effectively when the reformation in our lives makes us safe instruments in His hands. He uses us in our first love stage too, no doubt, but if the weaknesses are still there complications can easily mar the work through sin. For example, a young man listens to the gospel teaching and is longing for the changes it brings. He seeks the Lord and be- lieves and experiences the new birth. Fired with zeal he goes among his old friends to share with them what he has learned. They show no interest and instead laugh and joke about his new faith. His enthusiasm is somewhat blunted by this reception. He has given up for Jesus the things he once did with them. They still like to party and smoke marijuana as well as drink. He feels isolated as he has not yet made new Christian friends .His family also are not supportive of his new faith. Over time he begins to feel tempted by the desire for companionship to join with them again in some of their activities. He is not safe now, he is out of his depth, on the brink of a precipice. The conversion was genuine and is still genuine, but the powers in his body have not yet been brought SECURELY under the control of reason. Will he go over? Will he fall? The power of God is still just as available to him as before, but he is not tapping into it as he did before. Fortunately God sends him help, who is trying to help others, but is not yet ready. An experienced Christian seeks him out, invites him to stay the weekend and discusses the dangers of the Christian walk. The danger is for the time averted and his faith is established again. The elder friend invites him to stay with his family the next few months and the youth becomes es- tablished in healthy living principles. He reaches a point where he can be friendly with his old friends when he sees them, yet the residue of desire for their lifestyle choices has diminished, so that he feels sorry for them, and now wants to avoid situations of temptations with them.

34 He makes new friends in the faith and this strengthens him further, and the old desires fade away as he enjoys the new op- portunities he is getting now his life is “on track” with God. The lesson to be learned from this story is that we must let God lead us into the work He has chosen for us when He knows we are ready. Timing is also important in God’s plan, the right work done at the right time. Jesus and both spent 30 years in preparation for the much wider ministry God had for them later in life. Jesus was already daily working for others in Nazareth and surrounds. Normally the work will start in a small way and grow as the Lord sees in the best interests of His work. Our willingness to respond to the yoke of service He offering is essential for the growth in us and the work for others. :28, “Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 11:29, Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 11:30, For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.” “Christ's followers have been redeemed for service. Our Lord teaches that the true object of life is ministry. Christ Himself was a worker, and to all His followers He gives the law of service-- service to God and to their fellow men. Here Christ has pre- sented to the world a higher conception of life than they had ever known. By living to minister for others, man is brought into connection with Christ. The law of service becomes the connect- ing link which binds us to God and to our fellow men. Christ’s Object Lessons 326.3 “To His servants Christ commits "His goods"--something to be put to use for Him. He gives "to every man his work." Each has his place in the eternal plan of heaven. Each is to work in co- operation with Christ for the salvation of souls. Not more surely is the place prepared for us in the heavenly mansions than is the special place designated on earth where we are to work for God.” Christ’s Object Lessons 326.4 The work God gives us to do He will have prepared us for over time. The rebirth, the growth in reformation, the limited ministry in the smaller circle all are factors in educating His servants for a wider work. The interaction with others in helping them is a cru- cial factor in our own reformation. We learn how to work with people and their problems and to apply the gospel solutions. This helps us to see our own weaknesses better and where lies

35 our strengths in Jesus and thus encourage them in the same way. The faithful performance of duties leads into a wider sphere of influence .This should lead to a greater dependence upon God and as we grapple sometimes with real life situations we don’t have a clear answer to. As we face these questions we turn more and more to Jesus as the Pattern and Example in all things. The prayer life should increase because guidance and protection are needed to follow God’s will. “In choosing men and women for His service, God does not ask whether they possess worldly wealth, learning, or elo- quence. He asks, "Do they walk in such humility that I can teach them My way? Can I put My words into their lips? Will they rep- resent Me?" Ministry of Healing 37.3. “God can use every person just in proportion as He can put His Spirit into the soul temple. The work that He will accept is the work that reflects His image. His followers are to bear, as their credentials to the world, the ineffaceable characteristics of His immortal principles” Ministry of Healing 37.4. This increase in spirituality and the soaking up and absorbing of Christ’s character into our own is a way of hastening His re- turn for we are getting ready. “Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be per- fectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” Christ’s Object Lessons 69.1. It is the privilege of every Christian not only to look for but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, ( 2 Peter 3:12, mar- gin). Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last great harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious grain.” Christ’s Object Lessons 69.2. Such a character transformation and identification with the life of Jesus can be seen in the 144,000 spoken about in Revela- tion. 14. 14:1, “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty [and] four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. 14:2, And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

36 14:3, And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. 14:4, These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whither- soever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, [being] the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 14:5, And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are with- out fault before the throne of God.” This group have the special characteristics necessary to pre- pare the way for Jesus coming. Certainly they did not begin this way, but a transforming process enabled this to take place. The Fathers name is written on their foreheads teaching that the character of these people is like the Father. The rebirth and more importantly the reformation has reached a place where the harmony between the 144,000 and the Father is similar to the harmony between Jesus and the Father when He was on earth. Not defiled with woman. Woman represent churches normally in . A good woman is a good church and a bad woman is a bad church. These people are not defiled or disqualified from their work by false teachings. They hold a pure teaching. Follow the Lamb. They follow the Lamb where ever He goes. There are two ways in which we can do this. The first is to follow the spiritual journey of the Lamb. That is to harmonize with His holy charac- ter through the transforming process we have spoken about. The second way is that they are always prepared to do His will. They will go where He sends them, speak what He gives them to speak, and act as He would have them act. Both of these ways require faith, courage, love, patience and a readiness to give up sin and self interest in order to follow God. Redeemed from among men. These people are not angels who have never fallen, or beings from other worlds, but people like you and me who are called out of this world to follow Jesus. The reformation reaches a point where they demonstrate God’s love on this earth in very trying circumstances. Firstfruits. They are the firstfruits in that they demonstrate that the law can be kept on this earth through the power of the gospel. They

37 love God supremely and there neighbour as themselves. They are an offering to God on behalf of the greater company of the redeemed who are raised from the dead, at the of Jesus. No guile. There is no hypocrisy in their words or misrepresentation of Jesus in their lives anymore. There was, but they have given up sin, and walked in God’s pathway until His way is habitual with them. They are therefore without fault now, before the throne of God, but it was not always so. There is a group of these people who have been transformed in this way by the gospel and the whole creation waits for them to do this work. Romans 8:18, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 8:19, For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.” The manifestation of the sons of God is seen at different times in different degrees. The greatest manifestation of the sons of God will be seen at the end of time just before Jesus leaves the heavenly sanctuary and makes his way to this earth. Once He leaves heaven to come to this earth there will be no more inter- cession for man, everyone will receive as his works have been. Revelation 22:11, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 22:12, And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

The Responsibility of God’s Workers Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, say- ing, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 28:19, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 28:20, Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.” The of Jesus has been written about and

38 spoken about by so many that we will concentrate only on a few main points. Here is a work for those who have been partakers of God’s love in Jesus to do. The love of Jesus within, will lead, [if sin is expelled from the life] to that love finding expression in acts of love to others. There will develop a constant dependency on God, a receiving and an imparting, and a growing up into Jesus and His character. Here is the important point. This growth is conditional to surrendering the will into God’s hands. We are still not slaves to God, but servants and co workers in His plan of salvation. We were slaves to sin before, but now we are free, and it is our constant privilege to exercise our choices on God’s side thereby making His will our will. “Speak as He would speak, act as He would act. Constantly reveal the sweetness of His character. Reveal that wealth of love which underlies all His teachings and all His dealings with men. The humblest workers, in co-operation with Christ, may touch chords whose vibrations shall ring to the ends of the earth and make melody throughout eternal ages.” Ministry of Healing 159.3. “Heavenly intelligences are waiting to co-operate with human instrumentalities, that they may reveal to the world what human beings may become, and what, through union with the Divine, may be accomplished for the saving of souls that are ready to perish. There is no limit to the usefulness of one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart and lives a life wholly consecrated to God. All who con- secrate body, soul, and spirit to His service will be constantly receiving a new endowment of physical, mental, and spiritual power. The inexhaustible supplies of heaven are at their com- mand. Christ gives them the breath of His own Spirit, the life of His own life. The Holy Spirit puts forth its highest energies to work in mind and heart. Through the grace given us we may achieve victories that because of our own erroneous and pre- conceived opinions, our defects of character, our smallness of faith, have seemed impossible.” Ministry of Healing 159.4. Paul spoke of his experiences thus; 1 Corinthians 15:30, “And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 15:31, I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 15:32, If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat

39 and drink; for to morrow we die.” 2 Corinthians 11:23, “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I [am] more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 11:24, Of the Jews five times received I forty [stripes] save one. 11:25, Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 11:26, [In] journeyings often, [in] perils of waters, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils by [mine own] countrymen, [in] perils by the heathen, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false brethren; 11:27, In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 11:28, Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” Paul’s love of God and zeal for Him led him to the forefront of God’s work and it was an extremely difficult work, but the Lord sustained him always. So he said “I die daily” What did he die to daily? He died to the desires of the flesh to escape from the ar- duous and constant life threatening situations of his daily life. His desire to draw back to ease and peace from constant danger were over ruled by love for Jesus and man. His experience was one of victory and how did he find it? Hebrews 12:1, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 12:2, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, de- spising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 12:3, For consider him that endured such contradiction of sin- ners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 12:4, Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Looking to the example of Jesus he found inspiration and vic- tory because the life of Jesus is the ultimate example. While we may not be called to the dangerous life that Paul experienced, we can certainly learn from it valuable lessons of how to main- tain and increase victory in Jesus. Jesus is the true example and Head of the church.

40

Through the centuries since Jesus gave the great com- mission, His faithful people have settled in remote places to teach their families and neighbours His ways. Living simple lives close to nature in natural surroundings has helped the children to appreciate the beautiful creation and the Creator. With the Bible and supporting

writings as their guide, they have spread the truths of

God into surrounding settlements. Likewise have often intrepid faithful followers of Je- sus loved God supremely and their neighbour as them- selves to forsake the comforts of a life of ease and con- venience. They take the gospel in their hearts and meet people in the highways of travel and the remote areas

where few would be troubled to go. They carry a mes-

sage of peace with God, and goodwill to all men which is a healing balm to those willing to receive it. Often using the simple treatments God has provided in nature they minister to the physical needs of the sick they meet.

41 CHRIST the HEAD of the CHURCH. We live in the time when the revelation of Jesus is to be given in God’s people. This revelation will be seen particularly in the lives of the 144,000 just before Jesus comes. Even now the message which will show how this is to happen is being taught and more and more lived in the hearts and lives of God’s chil- dren. In the great commission Jesus said “all power” is “given unto Him” Jesus has “all power” and this “all power” is infinitely greater than the power of sin or of it’s originator, Satan. The gos- pel is the power of God, Romans 1:16, and is designed to give us victory. We need to get this “all power” from its Source, the Head. While Moses, Elijah, Paul, Peter were all mighty men of God and there has been a myriad of men and woman down through the ages who have powerfully witnessed for God and Jesus these are all lesser lights. At times they made their mistakes or held wrong ideas learned in the age in which they lived that hin- dered their spiritual revelation. You can read about them in the Bible. However the last people must focus particularly on the Su- preme Revelation of God as given in the life of Jesus. This re- vealing of God’s character was just as important as His death and . They are to do a work similar to what He did. In order for this to happen we must let God be the head of the church. When men are ruling and controlling in any way contrary to God the Spirit is quenched. Of course God has leaders and various positions in His church and these are to be respected. The problem comes in when these take over the work that God is organizing among His people. 1 Corinthians 12:4, “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 12:5, And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 12:6, And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 12:7, But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 12:8, For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 12:9, To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 12:10, To another the working of miracles; to another proph-

42 ecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 12:11, But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 12:12, For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is] Christ. 12:13, For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 12:14, For the body is not one member, but many. 12:28, And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 12:29, [Are] all apostles? [are] all prophets? [are] all teachers? [are] all workers of miracles? 12:30, Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?” We can see that that among God’s people there is a place for personal guidance by God and a place for collective guidance by God in assigning different ones their work according to their gifts. One thing is plain in all this and it is that today, in our times when the work can be finished Christ is the example and any guidance contrary to that life is detrimental to His cause. The church today can recognize the true and the false by whether it is seen in the life and teachings of Jesus. If something is being advocated and it is not seen in His life and does not match His character, then it is not His guidance and comes from man or worse still sent by Satan to hinder the work. “The followers of Christ are to shed light into the darkness of the world. Through the Holy Spirit, God's word is a light as it be- comes a transforming power in the life of the receiver. By im- planting in their hearts the principles of His word, the Holy Spirit develops in men the attributes of God. The light of His glory--His character--is to shine forth in His followers. Thus they are to glo- rify God, to lighten the path to the Bridegroom's home, to the city of God, to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Christ’s Object Lessons 414.2. “To His people He says, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." Isaiah 60:1.” Christ’s Object Lessons 415.1. "Behold," says the Scripture, "the darkness shall cover the

43 earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee." Isaiah 60:2. Christ’s Object Lessons 415.2. It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshroud- ing the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a mes- sage from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and truth. Christ’s Object Lessons 415.3 This is the work outlined by the prophet Isaiah in the words, "O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Be- hold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him." Isa. 40:9,10. Christ’s Object Lessons 415.4 Those who wait for the Bridegroom's coming are to say to the people, "Behold your God." The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them.” Christ’s Object Lessons 415.5 This message is now being given and has been for many years. It has done a great work in and for those who have seen its beauty. Now we are entering into the next natural phase when the life of Jesus within is loosening the hold that men have held in the work of God, and Jesus is asking for the leadership of His work to be given back as never before into His control. Therefore it is to be God who chooses His own instruments in His own work and this is how it should have always been. He will personally lead the wise virgins who have a real connection with Him into the work He has chosen them to do. “Let me tell you that the Lord will work in this last work in a manner very much out of the common order of things, and in a way that will be contrary to any human planning. There will be those among us who will always want to control the work of God, to dictate even what movements shall be made when the work goes forward under the direction of the angel who joins the third angel in the message to be given to the world. God will use ways and means by which it will be seen that He is taking the

44 reins in His own hands. The workers will be surprised by the simple means that He will use to bring about and perfect His work of righteousness.” Testimonies to Ministers 300. (1885) 118.1 “Thus the message of the third angel will be proclaimed. As the time comes for it to be given with greatest power, the Lord will work through humble instruments, leading the minds of those who consecrate themselves to his service. The laborers will be qualified rather by the unction of his Spirit than by the training of literary institutions. Men of faith and prayer will be constrained to go forth with holy zeal, declaring the words which God gives them.” Great Controversy 606. When Jesus was on earth He received His instructions for the carrying out of the work from His Father. The works of healing of the body was a picture to the people of how He wanted to heal them of their spiritual sickness. That is why in the great commis- sion he instructed His disciples to do a healing work. Teaching alone is not enough, the show the gospel in ac- tion. Men can see in action a picture of what God is like and that He loves even them. “The light of the Sun of Righteousness is to shine forth in good works--in words of truth and deeds of holiness.” Christ’s Object Lessons 416.1. Christ, the outshining of the Father's glory, came to the world as its light. He came to represent God to men, and of Him it is written that He was anointed "with the Holy Ghost and with power," and "went about doing good." Acts 10:38. In the syna- gogue at Nazareth He said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliver- ance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord." :18, 19. This was the work He commissioned His disciples to do. "Ye are the ," He said. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:14, 16.” Christ’s Object Lessons 416.2. This is the work which the prophet Isaiah describes when he says, "Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the

45 morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward." Isaiah 58:7, 8. Christ’s Object Lessons 417.1. Thus in the night of spiritual darkness God's glory is to shine forth through His church in lifting up the bowed down and com- forting those that mourn. Christ’s Object Lessons 417.2. All around us are heard the wails of a world's sorrow. On every hand are the needy and distressed. It is ours to aid in relieving and softening life's hardships and misery. Christ’s Object Les- sons 417.3. Practical work will have far more effect than mere sermonizing. We are to give food to the hungry, clothing to the naked, and shelter to the homeless. And we are called to do more than this. The wants of the soul, only the can satisfy. If Christ is abiding in us, our hearts will be full of divine sympathy. The sealed fountains of earnest, Christ-like love will be un- sealed. Christ’s Object Lessons 417.4. God calls not only for our gifts for the needy, but for our cheer- ful countenance, our hopeful words, our kindly handclasp. When Christ healed the sick, He laid His hands upon them. So should we come in close touch with those whom we seek to benefit. Christ’s Object Lessons 418.1. There are many from whom hope has departed. Bring back the sunshine to them. Many have lost their courage. Speak to them words of cheer. Pray for them. There are those who need the bread of life. Read to them from the word of God. Upon many is a soul sickness which no earthly balm can reach nor physician heal. Pray for these souls, bring them to Jesus. Tell them that there is a balm in Gilead and a Physician there. Christ’s Object Lessons 418.2. Light is a blessing, a universal blessing, pouring forth its treas- ures on a world unthankful, unholy, demoralized. So it is with the light of the Sun of Righteousness. The whole earth, wrapped as it is in the darkness of sin, and sorrow, and pain, is to be lighted with the knowledge of God's love. From no sect, rank, or class of people is the light shining from heaven's throne to be excluded. Christ’s Object Lessons 418.3. The message of hope and mercy is to be carried to the ends of the earth. Whosoever will, may reach forth and take hold of God's strength and make peace with Him, and he shall make peace. No longer are the heathen to be wrapped in midnight darkness. The gloom is to disappear before the bright beams of

46 the Sun of Righteousness. The power of hell has been over- come. Christ’s Object Lessons 418.4. But no man can impart that which he himself has not received. In the work of God, humanity can originate nothing. No man can by his own effort make himself a light bearer for God. It was the golden oil emptied by the heavenly messengers into the golden tubes, to be conducted from the golden bowl into the lamps of the sanctuary, that produced a continuous bright and shining light. It is the love of God continually transferred to man that en- ables him to impart light. Into the hearts of all who are united to God by faith the golden oil of love flows freely, to shine out again in good works, in real, heartfelt service for God.” Christ’s Object Lessons 418.5.

Who Are Our Brethren? Matthew 25:31, “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 25:32, And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats: 25:33, And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 25:34, Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 25:35, For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 25:36, Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 25:37, Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink? 25:38, When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]? 25:39, Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 25:40, And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.” God expects us to have a care for our fellow man as an ex-

47 pression of His love in us. The law is summed up as loving God supremely and our neighbour as ourselves. As maturity in Jesus develops the responsibility we have to others less fortunate than ourselves becomes more apparent. We are on the one hand grateful to God for what He has done for us, and realise that without Him we are nothing and have nothing of lasting worth. On the other hand we see the human need and realise that God has blessed us so we can be a blessing to others. The rebirth has brought us new life, the reformation has continued the growth process, and now working for others unselfishly takes the work deeper. Involvement with them in their difficulties and prob- lems is a micro picture of God’s work for us. Christ in us re- sponds to their needs in a Christlike way provided we are sur- rendering our lives and plans into God’s hands each day. Those who failed or refuse to minister to others who are rejected by God, show that they have no sympathy with Jesus mission to the earth. The work has only been shallow in them or they never were really with God, as is the case of the foolish virgins, who lack the Holy Spirit. Matthew 7:12, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

The Good Samaritan :25, “And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 10:26, He said unto him, What is written in the law? how read- est thou? 10:27, And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 10:28, And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 10:29, But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 10:30, And Jesus answering said, A certain [man] went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded [him], and departed, leaving [him] half dead. 10:31, And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

48 10:32, And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked [on him], and passed by on the other side. 10:33, But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion [on him], 10:34, And went to [him], and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 10:35, And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave [them] to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 10:36, Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 10:37, And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” This lesson of love for our fellow man was repeated again and again by Jesus in His own daily acts of healing and teaching. His purpose was to draw men out of themselves and their little “chosen” groups to see the Divine Brotherhood that knows no barrier of race, nationality, caste or religion. He sought to apply the healing balm to all classes of society and transcended barri- ers of exclusiveness to implant His message and his life in the hearts of men. “From age to age the Lord has been seeking to awaken in the souls of men a sense of their divine brotherhood. Be co-workers with Him. While distrust and alienation are pervading the world, Christ's disciples are to reveal the spirit that reigns in heaven.” Ministry of Healing 159.2. :12, “Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor [thy] rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. 14:13, But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14:14, And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” Notice how Jesus was trying to bring the people out of their narrow exclusiveness to follow in His own footsteps, or at least to awaken their conscience in regard to their neglect of others less fortunate. Unless the heart was changed, it was highly unlikely they would take up His advice. But wasn’t this the very

49 thing He had done for mankind? He had left His Family in heaven, the adoring angels, the sons of God and all the beauty there to live a life of poverty and rejection here in order to minis- ter to suffering humanity. Surely He has the right to expect the delivered to also help Him in this work and share in the self sac- rificing spirit that was the theme of His life. Again we see this taught in the of the lost sheep. We are the lost sheep the Lord came to save. We become through rebirth and reformation under-shepherds to the Great Shepherd in His work for other needy people. If we don’t do this work when we have opportunity, we reveal that we are not truly connected with Him. :1, Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sin- ners for to hear him. 15:2, And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. 15:3, And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 15:4, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilder- ness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 15:5, And when he hath found [it], he layeth [it] on his shoul- ders, rejoicing. 15:6, And when he cometh home, he calleth together [his] friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 15:7, I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” There are numerous other and warnings the Lord gave to illustrate the need to love God supremely and our neighbour as ourselves, but these are sufficient to show our pur- pose. The carrying out of this work is what will bring life into the churches.

The True Fast. The true fast involves a connection with Jesus leading to self denial in the life in order to better serve God by ministering to others more needy than ourselves. This in turn will bring in- creased blessing and resources from God. Doors of usefulness will open. Prayers will be answered and health will increase. More importantly still, communion with God will become more real and intimate leading to an increase in character change in

50 us. Selfishness will be broken up, as the light of Jesus floods in. Isaiah 58:6, “[Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 58:7, [Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? 58:8, Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. 58:9, Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I [am]. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; 58:10, And [if] thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and sat- isfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness [be] as the noon day: 58:11, And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. 58:12, And [they that shall be] of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The re- storer of paths to dwell in. 58:13, If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, [from] doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking [thine own] words: 58:14, Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it].”

144,000 God will have a people who will through a transforming proc- ess of Rebirth, Reformation and Ministry become like Him in character. They will perfectly reflect and reveal the Christ-like character in their own sphere of influence. They will not be the Saviour of the world as Jesus was, but they will reveal His sav-

51 ing attributes as living representatives of Him in a world that has lost it’s vital connection with Jesus. There will be many of these people all over the world who will co-operate with God to have their lives transformed in this way. Even now the teaching of how to prepare to be among such a people is going forth to vari- ous parts of the world to give the opportunity for people to get ready. Jesus is coming, there is no doubt, He said He would come again. John 14:1, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 14:2, In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 14:3, And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.” :27, “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Revelation 1:7, “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kin- dreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 1:8, I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” The people who finally make up this group along with their fore -runners will in many cases receive the special gifts of the Holy Spirit. There are already gifts among God’s people today, but the manifestation is not now so marked or developed as it will be then. Some gifts today would appear to be missing such as liv- ing prophets and apostles. Joel 2:28, “And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daugh- ters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 2:29, And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” This return of the gifts is essential to the revelation of Jesus character to the second coming. This is because of the scale of the work that needs to be done to give the warning that Jesus will soon be here. There are so many people to be reached in a short time.

52 The real preparation then is character preparation, Christ within the hope of glory. After speaking of the signs of His com- ing, Jesus says Matthew 24:43, “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be bro- ken up. 24:44, Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 24:45, Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 24:46, Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” By being ready we hasten His coming for: “Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly repro- duced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” Christ’s Object Lessons 69.1. We pray that we all may be intelligently making this prepara- tion through Rebirth, Reformation, and Ministry.

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Jesus said, “Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy breth- ren, neither thy kins- men, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recom- pense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” Luke 14:12- 14.

Jesus expects us to share with Him in His mission in the world to uplift man- kind and share freely the blessings of life with those who are not so fortu- nate as ourselves. In the pictures these needy people have been invited to both a spiritual and physical feast by people interested in their welfare. In this way the Ministry of Jesus is expressed through His followers to the blessing of mankind.