The
Assassination
of
God's
Character
Pacific Union Recorder, 31 December, 1903
"I am instructed to say to our people, Let us follow Christ. We may safely discard
all ideas that are not included in His teachings."
Last Updated 22 September, 2006
Note: Some passages in this book are repeated in relevant places. This is designed to cater for those who
might like to begin their study at the "Objections" and not at the beginning of the book.
1

Table of Contents
Synopsis...............................................................................................................................................5
Preface................................................................................................................................................. 8
The Object of Satan's Attack............................................................................................................... 9
The Doctrine of Destruction - When Everyone Got it Wrong.......................................................... 13
Perceptions of God's Personality Form Legislation.......................................................................... 24
Forming the Image to the Beast.........................................................................................................27
When is a Sin not a Sin?....................................................................................................................42
Who is Thinking to Change the Law Thou Shalt Not Kill?........................................................... 48
Is Knowing God's Character a Salvation Issue?................................................................................51
The Reason Why Satan Attacks God's Law......................................................................................54
The Commandments are Binding on All Beings...............................................................................60
The Law of Reaping and Sowing...................................................................................................... 64
The Law of God Given to Humanity.................................................................................................65
The Law Upheld and Obeyed by Jesus Christ................................................................................65
The Vital Protestant Principle........................................................................................................... 66
Freedom to Worship.......................................................................................................................... 67
Political Freedom to Kill................................................................................................................... 68
Religious Freedom to Kill?............................................................................................................... 70
The Roots of "Just War" Doctrine.....................................................................................................71
Theological Foundations for the Inquisition..................................................................................... 72
Rules and Rewards of "Holy" Wars..................................................................................................78
Why Do Religious Organisations Kill Heretics?...............................................................................87
Character Assassination in Heaven................................................................................................... 89
Character Assassination on Earth......................................................................................................90
Character Comparisons..................................................................................................................... 92
Examine the Fruit of the Character................................................................................................... 93
Christ's Character...............................................................................................................................95
Satan's Character............................................................................................................................... 96
Searching Out the Character of God................................................................................................. 97
Justice and Mercy.............................................................................................................................. 97
Where is the Merciful Justice?........................................................................................................ 105
The Character of Sin........................................................................................................................121
Jesus Corrected Traditional Mosaic Law........................................................................................ 122
Quiz................................................................................................................................................. 128
Wrathful God or Gentle Jesus?........................................................................................................129
Show us the Father.......................................................................................................................... 129
What About the God Portrayed in the Old Testament?...................................................................134
The Pagan Pyramid of Pain............................................................................................................. 146
The Life is in the Blood...................................................................................................................147
Blood Letting...................................................................................................................................149
Human Sacrifice.............................................................................................................................. 162
Child Sacrifices in the Israelite Religion.................................................................................... 164
Did the Israelite's God Require Human Sacrifices? .................................................................. 168
Child Sacrifice in Tribal Cultures...............................................................................................170
Modern-Age Child Sacrifices..................................................................................................... 172
Cannibalism.....................................................................................................................................174
Future Sacrifices 'God' Says Kill 7th day Sabbath Keeping Children ........................................ 177
Circumcision Which Covenant?...................................................................................................179
Animal Sacrifices............................................................................................................................ 185
Ellen White Concerning Sacrifices................................................................................................. 207
Prostitution...................................................................................................................................... 210
Marriage.......................................................................................................................................... 217
The Trinity - A Pagan Concept ..................................................................................................... 231
How did Jesus Express His Wrath?.................................................................................................239
God's "Wrath"..................................................................................................................................243
God Defines His Own "Wrath".......................................................................................................244
The Hedge....................................................................................................................................... 245
2

Who is the Destroyer God or Satan?............................................................................................ 247
Job's Experience..........................................................................................................................247
Modes of Destruction...................................................................................................................... 255
The Flood (Gen 6).......................................................................................................................256
Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19)..................................................................................................261
Desolate Jerusalem..................................................................................................................... 263
Christ's Death, Resurrection and Return.....................................................................................264
The Trinity's Character - Versus - the Father's Character............................................................... 266
Wrath Falls on Humanity................................................................................................................ 271
Ellen White's Definition of the Character of God........................................................................... 272
Christ is the Divine, Greatest Teacher ............................................................................................274
Ellen White Explains The Wrath of God........................................................................................ 277
Ellen White Sinners are Destroyed by the Wrath of God............................................................ 278
Satan's Work Confused with God's Work....................................................................................... 283
Doing Bad Things with "Good" Motives........................................................................................286
Divine Wrath in The American Civil War (18611865).................................................................289
The SDA Pioneer Position on the 6th Commandment....................................................................297
Changes to the 6th Commandment by the SDA Church.................................................................298
The Final Destruction...................................................................................................................... 300
Vengeance is Mine and I Will Repay..............................................................................................304
Who Sends the Plagues?..................................................................................................................308
Who Gets the Blame for the Plagues?.............................................................................................312
Objections........................................................................................................................................319
Kill the Soul - (Matthew 10:28)..................................................................................................319
Eternal Life in the Scriptures - (John 5:39)................................................................................ 319
God Kills and Wounds - (Deuteronomy 32:39)..........................................................................319
Holy Men of God Spake- (2 Peter 1:20, 21)...............................................................................326
Who Decided Which Writings Were Inspired by God?............................................................. 339
Parable of the Vineyard.............................................................................................................. 348
Tempting the Faithful - Harassment of the Wicked .................................................................. 357
God is Angry with the Wicked (Psalm 7:11)...........................................................................377
God's Strange Act- (Isaiah 28: 21)..............................................................................................383
Christ Executes Judgment - (Jude 1:14, 15)............................................................................... 384
Open or Closed Probation...........................................................................................................387
Buy a Sword - (Luke 22:36)....................................................................................................... 389
You Shalt Surely Kill - (Deuteronomy 13:6-13)........................................................................ 391
God Has a Right to Destroy Heretics EGW ........................................................................... 394
Korah's Death..............................................................................................................................396
My Fury Upheld Me - Isaiah 63:1-6...........................................................................................405
Samson a Suicide "Bomber?.......................................................................................................407
Kill to Prevent Contamination.................................................................................................... 412
Self-Defence............................................................................................................................... 415
God Will By No Means Clear the Guilty - Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:18 ................................ 423
Denying the Sanctuary Doctrine? ..............................................................................................424
My House Clearing the Temple Matthew 21:12-13............................................................. 434
The Angel Wants to Kill Balaam Numbers 22:33...................................................................440
I Make Peace and Create Evil - Isaiah 45:7................................................................................445
The Lord Has Done Evil - Amos 3:6..........................................................................................447
The Sanctuary Services...............................................................................................................448
Jesus called the Syrophenician Woman a Dog - Mark 7:27 ...................................................... 459
Fire From Heaven to Consume the Disrespectful - 2 Kings 1:8-15 .......................................... 461
Cain and Abel's Sacrifices - Genesis 4:3-5................................................................................465
A Time to Kill Ecclesiastes 3:3............................................................................................... 470
Picking up Sticks on Sabbath Numbers 15:32-36................................................................... 471
Nadab and Abihu Ananias and Sapphira................................................................................. 475
God Commanded Genocide - The Amalekites 1 Samuel 15................................................... 479
The Red Sea Closed on the Egyptians (Exo 15:4)...................................................................487
Does God Change the Rules to Suit Himself Titus 1:2; Heb 6:18.......................................... 490
3

They are Enemies of God for your Sake Romans 11:28......................................................... 493
Every Earthly Support Cut Off........................................................................................................499
The Last Message............................................................................................................................ 501
Satan's Malignity Against Christ and His People....................................................................... 503
Appendix......................................................................................................................................... 511
Baal Worship Involved Cannibalism...............................................................................................511
Statements from Catholic Authorities............................................................................................. 515
To Meet the Bridegroom ................................................................................................................ 532
Questions for Objectors...................................................................................................................537
4

Synopsis
The message of this book, the Assassination of God's Character is that God is loving in
every situation. In all His actions, He applies the Golden Rule of love - i.e. He does to
others, the things He would want done to Himself.
Matthew 7:12
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to
them."
Jesus came to 'show us the Father' (John 14:8, 9) and by looking to Jesus' character, we
can see that there is no evil, no violence in Him1, no limit to divine love.
There has never been a time when God abandoned the divine principles of love the
Golden Rule. There is never a situation where God's laws of unselfish love must be put
aside. There is never a situation where God's principles His love - is not an effective
response. There is never a time when the severity of a situation necessitates that God's
principles of love must be replaced and Satan's principles applied.
God always keeps His own commandments and never instructs anyone to break any of its
princples. 2
The Father's character is not a mixture of good and evil. God's spirit - His pure, loving way
of thinking, is the basis of His character. These principles of absolute and complete
unconditional love are reflected in His law and His government and were demonstrated in
the life of Jesus Christ.
The principle of unselfish love, as seen in the law, was the principle with which Satan has
attempted to find fault.3
God originates life - not death and destruction. Permanent death comes upon sinners as
a consequence of sin which "reigns in your mortal body," when the sin within them
destroys them (Romans 6:12, 23; 7:5; James 1:15; Isaiah 33:11; Ezekiel 28:18; Isaiah
29:5).
1
Just as the prophet Isaiah predicted, there was no violence in the Messiah, (Isa 53:9)
who was the Son of God, so there is no violence in the Father.
2
Matthew 7:12 "Therefore al things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do
ye even so to them." Matthew 22:37-40 "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord
thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (38) This is the
first and great commandment. (39) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself. (40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the
prophets."
3 Ellen White (2 statements), Signs of the Times, 16 Jan, 1896; and 22 Dec, 1914
#1 "Satan declared that it was impossible for the sons and daughters of Adam to
keep the law of God, and thus charged upon God a lack of wisdom and love. If
they could not keep the law, then there was fault with the Lawgiver. Men who are
under the control of Satan repeat these accusations against God, in asserting that men
can not keep the law of God. Jesus humbled himself, clothing his divinity with humanity,
in order that he might stand as the head and representative of the human family, and by
both precept and example condemn sin in the flesh, and give the lie to Satan's
charges." #2 "Satan had declared that the law of God was faulty, and that the good of
the universe demanded a change in its requirement. In attacking the law, he thought to
o verthrow the authority of its Author, and gain for himself the supreme allegiance. But
through the plan of salvation, the precepts of the law were to be proved perfect and
immutable, that at last only glory and love might rise to God throughout the universe,
ascribing glory and honor and praise to Him that sitteth upon the throne and to the
Lamb forever and ever."
5

It is sin (a selfish spirt/mind) which reigns in the flesh/body, that brings forth permanent
death.4
Isaiah and Ezekiel note this consequence that sin (not God) produces, as does AT Jones,
EJ Waggoner in the 1888 message and it was also related by Jesus which in a vision
which He gave to Ellen White.
Satan has attacked the truth about God's character and has been maligning His character
and His law for over 6,000 years, attempting to credit God with the traits of his own
satanic, evil character. Doctrines are formed AFTER a judgment of God's character.
The EG White 1888 Materials p 526, 527; Manuscript Release #1037; MS 25, 9 Jan, 1890
"The Lord Jesus awakens an interest in man by encouraging him to draw nigh and
become acquainted with His character. 'This is life eternal, that they might know Thee
the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent' [John 17:3]. We do not
contemplate as we should the character of God. 'God so loved the world, that He
gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life [John 3:16]. Although Satan has misinterpreted God's purposes,
falsified His character, and caused man to look upon God in a false light, yet
through the ages God's love for man has never ceased."
The 144,000 will 'know their God' i.e they wil know His character (Daniel 11:32). Through
Christ's spirit in their minds, they wil reproduce His character (Rev 12:17; Rev 14:1) and
demonstrate to the universe that unselfish love is the only sane principle of government
and more than sufficient for every situation.
In fact, the experiment with sin will not be concluded until God's character is revealed, in
the person of Christ's saints.
Ellen White, 1 Testimonies for the Church, p 59
"The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads were the words
God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus' new name. At our happy, holy
state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust
us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and they
would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God
had loved us, who could wash one another's feet, and salute the brethren with a holy kiss,
and they worshiped at our feet."
While the wicked demonstrate the violent and selfish principles of Satan's government,
the 144,000 demonstrate their Father's spirit. Just as Jesus refused to defend Himself
and 'reviled not again,' (1 Pet 2:23) so the saints, full of Christ's loving spirit, demonstrate
the same gentleness in their characters. They also, refuse to retaliate or to defend 'self.'
When the wicked rush to harm the saints, it is the saint's non-violent, loving response
th
at convinces the wicked of their sin. T
he wicked realise that the saints are trusting
God with their lives and they confess that love is stronger than violent domination and
selfishness. God's love is demonstrated to be the perfect law for universal government.
4 James 1:15 "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is
finished, bringeth forth death." Romans 8:2, 3 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ
Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (3) For what the law could
not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness
of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:"
6

Christ's Object Lessons, p 69, 415
"It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is
enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His
character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At
this time a message 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.When the character of Christ shall
be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim
them as His own..... 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."
7

Preface
The author wishes to impress upon the reader that the material contained in this
book is presented as a personal theoretical opinion, formed by sincere and
prayerful studies concerning the character of God. The author acknowledges that
the reader is free to form their own conclusions. There has been no intention to
insult, denigrate, vilify, or to create dissension or disillusionment with any
particular views in regards to any sacred writings. This material is released as the
presentation of a theory and not to disturb or offend those who might reject the
theory.
The author of this book has not the intention to "throw out the Bible" or to cause
others to discard the perfect principles of Christ's life as found in the Bible. To the
contrary, the author exhorts the reader to dig deeply into the Bible, to search out
the hidden things of God (1 Cor 2:7). The searcher, however, will discover that
there exists disharmony in the Bible, but this disharmony does not suggest that a
fault lies with God or that God has not especially preserved the Bible.
Contradictions exist only because of humanity's inability to understand God's character -
and a limited understanding often results in a stinted portrayal of God's character.
Men who were moved by the spirit of Christ to describe spiritual things - to the best
of their human ability - still failed to understand or describe the true extent and
depth of the loving character of God as seen in Jesus Christ. In their best attempts
to write material to portray the character of God, humanity could not but fail when
they inadvertently put their own concepts of God into their writings. These faulty
concepts appear to be a direct result of their interaction with the surrounding
pagan nations, of which either they conquered and enslaved or were themselves
conquered and taken into foreign captivity. Thus pagan theology many times,
inadvertently influenced the writers of the Bible writings. In contrast, the record of
the life of Jesus Christ did not fail to reveal perfect love Jesus showed to the
world, the Father's character.
Hebrews 1:1-3
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the
fathers by the prophets, (2) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,
whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (3)
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and
upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our
sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.."
The record of Christ's life and words clarify many confusing statements recorded in
the Bible. The life of Christ is aligned with the standard upon which ALL spirits and
writings must be tested the 10 commandments which are the very essence of
the Father's character.
Patriarchs and Prophets p 52
"The law of God is as sacred as God Himself. It is a revelation of His will, a
transcript of His character, the expression of divine love and wisdom."
Ellen White states in the Desire of Ages, p 19
"By coming to dwell with us, Jesus was to reveal God both to men and to
angels. He was the Word of God,--God's thought made audible."
Gospel Workers (1892) p 125; Testimonies to Ministers, p 105
"We cannot hold that a position once taken, an idea once advocated, is
n ot, under any circumstances, to be relinquished. T
here is but one who
is infallible,--He who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life."
8

The Object of Satan's Attack
If God's character is the basis of His government; and if God's character is embodied in
the 10 commandment law; and if the 10 commandment law is 'hung' on the two
commandments love to God and love to humanity then wouldn't it be logical to expect
Satan to attack God's character which is the basis of His divine law, which is the basis of
His government?
Ellen White, Signs of the Times, 16 January, 1896
"Satan declared that it was impossible for the sons and daughters of Adam
to keep the law of God, and thus charged upon God a lack of wisdom and
love. If they could not keep the law, then there was fault with the Lawgiver.
Men who are under the control of Satan repeat these accusations against
God, in asserting that men can not keep the law of God."
Ellen White, Signs of the Times, 22 December, 1914
"Satan had declared that the law of God was faulty, and that the good of the
universe demanded a change in its requirement. In attacking the law, he
thought to overthrow the authority of its Author, and gain for himself the
su
preme allegiance. But through the plan of salvation, the precepts of the law
were to be proved perfect and immutable, that at last only glory and love
might rise to God throughout the universe, ascribing glory and honor and
praise to Him that sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever."
In attacking God's character, Satan has struck at the very government of God's kingdom.
Tradition has a very strong hold on the minds of most Christians and especial y
concerning this subject regarding the origin of death and destruction. 'Come let us reason
together,' (Isa 1:18) and evaluate our beliefs upon the law of God and upon the
testimony/witness of Jesus Christ (Isaiah 8:20) and refuse to base our faith on the human
inspired or even satanical y inspired, traditions of men (Matt 15:9; Rev 12:17).
Traditional views of an angry, wrathful, vengeful god who commands the destruction of
babies and children...... (1 Samuel 15), are so very destructive to the character of the One
True God who begs us to believe that He is love (1 John 4:8, 16) and that His love never
fails, is never exhausted, is never violent, angry, etc (1 Cor 13).
The evidence to support the 'violent character of God' position is simply not present in the
holy, gentle, pure, kind, loving life of Jesus Christ - in whom was no violence (Isa 53:9).
The Son of God came to show us the Father's character (John 14:9) and it contrasts
diametrically with that of the pagan gods throughout the Bible - Moloch, Ashtoreth, Baal.
These pagan gods were those which enimated wrath and caused fearful observance in
their followers. These pagan gods commanded violence and genocide on 'heretics.' Refer
to the stele found of the Moabite King Mesha in his worship of Chemosh which was
inscribed during the time of the Biblical character Jehu. The king boasted that his god
Chemosh told him to 'kill every man, woman, child etc' and to make multiple sacrifices so
that his Moabite people could possess the special land that Chemosh gave them. It is an
interesting comparision with Joshua's experiences as recorded in the Old Testament. (A
table which compares these two religious leaders and the Mesha Stele, appears in a later
section of this book).
Did Jesus do a faulty job of revealing and demonstrating His Father's character? Did He
only show us the 'good,' kind, merciful side of God, and deceive us about the 'bad' nasty,
violent, just side of God's character? Of course not. The Son of God was a perfect and
complete representation of 'the brightness of His Father's glory/character and the express
image of His Father's person' (Heb 1:3)
9

It is sin and Satan not God- who brings destruction. A rejection of God and His law of
love, results in unavoidable consequences. When God's nature-sustaining laws of love -
which are life-giving - are broken, death and destruction are inevitable.
Satan made accusations against God's character. He set out to prove that force and
selfishness are stronger than passivity and unselfish love in fact, that they are
necessary laws in any government. Jesus came to prove that Satan's claim was false.
Love did win that battle. Love proved that unselfishness conquers every difficulty - without
using any of the devil's violent weapons.
The weapons that Christ used to overcome Satan are the weapons available to al
humanity when they give their allegiance to God.
2 Corinthians 10:4, 5
"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pul ing
down of strong holds;) (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth
itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the
obedience of Christ."
Ephesians 6:10-18
"Final y, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (11) Put on the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For
we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done al , to stand. (14) Stand therefore, having your
loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (15) And your
feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (16) Above al , taking the shield of
faith, wherewith ye shal be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (17) And take
the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (18) Praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with al
perseverance and supplication for al saints;"
Christians are not to 'wrestle against flesh and blood' but to have faith in the principles of
love and in the character of the Author of Love and to permit Him to defend them.
If God's people are to be prepared to meet their God (Daniel 11:32), they must know their
God must know His character and be able to distinguish His character from that of
Satan's character - for God's holy, loving character will be 'in their foreheads' (Rev 14:1).
God' people cannot afford to assume the position so often expressed by those who do
NOT know the character of God, which is often stated as:"it doesn't matter to me if God
kills people or if He doesn't. I'll serve Him anyway. It's not a salvation issue."
Such a position is not honouring to God. God asks that we study His character and when
we are drawn to Him, through His loving traits, then we will want to serve Him as we
realise that His law of love is the sanest, most liberating law in the universe. Our
allegiance will not be based on 'blind faith' but on faith in the loving character of God.
God's law the 10 commandments is a transcript of His loving character (Patriarchs and
Prophets p 52).
Therefore God's people might need to be especially careful that their position on God's
character, does not actual y accuse God of:
· possessing the same character traits as Satan;
· utilising the same tools/weapons which Satan employs;
· lying through Jesus' words that love is always the fulfilling of the law, when
perhaps sometimes it is necessary to employ violence;
10

· lying that some evil conditions don't neccessitate the setting aside of the 10
commandments, because love simply does not work in extreme cases and
genocides must be commanded;
· not only being the Creator, but also the destroyer;
· not only being the originator of life, but the destroyer of life- not only the destroyer
of death, but also the originator of death; and
· possessing the fruit of the spirit of love (Gal 5:22, 23), but also possessing the fruit
of Satan's spirit (Galatians 5:19-21).
11

What is Character Assassination?
The Free Dictionary by Farlex, gives one definition of character as:
character (n)
The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group, or
thing from another.
The Free Dictionary by Farlex, defines character assassination as:
character assassination (n).
A vicious personal verbal attack, especially one intended to destroy or damage a
public figure's reputation. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/character
Character assassination. Some call it "Bloodless Murder."
Eugene Harder, pastor of New Hope Community Church writes:
"When was the last time that you were slandered? Can you remember
when someone spread a vicious lie about you? Do you remember how
powerless you felt? Can you recall the anger that welled up with-in you,
that urge to get even? Do you remember how you wanted to buy a full
page ad in the local paper that would proclaim you innocence? Do you
remember how some friends believed the lie and turned their backs on
you? Perhaps you can recollect how the lie was wrapped in a half-truth.
Your enemy took part of a sentence that you spoke and put a twist on it
that you never intended it to have. That twist cast you in a negative light.
Welcome to the world of bloodless murder." (Character Assassination 
Bloodless Murder) http://www.newhope.bc.ca/secure08.htm
"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour ." Exodus 20:16
The nineth commandment specifies that it is against God's law of love to malign or
assassinate a person's character.
The third commandment applies the same principle to divinity to God's character.
"Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD wil not hold
him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. " Exodus 20: 7
The Lord's name represents His character. The law of God is a transcript of God's
character.
12

The Doctrine of Destruction - When Everyone Got it Wrong
Ellen White, Signs of the Times, 5 February, 1894
"At the time when sin had become a science, when the hostility of man was
most violent against heaven, when rebellion struck its roots deep into the
human heart, when vice was consecrated as a part of religion, when Satan
exulted in the idea that he had led men to such a state of evil that God
would destroy the world, Jesus was sent into the world, not to
condemn it, but, amazing grace! to save the world. The unfallen worlds
watched with intense interest to see Jehovah arise and sweep away
the inhabitants of the earth, and Satan boasted that if God did do this,
he would complete his plans and secure for himself the allegiance of
unfallen worlds. H
e had arguments ready by which to
cast blame upon
God, and to spread his rebellion to the world's above; but at this crisis,
instead of destroying the world, God sent his Son to save it. The
apostle caught a glimpse of the plan, and he kindled into inspiration upon
the great theme. Language cannot express his conception, but ever fal s
below the reality. John exclaims: 'Behold, what manner of love the Father
hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God;
therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.' Before
the coming of Christ to the world evidences abundant had been given that
God loved the human race. But in the gift of Christ to a race so
undeserving was demonstrated the love of God beyond all dispute. This
gift outweighed all else, showed that his love could not be measured.
We have no line to measure it, no plummet by which to sound its depths,
no chain by which to encompass it, no standard with which to compare it.
All we can say is that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only-
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.' Jesus said, 'Therefore doth my Father love me, because I
lay down my life.' He gave his life for the sheep. The only-begotten Son
of God accepts all the liabilities that fall upon the transgressor of the
law, vindicates its unchangeable and holy character. The death of
Christ removes every argument that Satan could bring against the
precepts of Jehovah. Satan has declared that men could not enter the
kingdom of heaven unless the law was abolished and a way devised
by which transgressors could be reinstated into the favor of God, and
m
ade heirs of heaven. H
e made the claim that the law must be
changed, that the reins of government must be slackened in heaven,
th
at sin must be tolerated, and sinners pitied and saved in their sins.
But every such plea was cast aside when Christ died as a substitute for the
sinner. He who was made equal with God bore the sin of the
transgressor, and thereby made a channel whereby the love of God could
be communicated to a fallen world, and his grace and power imparted to
those who came to Christ in penitence for their sin."
Ellen White, 6 Testimonies for the Church, p 9, 350
"...And that His word might ever be clear and distinct in their minds, He
proclaimed amid thunder and lightning and with terrible majesty the law
which He had given in Eden and which was the transcript of His character.
And the words were written on tables of stone by the finger of God. Thus
the wil of the infinite God was revealed to a people who were called to
make known to every nation, kindred, and tongue the principles of His
government in heaven and in earth" (p 9).
"True sanctification is harmony with God, oneness with Him in character. It
is received through obedience to those principles that are the transcript of
His character" (p 350).
13

Signs of the Times, 20 January, 1890 p 6
"Christ came to save fallen man, and Satan with fiercest wrath met him on
the field of conflict; for the enemy knew that when divine strength was
added to human weakness, man was armed with power and intel igence,
and could break away from the captivity in which he had bound him.
Satan sought to intercept every ray of light from the throne of God. He
sought to cast his shadow across the earth, that men might lose the
true views of God's character, and that the knowledge of God might
become extinct in the earth. He had caused truth of vital importance to
be so mingled with error that it had lost its significance. The law of
Jehovah was burdened with needless exactions and traditions, and
God was represented as severe, exacting, revengeful, and arbitrary.
He was pictured as one who could take pleasure in the sufferings of his
creatures. The very attributes that belonged to the character of Satan,
the evil one represented as belonging to the character of God. Jesus
came to teach men of the Father, to correctly represent him before
the fallen children of earth. Angels could not fully portray the character
of God, but Christ, who was a living impersonation of God, could not
fail to accomplish the work. The only way in which he could set and
keep men right was to make himself visible and familiar to their eyes. That
men might have salvation he came directly to man, and became a
partaker of his nature."
Signs of the Times, 7 March, 1895, p 4
"The plan of Satan was by his lying philosophies to widen the breach that
existed between God and man. He argued that man could not keep the
law of God, and therefore that God had been obliged to change the
laws which he had made, and had abolished the rule of his
government. Satan's work was to keep the agitation against God in
progress, and keep the question to the front as to whether God was
light and love or not. Satan had charged God with his own attributes,
and thus sowed in the hearts of men the seeds of enmity against
God, for man accepted the statements of him who was a liar from the
beginning. Uniting fal en man with himself, he kept a series of false
theories in regard to God in continual circulation, asserting them to be
truth, in order that he might cover up the truth, and interpose his shadow
between men and the way and the life."
God's Loving Character is Perfectly Reflected in the Life of His Son
and in the Principles of the 10 Commandments

but

not always in Human Laws.
There is a strong sense of "deja-vu" in the new anti-terrorist legislation being
passed by the westernised world. In 1376 AD, similar legislation was, with pressure
from the dominant religious system, introduced into certain European
governments. The result was a bloodbath powered by a church/state union. It was
a lengthy, merciless massacre of true Christians. The pattern was set and repeated
throughout the centuries.
It is prophesied that it will happen again and it is happening again.
14

The religio-political system is almost ready to fire into action:
·
the church assumes it has a right to declare someone a heretic and to punish
(kill) heretics;
·
the churches are banding together and are enticing governments to legislate
religious laws and "biblical" penalties;
·
the church and state will unite to "convert, torture or exterminate" heretics.
Ellen White states in Signs of the Times: 6 May, 1897, p 16
" F
orce i s the last resort of every f alse re
ligion."
Tuesday, 28 Feb, 2006 (p 122) Seventh-day Adventist Adult Teachers' Sabbath School
Bible Study Guide (1st Quarter, 2006)
"Abusive behavior is the conscious choice of a person to exercise power
and control over another. It cannot be explained or excused... Victims are
not responsible for causing the abuser to abuse. Abusers distort and
pervert love, for 'love does not harm'(Rom. 13:10. NIV)."
"Reverend" James Robison, as vice-president of the Religious Roundtable, gave a
sermon to a huge crowd, in which he thunders:
"Let me tell you something else about the character of God. If
necessary, God will raise up a tyrant, a man who might not
have the best ethics, to protect the freedom interests of the
ethical and the godly." Life and Liberty for Al Who Believe, video
at www.theocracywatch.org/audio-video.htm
Should present-day Christians look for an unethical military-type leader as their
Saviour - their Messiah? Wasn't this the same mistake that the Jews made, prior
to Christ's first advent as a baby in Bethlehem?
Should Gentle Jesus be portrayed as an avenging warrior? The apostate
Protestantism movement is already presenting Christ in just this way - as an
avenging warrior; a furious, wrathful god, coming back to the earth in glory, to
destroy those who refuse to obey him. See "The Rise of Dominionism"
http://www.theocracywatch.org/audio-video.htm
A news headline in 2001 reveals that the way for politcial-religious sermons was already
paved through legislative actions.
13 July, 2001: USA: Bill introduced in House to allow political preaching: Rep. Waler
Jones (R-NC) has introduced a bill that would allow priests, pastors, ministers and other
religious leaders to recommend political candidates and parties from the pulpit. IRS
regulations for the past 50 years have prohibited such speech if the congregation is to
retain its non-profit registration. Jones said: 'Everyone in the pulpit should be treated fairly
and equally. And they should have the freedom to help voice and educate their
congregation, their parishioners as to some of the social il s of this nation and what needs
to be done.' http://www.religioustolerance.org/news_01jul.htm
15

In the following material, it is demonstrated that the anti-christ system is using Old
Testament verses from the Christian Bible, to justify their anti-christ doctrine that it
is not a sin to murder heretics.
James 2:10
"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of
all."
Jesus predicted there would be a time when supposed "Christians" would kill
God's real people, (whom they supposed were heretics) thinking they were
honouring God. But they did these things because they didn't KNOW the Father,
nor His Son.
John 16:2, 3
"They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever
killeth you will think that he doeth God service. (3) And these things will they do
unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me."
Ch
rist empowered Christians to lo
ve t
heir enemies 
not to kill them !!
Murdering 'heretics' is anti-christ theology.
16

What Has Gone Wrong?
There has been a gross misunderstanding about the One True God. It is a Biblical
principle that 'by beholding, we become changed.' How do we 'behold' or view God?
What is He really like? Into what image wil human characters be transformed as they
focus on their God's character?
It seems that some are keen to by pass this important concept of examining the character
of God, because they are more comfortable to accept the 'status quo' or their parents'
opinions, or their ministers' opinions. But isn't choosing which God to serve even more
important that choosing a marriage partner? Surely, a person would appreciate an
opportunity to examine a prospective partner's character, before agreeing to marry them
in a life-long contract. How much more important is it to determine God's character, which
has a bearing on more than the time of a human life-span, but for eternity.
The investigation of God's character thus demands serious study. Not only does the
decision to worship a particular God have serious consequences for our eternal life, but it
also has major bearing on our present life in this world.
People imitate the character traits of their god, and their characters are shaped in the
same mold of the God they worship. If people believe their god condones and commands
murder, then it is likely that worshippers wil condone the same actions, and will justify
these actions as being "God's will."
Concerning the God of the Christian Bible, it appears that even the characters of the
prophets of the Old Testament, though zealous to serve God, were not immune from
being fashioned after the faulty concept they had of God's character. The failed to see
clearly the loving concept of the Father's character which is the basis of His universal
government. Consider Jeremiah's writing and David's psalm (hymn).
Jeremiah 18:23; 11:20
"Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me: forgive not their
iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee;
deal thus with them in the time of thine anger. But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest
righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto
thee have I revealed my cause. "
Psalm 109: 2-20
"For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they
have spoken against me with a lying tongue. (3) They compassed me about also with
words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause. (4) For my love they are my
adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. (5) And they have rewarded me evil for good,
and hatred for my love. (6) Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his
right hand. (7) When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer
become sin. (8) Let his days be few; and let another take his office. (9) Let his children be
fatherless, and his wife a widow. (10) Let his children be continual y vagabonds, and beg:
let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places. Let the extortioner catch al that
he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour. (12) Let there be none to extend mercy
unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children. (13) Let his posterity be
cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out. (14) Let the iniquity of
his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
(15) Let them be before the LORD continual y, that he may cut off the memory of them
from the earth. (16) Because that he remembered not to show mercy, but persecuted the
poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart. (17) As he loved
cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.
(18) As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his
bowels like water, and like oil into his bones. (19) Let it be unto him as the garment which
covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually. (20) Let this be the
reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul."
17

Some Mosiac laws are obviously inspired by God. Such laws are based on the principles
of love for God and for humanity loving one's neighbour as oneself (e.g. the laws which
are beneficial for health and hygiene), but what about the other Old Testament laws that
advocate death and destruction (supposedly) at the command of the One True God?
These laws are 'very strange' and appear to be based on a very different principle to
unselfish love.
The nature of these 'very strange' Mosaic laws are demonstrated perhaps more clearly
when read in the context of an open letter which was addressed to Dr Laura Schlessinger.
Dr Laura is a US radio personality who offers advice to listeners who call her radio show.
Recently, she stated, (as a Orthodox Jew), that "homosexuality is an abomination
according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance."
While it is understood that the 7th commandment forbids sexual immorality, it does not
condone or command the murder of those who disregard that commandment. However,
the Mosaic law does.
The writer of the open letter to Dr Laura was quick to notice that the death penalty is
applied by the Mosaic laws. The writer also highlighted the fact that the Mosaic laws also
specify and legislate as holy, certain, very unloving behaviours.
The open letter to Dr Laura Schlessinger states:
Dear Dr. Laura:
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I
have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge
with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the
homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus
18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need
some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws
and how to follow them.
1. When I burn a bul on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing
odour for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbours. They claim the
odour is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7.
In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her
period of menstrual cleanliness - Lev.15:19-24. The problem is, how do I
tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offence.
4. Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and
female, provided they are purchased from neighbouring nations. A friend of
mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not to Canadians. Can you
clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
5. I have a neighbour who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2
clearly states he should be put to death. Am I moral y obligated to kill him
myself?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination -
Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can
you settle this?
7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect
in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have
to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
18

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around
their temple, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How
should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me
unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different
crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two
different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and
blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting
the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn
them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with
their in-laws (Lev.20:14)?
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can
help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and
unchanging. (End quote open letter to Dr Laura. Her website is
http://www.drlaura.com/main/ )
This open letter demonstrates the confusion regarding the Father's law of love and the
Mosaic law which also includes the death penalty, and even legalises other unloving acts.
What is the Christian to do in this instance? Study! Compare everything with Jesus Christ.
It must be noted that there are no 'genuine, original manuscripts' or records of the original
laws given by God to Moses, in existence today. Those 'holy' writings which are general y
accepted to have been written by Moses,are now known to have been oral traditions and
oral histories. These traditional beliefs were only committed to writing as recorded
today in the Bible - in or around the 7th century BC.5
Because of the resulting confusion, it was necessary for humanity to see the character of
God in word, in action, and in person. The One True God sent His only begotten Son into
the world to reveal His true character to those who had been deceived by Satan and
effected by the beliefs of the pagan religions of the nations round about them.
Jesus came to show deluded and deceived humanity what kind of life would please His
Father and He revealed His Father's character perfectly. When Philip asked, "show us
the Father," Jesus replied that "he who has seen Me has seen the Father" (John 14:9).
While exposed to the violence of demon-possessed men and suffering extreme physical
and mental agony, Jesus Christ revealed to us the superior character of the Father.
Luke 23:34
"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
Perhaps it was likely that Christ's prayer on the cross, also extends to Christians today,
who stil "know not what they do" when they believe the lie that God condones violence
and the breaking of His own law of love.
In order to study the character of God, the next section deals with attempts made by those
who endeavour to justify religious persecution.
5
Recent historical and archaelogical research appears to reveal that by 700 BC most of the Old
Testament was written down although the book of Psalms was recorded in its present form later
- by 586 BC. (Who Wrote the Bible, Robert Beckford, Compass, ABC broadcast on 9 April,
2006; see also "Lost Worlds the Bible Unearthed" video SBS broadcast three part series 16
July, 23 July, 30 July).
19

The Doctrine of Persecution A Just War Against Heretics
Dr Jason David BeDuhn, Associate Professor of Religious Studies in Northern Arizona
University has done extensive studies on the formulation of the doctrine of 'Biblical'
persecution. Some extracts from his research appear below and are taken from his book
called Augustine, Manichaeism and the Logic of Persecution p 153-160)
"The term 'Manichaean' has gained currency in public discourse during
the last couple of years, as a characterization of the political rhetoric of
violent confrontation between good and evil. This usage reveals just how
much Manichaeism still serves as the West's heretical shadow, as well as
how poorly this shadow tradition is understood even today. Of course, it
is true that Manichaeism understands the world dualistically, and affirms
the real existence of an absolute evil within it. But far from being militant
crusaders, the Manichaeans were instead one of the most persecuted
religious communities in history. There is no readily apparently
overarching cause or motive for this fact, but only a series of regional
religious conflicts in which Manichaeism always seemed to wind up as
heresy against a stronger and politically-connected orthodoxy, be it
Christian, Zoroastrian, Islamic, or Taoist. In fact, a pattern emerges in
which Manichaeism occupies the place of primary pressre for a
developing state totalitarianism in religious matters: in Persia in the last
third centruy, in Rome briefly a the same time and then resuming in the
late ninth centruy. In each, Manichaeism was used to initially defnine the
unacceptable in society, to try out the methods of discovery and
destruction, before turning the state apparatus against other groups. This
treatment served only to confirm the Manichaean conception of a world
riddled through with evil forces and intentions, ready to wreak violence on
the righteous. These oppressive governments, secure in their purpose,
offered little explicit justification for the steps taken. We must take
advantage of the one case among the many where we have a
considerable body of rationalization from the persecuting side, namely,
the writings of Augustine of Hippo, in an effort to fathom the logic of
persecution and to compare it with the opposing logic of the Manichaeans
themselves in order to better understand why one religious community
felt justified and even compelled in the name of the truth, while the other
rejected persecution as a logical outcome of the very "Manichaean"
discrimination between good and evil in the world. Augustine worked at
one of the most crucial moments in Christian history, and found himself
attempting to bridge the gap between the persecuted Church of the past
....and the persecuting Church that was just starting to emerge in his
lifetime (mostly in the form of imperial legislation that sought to suppress
paganism and rival forms of Christianity.) It would be possible, on the
basis of the Sermon on the Mount and other early Christian teachings, to
assert that God permits the suffering of his saints at the hands of the
wicked without resistance, and without allowing a reciprocal act of
violence. "Resist no evil" as an ethic could form an unbridgeable chasm
between the persecuted and the persecuting churches. God could allow
the wicked to establish their own condemnation through unauthorized
acts of evil, without himself authorizing any violent act. This was
precisely the Manichaean position based exclusively on the New
Testament, but not that of Augustine and others who brought into the
equation the portrayal of God found in the Old Testament. Her God acts
in the world, protecting the righteous, punishing the wicked, chastising
the wayward. Augustine repeatedly quotes Proverbs on the good of
disciplinary chastisement." (continued over page)
20

(Dr BeDuhn continued)
The Old Testament material bridges the gap between the God of the
perseucted and the God of the persecutor, synthesizing a God who can
be both.... In Augustine's early debates with the Donatists, he was able to
cite from the Old Testament violent acts performed with the authorization
of God. But the Donatist Fortunius challenged him to cite even a single
such instance from the New Testament, and Augustine was forced to
admit he could not (Letter 44.9-10)."
Originally Augustine did not believe that he could logically justifiy punishment of the
wicked based on the New Testament writings, however, he finally found justification for
this theology in Acts "where Christ smites Paul on the road to Damascus."
Dr BeDuhn continues:
"For Augustine, the fact that both God in the Old Testament and Christ in
the New can inflict violent punishment on sinners lends sanction to
human institutions of punishment. In his 185th letter, Ausustine asks,
'How then are kings to serve the Lord with fear, except by preventing and
chastising with religious severity all those acts which are done in
opposition ot the commandments of the Lord?... In that he is a man, he
serves Him by living faithfully; but in that he is also king, he serves Him
by enforcing with suitable rigour such laws as ordain what is righteous,
and punish what is the reverse....It is indeed better ... that men should be
led to worship God by teaching, than that they should be driven to it by
fear of punishment or pain; but it does not fol ow that because the former
course produces better men, therefore those who do not yeild to it should
be neglected. For many have found advantage... in being first compelled
by fear of pain, so that they might afterwards be influenced by teaching,
or might fol ow out in act what they had already learned in word... Whilst
those are better who are guided aright by love, those are certainly more
numerous who are corrected by fear.' The Christian persecutor there
acts for the good of the sinner and heretic. Using the example of an
ignorant child playing with snakes, Augustine maintains that restraining
people by force from behavior that harms themselves is a good deed
(Letter 153:4). 'For the person from whom is taken away the freedom
which he abuses in doing wrong is vanquished with benefit to himself
(Letter 138:14). And in a letter to a local governor Augustine insists,
'It is not their death, but their deliverance from error, that we seek to
accomplish by the help of the terror of judges and of laws, whereby
they may be preserved from falling under the penalty of eternal
judgment' (Letter 153:4) With the sanction of Christ's example in
coercing Saul on the road to Damascus, Augustine argues, 'Why
therefore should not the Church use force in compelling her lost sons to
return, if the lost sons compelled others to their destruction?.... Is it not a
part of the care of the shepherd, when any sheep have left the flock, even
though not violently forced away, but led astray by tender words and
coaxing blandishments, to bring them back to the fold of his master when
he has found them, by the fear or even the pain of the whip, if they show
symptoms of resistance? (Letter 185:23)"
21

Augustine believed that he had justified the church's use of punishment by claiming that
Jesus has inflicted punishment on Saul on the road to Damascus. One must consider
whether Saul's reaction through exposure to the glory of Christ does in fact, constitute
persecution by Christ. The words of Jesus reveal that Christ was not using force or
coercion against Saul, but that He was in fact, revealing to Saul, that Saul was
persecuting Him instead.
Acts 9:3-6
"And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about
him a light from heaven: (4) And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him,
Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (5) And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord
said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. (6)
And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord
said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."
Saul's reaction to the 'glorious light' was an indication of what occurs to a sinful human
being when they are exposed to the presence of divinity. Christ did not 'smite' Saul and
cause his blindness. Blindness came upon Saul because he, a sinner, had glimpsed the
unveiled glory of the Son of God. Verse 18 describes the return of Saul's eyesight as
"scales" falling from his eyes when Ananias prayed for him.
Acts 9:18
"And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight
forthwith, and arose, and was baptized."
In love, Christ healed Saul from this afl iction at the very moment that Saul exercised faith
in Him. This is comparable to the experience which occurred to three of the disciples on
the Mount of Transfiguration. Peter, James and John were witnesses to the event where
God the Father visibly communicated with His Son. The Son's face and body became
visibly bright when the Father came near to Christ. Note the disciples' reaction to being
exposed to divine glory and note Christ's compassionate response to their affliction.
Matthew 17:2, 5-8
"And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment
was white as the light.... (5) ... behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a
voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased;
hear ye him. (6) And when the disciples heard it, they fel on their face, and were sore
afraid. (7) And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. (8) And
when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only."
Perhaps the disciples also were blinded by divine glory until Jesus touched them, just as
Ananias touched Saul to effect his healing.
Augustine's theology of "justified' persecution (or just punishment,) included the infliction
of the death penalty. Dr BeDuhn continues:
"Augustine's initial attempts to justify capital punishment as a form of
restraint on the sinner, preventing worse sin, is inherently incoherent
within Christianity unti the later development of a purgatory concept to
accommodate it.... Augustine assumes that when God causes calamity to
befall the faithful, it is a matter of punishing unrecognized fault, serving a
useful reminder to vigilance, or testing one's faith (ContraFaustum 22:20).
If God wilfully permits the persecution of his saints for his larger
purposes, then certainly he permits the persecution of the wicked and
perverse by the saints to the same ends. And if God's sense of justice is
served by the suffering of all those who have inherited Adam's sin, then
certainly he accepts his saints as the agents of this justice on those who
reject forgiveness and by their recalcitrance threaten all. Building on
Romans 13, he asserts that all political authority is approved by God..."
(continued)
22

(Dr BeDuhn continued)
"Augustine inadvertently provides the classic Nuremburg defense, that
one remains innocent when obeying a command given by one in a
position of sufficient authority, regardless of how it relates to any human
standard of good or evil. By the same logic every action be it that of a
Gandhi or that of a Hitler is vindicated as acts of God's will, insofar as
they were successsfully enacted in a world under God's absolute
control...."
"In rejecting such a God, the Manichaeans reject the justification of
persecution, either as promoted by God as a means to god ends, or
permitted by him as a chastiement of his chosen ones. Persecution, like
al acts of violence, can only be instigated by evil. God does not allow
persecution, but works tirelessly to free his saints from it... The logic of
dualism entails the idea that God is not the only force to contend with,
that God does not control all events in the universe, that not every
existent thing or possiblity of action mut be rationalized wihin a unified
supreme will. For the Manichaeans, therefore, there was a perfect logic
to suffering and persecution: the world was a battlefield between good
and evil, the individual was part of a voluntary mission to wage this war,
the composition of the human body as a mixture of good and evil meant
that many individuals could be turned to the enemy and when they were
they would ignorantly persecute their fellow soul. Thus persecution is the
natural state of this world. The good by definition suffers. The leaders of
religion especial y draw down upon themselves the hostility of the forces
of evil." Dr Jason David BeDuhn, Associate Professor in Religious
Studies at Northern Arizona University. All preceeding quoatations taken
from Augustine, Manichaeism and the Logic of Persecution p 153-160)
http://www.nau.edu/human/religion/beduhn/Augustine,%20Manichaeism,
%20and%20the%20Logic%20of%20persecution.pdf
It can be seen, that against this historical background, the doctrine of "justifable"
persecution - giving sanction to the murder of 'heretics' - is deeply established in the
Roman Catholic church through the writings of Augustine.
Not surprisingly, many other Christian denominations, following in the steps of Rome,
have also accepted this doctrine on Augustine's assumptions - as being 'Biblically"
established.
23

Perceptions of God's Personality Form Legislation
Reported by Lauren Smith at The Wall of Separation, Official Weblog of AU.org
(Americans United)
September 15, 2006
Extracts from the original article appear below.
God And Politics In America: What Baylor Researchers Found
A new report released by the Baylor University Institute for Studies of
Religion has revealed some intriguing details about religion and politics in
the United States. The study, titled "American Piety in the 21st Century," is
considered to be most comprehensive and insightful undertakings in the
field to date. The survey of over 1,700 adults went beyond previous
studies that tracked how many Americans believe in God or how
religious affiliation affects the outcome of elections. Using questions
never before posited to the American public, the Baylor University
researchers wanted to find out h
ow Americans pe
rceive G
od's
p
ersonality and how different p
erceptions in
fluence political
leaning....Fully one-third of Americans identify as Evangelical
Protestants. The proportions of American Catholics and Mainline
Protestants are nearly equal, with shares of 21 percent and 22
percent of the population, respectively. Those identifying as Jewish
(2.5 percent), Black Protestant (5 percent) "Other" (4.9 percent) and
unaffiliated (10.8 percent) round out America's religious make-up.
The report offers some interesting insight on those who don't identify with
any particular denomination. The researchers say traditional ways of
classifying religious affiliation are often problematic because "unaffiliated"
can be incorrectly interpreted as "not religious." Previous surveys which
claimed 14 percent of the population is unaffiliated, says the Baylor report,
"have over-counted the religiously unaffiliated by 10 million Americans."
Interestingly, nearly 63 percent of the respondents who identified as
"unaffiliated" do, in fact, state that they believe in God or some higher
power. Those three or four percentage points are significant, the
researchers say, because one's belief in and perception of God
has a direct impact on political leaning. Part two of the report
introduces a concept barely, if ever, studied before. Participants were
asked to characterize how involved God is in "worldly and personal affairs"
and to what extent God is "angered by human sins" and
demonstrates "punishing, severe and wrathful characteristics."
Based on respondents' answers, America's "Four Gods" were classified as
benevolent and involved (23 percent), authoritative and involved (31
percent), distant and disengaged (24 percent) and critical and disengaged
(16 percent). Five percent identified as Atheist. The findings, when applied
to political trends, reveal fascinating details about theology's influence on
American politics."
The report revealed that most of these people would likely support legislation or a
constitutional amendment which reflected their views about God's personality.
http://blog.au.org/2006/09/god_and_politic.html
24

According to the preceding article, the churches do not unite on doctrine - but on
th
eir perceptions o
f God's character. Doctrines are not formed until AFTER the
churches unite in their judgments of God's character. The motivating factor that
causes the churches to unify, is NOT the Sunday law; it is the perception or belief
that God requires the saints to enforce worship on those who do not to worship in
the way dictated by the majority. It is this incorrect perception of God's character,
that causes the image of the beast to be formed a religious power that employs a
political power to legislate and enforce compliance with its religious laws.
This is in keeping with Revelation 14 and Ellen White's prophecy in the Great Controversy
and the last chapter of Christ's Object Lessons6, that the final contest will demonstrate the
character of the Father in the 144,000 which will be contrasted with the character of Satan
manifested in his followers.
The demonstration before the universe wil cause al to differentiate between the spirit of
God and the spirit of Satan. Freedom of choice wil contrast with voilent domination. Such
opposing character traits spring from the spirit dwelling within the person.The 144 000 will
be filled with the unselfish love of God, evidenced in the law of liberty which reigns in their
bodies through Jesus Christ. (His name (character/spirit) is in their foreheads Rev 14:1).
In stark contrast, the wicked will demonstrate with acts of violent domination that the
selfish spirit dwel ing within them is satanic. When the image to the beast if fully formed,
this satanic spirit will be manifest toward 'heritics' who have been empowered by the
grace of God, to 'love their enemies' (Matt 5:44).

"The 144,000 wil 'know their God' i.e. they will know His character (Daniel 11:32).
Through Christ's spirit in their minds, they will reproduce His character (Rev 12:17; Rev
14:1) and demonstrate to the universe that unselfish love is the only sane principle of
government and more than sufficient for every situation.
In fact, the experiment with sin will not be concluded until God's character is revealed, in
the person of Christ's saints.
Ellen White, 1 Testimonies for the Church, p 59
"The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads were the words
God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus' new name. At our happy, holy
state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust
us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and they
would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God
had loved us, who could wash one another's feet, and salute the brethren with a holy kiss,
and they worshiped at our feet."
While the wicked demonstrate the violent and selfish principles of Satan's government,
the 144,000 demonstrate their Father's spirit. Just as Jesus refused to defend Himself
and 'reviled not again,' (1 Pet 2:23), but trusted in the Father's love, so the saints, full of
Christ's loving spirit, demonstrate the same gentleness in their characters. They also, will
refuse to retaliate or to defend 'self,' but wil trust in their heavenly Father's love.
When the wicked rush to harm the saints, it is the saint's non-violent, loving response
th
at convinces the wicked of their sin. T
he wicked realise that the saints are trusting
God with their lives and they confess that love is stronger than violent domination and
selfishness. God's love is demonstrated to be the perfect law for universal government.
6
Christ's Object Lessons: To Meet the Bridegroom (Wise/Foolish Virgins) see appendix
25

Forming the Image to the Beast
The fol owing extract is taken from MaranathaMedia website:
"Many Christian & Jewish Leaders Call for Return to Commandments. A
large group of Christian and Jewish leaders are calling for a return to the 10
Commandments. On May 7 2006, many churches wil celebrate the eternal
law of God. see Ten Commandment Day Web site This is an interesting
observation for Seventh-day Adventists. We appreciate that many Christian
churches want to keep the 10 Commandments but it seems strange after
many have preached for so long that the law was nailed to the cross. How
can the law of God be eternal and nailed to the cross at the same time? It
will be interesting to see if this group, The Ten Commandment Commission,
will seek to pressure government to recognise the ten commandments in
line with the (Ellen White's) prediction of Great Controversy page 445.
'When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points
of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to
enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant
America wil have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the
infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.'"
http://www.maranathamedia.com.au/start/index.php?option=com_cont
ent&task=view&id=75&Itemid=2
For those familiar with the typical movements which introduce theocratic or dictatorial rule,
the fol owing information from the USA might be of some interest.
The fol owing information is available from the link http://www.theocracywatch.org/audio-
video.htm (first video selection at top of page).
On 29 April, 2005, Joan Bokaer, representing an organisation called Theocracy Watch,
spoke on the subject of Dominionism. The programme was sponsored by New York
Open Centre and CUNY Graduate Centre. Joan Bokaer's presentation focuses on "the
theocratic wing of the Christian right and how their beliefs are impacting our lives."
Highlights of the lecture and website appear below:
There are powerful political movements in USA today, which are endeavouring to
'reconstruct America' into a theocratic society.
Congressman Christopher Shays (Republican of Connecticut) 'the party of Lincoln has
become the party of theocracy' (New York Times, 24 March 2005)."
·
Pat Robertson stated: "With the apathy that exists today, a well organized minority
can influence the selection of candidates to an astonishing degree (The
Milennium, 1990).... "We want to see a majority of the Republican party in the
hands of pro-family Christians"... (Denver Post, 26 October, 1992).
·
Rousas Rushdoony, the 'father' of the Christian Reconstructionist Movement
(1916-2001) in The Institutes of Biblical Law (1973) called on Christ's elect
people to subdue all things and all nations to Christ and His law-word."
·
Rousas Rushdooney's son-in-law, Gary North a prolific Christian Reconstruction
writer; founder of the Institute for Christian Economics. He wrote in Christianity
and Civilization, (Spring, 1982) regarding religious liberty. "So let us be blunt
about it: we must use the doctrine of religious liberty to gain independence for
Christian schools until we train up a generation of people who know that there is no
religious neutrality, no neutral law, no neutral education, and no neutral civil
government. Then they will get busy in constructing a Bible-based social,
political and religious order which finally denies the religious liberty of the
enemies of God" http://www.theocracywatch.org/biblical_law2.htm#Biblical
27

·
Sara Diamond, sociologist, in Z Magazine, Feb 1995 states that, "Dominion
Theology is the belief that Christians alone are Biblical y mandated to occupy all
secular Institutions until Christ returns..."
·
Dominionist author, Gorge Grant (1985) "The army of God is to conquer the earth,
to subdue it, to rule over it, to exercise dominion....(Bringing in the Sheaves, p
98); "Christians have an obligation, a mandate, a commission, a holy
responsibility to reclaim the land for Jesus Christ -- to have dominion in civil
structures, just as in every other aspect of life and godliness. But it is dominion we
are after. Not just a voice. It is dominion we are after. Not just influence. It is
dominion we are after. Not just equal time. It is dominion we are after. World
conquest. That's what Christ has commissioned us to accomplish. We must win
the world with the power of the Gospel. And we must never settle for anything
less... Thus, Christian politics has as its primary intent the conquest of the land -- of
men, families, institutions, bureaucracies, courts, and governments for the
Kingdom of Christ (pp. 50-51) The Changing of the Guard, Biblical Principles
for Political Action " cited in Dominion Theology: Blessing or Curse? by Thomas
Ice, published in 1988 by H. Wayne House and Thomas Ice. pp. 412)
·
Gary DeMar and Peter Leithart, in The Reduction of Christianity (1990:335) states:
"The reign of Christ ... is meant to subdue every enemy of righteousness."
·
George W Bush as quoted in a fund-raising letter, Traditional Values Coalition,
March 2005, "We need common sense judges who understand that our rights are
derived from God. Those are the kind of judges I intend to put on the bench."
·
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia published an article in First Things, a
journal of religion and public life, in May, 2002. Scalia states:
"....Government...derives its moral authority from God. It is the minister of God
with powers to "avenge" to "execute wrath" including even wrath by the sword
(which is unmistakenly [sic] a reference to the death penalty)..."Indeed, it seems
to me that the more Christian a country is, the less likely it is to regard the
death penalty as immoral."
·
Joan Bokaer responds to Judge Scalia's statement with: "Once we have a
government that believes it derives its authority from God, then we become a
theocracy. Well, once you see government as the minister of god, you have to ask
the obvious question. Whose god? Is it Scalia's god? ...or the Dalai Lama?... And
what about people who don't believe in God? What happens to them...?"
·
From a Unitarian Universalist Minister in Austin, Texas, written for the Unitarian
Universalist World, January/February, 2004:
"In Texas, where I live, the state has refused to grant the Ethical Society in
Austin a church tax exemption because its members don't believe in God.
The state maintains that defining God as a concept won't do, that to qualify
as a church the society's members must believe in God as a being. The
case has been through two appeals, and the state's attorneys have now
taken it to the Texas Supreme Court. If the state wins, the ruling wil affect
every Unitarian Universalist church in the state-not to mention Buddhists,
Taoists, and Hindus. Austin has the largest Hindu temple in North America,
and Hindus are quite clear that Brahman is in no sense a being, and that all
his personified images-as Krishna, Vishnu, Shiva, or the Divine Mother
Durga and her manifestations-are all imaginative creations, not beings."
http://www.theocracywatch.org/relig_inst.htm
Thomas Ice was a Christian Reconstructionist for 12 years, but then
resigned, unable to agree with the theology. After his resignation, Ice wrote
a book called "Dominion Theology: Blessing or Curse?" (1988) which
28

discusses the principles of Christian reconstruction. Ice states, "Christian
Reconstructionists propose to institute a theocratic government in America"
(p 74)...Non-Christians cannot rule themselves and must be excluded from
a government under God's law (p 71)."
·
Enforcing Biblical Law - Journalist Frederick Clarkson reports on the views of
Rev. Joseph Morecraft, pastor of the Reconstructionist Chalcedon Presbyterian
Church in Marietta, Georgia: "In his book, and especially when speaking at the
1993 Biblical World View and Christian Education Conference, Morecraft discussed
with relish the police power of the state. His belief in the persecution of
nonbelievers and those who are insufficiently orthodox is crystal clear.
Morecraft described democracy as "mob rule," and stated that the purpose of
"civil government" is to "terrorize evil doers. . . to be an avenger!" he shouted,
"To bring down the wrath of God to bear on all those who practice
evil!" "And how do you terrorize an evil doer?" he asked. "You enforce
Biblical law!" The purpose of government, he said, is "to protect the church of
Jesus Christ," and, "Nobody has the right to worship on this planet any other God
than Jehovah. And therefore the state does not have the responsibility to defend
anybody's pseudo-right to worship an idol!" "There ain't no such thing" as religious
pluralism, he declared. Further, "There has never been such a condition in the
history of mankind. There is no such place now. There never will be."
http://www.theocracywatch.org/biblical_law2.htm
·
Co-authors Mark Beliles and Stephen McDowel , in America's Providential History
(1989:27), declare: "A government controlled and funded welfare system is
unbiblical (p 27). Scripture makes it clear that God is the provider, not the state" (p
187).
·
Thomas Ice (1988: 73): "What would a reconstructed America look like? The only
legitimate functions of the state are: restraining civil evil; punishing evil; protecting
the law abiding; defending the nation.
·
The Republican Party of Texas confirms that the United States is a Christian nation
(Preamble 2004).
·
The Texas Republican platform supports the abolition of: the bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco and Firearms; position of Surgeon-General; Environmental Protection
Agency, Department of Energy; Housing and Urban Development; Health and
Human Services, Department of Education, Commerce and Labour. They also call
for the de-funding or abolition of the National Endowment of the Arts and Public
Broadcasting System (p19)
· Texas Republican platform p 8 states: " Our party pledges to exert its influence to ..
dispel the 'myth' of the separation of church and state....
29

What happens to funding for social programmes, social education, protection of the
environment? What happens to social funding and education?"
·
Thomas Ice in "Dominion Theology, Blessing or Curse? answers:
"Tax rates would be much less... due to a shift in welfare burden away
from government to... the church" (p 74).
·
Joan Bokaer asks the question and answers it herself:
"Where do churches get their money? A member's tithe. They give 10
percent of their income to the church."
·
Thomas Ice explains,
"The tithe, not taxes, would finance most social welfare (p 77).
·
President George Bush stated, in his Faith-Based Initiative speech,
"I believe the United States is beginning to fit the model of a reconstructed
America....We want to fund programs that save Americans one soul at a time."
President George W. Bush, January, 2004, in a speech in New Orleans.
http://www.theocracywatch.org/faith_base.htm
·
Paul Weyrich, established the Free Congress Foundation in 1977. Meetings are
still held every Wednesday are so influential, that a high ranking member of the
White House is in attendance at every meeting. In its 2001 manifesto, the
Foundation proclaimed:
"We will not try to reform the existing institutions. We only intend to
weaken them, and eventually destroy them."
·
A particular concern for Christians might be seen in Thomas Ice explanation of the
centrality of Biblical law:
"Only through ... Old Testament civil law can America and the whole
world - be saved from destruction" (p 15).
Joan Bokaer clarifies Ice's statement:
"Old Testment civil law means Biblical law which includes using the
death penalty for people who sin against the 10 commandments."7
Senator Tom Coburn, a Republican: the Associated Press in July 2003:
"I favor the death penalty for abortionists."
·
Joan Bokaer "People who identify with - they call themselves 'the
culture of life' - are the strongest proponents of the death penalty and
guns."
"Kevin Martin is a very aggressive crusader against indecency and some
people associate that word with pornography, but it's real y much broader -
it is about imposing Biblical law on the rest of society and he was
7 Ellen White: 5 Testimonies for the Church, p 137 "The test will surely come. Thirty-six years
ago I was shown that what is now transpiring would take place, that the observance of an
institution of the papacy would be enforced upon the people by a Sunday law, while the
sanctified rest day of Jehovah would be trampled underfoot." See also Great Controversy, p
448.
30

recently appointed chair of the Federal Communications Commission. The
5 people on that commission were given enormous power on February 16th
when the House of Representatives passed the Broadcast Indecency Act. It
authorizes the FCC to fine broadcasts up to $500,000 for indecency
violations. And so great is the chil cast by this act that 66 affiliates of CBS
pul ed 'Saving Private Ryan' off the air - an academy award winning film.
Why? Because they used the Lord's name in vain."
"It's about Biblical law...."
"Indecency police are a major part of theocratic states... Taliban is
proclaimed as the Ministry for the Protection of Virtue and Prevention of
Vice."
·
The Treaty of Tripoli signed in 1797, Article 11 (which was ratified by Congress)
states: "...the government of the Unites States of America is not in any sense
founded on the Christian religion..."
·
The Republican Party of Texas boldly proclaims its mission:"The Republican Party
of Texas confirms that the United States is a Christian nation (Preamble 2004)."
·
Since the Republican Party has majorities in both houses of Congress, they set the
agendas, chair the committees, and decide which bills wil and won't come up for a
vote. http://www.theocracywatch.org/
·
The Reconstructionists consider the Puritans society as a pattern for the new
Reconstructed America.
Mark Beliles and Stephen McDowell, entitled America's Providential History,
(1989:p 84), states, "The primary strength of the Puritans was their 'spirit of
dominion.' They recognized the scriptural mandate requiring Godly rule, and
zealously set out to establish that in all aspects of society."
31

In Australia, recent events are a reminder that it is not only in the USA that the way
is being paved to afflict God's people.
1. (1996) Terrorist Martin Byrant was said to have gone on a shooting spree in Port
Arthur leaving 35 people dead. The event ushered in "Gun control legislation"
Australia wide - which de-arms the country's citizens and makes them incapable of
any real resistance;
2. (2002) Accepting the authority of an international criminal court. Australia ratified
the Rome Statute for the ICC, becoming the 75th State Party. Previously, the
Federal Cabinet decided Australia should ratify the International Criminal Court,
with a condition giving special protection to Australians. The declaration provides
that Australians cannot be tried by the Court without a warrant from the Australian
government. On 11 June 2002, Prime Minister Howard announced Cabinet's
decision to approve the bill on ICC ratification, and this was fol owed by two weeks
of

heated

debate

within

Parliament.
http://www.iccnow.org/publications/update/iccupdate29.pdf It appears that an
Australian could be charged with a crime under international law, be taken to the
World Court in Rome, and tried before a closed court. His own country might not
assist him other than to refuse to give a warrant to the ICC. If a warrant is granted,
what might be the probable outcome of an atheist being tried in a court where the
jury are strict Catholics or Muslims? Could an impartial jury be found in such a
case? (Consider Australia's response to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. USA, Britian,
Spain, France, Germany, Argentina demand their citizens be sent home from the
UN prison, but Australia leaves its citizen there);
3. (2003) Death penalty legislation promoted. The death penalty in Australia ceased
for all states for murder in 1973 and for treason in 1985. In 2003, Mr Howard
suggested that the states might find it prudent to commence debate on the benefits
of re-introducing the death penalty for treason (A person who committed a terrorist
act against their own country would be guilty of treason).
http://www.nswccl.org.au/unswccl/issues/dp090803.php
(Sydney Morning
Herald 9/8/03);
4. (2005) Anti-terrorist legislation to control citizens' movements and activities - when
no offence has been committed - eg. stop and search laws;
5. (2005) Preventative Detention Legislation to detain citizens on suspicion only -
with no offence having been committed - for up to 2 weeks without a court order
and without a charge;
6. (2005) Social conditioning - anti-terrorist "dob in" advertising campaigns likely of
causing the public to be fearful and suffer apprehension;
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2003/jan2003/adve-j15.shtml
7. (2006) Increased military powers have been granted in recent legislation. (Soldiers
given more reasons to shoot to kill on home soil, 9 January, 2006
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/troops-shoottokill-powers-
extended/2006/01/08/1136655089477.html
8. (2006) The Smart Card - Federal cabinet is considering the issue of a smart card.
The Australia Card was rejected 2 decades ago, but Treasurer Costello claims the
war on terrorism has changed Australians' attitudes (Sydney Morning Herald, 29
March 2006 "Smart-card-would-trump-Australia-Card). Democrats Senator
Natasha Stott Despoja stated, "It might not be called an Australia Card, or a
national identity card, but it is even more dangerous than the proposal we debated
in the 1980s." She was concerned the proposed smart card "will become a
national identity card by stealth" .http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/parliament-
rubberstamps-howards-eavesdropping-laws/2006/03/30/1143441281193.html
32

It seems clear that the death penalty will soon be considered "necessary" in
Australia to cope with terrorists.
The death penalty might likely be legislated on the grounds that "it's not wrong it
is not a sin - to murder heretics or terrorists.
It is prophesied that "heretics" will be eventually be considered treasonous (or
terrorists) to their country, because it will be proclaimed that 7th day Sabbath-
keepers are causing the wrath of God to come on the earth and to cause natural
disasters that will decimate the countries of the world.
Ellen White, Review and Herald 18 March, 1884 p8
"In churches and in large gatherings in the open air, ministers wil urge upon the people
the necessity of keeping the first day of the week. There are calamities on sea and land:
and these calamities will increase, one disaster following close upon another; and the little
band of conscientious Sabbath-keepers will be pointed out as the ones who are bringing
the wrath of God upon the world by their disregard of Sunday."
The world will be unified against the One True, non-violent God and those who
uphold His holy law of love.
The law that claims that it's not a sin to murder heretics will be the law that is
passed to destroy God's 7th day Sabbath-keeping people. If you are a Sabbath-
keeper, who believes that God's commandments are binding, then it might well be
that this legislation is designed to murder you!!
The 10 commandments were written on two tables of stone. The first four
commandments explained how humanity are to reveal love and praise to their
Creator. The last six commandments clarified how individuals are to related to
each other in love.
In the looming crisis of the last days, God's people will be tested on a specific
commandment from the first table of stone the Sabbath commandment. The
Sabbath demonstrates our allegiance and acceptance of a specific God's authority.
Perhaps God's people wil also be especially tested on commandments which were
written on the second table of stone. Certainly their characters will demonstrate that they
keep ALL the commandments of God. However, the 6th commandment which states,
"Thou shalt not kill" might also especial y identify the followers of God for they, like Christ
wil be abused, persecuted and perhaps murdered, but there wil be "no violence in them"
for they have their Father's spirit in their minds (Revelation 14:1, 5). It was demonstrated
to the universe (by the Son's life) there was no violence in the Father's mind for there
was no violence in the Son's mind and consequently, no violence in His character (Isaiah
53:9; John 1:47). Christ's mind, thoughts and character represented the Father's mind,
thoughts and character perfectly (John 14:9). Christ's end time disciples will reflect the
loving, unselfish character of Jesus perfectly also (John 13:35; 15:13; 1 John 3:11, 12; 1
John 3:24; 1 John 4:7, 12)
Christ's Object Lessons, p 069
"Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When
the character of Christ shal be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He wil come to
claim them as His own.
At the root of this issue is the question of God's character.
33

Theological foundations for the Inquisition
(Robert C Jones, Copyright 1998).
http://www.sundayschoolcourses.com/inq/inqcont.htm#Theological%20foundation
s%20for%20the%20Inquisition
"The proponents of the Inquisition (and, amazingly, apologists since the
Inquisition ended in 1834), point to both Biblical and theological
sources for its justification. The biblical passages most often quoted
by the early Inquisitors were from Mosaic Law, in the Old Testament.
This is, of course, somewhat questionable theology, as Mosaic Law
regarding, say, dietary restrictions were completely ignored by the Church
from the 1st century on, yet suddenly (in the 13th century), Mosaic Law
seemed to be a perfectly reasonable justification for burning
thousands of people at the stake! Key passages are quoted below
(edited for brevity):
(From Deuteronomy 13 NIV) "If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams,
appears among you...and he says, "Let us follow other gods"...That
prophet or dreamer must be put to death...You must purge the evil
from among you.
If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or
your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, "Let us go and worship
other gods"...do not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity. Do not
spare him or shield him...You must certainly put him to death. Your hand
must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of al the
people. Stone him to death...Then all Israel will hear and be afraid, and
no one among you wil do such an evil thing again.
If you hear it said about one of the towns the LORD your God is giving you
to live in that wicked men have arisen among you and have led the people
of their town astray...then you must inquire, probe and investigate it
thoroughly. And if it is true and it has been proved that this detestable
thing has been done among you, you must certainly put to the sword all
who live in that town. Destroy it completely, both its people and its
livestock.
Gather al the plunder of the town into the middle of the public square and
completely burn the town and al its plunder as a whole burnt offering to
the LORD your God. It is to remain a ruin forever, never to be rebuilt."
(From Exodus 22:18 NIV) "Do not allow a sorceress to live."
Many of the elements found in the aforementioned extracts from
Mosaic Law would later be closely emulated by the Inquisition" (End
quote Robert C Jones).
34

According to the Biblical record, the Jewish nation was required to follow instruction for
the treatment of heretics, as given in the Torah (the first five books of the Bible - authored
by Moses). The Torah commanded that heretics should be executed - stoned to death.
The King James Version of these commands fol ow:
Deuteronomy 13:6-11
"If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom,
or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve
other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; (7) Namely, of the gods of
the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one
end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; (8) Thou shalt not consent unto him,
nor hearken unto him; neither shal thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither
shalt thou conceal him: (9) But thou shalt surely kil him; thine hand shal be first upon him
to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. (10) And thou shalt stone
him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD
thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. (11)
And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shal do no more any such wickedness as this is
among you."
The Jewish nation of the first century appears to have acted in accordance with the Torah
by exterminating heretics who taught what they considered was "another god."
At His trial before Caiaphas, Jesus proclaimed clearly that He was the "Messiah - the Son
of God." Christ's testimony, (that He was the Son of God) was used as evidence to
condemn Him. It was Christ's claim to be of divine origin, which contradicted the Jewish
conception of God.
The Jews insisted that Christ was NOT the "true" Messiah - the Son of God. Instead of
holding to the Old Testament prophecies which predicted the origin, location and ministry
of their Messiah, the Jewish nation appeared to treasure many traditional beliefs which
surrounded His appearance. i.e. He was expected to be a military leader and to signal
His arrival by miraculously descending/floating down from the temple roof. According to
their erroneous understanding of God, the Jewish nation believed that Christ had
endeavoured to introduce "another god." Thus the Torah commanded that Christ should
die.
35

Modern Sanction of the "Killing" Principles of the Torah
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1136361024759&pagename=JPost%2FJP
Article%2FShowFull
Yaakov Katz, THE JERUSALEM POST 6 January, 2006
Extremists boast they cursed Sharon
"Far-right activists took credit Thursday for the severe deterioration in Ariel
Sharon's health, claiming that a pulsa denura - Aramaic for "lashes of fire" -
death curse they instigated against the prime minister in July was the real
catalyst behind his current state of health.
'I take ful responsibility for what happened," far-right activist Baruch Ben-
Yosef, one of the participants at the July pulsa denura, told The Jerusalem
Post. "Our pulsa denura kicked in. Nothing could kill Sharon and he said his
ancestors lived until they over 100 years old but we got him with the pulsa
denura.' .... the group broke out in song and dance and celebrated the prime
minister's fall throughout the night...it was not a coincidence that Sharon fell
gravely il the same day as Kahane's murder. 'There is a judge in this
world,' Ben-Gvir said. "[Prime minister] Yitzhak Rabin was killed on the fifth
anniversary of Meir Kahane's murder and Sharon fel il on the anniversary of
Binyamin Kahane's murder." ...Head of the National Jewish Front Baruch
Marzel called on the public to stop crying for the prime minister. .... I have no
intention to pray for him....Josef Dayan said that while he could not say for
certain that the death curse caused the stroke, he was sure that Sharon's
crime in evacuating the Gaza Strip settlements contributed to the
deterioration in his health. 'This is a great day for Israel since that evil man is
gone.' Dayan said. 'I am convinced that God heard the prayers of the
children in Gush Katif. When those kids were thrown from their homes they
prayed and God heard their prayers.'"
Matthew 5:44
"But I (Jesus) 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."
36

Catechism of the council of Trent on the Fifth (sic) Commandment,
"thou shall not kill":"[T]o the civil authorities... is entrusted power of life
and death, by the legal and judicious exercise of which they punish the
guilty and protect the innocent. The just use of this power, far from
involving the crime of murder, is an act of paramount obedience to this
Commandment which prohibits murder. The end of the Commandment- is
the preservation and security of human life. Now the punishments
inflicted by the civil authority, which is the legitimate avenger of crime,
naturally tend to this end, since they give security to life by repressing
outrage and violence. Hence these words of David: In the morning I put to
death all the wicked of the land, that I might cut off all the workers of
iniquity from the city of the Lord."
K
illing In A J ust War "In like manner, the soldier is guiltless who, actuated
not by motives of ambition or cruelty, but by a pure desire of serving the
interests of his country, takes away the life of an enemy in a just war."
[This catechism was prepared in response to a decree of the council in
1563]. For more on the Council of Trent (1545-1563) see the Catholic
Encyclopedia of 1913.] 8
3. Catechism of Pope St. Pius the Tenth:
Q: "Are there cases in which it is lawful to kill?
A: It is lawful to kill when fighting in a just war; when carrying out by order of the
Supreme Authority a sentence of death in punishment of a crime; and, finally, in
cases of necessary and lawful defense of one's own life against an unjust
aggressor." [Published in 1905. See the catholic encyclopedia on Pope Pius X.]
Statements by Pope John Paul II on the Sept. 11 attacks
Question: "Is there anything in scripture that indicates the authority of government
includes punishing the guilty or protecting the innocent?"
Pope John Paul II's Answer:
"Rom. 13:3-4 "For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish
to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its
approval; for it is God's servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you
should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant
of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. " NRSV, see NAB http://landru.i-link-
2.net/shnyves/wlegitimate_defense.htm
Old and New Testament verses are used by the Pope to justify murdering
"heretics." Such verses allege that God commanded the Israelites to "murder the
idolatrous Canaanites" - to murder men, women, children and infants.
Full scale mass murder was organised for the sleepy Protestants in the St. Bartholomew's
massacre - at midnight. A massacre also targeted Protestants in the Spanish Inquisition.
Jews and others were murdered by the Nazi regime. A massacre is prophesied in the
"time of trouble" when the Sunday law is legislated. Satan instigated all these massacres
and HE will be the instigator of the coming massacre. The end time massacre is predicted
to be more intense than the massacres inflicted on the "heretics" all through history
(Daniel 12:1).
8 The late Desmond Doss, recipient of the USA's highest military award, the "Medal of
Honour," didn't think that God's 6th commandment could be broken whether in war or
whether in peace. God miraculously and repeatedly protected Mr Doss in World War 2.
www.desmonddoss.com
37

In contrast with all these evil massacres where demon-possessed people
murdered others not of their faith (heretics) isn't it almost beyond comprehension
to believe that God is said to have instigated the massacre of the "Canaanite
heretics" at the hands of the holy Israelites?
· Did the Catholic religion - the anti-christ system - invent a righteous doctrine -
that it is lawful to murder those who are not of their faith? Remember, the church
bases their doctrine (that it is NOT a sin to kill heretics) on the belief that God
commanded the Israelites to kill the Canaanite heretics.
· Was the Catholic system correct to claim that God authorised His people then
and still authorises His people now, to do horrendous acts of murder and to
break His law?
· Has the Catholic system been blessed with special inspiration about God's
character?
Or, is something wrong here?
· Is it possible that the One True God is as equally as horrific as the demonic god?
· Is murdering babies a loving character trait? A fruit of the spirit of God?
Of what crimes are Christians accusing God?
These are serious charges:
· to call God a commandment breaker; and
· to accuse God - that His character is as evil as Satan's.
These accusations would fall easily from the lips of Satan. Why should
professed Christians repeat such blasphemy about their God?
Many religions justify barbaric acts by saying that "God" told them to carry out the
massacres. For example, the Islamic book, the Koran, also justifies barbaric acts
with the same theology. Mohammed commanded his followers to destroy heretics
 (defined by Islam as those who don't agree with the Islamic religion).
The Old Testament Israelite religion justified their murder of "heretics" by saying
that their "God" commanded them to do it. This is the same justification that the
Catholic Church and the Islamic religion professes to possess today!
Consider: If Satanic agencies told the Catholic system to murder heretics during
the Dark Ages, is it logical to believe that God ordered the Israelites to murder
heretics in the Old Testament?
Are the characters of God and Satan so similar that they perform the
same works or have human being simply confused their
characters?
38

It appears there is Biblical evidence to suggest that human beings are simply confused,
and that for centuries humanity has confused the characters of the One True God and
Satan.
Walther Zimmerli (19071984) was Professor of Old Testament at the University of
Göttingen, Germany, and considered by many as one of the most important biblical
scholars of the twentieth century. Among his many publications in English are Ezekiel, 2
vols. (Hermeneia; Fortress Press, 1979/1983), I Am Yahweh (1982), The Old Testament
and the World (1976), and The Law and the Prophets (1965). In The Law and the
Prophets, Zimmerli writes:
"In this connection Hosea attacks with particular passion the priests who
should have been the true guardians of the knowledge of God, and who
have especial y failed in this duty (Hosea iv. 4 ff.). They have allowed to
pass unnoticed the very real exchange of Yahweh, the God of Israel,
for the baals of Canaan. This was no longer the same threat which had
occurred in Elijah's time, it was something much more dangerous. While
the worship of Yahweh remained outwardly correct, in reality he had
come to be regarded as a nature deity like the Canaanite Baal. From
him men sought the fertility of the soil and of marriage; he was
worshipped with the forms of nature religion and with sacral prostitution,
as men worshipped the Baals. Y
ahweh became Baal. The name of
one of David's warriors, which is recorded in I Chronicles 12:5 as
Bealiah (Yahweh is Baal) demonstrates exactly this programmatic
assertion. Thus without knowing it, Israel had begun to misunderstand
the very nature of its God, because the professional guardians of a true
knowledge of him were asleep." (Walther Zimmerli, The Law and the
Prophets, Basil Blackwell 1965 p.70)
Wikipedia Encyclopedia states:
"1 Chronicles 12:5 gives us the name Bealiah (more accurately b`'alyâ)
meaning 'Yahweh is Ba`al'."
39

The Politics of Satan's Character
The fol owing information can be found at http://www.theocracywatch.org/satan2.htm
"If the Religious Right gains dominion over society, we will al have to deal with
Satan because he plays such a dominant role in their belief system. Anyone who
is not born-again is vulnerable to Satan, for they are lacking the protective shield
of Christ. The world is clearly divided into "good" and "evil", "Christ" and "Satan."
R.J. Rushdoony, the man who is considered the father of Reconstructionism
cal ed on his followers to "administer justice upon al disobedience in every area
of life where we encounter it. To deny the cultural mandate is to deny Christ and
to surrender the world to the devil" (The Institutes of Biblical Law, 1973).
Dr. Elaine Pagels, professor of History of Religion at Princeton University wrote a
book titled The Origins of Satan. She explains in an interview with Ellen Kushner
on WGBH, Boston Public Radio, what can happen when a society has a 'good
vs. evil' world view:
"Every group and tribe has had ways of feeling superior to every other. I
mean, every anthropologist knows that, but what's really different here is
that you have a moral view - 'we are good, and you are evil."
And what happens then," Pagels continues, "as was put into the mouth of Jesus
in the Gospel of John: whoever kills you will think he's doing service to God. So
that if a conflict between us and them turns into a moral conflict, so we're God's
people, they are Satan's people, we can do anything we like with them. I think of
that when I hear the term "ethnic cleansing." It's like there's dirt there. You know,
it's a good thing to get rid of dirt."
Falwell sees "a day when God will unleash his wrath and judgment upon
unbelievers. He will crush them beneath his thumb." (Nuclear War and the
Second Coming of Jesus Christ, 1983.) While Falwel himself does not seem like
a violent man, at what point will violence toward "unbelievers" be seen as "doing
service to God" by his followers?
In New York magazine, August, 1986, Robertson made the following statement:
"The people who have come into institutions [today - 1986] are primarily termites.
They are destroying institutions that have been built by Christians, whether it is
universities, governments, our own traditions that we have. The termites are in
charge now, and that is not the way it ought to be, and the time has come for a
godly fumigation."
Supreme Court Justice Scalia writes: [Government] "is the minister of God with
powers to 'revenge', execute wrath ..." Scalia hints in his article in First Things,
May, 2002, that the death penalty should be expanded. Scalia's comments are
particularly disturbing in the context of the Religious Right gaining dominion over
society.
The Reverend Timothy LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, authors of the best sel ing Left
Behind series, describe in Glorious Appearing, the latest book of their series, the
violence that Jesus wil show non-believers upon His return:
"Men and women soldiers and horses seemed to explode where they
stood," Dr. LaHaye and Mr. Jenkins write. "It was as if the very words of
the Lord had superheated their blood, causing it to burst through their
veins and skin.' The authors add, "Even as they struggled, their own flesh
dissolved, their eyes melted and their tongues disintegrated."
40

At what point do Reconstructionists, who advocate the death penalty for
unrepentant homosexuals, abortionists, and blasphemers convince others
that it is time to eliminate those characterized as Satan? The goal of
Reconstructionism is to do away with sin. How can you do away with sin
without eliminating Satan?
Fred Clarkson notes:
"the potential for bloodthirsty episodes on the order of the Salem
witchcraft trials or the Spanish Inquisition is inadvertently revealed by
Reconstructionist theologian Rev. Ray Sutton, who claims that the
Reconstructed Biblical theocracies would be 'happy' places, to which
people would flock because 'capital punishment is one of the best
evangelistic tools of a society.'" (What is Christian Reconstructionism?:
The Public Eye)
From Nicholas Kristoff of the New York Times, July 17, 2004:
No, I don't think the readers of "Glorious Appearing" will ram planes into
buildings. But we did imprison thousands of Muslims here and abroad
after 9/11, and ordinary Americans joined in the torture of prisoners at
Abu Ghraib in part because of a lack of empathy for the prisoners. It's
harder to feel empathy for such people if we regard them as infidels and
expect Jesus to dissolve their tongues and eyes any day now. While this
scenario seems extreme and impossible in our pluralistic, democratic
society, if the Religious Right succeeds in dominating all of our major
institutions including the Presidency, Congress, Courts and media, this
country will become a very different kind of place. Historical y, such forces
tend to rise up and look for scapegoats when the economy is in trouble. In
this century our democracy survived a major economic depression intact,
but we didn't have such a large, politically organized culture focused on
Satan at that time." Capital crimes in a theocracy, Theocracy Alert, July
27, 2005 http://www.theocracywatch.org/satan2.htm (end website quotes)
41

When is a Sin not a Sin?
Popular Answer: When God commands you to sin!
Question: Why is breaking the commandments of God (when God
commands you to sin), not classed as a sin?
Popular Answer: Because God gives an indulgence which "neutralises"
the sin.
It appears that when God commands someone (a saint) to do a sinful
act, then the action is no longer classified as a sin. If God commands a
certain person to break His law, He ensures this action is not recorded
as a sin because He issues a pardoning indulgence to cover the sinful
act.
This doctrine is centuries old. In 1376, it was woven into the
Directorium Inquisitorum, (Handbook for the Spanish Inquisition);
confirmed at the Council of Trent (1545-1563); and not renounced at the
Vatican 2 Council (1962-1965). Plenary indulgences are given to
inquisitors those who kill heretics.
The Biblical Answer: "...but sin is not imputed when there is no law."
(Romans 5:13) "for by the law is the knowledge of sin".... " (Romans
3:20) ... "sin is the transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4)"...the law
shall not pass away..." (Matt 5:18).
Isaiah states, "To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not
according to THIS word, it is because there is no light in them."
The only time that sin can not be imputed to a person, is if there is no
law or no knowledge of the law. God takes into consideration of those
who sin in ignorance as compared with those who chose to sin in
outright rebellion. However, there IS a law (thou shalt not kill/murder)
and sin IS ALWAYS imputed to intentional, informed lawbreakers.
Romans 6:1,2
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may
abound? (2) God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any
longer therein?"
6 Redemption p 663 (Ellen White)
"Christ gave no ecclesiastical right to forgive sin, nor to sell
indulgences, that men may sin without incurring the displeasure of
God."
42

Are Christians expected to believe that:
· Breaking God's law is not really breaking God's law if
God commands it?
· G
od authorises "chosen" special people to break His
law (i.e. gives them an indulgence), which frees them
from the death penalty attached to law-breaking?
· Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death" does not
apply to the "chosen" people?
This logic is similar to the theology which says:
"We don't have to keep the law now. The law was done away
with at the cross. We are no longer under law but under grace."
This theology also begs the question, "Why would God command
some "chosen" people to break His law without penalty, and yet order
the destruction of others (heretics) who also break the same law?" -
Please consider these thoughts regarding the Biblical account where
God directs the Israelites to destroy the Canaanites.
Foundational Theology
The belief that an organisation has the divine right to force their
religious beliefs upon unwilling others, is an attack on the basic human
right of freedom to worship. It also forms the theological foundation of
the doctrine that k illing heretics is not a sin .
The evidence suggests that the principles underlying the "Doctrine of Just Persecution"
and "Just Wars" are common to many world religions and alarmingly, it appears that
world politicians are fol owing in the persecutory footsteps of Rome also.
In the film Fahrenheit 911 by Michael Moore, actual footage is seen of USA President
George W Bush making the following comment regarding American soldiers killed in the
"Free the Iraqis War." His remarks brought a loud ovation from the American audience.
He said:
"They died in a just war for defending freedom and they wil not have
died in vain."
Dick Cheyney's remark, from the same film was even more revealing. Was he advocating
a ju
st war when regarding the 'enemy,' he stated,
"The struggle wil only end with their complete and permanent
destruction" ?
According to the laws of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, kil ing heretics, is never
just (justified).
43

In his commmentary from the film Fahrenheit 9-11, Michael Moore quotes satirical author
George Orwel who clearly portrays the desired outcome of murdering 'heretics' is
survival of the heirarchial structure. Orwell states:
"It's not a matter of whether the war is not real or if it is. Victory is not
possible. The war is not meant to be won. It is meant to be continuous.
A heriarchical society is only possible on the basis of poverty and
ignorance. This new version is the past and no different past can ever
have existed. In principle the war effort is always planned to keep
society on the brink of starvation. The war is waged by the ruling group
against its own subjects and its object is not the victory over either Eur-
Asia or East Asia but to keep the very structure of society intact."
Judging from recent media reports, the prophesies in the books of Daniel and Revelation
as further expanded by Ellen White in the Great Controversy, appear to be presently
occuring. The image is rapidly being made to the beast.
Ellen White, Great Controversy, 1911 p 580
"The Roman Catholic Church, with al its ramifications throughout the
world, forms one vast organization under the control, and designed to
serve the interests, of the papal see."
While the Roman Catholic Church organisation is not named or identified in the following
presentations, they certainly appear to support the concept of a vast organisation being
controlled by a mysterious, central power:
·
Michael Moore's film - "Fahrenheit 9/11";
·
Alex Jones' videos - "911 The Road to Tyranny"; "Police State 1 & 2," (2002);
"Masters of Terror";
·
Mike Ruppert's video "The Truth and Lies of 9-11";
·
Linda Thompson "Waco the Big Lie"; "America Under Seige"; Military Takeover of
America;
·
The USS Liberty;
·
"Katanga the Untold Story"
Ellen White, Great Controversy, 1911 p 580
"Its millions of communicants, in every country on the globe, are instructed
to hold themselves as bound in allegiance to the pope. Whatever their
nationality or their government, they are to regard the authority of the
church as above al other. Though they may take the oath pledging their
loyalty to the state, yet back of this lies the vow of obedience to Rome,
absolving them from every pledge inimical to her interests."
The Catholic World, August 1871, vol. xii , pp. 58089 (published in USA at the time of the
First Vatican Council)
"Each individual must receive the faith and law from the Church with
unquestioning submission and obedience of the intellect and the will.....
We have no right to ask reasons of the Church, any more than of Almighty
God.... We are to take with unquestioning docility whatever instruction the
Church gives us."
The Protestant principle maintains that individuals be free to worship God according to the
dictates of their own consciences before God.
Acts 5:29
"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than
men."
Roman Catholicism requires that individuals relinquish private moral responsibility in
44

matters of faith. The principle of transferring responsibility for private faith (answering to
one's own conscience) to a human mediator, is also found in cults. 9
The Code of Canon Law, which originated from Vatican II Council (1962-1965) reasserts
the same principle:
"The Christian faithful, conscious of their own responsibility, are bound by
Christian obedience to follow what the sacred pastors, as representatives of
Christ, declare as teachers of the faith or determine as leaders of the
Church" (James A. Coriden, Thomas J. Green, Donald E. Heintschel, eds.,
The Code of Canon Law, Paulist Press, 1985, Canon 212, Section 1).
What is the ultimate purpose of being required to 'trust and obey' the 'sacred pastors'?
Ian Johnston, The Scotsman, 6 May, 2006
"BELIEVING that God created the universe in six days is a form of
superstitious paganism, the Vatican astronomer Guy Consolmagno
claimed yesterday....Brother Consolmagno, who was due to give a speech
at the Glasgow Science Centre last night, entitled 'Why the Pope has an
Astronomer', said the idea of papal infallibility had been a "PR
disaster". What it actually meant was that, on matters of faith,
fo
llowers should accept s omebody has got to be the boss, the final
a uthority.
It's
not like he has a magic power, that God whispers the
truth in his ear,' he said."
http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=674042006
Great Controversy, 1911 p 581
"Let the principle once be established in the United States that the church
may employ or control the power of the state; that religious observances
may be enforced by secular laws; in short, that the authority of church and
state is to dominate the conscience, and the triumph of Rome in this
country is assured. God's word has given warning of the impending danger;
let this be unheeded, and the Protestant world will learn what the purposes
of Rome really are, only when it is too late to escape the snare. She is
silently growing into power. Her doctrines are exerting their influence in
legislative halls, in the churches, and in the hearts of men."
9 For a concise and very interesting overview of cult-members mentality, readers
might wish to read, "Imperfect Company, Power And Control In An Australian
Christian Cult by David Mil ikan, published by William Heinemann Australia (1991)
45

Common Faith One God
Recently, it appears that the major world religions are also in agreement as over one
important, common principle they all agree that they worship "one god."
Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad wrote an 18 page letter to USA president George
W Bush which emphasised the "one god" principle as being the possible commonality on
which to establish discussions for world peace. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that
Ahmadinejad said:
'My basic question is this: Is there no better way to interact with the rest of
the world? Today there are hundreds of millions of Christians, hundreds of
mil ions of Muslims, and mil ions of people who follow the teachings of
Moses. All divine religions share and respect one word, and that is
monotheism, or belief in a single God and no other in the world.' While it
offered no specific proposal, the letter did seek to identify a common
ground for starting discussions based on the principles of monotheism. 'It
would be a big mistake if the United States dismissed it or if they only
consider it as a philosophical, religious, historical letter," Nasser Hadian, a
political science professor at Tehran University, said. "It would be a good
idea if President Bush responds to it. It can open up some space.'"
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/ahmadinejad-gives-bush-lecture-on-
christian-values/2006/05/10/1146940617555.html
Roman Catholic and the new Protestantism theology also are grounded on monotheism
the 'one god' theology the trinity. It appears that al 'one god' religions are recognised as
valid forms of worship of the same god according to the former Pope John Paul 2nd.
Texe Marrs states:
"After many centuries of historic Catholic tradition, with the popes and the
Vatican proclaiming `There is no salvation outside the Catholic Church,'
dramatic changes are now taking place. Pope John Paul 2nd has taken
the mark of the Hindu god Shiva, in his forehead. He has al owed the
Dalai Lama of Tibet to place a statue of Buddha on the altar of a Catholic
basilica. The Pope has also accepted Allah, the false god of the Muslims,
as one and the same with the Christian God and embraced the Jews as
`Elder Brothers.' Bewildered and confused, many traditional Catholics are
now asking, `Is the Pope Catholic?'" (Texe Marrs, video, "Is the Pope
Catholic?"-from Better Life Productions, PO Box W322, West Kempsey
NSW 2440; phone [02] 65678118).
On the video, Pope, John Paul 2nd, was seen to publicly bless the religions of Hindu,
Shinto, Muslim, Judaism and even Voodooism. All these religions deny that Christ, the
Messiah, is the Son of (their) god.
1 John 2:22, 23
"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the
Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he
that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also."
The pope's expressed world-religion unifying but 'uncatholic' sentiments in his book,
Crossing the Threshold of Hope, p 77:
"All religions on the face of the earth are al seeds of the word of God."
46

Statement by Texe Marrs:
"Do Moslems, Christians, and others worship the same God? American
Christian leaders either hedged or else expressed mild dismay recently
when President George W. Bush, visiting England, told reporters at a
televised news conference that Moslems and Christians worship the
same God. "I believe we worship the same God," the London-Telegraph
newspaper, (Nov. 24, 2003) quoted Bush as saying."
http://www.texemarrs.com/012004/same_god.htm)
Formerly, the Christian world generally label ed religions that don't honour the God of the
Bible as "pagan" religions, and considered that these religions honoured false gods -
however, the vast majority of the world's Christian religions today appear to be adopting
the worship of the same false god through their belief in one of the "valid" forms of the
trinity doctrine. The trinity also denies the literal Father/Son relationship prior to the son's
incarnation in Bethlehem.
Can the world expect, in the light of Bible prophecy, that all religious organisations
(whether Christian or pagan) which are now united in worship of 'the one god,' join
together in "fellowship of the eucharist?"
·
The Roman Catholic Catechism declares that the RC Church is founded on the
doctrine of the trinity;
·
The conglomerate organisation of the World Council of Churches confesses to
worship the god of the trinity - the god of the eucharist;
·
Pope John Paul 2nd asserts that the world's religions are all seeds of the word of
god (the trinity god), including pagan religions.
Can you see the shadowy plan to introduce a compulsory Sunday law? According to
prophecy, eventually the international legislation wil endeavour to force all to accept
submission to the authority of the anti-christ system. The legislation wil be based on
(supposedly) BIBLICAL LAW i.e. OLD TESTAMENT LAW and will no doubt be
accompanied by violent Old Testament punishments and penalties (death).
Ellen White, Great Controversy, 1911 p 580
"Who understands better than the papal leaders how to deal with those
who are disobedient to the church?"
47

Wh
o is Thinking to Change the Law Thou Shalt Not Kill?

Daniel 7:25
"And he (antichrist power) shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear
out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be
given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
John 16:2
"Yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God
service."
Dr Samuele Bacchiocchi (Retired Professor of Theology, Andrew's University) states:
"By

teaching that th
ose who die fighting for the cause of Allah will
have their sins forgiven and are admitted into the pleasure of
Paradise, the Koran has inspired Muslims throughout the centuries
to fight unto death for the cause of Allah."
www.keithhunt.com/Islam.html
Directorium Inquisitorum (Handbook of the Spanish Inquisition, written 1376, reprinted
1584) dedicated to Pope Gregory XIII, (translated by J. P. Callender, 1838):
"He is a heretic who does not believe what the Roman Hierarchy
teaches.... A heretic merits the pains of fire.... By the Gospel, the
canons, civil law, and custom, heretics must be burned...Inquisitors
enjoy the benefits of a plenary indulgence [a full papal forgiveness
of sin] at all times in life, and in death."
http://www.rulersofevil.com/chap8.html
Statement made by a nun at a Catholic girls' school near Los Angeles, 1965:
"Anybody who is not a Catholic is a heretic! And God doesn't want
heretics on the earth because they try to destroy the Holy Mother
Church! It is not a sin to kill heretics, because it is God's way of
removing them from the earth." (Alberto Rivera, ex-Jesuit priest,
in Four Horsemen p 4; 5 published by Chick Publications Inc; Ontario:
1985).10
Alberto Rivera comments on the foregoing (nun's) statement:
"The young Catholic adults of today who were exposed to
programming technique back in the 1960's have had these seeds
planted in their minds in preparation for the 'final purification'" (Alberto
Rivera, ex-Jesuit priest, in Four Horsemen p 4; published by Chick
Publications Inc; Ontario: 1985).
10(Alberto Rivera, ex-Jesuit priest, in The Four Horsemen p 4; 5; published by Chick Publications
Inc; Ontario: 1985). Vatican 2 council "Pedro Arrupe, the Superior General of the Society of
Jesus stated, "It is time for the new and final purification of the Church in preparation for the New
Age kingdom." Rivera notes that Arrupe used 'purification' as a key word to describe purging (or
extermination) of all those who are unfaithful to the pope.
48

Also, according to Alberto Rivera, the evidence that the Roman Catholic church considers
it lawful to kill heretics is found in the letters printed upon the crucifix used in worship
services.
"The Bible tells us the words put on the cross of Christ at the crucifixion
said: "Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews" (John 19:19), but on the
Roman Catholic crucifix, it reads: I.N.R.I. Webster's Dictionary says
I.N.R.I. Means: Iesus Naarenus, Rex Iudaedrum. But in the Extreme
Oath of the Jesuits, it has special meaning. In classical Latin, I.N.R.I
means: 'Iustom, Necar, Reges, Impios.'..... Translated into English ...
I.N.R.I....means, 'It is just to exterminate or annihilate impious or
heretical kings, governments or rulers.'" Alberto Rivera cites the
source, "The engineer Corps of Hell," by Edwin A. Sherman, p 118 ©
1883 (Under Ceremony of Induction and Extreme Oath of the Jesuits),
Library of Congress catalog card # 66-43354. Double Cross, p 7,
published by Chick Publications Inc; Ontario: 1981).
Alberto Rivera claims that Jesuits make an oath to exterminate "heretics" (i.e those who
reject the Catholic faith).
Ellen White, Great Controversy, 1911 p 580
"Who understands better than the papal leaders how to deal with those who are
disobedient to the church?"
The Catholic Encyclopedia
"The severity of the anathema in the Old Testament is explained by the
necessity there was of preserving the Jewish people and protecting them
against the idolatry professed by the neighbouring pagans. "
www.newadvent.org/cathen/01455e.htm
The Catholic church appears to official y agree that the idolatrous Canaanites were of
necessity destroyed (genocided) to protect the purity of the true religion of the Israelites.
The church will likely use the same logic to recommend that 'heretics' who won't accept
legislated Sunday laws, should like-wise be destroyed.
The Catholic Church organisation claims that the 6th commandment (cal ed
the 5th commandment) is not broken by kil ing people who are "workers of
iniquity" i.e. heretics.
If you agree with this 'just perseuction' doctrine, you might be agreeing to
your own death sentence.
History repeatedly testifies that when dominant religious organisations
have held theology that condones law-breaking, and socio-political
power was available to them, then aggressive measures have been
employed against non-believers (heretics).
Aggression has been applied to effect a change in religious beliefs and
practice - to bring non-conformers (heretics) "into line" with the
existing orthodox beliefs or to kill the objectors.
49

Murder is Murder!
Alan Reynolds (senior fellow with the Cato Institute)
"Dictators and aspiring dictators are angry with the United States for limiting their
lust for power and land. They may try to cloak their ambitions and their brutality in
religious garb, but they are lying. Religion cannot justify atrocities against the
U
nited States any more than it justifies thuggery in Northern Ireland. Mu

rder is
m
urder. There is nothing religious about it. " http://www.cato.org/dailys/09-18-
01.html
God is not a murderer! Is murder holy?
Jesus said that Satan was "a murderer from the beginning"! (John 8:44)
Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world,
then would my servants fight," (John 18:36).
Those who follow Christ's faithful example will also be strangers and pilgrims on
the earth (Hebrews 11:13) and will not fight!
John Robinson, the Puritan pastor, gave timely advice to the first Pilgrims who were
preparing to embark for "the New World" (America) in search of religious liberty. Ellen
White repeated Pastor Robinson's impressive words in the Great Controversy.
Great Controversy, p.291, 292
"Brethren, we are now erelong to part asunder, and the Lord knoweth whether I shall live
ever to see your faces more. But whether the Lord hath appointed it or not, I ch
arge you
b efore God and His blessed angels to
follow me no farther than I have followed
Christ. If God should reveal anything to you by any other instrument of His, be as ready
to receive it as ever you were to receive any truth of my ministry; for I am very confident
the Lord hath more truth and light yet to break forth out of His holy word."--Martyn, vol 5 p
70."
Look to Jesus - the Author and Finisher of our Faith. See how His character reveals
the Father's character perfectly. If we are not sure that God is not a murderer, then
we are not prepared to stand in defence of His character in the testing times about
to break upon us.
50

Is Knowing God's Character a Salvation Issue?
Is God real y loving? Under all circumstances? Does He keep His own 10 commandment
law - in every circumstance? Or are there times when God commands His chosen people
to break the moral code for example the 6th commandment.? Does God ever
command people to kill others?
Jesus said, "This is life eternal that you might KNOW HIM the only true God and Jesus
Christ, Whom He has sent." John 17:3.
We can't guess about this vital subject. We must know the CHARACTER of the Father
the One True God as a pre-requisite to inheriting eternal life. By beholding the lovely
character of the Father through Jesus, our own characters may become changed (2 Cor
3:18) fitting us to become law-abiding citizens of heaven. It is the development of a
Christ-like character a commandment keeping character - that fits humanity to inherit
eternal life (Rev 12:17; Rev 14:1).
The 144 000 will have "the Father's name in their foreheads" (Rev 14:1). That means that
the Father's character of love wil be evident in the lives of His people. e.g. Demonstrated
by their love love for their enemies particularly.
How do we know the character of the Father when no one has seen God at any time?
John 1:17, 18
"For the law was given by Moses, but GRACE and TRUTH came by Jesus Christ. 18 No
man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the
Father, he hath declared him."
Jesus was sent to show us the Father (John 14: 8, 9) in al the ful ness of the Godhead
bodily (Col 2:9). Did Jesus do a poor job of reflecting His Father's character for us? Did
He keep a few evil character traits hidden from view while He was on earth? Was Jesus
lying about the Father's character - causing us to think that the Father is nicer than He is
in reality?
Satan, masquerading as a beautiful winged serpent, deceived Eve into thinking that it
would be desirable to KNOW good AND evil (Gen 3:5). The essence of paganism
honours a god who is both good and evil. I don't believe that Jesus Christ reflects the
character of a "blended" God at all. He is not a mixture of good and evil, black and white,
violence and gentleness. He is altogether loving - under all circumstances. In Him there
is no shadow of turning (James 1:17). His character is the same, yesterday, to day and
forever (Heb 13:8). God's character does not change (Mal 3:6). He never commands
human beings to destroy others in violation of his own commandments despite the
horrors that well-intentioned men (in their honest, but stinted attempts to
understand God), have attributed to His holy and sanctified character.
It follows logically that if humanity has a skewed and imperfect perception of God's
character, then humanity will not understand the depth of His love, nor the process of His
"wrath." Preconceived ideas are powerful influences and these also apply to our
perceptions of God's love and wrath.
The Biblical record reveals that the Israelites were surrounded by pagan nations. God
forbade the Israelites to form close associations with pagan nations, with the intention of
preventing contamination of the worship of the One True God with perceptions of pagan
gods.
51

By giving this direction for separation from the Canaanites, God endeavoured to set a
protective boundary around His people. This safeguard was to prevent the Hebrews from
misunderstanding the law-abiding character of the One True God and confusing it with the
evil and violent character of pagan deities. This direction was ignored by the ancient
Hebrew people. Through associations with pagan nations, the Israelites understanding of
God's character became contaminated with characteristics of pagan gods. So there was
the perception that God's character contained both good and evil traits a blended
character. In His mercy, God did not reject the Hebrew people for this error in their
understanding but God's long-suffering did not make their gross misunderstanding of
His character a correct representation of it.
The tragic situation is that this faulty representation of God's character is recorded in
many places of the Bible. While God has preserved the truth about His character in the
Bible, this truth needs to be searched for (Jer 29:11-14) and weighed against the
testimony of Jesus (Rev 12:17) who is the True Witness (Rev 3:14), whose life perfectly
fulfilled the 10 commandments (Isaiah 8:20). The 10 commandment law is the Royal law
(James 2:8) also cal ed the law of liberty (James 1:25) - the great standard against which
all lives are to be judged (James 2:12).
This study does not attempt to "destroy faith in the Bible." On the contrary, the author
believes that the Bible does contain the precious words of truth, but it also contains
elements of human reasoning which also cast negative aspersions on God's character.
These negative traits are founded on human misconceptions of God's character and have
their origins in pagan beliefs.
How can the genuine representations be determined from the misconceptions? By
aligning each character trait portrayed in the Bible, with the great standard of judgment;
which is - the Father's character as seen in the life of Jesus Christ (John 14:5-10) and
which was written for humanity by the finger of God in the stone tablets of the 10
commandments; and which is also written in the hearts of the believer (Ezekiel 36:26,27)
and will appear in the foreheads (minds) of the 144 000 (Rev 14:1)
Some might raise the objection that al Scripture is inspired and that none of its
expressions should be scrutinised for pagan influence. They might quote:
2 Timothy 3:16
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness:"
2 Peter 1:19-21
"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as
unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your
hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men
of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Revelation 19:13
"And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of
God."
Jesus Christ is the True Word of God, free of al pagan influence.
Please refer to the section of this study titled "Objections" where these valid concerns are
investigated in more detail.
52

The true Christian's faith must not be bound to outward items such as icons, crosses,
rosary beads, idols of worship. The Christian's faith must be placed only in the pure,
righteous character of Jesus Christ. But how does one put faith in Jesus Christ if they are
unsure of His character? Can they trust a mysterious, vacillating character, who tel s His
people (in a powerful demonstration of fire and smoke) to keep His 10 commandment law
of love, yet when in a fit of anger, breaks His own laws and commands others to do
likewise? (Psalm 106:23; Isaiah 13:9; Ezekiel 21:31; Rev 14:10).
If this is an accurate portrayal of God (which is found in the Bible), then He is a very
unstable character indeed. But the One True God is not unstable, nor does His pure
character ever change to absorb evil (Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8; James 1:17).
Humanity is challenged to understand the intense purity of the love of God. The Bible
reveals this difficulty in the many instances where God is portrayed as having evil
character traits, but the fault lies with the inability of the human understanding,
expression and portrayal of God not with God Himself. God is love (1 John 4:8,16; 1
Cor 13:4-7) and in Him there is no evil at all.
1 John 1:5
"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is
light, and in him is no darkness at all."
Deuteronomy 32:3, 4
"Because I wil publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. 4 He
is the Rock, his work is perfect: for al his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without
iniquity, just and right is he."
1 John 3:5
"And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin."
1 John 3:4
"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the
law."
53

The Reason Why Satan Attacks God's Law
Jesus explained why knowledge concerning the importance of the 10 commandments
were vital to salvation.
Matthew 22:36-40
"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? (37) Jesus said unto him, Thou
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
(38) This is the first and great commandment. (39) And the second is like unto it, Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (40) On these two commandments hang all the
law and the prophets."
Matthew 19:16-22
"And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I
may have eternal life? (17) And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is
none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
(18) He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not
commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, (19) Honour thy
father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (20) The young man
saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? (21) Jesus
said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and
thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. (22) But when the young
man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions."
If the rich man had in fact, kept ALL the commandments from his youth, why wasn't that
sufficient to ensure his salvation?
Jesus emphasised that the 10 commandments could be summed up in two
commandments love to God and love to humanity. The underlying principle of love is
unselfishness, and the rich man's lack of love for God and his fellowman was
demonstrated by his disappointing and selfish response to Christ's invitation.
Christ demonstrated that it was not the keeping of the letter of the law that achieved
entrance to heaven, but the possession of the spirit of God the new mind the new
character of unselfish love. The rich man possessed a legalistic religion which was
based on righteousness by works, not righteousness by faith which works through love
(Galatians 5:6).
Christ's conversation with the rich man reveals that any work or action that is not
motivated by unselfish love:
·
does not have its origin in love;
·
cannot be in harmony with the spirit of Jesus;
·
cannot produce the fruit of the spirit of love ;and
·
is not in accordance with God's character, law or government
54

Is Violence a Fruit of the Spirit of Christ?
Matthew 5:44-48
"But I (Jesus) 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; (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. (46) For if
ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
(47) And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the
publicans so? (48) Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is
perfect."
Galatians 5:22, 23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
(23) meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
Paul infers that there IS a law against the opposites to the fruit of the spirit. The opposite
of peace is war, bitterness. The opposite to gentleness is violence. These evil fruits are
against the law of God's unselfish love.

Isaiah 53:9 (Prophecy concerning Jesus, the Messiah)
"And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had
done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth."
2 Thessalonians 3:16
"Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by al means...."
John W. Ritenbaugh, in the Sixth Commandment (part 1) makes the following
comments:
1 Peter 2:21-23
"For even hereunto were ye cal ed: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow his steps: (22) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in
his mouth: (23) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he
threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:"
"This shows shows Christ's example, even when He had the love, wisdom,
and discernment to judge righteous judgment and correctly put His enemies
in their place. So strong was Jesus' commitment to these principles that,
even when His life was on the line, and His enemies reviled Him intensely,
He did not respond in kind. He set us an example to do likewise. Perhaps
the key statement is He 'committed Himself to Him who judges rightly.' His
response was an act of faith in God's awareness of His situation and God's
perfect ability not merely to act but to act in exactly the right way for the
good of all. The reality of God's sovereignty over His creation led to Jesus'
minute-by-minute faithful submission. If vengeance belongs to God, then
men, especially those who have pledged their lives to be subject to His
government, have no right to take it to themselves. Very frequently, it takes
real strength of character, bolstered by faith, to help and serve someone
who has directly tried to harm us. God's instructions to us are clear:
' Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him a drink;
for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Do not be overcome
by evil, but overcome evil with good' (Romans 12:20-21). 'Enemy' does not
mean one we hate, but one who is bitter toward us. If we hate others, we
are right back in the spirit of murder. Paul is stating a critical universal
principle: Over time, kindness removes enmity, but seeking revenge
increases it. Booker T. Washington said, 'The best way to destroy an
enemy is to make him a friend.'" (end quote: John W. Ritenbaugh)
55

Upon their conversion, the disciples and the apostles realised the importance of keeping
the spirit of the law, by being fil ed with the loving, unselfish mind/spirit of Christ.
1 John 4:6-5:3
"We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us.
Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. (7) Beloved, let us love one
another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
(8) He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (9) In this was manifested the
love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that
we might live through him. (10) Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us,
and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (11) Beloved, if God so loved us, we
ought also to love one another. (12) No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one
another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. (13) Hereby know we that we
dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. (14) And we have seen
and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. (15) Whosoever
shal confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. (16) And
we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that
dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. (17) Herein is our love made perfect,
that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this
world. (18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath
torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (19) We love him, because he first
loved us. (20) If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that
loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
(21) And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother
also. (5:1)
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth
him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. (2) By this we know that we love
the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. (3) For this is the
love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not
grievous."
God empowers His followers with divine, unselfish love. Being unselfish (keeping the
commandments), is therefore not difficult (grievous).
1 John 2:3-11
"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. (4) He
that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in
him.11 (5) But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby
know we that we are in him. (6) He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so
to walk, even as he walked. (7) Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an
old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word
which ye have heard from the beginning. (8) Again, a new commandment I write unto you,
which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true
light now shineth. (9) He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in
darkness even until now. (10) He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and
there is none occasion of stumbling in him. (11) But he that hateth his brother is in
darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because
that darkness hath blinded his eyes."
11 Jesus testified that Satan is a commandment-breaker. In John 8:44 "Ye are of your
father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the
beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he
speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
56

Galatians 5:25- 6:2
"If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (26) Let us not be desirous of vain
glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (6:1) Brethren, if a man be overtaken
in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted.(6:2) Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the
law of Christ."
2 Thesalonians 3:14-15
"And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company
with him, that he may be ashamed.(15) Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish
him as a brother."
1 Peter 3:4, 8-11
"But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.... Finally,
be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be
courteous: (9) Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise
blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. (10) For
he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his
lips that they speak no guile: (11) Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek
peace, and ensue it."
Paul also focused on the theme that God's character is pure, unselfish love. The principle
of love was manifested by His Son whom He sanctified (John 10:36). How did the Father
sanctify His Son? Christ was enabled to keep the 10 commandments perfectly by abiding
in His Father's love (John 14:10, 11).
Paul wrote to Timothy giving his personal testimony as evidence of God's love and its
application in his life.
1 Timothy 1:5-15
"Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good
conscience, and of faith unfeigned: (6) From which some having swerved have turned
aside unto vain jangling; (7) Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither
what they say, nor whereof they affirm. (8)
But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawful y; (9) Knowing this, that the law is
not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for
sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for
manslayers, (10) For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for
menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is
contrary to sound doctrine; (11) According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God,
which was committed to my trust. (12) And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath
enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; (13) Who was
before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did
it ignorantly in unbelief. (14) And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith
and love which is in Christ Jesus. (15) This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all
acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."
After listing his worst crimes, which he committed 'ignorantly and in unbelief,' Paul states
that he is the chief of sinners.
Paul admitted that he had been a blasphemer, a persecutor and that his actions were
injurious. In fact, his actions might also include being an accomplice to those who
performed the crimes which he expressed earlier manslayers and menstealers.
57

Paul states that these evil acts are 'contrary to sound doctrines.' Sound doctrines are
based on unselfish love demonstrated by the keeping the 10 commandments. And
Paul lists the sound doctrines which he identifies as the 10 commandments for he refers
to stealing, adultery, honouring parents, murder,
Paul's previous sinful actions had been performed in ignorance, yet, because they
contradicted the law of love spelled out in the 10 commandments, he still identified those
actions as sin.
Paul caused many of God's people to be imprisoned and killed, however Paul believed
that his horrific actions were in fact, honourable. He believed that he was 'doing God
service,' yet, his enthusiastic persecution of the early Christians, was an amazing
fulfilment of Jesus' prophecy.
John 16:2
"They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth
you will think that he doeth God service."
When Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, the proud pharisee's zealous actions
were exposed to him as unlawful and hence sinful. Paul was shocked and horrified to find
that he, a man of great education and learning, could have been so utterly wrong about a
particular religious doctrine. He who taught the law, was himself a lawbreaker.
Paul's interview with Jesus provoked a radical change in his thinking processes. He
began to realise the futility of legalism and forcefulness in matters of religion. He
perceived that the law of God is founded on the principle of love. Love alone offers
freedom of choice. This vital principle of love - "upon which hang al the law and the
prophets," was constantly displayed in Christ's character (Matt 22:40). Christ never
compel ed anyone to worship Him or to accept Him as the Messiah or Saviour.
As Paul freely consented to 'have the mind of Jesus' (Philippians 2:5), his behaviour
became non-violent. The 'fruit' of his character began to resemble the fruit of Jesus'
character.
Paul listed Christ's character traits to the Galatians, calling them 'the fruit of the spirit' (of
Christ) love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
temperance (Gal 5:22, 23).
Is it possible, that the ancient Israelites, like Paul, were also wrong in their legalistic
perception of righteousness? Did they also ignorantly, believe incorrectly
concerning God's character and law?
In his epistle to the Corinthian church members, Paul made a comparison between
legalism and faith between the letter of the law and the spirit of the law of love - as it
exists and was seen in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:7,8). Then he exposed the origin of
their sad error.
2 Corinthians 3:14
"But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in
the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ. (15) But even unto this
day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. (16) Nevertheless when it shall turn
to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away."
Paul revealed that the Jewish leaders had failed to recognise the principle upon which
God's law is based, is love. Instead, their perception of God was hindered by an inability
to perceive that the spirit of the law is a summary of God's character. The law defines
true, unselfish love.
58

As did Paul, could it be possible that the ancient Israelites also firmly believed that they
were 'doing God service' by exterminating (murdering) Canaanite pagans and 'heretics'?
It seems to be a logical conclusion in light of Paul's statement about 'a veil being on their
hearts' which can only be taken away by Christ.
In many of his writings, Paul continued to repeat his theme that the law of God, which
Jesus the Messiah demonstrated, defines His character. It is the character, the spirit, the
mind of Christ which holds the key to humanity's salvation not law-keeping (works)
which is motivated by selfishness.
Romans 13:8-10
"Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfil ed
the law. (9) For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not
steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other
commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself. (10) Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the
fulfilling of the law."
1 Timothy 1:5
"Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good
conscience, and of faith unfeigned:"
Colossians 3:14
"And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."
1 Corinthians 13:13
"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."
Thoughts to Ponder
God's character His identity is expressed in unselfishness love in every sphere, every
situation, every circumstance. Satan claimed that the principle of unselfish love could not
succeed in a sinful world. The attack against the law of God is an attack against God
Himself. Jesus proved that the devil's accusations against His Father were false and
vindicated His Father's character, His law and His government.
Question
Since Christ proved Satan's accusations to be false, why should Christians set aside
Christ's great victory and echo the same satanic accusation against God's character by
suggesting that there are some occasions where unselfish love fails; that there are
circumstances which require a violent response and even necessitate murder? Why do
they claim that God's law can be set aside, 'if God commands it?'
If God put aside His own law in only one emergency He would be admitting that
Satan's accusations against His divine character, law and government were valid.
Romans 8:35-39
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36) As it is written, For thy sake
we are kil ed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (37) Nay, in all
these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (38) For I am
persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor
things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,
shal be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
59

The Commandments are Binding on All Beings
The apostles and disciples gave clear instructions that God's character is not a blend of
"good and evil." They conclude that evil is the breaking of God's 10 commandment law of
love. Sin is breaking the law of unselfish love. God does not EVER break His own 10
commandment law, neither does He ever instruct others to break His law and to behave in
selfish ways (James 1:3; Matt 6:13; 1 Tim 5:22; 2 John 1:11). If God did endeavour to
make others participate in sin, God Himself would be incriminated in their sins (Matt 5:19).
Matthew 5:19 (Jesus said:)
"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men
so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shal do and
teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
For God to lead others into temptation, would be to act in direct opposition to how Jesus
spoke, when He asked according to the Father's wil , in the Lord's prayer - "lead us not
into temptation" (Matt 6:13).
Jesus demonstrated the Father's character before the universe (John 14:9, 10) so we may
KNOW the Father's character. It is not a mystery that God is perfectly good and a perfect
law-keeper of His own law. It is the transcript of His character. The law represents God's
identity. We can never accept the suggestion that "God can break His own law" for Jesus
never proclaimed such blasphemy.
There is a religious system in existence today which proclaims that God's laws are
binding, except in special circumstances. This system claims that there are times
when God's laws can be broken without incurring a penalty. In this system, a person can
purchase special "divine" permission to sin to sin legal y i.e. without having to pay a
penalty. Sin stops being sin for that special instance. This "divine" permission is called
an indulgence. The system declares that no condemnation can be given to a person who
has purchased an indulgence and who then, voluntarily commits sin adultery, murder,
stealing and breaks God's holy law.
The theology which states that the 10 commandments can be "legally" broken and that sin
can be committed without penalty, is not restricted to one particular religious system.
Many Christian systems maintain that the theology which sanctions "the transgression of
the law" is woefully incorrect, but they do not recognise this disguised doctrine within
their own religious organisation and in their own thinking. The doctrine is well
disguised. Consider the following:
From the beginning of the universe, God's 10 commandments were binding on all created
beings. All through history, the righteous have obeyed the commandments of God.
Though they were murdered for holding their strong position on keeping God's
commandments, the martyrs "loved not their lives unto the death" (Rev 12:11). In the
soon-coming confrontation with the anti-christ power, the righteous wil obey God's
commandments in the face of the death penalty (Rev 13:15). If we love Jesus, we will
keep His commandments (John 14:15) as He kept His Father's commandments.
Yes, even the Son of the Most High God obeyed His Father's commandments unto the
point of death.
John 15:10 "If ye keep my commandments, ye shal abide in my love; even as I have kept
my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
60

Did Christ only keep His Father's commandments when He was a human being? Or did
He keep His Father's commandments when He was the Son of God leading and directing
the Hebrew people in the Promised Land? Did Christ break His Father's commandments
then and command the Hebrew people to do likewise? (Numbers 31; Deut 21:10-14)
1 Peter 2:21-23
"For even hereunto were ye cal ed: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in
his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he
threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:"
Is it possible then, to logically suppose that there was any being in the universe who could
be exempt from keeping God's commandments when the Father and Son did not
sanction commandment-breaking Themselves and did not demonstrate commandment-
breaking Themselves, even under the most horrendous pressure placed upon them
during Christ's torture and death?
Is it logical to accept the supposition that God instructed His prophets to write (into the
Bible) that there were some people who were:
· permitted to intentionally break God's commandments? (Numbers 31:17; Jud 21:11)
· encouraged by God Himself to break His commandments?
· commanded by God Himself to break God's 10 commandments without suffering the
penalty of sin which is death (Romans 6:23)?
Consider:
· Did God create a privileged people who were exempt from keeping His
commandments?
· Did God Himself command the "chosen" people to become commandment-breakers -
after He told them n
ot to break his law under pain of death at Mt Sinai? (Exo 20)
· Did God temporarily alter the definition of sin in His dealings with the "chosen" people,
so that sin was NOT the transgression of the law? (1 John 3:4)
· Did God create His "chosen" people especial y to cooperate with Satan in his work of
commandment-breaking (John 8:44)?
· Did God offer special exemptions to the "chosen" people which granted them freedom
to break God's law without incurring the penalty of sin which is death (Rom 6:23)?
Of course God did not legalise sin for any being in all the universe. To accept
this accusation against God is blasphemous. It attacks the very seat of the
government of God! The belief that God permits, encourages and commands
His creatures to break His commandments and to do so without incurring the
penalty of death is to support a doctrine invented by anti-christ.
Such a belief is the doctrine of indulgences, disguised in Christian clothes. This is
the doctrine of "cheap grace." It is the doctrine the promotes the concept of "sin until
Jesus comes and stil be saved."
It is a doctrine that calls God a liar! The serpent whispers, "'thou shalt NOT surely die' if
you break God's commandments" (Gen 3:4; Rom 6:23). It is a doctrine that declares that
the wages of committing knowingly intentional, unrepented sin are not death in every
instance - and that the 10 commandments are not binding in all dispensations. It is a
doctrine straight from the insane and evil mind of anti-christ. It is a doctrine of death.
61

Matthew 5:17-19
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy,
but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle
shal in no wise pass from the law, til all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shal break
one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be cal ed 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."
Christ's words in Matthew 5:17-19 are self-condemnatory if Christ commanded the
Israelites to murder the wicked nations in Canaan. Christ Himself would be implicated in
the commandment-breaking sins that He commanded (taught) the Israelites to perform.
If a Christian believes that Christ ordered the Israelites to commit genocide, infanticide
and to plunder the wicked Canaanites' possessions, one must ask the question: Could
not Christ have reacted to the situation in a different manner a manner that permitted
Him and the Israelites to keep His Father's commandments? Or was breaking the
commandments to murder and steal the only possible solution to the "Canaanite
problem?" If Christians teach and believe this fal acy- that Christ commanded murder - it
is necessary also to accept that Satan must have been right in His claims against God's
government for it would prove that even God Himself couldn't keep His own law.
Commandment-breaking is not sanctioned by the Father, nor was it sanctioned by the
Son's words as recorded in the gospels. If any writing, speech or doctrine appears to
state otherwise, it can be exposed as being tainted by the spirit of Satan who was a
commandment breaker from the beginning.
When a person purchases an indulgence (a permit to commit sin), they are blessed (by
spiritual leaders) as they intentionally and with pre-meditation, break the 10
commandments. Compare this situation with that of the ancient Hebrew's culture when it
was professed that the nation was under the direct rule of God in a theocratic society. 12
The Israelites were "blessed" with gold, silver, cattle and slaves when they wil ingly and
intentional y broke God's 10 commandments and plundered their neighbours' land. Does
the One True God bless those who willingly and knowingly break His commandments?
In "looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith" (Heb 12:2) we can establish
our faith in the character of the Father. We are instructed to look to Christ - not to
Moses, the prophets, Joshua, Solomon, or David, but to turn our eyes upon Jesus. The
Old Testament prophets and those men who were inspired to write the Bible
demonstrated only a partial knowledge of the Father's character, but God, knowing the
honest intention of their hearts, "counted it to them for righteousness" (Rom 4:5).
We don't need perfect knowledge of spiritual things before God will accept the imperfect
gifts of our hearts. It is the heart that God values and God honoured the Bible writers
because of the submission of their hearts to Him. Jesus described a similar situation to
His disciples, concerning partial knowledge of the truth, when He lovingly stated in:
John 16:12
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now."
Humanity is only saved by faith in Jesus' testimony (Eph 2:8). Christ's ability to "show us
the Father" - to show us His loving character, is the key to our conversion experience. By
beholding and accepting the perfect love of Jesus, we are saved by faith and changed
into the likeness of His perfect character .
Nothing else draws believers but the love of the Father and the Son.
12 The Moabites and Egyptians were likewise "blessed" with slaves and wealth under a
theocracy.
62

1 John 4:9
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only
begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him."
1 John 3:1
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be cal ed
the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."
A question introduced this section of the book:
Question:
Is knowing the character of God a salvation issue?
Answer:
Yes. Knowing and trusting in the consistent, unchanging, loving character of God is a
salvation issue. It is, in fact, the most important issue upon which our salvation is based.
The just shall live by faith faith in God's loving character and His law abiding
government as demonstrated by His loving, commandment keeping Son, Jesus Christ.
(Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11;Hebrews 10:38; Revelation 14:12).
As this study progresses, some foundational truths must be kept in mind:
· the commandments are binding upon ALL beings at ALL times
· the true, perfect description of the Father's character is ONLY demonstrated in the life
of the Son of God;
· the character of God is often imperfectly represented by well-meaning human beings,
but they are not condemned by God for advocating errors based on insufficient
knowledge.
John 1:18
"No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the
Father, he hath declared him."
Hebrews 1:1, 2
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by
the prophets, (2) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath
appointed heir of al things, by whom also he made the worlds."
63

The Law of Reaping and Sowing
Galatians 6:7,8
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also
reap. (8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he
that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."
Isaiah 59:1-3, 6-8
"Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy,
that it cannot hear: (2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God,
and y our s ins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (3) For y our h
ands
are defiled with blood, and y our fi
ngers with iniquity; y our l
ips have spoken lies,
y our to
ngue hath muttered perverseness. (6).... th
eir w
orks are works of iniquity,
and the act of v iolence is in th
eir h
ands. (7) T
heir fe
et run to evil, and th
ey m
ake
haste to shed innocent blood: th
eir th
oughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and
destruction are in th
eir p
aths. (8) The way of peace they know not; and there is no
judgment (margin: right) in their goings: th
ey have made th
em crooked paths:
whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace."
These texts state that:
· It is not God who initiates His separation from His people;
· It is not God who originates acts of violence, lies, murder, shedding innocent blood and
destruction;
· Unrepentant sinners choose to separate from God;
· Unrepentant sinners perform acts of violence and destruction and shed innocent blood;
· Violence, lies, murder, shedding innocent blood and destruction are works of iniquity;
· Unrepentant sinners do not experience peace
Murder is the breaking of the 6th commandment. Murder is a fruit of the satanic and carnal
mind - not a fruit of the spirit of God. It does not originate from the of the pure divine
mind. It originates from Satan.
John 8:44
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer
from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he
speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
What humanity sows, they will reap as a consequence of their own actions and
choices (Gal 6:7, 8).
Romans 12:19-21
"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written,
Vengeance is mine; I wil repay, saith the Lord. (20) Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed
him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
(21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Isaiah 55:9
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts."
64

The Law of God Given to Humanity
Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17
"Thou shalt not kill."
Webster's Dictionary
"Kill: To kill does not necessarily mean any more than to deprive of life. A
man may kill another by accident or in self-defense, without the imputation
of guilt. To murder is to kil with malicious forethought and intention. To
assassinate is to murder suddenly and by stealth. The sheriff may kil
without murdering; the duelist murders, but does not assassinate his
antagonist; the assassin kills and murders."
Some theologians maintain that the command "Thou shalt not kill," would more accurately
have been translated "thou shalt not murder." If this is the case, then the problem
remains: - how could the Israelites, supposedly under God's express direction, kill
(execute) their fellow human beings? Such an execution would have to be performed in
love, without any selfish feelings, without any anger. Jesus said "Greater love hath no
man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" John 15:13.
A converted, loving and selfless executioner would rather lay down his life for the person
on "death row" as did the Lord Jesus Himself, rather than take life. (Consider the stand
taken by Seventh-day Adventist Christian, Private Desmond Doss. He refused to carry a
weapon or to take life at any time, while tending to the wounded repeatedly under heavy
fire, despite being stationed in "the hell-hole of the Pacific" during the Second World War.
Private Doss repeatedly demonstrated his wil ingness to lay down his life for his friends
and for "the enemy" also.(see www.desmonddoss.com )
The Law Upheld and Obeyed by Jesus Christ
Matthew 5:21-22
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kil ; and whosoever
shal kill shall be in danger of the judgment: (22) But I say unto you, That whosoever is
angry with his brother without a cause shal be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever
shal say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say,
Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire."
Matthew 5:17-19
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy,
but to fulfil. (18) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle
shal in no wise pass from the law, til al be fulfil ed. (19) Whosoever therefore shal break
one of these least commandments, and shal teach men so, he shall be cal ed the least in
the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shal do and teach them, the same shal be called
great in the kingdom of heaven."
Jesus said that anyone who teaches men to break God's commandments will be cal ed
the least in the kingdom of Heaven.
But in the Old Testament, the accusation is made that God Himself ordered the Israelites
to break His law by kil ing heretics and pagans! Jesus said desire, to destroy a person's
enemies, was evidence of the wrong spirit (Luke 9:55) and the breaking of the 6th
commandment! Would Christians unknowingly accuse the Father, God Himself of having
the 'wrong spirit' and of breaking His own holy law (Matthew 5:22)?
What was Jesus example of dealing with those who hated Him and who declared
themselves to be His enemies? Whose example did Jesus say Christians would follow
when they fol owed His advice?
65

Matthew 5:44-45
"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; 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. Love your
enemies."
Matthew 19:17-19
"And he said unto him, Why cal est thou me good? there is none good but one, that is,
God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (18) He saith unto him,
Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt
not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, (19) Honour thy father and thy mother: and,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
And the Law Upheld by Paul (the Apostle to the Gentiles)
Romans 13:9, 10
"For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou
shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other
commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself. (10) Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the
fulfilling of the law."
Remember, who thinks they can change God's law?
Daniel 7:25
"And he (antichrist power/king) shall speak great words against the most High, and
shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and
they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
John 16:2
"Yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God
service."
The Vital Protestant Principle
Great Controversy, p.291
"When first constrained to separate from the English Church, the Puritans had joined
themselves together by a solemn covenant, as the Lord's free people, "to walk
together in all His ways made known or to be made known to them." --J. Brown, The
Pilgrim Fathers, page 74. Here was the true spirit of reform, the vital principle of
Protestantism.":
The true spirit of reform, the vital principle of Protestantism, is the determination to
worship God and follow His teachings as He leads. This principle is the foundation of
religious freedom whereby an individual exercises freedom to worship according to the
dictates of private conscience.
66

Freedom to Worship
God's government is based on love and freedom of choice. God forces no-one to worship
Him, for true fellowship is based on love and wil ing service. The gospel and the plan of
salvation is based on the premise that God honours an individual's choice to choose
whom they will worship. We can be certain that these statements are true by examining
the life of Jesus Christ, for Christ came to "show us the Father" (John 14:9). Jesus said:
· "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and
follow me" (Mark 8:34);
· "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15);
· "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me....And a stranger will
they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers (John
10:27);
· "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are
sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen
gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (Matt.23.37)
· "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto
you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John.14.27)
· "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I wil give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-
30)
Concerning interactions with others, Christ emphasised love and respect for the
individual not the application of force and coercion to achieve obedience and worship.
· "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 despiteful y use you, and persecute you;"
(Matthew 5:44)
· "But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him
that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy
cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him
that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to
you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have
ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do
good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to
them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners,
to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for
nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the
Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as
your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not,
and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shal be forgiven" (Luke 6:27-38)
· "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground
without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not
therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:29-31).
· Paul added, "And be ye kind, one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God, for Christ's sake has forgiven you"(Ephesians 4:32).
· "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a
sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7)
67

Political Freedom to Kill
While God's government offers individuals freedom of choice, some political regimes rise
to power using opposing principles. Such regimes restrict basic individual freedoms, use
coercion and assume the "right to kil " any individuals who disagree with their philosophy
e.g. Vladimir Ilyich Lenin's Bolshevik's Revolution.
TimeWatch Lenin's Secret Files; British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC, video, 1998)
"After the attempt on his (Lenin's) life, the Communist government
officially declared the 'Red Terror.' Industrialists, landed gentry, priests,
lawyers, even their relatives were al rounded up. Years later communist
propaganda was stil maintaining they were all agents of foreign powers.
Some were tried by revolutionary tribunals, but several hundred others
were taken to cells of the secret police and shot dead. It was then that
the regime of the one party state becomes really decisively also a terror
dictatorship and Lenin himself approves of this while he is recuperating.
During this bloodbath, Lenin was recuperating at Gorki. He thought the
Red Terror hadn't gone far enough. (Lenin said) 'Our regime is incredibly
mild - more like milk pudding than iron.' Lenin believed that in
circumstances such as war or revolution which is a form of armed
struggle, the use of terror was justified. That was why Lenin had
studied the history of the French Revolution and defended the Jacobean
terror. In December 1917, Lenin wrote an article 'How to Organise a
Socialist Competition' in which he made the case for imprisoning and
shooting the enemies of socialism. He believed that as a political
means, terror, executions, hostage-taking etc were justified and
without any limitations. These were part of the Bolshevik' party's
doctrine" (end quote BBC: 1998).
Apparently, taken from Lenin's same article, he pens the following:
"The rich and the rogues are two sides of the same coin, they are the two
principal categories of parasites which capitalism fostered; they are the
principal enemies of socialism. These enemies must be placed under the
special surveillance of the entire people; they must be ruthlessly
punished for the slightest violation of the laws and regulations of
socialist society. Any display of weakness, hesitation or sentimentality
in this respect would be an immense crime against
socialism....Variety is a guarantee of effectiveness here, a pledge of
success in achieving the single common aim--to clean the land of Russia
of all vermin, of fleas--the rogues, of bugs--the rich, and so on and so
forth. In one place half a score of rich, a dozen rogues, half a dozen
workers who shirk their work ... will be put in prison. In another place
they wil be put to cleaning latrines. In a third place they will be provided
with "yellow tickets" after they have served their time, so that everyone
shal keep an eye on them, as harmful persons, until they reform. In a
fourth place, one out of every ten idlers wil be shot on the spot. In a fifth
place mixed methods may be adopted, and by probational release, for
example, the rich, the bourgeois intel ectuals, the rogues and rowdies who
are corrigible wil be given an opportunity to reform quickly. The more
variety there will be, the better and richer will be our general experience,
the more certain and rapid will be the success of socialism, and the easier
wil it be for practice to devise--for only practice can devise--the best
methods and means of struggle"
(Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, 24-27 December ,1917)
http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1917/dec/25.htm
68

The SBS video series, "The Celts," in episode 5 entitled "Legend and Reality," the
narrator makes the following statements:
"Oliver Cromwell was even more determined to bring the entire population
of Ireland to the Protestant faith. He had under his command the finest
army in Europe. It marched on the town of Drogheda and fired in one
day, 200 cannon bal s on the town's defences. All male, Irish combatants
were put to the sword and Cromwell justified his actions by claiming this
was a righteous judgment of God upon these barbarous wretches. The
wal s of Drogheda offered no protection."
From their website, the BBC Company -UK (The British Broadcasting Company
UK) states that:
"Oliver Cromwell rose from the middle ranks of English society to be Lord
Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland, the only non-royal ever to hold
that position. He played a leading role in bringing Charles I to trial and to
execution; he undertook the most complete and the most brutal military
conquest ever undertaken by the English over their neighbours; he
championed a degree of religious freedom otherwise unknown in England
before the last one hundred years; but the experiment he led collapsed
within two years of his death, and his corpse dangled from a gibbet at
Tyburn. He was - and remains - one of the most contentious figures in
world history....For Cromwel had been converted to a strong puritan
faith, and he found living within a church still full of 'popish' ceremonies
unbearable. He yearned to be where the gospel was proclaimed and
preached unadorned. He stayed and became more radical in his
religion - he regularly preached at an illegal religious assembly and he
referred in a letter to the Bishop as 'the enemies of God His Truth'. When
the chance came, he stood for Parliament, and was returned on the
interest of a Puritan caucus, for the town of Cambridge."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/state/monarchs_leaders/cromwel _01.shtml
Oliver Cromwell zealously accepted the Puritan faith and through the support of the
Puritan caucus became a politician and a daring soldier with command of the strongest
army in Europe. Cromwell's history reveals that under his direction, the three vital aspects
of religion, political power and military means were combined. This powerful position
enabled the "Protestant" Cromwell to wage several brutal, supposedly 'just wars' on
Roman Catholic 'heretics.'
Cromwel 's battle plans and His logic for invading Ireland and Scotland, seem comparable
to those of Joshua's upon entering the Promised Land.
·
Cromwel ordered that all male 'combatant' residents of conquered towns were to
be kil ed, justifying this murderous action by claiming the inhabitants were
'barbarous wretches.' Joshua claimed the Canaanites 'cup of iniquity was ful ' also
and this fact justified their extermination;
·
Cromwel 's 'benevolent despotism was acceptable to a weary nation and went
uncontested.' Joshua also reigned as military and spiritual leader (despot) over
Israel;
·
Cromwel 'muzzled the press' in a manner very much as is done today, to ensure
only 'positive' PR was conveyed to the masses. Perhaps the Biblical reports of
Joshua's exploits might also have been prepared to produce 'positive PR.'
Protestants might benefit by asking themselves the question: Was Cromwell's persecution
of Catholic 'heretics' justified? Can the brutal deaths of the 'heretics' be justified in the
name of Jesus, the One who told His followers to love their enemies?
More information about Cromwel 's historical achievements can be found at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/cromwel _oliver.shtml
69

Religious Freedom to Kill?
Just as some political regimes assume the "right" and the "freedom to kill" those who
disapprove of their political philosophy, so some religious organisations believe they too,
have a "God-given right" to impact an individual's worship choices - to the point of killing
individuals who might prove resistant to that organisation's doctrines.
Such professedly Christian organisations do not accept the crucial truth that individuals
possess the divinely-given right to choose which deity they will worship. When this
basic truth is denied, coercion and varying degrees of force are considered the right of
religious organisations to use against objectors.
Whether the "right to kill" philosophy occurs in the political or the religious arena is
irrelevant the underlying principle (of assuming a right to "control and kil ") is alarmingly
common to both types of systems.
A global situation which threatens humanity's personal religious freedom, is predicted to
take place very close to the end of time.
Revelation 13:15-17
"And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast
should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast
should be killed. (16) And he causeth all, both smal and great, rich and poor, free and
bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: (17) And that no man
might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of
his name."

Jesus prophesied that some religious people, in the spirit of the beast power, would
kill true Christians.
John 16:2
"Yea, the time cometh, that whosoever kil eth you will think that he doeth God service."
Matthew 10:16,17; 24:8
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as
serpents, and harmless as doves.(17) But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to
the councils, and they wil scourge you in their synagogues.... (24:8) All these are the
beginning of sorrows. (9) Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill
you: and ye shal be hated of all nations for my name's sake. (10) And then shall many be
offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another."
Webster's Dictionary
Heretic: One who holds to a heresy; one who believes some
doctrine contrary to the established faith or prevailing religion.
The belief that an organisation has the divine right to force their religious beliefs upon
unwilling others, is an attack on the basic human right of freedom to worship. It also
forms the theological foundation of the doctrine that killing heretics is not a sin.
History repeatedly testifies that when dominant religious organisations have held such
theology, and socio-political power was available to them, then aggressive measures
have been employed against the non-believer (heretic). Aggression has been applied to
effect a change in religious beliefs and practice - to bring non-conformers (heretics) "into
line" with the existing orthodox beliefs or to kil the objectors.
Robert C. Jones
(http://www.sundayschoolcourses.com/inq/inqcont.htm#Theological%20foundations%20fo
r%20the%20Inquisition Copyright 1998) writes about the theological foundations which
were used to justify kil ing of heretics during the Inquisition.
70

The Roots of "Just War" Doctrine
The fol owing article The Roots of Just War Doctrine is found at Catholic Answers (San
Diego: Catholic Answers, 2001) and reveals the logic behind justifying war based on the
Old Testament writings. The entire article, which is a primer only, can be found at where
this extract originates: http://www.catholic.com/library/Just_war_Doctrine_1.asp
"In the Beatitudes, Jesus tells us "blessed are the peacemakers" (Matt.
5:9). Elsewhere in the Sermon on the Mount he tells us "if any one strikes
you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matt. 5:39). From such
verses some have concluded that Christianity is a pacifist religion and that
violence is never permitted. But the same Jesus elsewhere acknowledges
the legitimate use of force, telling the apostles, "let him who has no sword
sel his mantle and buy one" (Luke 22:36). How are these passages to be
reconciled? In broad terms, Christians must not love violence. They must
promote peace whenever possible and be slow to resort to the use of arms.
But they must not be afraid to do so when it is called for. Evil must not be
al owed to remain unchecked. Added weight is given to this realization
when one recognizes that Scripture -- al of Scripture -- is inspired by God
(2 Tim. 3:16). This means that the Old Testament is just as inspired as the
New Testament and thus an expression of the wil of Christ. The Old
Testament acknowledges frankly that there is "a time to kil " (Eccles. 3:3).
At various times in the Old Testament, God commanded the Israelites to
defend their nation by force of arms. Yet it was always with the recognition
that peace is the goal to be worked for. Thus the psalmist exclaims, "how
good and pleasant it is when brothers dwel in unity!" (Ps. 133:1). Peace is
the goal, but when it cannot be achieved without force, force must be used.
In the same way, the New Testament sets forth the goal of peace but
acknowledges the legitimate use of force. It does so by John the Baptist's
acknowledgment that Roman soldiers, whose job it was to enforce the Pax
Romana, or "Peace of Rome," could keep their jobs (Luke 3:14) and by
Paul's observation that the state "does not bear the sword in vain" but is
"God's servant for your good" (Rom. 13:4). As long as Christianity
remained a minority religion in the Roman Empire, it was not forced to put
these insights together into a formal theory of when warfare could be used.
But as Christianity grew predominant, more attention had to be devoted to
this subject. By the time of Augustine (A.D. 354-430) the need for a theory
of when warfare was just was keen, and Augustine provided one,
crystallizing biblical principles into what is now known as just war doctrine.
In the intervening centuries the theory has been refined, but its framework
remains as he gave it" (Catholic Answers, Just War Doctrine, San Diego:
Catholic Answers, 1979-2005).
The Catholic Answers article above appears to suggest that Christians ought to dislike
using violence, but that in order to keep peace, they should employ violence. There does
not appear to be any other option offered as a solution to the problem, other than to
respond with violence. What about faith in God to protect His people? Wouldn't that be
an alternative to violence?
71

Theological Foundations for the Inquisition
"The proponents of the Inquisition (and, amazingly, apologists since the Inquisition ended
in 1834), point to both Biblical and theological sources for its justification. The biblical
passages most often quoted by the early Inquisitors were from Mosaic Law, in the Old
Testament. This is, of course, somewhat questionable theology, as Mosaic Law
regarding, say, dietary restrictions were completely ignored by the Church from the 1st
century on, yet suddenly (in the 13th century), Mosaic Law seemed to be a perfectly
reasonable justification for burning thousands of people at the stake! Key passages are
quoted below (edited for brevity):
(From Deuteronomy 13 NIV) "If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears
among you...and he says, "Let us follow other gods"...That prophet or dreamer
must be put to death...You must purge the evil from among you.
If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your
closest friend secretly entices you, saying, "Let us go and worship other gods"...do
not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity. Do not spare him or shield
him...You must certainly put him to death. Your hand must be the first in putting
him to death, and then the hands of all the people. Stone him to death...Then all
Israel will hear and be afraid, and no one among you wil do such an evil thing
again.
If you hear it said about one of the towns the LORD your God is giving you to live in
that wicked men have arisen among you and have led the people of their town
astray...then you must inquire, probe and investigate it thoroughly. And if it is
true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done among you,
you must certainly put to the sword all who live in that town. Destroy it
completely, both its people and its livestock.
Gather al the plunder of the town into the middle of the public square and
completely burn the town and all its plunder as a whole burnt offering to the LORD
your God. It is to remain a ruin forever, never to be rebuilt."
(From Exodus 22:18 NIV) "Do not allow a sorceress to live."
(Robert C Jones continued)
"Many of the elements found in the aforementioned extracts from Mosaic Law would later
be closely emulated by the Inquisition, including:
· "Purging" of "prophets and dreamers" (the charge that lead to the death of Joan of
Arc)
· Family members in the Inquisition were encouraged to testify against each other
· Putting to death heretics as an example to others
· The guidance to "inquire, probe and investigate" towns that have gone astray could
be a job description for later Inquisitors!
· Destruction of whole towns, to wipe out heresy
It was much more difficult for the proponents of the Inquisition to find New Testament
justification for their acts. The most often quoted New Testament verse is from John 15:
(John 15:6 NIV) "If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown
away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned."
72

(Robert C Jones continued)
"The methods of the Inquisition were also given blessing from the most renowned
Catholic theologians of the time, as the fol owing startling passages from Saint Thomas
Aquinas' (1225? 1274 A.D.) massive theological work Summa Theologica show.
Aquinas, a Dominican monk, is generally considered to be the greatest Catholic
theologian since Augustine in the 4/5th centuries and Aquinas talks of the extermination
of heretics:
"P(2b)-Q(11)-A(3) ...Wherefore if forgers of money and other evil-doers are
forthwith condemned to death by the secular authority, much more reason is there
for heretics, as soon as they are convicted of heresy, to be not only
excommunicated but even put to death.
On the part of the Church, however, there is mercy which looks to the conversion
of the wanderer, wherefore she condemns not at once, but "after the first and
second admonition," as the Apostle directs: after that, if he is yet stubborn, the
Church no longer hoping for his conversion, looks to the salvation of others, by
excommunicating him and separating him from the Church, and furthermore
delivers him to the secular tribunal to be exterminated thereby from the world
by death...Arius was but one spark in Alexandria, but as that spark was not at
once put out, the whole earth was laid waste by its flame." ("Summa Theologica -
Vol. 3 - The Second Part Of The Second Part (Part I)" by Thomas Aquinas, p. 150).
end quote Robert C Jones, Copyright 1998.
http://www.sundayschoolcourses.com/inq/inqcont.htm#Theological%20foundations
%20for%20the%20Inquisition
The Catholic Encylopedia.
"To understand the word anathema", says Vigouroux, "we should first go back to the real
meaning of herem of which it is the equivalent. Herem comes from the word haram, to cut
off, to separate, to curse, and indicates that which is cursed and condemned to be cut off
or exterminated, whether a person or a thing, and in consequence, that which man is
forbidden to make use of." This is the sense of anathema in the following passage from
Deut., vii, 26: "Neither shalt thou bring anything of the idol into thy house, lest thou
become an anathema like it. Thou shalt detest it as dung, and shalt utterly abhor it as
uncleanness and filth, because it is an anathema." Nations, individuals, animals, and
inanimate objects may become anathema, i.e. cursed and devoted to destruction. It was
thus that the people inhabiting the Promised Land were anathematized as Moses says
(Deuteronomy 7:1, 2): "When . . . the Lord thy God shall have delivered them to thee, thou
shalt utterly destroy them." When a people was anathematized by the Lord, they were to
be entirely exterminated. Saul was rejected by God for having spared Agag, King of the
Amalecites, amid the greater part of the booty (I K. xv, 9-23). Anyone who spared
anything belonging to a man who had been declared anathema, became himself
anathema. There is the story of Achan who had charge of the spoils of Jericho: "The
anathema is in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thy enemies till he
be destroyed out of thee that is defiled with this wickedness." Achan, with his family amid
herds, was stoned to death. Sometimes it is cities that are anathematized. When the
anathema is rigorous al the inhabitants are to be exterminated, the city burned, and
permission denied ever to rebuild it, and its riches offered to Jehovah. This was the fate of
Jericho (Joshua 6:17). If it is less strict, all the inhabitants are to be put to death, but the
herds may be divided among the victors (Joshua 8:27). The obligation of killing all
inhabitants occasionally admits of exceptions in the case of young girls who remain
captives in the hands of the conquerors (Numbers 31:18). The severity of the anathema
in the Old Testament is explained by the necessity there was of preserving the
Jewish people and protecting them against the idolatry professed by the
neighbouring pagans. (end quote) http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01455e.htm
73

Some quotations from the Islamic holy book reveal similar sentiments toward heretics.
The Koran (Qur'an)
Sura (chapter) 2:216
"Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing
which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But God knoweth, and
ye know not ."
Sura 9:5
"But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the pagans wherever ye
find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of
war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity, then
open the way for them: for God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful ."
Sura 2:190.
"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loveth
not transgressors. And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from
where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter"
Sura 8:12,13
"Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): 'I am with you: give firmness
to the believers. I will instil terror into the hearts of the unbelievers. Smite ye above their
necks and smite all their fingertips off them. This because they contended against
God and His Apostle. If any contend against God and his Apostle, God is strict in
punishment... O ye who believe! When ye meet the unbelievers in hostile array, never
turn your backs to them. If any do turn his back to them on such a day-unless it be in
a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own) - he draws on himself the wrath
of God, and his abode is hell, - an evil refuge (indeed)! It is not ye who slew them; it
was God."
Sura 61:4,11-13
"Truly God loves those who fight in His cause in battle array, as if they were a solid
cemented structure ... that ye believe in God and His Apostle, and that ye strive (your
utmost) in the cause of God, with your property and your persons. That will be best for
you, if ye but knew! He will forgive you your sins, and admit you to gardens
[Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, and to beautiful mansions in gardens of eternity.
That is indeed the supreme achievement. And another (favor will He bestow), which ye do
love-help from God and a speedy victory. So give the glad tidings to the believers."
The Sydney Morning Herald,(internet edition) reported that outspoken Melbourne
Muslim cleric Abu Bakr was arrested on 8 November 2005 for belonging to a terrorist
group. Some quotes from the news report are:
Bakr defended Muslims fighting against coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan
and said anyone who fought in the name of Allah would be forgiven their sins.... He
also said Muslims faced a problem in Australia as to whether to obey Australian or Islamic
laws....."There are two laws, there is Australian law, there is Islamic law," Bakr
said....On other religions, he said: "I am not only against the Jew. I am against
anyone who try to harm my religion." http://smh.com.au/news/national/muslim-
cleric-arrested-in-raids/2005/11/08/1131212033239.html
12 July, 2001: A state-run Ugandan newspaper reported that people in northeastern
Congo have kil ed more than 800 suspected witches, during June and July. Diseases are
common in the area; some of the the public accused "witches" of spreading disease. [The
term "witch" in Africa normal y means a person accused of evil sorcery. The same word in
North America normally means a Wiccan or other Neopagan. The two terms are
unrelated.] http://www.religioustolerance.org/news_01jul.htm
74

The Roman Catholic Religion
Directorium Inquisitorum was written in 1376 by the church's Inquisitor General, Nicolas
Eymeric. T
he D
irectorium Inquisitorum b
ecame the handbook of procedure for the
Spanish Inquisition for over a century. It saw numerous printings, including a run at
Barcelona in 1503 and one in Rome in 1578.
"The Directorium Inquisitorum defined witchcraft, and described means for
discovering witches. In compiling the book, Eymeric used many of the
magic texts he had previously confiscated from accused sorcerors.....In
addition to describing common magical practices, Eymeric also described
means of extracting a confession which included primitive psychological
manipulation

as

wel

as

outright
torture."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolas_Eymeric
Here follows a summary of the Directorium Inquisitorum (translated by J. P.
Cal ender, 1838):
"He is a heretic who does not believe what the Roman Hierarchy teaches...
. A heretic merits the pains of fire.... By the Gospel, the canons, civil
law, and custom, heretics must be burned.... For the suspicion alone of
heresy, purgation is demanded.... Magistrates who refuse to take the oath
for defense of the faith shall be suspected of heresy.... Wars may be
commenced by the authority of the Church.... Indulgences for the
remission of all sin belong to those who signed with the cross for the
persecution of heretics.... Every individual may kill a heretic. Persons
who betray heretics shall be rewarded.... Heretics may be forced to
profess the Roman faith.... A heretic, as he sins in all places, may
everywhere be judged.... Heretics must be sought after, and be
corrected or exterminated....Heretics enjoy no privileges in law or
equity.... The goods of heretics are to be considered as confiscated from
the perpetration of the crime... The pope can enact new articles of faith....
Definitions of popes and councils are to be received as infallible...
.Inquisitors may torture witnesses to obtain the truth.... It is laudable
to torture those of every class who are guilty of heresy.... The Pope
has power over infidels.... The Church may make war with infidels....
Those who are strongly suspected are to be reputed as heretics.... He
who does not inform against heretics shall be deemed as suspected....
Inquisitors may allow heretics to witness against heretics, but not for
them.... Inquisitors must not publish the names of informers, witnesses,
and accusers.... Penitent heretics may be condemned to perpetual
imprisonment.... Inquisitors may provide for their own expenditures, and
the salaries of their officers, from the property of heretics.... Inquisitors
enjoy the benefits of a plenary indulgence [a full papal forgiveness of
sin] at al times in life, and in death." (F.Tupper Saussy, Rulers of Evil,)
http://www.rulersofevil.com/chap8.html
The Catholic Church has never renounced its past practice of kil ing people that it
considers to be heretics. On the contrary, the Office of the Inquisition stil exists. It is part
of the Roman Curia (the group of men who govern the Catholic Church). In 1965, its
name was changed to "The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith". It is headed by
Cardinal

Ratzinger
http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/index.htm
then select "Profile." (Note: Cardinal Ratzinger is currently the present Pope -2005).
75

Catechism of the council of Trent on the Fifth (sic) Commandment, "thou
shal not kill":"[T]o the civil authorities... is entrusted power of life and death,
by the legal and judicious exercise of which they punish the guilty and protect
the innocent. The just use of this power, far from involving the crime of
murder, is an act of paramount obedience to this Commandment which
prohibits murder. The end of the Commandment- is the preservation
and security of human life. Now the punishments inflicted by the civil
authority, which is the legitimate avenger of crime, natural y tend to this end,
since they give security to life by repressing outrage and violence. Hence
these words of David: In the morning I put to death all the wicked of the
land, that I might cut off all the workers of iniquity from the city of the
Lord."
K
illing In A J ust War
"In like manner, the soldier is guiltless who, actuated not by motives of
ambition or cruelty, but by a pure desire of serving the interests of his
country, takes away the life of an enemy in a just war." [This catechism was
prepared in response to a decree of the council in 1563. For more on the
Council of Trent (1545-1563) see the Catholic Encyclopedia of 1913.]
Catholic Answers, "Just War Doctrine" (San Diego: Catholic Answers, 1979-
2005) "Even with the smartest of smart munitions, it is not possible to ensure
that no non-combatants will be harmed in wartime. As tragic as it is, col ateral
damage to innocents is an inescapable consequence of war. Catholic
theology recognizes this. It applies to such situations a well-established
principle known as the law of double-effect. According to this law it is
permissible to undertake an action which has two effects, one good and one
evil,

provided

that

certain

conditions

are

met."
http://www.catholic.com/library/Just_war_Doctrine_1.asp
3. Catechism of Pope St. Pius the Tenth:
Q: "Are there cases in which it is lawful to kill?
A: It is lawful to kill when fighting in a just war; when carrying out by
order of the Supreme Authority a sentence of death in punishment of a
crime; and, finally, in cases of necessary and lawful defense of one's own
life against an unjust aggressor." [Published in 1905. See the catholic
encyclopedia on Pope Pius X.]
The Bible
Exodus 15:3
"Yahweh is a man of war."
If God is a man of war, it is most certainly NOT a "man of war" to which humanity is
accustomed.
Leviticus 20:13
"If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed
an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them."
Did the One True God order Moses to instruct non-homosexual sinful human beings to
murder their homosexual relatives? Did Jesus ever require such a penalty for sexual sin?
The following article highlights the problems which "killer-god" mentality and its
accompanying doctrines cause. The article appears on Adventist4Truth website:
http://www.adventist4truth.com/index2.php?NewsPages=court_says_bible_hate_lit
LifeSite Daily News
76

Monday February 10, 2003
Court Agrees with Human Rights Tribunal That Bible = Hate Literature
Christian Leader Warns Ruling Shows Danger of Proposed Changes to Hate Laws
REGINA, February 10, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In a ruling given virtually no media
coverage, the Court of Queen's Bench in Saskatchewan, ruled that a man who placed
references to Bible verses on homosexuality into a newspaper ad was guilty of inciting
hatred. The December 11, 2002 decision was in response to an appeal of a 2001
Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission (HRC) ruling which ordered both the
Saskatoon StarPhoenix newspaper and Hugh Owens of Regina to pay $1,500 to three
homosexual activists for publishing an ad in the Saskatoon newspaper quoting bible
verses regarding homosexuality.
The purpose of the ad was to indicate that the Bible says no to homosexual behaviour.
The advertisement displayed references to four Bible passages:
Romans 1, Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, on the left side. An
equal sign (=) was situated in the middle, with a symbol on the right side. The symbol was
comprised of two males holding hands with the universal symbol of a red circle with a
diagonal bar superimposed over top.
Justice J. Barclay rejected the appeal ruling: "In my view, the Board was correct in
concluding that the advertisement can objectively be seen as exposing homosexuals to
hatred or ridicule. When the use of the circle and slash is combined with the passages of
the Bible, it exposes homosexuals to detestation, vilification and disgrace. In other words,
the Biblical passage (sic) which suggest that if a man lies with a man they must be put to
death exposes homosexuals to hatred."
Janet Epp Buckingham, Legal Counsel for the Evangelical Fel owship of Canada told
LifeSite that "The ruling that a verse from the Bible can be considered to expose
homosexuals to hatred shows the danger for Scripture if Bil C-250 passes." Bil , C-250,
proposed by homosexual activist MP Svend Robinson would see "sexual orientation"
added to hate crime law as a prohibited ground of discrimination.
See the ruling online at: http://www.canlii.org/sk/cas/skqb/2002/2002skqb506.html
Homosexual Rights Trump Religious Rights Provincial Rights Court Rules
http://www.lsn.ca/ldn/2001/june/010619.html
For more information on Bill C-250 see:
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2002/oct/02102801.html
In direct contrast to the Mosiac law (which supposedly required the stoning of
homosexuals and sexual sinners), Jesus revealed a compassionate response; a loving
acceptance - conspicuously devoid of any condemnation. Christ did not condone sexual
sin or any sin, but He loved sinners and His love prompted repentance and restoration.
Jesus said, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:.... I
am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly"
(John 10:5, 10).
77

Rules and Rewards of "Holy" Wars
H
oly Warriors Curse Heretics (th
ose who disagree with their theology)
From the Koran
Sura 9:29-31
"Fight those who believe not in God nor the last day, nor hold that forbidden which hath
been forbidden by God and His Apostle, nor acknowledge the religion of truth, (even if
they are) of the people of the Book [Christians and Jews], until they pay the jizya [tribute]
with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. The Jews call Uzair [Ezra] a son of
God, and the Christians call Christ the Son of God ... God's curse be on them."
The Roman Catholic Religion
Pope John Paul II issued a new edition of Roman Catholic Canon Law in 1983. According
to Canon 1311, The Catholic Church has the right to coerce members of "the Christian
faithful" who fail to comply with Canon Law. According to Roman Catholic declaration,
heresy is disagreement with Catholic doctrine. This is considered a crime. The Council of
Trent (1545-1563), and other Catholic Church councils, declare that anyone who
disagrees with any of the church's doctrinal statements is anathematised.
When a heretic is anathematised (cursed) by the Pope, he is classified and sentenced as
a guilty criminal. The "Catholic Encyclopedia" claims that the ritual of declaring an
anathema is intended to terrify the offender and cause him to repent (recant his
opposing beliefs and to accept the doctrine of the Catholic church). For more information
concerning heretics and their treatment at the hands of the Roman Catholic church, read
ex-nun Mary Ann Collins' article cal ed "Hunting Heretics" on
http://www.catholicconcerns.com/Heretics.html
Old Testament - The Bible
Deuteronomy11:27, 2; 30:19
"A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you
this day: (28) And a curse, if ye wil not obey the commandments of the LORD your God,
but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which
ye have not known....I cal heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set
before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and
thy seed may live."
Genesis 12:3
"And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall
all families of the earth be blessed."
Numbers 5:20-22
"But if thou hast gone aside to another instead of thy husband, and if thou be defiled, and
some man have lain with thee beside thine husband: (21) Then the priest shal charge
the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The LORD
make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD doth make thy
thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell; (22) And this water that causeth the curse shall
go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman
shal say, Amen, amen."
As admitted in the Catholic Encyclopedia, fear is used to "terrify the criminal," so
too fear was employed to terrify the Israelites into abiding by the principles of their
national religion. The application of fear is a constant factor in all coercive
religions.
78

H
oly Warriors Punish Heretics N
ow -
(God punishes them later)
The Koran
Sura 5:36-38
"The punishment of those who wage war against God and His Apostle, and strive with
might and main for mischief through the land is execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting
off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land. That is their
disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the hereafter, except for
those who repent before they fall into your power. In that case, know that God is oft-
forgiving, most merciful. O ye who believe! Do your duty to God. Seek the means of
approach unto Him, and strive with might and main in His cause, that ye may prosper."
The Roman Catholic Religion
The anathemas (curses) regarding "heretics" declared at the Council of Trent (1545-1563)
have never been revoked. In fact, the declarations of the Council of Trent were confirmed
by both the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) and the official "Catechism of the
Catholic Church" (1992) authorised by Pope John Paul 2nd. Refer to Mary Ann Collins
(former nun), articles at http://www.catholicconcerns.com/Trent.html
The Catholic Church has never renounced its "right" to punish "heretics." The Office of
the Inquisition still exists as "The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith." The office
underwent a name change in 1965. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is part
of the Roman Curia (a group of men who govern the Catholic Church). It was previously
headed by Cardinal Ratzinger, who is now (2005) Pope Benedict XVI.
On November 1, 1950, Pope Pius XII issued a papal bull defining the dogma of the
Assumption of Mary. He concluded that it is forbidden for any person to oppose his
declaration and that any person who attempted to oppose the dogma would incur the
wrath of God and the wrath of the Apostles Peter and Paul.(Read encyclical at
http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Pius12/P12MUNIF.HTM)
For more information
concerning heretics and their treatment at the hands of the Roman Catholic church, read
ex-nun Mary Ann Collins' article cal ed "Hunting Heretics" on
http://www.catholicconcerns.com/Heretics.html
The Catholic Encyclopedia
"A Council of Tours desires that after three warnings there be recited in chorus Psalm
cvii against the usurper of the goods of the Church, that he may fal into the curse of
Judas, and "that he may be not only excommunicated, but anathematized, and that he
may be stricken by the sword of Heaven."
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01455e.htm
Statements by Pope John Paul II on the Sept. 11 attacks
http://landru.i-link-2.net/shnyves/wlegitimate_defense.htm

"Is there anything in scripture that indicates the authority of government
includes punishing the guilty or protecting the innocent?"

"Rom. 13:3-4 "For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you
wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you wil
receive its approval; for it is God's servant for your good. But if you do what is
wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain!
It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. " NRSV, see NAB
79

Old Testament - The Bible
Deuteronomy 20:13.
"And when Yahweh thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every
male thereof with the edge of the sword."
Deuteronomy 13:6-13
"If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom,
or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve
other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; (7) Namely, of the gods of
the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one
end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; (8) Thou shalt not consent unto
him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare,
neither shalt thou conceal him: (9) But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first
upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. (10) And thou
shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from
the LORD thy God..."
Psalm 137:9
"Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones."
Judges 2:13-15
"And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. (14) And the anger of the
LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that
spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they
could not any longer stand before their enemies. (15) Whithersoever they went out, the
hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD
had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed."
Revelation 9:20; 14:9,10
"And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the
works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver,
and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: (14:9) And
the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and
his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, (10) The same shall
drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup
of his indignation; and he shal be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the
holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb."
"Fire and brimstone" sermons were often employed to utilise the fear of "burning
forever in hell" to terrify congregations into obeying religious traditions, but:
Jesus said, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:.... I
am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly"
(John 10:5, 10).
80

Holy Warriors Do Not Sin when Killing Heretics
The Koran (Sura 9:5)
"When the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the pagans wherever ye
find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every
stratagem (of war). But if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice
regular charity become Moslem], then open the way for them."
Dr Samuele Bacchiocchi (Retired Professor of Theology, Andrews University)
"Rather, the issue is the teachings of the Koran which cal for the
suppression and extermination of those who practice a different religion..."By
teaching that those who die fighting for the cause of Allah will have their
sins forgiven and are admitted into the pleasure of Paradise, the Koran
has inspired Muslims throughout the centuries to fight unto death for the
cause of Allah." www.keithhunt.com/Islam.html )
The Roman Catholic Religion
Statement made by a nun at a Catholic girls' school near Los Angeles, 1965:
"Anybody who is not a Catholic is a heretic! And God doesn't want heretics on the earth
because they try to destroy the Holy Mother Church! It is not a sin to kill heretics,
because it is God's way of removing them from the earth." The young Catholic adults
of today who were exposed to programming technique back in the 1960's have had these
seeds planted in their minds in preparation for the "final purification" (Alberto Rivera, ex-
Jesuit priest, in Four Horsemen p 4; published by Chick Publications Inc; Ontario: 1985).
Directorium Inquisitorum (written 1376, reprinted 1584) dedicated to Pope Gregory XIII,
(translated by J. P. Cal ender, 1838):
"He is a heretic who does not believe what the Roman Hierarchy teaches.... A
heretic merits the pains of fire.... By the Gospel, the canons, civil law, and
custom, heretics must be burned...Inquisitors enjoy the benefits of a
plenary indulgence [a full papal forgiveness of sin] at all times in life, and
in death." http://www.rulersofevil.com/chap8.html
Old Testament - The Bible
Deuteronomy 12:2, 3
"Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shal possess served
their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: (3)
And ye shal overthrow their altars, and break their pil ars, and burn their groves with fire;
and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them
out of that place."
Joshua 24:19-21
"And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is
a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. (20) If ye
forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and
consume you, after that he hath done you good. (21) And the people said unto Joshua,
Nay; but we wil serve the LORD."
Following this declaration, the Israelites began to destroy many Canaanites. Killing
idolaters was clearly not considered to be a sinful act; in fact, the opposite view
was taken. It was considered a sin NOT to destroy idolaters. The surrounding
nations were slaughtered mercilessly (Deut 13:8; Isa 13:18) men, women, little
children, infants, animals. Some kings went further "and all the women therein that
were with child he ripped up" (2 Kings 15:16; Hosea 13:16). These violent practices
were also engaged in by the heathen nations (Amos 1:3). Did the heathen nations
"murder in sin," while the Israelites "murdered in righteousness?"
81

Holy Warriors Organise a Holy Army
The Koran
"A most compelling proof that Muhammad taught his followers to advance the cause of
Allah by the use of the sword, is provided by the example of his immediate successors,
known as Califs. They fol owed his intense fanaticism in waging relentless wars of
conquests against Christians, Jews, and pagans. In a relatively short time they carved an
enormous empire for themselves. At the height of their power, the Muslims' territories
stretched from northern Africa and southern Europe in the West to the borders of modern
India and China in the East. Their battle cry was: 'Before you is paradise, and behind you
are death and hell.'" http://www.keithhunt.com/Islam.html

The Roman Catholic Church
The Jesuit Extreme Oath is taken by key Jesuits. Following the Vatican 2 Council (1962-
1965), the Jesuit Generals and the members of the Congregation of the Holy Office (the
office of the Inquisition) pledged to wage war secretly or openly, on al "heretics" (Alberto
Rivera, ex-Jesuit priest, quoted in the Four Horsemen p 5,6; published by Chick
Publications Inc; Ontario: 1985).
Foxe's Book of Martyrs, p 333-337 (concerning the Irish Massacre in 1641)
"The great design was that ... all the protestants without exception should
be murdered. The day fixed for this horrid massacre was the 23rd of
October, 1641.... The conspirators were in arms all over the kingdom
early in the morning of the day appointed, and every protestant that fell
into their way was murdered ... no age, no sex, no condition were
spared.... The whole country was one common scene of butchery, and
many thousands perished, in a short time, by sword, famine, fire, water,
and every species of cruel death that rage and malice could invent
....When an estimate was afterward made of the number who were
sacrificed ... it amounted to 150,000."
Old Testament - The Bible
Numbers 26:1-2
"And it came to pass after the plague, that Yahweh spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar
the son of Aaron the priest, saying, Take the sum of al the congregation of the children of
Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their father's house, all that are able
to go to war in Israel."
Jesus said,
"My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my
servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom
not from hence" (John 18:36).
82

Holy Warriors Demand Holy Tribute
The Koran
Sura 9:29-31
"Fight those who believe not in God ... nor acknowledge the religion of truth, (even if they
are) of the people of the Book [Christians and Jews], until they pay the jizya [tribute] with
wil ing submission, and feel themselves subdued...".
The Roman Catholic Religion
Pope John Paul II issued a new edition of Roman Catholic Canon Law in 1983. Canon
#1312 says that offences can be punished by depriving people of spiritual goods (such as
the sacraments) and temporal goods (such as property, freedom, and other things relating
to life in this world). "Code of Canon Law," page 409, Canons 1311 and 1312., beginning
of Book VI. http://www.rulersofevil.com/chap8.html
Old Testament - The Bible
Deuteronomy 20:10-13.
"When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. And it
shal be, if it make thee an answer of peace, and open its gates unto thee, then it shall be,
that al the people that are found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall
serve thee."
Joshua 9:20,21
"This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the
oath which we sware unto them. (21) And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but
let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes
had promised them."
Judges 1:30
"Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but
the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries."
2 Corinthians 9:7
"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly,
or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
83

Holy Warriors Gain Expanded Territory/Holy Land
The Koran
http://www.keithhunt.com/Islam.html
"A most compelling proof that Muhammad taught his followers to advance the cause
of Allah by the use of the sword, is provided by the example of his immediate successors,
known as Califs. They fol owed his intense fanaticism in waging relentless wars of
conquests against Christians, Jews, and pagans. In a relatively short time they carved an
enormous empire for themselves. At the height of their power, the Muslims' territories
stretched from northern Africa and southern Europe in the West to the borders of modern
India and China in the East. Their battle cry was: 'Before you is paradise, and behind you
are death and hell.'"

The Roman Catholic Religion
In 337 AD, Pope Stephen 2 was given the city of Rome and a limited amount of the
surrounding land by King Pepin, whom they had deceived into thinking that St. Peter
himself wrote a letter (brought down from heaven) especial y for him The letter instructed
King Pepin to fight for the Pope against the barbarians. After King Pepin died the Pope
claimed that Pepin had given the Vatican al of Italy. Under Pope Hadrian 1, the Catholic
leaders forged another document cal ed The "Donations of Constantine," which claimed
that Constantine had made the popes heir to the entire Roman Empire. Pepin's
successor, King Charlemagne believed the lie and other kings and emperors also
accepted that the church was the rightful successor to the empire, both spiritually and
politically. (Alberto Rivera, ex-Jesuit priest, quoted in the Four Horsemen p 12,13
published by Chick Publications Inc; Ontario: 1985).
Old Testament - The Bible
Deuteronomy 18:9; 19:1,2;25:19
"When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not
learn to do after the abominations of those nations .(19:1) When the LORD thy God hath
cut off the nations, whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them,
and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses; (20) Thou shalt separate three cities for
thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it. (25:19)
Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies
round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to
possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou
shalt not forget it."
84

Holy Warriors Win the Women (Concubines)
From the Koran
Sura 33:50
"O Prophet! We have made lawful to thee thy wives to whom thou hast paid their dowers,
and those whom thy right hand possesses out of the prisoners of war whom God
has assigned to thee ... For the believers (at large), We know that We have appointed
for them as to their wives and the captives whom their right hands possess..."
Dr Samuele Bacchiocchi (Retired Professor of Theology, Andrews University) comments
on this text from the Koran - Sura 33:50:
"One of the benefits of fighting for the cause of Islam is the permission to
take captured women as concubines, in addition to several legitimate
wives.... The notion that God would assign captured women as
concubines to Muslim believers who fight for His cause, hardly reflect
high moral standards of the Islam faith. Polygamy and servile
concubinage have destroyed the dignity of women and the beauty of the
home. In this areas the infinite superiority of Christianity is clearly
evident."(http://www.keithhunt.com/Islam.html )
Note: The Old Testament Israelites must not have practised "Christian principles" as Dr
Bacchiocchi outlines above, because the Israelite warriors were authorised supposedly by
God to take many thousands of concubines as captives after being victorious against the
pagan nations in war. These women were not necessarily kept permanently, but could be
"divorced" or sent away (Deut 21:10-14; Judges 21:12; Numbers 31:18; Ezra 9, 10).
The Roman Catholic Religion
To investigate the ritualised abuse of women in the Catholic church, refer to "the Nun's
Story" by ex-nun, Sister Charlotte. Audio file available from www.adventist4truth.com
Old Testament - The Bible
Judges 21:10-12
"And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the valiantest, and
commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead with the edge of
the sword, with the women and the children. (11) And this is the thing that ye shal do, Ye
shal utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man. (12) And they
found among the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead four hundred young virgins, that had known
no man by lying with any male: and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is
in the land of Canaan."
Numbers 31:17, 18, 32, 35, 40, 41
"Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kil every woman that hath
known man by lying with him. (18) But all the women children, that have not known a man
by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.....(32) And the booty, being the rest of the
prey which the men of war had caught, was six hundred thousand and seventy thousand
and five thousand sheep...(35) And thirty and two thousand persons in all, of women that
had not known man by lying with him. (40) And the persons were sixteen thousand; of
which the LORD'S tribute was thirty and two persons. (41) And Moses gave the tribute,
which was the LORD'S heave offering, unto Eleazar the priest, as the LORD commanded
Moses."
85

Deuteronomy 21:10-14
"When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath
delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive, (11) And seest among
the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to
thy wife; (12) Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shal shave her
head, and pare her nails; (13) And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her,
and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and
after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife. (14)
And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will;
but thou shalt not sell her at al for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her,
because thou hast humbled her."
Jesus
In stark contrast to the treatment of women by organised religions, Jesus treated women
even those who were "sinners" (outcasts of society e.g. prostitutes) - with respect and
offered them freedom.
Mark 2:16
"And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said
unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?"
John 8:3-11
"And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when
they had set her in the midst, (4) They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in
adultery, in the very act. (5) Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be
stoned: but what sayest thou? (6) This they said, tempting him, that they might have to
accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though
he heard them not. (7) So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said
unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. (8) And
again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. (9) And they which heard it, being
convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even
unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. (10) When
Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman,
where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? (11) She said, No man,
Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
Mark 14:3-9
"And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a
woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the
box, and poured it on his head. (4) And there were some that had indignation within
themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? (5) For it might have
been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they
murmured against her. (6) And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath
wrought a good work on me. (7) For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever
ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. (8) She hath done what she
could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. (9) Verily I say unto you,
Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she
hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her."
86

Why Do Religious Organisations Kill Heretics?
History testifies the world-wide phenomenom, practiced both in the past and in the
present, to kill those who do not agree with the policies or doctrines of those in power.
In his commmentary from the film Fahrenheit 9-11, Michael Moore quotes satirical author
George Orwell who clearly portrays the object of murdering 'heretics' is survival of the
heirarchial structure. Orwell states:
"It's not a matter of whether the war is not real or if it is. Victory is not
possible. The war is not meant to be won. It is meant to be
continuous. A heriarchical society is only possible on the basis of
poverty and ignorance. This new version is the past and no different
past can ever have existed. In principle the war effort is always
planned to keep society on the brink of starvation. The war is waged
by the ruling group against its own subjects and its object is not the
victory over either Eur-Asia or East Asia but to keep the very structure
of society intact."
According to the laws of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, kil ing heretics, is not
just (justified).
Founder of the Church of Satan, Anton LaVey outlined in The Satanic Bible:
"Satan represents vengeance, instead of turning the other cheek"
(Barrett, 2001:343).
Dissenters (heretics) interfere with the ability of organisations to achieve certain
goals. Therefore dissenters are "removed."
The Koran
Samuele Bacchiocchi, Ph. D., Retired Professor of Theology, Andrews University.
Muhammad said, "I have been ordered to fight with the people till they say,
'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah,' and whoever says, 'None has
the right to be worshipped but Allah,' his life and property will be saved by me
except for Islamic law, and his accounts will be with Allah (either to punish him
or to forgive him.)" (4:196 ). The order is clear. Muslims had to fight people
until they became Muslims. http://www.keithhunt.com/Islam.html
The Roman Catholic Religion
Mary Ann Col ins, ex-nun states:
"Augustine lived from 354 to 430 A.D. He had a vision of an ideal society, with the
Roman Catholic Church at its center, governing all aspects of human life. His
ideal society required conformity in belief and practice. Augustine taught that
it was right and necessary for the Catholic Church to make this happen, even if
it meant coercing people to comply. This laid the theological foundation for
persecuting "heretics" and for the Inquisition. [Note 1 Paul Johnson, "A History
of Christianity" (New York: Touchstone, Simon & Schuster, 1995), pages 112-119.
Paul Johnson is a Catholic and a prominent historian. Bruce L. Shelley, "Church
History in Plain Language," Updated 2nd Edition (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas
Nelson Publishers, 1995), page 128.)]
For over a thousand years, the Roman Catholic Church hunted down "heretics" and
killed them. Some of these "heretics" were people with strange beliefs. But, as we
shal see later, many of them were Bible-believing Christians (Mary Ann Collins, ex-
nun) http://www.catholicconcerns.com/Heretics.html
87

Old Testament - The Bible
Deuteronomy 12:1-4; 13:6-10
"These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shal observe to do in the land, which
the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the
earth. (2) Ye shal utterly destroy al the places, wherein the nations which ye shall
possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every
green tree: (3) And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their
groves with fire; and ye shal hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the
names of them out of that place. (4) Ye shall not do so unto the LORD your God." (13:6)
If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom,
or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and
serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; (7) Namely, of the
gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from
the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; (8) Thou shalt not consent
unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare,
neither shalt thou conceal him: (9) But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first
upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. (10) And thou
shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from
the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of
bondage."
The ten commandments state, "Thou shalt have no other Gods before me" (Exodus 20:3).
The Mosiac "rules" stated that no worship, other than of Yahweh, was permitted on pain of
death (Deut 13:6-10). Violent threats of suffering the death penalty not freedom of
choice dictated the worship services in the Israelite nation when they settled in the
Promised Land, just as despotic governments likewise enforce today. While this law is in
effect, there is no freedom to worship as one choses on an individual basis. In the ancient
Jewish system, the death penalty not the appealing love of Yahweh - encouraged
worshippers to abide by the state religion.
The Israelites' misconception of the gospel is clearly revealed - they thought God would
be pleased with coerced worship, which is a form of legalism (works). The Israelites knew
that to worship a pagan god meant execution by stoning. Is it possible that Yahweh's
worshippers had any concept of the loving character of God? Is it possible that they
could offer Him worship based on their loving response to Him, whose character they
thought was violent and ful of wrath?
In the first century Jewish nation, the Roman government consented to the church
leaders' demands and processed the execution of Jesus. Jesus was crucified as a
heretic because He would not accept the traditionally held doctrines of the Jewish religion
as being sacred. The Jewish leaders declared, "Crucify Him.... We have no king but
Caesar" (Matthew 15:13,14; John 19:15). They declared, that in the interests of national
security, it would not be considered sinful to murder Jesus.
John 11:50
"Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that
the whole nation perish not."
Present Day Examples
In the film Fahrenheit 9/11, USA President George W Bush commented on the death of
American soldiers in the Iraqi War. A loud ovation followed his remark.
"They died in a just war for defending freedom and they wil not have died in vain."
Dick Cheyney's remark, from the same film was even more revealing. Was he advocating
a ju
st war when regarding the 'enemy,' he stated,
"The struggle will only end with their complete and permanent destruction" ?
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Character Assassination in Heaven
The Father is the Sovereign of universe. The Son of God has always existed in the Father
(Heb 7:9), but at some point in eternity, He was begotten or brought forth from the Father
(Pro 8:22-30; 30:4; John 1:3; Heb 1:1-8) and although He was as equally as divine as His
Father (Heb 1:8; Ps 2:7), by faith Christ voluntarily accepted His position and freely chose
to remained 2nd in authority to His Father (1 Cor 15:27, 28: John 14:28). Christ never
wanted to grasp equality with His Father (Phil 2:6), despite also being omnipotent (i.e. as
equally as powerful as the Father) (Matt 20:28; John 5:26,27).
However, a created being, an angel named Lucifer, did want to grasp equality with the
Father and Son. He rebel ed (Rev 12:7; Isa 14:14) and set about to undermine the divine
government by distorting the truth about God's character and His holy law. In short, he
invited the sinister strategy of character assassination and set about to discredit the pure
and holy name of God.
Lucifer told the angels convincing lies about the character of the Father. So convincing
were these lies, that eventually one third of God's angels sided with Lucifer and lost their
place in heaven (Rev 12:14). His strategy of character assassination had been only
partial y-successful with the angels. God's law of love and freedom demanded a second
trial or chance so that no doubt about the truth of God's character would be left in the
universe. Satan set about improving the strategy which today appears to have become a
raging success.
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Character Assassination on Earth
Signs of the Times 18 September,1893 p1
"Satan is continually seeking to influence human minds by his subtle arts. His is a master
mind, given of God, but prostituted with all its noble capabilities to oppose and to make of
no effect the counsels of the Most High. He had an advanced experience in his
connection with the God of heaven, and he wields his knowledge of the attributes of God
in such a way as to misinterpret the divine character. Satan was an apostate, and al who
follow in the way of apostasy wil work in the same lines of evil. There was a time when
Satan was in harmony with God, and it was his joy to execute the divine commands. His
heart was filled with love and joy in serving his Creator, until he began to think that his
wisdom was not derived from God, but was inherent in himself, and that he was as worthy
as was God to receive honor and power. When he found that he could not be as God, he
was filled with rebellion, and would not submit his will to the wil of God."
Banished from heaven, Lucifer then set about tempting beings on unfal en worlds (Job
1:6,7; Heb 11:3; 1:2) Eventually Lucifer focused the same deceptive strategy on humanity
with greater success than he experienced in heaven with the angels. The question of
doubt was placed into Eve's heart, when at the tree of knowledge of good and evil, the
serpent said,"For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be
opened, and ye shal be as gods, knowing good and evil." (Gen 3:5) The insinuation was
made, that IF God was so loving, He wouldn't ban them from eating from the very tree that
would give them wisdom equal to God's wisdom.
Genesis 3:6
"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the
eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did
eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat."
Deceived into a faulty understanding of God's loving character, Eve reasoned that God
must want to keep her and her husband in ignorant subjection. Eve first wondered, then
doubted if God was completely loving. She then believed God was not as loving as she
had originally thought. That misinformation caused her tragic downfal .
So Lucifer's strategy of assassination of God's character, worked perfectly on one third of
the unfal en angels and then on sinless humanity. Satan had successfully used the
character assassination strategy to cause two different creations to commit mutiny against
God.
Is it likely that such a successful strategy would be discarded by Lucifer or might we be
reasonably sure that Lucifer has "honed it to perfection" over six thousand years? Isn't it
logical to think that character assassination would be the main strategy that Satan would
use in his war to dethrone God?
According to two prominent Seventh-day Adventist evangelists, AT Jones and EJ
Waggoner, Satan indeed used character misrepresentation to war against God.
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AT Jones, 14 The Spirit of Christ as Manifested in His Work for the Salvation of
Man, page 14 para 17
"The deception of man led him to put self in the place of God, and
the mind and word of Satan in the place of the mind and word of
God. This led to the perversion of man's ideas concerning God, and
the receiving of Satan's ideas and suggestions as the true ideas
concerning God. It led to the setting of God in a totally false light in
the estimation of man. It led mankind to look upon God as a hard
master, a despotic governor, and a stern, impassive, unmerciful
judge. Over and over, the Lord set forth His Word to the contrary.
To Moses He declared Himself to be "merciful and gracious, long-
suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for
thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin." In His law He
set forth His character as "LOVE." Yet, for all this, mankind still
followed perverted ideas of God.....He (the Son) emptied Himself that
the Father might appear in Him. And when He emptied Himself, the
Father did appear in Him. He was 'God manifest in the flesh,' 'God with
us.' But He did all this that men might know the Father as He really is."
EJ Waggoner, ch 24 The Unconquerable Life, p24 para 3
"Satan, the ruler of the darkness of this world, had done his utmost
to deceive men as to the true character of God. He had made the
world believe that God was like men--cruel, vindictive, and
passionate. Even the Jews, the people whom God had chosen to be
the bearers of His light to the world, had departed from God, and
while professedly separate from the heathen, were enveloped in
heathen darkness. Then Christ came, and "The people which sat in
darkness saw a great light, and to them which sat in the region and
shadow of death, to them did light spring up." Matt. 4:16. His name was
Emanuel, God with us. "God was in Christ." God refuted the
falsehoods of Satan, not by loud arguments, but simply by living His
life among men, so that all might see it. He demonstrated the power of
the life of God, and the possibility of its being manifested in men."
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Character Comparisons
In this study, we will examine the characters of three beings: God the Father; Jesus Christ
and Satan. Then we will examine how the character assassination strategy has been
hidden in traditional Christian beliefs.
Jesus said it is vital y important to know the Father's character for it is the basis of His
government and al citizens must agree to abide within the boundaries of His law of love
under every situation; however if people choose to abide by the rules of a selfish
government, this choice will separate them from all the protection with which God desires
to shelter them.
John 17:3
"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ,
whom thou hast sent."
So what is the Father's character like? It is not a mystery. Jesus said we need to know
what God is like. But how do we know God?
Philip asked the same question.
John 14:6-11
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me. (7) If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and
from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. (8) Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us
the Father, and it sufficeth us. (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? (10) Believest thou not that I am
in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself:
but the Father that dwel eth in me, he doeth the works. (11) Believe me that I am in the
Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake."
In other words, Jesus appears to be saying, "if you can't see that I'm the divine Son of
God by my character, then at least believe it because of the good works you see me
doing. Those works reflect the Father's character."
The works of Jesus demonstrated exactly the Father's character or spirit. But did you
notice that Jesus tel s Philip that he doesn't even know Christ's character? And then
Christ shares with Philip the very basic strategy for detecting someone's character. Christ
instructs Philip to study His (Christ's) works His character of unstoppable love, in action.
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Examine the Fruit of the Character
Matthew 7:18-20
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
While we are told that we wil know a person's character by their actions, we are not to
exceed that determination and mete out or execute our judgement on that person.
Matthew 7:1
"Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged:
and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."
"God commands us to judge--to consider a matter in the light of His definition
of right and wrong--but it is not our place to decide a sentence or to carry it
out. To do so presumes authority not granted to us." (David C. Grabbe,
Does Scripture Al ow for Self-Defense? Read-on-line at:
http://bibletools.org/index.cfm/fa/Library.showResource/CT/RA/k/776 )
For our on protection, and the protection of others who follow Christ, we are told to
examine the fruit of a person's character, however, we are not commanded to be judge,
jury and executioner of that person.
The basic strategy to determine character is to compare someone's fruit the works of
their character, but with what should the works of their character or fruit be compared?
Would it be safe to compare someone's fruit with what the head elder is doing? With what
the town prostitute is doing?
What do we compare someone's works to, if we want to determine their character? We
can compare the character, "their long-term fruit," with the principles of the 10
commandments.
Signs of Times, 27 March, 1884, p 12
"The character is revealed by the works, not by occasional good deeds and occasional
misdeeds, but by the tendency of the habitual words and acts."
Paul outlines the fruits of wickedness first in Romans 1:28-2:1
Romans 1:28-2:1
"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a
reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with al
unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; ful of envy,
murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, .30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful,
proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without
understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of
death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. .2:1 Therefore thou
art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest
another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."
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2 Timothy 3:1-7
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers
of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded,
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying
the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into
houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever
learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
Paul contrast the two types of character 'fruit' in Galatians 5:19- 23
Galatians 5:19 -23
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations,
wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings,
and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past,
that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
Where do we see perfect fruit? Where do we see the principles of the 10 commandments
lived out perfectly?
Christ's strategy can be applied to examine the characters of some men in the Bible.
Consider the works of the flesh/fruits of the spirit in the lives of Moses. David. Samson.
There were some serious and deliberate sins that needed to be repented of in all these
men's lives.
Consider the works of the flesh/fruits of the spirit in the lives of Abraham,Samuel, Elijah,
Jacob. These men showed areas of weakness when under pressure.
Or what about Daniel, Joseph, Stephen, and Enoch? The Bible records no sins against
any of these men. These men showed a Christlike character even under persecution or
death threats, nevertheless, they still had sin in their characters at some stage, for Paul
tells us that: .
Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory (character) of God."
All these men in the Bible, were NOT reflecting the true character of the Father ful y, at
least they weren't prior to their complete conversion. The more clearly they discerned the
love of God, the more Christ-like their characters became. Their works became the works
of Christ, Who dwelt in them by faith and it was Christ alone who motivated the good
works that these men produced. It was Christ "in them" who did the works which gives
no human being opportunity to boast that their own works might save them.
Ephesians 2:8-10
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in
them."
All good works are produced by having "Christ in us" the hope of glory (Col 1:27).
Therefore in order to see clearly the Father's character, we must look to the ONLY ONE
who demonstrated the Father's character perfectly - Christ for He did no sin.
94

Christ's Character
What is Christ's character like?
Exodus 34:6-7
"And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God,
merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7 Keeping
mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that wil by no
means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the
children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation."
1 Peter 2:21-23
"For even hereunto were ye cal ed: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow his steps: (22) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in
his mouth: (23) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he
threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously."
Matthew 5:43-44
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine
enemy. 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."
Isaiah 53:9
"And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had
done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth."
2 Peter 1:4-8
"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. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue
knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to
patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness
charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall
neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Review and Herald, 22 September 1859 #14 p 141 para 18
"Sir, here is the principle, the point at issue. Christ and Satan are as
opposite in character as light and darkness. They have never made any
treaty of peace. Satan wages perpetual war with Christ, and when
Christ's fol owers unite with Satan's disciples, it shows that there is
treachery somewhere. If the children of Beelzebub patronize Christian
institutions, and sustain them, it is to seduce them; for it is certain that
Christ has not changed, neither has Satan improved, except in slyness
and cunning."
Ellen White, Desire of Ages, p 758
"Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan clearly revealed
to the angels or to the unfallen worlds. The archapostate had so clothed
himself with deception that even holy beings had not understood his
principles. They had not clearly seen the nature of his rebellion."
95

Satan's Character
Ezekiel 28:13-16
"Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the
sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the
emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes
was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. (14) Thou art the anointed cherub
that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast
walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. (15) Thou wast perfect in thy ways
from the day that thou wast created, til iniquity was found in thee. (16) By the multitude
of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast
sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy
thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire."
Isaiah 14:12-16
"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to
the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (13) For thou hast said in thine heart, I will
ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the
mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (14) I will ascend above the heights
of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (15) Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to
the sides of the pit. (16) They that see thee shal narrowly look upon thee, and consider
thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms."
From the two, well-known preceding Bible passages, it can be seen that Satan's character
is powerful, but self-centred, violent and abusive to others.
According to David V Barrett in "The New Believers Sects, 'Cults' and Alternative
Religions" (2001:343), Satan's character is described in "The Satanic Bible" by its author
Anton LaVey.
Anton LaVey founded the Church of Satan in San Francisco in 1966. Barrett (2001:343)
reveals that LaVey's aim was to make carnal desires a proper object of celebration and in
support of this statement, Barrett quotes from Burton H. Wolfe's Introduction to LaVey's
book: "Satanism is a blatantly selfish, brutal religion."
As cited in Barrett's book (ibid, 2001:343) taken from the Satanic Bible, LaVey lists nine
Satanic statements, including:
·
Satan represents indulgence, instead of abstinence!
·
Satan represents kindness to those who deserve it, instead of love wasted on
ingrates!
·
Satan represents vengeance, instead of turning the other cheek!
·
Satan represents all of the so-cal ed sins, as they all lead to physical, mental or
emotional gratification! (exclaimation marks in original).
The founder of the Church of Satan also pagan religious rituals with immorality, typical of
the practices demonstrated in many blended religions which promote the worship a god
who has both good and evil character traits. Barrett writes:
"LaVey was often photographed performing rituals over a 'living altar' -
a naked woman."
Conclusion
Through reflection on the characters of Christ and Satan, it might logically be assumed
that all selfish and violent, brutal acts are inspired Satan; and in stark contrast, al
unselfish and kind, gentle acts are motivated by the spirit of God.
96

Searching Out the Character of God
God is a single divine Being. He has a physical body and a mind (spirit). It is generally
admitted, even by Seventh-day Adventist theologians, that there is no definite Biblical
evidence to support the doctrine that the One True God is a trinity.
The One True God (John 17:3) is a title that describes a Being different from angels,
humanity and animals. God, translated from the Hebrew word "elohiym" and the Greek
word "theos" means deity or divine Being. There are two divine Beings in existence
revealed in the Bible. The Father is the source of all life. The Son of God's life arose from
the Father as His only begotten Son in the ages of eternity past. Both Father and Son
have the same loving, selfless character. Biblically, this "same thinking" of the divine
beings is called the "holy spirit of God" and it is ministered to human minds through holy
angels. For an indepth study on the doctrine of the trinity and the Bible truth, download
the book Identifying the Unknown God at www.themeofthebible.com
Some Christians believe that the Father and Son (and Holy Spirit- 3rd Person of the
godhead/trinity) are wrathful, "divine killers." But the life of Jesus Christ reveals that the
divine character is one of ultimate, perfect love unselfishness and of life-giving.
God's character is a perfect combination of justice and mercy. Some suppose, however
that God's justice is His angry retaliation on sinners His vengeance, wrath and
punishment for the breaking of His law.
A study on the Biblical concept of God's justice reveals that this is not a correct
understanding.
Justice and Mercy
Justice /Jus´tice/ (?), n. [F., fr. L. justitia, fr. justus just. See Just, a.]
1. The quality of being just; conformity to the principles of righteousness and
rectitude (straightness) in all things; strict performance of moral obligations;
practical conformity to human or divine law; integrity in the dealings of men with
each other; rectitude; equity; uprightness.
Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne. Ps. ixxxix. 11.
2. Conformity to truth and reality in expressing opinions and in conduct; fair
representation of facts respecting merit or demerit; honesty; fidelity; impartiality;
as, the justice of a description or of a judgment; historical justice.
3. The rendering to every one his due or right; just treatment; requital of desert;
merited reward or punishment; that which is due to one's conduct or motives.
4. Agreeableness to right; equity; justness; as, the justice of a claim.
5. A person duly commissioned to hold courts, or to try and decide controversies
and administer justice.
Justice /Jus´tice/ (?), v. t. To administer justice to. [Obs.] Bacon.
Conforming or conformable to rectitude or justice; not doing wrong to any;
violating no right or obligation; upright; righteous; honest; true; -- said both of
persons and things.
There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. Eccl. vii. 20.
Just balances, just weights, . . . shal ye have. Lev. xix. 36.
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How should man be just with God? Job ix. 2.
2. Not transgressing the requirement of truth and propriety; conformed to the
truth of things, to reason, or to a proper standard; exact; normal;
reasonable; regular; due; as, a just statement; a just inference.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon - grace
#05485:
5485 charis khar'-ece
from <5463>; ; n f
AV-grace 130, favour 6, thanks 4, thank 4, thank + <2192> 3, pleasure 2, misc 7; 156
1) grace
1a) that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of
speech
2) good will, loving-kindness, favour
2a) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls,
turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith,
knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
3) what is due to grace
3a) the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
3b) the token or proof of grace, benefit
3b1) a gift of grace
3b2) benefit, bounty
4) thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward
01344:- justified
1344 dikaioo dik-ah-yo'-o
from <1342>; ; v
AV-justify 37, be freed 1, be righteous 1, justifier 1; 40
1) to render righteous or such he ought to be
2) to show, exhibit, evince, one to be righteous, such as he is and wishes himself to
be considered
3) to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to be
In keeping with the dictionary definitions just stated, justice and mercy might be defined in
theological terms as:
Justice = God's character; His loving and righteous way of treating others selflessly
which is the keeping of the law (justification to be considered such as he ought to be)
Mercy = God's protection from sinning and evil power to keep the law 'Christ in
you." (sanctification - the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence
upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian
faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
)
1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness."
God is faithful to forgive and just to cleanse. In this verse are demonstrated the
concepts of justification and sanctification. God is just and merciful in that He fulfils His
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promise to forgive (justification) and to save (sanctification) those who give Him their
allegiance.
Jeremiah 9:24
"But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am
the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for
in these things I delight, saith the LORD."
God delights in judgment, but He has no delight in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel
33:11). Therefore, judgment in this verse, is not referring to the destruction of the wicked.
Psalm 89.14
"Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy
face."
In the Hebrew use of parallels, this verse aligns justice and mercy with judgment and
truth. The plan of salvation both fulfils the law (provides power and grace to live a
sanctified life) and extends mercy (forgiveness of sins).
Micah.6.8
He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but
to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
To do justly - to keep the 10 commandments which are the basis of loving behaviour; the
fulfilment of the character of God in Christ's humanity; a pure life in Christ.
To love mercy - to empower others to live a sanctified life by pointing them to Jesus
instead of condemning their law-breaking.
Jesus set a perfect example of doing justly and loving mercy in His dealings with the
woman taken in adultery.
The Woman Taken in Adultery
John 8:3-11
"And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when
they had set her in the midst, (4) They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in
adultery, in the very act. (5) Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be
stoned: but what sayest thou? (6) This they said, tempting him, that they might have to
accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though
he heard them not. (7) So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said
unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. (8) And
again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. (9) And they which heard it, being
convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even
unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. (10) When
Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman,
where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? (11) She said, No man,
Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
The lady taken in adultery had clearly broken the 7th commandment. She had been
"caught" in remarkable circumstances "set up" or "framed" as it might be termed today.
The Pharisees arranged the adulterous liason with the purpose of trapping Jesus into
disallowing/breaking the law of Moses which was held in high esteem by the Jewish
people, or into breaking the Roman law for which He would be condemned also for
taking matters into His own hands i.e. ordering a death penalty without the permission of
the Roman governmental authority.
In the case of adultery, the law of Moses required that death penalty (by stoning) be
applied.
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Deuteronomy 22:21
"Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her
city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought fol y in Israel, to
play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you."
Leviticus 20:10
"And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth
adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to
death."
The law of Moses also required that there be at least two witnesses to testify against the
accused before the person/s could be convicted and condemned to death. "At the mouth
of two witnesses," the death sentence could be legal y executed.
Deuteronomy 17:6
"At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put
to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death."
The Mosiac law also stated that the witnesses had to be the first to "throw the stones"
which would inflict death on the guilty person.
Deuteronomy 17:7
"The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the
hands of al the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you."
In three separate articles, Ellen White comments on the experience of the woman taken in
adultery and Jesus' reaction. She reveals the "scenes behind the scenes."
1. R
eview and Herald, 6 September,1906
"On one occasion those who were guilty of many secret sins, brought to
Christ a woman who had been taken in sin. They thought that he would
pronounce judgment against her, and then they could accuse him of
taking judgment into his own hands. While they were presenting the case,
Christ was busy writing on the sand. He said nothing, and when they
pressed him for a decision, he was in no hurry to pronounce judgment.
One after another came near to him to see what he was writing, and there
in the sand they saw the record of their own sins. Then Christ said to
them, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone." But not
a stone was cast, and they went away, leaving the woman with him. He
said to her, "Where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned
thee?" She said, "No man, Lord." Christ answered, "Neither do I condemn
thee: go, and sin no more." The Lord Jesus beheld the whole plot and the
arrogance of the ones who had arranged it, who were worthy of
condemnation and punishment, and when they saw that he knew their
lives, they left and went out, having failed in their desire to bring about the
condemnation of Christ."
2. Si
gns of the Times, 21 April, 1898
"While among men, Christ pronounced sentence upon rabbis, rulers,
Pharisees, and Sadducees, because of their hypocrisy, their rejection of
light. Looking at them searchingly, He said, "He that is without sin among
you, let him first cast a stone." But He addressed the woman who was
guilty of sin in words of tenderest compassion. He knew all about the
character of the sin committed; but He traced upon the ground the sins
of her accusers, who had laid their net for the woman, that thus they might
find occasion for condemning Christ." (continued over page)
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(Ellen White continued in Signs of the Times, 21 April, 1898 )
"Their curiosity led them near to Christ, to see what He had written in the
sand; but they did not care to look more than once, and one by one they
hastily left His presence. Those who had acted a part in bringing this
poor woman before Him were far more guilty than she, and Christ
k new it. The guilty persons expected that before they could take
themselves away, Christ would single them out, and expose them
and their deep-laid plot before the gathered throng. These professors
were spiritual y blind. Maxims and traditions were cherished by them, and
obedience to God's requirements was regarded as a thing of naught.
Christ was grieved with them. He looked upon them with anger, being
grieved at the hardness of their heart. He could detect every phase of
their hypocrisy, and their great sin brought from His divine lips a scathing
rebuke."
3. Mi
nistry of Healing p 88
"Their pretended reverence veiled a deep-laid plot for His ruin. Should
Jesus acquit the woman, He might be charged with despising the law of
Moses. Should He declare her worthy of death, He could be accused to
the Romans as one who assumed authority belonging only to them.
Jesus looked upon the scene--the trembling victim in her shame, the hard-
faced dignitaries, devoid of even human pity. His spirit of stainless purity
shrank from the spectacle. Giving no sign that He had heard the question,
He stooped and, fixing His eyes upon the ground, began to write in the
dust. Impatient at His delay and apparent indifference the accusers drew
nearer, urging the matter upon His attention. But as their eyes, fol owing
those of Jesus, fell upon the pavement at His feet, their voices were
silenced. There, traced before them, were the guilty secrets of their own
lives. Rising, and fixing His eyes upon the plotting elders, Jesus said, 'He
that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.' Verse 7.
And, stooping down, He continued writing. He had not set aside the
Mosaic law nor infringed upon the authority of Rome. The accusers were
defeated. Now, their robes of pretended holiness torn from them, they
stood, guilty and condemned, in the presence of infinite purity.
Trembling lest the hidden iniquity of their lives should be laid open to the
multitude, with bowed heads and downcast eyes they stole away, leaving
their victim with the pitying Saviour. Jesus arose and, looking upon the
woman, said, "Where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned
thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I
condemn thee: go, and sin no more." Verses 10, 11. (page 89) The
woman had stood before Jesus, cowering with fear. His words, "He that is
without sin among you, let him first cast a stone," had come to her as a
death sentence. She dared not lift her eyes to the Saviour's face, but
silently awaited her doom. In astonishment she saw her accusers depart
speechless and confounded; then those words of hope fel upon her ear,
'Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.' Her heart was melted,
and, casting herself at the feet of Jesus, she sobbed out her grateful
love and with bitter tears confessed her sins. This was to her the
beginning of a new life, a life of purity and peace, devoted to God. In
the uplifting of this fallen soul, Jesus performed a greater miracle
than in healing the most grievous physical disease; He cured the
spiritual malady which is unto death everlasting. This penitent
woman became one of His most steadfast followers. With self-
sacrificing love and devotion she showed her gratitude for His
forgiving mercy. (continued over page)
(Ellen White continued in Ministry of Healing p 88)
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For this erring woman the world had only contempt and scorn, but the
Sinless One pitied her weakness and reached to her a helping hand.
While the hypocritical Pharisees denounced, Jesus bade her, 'Go,
and sin no more.' Jesus knows the circumstances of every soul. The
greater the sinner's guilt, the more he needs the Saviour. His heart of
divine love and sympathy is drawn out most of all for the one who is
the most hopelessly entangled in the snares of the enemy. With His
own blood He has signed the emancipation papers of the race. (page
90) Jesus does not desire those who have been purchased at such a cost
to become the sport of the enemy's temptations. He does not desire us to
be overcome and perish. He who curbed the lions in their den, and walked
with His faithful witnesses amid the fiery flames, is just as ready to work in
our behalf to subdue every evil in our nature. Today He is standing at
the altar of mercy, presenting before God the prayers of those who
desire His help. He turns no weeping, contrite one away. Freely will
He pardon all who come to Him for forgiveness and restoration. He
does not tell to any all that He might reveal, but He bids every
trembling soul take courage. Whosoever wil , may take hold of God's
strength, and make peace with Him, and He wil make peace. The souls
that turn to Him for refuge, Jesus lifts above the accusing and the strife of
tongues. No man or evil angel can impeach these souls. Christ unites
them to His own divine-human nature. They stand besides the great Sin
Bearer in the light proceeding from the throne of God. The blood of Jesus
Christ cleanses 'from al sin.' 1 John 1:7. 'Who shal lay anything to the
charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that
condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is
even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.'
Romans 8:33, 34."
Ellen White described some necessary details in the instance of the woman being caught
in the very act of adultery:
·
Christ knew the woman was guilty of committing adultery as charged;
·
Christ knew the despair in the woman's heart and her guilty hopelessness;
·
Christ knew the penalty under the Mosiac law for committing adultery was "stoning
to death;"
·
Christ knew the Mosiac law specified that at least two witnesses were required to
condemn the woman to death;
·
Christ knew that more than two witnesses were present to legal y condemn the
woman;
·
Christ knew that, under Mosiac law, the witnesses who had brought the charge
against the woman, had to be the first to throw the stones at her;
·
Christ also knew the "hidden" testimonies of the lives of the witnesses how they
had schemed to engineer the adulterous crime and to murderously use the woman
in their plan to trap Him;
Christ realised that the entire situation was a "set up;" planned by those who wanted to
kill Him. More than wanting to have the woman stoned, her "witnesses" wanted Christ to
utter something that they could use to condemn Him.
Christ informed the witnesses to "cast the first stone" at the woman if they were sinless.
If the witnesses had cast a stone, resulting in the death of the guilty woman, they would
have been breaking Roman law and answerable to the government for that infringement
which was definitely not in their best interests. No doubt the witnesses had fully
considered this outcome earlier and weighed the consequences.
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If the witnesses refused to cast stones at the woman, they could stil assert to the Romans
that Christ had set Himself up as a revolutionist and that He had authorised them to break
the Roman law and stone the guilty woman. Such a statement alone, would have placed
Christ's life in extreme danger and His immediate arrest would have been certain.
Despite the threat to His own life, Christ refused to condemn the woman whom He knew
to be guilty. Why didn't Christ condemn her for her sinfulness? Why did He make a
merciful judgment? Why didn't He cast the first stone at the adulteress in conformity to
the Mosiac law and trust the consequences with the Roman government to His Father's
protection?
Some suppose that Christ would have condemned the woman according to the law of
Moses, except that He could not condemn her because the guilty man was not present to
testify against her. This certainly was not the case. There were many witnesses who
were ready to condemn the woman whom they announced was "caught in the very act" of
adultery (John 8:4). One can only wonder how the male adulterer escaped being
captured by the many witnesses who apprehended the guilty woman.
The Mosaic law specified that only two witnesses were necessary to condemn
lawbreakers to death; the adulterer, the male involved in the immoral act, did not need to
be "caught" in order for the woman to be condemned.
Deuteronomy 22:20, 21
"But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel: (21) Then
they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city
shal stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play
the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you."
When a woman committed adultery in secret and it was not witnessed, she might escape
detection and death, unless she became pregnant. (e.g. David and Bathsheba,
recorded in 2 Samuel 11). Because men do not become pregnant, there is often no
evidence to convict the other party of his adulterous crime, however, pregnancy
announced to everyone that the woman had committed adultery and unwed pregnancy
was considered sufficient evidence to convict the woman. Enforcing the death decree for
adultery was already standard practice in Abrahamic times, prior to the introduction of the
Mosiac law. (e.g. Tamar became pregnant after she committed adultery [prostitution] with
her father-in-law Judah - Gen 38).
To secure a conviction against an adulteress, the adulterous male partner does not have
to be apprehended or convicted in order for the woman to be condemned to die. The
practice of stoning adulteresses still occurs in fundamentalist Islamic countries today e.g.
Nigeria, Bauchi, Afghanistan, Sudan
www.web.amnesty.org/library/index/engafr440012004
;
http://www.religioustolerance.org/isl_adul1.htm
Christ the only pure and sinless witness, could have testified against the guilty woman.
He could have joined the other witnesses whose testimony was intended to secure the
woman's death sentence.
But Jesus did not refuse to pass judgment in the woman's case. He judged her, but He
did not condemn her; He justified her. He gave her justice He forgave her. He took her
place and suffered for her sin. Jesus gave the woman mercy. His mercy His grace -
empowered her to "go and sin no more." He gave her power to live a sanctified life.
There was "no condemnation" in the woman because at that instant as soon as she was
forgiven, she was, by the mercy of God, "in Christ Jesus" and empowered to "sin no
more." She was empowered to live a sanctified life by Christ's grace - His mercy.
Romans 8:1
103

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not
after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Through His treatment of the woman taken in adultery, Jesus revealed that contrary to the
law of Moses, adulterers and adulteresses are to be the recipients of the converted
Christian's mercy - not their condemnation.
Did the apostles follow the example of Jesus?
Paul's advice to the Corinthians imitates the example of Jesus, rather than the Mosiac
law. Consider Paul's response to the treatment of a male member of the church, who had
sexual relations with his mother or step-mother. The Mosiac law insisted on the death
penalty, while Paul instructed the Christians to disfellowship the offender and to separate
from the guilty party.
Leviticus 20:11
"And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both
of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them."
1 Corinthians 5:1, 2, 9,11
"It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not
so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. (2) And ye
are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be
taken away from among you. (9) I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with
fornicators: (11) But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is
called a brother be a fornicator...."
104

Where is the Merciful Justice?
Recent events demonstrate that similar principles and punishments for immoral behaviour
are advocated by both the Islamic Law (Sharia) and Mosaic Law. Some examples of
punitive actions common to both religions are:
·
cutting off hands
·
stoning to death
·
damaging an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth
Mosiac Law
Deuteronomy 25:11,12
"When men strive together one with another, and the wife of the one draweth near for to
deliver her husband out of the hand of him that smiteth him, and putteth forth her hand,
and taketh him by the secrets: (12) Then thou shalt cut off her hand, thine eye shall not
pity her."
Leviticus 24:19, 20
"And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to
him; (20) Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish
in a man, so shall it be done to him again.
Deuteronomy 22:23, 24
"If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city,
and lie with her; (24) Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye
shal stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in
the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put
away evil from among you."
Taliban Regime
1996-NOV: Afghanistan: Under the previous Taliban regime, a woman, Nurbibi, 40, and a
man Turylai, 38, were stoned to death in a public assembly using palm-sized stones.
They were found guilty of non-marital sex. Turylai was dead within ten minutes, but
Nurbibi had to be finished off by dropping a large rock on her head. Mr. Wali, head of the
Office for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prohibition of Vice expressed satisfaction with
the execution: "...I am very happy, because it means that the rule of Islam is being
implemented." These executions (as well as hand amputations for convicted thieves)
are regarded as religious occasions and are not normally viewed by non-Muslims.
"Afghanistan Execution for Adultery," New York Times News Service, 1996-NOV-06;
·
2002-MAR: Nigeria: Safiya Hussaini, 33, was convicted of adultery. She was
sentenced to be buried up to her neck in sand and to be stoned to death.
However, her sentence was deferred until her 13-month-old daughter has finished
nursing. She appealed her conviction. Her cousin, a Mr. Abubakar al egedly
confessed to police that he had sex with her three times. However, the judge
dismissed the testimony of the three policemen who witnessed Abubakar's
confession, because a minimum of four witnesses are required under Sharia law.
Hussaini's lawyers claimed that she also could not be convicted because of the
four witness rule. The prosecution argued that witnesses were not required in her
case; adultery had obviously taken place because she had become pregnant. Her
defense team finally argued that, under Islamic law, the interval between
conception and birth can be up to seven years! Only two years previous to the birth
of her daughter, she was still married to her husband. The lawyers argued that her
husband could possibly have been the father. Commenting on the conviction,
Aliyu Abubakar Sanyinna, the attorney general of Sokoto State, said: "Society is
injured by her act. The danger is that it will teach other women to do the
105

same thing." 9 Mansur Ibrahim Said, Dean of the Law Faculty at Dakar University
in Sokoto said that a dultery is "a n abomination abhorred by God a
nd society
because of the example it gives and because it creates bastards to be
rejected by society." "Law professor backs Nigerian stoning," AfricaWoman, at:
http://www.africawoman.net/politics/sharialaw.html
·
2002-MAR: Nigeria: A woman, Amina Lawal Kurami, from the smal village of
Kurami in Katsina in norther Nigeria was sentenced to death for adultery. The
sentence was delayed for eight months (one source said 2 years) until she has
finished breast feeding her infant. Nigerian Justice Minister, Kanu Agabi, declared
this and other Sharia punishments discriminatory and therefore unconstitutional.
This is the first time that the national government has made its position clear. (Dan
Isaacs, "Nigeria in crisis over Sharia law," BBC News, 2002-MAR-26, at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/ ). She appealed the conviction, on the basis that
the offence occurred before Sharia law came into effect. Her lawyers also claimed
that she had no legal representation in her original court trial before a village court.
The appeal was rejected by the Islamic High Court in Funtua in Katsina state.
Dozens of spectators cheered and shouted "God is great". Her execution will
be delayed until at least 2004-JAN until her daughter has finished
breastfeeding. The federal government is planning to help Kurami appeal her
sentence to the Nigerian Supreme Court. This case may ignite a major legal battle
between the state and federal governments. 12 (Her case was eventual y
dismissed. Jim Fisher-Thompson, "U.S. Women Protest Stoning Verdict by
Nigerian Court. Activists decry 'barbaric' aspect of Sharia law." U.S. Department of
State, International Information Programs at:
http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/af/a2082903.htm).
James Arlandson comments regarding a chapter from the Qur'an (Holy Book of Islam):
The law of retaliation (lex talionis) is carried over to Islam.
Sura 5:45 And We ordained therein for them: Life for life, eye for eye, nose for
nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth and wounds equal for equal. But if anyone
remits the retaliation by way of charity, it shal be for him an expiation. And
whosoever does not judge by that which Allah has revealed, such are the
Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers . . .).
http://www.americanthinker.com/articles_print.php?article_id=4671
A Qisas [law of retaliation] punishment means causing injury to the offender
similar to the injury caused to the victim. For example, in August 2000, the
Saudi Arabian media reported that Abdel Moti Abdel Rahman Mohammad, a
37-year-old-Egyptian national was subjected to forcible surgical removal of his
left eye at King Fahd Hospital in Medina. The operation was carried out as a
judicial punishment of Qisas after he was found guilty of disfiguring Shahata
Ajami Mahmoud, a 53-year-old Egyptian, by throwing acid at his face and
damaging his left eye.
In 2003, in Saudi Arabia a man had two teeth extracted under the law of
retaliation.
In 2005, an Iranian court orders a man's eye to be removed for throwing
acid on another man and blinding him in both eyes. Etemaad says the
accused, identified only as Vahid, was 16 when he threw a bottle of acid at
another man during a fight in a vegetable market in 1993. The top opened 
Vahid insists accidentally and blinded his victim in both eyes. A court said
the crime should be judged as qisas, a category for which the Koran stipulates
specific punishments, in this case an eye for an eye. The paper said the
sentence was to pour acid on Vahid's eyes, but an appeals court ruled it
should be done surgically so as not to harm other parts of his face.
Eye and teeth removal come directly from the Quran, the eternal word of
106

Allah, which must be imposed on humankind for its own good. Therefore,
how can traditional and Quran-believing Muslims reform unless they
leave behind their sacred book?
(http://www.americanthinker.com/articles_print.php?article_id=4671)
(The American Thinker, James M. Arlandson, 24 July 2005)
Translations of Sura 5:38
AS Abdel Haleem (The Qur'an, Oxford UP, 2004) translates Sura 5:38 as fol ows:
"Sura 5:38 Cut off the hands of thieves, whether they are male or female, as
punishment for what they have done--a deterrent from God: God is almighty
and wise. 39 But if anyone repents after his wrongdoing and makes amends,
God wil accept his repentance: God is most forgiving and merciful. (Haleem)"
The standard verb "to cut" (q-T-c) is used, and the object of the cutting is "their
hands." For this crime, early Islam punishes both male and female thieves.
Evidently, the purpose is to purify the Islamic community and to deter future
thieves. Verse 39 is included because it seems that Muhammad is providing a
way of repentance before the penalty is exacted. But traditional Islam says the
opposite. The bloody penalty is carried out, which helps the thief to purify
his or her heart, and then he or she is in better state to repent (James
Arlandson)
http://answeringislam.org/Authors/Arlandson/hands_off.htm
R
eport published 5 May 2006 b y Jerome Taylor
Iraqi police 'killed 14-year-old boy for being homosexual.' "Human rights
groups have condemned the 'barbaric' murder of a 14-year-old boy, who, according
to witnesses, was shot on his doorstep by Iraqi police for the apparent crime of
being gay. Ahmed Khalil was shot at point-blank range after being accosted by men
in police uniforms, according to his neighbours in the al-Dura area of Baghdad."
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article362151.ece
Was the Jewish punishment for adultery more 'holy' more loving than that punishment
dispensed by the Islamic police? Is death by stoning somehow more 'holy' than death by
gunshot? What would Jesus have done to the 14 year old boy who was accused of sexual
sin? Remember the woman taken in the act of adultery? Jesus Himself refused to
condemn her but freely forgave her and she responded to His love with repentance.
Would Jesus have been any less compassionate to the Islamic 'gay' youth, than He was
to that adulterous woman?
It is generally accept that the Jewish/Mosaic God is the same God that Christians
worship. Generally it is rejected by Christians, that they worship the same god as
worshipped by Islam. However, the divine laws (Mosaic and Quran) both called the
infal ible, unchangeable Word of God - demonstrate the characters of both deities are
very similar. Both gods are retributional and extremely violent.
Is it possible that the law of Moses adequately and clearly represented the character of
the One True God? If so, which god's character does the Islamic law demonstrate? Why
was the demonstration of the Father's character which Jesus perfectly displayed, of such
a very different nature to both the Mosaic and Quran laws?
107

The One True God is Mercifully Just
The Father is merciful and just.
Exodus 20:6
"And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments."
God supplies the power (the mercy, the grace) to enable those who have a desire to live
righteous lives, to do so - in Christ.
Isaiah 30:18
"And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he
be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment:
blessed are all they that wait for him."
The Lord is a God of right principles. His perfectly loving and pure character is revealed
in the 10 commandments. He lives a sanctified life and because His is loving, He extends
His power of mercy to empower all who seek to imitate His character and live sanctified
lives.
God's mercy (compassionate treatment) empowers the sinner to overcome sin. To be
justified "by" Christ means there is "no condemnation" for past sins. To be sanctified
through Christ's life, is to be empowered to cease from sinning by having "Christ in us."
Romans 8:1
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not
after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Titus 3:7
"That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of
eternal life."
On the Day of Atonement, if the priest entered the Most Holy Place in order to seek mercy
(power to be free of sin) on behalf of the Israelites, he also faced justice (forgiveness of
sins). The outcome was cal ed judgment. If the high priest who entered into the presence
of God had not confessed and put away his sins (i.e if he did not want to separate from
his sins), he would be slain by the same Presence that offered him mercy (power over his
sins). What would then, have caused the death of the High Priest?
God had not changed. God was ready to extend justice (forgiveness for sin 1 John 1:9)
and mercy (power to overcome sin 1 John 1:9). It was the spiritual condition of the high
priest that determined the outcome of His encounter as He entered into God's presence.
To those who permit God to purify their minds from sin today, will be safely able to meet
Him on Judgment Day, "face to face" - their characters already having been purified by
God's indwelling presence. However, God's presence wil be to unrepentant sinners, as
a "consuming fire."
AT Jones, Review and Herald Jan, 24 & 31, 1899.
'Yet, what every one must understand is this: the only way that God does,
or can, separate anybody from sin is by that very consuming fire of his
presence. The only way, therefore, in which you and I can ever be so
separated from sin as to meet God as he is, in the flaming fire that he is,
in that great day, is to meet him TODAY as he is, in the consuming fire
that he is. The only way that we can be prepared to meet him at his
coming in that great day is to meet him in his coming today. For there is
a coming to men now , as really as to the world in that great day. 'I will
not leave you comfortless: I will COME TO YOU.' John 14:18."
(AT Jones continued)
"But do not forget that whether he comes to you or to me now, or
108

whether he comes to other people in that great day, he comes only as a
consuming fire.

Listen: 'If any man hear my voice, and open the door,'-- what does
he say?--'I will come in to him.' Good. Thank the Lord! And 'he is a
consuming fire;' and when he comes in to you, that coming will
consume all the sin in you, so that when he comes in the clouds of
heaven in flaming fire, you can meet him in joy in the consuming fire that
he is.

Then do you hear his voice? "Behold, I stand at the door, and
knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I WILL COME IN TO
HIM." Do you hear his voice? Then swing open wide the door, and keep
it everlastingly open. Bid him welcome, in the consuming fire that he is:
and that flaming fire of his presence will consume sin in all your being,
and so will thoroughly cleanse and prepare you to meet him in flaming
fire in that great day.

When I meet him today 'in a flaming fire,' when I welcome him
today 'a consuming fire' in me, shall I be afraid to meet him in flaming fire
in that day-- No; I shall be accustomed to it; and knowing what a blessed
thing it is to become familiar with meeting him as 'a consuming fire,'
knowing what a blessing that has brought to me today, I shall be
delighted to meet him on that other day, when he shall be revealed from
heaven in flaming fire. 'Our God is a consuming fire.' Bless the Lord!

'Who may abide the day of his coming? Who shall stand when he
appeareth? for he is like a refiner's FIRE.' Good. Then when I meet him
now, in the consuming fire that he is, I meet him in a fire that is refining,
that purifies. 'And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he
shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they
may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.' That is separation
from sin; that is purification from sin. And that sets us where we offer an
offering unto the Lord in righteousness: we become the servants of
righteousness unto holiness, that we may meet the Lord. So, then, bless
the Lord that he is a consuming fire,-- that he is as a refiner's fire."
Psalm 85:10
"Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other."
The Father's character has always been, and will remain, unchangeably holy just and
good. He is always just and merciful.
Exodus 34:7 ; Numbers 14:18
"Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will
by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and
upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation."
109

A
dam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible- E
xodus 34:7:
Verse 7. That will by no means clear the guilty: This last clause is rather
difficult; literally translated it signifies, in clearing he will not clear. But the
Samaritan, reading lo, to him, instead of the negative lo, not, renders the clause
thus: With whom the innocent shall be innocent; i.e., an innocent or holy person
shall never be treated as if he were a transgressor, by this just and holy God.
The Arabic version has it, He justifies and is not justified; and the Septuagint is
nearly as our English text, , and he doth not purify the
guilty. The Alexandrian copy of the Septuagint, edited by Dr. Grabe, has
, and the guilty he will not cleanse with a
purification-offering. The Coptic is to the same purpose. The Vulgate is a
paraphrase: nul usque apud te per se innocens est, "and no person is innocent
by or of himself before thee." This gives a sound theologic sense, stating a great
truth, That no man can make an atonement for his own sins, or purify his
own heart; and that al have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
Certainly, when the wicked reject the justice (forgiveness) and the mercy of Christ (His
indwelling power to live a sanctified life), they wil be without divine protection when Christ
appears the second and third times on the earth. There is no human vengeance in God -
it is the condition of the person which determines their level of safety in His Presence.
2 Corinthians 1:3
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the
God of al comfort."
God's spirit (his unselfish way of thinking His principles of righteousness) was the
original spirit given to humanity, but which was rejected and replaced when Adam sinned.
When Adam sinned, he lost the ability to be righteous and just. He lost the mind of
righteousness the spirit of God and was powerless to live a just and righteous
(sanctified) life. He received condemnation and his power of choice was negated. He
became compelled to do Satan's bidding for he was then filled with Satans selfish spirit.
But, Christ, in justice and mercy, restored the freedom of choice to the human race.
Genesis 3:15
"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed;
it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."
As a result of Adam's sin, death was imminent and would have occurred immediately,
except that the Father and Son intervened (in justice to forgive; and in mercy to
empower) which prevented the extinction of the human race (Zech 6:13).
As a result of Adam's sinful choice, ALL human children, would UNJUSTLY inherit a
defective body sinful flesh- as their birthright. In merciful response to that unjust
situation, God put enmity between Satan and humanity. God's action offered the human
race another opportunity to choose whom they would serve (Genesis 3:15). The divine
solution was a combination of God's justice and mercy.
Though the race was permitted to continue, a faulty, sinful flesh that was naturally
responsive to selfish thinking, would be inherited by each child of Adam as a
consequence of his (Adam's sin). By the virtues of the Second Adam, two spiritual
natures would "war" for dominance within in the person. The choice over which "spirit"
would be dominant would be left to the individual, however whichever power the human
being individually chose to serve, that being would be their master. The principle of
Romans 6:16 would take effect.
110

Romans 6:16
"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to
whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"
Due to their inheritance, the whole race, through Adam, came under the condemnation of
the law (Romans 5:12-21). It could not be otherwise, for because of Adam's sin, humanity
was effectively programmed or "spiritual y wired" to sin. However, the Father's character
is one of justice. The Father knew that it is not a righteous principle it was not just or
righteous for children pay the penalty for the iniquity of the parents' sin (Ezekiel 18).
Because the Father was just (righteous), He extended mercy (empowerment) to the
human race. The Father's just and merciful character was ultimately demonstrated
through the gift of His Son. Humanity was given the opportunity to receive "a new heart,"
"a new spirit," (Ezekiel 36:26, 27), "the spirit of Christ" (Romans 8:9). The spirit of God,
(His pure unselfish way of thinking) effects the re-creation of humanity.
Romans 8:1
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk
not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Justice (forgiveness) + Mercy (power) = Sanctified life (Holy Christian character)
Stated in the negative, it is also true that there IS condemnation for those which are NOT
in Christ Jesus, who DO walk after the flesh, but NOT after the spirit of God.
John 3:19
"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness
rather than light, because their deeds were evil."
Those who refuse to accept the principles of the law of God, also refuse the life of Christ.
They remain condemned because of their evil deeds (John 3:18). This is frustrated
justice. God made full provision for their forgiveness, but they refused it. There is no
change in God's behaviour. Such a sad result is the choice of the persons who refuse
such great salvation..
John 3:17-21 (Jesus speaking to Nicodemus)
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through
him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that
believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the
only begotten Son of God. (19) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the
world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (20) For
every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should
be reproved. (21) But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made
manifest, that they are wrought in God."
111

Those who refuse to accept Christ's life, refuse the justice and mercy of God. They refuse
divine forgiveness and empowerment to live a sinless life. Jesus revealed that God's
justice is always combined with His mercy. The "merciless" god is Satan.13
So Whose works do we study to determine the Father's character? Christ's works and
His alone, perfectly reveal the Father's character. The 144000 wil have this type of
character also, for Christ will abide in them and live His life in them. The Father's name
(character) is in their foreheads. Christ is "in them" (Rev 14:1-5; Jn 14:10, 11; Col 1:27).
Consider again Paul's contrast of the two types of character 'fruit' in Galatians 5:19- 23.
Galatians 5:19 -23
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations,
wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings,
and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past,
that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
The Bible avers that there are no evil, carnal fruits or character traits in the Father nor in
His Son. The Father is pure and holy. How then could the Father's character exhibit
wrath and hatred with commands to destroy? These character traits come from the fruit
from the carnal, human evil nature, not the pure, loving divine nature of God.
13 Regarding Revelation 14:10
"The same shal drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture
into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the
presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb." When the plagues are
"poured out without mixture" it refers to being poured out "without mercy." Divine mercy
provides protection from sin. It is the empowerment to not be hurt by sin. God is not
the One doing the hurting. The wicked people have already rejected God's
protective mercy and during the plagues, they have no protection, except of
their own devisings. The plagues are to be poured out without God's protection, but
God does not cause the plagues. Sadly the wicked have not given their allegiance to God
and so He is not authorised to "interfere" in their lives any longer. The wicked have
rejected Christ as their Lord and Master and have chosen Satan instead - they are given
"into his hand" and are found without protection from Satan's wrath and from the purifyig
presence of God. The cause of the plagues are discussed in another section of this book.
112

NOTE:
The author of this book has not the intention to "throw out the Bible" or to cause
others to discard the perfect principles of Christ's life as found in the Bible. To the
contrary, the author exhorts the reader to dig deeply into the Bible, to search out
the hidden things of God (1 Cor 2:7). The searcher, however, will discover that
there exists disharmony in the Bible, but this disharmony does not suggest that a
fault lies with God or that God has not especially preserved the Bible.
Contradictions exists only because of humanity's inability to understand God's
character and their limited understanding which often results in a stinted portrayal
of God's character.
Men who were moved by the spirit of Christ to describe spiritual things - to the best
of their human ability - still failed to understand or describe the true extent and
depth of the loving character of God as seen in Jesus Christ. In their best attempts
to write material to portray the character of God, humanity could not but fail when
they inadvertently put their own concepts of God into their writings. In contrast,
the record of the life of Jesus Christ did not fail to reveal perfect love Jesus
showed to the world, the Father's character.
The record of Christ's life and words clarify many confusing statements recorded in
the Bible. The life of Christ is aligned with the standard upon which ALL spirits and
writings must be tested the 10 commandments which are the very essence of
the Father's character.
Patriarchs and Prophets p 52
"The law of God is as sacred as God Himself. It is a revelation of His will, a
transcript of His character, the expression of divine love and wisdom."
113

Sorting the Confusion
This table might help to distinguish the character traits of the Father, Christ and Satan.
Character of God
Blended Character
Character of Satan
Seen in Jesus' Character
Good/Evil Seen
Seen in Pagan Gods
in Many Religions
Total Selflessness - Love
Self (at times with the
Total Selfishness -Lust
appearance of selfless)
the end justifies the means
Righteousness
God does not tempt man
Wickedness
1 Cor 1:30
(James 1:13); God
2 Thess 2:8
provides a way out of
(Christ Jesus, who of God is temptation (1 Cor 10:13) /
made unto us wisdom, and
righteousness)
God tempted Abraham
(Gen 22:1); God tempted
David to number Israel (2
Sam 24:1)
Truth
God of truth -no iniquity-
Deception
John 14:6
(Duet 32:4);
Gen 3:1, 13
(I am the way, the truth and Some Bible writers state
John 8:44
the life)
"the Lord" did a certain act
while other Bible writers
claim Satan or his agent
did it
Peaceful, Non-Violent
God of Peace (Rom 15:33;
Warring/Violent
Isaiah 53:9
16:20; Phil 4:9; 1 Thess
Ezek 28:16
5:23; Heb 13:20; Isa 53:9)
(because He hath done no (Gen 6:11-13)
John 8:44
violence)
Matt 26:52 (al they that take
the sword shall perish with God of War (Exo 15:3; Num
the sword)
1:3; Duet 7:16; 1 Samuel
15:3)
Inviting
Inviting "Why will ye die?
Forceful
Matt 11:28
Turn and live" (Ezekiel
Rev 13:16
18:31,32)
Luke 9:42
Kill non-compliants (Lev
20:2; 24:23; Numbers
15:33-36; Duet 13;10;
21:21- son)
114

Character of God
Blended Character
Character of Satan
Seen in Jesus' Character
Good/Evil Seen
Seen in Pagan Gods
in Many Religions
Honesty
God can't lie (Titus 1:2)
Lies
Isa 53:9
impossible for God to lie
John 8:44
(Heb 6:18)
(no guile in His mouth)
God sends lying spirit to
deceive (1 Kings 22:22,23;
2 Chron 18:21,22)
Life-Giver
Life-giving Creator God
Murderer
John 1:4
(Gen 1)
John 8:44
(In Him was life)
Killer God of destruction -
(flood Gen 6:17); Sodom
(Gen 19:24) consume all
the people (Duet 7:16; 1
Samuel 15:3)
Kindness
God

of

great
Unkind, Nasty
Eph 4:32-5:1
kindness(Nehemiah 9:17);
John 8:44
God is kind (Luke 6:35-36);
God delights in loving-
kindness (Jer 9:24)
Orders the killing of entire
races, men married
women, male babies
(Ezekiel 9:5,6; Num 31:17;
1 Samuel 15:3)
Protecting
Saves Daniel from lions
Destroying
Matt 23:37
(Dan 6:22)
Apol yon= destroyer
(as a hen gathers her God permits babies to be
Rev 9:11
chickens)
killed in Bethlehem and
elsewhere (Jer 31:15; Matt
Psa 103:4
2:18; Jer 9:25; 1 Chron
(Who redeemeth thy life from 21:12-15; 1 Samuel 15:3)
destruction;)
Wicked cause their own
wounding (Deut 32:39)
God causes wounding
(Psalm 64:7) If ye forsake
the LORD, and serve
strange gods, then he will
turn and do you hurt, and
consume you... (Joshua
24:20)
115

Character of God
Blended Character
Character of Satan
Seen in Jesus' Character
Good/Evil Seen
Seen in Pagan Gods
in Many Religions
Gentleness
God crowneth thee with
Harshness
2 Cor 10:1
lovingkindness and tender
mercies (Psa 103:4)
(the meekness and
Luke 9:42
gentleness of Christ)
God pours out plagues
without mercy; covenant of
2 Chron 33:6
peace with a double-
murderer (Rev 14:10,
Phinehas -Numbers 25:12);
Lord will punish with the
sword & famine (Jer 11:22)
Law Keeping
Thou shalt not kill (Exo
Law Breaking
John 15:10
20:13). Respect foreigners,
Ezekiel 28:15
widows, orphans; be non-
(kept Father's law)
violent (Exo 22:21-24)
John 8:44
Christ says don't even get God commands law-
(father of lies)
angry (Mat 5:22)
breakers be stoned,
pagans be killed, rape
permitted, robbery and
genocide (Duet 13:10;
21:10-14; Josh 11:19, 20;
Numbers 31; 1 Sam 15:3)
Patient / Long-suffering
The God of patience
Impatient / Short-tempered
2 Peter 1:6
(Romans 15:5; 1 Cor 13:4);
Rev 12:12
God is long-suffering (Exo
Matt 18:22
34:6)
(great wrath, short time)
(forgive seventy times Wrathful God (Rev 14:10,
seven)
11; Ps 78:31; Exo 22:24)
God is set to destroy the
Israelites for worshipping
the Golden Calf after only
40 days (Exo 32:10)
Freedom of choice
God says, "Choose life"
Compel ing
John 6:37; Rev 22:17
(Duet 30:19)
Rev 13:16-17
(Whosoever will may come) God says "Comply or die"
pick up sticks on Sabbath
be killed (Num 15:32-36)
Self-Control
Fruit of the Spirit is self-
Self-Indulgence
Luke 4:2-4
control (Gal 5:22)
Luke 4:5-7
(40 days without food)
God gets wrathful, angry,
furious and acts without
mercy (Exo 32:10; Rev
14:10,11)
116

Character of God
Blended Character
Character of Satan
Seen in Jesus' Character
Good/Evil Seen
Seen in Pagan Gods
in Many Religions
Delights in Doing Good
God doesn't delight in the
Delights in Causing Pain
(Acts 10:38; 1 Cor 13:6)
death of the wicked (Eze
(Jer 32:35; Proverbs 2:12-14)
18:23)
God delights in destroying
the wicked (Deut 28:63)
Forgiving Sin
Who forgiveth all thine
Tempting to Sin
But that ye may know that
iniquities Psalm 103:3
.
the Son of man hath power
Being forty days tempted of
on earth to forgive sins,
And Joshua said unto the
the devil (Luke 4:2)
(Matt 9:6)
people, Ye cannot serve
the LORD: for he is an holy
Jesus said unto her, Neither God; he is a jealous God;
do I condemn thee: go, and he will not forgive your
sin no more (John 8:11)
transgressions nor your
sins (Joshua 24:19)
Righteous Anger
God is slow to anger
Unrighteous Anger
Isa 53:9; 1 Peter 2:22
(Nehemiah 9:17)
1 Peter 5:8
(Christ did no violence; had God's fury rested on the
(roaring lion)
no guile in His mouth; reviled Israelites and His sword
not again)
was after them (Eze 5:12-
14)
Goodness
God delights in loving-
Evil
kindness and no iniquity is
in Him (Exo 34:6; Jer 2:5)
Acts 10:38
Eze 28:15
God orders the killing of
1 Tim 6:13
entire races, men, married
women, male babies
(Ezekiel 9:5,6; Num 31:17;1
Sam 15:2,3; Exo 32:27) just
as Pharaoh (Exo 1:22) and
Herod (Matt 2:16) did.
Faithful
God is faithful (1 Cor 1:9)
Disloyal
Rev 1:5
God makes a covenant
Isa 14:13-14
with Israel (Exo 24:7) /God
(Jesus Christ, who is the wants to break covenant
Rev 12:3
faithful witness)
and make a covenant with
(rebellion in heaven)
Moses instead (Exo 32:10)
Temperance
David was a man after
Indulgence to Excess
2 Peter 1:4-8
God's heart (1 Sam 13:14)
Matt 4:8; Gal 5:21;
David broke God's law
Isa 14:14, 15
(Deut 17:17) and took
multiple wives (2 Sam
(aimed to usurp God
5:13); David orders his
but brought to hel )
wife's 5 innocent sons to
die for political reasons (2
Sam 21:8,9 )
117

Character of God
Blended Character
Character of Satan
Seen in Jesus' Character
Good/Evil Seen
Seen in Pagan Gods
in Many Religions
Helps Pagans
Help pagans-2 Kings 6:18-23
Kills Pagans
Matt 15:25 - 28
John 8:44
Kill pagans -1 Sam 15:18,19
Joy Over Redeemed Christ's joy over sinners'
Malignity
Sinners
repentance - (Heb 12:2) no
(wanting to hurt others)
pleasure in wicked's death
(Ezek 33:11)
Isa 14:14
Heb 12:2
Pleasure over death of two
Rom 1:29
wicked people (Numbers
25:6-13)
Consistent
God wasn't angry when
Rebellious, Inconsistent
James 1:17
Moses, Solomon and
Dan 7:25
Nehemiah numbered Israel
(Num 1:1-4; 3:40; 26
(change times and laws)
2 Chron 2:17; Neh 7:7).
God was angry when David
numbered Israel (2 Sam
24).
Merciful
"the Lord is very pitiful,
Heartless
and of tender mercy,"
Romans 1:31
Matt 5:7
"love mercy" (James 5:11;
Micah 6:8)
"Lord sends a curse on
you (Mal 2:2) "O LORD,
hath dashed in pieces the
enemy" (Exo 15:6).
Purity
God gave a moral law - 10
Immorality
1 Peter 2:22
Commandments (Exo 20:1-
Romans 1:29
17) death penalty for
breaking one law
God tells Israelites to rape,
steal, and murder pagans
(Deut 21:10-14; Num 31)
Meekness
Still small voice (1 Kings
Pride
2 Cor 10:1
19:12)
Isa 14:13, 14
Thunderings from Mt Sinai;
(Exo 20:18) God questions
Job
118

Character of God
Blended Character
Character of Satan
Seen in Jesus' Character
Good/Evil Seen
Seen in Pagan Gods
in Many Religions
Sinless
"Thou art of purer eyes
Sinful
Jesus willingly interacted
than to behold evil, and Satan is the god of this world
(mixed) with sinners but did canst not look on iniquity:" and the originator of al sin.
not participate in their sinful Habakkuk 1:13
acts Matt 9:11; Heb 4:15.
2 Cor 4:4; John 8:44
He was in the world, not of
"The eyes of the LORD are
the world (John 3:17).
in every place, beholding
the evil and the good." Pro
15:3
Heals
Sun of Righteousness 
Causes disease
Mark 6:56; Matt 4:24; Matt healing in His wings (Mal
Job 2:4-7
8:16 (healed all that were 4:2); I am the Lord thy God
sick, cast out demons); Matt that healeth thee (Exo
14:14; Mark 1:34; Mark 6:5; 15:26) healeth all thy
Luke 4:40
diseases (Psa 103:3)
The Lord made David's
child sick ( 2 Sam 12:15) "If
any man defile the temple
of God, him shall God
destroy" (1 Cor 3:17).
Just and Fair
The son shall not bear the
Just and Unfair
"And, behold, I come quickly; iniquity of the father,
Isa 59:4, 14
and my reward is with me, to neither shall the father "God" told David that He sent
give every man according as bear the iniquity of the
a 3 year drought because
his work shal be." (Rev
son; do justice (Psa 89:14; Saul broke a promise to the
22:12)
Ezekiel 18:19, 20; 45:10;
Micah 6:8)
Gibeonites. To atone for this
broken promise, David
required Saul's 7 sons to be
The Lord will punish
executed and their bodies
children for their parents'
"hung up before" the Lord,
sins (Ex 20:5;Ex 34:7; Num
before "God" sent rain
14:18; Deut 5:9; Jer 32:18)
(2 Sam 21:1-9)
119

Character of God
Blended Character
Character of Satan
Seen in Jesus' Character
Good/Evil Seen
Seen in Pagan Gods
in Many Religions
Protects and values
It never came into the heart
Child sacrifices part of
children
of God to ask for burnt
worship ceremonies
Matthew 18:6; 19:14 "But
sacrificing of children on
Matt 17:15; 2 Chr 33:6;
whoso shal offend one of
high places. It is an
Eze 16:20, 21
these little ones which
abomination, to cause
believe in me, it were better Judah to sin. Jer 7:31; "And he caused his children
for him that a millstone were Jer 32:35
to pass through the fire ...
hanged about his neck, and
also he observed times, and
that he were drowned in the
used enchantments, and
"And he (God) said, Take
depth of the sea.... Suffer the
used witchcraft, and dealt
now thy son, thine only
little children to come unto
with a familiar spirit, and with
son Isaac...and get thee
me and forbid them not."
wizards: he wrought much
into the land of Moriah; evil in the sight of the LORD,
and offer him there for a
to provoke him to anger."
burnt offering upon one of
the mountains which I will
tell thee of." Genesis 22:2
Happy shall he be, that
taketh and dasheth thy
little ones against the
stones. Psa 137:9
The Light of the World What fellowship has The Power of Darkness
light with darkness?
John 8:12
Christ with Belial?
Colossians 1:13
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
14 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what
communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that
believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are
the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and
walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the
Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, .
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."
120

The Character of Sin
James describes the natural progression of sin, which leads to death.
James 1:15
"Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth
forth death."
1 John 3:4
"Sin is the transgression of the law."
Sin originates from lust selfishness. The cherished thoughts of lust (or selfishness) then
produce sinful actions the transgression of the law of unselfishness the 10
commandments.
Does sin ever stop being sin? Can an action that is declared sinful, ever be legitimised or
legalised? Can sin (which is breaking of God's 10 commandment law) ever become
righteous (in harmony with God's law)? i.e. Can sin become non-sinful because the time
frame changes?
Some suppose that the Exodus Hebrew people were given special permission to break
God's laws. eg. They were instructed by "the Lord" to kil their pagan enemies and plunder
their goods (Duet 24; Numbers 41). However, the Hebrews were given the 10
commandments by God to form the basis of a righteous government and civil system.
This would have created a theocracy, where the One True God directed the affairs of true
believers in every aspect of their lives government, religion, civil, health, interactions
with other nations all based on His divine, unselfish loving principles.
Did the Hebrew people live under a true theocracy? Were the 10 commandment rules
respected in their community? Were the words of Jesus, which demonstrated with perfect
accuracy the character of the Father complete love the basis of the Hebrew's
government and civil system?
In the old Testament, Christ was endeavouring to win the hearts of the ancient Hebrew
people by encouraging them to observe the 10 commandments - but repeatedly the
people turned away from fol owing Christ's principles and chose instead to worship false,
pagan gods, according to pagan principles.
Even a casual glance at the sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes (Matt 5) and Jesus'
sermons reveal that the principles of the Hebrew government were not built on the same
principles as those Jesus expounded.
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Jesus Corrected Traditional Mosaic Law
Deuteronomy 18:18, 19
"I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my
words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them al that I shall command him. (19) And
it shal come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall
speak in my name, I will require it of him."
In reality, as all true prophets did, Moses pointed the people to Christ as the Messiah, the
Son of God, and to His words which are "spirit and life" (John 6:63). However, it became
apparent during Jesus' life on earth, that the Scriptures, while still containing the words of
God, had also gained some 'traditional extras.'
Jesus declared that He had not come to do away with the law and the prophets but to
fulfill their predictions of Him as the Messiah (Matt 5:17). Jesus upheld the divinely
inspired passages of the Old Testament. He taught His disciples to anchor their faith in
Him, by comparing the circumstances of His life and death, with the Old Testament
messianic prophecies (Luke 24:13-31). These prophetic truths were emphasised
repeatedly by Christ (Matt 5:17;7:12;11:13;22:40; Luke 16:16; 24:44). Jesus set the
correct pattern of Bible study with His disciples on the road to Emmaus. He rebuked them
gently for not believing all that the prophets had spoken concerning the Messiah (Luke
24:25-27). They continued His example in their teaching and preaching (Acts 24:14;
28:23; Rom 3:21).
However, several times Jesus corrected traditional beliefs, some which were presented
in the Old Testament, but which became confused as the Pharisees added to the laws,
their own interpretations. For instance, on the subject of:
· swearing oaths: In the Old Testament, taking oaths (swearing by God's name) was
commanded (Deut 6:13); but Jesus forbade making oaths. He instructed that His
followers should say "yes" or "no. " (Lev 5:4,5; Num 5:21; 30:2; Matt 5:33-37);
· divorce and remarriage: Jesus reminded the Pharisees that divorce was not the
divine plan for humanity prior to the entrance of sin, but that Moses had permitted it
because of the rebel ious, selfish characters of their Jewish ancestors (Deut.24.1-3;
Matt 5:31-32);
· stoning adulterers: Jesus prevented this Old Testament statute from being performed
on at least one occasion. He refused to condemn the adulteress, but instead delivered
her from her accusers and pardoned her sin (Lev 20:10; Duet 22:21-24; John 8:4-11);
· taking revenge for damage: "An eye for an eye." Moses introduced this law in an
endeavour to prevent the Israelites making an "over-payment of revenge" for damage
sustained to their persons or property. However, Jesus maintained that even this law,
was far removed from the divine law of loving kindness and forgiveness. Christ taught
His fol owers to reflect the divine character and to love their enemies and do good to
those who were abusive to them (Exo 21:23-25; Matt 5:38, 39);
· being taken to court: Jesus counselled the people not to resist the legal action, but to
peaceably comply with the demands (Matt 5:40);
· love your neighbours but hate your enemies: Jesus encouraged people to love their
enemies; pray for those who abused them and to turn the other cheek (Matt 5:38, 39);
· gift-giving to the temple This tradition formulated by the Pharisees made of none
effect the commandment of God. Jesus condemned this tradition which prevented the
true honouring (supporting) of their father and mother (Matt 8:4; 15:3-9).
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It is not suggested that all of the Mosaic law was condemned by Jesus. Christ endorsed
the 10 commandment laws; supporting the ministry with tithes and offerings; and certain
health laws; etc., but many laws were also corrupted as people used traditions as a
means of breaking the 10 commandments (e.g. Matt 8:4; 15:5) These traditions, which
concealed the breaking of the law of love, Christ exposed.
There was a genuine need for Christ to bring clarity to the people concerning the books of
Moses (the Talmud) and the traditions that surrounded them. The 10 commandments,
which reveal the character of the Father, were confused with volumes of oral traditions
and rituals.
It is more than probable that the copyists/editors of the Old Testament, while having some
knowledge of the One True God, were also strongly influenced by their exposure to pagan
religions. This knowledge was acquired from their culture which included 270 years in
polytheistic Egypt; intermarrying with heathen nations and assuming their worship
practices; their tribal possibly racist - mentality and behaviour. It appears that this
incorrect knowledge was at times, wrongly applied to the character of the Hebrew God
also.
Paul Tobin's research gives further support to this the that pagan religions influenced the
Israelites perceptions of the God of the Israelites. Taken from his website at
http://www.geocities.com/paulntobin/moses.html#1, we find the fol owing startling
information which is sourced from Barthel, What the Bible Really Says: p119
Riedel et.al., The Book of the Bible: p34 :
"Everyone is familiar with Moses receiving the ten commandments in two
stone tablets from God in Mount Sinai. However, this story is originally
Babylonian. One of the most well known ancient code of law was the
Code of Hammurabi, so name after the Amorite king Hammurabi who
lived around 1700 BC. On the great Babylonian stone monument, known
as the stele of Hammurabi, a drawing inscribed on it shows the great
Amorite King receiving the tablets of the law from the sun god, Shamash.
The similarity does not end here. On the stele too is inscribed the laws
that made up the Code of Hammurabi. The general similarity between the
code and The "Book of the Covenant" (Exodus chapters 21 to 23) and the
legal codes of the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy cannot be denied.
The Mosaic laws were obviously written under the influence of the
Babylonian code. [3] In some cases even the wordings are uncannily
close to one another. For example take this one from the code on the
principle of an-eye-for-an-eye:
'If a citizen shall put out the eye of another, then let his own eye be put
out....If a citizen shall knock out the teeth of another who is higher in rank,
then let his own teeth be knocked out.'
This closely parallel's one of the Lord's commands in Exodus:
Exodus 21:23-24
'And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye,
tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, '
Here is another example, the code gives the fol owing principle:
'If a citizen steals the son of another citizen, he shall be put to death.'
The principle and wording is closely fol owed in the verse below from
Deuteronomy:
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Deuteronomy 24:7
'If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of
Israel...then that thief shall die..'
The similarities are too obvious to ignore. Which religion reflects the character of God?
Only the religion of Jesus, who stated that His religion was based on "loving our enemies,"
not on the opposite premise which justifies a pay-back system which returns violence for
violence (Matthew 5:44).
Consider also Paul's comments in 2 Corinthians 3:12 - 2 Corinthians 4:6
2 Corinthians 3:12
Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13 And not as
Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to
the end of that which is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day
remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which
veil is done away in Christ. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is
upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be
taken away. 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is
liberty. 18 But we al , with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are
changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. .4.1
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But
have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor
handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending
ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is
hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds
of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the
image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ
Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who
commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light
of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Paul tells us that the Old Testament writers saw spiritual things through a veil, but that
Jesus revealed the truth ful y, so that now they could see the light of the knowledge of the
glory (character) of God through the testimony of His Son. This is not to say that God
put a veil on the Old Testament writers eyes. God did not cause the veil to be
placed on Old Testament eyes.
It was the pagan influences of the evil and satanic religions surrounding them which
reduced the Old Testament writers' ability to appreciate the pureness of the love of God.
The Israelites displayed a collective mindset of an angry god who had to be appeased.
Their beliefs and misconceptions regarding the quality of God's character, caused the
veiling of truth to their own eyes. Paul states that 'when it shall turn to the Lord, the
veil shall be taken away." This concept harmonises with Jeremiah 29:11-14 'ye shall
seek me and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.'
Paul emphasises that the knowledge which comes from understanding the spirit of Christ
(i.e. His glory or character, mind, thoughts) provides liberty -freedom of choice for
humanity - not force or coercion. (2 Corinthians 3:17) The spirit of coercion does not
originate from God, for He does not give us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). The spirit of
fear and coercion therefore, must originate with Satan.
Walther Zimmerli (19071984) was Professor of Old Testament at the University of
Göttingen, Germany, and and considered by many as one of the most important biblical
scholars of the twentieth century. Among his many publications in English are Ezekiel, 2
vols. (Hermeneia; Fortress Press, 1979/1983), I Am Yahweh (1982), The Old Testament
and the World (1976), and The Law and the Prophets (1965). In The Law and the
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Prophets, Zimmerli writes:
"In this connection Hosea attacks with particular passion the priests who
should have been the true guardians of the knowledge of God, and who
have especial y failed in this duty (Hosea iv. 4 ff.). They have allowed to
pass unnoticed the very real exchange of Yahweh, the God of Israel,
for the baals of Canaan. This was no longer the same threat which had
occurred in Elijah's time, it was something much more dangerous. While
the worship of Yahweh remained outwardly correct, in reality he had
come to be regarded as a nature deity like the Canaanite Baal. From
him men sought the fertility of the soil and of marriage; he was
worshipped with the forms of nature religion and with sacral prostitution,
as men worshipped the Baals. Ya
hweh became Baal. The name of one
of David's warriors, which is recorded in I Chronicles 12:5 as Bealiah
(Yahweh is Baal) demonstrates exactly this programmatic assertion.
Thus without knowing it, Israel had begun to misunderstand the very
nature of its God, because the professional guardians of a true
knowledge of him were asleep." (Walther Zimmerli, The Law and the
Prophets, Basil Blackwell 1965 p.70)
Columbia University Press Encyclopedia at Answers.com presents the folllowing
information concerning Baal, a pagan god who is acknowledged at an idol which
represented Satan as he attempts to imitate the Creator the One True God.
Baal (b'l) , plural Baalim (b'lm) [Semitic,=master, lord], name used
throughout the Bible for the chief deity or for deities of Canaan. The term
was originally an epithet applied to the storm god Hadad. Technically,
Baal was subordinate to El. Baal is attested in the Ebla texts (first half of
2d mil ennium B.C.). By the time of the Ugarit tablets (14th cent. B.C.),
Baal had become the ruler of the universe. The Ugarit tablets make him
chief of the Canaanite pantheon. He is the source of life and fertility, the
mightiest hero, the lord of war, and the defeater of the god Yam. There
were many temples of Baal in Canaan, and the name Baal was often
added to that of a locality, e.g. Baal-peor, Baal-hazor, Baal-hermon. The
Baal cult penetrated Israel and at times led to syncretism. In the Psalms,
Yahweh is depicted as Baal and his dwelling is on Mt. Zaphon (Zion), the
locale of Baal in Canaanite mythology. The practice of sacred prostitution
seems to have been associated with the worship of Baal in Palestine and
the cult was vehemently denounced by the prophets, especially Hosea
and Jeremiah. The abhorrence in which the cult was held probably
explains the substitution of Ish-bosheth for Esh-baal, of Jerubbesheth for
Jerubbaal (a name of Gideon), and of Mephibosheth for Merib-baal. The
substituted term probably means "shame." The same abhorrence is
evident the use of the pejorative name Baal-zebub (see also Satan). The
Baal of 1 Chronicles is probably the same as Ramah 2. As cognates of
Baal in other Semitic languages there are Bel (in Babylonian religion) and
the last elements in the Tyrian names Jezebel, Hasdrubal, and Hannibal."
http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=29l33c32f48kr?tname=
baal&curtab=2222_1&hl=bealiah&sbid=lc05b
Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Baal:
"After Gideon's death, according to Judges 8.33, the Israelites went astray
and started to worship the Ba`alîm (the Ba`als) especial y Ba`al Berith 'Lord
of the Covenant'. A few verses later (Judge 9.4) the story turns to al the
citizens of Shechem actual y kol-ba`alê skem another case of normal
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use of ba`al not applied to a deity. These citizens of Shechem support
Abimelech's attempt to become king by giving him 70 shekels from the
House of Ba`al Berith. It is hard to disassociate this Lord of the Covenant
who is worshipped in Shechem from the covenant at Shechem described
earlier in Joshua 24.25 in which the people agree to worship Yahweh. It is
especially hard to do so when Judges 9.46 relates that all "the holders of
the tower of Shechem" (kol-ba`alê midgal-skem) enter bêt 'l brît 'the
House of El Berith', that is, 'the House of God of the Covenant'. Was Ba`al
then here just a title for El? Or did the covenant of Shechem perhaps
originally not involve El at al but some some other god who bore the title
Ba`al? Or were there different viewpoints about Yahweh, some seeing him
as an aspect of Hadad, some as an aspect of El, some with other
theories? Again there is no clear answer. We also find Eshbaal (one of
Saul's sons) and Beeliada (a son of David). The last name also appears
as Eliada. This might show that at some period Ba`al and El were used
interchangeably even in the same name applied to the same person. More
likely a later hand has cleaned up the text. Editors did play around with
some names, sometimes substuting the form bosheth 'abomination' for
ba`al in names, whence the forms Ishbosheth instead of Eshbaal and
Mephibosheth which is rendered Meribaal in 1 Chronicles 9.40. 1
Chronicles 12:5 gives us the name Bealiah (more accurately b`'alyâ)
meaning 'Yahweh is Ba`al'."
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, presents information concerrning Baal,
from the research of AH Sayce.
"Temples of Baal at Samaria and Jerusalem are mentioned in 1Ki 1:18;
where they had been erected at the time when the Ahab dynasty
endeavored to fuse Israelites and Jews and Phoenicians into a single
people under the same national Phoenician god. Altars on which incense
was burned to Baal were set up in all the streets of Jerusalem according
to Jeremiah (11:13), apparently on the flat roofs of the houses (Jer 32:29);
and the temple of Baal contained an image of the god in the shape of a
pil ar or Bethel (2Ki 10:26,27). In the reign of Ahab, Baal was served in
Israel by 450 priests (1Ki 18:19), as well as by prophets (2Ki 10:19), and
his worshippers wore special vestments when his ritual was performed
(2Ki 10:22). The ordinary offering made to the god consisted of incense
(Jer 7:9) and burnt sacrifices; on extraordinary occasions the victim was
human (Jer 19:5). At times the priests worked themselves into a state of
ecstasy, and dancing round the altar slashed themselves with knives
(1Kings 18:26,28), like certain dervish orders in modern Islam."
AH Sayce demonstrates the two-tone, blended character of the pagan deity, Baal:
"As the Sun-god, Baal was worshipped under two aspects, beneficent and
destructive. On the one hand he gave light and warmth to his worshippers; on
the other hand the fierce heats of summer destroyed the vegetation he had
himself brought into being. Hence, human victims were sacrificed to him in
order to appease his anger in time of plague or other trouble, the victim being
usually the first-born of the sacrificer and being burnt alive. In the Old
Testament this is euphemistically termed "passing" the victim "through the
fire" (2Ki 16:3; 21:6). The forms under which Baal was worshipped were
necessarily as numerous as the communities which worshipped him. Each
locality had its own Baal or divine "Lord" who frequently took his name from
the city or place to which he belonged. Hence, there was a Baal-Zur, "Baal of
Tyre"; Baal-hermon, "Baal of Hermon" (Jud 3:3); Baal-Lebanon, "Baal of
Lebanon"; Baal-Tarz, "Baal of Tarsus." At other times the title was attached to
the name of an individual god; thus we have Bel-Merodach, "the Lord
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Merodach" (or "Bel is Merodach") at Babylon, Baal-Melkarth at Tyre, Baal-gad
(Jos 11:17) in the north of Palestine. Occasionally the second element was
noun as in Baal-Shemaim, "lord of heaven," Baalzebub (2Ki 1:2), "Lord of
flies," Baal-Hamman, usually interpreted "Lord of heat," but more probably
"Lord of the sunpillar," the tutelary deity of Carthage. All these various forms
of the Sun-god were col ectively known as the Baalim or "Baals" who took
their place by the side of the female Ashtaroth and Ashtrim. At Carthage the
female consort of Baal was termed Pene-Baal, "the face" or "reflection of
Baal."
http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=29l33c32f48kr?tname=baal
&curtab=2222_1&hl=bealiah&sbid=lc05b
It is obvious that, prior to the time that the Old Testament writings were written down by
scribes in the time the Babylonian captivity (Ezra and Nehemiah), the Israelites were very
knowledgeable about the religion of pagan worship, having participating in worship rituals
and ceremonies to Baal.
In that pagan context, is it surprising that the 'blended' character traits of 'the baals' was
transferred unto the character of the One True God?
The fol owing quiz demonstrates the severity of the problem and how the Jewish nation
could easily become confused about the true character of God.
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Quiz
1. Who passed over the houses of Egypt and killed the firstborn just prior to the Exodus?
Answer (Lord- Exo 12: 29); (the destroyer - Exo 12: 23) Rev 9:11 Apollyon = destroyer
1. Who moved King David to number Israel?
Answer: (God - 2 Sam 24:1); (Satan - 1 Chron 21:1)
2. Did David sin when he numbered Israel?
Answer: (No -1 Kings 15:5); (Yes 2 Sam 24:10)
3. Who hardened Pharaoh's heart?
Answer: (God - Exod 7:3; 12: 23) -; (Pharaoh - Exodus 8:32)
5. Who tore the kingdom from King Saul?
Answer:(Lord -1Sam 15:28);(Saul -1Chron 10:4,wicked snare themselves Psa 9:15,16)
6. Who sends deception to humanity?
Answer: (God sends strong delusion 2 Thes 2:11); (Satan father of lies -John 8 :44)
(Titus 1:2 God cannot lie; Heb 6:18 impossible for God to lie )
7. Who destroyed the Israelites when they murmured against God, wanting to eat flesh?
Answer: (the Lord - Num 11:33); (the destroyer - 1 Cor 10:10); Rev 9:11 Apollyon
8. Who sent fire down from heaven and destroyed Job's sheep?
Answer: (Lord - Job 1:16); (Job's sheep were in Satan's hand Job 1:12).
9. Who sent an angel as a lying spirit and to be a lying spirit in the mouth of the prophets?
Answer: (God sends lying spirit 1 Kings 22:19-23); (God is not man that He should lie
Numbers 23:19); (God cannot lie - Titus 1:2); (impossible for God to lie - Heb 6:18).
10.Who is the God of war?
Answer: (God - Exod 15:3); -; (David can't build temple man of war 1 Chron 28:3); ,
but David was a man after God's own heart? 1 Sam 13:14) (dragon makes war in
heaven and earth Rev 12:7; 17); (wars and fighting come from lust -James 4:1,2)
11.Who repented of the evil that he thought to do against His people?
Answer: (God Exo 32:14); (Love thinks no evil 1 Cor 13:5, God is love 1 John 4:8,16)
12.What is the wrath of God?
Answer: (Ezek 22:31; Rev 14:10 fiery destruction); (Ps 78:49 God sent evil angels).
13.Who directed men to kil , plunder, rape women, shave their heads and then discard
/divorce them if they weren't pleasing to them?
Answer: (God - Duet 21:10-14; Num 31); (God divorced Israel Jer 3:8); (Not to marry
pagans Ezra 9:12); (not to take captives Joshua 10:40); (Isa 14:12 could take captives)
(no divorce, except for fornication Matt 5:32)
14.Who thinks evil? Who creates evil (calamity)?
Answer: (God - 2 Kings 10:30 had murder of Ahab in his heart; Commends Jehu for
destroying his family). (God creates evil - Isa 45:7); (Antediluvians thought evil
continual y Gen 6:5); (as a man thinks in heart so is he -Pro 23:7) (good tree, good fruit
Matt 7:16-20); (evil thoughts defile Matt 15:19-20); (my thoughts are not your thoughts
Isa 55:8); (God's thoughts of peace, not evil Jer 29:11); - (God is love 1 John 4:16 ;4:8,
Love thinks no evil 1 Cor 13:5).
15.Which God commanded children be offered as burnt offerings on high places?
Answer: (God Gen 22:2); (Satan masquerading as the pagan gods Molech &
Chemosh Lev 18:21; 20:2-5; 1 Kings 11:7; 2 Kings 23:10).
16.Does God forgive sins?
Answer: (Yes. "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities" - Psalm 103:3). (No. "Ye cannot
serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your
transgressions nor your sins -Joshua 24:19)
17. Who commanded and delights in receiving blood sacrifices?
Answer: (God - Exo 5:3; Exo 20:24; Deut 15:15); (Not God - Jer 7:21-23); (Molech,
Chemosh 1 Kings 11:6-8)
18. Who delights in the punishment and death of the wicked?
Answer: (God - Deut 28:63; not God - Ezekiel 18:23)
2 Corinthians 4:4 "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them
which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image
of God, should shine unto them."
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Wrathful God or Gentle Jesus?
There appears to be a conflict of character portrayal in the Bible, between "gentle Jesus"
shown in the New Testament and with the wrathful, angry and violent God of the Old
Testament. But as believers in the One True God, we know the that spirit of God was the
same in both the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. There was not a different
god in the Old Testament than there was in the New Testament. Yet there appears to be
sharp disharmony between the divine character of the Old Testament and the divine
character of the New Testament. Can these contradictions be reconciled?
Some Protestant denominations hold to the belief that only the New Testament (and not
the Old Testament) applies to today's Christians. It is reasoned that the Old Testament
Israelites had to achieve salvation through their obedience to God's various laws and
statutes - or suffer God's wrath, but today's Christians are lucky they can live under
grace. This trinitarian theology also rationalises the contradiction that there appears to be
a wrathful God of the Old Testament who is incompatible with the non-violent and gentle
Jesus of the New Testament.
However, Seventh-day Adventists, along with some other Protestant denominations,
claim to accept the entire Bible as "profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction" (*see
footnote) etc, but these denominations have difficulty explaining the character of the God
as portrayed in the Old Testament. Many believers choose to label the apparently
wrathful and violent God of the Old Testament as another "mystery" aspect of their
trinitarian god. Some prefer not to discuss these worrying parts of God's character since
they can't explain the contradictions. Others suggest that the New Testament, (through
the life of Jesus) exemplifies God's character of mercy, while the Old Testament God
demonstrates His character of justice.
Show us the Father
John 1:17, 18
"For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No
one has ever seen God..."
Pontius Pilate, the governor of Judaea who consented to Christ's execution, asked the
famous question, "What is truth?" (John 128:38).
Jesus had already given the answer. He stated that He alone - was the truth.
John 14:6
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me."
The truth, in its fullness, did not come to humanity through Moses, but through Jesus
Christ. The Son of God was the first and only person who revealed the Father to the
world. This revelation was through His loving, pure and holy character. Through Christ's
character, the Father became "understandable" to humanity. Humanity could finally "see"
the character of God, through the character of Jesus Christ, His Son.
The Old Testament prophets had only a limited knowledge of the character of God. Paul
stated that it was a veiled knowledge, but that if they accepted Christ's testimony of the
Father's character, the veil would be removed from their eyes.
2 Corinthians 3:13-16
"And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not
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stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: (14) But their minds were blinded: for
until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament;
which veil is done away in Christ. (15) But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the
veil is upon their heart. (16) Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shal be
taken away."
John refers to the same principle of knowing the Father's character, when he states that
truth came by Jesus Christ.
John 1:17
"For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (18) No man
hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he
hath declared him."
John states states that "no man hath seen God at anytime."
Certainly no sinful human being has seen the invisible, holy God. Sinful humanity cannot
see God in His unveiled glory and live. But there is another meaning to this text. John's
statement relates 'seeing' to 'knowing.' i.e. no man had "known" God's character in
previous Old Testament times, but Jesus Christ revealed, or made Him known to
humanity.
The meaning of 'to see' and its figurative interpretation 'to know' or 'understand' is
demonstrated in the English language when the statement is made, "Oh, I see what you
mean."
There is evidence that in the Hebrew language, "to see" also carries the figurative
connotation of "to know" or "to understand."
Strong's Hebrew Concordance
#7200 ra'ah raw-aw' a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications,
direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative):--advise self, appear, approve, behold, X
certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X
joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, X
be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one
another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X surely, X think, view, visions.
The Greek expression "to see," which is used in John 1:18, has a similar meaning.
# 3708 horao hor-ah'-o properly, to stare at (compare 3700), i.e. (by implication) to discern
clearly (physically or mentally); by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively,
to appear:--behold, perceive, see, take heed. see GREEK for 3700
The importance of this figurative usage of "see" as it pertains to 'knowing' is demonstrated
in the New Testament.
John 14:7-9
"If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye
know him, and have seen him. (8) Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it
sufficeth us. (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?"
Christ was not proclaiming that those people who had seen His outward, bodily form as
Jesus of Nazareth, had also literally 'seen' the Father's bodily form. Instead, He was
asserting that those who 'saw' or 'understood' the Son's character, would 'see' or 'know'
the Father's character. Those who could not recognise the essential and complete purity
of the Son's character, would stil be blind regaring the Father's pure, loving character.
130

Adam Clarke, in his Commentary on the Bible, gives other examples by John.
"John 1:18. [No man hath seen God at any time] Moses and others heard
his voice, and saw the cloud and the fire, which were the symbols of his
presence; but such a manifestation of God as had now taken place, in the
person of Jesus Christ, had never before been exhibited to the world. It is
likely that the word seen, here, is put for known, as in John 3:32; 1 John
3:2, 6, and 3 John 1:11; and this sense the latter clause of the verse
seems to require:- No man, how highly soever favoured, hath fully known
God, at any time, in any nation or age; the only begotten Son, (See Clarke
on John 1:14) who is in the bosom of the Father, who was intimately
acquainted with all the counsels of the Most High, he hath declared him."
Moses requested that he be permitted to see the glory of God. God's response to his
request again emphasises that it was the character of God that was revealed to Moses,
not the physical, visible form of the Father.
Exodus 33:18-23
"And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory. (19) And he said, I will make all my
goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and
wil be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and wil show mercy on whom I will show
mercy. (20) And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and
live. (21) And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a
rock: (22) And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift
of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: (23) And I will take away
mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen."
The context of these verses clarifies the fact that the "face" of God referred to the "glory"
of God, because Moses had requested to see God's glory. The obvious conclusion is that
sinful humanity are not able to observe the visible, unveiled glorious presence of God, but
they are equipped to comprehend His loving character.
Ephesians 3:17-19
"That Christ may dwel in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
(18) May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and
depth, and height; (19) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that
ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."
'All the fulness of God'
This term refers to the spirit (mind) of Christ, which develops in humanity, the loving
character of God.
131

All the Fullness of God
Colossians 2:9
"For in him dwelleth al the ful ness of the Godhead bodily."
If Christ came to reveal the whole character of the Father perfectly in every detail, then
where are the examples of anger, wrath and violence found in the Old Testament God? If
Christ did not reveal the complete character of the Father, then the accusation is made
that Christ must have lied to Philip. In John 14:8 -11, Philip requested, 'Show us the
Father." Christ gently reassured Philip that His own life revealed the Father's character
so clearly that if anyone had seen Christ, they had seen the character of the Father
perfectly.
However, it can be seen from the following New Testament verse that the Father's
character doesn't change. Furthermore, the God of the Old Testament doesn't change
either. And Paul tells the Jews that the character of Jesus Christ does not change.
James 1:17
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of
lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
Malachi 3:6:
"For I am the LORD, I change not..."
Hebrews 13:8
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever."
From the quiz questions, it is obvious that there are seeming contradictions in many Bible
texts. In one Bible text it is declared that "God" performed a certain act, but in another
place, it is reported that another person or being performed that action. In one text, a
certain action is declared to be lawful. In another text the same action is strongly
condemned. Which texts are trustworthy to reveal sin? How do we determine which
reports are inspired by God and will be safe for us to adopt?
Isaiah 8:20
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because
there is no light in them."
· Who was accused of breaking the Mosaic law? (Matt 15:2)
· Who fulfil ed the law? (Matt 5:17)
· Who kept His Father's law perfectly? (John 15:10)
· Who said the law would remain until heaven and earth passed away? (Matt 5:18)
· Who is the Logos, "the Word of God made audible?" (John 1:1-3)
· Who is the True Witness? (Rev 3:14)
· Who is the Light of the world? (John 8:12)
· Who is the Spirit of Truth? (John 14:17;15:26;16:13);
· Who is the "Way, the Truth and the Life?"(John 14:6)
· Who is the "Author and Finisher" of the Christian's faith? (Hebrews 12:2)
· Who has the testimony (character) of Jesus in them? (Rev 12:17)
· Who has their Father's name (character) in their foreheads? (Rev;14:1-5)
· Who has Christ in them, the hope of glory? (Col 1:27)
· Whose glory do we behold to become changed? (2 Cor 3:18)
· Who do we have to come to the Father through? (John 14:16)
Do we accept our interpretation of the law and the testimony in preference to
Jesus' life, or do we accept the law and the testimony A
S IT IS IN
J
ESUS'
life?
132

Ellen White declares that Christians certainly should accept the law as it is in Jesus' life
and words His testimony.
Special Testimonies on Education, (1897) p 206, (Ellen White)
"The religion of Jesus Christ never degrades the receiver, it never makes him coarse
or rough, discourteous or self-important, passionate or hard-hearted. On the contrary, it
refines the taste, sanctifies the judgment, and purifies and ennobles the thoughts, by
bringing them into captivity to Jesus Christ. God's ideal for his children is higher than
the highest human thought can reach. The living God has given in his holy law a
transcript of his character. The greatest teacher the world has ever known is Jesus
Christ. And what is the standard he has given for all who believe in him to reach? -
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." As God
is perfect in his high sphere of action, so man may be perfect in his human sphere.
The ideal of Christian character is Christlikeness. There is opened before us a path of
continual advancement. We have an object to reach, a standard to gain, which includes
everything good and pure and noble and elevated. There should be continual striving and
constant progress onward and upward toward perfection of character. (See 2 Tim. 3: 14-
17; Rom. 15:4; Col. 2:8-10.)"
Do we try to add parts of other men's testimonies onto the witness of Jesus' life, or
do we reject anything that clearly was not part of Jesus' character? In order to
have the faith of Jesus, we need to line up everything including Scripture - with
the character of Christ Jesus, the Son of God.
Ellen White makes special comments on this theme.
Pamphlet: Individual Responsibility and Christian Unity,16 January, 1907, p 22
"While respecting authority and laboring in accordance with wisely-laid plans, every
worker is amenable to the Great Teacher for the proper exercise of his God-given
judgment and of his right to look to the God of heaven for wisdom and guidance. God is
Commander and Ruler over all. We have a personal Saviour, and we are not to
exchange His Word for the word of any man. In the Scriptures the Lord has given
in
struction for every worker. T
he words of the Master-Worker should be diligently
studied; for they are spirit and life. Laborers who are striving to work in harmony with
this instruction, are under the leadership and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and need not
always, before they make any advance move, first ask permission of some one else. No
precise lines are to be laid down. Let the Holy Spirit direct the workers. As they keep
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith, the gifts of grace will increase by
wise use."
Spalding Megan Collection, p 109
"Self-cultured, self-control ed, under discipline in the school of Christ, having a living
connection with the great Teacher, they will have an intelligent knowledge of practical
religion, and keeping their own souls in the love of God, they will know how to exercise
the grace of patience and Christlike forbearance. The patience, love, long forbearance,
and tender sympathies are called into activity. They will discern that they have a most
important field in the Lord's vineyard to cultivate. They must lift up their hearts unto God in
sincere prayer. Be thou my pattern, and then by beholding Jesus they will do the
works of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he
seeth the Father do. So with the sons and daughters of God: they steadfastly and
teachably look to Jesus, doing nothing in their own way, and after their own will
and pleasure;
b
ut that which they have in the lessons of Christ seen him, their
pattern, do-they do also. Thus they represent to the students under their instruction at
all times and upon all occasions the character of Jesus Christ.
133

What About the God Portrayed in the Old Testament?
The God of the Old Testament is portrayed as a wrathful, angry and warlike God (Exo
15:3) who is credited with:
· commanding (legalising) the Israelites to commit genocide on the nations of Canaan
through warfare (Deut 3:18; 10:39, 40);
· commanding (legalising) the violent murder of infants (Deut 21:10-14; 2:31-34;3:6);
· commanding (legalising) the violent murder of "all that breathed" (Joshua 10:40;11:11,
14,15)
· commanding (legalising) the murder of Israelite Sabbath-breakers (Num 15:35,36);
· commanding (legalising) the murder of secretive pagan worshippers, including the
Israelite's own wife & children (Deut 13:6-10)
· commanding (legalising) the kidnapping of virgins for sexual use (Deut 21:10-14;
Numbers 31);
· commanding (legalising) the divorce of kidnapped virgins after their desirability and
"usefulness" had expired (Deut 21:10-14);
· commanding (legalising) the pil age of pagan cities (Joshua 8:27;28:7; Deut 2:35; 3:7);
· being pleased to have children offered as burnt offerings (Judges 11:32-40; Gen 22:2);
· enjoying bloodshed of animals as a sweet savour (Exo 29:18,25,41; Lev 1:9,13,17;
2:2,9,12;3:5,16; 4:31; 6:15,21;8:21,28;17:6; Number 29:13,36);
· commanding (endorsing) the maiming of animals (Joshua 11:9)
· condoning (legalising) polygamy (polygany) (Exo 21:10,11)
· consenting to the practice of torture (Joshua 10:24,25).
Do these character traits inspire worship of such a being? Do they draw worshippers by
love? Against what standard are these Old Testament writings to be tested?
Isaiah 8:20
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because
there is no light in them."

Unto the law and to the testimony.
Question:
Unto WHICH law (legislation) and unto WHOSE testimony should prophets words be
compared?
Answer:
Unto the 10 commandment law, by which all flesh shall be judged (James 2:8; 12; 1:25)
Unto the testimony of Jesus Christ the True Witness (Rev 3:14; 12:17). The testimony
of Jesus IS the spirit of prophecy today (Rev 19:10), just as it was revealed to the
prophets in the Old Testament.
However, Paul maintains that the (pre-Jesus Christ) Old Testament prophets saw (the
truth about God's character), through a "veil." And in the New Testament "love" chapter,
Paul maintains that in the post-Christian era, dedicated Christians still only see God's
character "through a glass darkly."
1 Corinthians13:12
"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but
then shal I know even as also I am known."
134

The New Testament writers had the benefit of seeing Christ's character of love in action,
but Paul states that they still found it hard to understand or to know DIVINE love.
Paul maintained that at some future time, he would know God's character more clearly.
Then, he would see Him "face to face." Paul confessed that he didn't understand the
depth of the love of the character of God, despite having the gift of prophecy and penning
at least 14 books of the New Testament. Would we expect the Old Testament writers
to have a more thorough knowledge of God than did Paul?
Just as Paul anticipated that he would eventually learn more of the depth of the love of
God, similarly, the 144000, in the time just prior to the return of Christ, will also know more
of God's character and even display God's character to the demon-possessed world. The
Father's character (name) will be in their foreheads (Rev 14:1). Their minds will think the
same thoughts of love as does their Father in heaven. Those who "endure unto the end"
wil be people who know their God (Daniel 11:32) and are thus empowered to keep His
loving commandments (Rev 12:17) because they are filled with the spirit of Christ. His
love motivates them to live as Christ lived (Col 1:27; Phil 2:5; 1 Cor 2:16), demonstrating
unselfish love for God and for all humanity (1 John 5:2,3).
Christ said that He came to reveal the character of the Father (John 14:8,9) and that God
is love (1 John 4:8,16). Jesus said that if He was lifted up, He would DRAW al men unto
Him (John 12:32) not force, coerce or terrify them into following Him.
Jesus prophesied that those who believed they knew God (but really didn't know Him)
would persecute and murder others, thinking that they were doing God's service.
John 16:2,3
"They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth
you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things wil they do unto you,
because they have not known the Father, nor me."
Jesus words reflect the history of the Old Testament record. The zealous Israelites
thought they did God a service by kil ing the 'sinful' races in the land of Canaan. Yes, the
residents of the land of Canaan were wicked, but were the Israelites actual y commanded
by God to murder them?
As stated previously in this article, it appears that the main Old Testament
writers were influenced by their contact with pagan religions (215-270 years in Egypt;
intermarrying with heathen and assuming their worship practices and their tribal -
possibly racist - mentality and behaviour) and that this incorrect religious knowledge was
wrongly applied to the Hebrew God also- much as it stil is today. Consider Paul's
comments.
2 Corinthians 3:12 4:6
Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13 And not as
Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to
the end of that which is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day
remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which
veil is done away in Christ. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is
upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be
taken away. 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is
liberty. 18 But we al , with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are
changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 4.1
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But
have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor
handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending
ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is
hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them
135

which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God,
should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and
ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine
out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the
glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
In New Testament times, Jesus came to "show us the Father" (John 14:8-10). This was
necessary for He proclaimed that the world didn't know His Father's character.
John 17:25
"O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these
have known that thou hast sent me. 26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and wil
declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them."
Jesus also reminded the Jewish leaders that they didn't know His Father either. He
pursued this further, making the connection that, by not knowing the Father's character,
they could not be His children. Christ spoke very strongly, informing the Jewish leaders,
that they neither knew His Father and neither was God their father, but that the devil was
their father (John 8:19, 42).
The Jews had severely misrepresented the Father's character. Christ said they
represented the devil's character. The fact is incontrovertible that the Jews did NOT have
a proper or correct understanding of God's character. Jesus worked within the realm of
the Jewish understanding as can be evidenced in several of his addresses and parables.
Jesus said there were some truths He could not even tell His disciples, "for they could not
bear them yet" (John 16:12).
Consider the pagan environment to which the Old Testament writers were exposed.
Moses wrote Genesis-Deuteronomy & Job; Joshua and another unknown author in the
Judgeship of Othniel wrote Joshua; the author of Judges is unknown; Ruth's authorship
is unknown, but supposedly it was written after David's reign; the books of 1&2 Samuel -
were partly written by Samuel, but the majority was penned by Abiathar; 1&2 Kings were
authored by Nathan the prophet, Ahijah the Shilonite, Shemaiah the prophet, Iddo the
prophet, Isaiah the prophet, and Jehu. The Chronicles, were penned by unknown
author/s, but thought to be Ezra. What was common to these writers is that they
wrote from an environment where intermixing of religions continued - from Moses
through the reign of David, Solomon, and the minor prophets eg Ezra organised a
"mass annulment" for the Hebrews, where their foreign wives and children were sent back
to their pagan countries.
It is often stated in this period that "E
very man did what was right in his o
wn e
yes"
(Judges 17:6; 21:25) and they tended to put those characteristics (of what they thought
was right) onto the One True God.
These passages were written before Christ came to reveal the Father's character, and
Jesus told the Jews that they didn't know His Father, yet they knew the Old Testament
scriptures and could quote them better than we could today. Memorisation of the Torah
was part of their education. How could they NOT know the character of the Father if His
true character was revealed in those writings? But Jesus said that they didn't know the
Father, in fact, He states that the whole world didn't know His Father. (John 17:25)
136

Jesus corrected the Israelites' understanding of the Mosaic law. Many times, especially in
Matt 5, Jesus states, "Moses (or the elders) say ....., but I say unto you" and then He
added very different concepts to those traditional y expressed by he elders and Christ
expanded on the principle underlying the laws given by Moses.
Was there very much chance that the Old Testament people would understand the
character of God any better than the Jewish leaders whom Christ revealed had no
knowledge of His Father's character? It would be very unlikely indeed. And Paul claims
that their understanding was very limited indeed. (2 Cor 3:12-4:6)
Among the most obvious misconceptions that the Israelite nation in Old Testament times
believed, was the notion that "the Lord God commanded" that THEY would be the active
agents in destroying the inhabitants of the Promised Land, through their own military
force, (but with some divine assistance).
After his childhood upbringing in Egypt, Moses, thinking to do right, also erred in this way.
Patriarchs and Prophets, p 245, 247
"The elders of Israel were taught by angels that the time for their deliverance was near,
and that Moses was the man whom God would employ to accomplish this work. Angels
instructed Moses also that Jehovah had chosen him to break the bondage of His people.
He, supposing that they were to obtain their freedom by force of arms, expected to lead
the Hebrew host against the armies of Egypt, and having this in view, he guarded his
affections, lest in his attachment to his foster mother or to Pharaoh he would not be free to
do the wil of God. In slaying the Egyptian, Moses had fallen into the same error so often
committed by his fathers, of taking into their own hands the work that God had promised
to do. It was not God's will to deliver His people by warfare, as Moses thought, but by His
own mighty power, that the glory might be ascribed to Him alone. Yet even this rash act
was overruled by God to accomplish His purposes. Moses was not prepared for his great
work. He had yet to learn the same lesson of faith that Abraham and Jacob had been
taught--not to rely upon human strength or wisdom, but upon the power of God for the
fulfillment of His promises."
The Hebrews of the Exodus might have reasoned, as did the Egyptians in their pagan
religion, that if they performed the necessary blood sacrifices, then God would bless them
in battle. It was a religion of salvation by works. However, this was not God's religion, but
the religion of the true God mixed with pagan theology. It was not a divine strategy, but
a faulty human strategy to think that humanity was authorised to offer human sacrifices
(Judges 11:30), murder infants, pillage, and enslave other human beings (Deut 21:10-14).
It seems inconsistent and strange that the Israelites "took matters into their own violent
hands" because Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 3:22, "Ye shal not fear them: for the LORD
your God he shal fight for you." How would God fight for the Israelites?
Exodus 23:27
I wil send <07971>(8762) my fear <terror - 0367> before<06440> thee, and wil destroy<
to move noisily, confuse, make a noise - 02000>(8804) all the people<05971> to whom
thou shalt come<0935>(8799), and I wil make<05414>(8804) all thine
enemies<0341>(8802) turn their backs<06203> unto thee. (backs: Heb. neck)
God said he would cause a loud noise which would confuse the idolaters who would flee,
deserting their land, leaving it to the Israelites to possess.
Exodus 23:28
"And I will send hornets before thee, which shal drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and
the Hittite, from before thee."
137

No bloodshed was necessary. Certainly the Jews were not required to take human life to
possess the land. To the contrary, the Israelites were given opportunity to witness to
the pagan nations, of the love and righteousness of God as contained in the 10
commandments.
Isaiah 60:2,3
"For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the
LORD shal arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3 And the
Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising."
This passage of Old Testament Scripture prophesied that the coming Messiah
would demonstrate the Father's loving character (glory) to the world. If Israel
chose, they could reflect that Light of love to the Gentiles. However instead of
witnessing to the love and mercy of God, the Israelites instead chose to imitate the
violence of their pagan neighbours and became a warlike, pillaging people. By so
doing, they dreadfully misrepresented the character of the One True God whom they
professed to serve and obey. Yet, there are Old Testament scriptures where the truth
about God's character is seen to transcend the pagan mentality of a wrathful, vengeful
god.
The misrepresentation of God's character became so serious that God caused the
sanctuary services to cease even before Christ laid down His life on Calvary.
Ellen White, PH048.042.003;( Living by Principle, 1898)
"Consider the circumstances of the Jewish nation when the prophecies of Daniel were
given. The Israelites were in captivity, the temple had been destroyed, their temple
services suspended. Their religion had centered in the ceremonies of the sacrificial
system. They had made the outward forms all-important, while they had lost the spirit of
true worship. Their services were corrupted with the traditions and practises of
heathenism; and in the performance of the sacrificial rites they did not look beyond the
shadow to the substance. They did not discern Christ, the true offering for the sins of men.
The Lord wrought to bring the people into captivity, and to suspend the services in
the temple, in order that the outward ceremonies might not become the sum total of
their religion. Their principles and practise must be purged from heathenism. The
ritual service ceased, in order that the heart might be revived. The outward glory was
removed, that the spiritual might be revealed" (Unpublished Testimony).
Jeremiah 36:26,27
"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 a heart of flesh. 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."
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and
not of evil, to give you an expected end.12 Then shal ye call upon me, and ye shall go
and pray unto me, and I wil hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me,
when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the
LORD."
Ezekiel 18:31
"Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make
you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no
pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves,
and live ye."
138

Summary:
1. The Old Testament writers, though inspired, did not know the depth of the loving
character of God, but could only see "as through a veil" (2 Cor 3:15);
2. The Jewish leaders, despite memorising the Torah (the Old Testament writings) also
did not know the depth of the loving character of God (John 8:19,44)
3. The disciples of Jesus didn't understand the depth of the loving character of God; (Luke
9:55) and Jesus couldn't tell them many things at that stage of their spiritual
development (John 16:12);
4. Paul, who under divine inspiration wrote 14 books of the New Testament, admits that
even he didn't know the depths of the loving character of God, but could only "see
through a glass darkly (1 Cor 13:12)."
If Jesus couldn't tell the disciples "many things which they could not bear" because their
spiritual condition was not mature enough, this situation was also likely the case with the
Old Testament writers who did not have the benefit of the daily physical presence of
Jesus to demonstrate His love to them.
It is not "destroying faith in the Bible" to understand that human beings wrote what they
perceived to be the truth about God's character. It is not casting doubt on God's ability to
transmit truth through erring human beings, or on the motivation or devotion of the writers
of the Old Testament. These people wrote to the best of their ability and understanding,
but God reveals only as much truth as the human being can assimilate at any given time .
ALL writings, whether inside or outside the Bible, need to be tested by the life and words
of Jesus Christ.
Christ's life was a living example of His Father's character in action - the perfect keeping
of the 10 commandments. Christ's life was the supreme demonstration of the Father's
love in action - in all the fullness of the Godhead (divinity) bodily. We can safely trust
Jesus to display the character of His Father without hiding any 'evil' aspects from us. He
is pure love, and in Him there is no shadow of turning (James 1:17). He is not a good/evil
god. . God is goodness. God is mercy. God is love. (1 John 4:8,16). Will we believe the
law of the Father, lived out in Jesus' life? Will we believe the testimony of Jesus the
Son of God?
God has promised that His people can and will know His character, but they must put self
and tradition completely aside and search for truth AS IT IS IN JESUS.
Jeremiah 29:13, 14
"And ye shal seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with al your heart. (14)
And I will be found of you, saith the LORD."
139

How Did the Israelites Perceive the God they Worshipped?
The Israelites thought they were keeping the law of the One True God. They believed
they were worshipping the One True God. Were they?
It is announced in The Origins and Emergence of Semetic Alphabet Script, that James
Harris & Dann Hone (in subsection Expanding the Old Negev Corpus), discovered a
script which is called Old Negev, that they demonstrate to be script used by the Israelites
from 1200 BC 600 BC. This time frame begins at the conventionally accepted time of
Moses and extends to the period of Babylonian captivity. The script was also used by the
Kenites and the Midianites. Harris and Hone state:
With a collection of over one hundred and thirty inscriptions this study has
opened a small window to the early (pre-Exile) history of Canaanite
peoples of the Negev. And since twenty-five percent of the inscriptions
contain names of the God of Israel (Yah, El/Yah, Yahu, and Yahh) it
seems fair to say that these Canaanite speakers had a covenant
relationship

with

Yahweh.
http://www.lib.byu.edu/~imaging/negev/Origins.html
Notice that it was not just the Israelites who had a covenant relationship with Yahweh; but
"these Canaanite speakers" which includes the Midianites and the Kenites.
The Hebrews worshipped a deity whom they called "Yahweh" or even "Yah" (Jehovah, is
an incorrect transliteration - Psalm 68:4). Previously their forefathers knew this deity as
"El" or "El Shaddai" - which is translated as the Almighty. (Exodus 6:3) Notice the
symbolism of the ancient Negev for El (God) which appear to depict a rod with a crook
and a bull or cow's head, with horns. These are interesting representations, for the
sacred hooked rod was carried by the Pharaoh and represented the phal us of the Apis
bul . The Pharaoh also wore the uraeus - crown which featured a serpent poised and
projecting from the centre of the head-piece. The symbol of the sun god was also
represented in the ureaus, forming the combination of the fire-serpent god of fertility. As
demonstrated in the Negev script for "El" the staff is featured and also perhaps the horns
of the Apis Bull. http://www.lib.byu.edu/~imaging/negev/Names.html)
Returning to the article, The Origins and Emergence of Semetic Alphabet Script, it is
reported that in a study of 100 "Yahweh" ancient inscriptions, 13 inscriptions were
translated for publication in an article entitled The Names of God. Some of the
translations and the researchers' comments follow:
"A search of Proto-Sinaitic inscriptions by I. Beit-Arieh, and B. Sass, has
uncovered several inscriptions of the pan Canaanite name of God (El) in
the Sinai dating between the 17th century BCE to the 15th century BCE.
Mine L, inscriptions, Sinai No. 377 and 378, also #'s 350, and 363, have
been identified to have the name El in reasonable clarity.... El was the
widely recognized God of all the Canaanite people and his name is
coupled with Yah in some Proto-Canaanite inscriptions. But the name
of Yah has not yet been found in the Sinai, or has it just gone
unrecognized?"http://www.lib.byu.edu/~imaging/negev/Names.html)
140

One reason that there was no trace that "Yahweh" was worshipped in the Sinai desert
when they were said to have been wandering there for 40 years, might be because the
Israelites were in Arabia the Biblical site of Mt Sinai (Gal 4:25) and evidence strongly
suggests that the worship of that deity, perhaps in the form of the Egyptian Apis bull, was
worshipped there http://www.arkdiscovery.com/mt_sinai_found_part_2.htm
There is another interesting "Yahweh"inscription and analysis made in The Origins and
Emergence of Semetic Alphabet Script.
"Lexical Analysis: b-m-h,= Bamah (a high place dedicated to religious worship)
b-z, spoil (booty); b-h-'-l-h, () [hiphil imperative verb with prefix -notice position
above the line]= bring up by;; d-k, ()= the door; b-t, () = the house [of]; y-h.= ()
Yah (Yahweh). Translation: "Bamah (place of worship), spoil bring up by the
door of the house of Yah." Or, "Bring thou up spoil by the door of the house of
Yah." http://www.lib.byu.edu/~imaging/negev/Names.html)
From the language used in the preceding inscription, it might be assumed that the
call is being made to bring up the spoils of war to the high place so that the
captives can be sacrificed to the God worshipped there Yah.
1 Kings 3:2; 20:23
"Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the
name of the LORD, until those days .... (23) And the servants of the king of Syria said
unto him, Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let
us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shal be stronger than they."
The Syrians considered that the Israelites worshipped the 'gods of the hills' because they
were knowledgeable of their practice of making sacrifices 'in the high places.'
Comparisons are made with the inscription on the Mesha stele where King Mesha of the
Moabites records the events leading to the vanqishing of his enemies. Mesha describes
how he takes all the prisoners and cattle from a battle and sacrifices them to his god
Chemosh as a thank offering. Similarities are seen also in Saul's reply to Samuel (in 1
Samuel 15:14) where Saul attempted to justify why he had did not kill all the cattle and the
pagan king, after his victory over the Amalekites. Saul protested that he was planning on
making sacrifices to the Lord with the spoils of the war. This was certainly done at other
times too, by the Israelites (Judges 11:30, 31; 1 Chronicles 26:27; Leviticus 27:29;
Numbers 31).
In a section on the same webpage, entitled, How The Peoples of the Negev Perceived
Yahweh, subsection "An Ancient Script and Language of the Negev:" a startling
description and interpretation of a "Yah" inscription fol ows:
"The persona of Yah is associated with radiance, as from the sun and the
head of the radiant Serpent. The glory of the radiant serpent was to be
extended to his people so that their countenances would shine as they
141

become a holy nation (a sanctified people). It is possible that the serpent
(as an icon of Yahweh) would have survived in greater numbers had it not
been for the reforms of Hezekiah and Josiah. The serpent symbolizes
Yah as the healer, and God of the storms, rain, sun, and Prince of Life.
Yah was the disciplinarian, judge, protector, deliverer, teacher, purifier,
and Father of his covenant people"
http://www.lib.byu.edu/~imaging/negev/Names.html).
According to the research just presented, it appears that many of the people of the Negev
perceived their god Yahweh to be the same god as was worshipped in ancient Egypt
the fire-serpent god!
Is it possible that the ancient Hebrews believed that Yahweh's character was two-tone -
the same as pagan gods having a character that was both good and evil?
This disturbing theory, that the Hebrews unknowingly worshipped a type of "Baal" who
delighted in blood sacrifices, is actually given further support by the findings of Alexander
Hyslop in The Two Babylons.
Hyslop traces the history of Baal worship from Egypt, to the Israelites.
"Cannibalism was practised by the priests in ritualised child sacrifices in
Egypt as the worship of the pagan "father of the gods" the fire-serpent
god - Bol-Khan. "He devoured his sons as soon as they were born." It
was "through fire worship," that the worshippers sought "cleansing and
regenerating (of) the souls of men." The same system of worship in
Rome, termed the same god, "Vulcan. There is reason to believe that the
same practice obtained in our own land in the times of the Druids. We
know that they offered human sacrifices to their bloody gods. We have
evidence that they made "their children pass through the fire to
Moloch," and that makes it highly probable that they also offered them in
sacrifice; for, from Jeremiah 32:35, compared with Jeremiah 19:5 we find
that these two things were parts of one and the same system." The Two
Babylons, Alexander Hyslop, Chapter 7, Section 1, "The Great Red
Dragon." http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/twobaby/twobaby.html
Walther Zimmerli (19071984) was Professor of Old Testament at the University of
Göttingen, Germany, and one of the most important biblical scholars of the twentieth
century. Among his many publications in English are Ezekiel, 2 vols. (Hermeneia;
Fortress Press, 1979/1983), I Am Yahweh (1982), The Old Testament and the World
(1976), and The Law and the Prophets (1965). In The Law and the Prophets, Zimmerli
writes:
"In this connection Hosea attacks with particular passion the priests who
should have been the true guardians of the knowledge of God, and who have
especially failed in this duty (Hosea iv. 4 ff.). They have allowed to pass
unnoticed the very real exchange of Yahweh, the God of Israel, for the
baals of Canaan. This was no longer the same threat which had occurred in
Elijah's time, it was something much more dangerous. While the worship of
Yahweh remained outwardly correct, in reality he had come to be
regarded as a nature deity like the Canaanite Baal. From him men sought
the fertility of the soil and of marriage; he was worshipped with the forms of
nature religion and with sacral prostitution, as men worshipped the Baals.
Y
ahweh became Baal. The name of one of David's warriors, which is
recorded in I Chronicles 12:5 as Bealiah (Yahweh is Baal) demonstrates
exactly this programmatic assertion. Thus without knowing it, Israel had
begun to misunderstand the very nature of its God, because the
professional guardians of a true knowledge of him were asleep" (Walther
Zimmerli, The Law and the Prophets, Basil Blackwel 1965 p.70).
142

Wikipedia Encyclopedia states:
"We also find Eshbaal (one of Saul's sons) and Beeliada (a son of David).
The last name also appears as Eliada. This might show that at some
period Ba`al and El were used interchangeably even in the same name
applied to the same person. More likely a later hand has cleaned up the
text. Editors did play around with some names, sometimes substuting the
form bosheth 'abomination' for ba`al in names, whence the forms
Ishbosheth instead of Eshbaal and Mephibosheth which is rendered
Meribaal in 1 Chronicles 9.40. 1 Chronicles 12:5 gives us the name
Bealiah (more accurately b`'alyâ) meaning 'Yahweh is
Ba`al'."http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=29l33c32f48kr?tn
ame=baal&curtab=2222_1&hl=bealiah&sbid=lc05b
To study this subject further the name of Yahweh and His mistaken identity the
following sources might prove helpful or at least interesting:
Yah (Lah), the Other Egyptian Moon God
Yah was sometimes depicted as a new moon, who's angles seemed to appear as the The
Secondly; the references on Yah as an Egyptian moon god are slim.
www.touregypt.net/featurestories/yah.htm
"Two painted inscriptions "Yahweh of Samaria/the guardian and his Asherah" on
fragments of the type of large terracotta pot that archaeologists cal a pithos were found in
the site of a caravanserai of the 8th century BC at Kuntil et Ajrud (in Hebrew Horvat
Teman) in the Negev. They have raised great speculation. Other gods appear in the
Kuntil et Ajrud graffiti-- along with the title Baal. There are accompanying drawings (not a
Hebrew custom) and an oasis is a center of the religious cross-fertilization cal ed
syncretism. However, from a site west of Hebron, identified as Biblical Makkedah, a
furtively excavated inscription reads "Blessed be Uriyahu by Yahweh and by his asherah;
from his enemies he saved him!" (Berlinerblau) Although forbidden by Hebrews, the cult
of goddesses lasted during the Roman occupation in Israel in the hidden form of temple
prostitution, until emperor Constantine closed those houses after converting to Christianity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asherah#Asherah_and_other_gods ;
http://www.geocities.com/levelwater/mathlies15.html ;
http://jesus-messiah.com/studies/sacred-name.html ; and
http://www.control-z.com/page s/25_reasons.html#08
It is beginning to appear that the original religion might have been handed down to Moses
on Mt Sinai, but became corrupted with pagan beliefs and practices and a "convenient" or
artificial record of many history events were placed in the Hebrew scrolls, perhaps for
political purposes. Then again, there might be some other explanation.
However, the earliest time that the Mosiac law was found "written down" was when it was
found by the priest Hilkiah, in the days of King Josiah as recorded in 2 Kings 22 and 23.
The newly found law gave great power to the priests at a time when the king was young
and impressionable.
143

In his introduction of At Test of Time The Bible From Myth to History, David Rohl
(1995:7) asks,
"What lies behind this jaundiced opinion of the Bible as history? Peeling
away al the layers of scholarly debate which have tended to obscure the
issue over the years, we are left with one fundamental problem for those
who would advocate using the Bible as a source for history;
archaeological excavations in Egypt and THE LEVANT, ongoing for the
best part of the last two centuries, have produced no tangible evidence to
demonstrate the historical veracity of the early biblical narratives. Direct
material support for the traditional history of the Israelite nation, as handed
down in the books of Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings
and Chronicles, is virtually non-existent. It is as if the Israelites had
somehow failed to leave their archaeological footprints in the ancient
lands of the Bible. Moses and the Israelites simply picked up their
belongings, left Egypt in the reign of Ramesses 2 (thirteenth century BC)
and walked into Sinai to miraculously disappear from history for around
four hundred years before resurfacing in the campaign inscriptions of the
ninth century kings of Assyria. Where did they go? According to the
Bible, they went to settle in Palestine where they were eventually to forge
nationhood under the charismatic kings of the United Monarchy period 
Saul, David and Solomon. But virtual y nothing resembling this epic
adventure is to be found in the archaeological record of Palestine. For
that matter, their centuries-long Sojourn in the land of the pharaohs has
also left absolutely no trace in the Nile val ey or its delta. Small wonder
then that specialists in biblical criticism and their colleagues, the Levantine
archaeologists prefer to see the stories of the Old Testament as 'traditions'
rather than genuine 'history.'"
David Rhol considers that the chief difficulty with the lack of Israelite evidence, is faulty
Egpytian chronology. Rhol claims that, when the chronology is calculated correctly and
events reconfigured, the Israelites history begins to appear in various unexpected places.
Independent evidence seems to be mounting in support of Rohl's claim.
Regardless of whether the Bible is found to be historically accurate or not, the
principles of unselfishness which Jesus taught, and the prophecies which
accurately predicted His messiahship,14 can still give Christians confidence that
God is still continuing to direct His people personally in their minds through the
law of love, the 10 commandments from the Old Testament which Jesus quoted
and through prophecy.
14 Many Messianic prophecies were made by Daniel and Isaiah and the minor prophets, during
the period of Babylonian captivity. It is generally accepted that such writings were not
subject to the intense editing of the Torah and the finding of the book of Isaiah with the
Dead Sea scrolls confirm that little change has occurred since the books were originally
written. Still, these writings themselves do not date back to the times of Moses.
144

The Unstable House of Paganism
Just as a builder forms a solid foundation for a house, so Truth is vital in the formation of
faith.
There is a foundational truth that will establish faith in the One True God.
John proclaims this truth (1 John 4:8, 16).
"God is love."
Similarly, there is a false foundational belief - that God is both love AND evil.
Through long revered but pagan doctrines, Satan has deceived many Christians into
accepting the lie that the One True God is really a two-tone god - but the "good and evil"
god is NOT the One True God.
Theories built on the false foundational concept that God's character is two-tone,
(demonstrating both good and evil traits), though appearing to be of minor consequence,
are extremely dangerous. False doctrines, if accepted, are capable of sending one down
a tangent path that leads to the worship of very "strange gods" indeed.
Pagan religions of the past, largely assumed that God became "very wroth" when people
did not obey Him and that He would mercilessly punish them for their failures. It was also
believed that worshippers could DO something to avoid His destructive punishment, so
frightened worshippers invented cruel traditions and rituals as a means of appeasing their
terrifying deity. Many religions promote similar pagan beliefs today through their
doctrines.
It is a pagan concept that god is pleased if the disobedient suffer pain and death as their
deserved punishment even if the sinners willingly inflict their own punishment to cause
intentional suffering. Jesus certainly never taught His disciples to injure themselves,
although He warned that others would afflict evil on them. So where did this unChrist-like
concept of causing suffering to appease an angry god originate?
The attack on God's character came once again, from Satan. He distorted the truth about
God and His holy character - the True Source of al life.
Sub-Section Pagan Rituals
In the next thirteen sections, rituals and practices which accompany pagan worship
wil be examined. Fol owing each section, examples wil be given of how pagan
practices were practised by pagans, often by the Israelites and some which are stil
practised by modern religions.
145

pain
torture
eating flesh
cannibalism
drinking blood
blood letting
circumcision
animal sacrifice
child sacrifice
human sacrifice
"the life is in the blood"
The Good and Evil God
The Pagan Pyramid of Pain
146

Satan deceived many people into believing that "the life is in the blood" and that by
"the shedding of blood," - shedding an innocent victim's blood - atonement can be
made for sin. This concept is the basis of many Satanic doctrines and practices
that distort the character of the One True God and the truth about the atonement
which Jesus Christ purchased for humanity with His LIFE (His character).
The Life is in the Blood
Leviticus 17:11
"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to
make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the
soul."
Hebrews 9:22
"And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood
is no remission."
It is interesting to note that under Mosiac law, a person's sins could be forgiven and
atonement made WITHOUT the shedding of blood, if a person was too poor to afford
an animal sacrifice.
Leviticus 5:11-13
"But if he be not able to bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned
shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall
put no oil upon it, neither shall he put any frankincense thereon: for it is a sin offering. (12)
Then shal he bring it to the priest, and the priest shal take his handful of it, even a
memorial thereof, and burn it on the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the
LORD: it is a sin offering. (13) And the priest shall make an atonement for him as
touching his sin that he hath sinned in one of these, and it shal be forgiven him: and the
remnant shall be the priest's, as a meat offering." (Meat as used here, means food, not
flesh).
Is the forgiveness of God dependent upon a person's financial status - on whether they
can afford to pay for a religious ceremony eg. an animal sacrifice or perhaps a Catholic
mass?
Surely it is Christ's spotless character (His holy spirt), that redeems humanity - not a
religious ritual!
Where did the confusion arise?
According to The Open Bible (King James Version), "It is Written Heritage Edition," the
Biblical Cyclopedic Index defines blood as "life force" (p 67, 68). The Cycolpedic Index
lists the Biblical usage of the word 'blood' and includes the fol owing references:
·
the individual soul Exekiel 33:8;
·
the essence of life Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:11, 14;
·
the sacredness of life Genesis 9:5,6
It is interesting to note that Genesis 2:7 states that when God breathed into Adam's
nostrils "the breath of life" (lives) that "man became a living soul." When God created
Adam, He gave him the 'essence of life' through His breath. It was through the righteous
spirit/breath (not the blood) that God transferred His life-giving spirit or the essence of
His righteous life to Adam.
In confirmation of this principle, the New Testament gospel assures Christians that their
new life "is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:2, 10) by the renewing of their mind" by the
renewing of their spirit.
147

Romans 8:9
"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."
Romans 12:2
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, wil of God."
The gospel assures Christians that "their life is in Christ." Their life-force is
dependent upon Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:3, 4
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (4) When Christ, who is our life,
shal appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."
Sinners are save by Christ's victorious life His character. Christ lived a pure life until
He took His last breath. There were no "magical powers" in the death of Christ or in His
blood. The power to overcome sin, was in Christ's perfectly loving life.
When Christ became a human being, 'made in the likeness of sinful flesh,' He took
mortality (death) into His own body. Christ conquered sin and death, because He was
faithful unto death. His character was entirely sinless, despite the hindrance of His sinful,
human body.
Romans 8:2-4
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin
and death. (3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God
sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the
flesh: (4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit."
Sin brings death. Christ's life - a demonstration of the Father's character, brings life.
Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord."
Romans 5.18-19
"Therefore as by the offence of one j
udgment c ame upon all men to condemnation;
even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification
of life. (19) For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the
obedience of one shall many be made righteous."
The power over sin was in H
is life the sinless character He developed in
accordance with His Father's law.
Satan wants to claim Christ's death as his own satanic victory, but the victory that
Christ gained was the development of a perfectly loving and obedient character. Christ
continued to live His mortal, human life according to God's loving law, despite Satan's
murderous efforts to prevent it.
Because humanity failed to perceive the true victory Christ gained (or would gain) for
humanity, their deception deepened. It began to be considered that blood was sacred
because of the magical and purifying powers of life which it possessed. As a result
"precious and sacred" blood began to be used as an offering to appease 'wrathful" gods.
148

Blood Letting
Dr Terry Watkins (from Dial-a-Truth Ministries) in his article "Tatoo- the Mark of Blood
demonstrates not only the satanic origin of tatoos, but also of the importance of blood-
letting in pagan religious rituals (http://www.av1611.org/tattoos/blood.html).
Extracts from Dr Watkins' article appear below:
TATTOO: THE BLOODY TRUTH
"One of the oldest and most common satanic practices is cutting of the
flesh or blood-letting. The term "blood-letting" originates from the word
"let" "to allow to pass, go or come"; hence "blood-letting" literally
means to allow the blood to come, or pass.
Throughout history the cutting of the flesh and blood-letting are rituals performed
to unleash demonic and supernatural powers. Because the "life of the flesh is in
the blood" [Leviticus 17:11], the blood is highly valued in the occult as the "power
source". And by releasing or letting the blood or the "power source" supernatural
power is unleashed.
The Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and the Occult, writes of the power of the
blood and it's connection to Satanism and the occult."
"BLOOD (occult; Satanism). The vitalizing or life-giving agent used in the
sacrament of the BLACK MASS. Blood is believed to provide power and life
and therefore plays a central part in ritualistic sacrifices."
(George A. Mather and Larry A. Nichols, Dictionary of Cults, Sects, Religions and
the Occult, p.40)
The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, says of the blood-letting ritual, "Blood that is
let is believed to unleash power". By the way, some modern tattoo artists perform rituals
during their tattoo procedure in order to unleash supernatural power. Some even lick the
flowing blood bubbling from the tattoo.
"blood: Cal ed the "river of life", blood is identified with the soul and is the
vehicle that carries the vital energy of the universe through the body. In magic,
blood is revered and feared for the miraculous power it possesses and confers.
Blood that is let is believed to unleash power." (Guiley, Rosemary Ellen,
The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft, second edition, p. 26)
The Word of God in 1 Kings 18 gives a detailed and perverse example of blood-letting by
Satanists (aka prophets of Baal) attempting to unleash supernatural power and ignite the
fire for the sacrifice.
Dr Watkins continues to examine the Scriptures which link demon-possession with the
"tell-tale" sign of blood-letting. (Matt 5:5; Luke 8:27 )
"Under the definition of "Satanism", the highly-acclaimed, Encyclopedia of
American Religions, lists among the activities performed by Satanists is "blood
letting":
"In this branch of Satanism,. . . one can expect to find those
individuals engaged in grave robbery, sexual assaults and the ritual
blood letting." (Melton, Gordon, Encyclopedia of American
Religions, 3rd Edition, Gale Research Ltd., 1989, p. 145)
149

In article in The Independent newspaper, acknowledges the pathway from blood-
letting to satanism found on web sites aimed toward children.
"The Association of Teachers and Lecturers said the popularity of
children's programmes and books featuring witchcraft could
encourage children to search for sinister material on the internet.
Researchers for the union found websites promoting satanism, blood-
letting and wicca (witch). . . One website found by the union
describes in detail how to carry out blood-letting and blood
drinking. (Buffy 'prompting pupils to access the occult", Ben Russel ,
Education Correspondent, The Independent, April 22, 2000,
www.cesnur.org/testi/buffy_001.htm )
Dr Watkins quotes from Dr WD Hambly to reveal the true origins of blood-letting rites.
By far, the most extensive work ever published on tattoos was Dr. W.D.
Hambly's, The History of Tattooing And It's Significance. Author Steve Gilbert, in
his popular Tattoo History: A Source Book, writes, "Hambly concluded that
historical y tattooing had originated in connection with ancient rites of
scarification and bloodletting. . ."
"Hambly concluded that historically tattooing had originated in connection
with ancient rites of scarification and bloodletting which were associated
with religious practices intended to put the human soul in harmony with
supernatural forces and ensure continuity between this life and the next."
(Gilbert, Steve, Tattoo History: A Source Book, p. 158)
Sacred Texts, CD ROM chapter 3, Rival Pantheons and Representative Deities
"Inspiration was derived by drinking blood as well as by drinking
intoxicating liquors--the mead of the gods. Indian magicians who
drink the blood of the goat sacrificed to the goddess Kali, are
believed to be temporarily possessed by her spirit, and thus enabled
to prophesy. Malayan exorcists still expel demons while they suck
the blood from a decapitated fowl. Similar customs were prevalent in
Ancient Greece. A woman who drank the blood of a sacrificed lamb
or bull uttered prophetic sayings."
B.A. Robinson, in Parallels between Christianity and Ancient Pagan Religions writes:
"In Attis, a bull was slaughtered while on a perforated platform. The animal's
blood flowed down over an initiate who stood in a pit under the platform.
The believer was then considered to have been 'born again.' Poor people
could only afford a sheep, and so were literally washed in the blood of the
lamb. This practice was interpreted symbolically by Christians."
Scottish classicist and anthropologist, Sir James George Frazer (18541941), in The
Golden Bough (1922), records how pagans performed ritualistic 'blood baptism.'
"In the baptism the devotee, crowned with gold and wreathed with fillets,
descended into a pit, the mouth of which was covered with a wooden
grating. A bul , adorned with garlands of flowers, its forehead glittering with
gold leaf, was then driven on to the grating and there stabbed to death with
a consecrated spear. Its hot reeking blood poured in torrents through the
apertures, and was received with devout eagerness by the worshipper on
every part of his person and garments, till he emerged from the pit,
drenched, dripping, and scarlet from head to foot, to receive the homage,
nay the adoration, of his fellows as one who had been born again to eternal
life and had washed away his sins in the blood of the bull. For some time
afterwards the fiction of a new birth was kept up by dieting him on milk like
a new-born babe. The regeneration of the worshipper took place at the
same time as the regeneration of his god, namely at the vernal equinox."
150

Sir Frazer reveals that the shedding of blood, for the purpose of the forgiveness of
sins, also took place at Rome, on Vatican Hill.
"At Rome the new birth and the remission of sins by the shedding of bul 's
blood appear to have been carried out above all at the sanctuary of the
Phrygian goddess on the Vatican Hil , at or near the spot where the great
basilica of St. Peter's now stands; for many inscriptions relating to the rites
were found when the church was being enlarged in 1608 or 1609. From the
Vatican as a centre this barbarous system of superstition seems to
have spread to other parts of the Roman empire. Inscriptions found in Gaul
and Germany prove that provincial sanctuaries model ed their ritual on that
of the Vatican. From the same source we learn that the testicles as wel as
the blood of the bul played an important part in the ceremonies. Probably
they were regarded as a powerful charm to promote fertility and hasten the
new birth." http://www.bartleby.com/196/81.html
During the fertility celebrations which took place on the Day of Blood, Sir Frazer writes
that the priests used swords to slash their bodies and to cause blood to flow. He says:
"Wrought up to the highest pitch of religious excitement they dashed the
severed portions of themselves against the image of the cruel goddess.
These broken instruments of fertility were afterwards reverently wrapt up
and buried in the earth or in subterranean chambers sacred to Cybele,
where, like the offering of blood, they may have been deemed instrumental
in recal ing Attis to life and hastening the general resurrection of nature,
which was then bursting into leaf and blossom in the vernal sunshine."
Sir Frazer gives a staggering revelation that, prior to their 'baptism' in the blood of the
Attis bull, devotees would perform a violent act to honour their god. Candidates went
beyond the rite of circumcision and would amputate his own testicles. Frazer writes:
"For man after man, his veins throbbing with the music, his eyes fascinated
by the sight of the streaming blood, flung his garments from him, leaped
forth with a shout, and seizing one of the swords which stood ready for the
purpose, castrated himself on the spot. Then he ran through the city,
holding the bloody pieces in his hand, till he threw them into one of the
houses which he passed in his mad career. The household thus honoured
had to furnish him with a suit of female attire and female ornaments, which
he wore for the rest of his life. When the tumult of emotion had subsided,
and the man had come to himself again, the irrevocable sacrifice must
often have been fol owed by passionate sorrow and lifelong regret."
Does Christ condone such blood-letting worship ceremonies to a pagan god? The
majority of Christians would consider that to be preposterous suggestion. Then why do
Christians consider that Christ would be honoured by blood-letting ceremonies as
persented in the Bible?
Would it make a difference if the same violent sacrifices which were used to honour
pagan fertility gods, were instead made to honour the Father?

The author of this book does not consider that God is honoured by any blood-letting
rituals. The One True God is honoured by the fruits of the spirit in the life and character
of the believer. God sees Christ 'in' His people and their service to Him and to others is
motivated by love, not from violence.
151

The Israelites and Blood
The Israelites practised blood-letting in periods of their worship of the Canaanite pagan
deities.
1 Kings 18:28 (Priests of Baal on Mt Carmel)
"And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets,
till the blood gushed out upon them."
Demon-possessed Israelites "cut themselves" drawing blood, even in the New Testament.
Mark 5:6
"And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and
cutting himself with stones."
How did pagan concepts become entrenched in Israelite worship?
Jewish philosopher Abarbanel offers his opinion, which appears on Jewish Veg website .
He (Abarbanel) cited a Midrash that indicated that the Jews had become
accustomed to sacrifices in Egypt. To wean them from these idolatrous
practices, God tolerated the sacrifices but commanded that they be
offered in one central sanctuary: Thereupon the Holy One, blessed be
He, said "Let them at all times offer their sacrifices before Me in the
Tabernacle, and they will be weaned from idolatry, and thus be saved."
(Rabbi J. H. Hertz, The Pentateuch and Haftorahs, p. 562) Rabbi J. H.
Hertz, the late chief rabbi of England, stated that if Moses had not
instituted sacrifices, which were admitted by all to have been the universal
expression of religious homage, his mission would have failed and
Judaism would have disappeared. With the destruction of the Temple, the
rabbis state that prayer and good deeds took the place of sacrifice"
http://www.jewishveg.com/faq03.html
Whether Abarbanel's opinion is correct or incorrect, it is revealed in the Bible that Moses
and Paul both placed considerable emphasis on the value of "the blood."
Leviticus 17:11
"For the life (#5315) of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to
make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the
soul (#5315)."
Strong's Hebrew Concordance (#5315)
5315 nephesh neh'-fesh from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of
(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily
or mental):--any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire, X (dis-)
contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy),
lust, man, me, mind, mortal y, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-)self,
them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they, thing, (X she) wil , X would have it. see
HEBREW for 05314
American Standard Version
11For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the
(1)
altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh
atonement by reason of the life.

(1)
(1) Heb soul
152

The Emphasised Bible by JB Rotherham
11For as for the life of the flesh, in the blood, it is, therefore have, I, given it
unto you upon the altar, to put a propitiatory-covering over your lives,--for
the blood, it is, which, by virtue of the life, maketh propitiation.
The life of Adam was breathed into him by the Son of God. The Son of God did not pour
blood into Adam's nostrils, but breath.
Genesis 2:7
"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life; and man became a living soul."
If God breathed the breath of life (a righteous spirit) into humanity, why did blood
become so important to the Israelites - seen as the symbol of life instead of the symbol
being the breath/spirit?
Quite possibly it appears that the Israelites also believed "the blood" contained the life
principle also referred to as "the soul" - as the surrounding pagan nations also believed.
The Hebrew word "nephesh" (#5315) which is translated "life" but it also means soul,
mind, self, character, breath, living being, desire, passion etc. ...
Darby Translation Notes
Leviticus 17:11:
soul (e-3) Or 'life;' 'life' and 'soul' are the same word everywhere here. for (f-24) Lit. 'in
souls.' see Note, ch. 6.30. soul. (g-37) Or 'that maketh atonement by the soul (or life).'
If the Hebrew word nephesh (#5315 Strong's Hebrew Concordance) were translated
consistently where it applies in the sentence above, it might be paraphrased as:
"I wil set my face against that life that eateth blood; for the LIFE ( nephesh) of the flesh is
in the BLOOD, and I have given it to you upon the altar, to make an atonement for your
LIVES (naphshotheychem) for it is the blood (because it is the LIFE, (nephesh) that
maketh an atonement for the life (bannephesh, for the life).
Moses' statement appears to have implied that the blood contains the life principle or the
very soul that makes a being alive as opposed to dead.
Pagan theology is compatible with the Mosaic concept just reviewed (Dr Terry Watkins,
Dial-aTruth

Ministries,
Tatoos

the

Bloody

Truth
http://www.av1611.org/tattoos/blood.html).
Paul also appears to note the value of sacrificial blood.
Hebrew 9:22
"And almost al things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is
no remission."
Why does Paul state that blood has to be shed for the remission of sin (in almost all
cases?)
Because death is the consequence for sin. God orginates life, but sin (separation from
God) brings death.
Romans 6:23
"The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord."
153

EJ Waggoner (commenting on) Romans, p 99, 100
"Romans 8:6. 'The sting of death is sin.' 1Cor. 15:56. There could be no
death if there were no sin. Sin carries death in its bosom. So it was not an
arbitrary act on the part of God that death came upon men because of
sin. It could not possibly be otherwise. Note the justice here. Death passed
upon all men, 'for that al have sinned.' 'The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The
son shal not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the
iniquity of the son;' (Ezekiel 18:20). And this is also a necessary
consequence of the fact that sin contains death in it, and that death can not
come in any way than by sin. (100) Everything that came through Adam's fall
is undone in Christ; or, better stil , all that was lost in Adam is restored in
Christ."
154

Roman Catholic Doctrine on the Blood
It appears that the Israelites might have reasoned that if the blood contains the vital
principle of life, then death is the state of being devoid of blood - the principle of life.
Similarly, Catholic/Christian religions teach the "precious blood of Jesus" saves humanity.
Catholic Encyclopedia on CD-ROM
"Precious Blood: The blood of our Divine Saviour. Jesus, at the Last
Supper, ascribes to it the same life-giving power that belongs to His flesh
(see EUCHARIST). The Apostles, St. Peter (1 Peter 1:2, 19), St. John (1
John 1:7; Apocalypse 1:5 etc.), and above all St. Paul (Romans 3:25;
Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:10) regard it as synonymous with Jesus's (sic)
Passion and Death, the source of redemption. The Precious Blood is
therefore a part of the Sacred Humanity and hypostatically united to
the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity.... The blood shed during
the triduum of the Passion therefore reunited to the body of Christ at the
Resurrection, with the possible exception of a few particles which
instantly lost their union to the Word and became holy relics to be
venerated but not adored....Viewed as a part of the Sacred Humanity
hypostatically united to the Word, the Precious Blood deserves
latreutical worship or adoration. It may also like the Heart or the
Wounds from which it flowed, be singled out for special honour, in a way
that special honour was rendered it from the beginning by St. Paul and
the Fathers who so eloquently praised its redeeming virtue and rested on
it the Christian spirit of self-sacrifice."
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12372c.htm
The Blood and Death Verses
1 Peter 1:19
"But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"
Revelation 1:5
"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and
the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins
in his own blood..."
Isaiah 53:10, 11
"Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul
(#5315 nephesh) an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shal prolong His days...
(11) He shall see the travail of His soul [nephesh], and shall be satisfied: by his
knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. "
Romans 5:8
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died
for us."
1 Corinthians 15:3
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our
sins according to the scriptures;"
Matthew 20:28
"Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his
life a ransom for many."
John 10:17
"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
(18) No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself."
155

What Saved Humanity the Death or the Life of Christ?
Jesus "shed His blood." "Shed His blood" means that He died. Many people have "shed
their blood" also and died, some in heroic circumstances, but their deaths did not effect
the rest of humanity to any great degree, but Christ's death spanned the chasm that sin
had caused between God and the human race. How did this occur?
Sin Caused a Spiritual Separation
Isaiah 59:2
"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his
face from you, that he wil not hear."
In the Garden of Gethsemane and again at His death, Christ endured this separation.
Ellen White terms it "His Father's frown."
Signs of the Times, 14 August, 1879 p 3
"Could mortals view the amazement and sorrow of the angels as they watched in silent
grief the Father separating His beams of light, love and glory, from his Son, they
would better understand how offensive is sin in His sight. As the Son of God in the
Garden of Gethsemane bowed in the attitude of prayer, the agony of his spirit forced
from His pores sweat like great drops of blood. It was here that the horror of great
darkness surrounded Him. The sins of the world were upon Him. He was suffering
in man's stead, as a transgressor of His Father's law. Here was the scene of
temptation. The divine light of God was receding from His vision, and He was
passing into the hands of the powers of darkness. In the agony of His soul He lay
prostrate on the cold earth. He was realizing His Father's frown. The cup of suffering
Christ had taken from the lips of guilty man, and proposed to drink it Himself, and, in its
place, give to man the cup of blessing. The wrath that would have fallen upon man,
was now falling upon Christ....204 The sins of a lost world were upon Him and
overwhelming Him. It was a sense of His Father's frown, in consequence of sin,
which rent His heart with such piercing agony and forced from His brow great drops of
blood, which, rolling down His pale cheeks, fell to the ground, moistening the earth."
Ellen White demonstrated the Father's wrath or His frown, was the act of turning away.
Why did the Father turn away from His sinless Son? Because the Father had pledged to
accept Christ as the representative of the human race - the representative of all the vile
and unrepentant human sinners that ever existed.
When the Father "turned His face away" from His Son, divine protection was removed
from Christ, leaving Him exposed and vulnerable to the attacks of Satan and his agents.
While Satan's abuse was forseen, such violent treatment was not designed as part of the
plan of salvation.
Both Father and Son agreed that Christ would to die to redeem (justify) the human race
and this would require a spiritual separation, but the torture that Satan originated was not
an extra requirement of the plan of salvation.
Desire of Ages, p 753
"The withdrawal of the divine countenance from the Saviour in this hour of supreme
anguish pierced His heart with a sorrow that can never be fully understood by man. So
great was this agony that His physical pain was hardly felt."
156

2 Testimonies for the Church, p .206, 207
"The sword of justice was now to awake against His (the Father's) dear Son. He was
betrayed by a kiss into the hands of His enemies, and hurried to the judgment hall of an
earthly court, there to be derided and condemned to death by sinful mortals. There the
glorious Son of God was "wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities." He bore insult, mockery, and shameful abuse, until "His visage was so marred
more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men." (207) Who can
comprehend the love here displayed! The angelic host beheld with wonder and with grief
Him who had been the Majesty of heaven, and who had worn the crown of glory, now
wearing the crown of thorns, a bleeding victim to the rage of an infuriated mob, fired to
insane madness by the wrath of Satan. Behold the patient Sufferer! Upon His head is the
thorny crown. His lifeblood flows from every lacerated vein. All this in consequence of sin!"
Notice that Ellen White qualifies "the sword of justice" as the suffering inflicted on Christ
by Satan and the demon-possessed mob. God was not directing Satan to attack His
Son. From her description, it is abundantly obvious that torturous 'justice' does not
proceed from the Father. The prophet's account also accurately depicts justice as the
consequences of sin, which inevitably occur in the absence of divine protection.
Why is this suffering called justice? It is justice because the wicked have freely chosen to
give their allegiance to Satan, and it is justice that they must thereafter serve their chosen
god and endure his satanic wrath unprotected and without hope of deliverance.
In this sense, Christ suffered the justice of God. God permitted His Son to be treated as
sinners deserve, in order that we might be treated as His Son deserved.
Review and Herald 21 March, 1893 p 6
"The world's Redeemer was treated as we deserve to be treated, in order that we might
be treated as he deserved to be treated. He came to our world and took our sins upon his
own divine soul, that we might receive his imputed righteousness. He was condemned for
our sins, in which he had no share, that we might be justified by his righteousness, in
which we had no share. The world's Redeemer gave himself for us. Who was he?--The
Majesty of heaven, pouring out his blood upon the altar of justice for the sins of
guilty man."
Ellen White stated in Desire of Ages, p 693, that when the Father's "turned away" from His
Son in the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ began to die. Blood began to ooze from His
skin because of His spiritual despair.
When the wicked bear the consequences of their own sins in the judgment, they will suffer
similar physical and spiritual atrocities also inflicted by demon-possessed mobs but not
to the extent to which Christ suffered for the wicked wil be suffering the consequences of
their own sins, while Christ suffered for all humanity.
When Jesus "shed His blood" (died) "for the remission of our sins," He gave humanity the
benefit of His pure, holy Life His unselfish character. Christ represented the human
race in both His life and His death.
Without the perfect, sinless LIFE (character) of Christ, humanity could not be sanctified.
Without His DEATH, humanity could not have been justified. The manner of Christ's
death as a human sacrifice/ritualistic murder did not achieve salvation, but it did signal
the end of the test - "it is finished" (John 19:30).
Christ was faithful to His Father's loving law unto death. The "redeemed" will also pass
through the same test and will prove "faithful unto death" (James 1:12; Rev 2:10).
157

Christ's Blood Shed for the Remission of Sins
If there is really no remission of sins without the ritualistic shedding of blood (Leviticus
17:11; Hebrews 9:22), why did Jesus state something similar?
Matthew 26:28
"For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of
sins."
In making this statement, Jesus made a covenant of agreement. Christ employed the
language and culture familiar to the Hebrews and to the Gentiles/pagans also.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 26:28
"It answers to the Hebrew berith, which often signifies, not only the
covenant or agreement, but also the sacrifice which was slain on the
occasion, by the blood of which the covenant was ratified; and the
contracting parties professed to subject themselves to such a death as
that of the victim, in case of violating their engagements. An oath of this
kind, on slaying the covenant sacrifice, was usual in ancient times:
so in Homer, when a covenant was made between the Greeks and
the Trojans, and the throats of lambs were cut, and their blood
poured out, the following form of adjuration was used by the
contracting parties."
Barnes' New Testament Notes
"Anciently, covenants or contracts were ratified by slaying an animal; by
the shedding of its blood; imprecating similar vengeance if either party
failed in the compact. So Jesus says the covenant which God is about to
form with men, the new covenant, or the gospel economy, is sealed or
ratified with his blood."
Christ announced His will and testament. He made a promise that He would indeed be
the human race's Saviour. Christ demonstrated that the grape juice (wine) symbolised
His blood - the value of His entire human existence His life/ character, not just the
moment of His death.
In making the new covenant/testament, Christ gave His word that He would continue to
remain true to His Father's commandments, so that when His life ended, the merits of His
life - His perfect character - would redeem the human race. Christ guarranteed that He
would indeed remain the New Representative of the sinful race regardless of the cost to
Himself. This was His testament. He would not break His covenant even in the face of
torture and a slow agonising death. He would lay down His life as the Representative of
the human race before He would consent to sin. He would refuse to sin, even in the face
of torture and death, just as He admonishes His followers to do also.
Revelation 2:10
... "be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
Christ would not have achieved salvation for sinners, if He sinned prior to His death. It
was the character of Jesus His faithfulness unto death - that purchased our salvation.
158

Questions
·
IF Christ was only required to be an appeasing blood-letting sacrifice, why did He
come to earth and live as a human baby? Surely, He could have appeased His
Father's wrath in heaven.
·
Why didn't Christ organise a plan that permitted Him to be "born of a woman"
(incarnated), then return to heaven, away from temptation and then at the
prescribed time, return to earth as a human sacrifice?
·
Why did Christ have to live His life as a human being and develop a righteous
character on earth, if His death was the sole event which brought salvation?
Consider a Scenario
If a bleeding victim was required to appease a murderous, wrathful god, then Christ
could have simply laid down on the altar and directed the temple priests to slaughter Him
in the most blood-letting method possible. Perhaps He could recommend they scourge
Him twice because scourging causes voluminous blood loss. Perhaps He could
recommend a crown of thorns be pounded onto His head - that would certainly ensure
that blood poured down His face. Perhaps nails driven through His hands and feet and a
sword in His side al these wounds would surely supply enough blood to satiate the
blood-lust of any PAGAN god!
But was the Father's character identical with that of a pagan god Satan?
Did the Father require appeasing? Did the Father delight in the murder, torture and
blood-letting of His own Son?
Hardly! The plan of salvation was designed in the "counsel of peace" not the counsel of
torture! (Zechariah 6:13)
Jesus said His Father did not require sacrifices, but that He, Christ came to do His
Father's wil .
Hebrews 10:5
"Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest
not, but a body hast thou prepared me: (6) In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou
hast had no pleasure. (7) Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is
written of me), to do thy will, O God."
The Father's will did not include a desire to see His Son to be massacred by demon-
possessed men and satanic agents. His wil was for His Son to live a holy life to
develop a pure righteous character. The Father realised however, that since Christ
became the representative of the sinful human race, He took upon Himself its mortality.
Bible Echo, 15 September, 1892 p 6
"As a member or the human family, He was mortal; but as God, He was the fountain of life
to the world. He could, in his divine person, ever have withstood the advances of death..."
Sin causes separation from God and complete separation from God causes death
(mortality). This is the death that Christ chose to experience so that humanity might live
eternal y.
As Paul stated, a human body was prepared for Christ so that He could die for the
justification of the sinful race as its representative. Spiritual separation from His Father
caused Christ's life to finally expire, but in the closing minutes of His mortal life, it was His
faith in His Father's character which enabled Christ to accept for humanity, the ultimate
consequence of sin and separation - death; and even perhaps His own eternal death.
159

Christ suffered. He was tortured and murdered in a typically pagan, sacrificial ritual.
Sacrificial deaths required the shedding of copious amounts of blood. Christ's blood
flowed from His veins as Satan poured temptations upon Him to defend Himself and
"come down from the cross." Despite al the Victim's intense agonies, suffering, blood-
loss and death, - all these agonies did not could not - redeem humanity or supply
humanity with eternal life.
The Father never required His Son to be tortured to appease His "wrath" toward sin, but
by becoming a mortal human being, Christ accepted a death sentence. He laid down His
life and voluntarily come under the power of death as the result of becoming human. The
human race all inherited a death sentence from Adam and were made sinners.
Romans 5:19
"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one
shal many be made righteous."
All Adam's off-spring were born "under the law" and so was Christ (Gal 4:4). In this way,
Christ was made to be "sin" for us (2 Cor 5:21). Christ took on Himself, the fatal
consequences of being part of a sinful race. He set aside His divinity and became mortal.
He became the second Adam, representing the human race. In this way, it was possible
for Christ to pay the "penalty of sin," when He risked His eternal life to save humanity.
Christ's death was valuable sacrifice not because His blood flowed out of His veins as a
pagan sacrifice, but because as the representative of the sinful, human race, He accepted
the consequences of separation from His Father on our behalf..
What paid for the salvation of the entire human race?
Christ's entire existence paid the price. It was the faithful, obedient life of Christ His
obedience to the law of unselfish love, in the face of death. It was the persistent Love
which was revealed stronger than death that declared, "greater love hath no man than
this, that a Man lay down His life for His friends (John 15:13) and His enemies (Matt 5:44).
As with all holy and perfect truth, Satan has revealed his true murderous character. The
doctrine that required an angry god to be appeased by seeing suffering, agony, torture
and death against an innocent victim is demonic. Such a heinous doctrine has its origin in
the counsels of darkness and it has assassinated the characters of both Father and Son
for thousands of years.
Summary
Two basic facts are relevant when investigating this subject:
·
Sin caused a spiritual separation from God; and
·
Christ's life and death caused a reunion between God and humanity.
Christ's victory for the human race was won by His refusal to behave selfishly (i.e. break
His Father's law) under ANY circumstances. Satan made the circumstances of Christ's
experiences extremely difficult. Satan arranged that the Son of God was faced with the
situation that to obey His Father's law would mean He would have to lay down His mortal
life before the normal mortal life span demanded it of Him and in torturous conditions.
Satan's persecution hastened the time when the Son was to lay down His life. It was
prophesied that Satan would do this, but if Satan hadn't done this, Christ would have been
able to live His perfect life as a human being and then at the end of His mortal life, He
would have died as a mortal human being of old age. Christ would still have endured the
separation from His Father and suffered that agony, but torture from demonic agencies
was not build into the holy plan of salvation.
160

Christ's life qualified Him to sanctify humanity. His death justified humanity. Both
Christ's life and death which are aspects of sinful humanity - were necessary to deliver a
sinful race from the penalty and power of sin. When Christ took on the responsibilty of
representing the sinful human race, He took upon Himself mortality - human life and
death.
Satan claimed Christ's premature death as his greatest victory, but of course it was his
own death sentence. Good triumphed over evil - Christ over Satan.
Psalm 80:3 "Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved."
Questions
Is it possible that Satan has deceived the entire world into believing that God required
blood-letting, torturous, agonising sacrifices to save humanity? Do God's professed
followers and supporters consider that God's character is on the same level as Satan's?
May God speedily help His poor people to cast off the "traditions of men" and to look to
Jesus to see the Father's character as it really is.
Isaiah 5:20
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for
light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for
bitter!"
Because some believe that "the life is in the blood," they accepted therefore
that blood possesses some "magical" powers the powers of life. It is
reasoned that the power of life that resides in blood, wil infuse life and
strength into a person who drinks it or wears it. The gift of life (by shedding
a victim's blood) is so precious and valuable that, when given as a sacrificial
offering, it is a capable of appeasing angry gods.
By seeking to acquire the "magical powers" in blood, in order to appease the
wrathful gods, humanity has committed hideous crimes against their fel ow
human beings - including the ultimate crime of murder, in order to secure
human sacrifices.
161

Human Sacrifice
Child Sacrifice an Ancient and Extensive Ritual
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_sacrifice
References to child sacrifices have been found since the beginning of human history in
many cultures. (quoting from Wikipedia Encyclopedia)
·
In Greek mythology, King Agamemnon sacrifices his daughter Iphigeneia
in order to gain favorable weather for an invasion.
·
In the Bible, Abraham is told to sacrifice his son Isaac for the glory of God,
though angelic intervention prevents it; the binding of Isaac is one of the
most challenging, and perhaps ethical y troublesome, parts of the Bible,
and has its own entry.
·
The Bible implies that the Ammonites offered child sacrifices to Moloch.
·
Yoruba myths refer to "twin infanticide" as an ancient practice stopped by
divine intervention of Shango.
Archaeology has uncovered physical evidence of child sacrifice at several locations.
Some examples include:
·
A young child was buried with its skul split by a weapon at Woodhenge. This
was interpreted by the excavators as a child sacrifice.
·
Sites within Carthage and other Phoenician centers revealed the remains of
infants and children in large numbers; initially this was interpreted as evidence
for frequent and prominent child sacrifice to the god Ba'al Hammon. However,
many historians have disputed this interpretation, suggesting instead that
these were resting places for children miscarried or who died in infancy.
·
The Incan culture sacrificed children,an excellent pretext for the Spanish to
annihilate their culture. The frozen corpses are stil being discovered in the
South American mountains. The first of these corpses, a female child who had
died from a blow to the skul , was discovered in 1995 by Johan Reinhard.
·
Other methods of sacrifice included wrapping living children in their burial
clothes tightly enough to cause asphyxiation. These findings corroborated the
documented stories by Spanish colonizers in the 16th century. The practice
itself was called capacocha by the Incans. One theory of why the Incans
sacrificed children was that the children were to be emissaries to their deities.
Archaeologists corroborated this theory with their own, that the child to be
sacrificed met the Emperor and was the guest of honor at a feast before being
sacrificed;
·
The Moche of northern Peru practiced mass sacrifices of men and boys.
·
In Knossos and dating to Minoan Crete, the bones of at least four children
(who had been in good health) were found which bore signs that they were
butchered in the same way the Minoans slaughtered their sheep and goats,
suggesting that they had been sacrificed and eaten.
·
There is some evidence that such practices extend even to modern times.
·
The bodies of some young children discovered in remote regions of South
America, are al eged to have been killed by drug dealers in rituals intended to
ward off revenge for their successful cocaine runs.
·
In Africa there have been several al egations of children sacrificed in muti
rituals:- attempts at witchcraft intended to bring prosperity to those performing
the sacrifice. In modern times, child sacrifice is a term that has also been
applied to the military use of children (end Wikipedia Encyclopedia entry).
162

Many pagan religions consecrated (purified) their children -by passing them "through the
fire." Children were not considered to be completely purified unless they were completely
burned to death.
According to Alexander Hyslop, the Two Babylons ch 7 sec 1, burning a person with fire
for purification purposes is directly linked with the fire-serpent religion practised in Egypt.15
It was thought that the ritual of burning, purified the soul.16 The Roman Catholic religion
also teaches that burning a heretic might save his/her soul. The religion advocates that to
"destroy the body, might save the soul."17 The Indian custom of a widow burning on her
husband's funeral pyre stems from this false and cruel doctrine also.18
(Egyptian Mythology (Hamlyn:1965:58).
·
"There (in Phoenicia), the queen Astarte, entrusted to her (the goddess
Isis) the care of her newly born son. Isis adopted the baby and would
have conferred immortality upon it had its mother not broken the
charm by her cries of terror upon seeing the goddess bathe the baby
in purificatory (purifying) flames."
15And this also, no doubt, reconciled the parents who actually sacrificed their children to Moloch,
to the cruel sacrifice, the belief being cherished that the fire that consumed them also "perfected"
them, and made them meet for eternal happiness. As both the passing through the fire, and the
burning in the fire, were essential rites in the worship of Moloch or Nimrod, this is an argument
that Nimrod was Tammuz. As the priest and representative of the perfecting or purifying fire, it
was he that carried on the work of perfecting or purifying by fire, and so he was called by its name.
16 It is evident, however, from the Zoroastrian verse, elsewhere quoted, that fire itself was
worshipped as Tammuz, for it is called the "Father that perfected all things." In one respect this
represented fire as the Creative god; but in another, there can be no doubt that it had reference to
the "perfecting" of men by 'purifying' them. And especially it perfected those whom it consumed.
17(Alberto Rivera, ex-Jesuit priest, in The Four Horsemen p 4; 5; published by Chick Publications
Inc; Ontario: 1985). Vatican 2 council "Pedro Arrupe, the Superior General of the Society of
Jesus stated, "It is time for the new and final purification of the Church in preparation for the New
Age kingdom." Rivera notes that Arrupe used 'purification' as a key word to describe purging (or
extermination) of all those who are unfaithful to the pope.
18 Many widows in India to immolate themselves on the funeral piles of their husbands, the woman
who thus burned herself being counted blessed, because she became Suttee *--i.e., "Pure by fire."
burning."
163

Child Sacrifices in the Israelite Religion
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
2 Kings 21:6:
"Made his son pass through the fire - Consecrated him to Moloch."
Who commanded and delighted in receiving blood sacrifices?
Answer:
·
(God - Exo 5:3; Exo 20:24; Deut 15:15);
·
(Not God - Jer 7:21-23);
·
(Molech, Chemosh 1 Kings 11:6-8)
In Exodus 34:10 16, Moses relates God's instructions to the Israelites just prior to their
entrance into the Promised Land.
God states that He wil "drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the
Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite." Then He instructs the Israelites
to "destroy their altars, break their images and cut down their groves." so that the
Israelites would not "go a whoring after their gods."
However, the Israelites were already highly educated in the practice of human sacrifice
and in pagan worship rituals. They had already "gone a whoring" by "offering their
sacrifices unto devils" and sadly, they continued their pagan practice of child sacrifice
through the centuries.
Exodus 22:29
"Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of
thy sons shalt thou give unto me."
The firstborn Israelite sons were to be dedicated to God, not sacrificed to Him, but the
firstborn Egyptians were apparently sacrificed to God.
Exodus 13:15 (Moses said)
"And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the
firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast:
therefore I (Moses) sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males;
but all the firstborn of my children I redeem."
Leviticus 17:7,
"And they shal no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a
whoring."
2 Kings 16:3:
Ahaz, king of Judah, murdered his son as a human sacrifice.
2 Kings 17:17:
"And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used
divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to
provoke him to anger." The tribe of Judah abandoned worship of Yahweh at the temple in
Jerusalem, and burned their children as human sacrifices to Baal.
2 Kings 21:6:
"And he (Manasseh) made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and
used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much
wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."(Manasseh burned his son
as a human sacrifice to Baal).
164

Isaiah 57:5:
"Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the
valleys under the clifts of the rocks?"
Isaiah was given a message of divine rebuke to the Israelites for sacrificing their children.
Ezekiel 20:31
"For when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, ye
pol ute yourselves with all your idols, even unto this day: and shall I be inquired of by you,
O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I wil not be inquired of by you."
Where did the Israelites original y learn these demonic practices? From whom did they
learn how to pacify wrathful, angry gods with human sacrifice?
In Egypt. (Lev 18:2) The Hebrews were exposed to demonic pagan rituals from their
close contact with the Egyptians over the 270 year period of their enslavement.
Not long after God spoke the 10 commandments from Mt Sinai, the Israelites "danced
naked" (i.e. performed sexual rituals) around a golden calf. They had reverted to the
familiar pagan fertility rituals which they had learned in Egypt where Bol-Kahn, the fire-
serpent god was worshipped in various forms. 1 Kings 11:33
"Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the
Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom (Moloch) the god of the
children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine
eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father."
The trinity of gods mentioned in 1 Kings 11:33 are al the same "deity." The god whom
the Moabites cal ed Chemosh, was also worshipped as Baal by the Zidonians and as
Moloch/Milcom by the Ammonites. This religion required human and child sacrifices and
was practised in Egypt as the fire-serpent religion (Hyslop, the Two Babylons, ch 7 sec 1).
When considering the Israelites' history as given in the Bible, it is difficult not to
see similarities and make comparisons with the history of the Moabites as recorded
on the Mesha Stele the Moabite Stone.19
19 D
ESCRIPTION of the MESHA STELE (the Moabite Stone)
Language:
Moabite (a West Semitic Language)
Medium:
basalt stone stele
Size:
1.15 meters high, Width: 60-68 centimeters, Length: 35
lines of writing
Honoree:

Mesha, king of Moab (late 9th century BC)
Date:
830 BC (approx)
Place of Discovery:
Dhiban [in modern Jordan]
Date of Discovery:
1868
Current Location:
Louvre Museum, (Paris, France)
Inventory number:
AO 5066
http://www.kchanson.com/ANCDOCS/westsem/mesha.html
165

Commentary on the Mesha Stele is made in The Bible in History How Writers
Create a Past by Thomas L Thompson (Johnathon Cape, Random House, London
1999:12)
"In a description of a battle against Israel for the town of Nebo, the
Mesha Stele presents the enemy as dedicated to total destruction as
a sacred offering to the god Chemosh in a manner that is very
familiar to us from the books of Joshua" (10, 11) "and 1 Samuel" (15).
A extract from the Mesha Stele (translation by K. C. Hanson, adapted from Albright
1969:320-21) reveals a similar "divine" battle plan was given to the pagan king by
the god of the Moabites named Kemosh (or Chemosh same worship as Molech
or Baal), as was supposedly given to Joshua and Samuel by the One True God -
Yahweh.
The translation reads:
"I am Mesha, son of Kemosh[-yatti], the king of Moab, the
Dibonite. My father was king over Moab for thirty years, and I
became king after my father. And I made this high-place for
Kemosh in Qarcho . . . because he has delivered me from all
kings, and because he has made me look down on al my enemies.
Omri was the king of Israel, and he oppressed Moab for many days,
for Kemosh was angry with his land. And his son reigned in his
place; and he also said, "I wil oppress Moab!" In my days he said
so. But I looked down on him and on his house, and Israel has been
defeated; it has been defeated forever! And Omri took possession of
the whole land of Medeba, and he lived there in his days and half
the days of his son: forty years. But Kemosh restored it in my
days. And I built Baal Meon, and I built a water reservoir in it. And I
built Qiryaten. And the men of Gad lived in the land of Atarot from
ancient times; and the king of Israel built Atarot for himself, and I
fought against the city and captured it. And I killed all the people
of the city as a sacrifice for Kemosh and for Moab. And I
brought back the fire-hearth of his uncle from there; and I
brought it before the face of Kemosh in Qerioit, and I made the
men of Sharon live there, as wel as the men of Maharit. And
Kemosh said to me, "Go, take Nebo from Israel." And I went in
the night and fought against it from the daybreak until midday,
and I took it and I killed the whole population: seven thousand
male subjects and aliens, and female subjects, aliens, and
servant girls. For I had put it to the ban for Ashtar Kemosh. And
from there I took the vessels of Yahweh, and I presented them
before the face of Kemosh. And the king of Israel had built Yahaz,
and he stayed there throughout his campaign against me; and
Kemosh drove him away before my face. ....." And I cut the moat
for Qarcho by using Israelite prisoners. ... Kemosh said to me,
"Go down, fight against Hauranen!" I went down . . . and
K
emosh restored it in my days."
.
http://www.kchanson.com/ANCDOCS/westsem/mesha.html
166

The Moabite practices and religious beliefs mirror those recorded in Joshua 10 &
11 or 1 Samuel 15.
The table compares the Israelite and the Mesha Stele Moabite records:
Characteristic
Moabite Mesha Stele
The Hebrew Scriptures (Old
Testament Bible)
God commanded them to
Yes
Yes -
attack certain towns and
Exo 32:37; 1 Sam 15:3
countries
God commanded them to
Yes
Yes
completely destroy al
Joshua 10:8; 1 Sam 15:3
men, women, children
and infants
Human captives were
Yes
Yes
sacrificed to their gods
When describing the
When describing the action
action of "vowing a
of "vowing a sacrifice, the
sacrifice," the Moabites
Israelites used the
used the expression "put it expressions "consecrated
to the ban."
to death" or "devoted to
death"or "vowed to the
Lord" (Lev 27:29 margin;
Judges 11:31);
God is angry and must be
Yes
Yes
appeased
(1 Chronicles 21:12)
God punishes nations by
Yes
Yes
sending enemies to
(Lev 26:37; Jer 19:7)
destroy them
God gives armies power
Yes
Yes
to destroy enemies
(Exo 23:27; Num 14:43 )
God rewards by giving
Yes
Yes
land
(Exodus 3:8)
God punishes nations by
Yes
Yes
taking away land
Jer 20:4)
Made "high places" to
Yes
Yes
worship their gods
(Abraham was instructed
to sacrifice kil his son to
Yahweh on a high place
Gen 22:2)
God was worshipped with
Yes
Yes
special "fire"
(Lev 9:24;10:1)
167

Did the Israelite's God Require Human Sacrifices?
The Biblical evidence appears contradictory.
Leviticus 27:28, 29
"Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he
hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed:
every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD. 29 None devoted (consecrated),
which shall be devoted (consecrated) of men, shall be redeemed; but shall surely
be put to death."
Leviticus 27:28, 29
29None devoted<02764>, which shal be<03808> devoted<02763>(8714) of
men<0120>, shal be redeemed<06299>(8735); but shal surely<04191>(8800) be
put to death<04191>(8714).
Two instances of the word "devoted" are used by the King James Version as a translation
of the Hebrew word charam. It means devoted to death, dedicated to death, or
consecrated to death, but some commentators consider that it refers to a person being
dedicated to the service of God until the person's death. In reading from the Strong's
Hebrew concordance, the Hebrew definition does not tend to support the latter view.
Strong's Hebrew Concordance devoted: # 02763

charam khaw-ram'
"to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction);
physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose:--make accursed, consecrate, (utterly)
destroy, devote, forfeit, have a flat nose, utterly (slay, make away)."
Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew Lexicon
# 02763

charam khaw-ram' a primitive root; ; AV -destroy 34, utterly 10, devote 2,
accursed 1, consecrate 1, forfeited 1, flat nose 1, utterly to make away 1, slay 1; 52.
The Hebrew meaning is:
1) to ban, devote, destroy utterly, completely destroy, dedicate for destruction,
exterminate 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to prohibit (for common use), ban
1a2) to consecrate, devote, dedicate for destruction
1a3) to exterminate, completely destroy
1b) (Hophal)
1b1) to be put under the ban, be devoted to destruction
1b2) to be devoted, be forfeited
1b3) to be completely destroyed
2) to split, slit, mutilate (a part of the body) 2a) (Qal) to mutilate 2b) (Hiphil) to divide
The Moabite expression for "devoted to death" was "to put under the ban." This
expression is used by the King of the Moabites in approx 830 BC and it was
recorded in the Mesha Stele found in 1868 AD. King Mesha put captives "under
the ban" and sacrificed the entire town's inhabitants to his god, Chemosh.
http://www.kchanson.com/ANCDOCS/westsem/mesha.html
168

Didn't "God" ask Abraham to offer up Isaac as a burnt offering on a high place Mt
Moriah? (Genesis 22:2)
· Didn't "God" order the Israelites to murder of thousands and men, women and
children? (Duet 21; Num 31; 1 Sam 15:18; Deut 2:33-35)
· Didn't God consent for Jephthah to offer his daughter up as a burnt offering? If
He hadn't wanted the daughter sacrificed, why would He have actively helped
Jephthah win the battle against the Ammonites?.
Apparently not, because God states twice that asking for a human/child sacrifice is a
thought that never came into His mind.
Jeremiah 7:30, 31 & Jeremiah 32:34, 35
"For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their
abominations in the house which is cal ed by my name, to pollute it. 31 And they have
built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their
sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it
into my heart. chap32/verse 34 But they set their abominations in the house, which is
called by my name, to defile it. 35 And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the
valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through
the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind,
that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin."
But while the thought of asking the Israelites to offer children as burnt offerings never
came into the One True God's mind, it certainly was obvious that many Israelites thought
that God would be pleased with these offerings. This assumption on the part of the
Israelites confirms how deeply pagan worship concepts were implanted into their minds.
Associations with Egyptian worship during their captivity and intermarriage with pagan
nations, led to apostasy and a reversion to the religions of the world the fire-serpent
religion which dominated Egypt and Canaan.
The fol owing columns compare the traits of the Father, Jesus and Satan in regard to the
treatment of children.
T
he Father's c haracter B
lended
C
haracter Satan's character
displayed in Jesus
(g
ood/e vil)
Child sacrifices part of worship
Protects and values children It never came into the ceremonies
Matthew 18:6; 19:14 "But heart of God to ask for Matt.17:15; 2 Chr 33:6;
whoso shall offend one of burnt sacrificing of Eze 16:20, 21
these little ones which children on high places
believe in me, it were better (Jeremiah 7:31: 32:35)
"And he caused his children to
for him that a mil stone were "And he (God) said, Take pass through the fire ... also
hanged about his neck, and now thy son, thine only he observed times, and used
that he were drowned in the son Isaac...and get thee enchantments, and used
depth of the sea.... Suffer into the land of Moriah; witchcraft, and dealt with a
the little children to come and offer him there for a familiar spirit, and with
unto me and forbid them burnt offering upon one of wizards: he wrought much evil
not."
the mountains which I will in the sight of the LORD, to
tell thee of." Genesis 22:2 provoke him to anger."
169

Child Sacrifice in Tribal Cultures
"No Devil Strings" part 5
(as it appears in Temkit for Children by Mary Hunter Moore)
Kata Rangoso once told of habits of his people prior to the coming of
the missionary: "The warriors would assemble; then the message would
come from the spirits through the devil priest, `It is my desire that you go
forth in your canoes to some island where you wil find people living in
their villages. When you find them, take their heads.' "The warriors
would get their spears, their shields, and their large clubs, and away
they would go. They would go with murderous thoughts in their minds.
On arrival at the shore of an island they would wait to be first guided by
the spirits as to which village to attack. "Then the warriors would rush
forward and kil al with whom they came in contact. As soon as they
had slain their victims, they would cut off their heads and rush with them
back to their canoes. Sometimes they would get thirty, forty, fifty-up to
one hundred heads. They would have to wait for the message from their
warrior-priests to know when to stop slaying. "They would find at times
some little children, take them alive in their canoes, and away they
would go. As the headhunting party neared their home vil ages they
would blow a certain sound on the conch shell, and the people would
know they had been victorious." When the vil age people heard the
message of the shell, they would come in thousands to the shore to
welcome the warriors. Then they would pay special homage to the idols
and spirit images which were on the prows of the canoes and which
they believed had given them success. Part of this homage would be to
offer a human sacrifice before the images. Describing this sacrifice,
Rangoso said: "On the day when the warriors would kill these little
captured children, they would put them into their stone ovens and after
cooking divide the bodies among the men."Some of the captured
children would be kept and cared for and offered to the idols later. "The
tribal priest would catch some of the blood, and sprinkle it on the idol
and on the ground in front of it. The body would then be lifted up on a
wooden cross and waved about in front of the idol, accompanied by
weird chanting and incantations. "When this part of the ceremony was
over, the child's body would be wrapped in banana leaves and placed in
the hot-stone oven for several hours. A cannibal feast then followed, the
people taking a small piece of flesh and eating it in the belief that extra
spiritual power would be transferred to them in this way."
170

Consider the Similarities:
Demons ordered the Solomon Islanders to:
·
kil particular tribes as "divinely" directed;
·
kil whole tribes;
·
kidnap children;
·
sacrifice living children to the devil gods;
·
consecrate some children as future sacrifices to the devil gods;
·
perform burnt offerings rituals to the devil gods as thank offerings and
appeasement offerings (also see "No Devil Strings - part 1);
·
sprinkle the sacrificial blood over the sacred objects;
·
eat the sacrificial flesh;
·
believe that extra spiritual power would be transferred to the eater of human
flesh.
The preceding primitive religious practices were ordered by demons., but "God"
was said to have given similar instructions to the Israelites when they entered
Canaan.
"God" ordered the Israelites to:
·
kil particular tribes as "divinely" directed; (Num 31:7; 1 Sam 15:18);
·
kil whole tribes; (Num 31:17; 1 Sam 15:18);
·
kil sinners; (Exo 32:27; Num 25:5; Deut 13:8; 21:18-22)
·
kil children and infants (Num 31:17);
·
kidnap children (Num 31:18; Deut 21:11, 12)
·
offer a child as a burnt offering on a high place (Gen 22:2)
·
kil al the animals (1 Sam 15:21);
·
kil animals as sacrifices to God as sin offerings, trespass offerings,
consecrations, meat offerings, burnt offerings, thank offerings, peace
offerings and gifts (Lev 7:37);
·
kil people to appease God when He was angry (Numbers 25:7-13);
·
kil animals to appease God when He was angry (2 Samuel 24:25);
·
sprinkle animals blood on the sacred objects (Exodus 29:16);
·
eat the sacrificial flesh (Exodus 12:23; Numbers 9:11);
·
believe that sin was transferred symbolical y to the eater of animal flesh - the
priest - (Lev 10:16-19);
·
believe that sin was atoned by the slaying of animals (Exodus 30:10; Deut
21:1-9).
Are both demons and the One True God giving the same instructions to their
fol owers? Are both demons and the One True God encouraging their fol owers to
commit atrocities upon their fel ow men, women and children and animals?
171

Modern-Age Child Sacrifices
Even today, some religions consider child sacrifice necessary to appease the wrath of
their gods and to atone for the sins of their families.
David Kupelian inWorldNetDaily.com © 2000
Friday, 10 November, 2000, TROUBLE IN THE HOLY LAND
"Jerusalem cleric praises child 'sacrifices' 'The younger the martyr, the greater
and the more I respect him.' The Mufti of Jerusalem, the city's highest Muslim
religious authority, is calling for the complete "liberation" by Palestinians not
only of Jerusalem, but of all of Israel, and stresses that "sacrifice" and
"martyrdom" of Palestinian children prove that "the new generation will carry on
the mission with determination." Speaking to the Egyptian weekly, Al-Ahram Al-
Arabi, Sheik 'Ikrima Sabri, the Mufti of Jerusalem and Palestine, addressed
several issues regarding the Israeli-Arab conflict -- including his admiration
for the child "martyrs." Over 40 Palestinian youths reportedly have died in the
last six weeks of clashes between Palestinians and Israelis after the meltdown
of the doomed Clinton-brokered "peace process." "We haven't sacrificed
enough yet to be worthy of liberating Al-Aqsa," said Sabri. "To liberate
Jerusalem, Salah Al-Din Al-Ayyubi made great sacrifices for a long time, and
we have to sacrifice until Allah's victory is completed ..."
' Child Sacrifices in London'
http://www.thisislondon.com/news/articles/19328071?source=Evening%20Standard&ct=5
By Richard Edwards Crime Reporter, Evening Standard , 16 June 2005
"Boys from Africa are being murdered as human sacrifices in London
churches. They are brought into the capital to be offered up in rituals
by fundamentalist Christian sects, according to a shocking report by
Scotland Yard. Followers believe that powerful spells require the
deaths of "unblemished" male children. Police believe such boys are
trafficked from cities such as Kinshasa where they can be bought for a
little as £10. The report, leaked ahead of its publication next month, also
cites examples of African children being tortured and killed after being
identified as "witches" by church pastors. ....Many such churches,
supported mainly by people from West Africa, sanction aggressive
forms of exorcism on those thought to be possessed. There are
believed to be 300 such churches in the UK, mostly in London. The
report was put together by an expert social worker and lawyer for the Met
after talking to hundreds of people in African communities in a series of
workshops. It uncovered allegations of witchcraft spel s, child trafficking and
HIV-positive people who believe that by having sex with a child they will
be "cleansed". An extract reads: 'People who are desperate will seek out
experts to cast spells for them. Members of the workshop stated that
for
a spell to be powerful it
required a sacrifice involving a male
child unblemished by circumcision. They allege that boy children are being
trafficked into the UK for this purpose.' A number of pastors maintain that
God speaks through them and lets them know when someone is
possessed. It is therefore their duty to deliver the child or adult from the
evil spirit....The true figure for missing boys and girls is feared to be
several thousand a year. '"
172

David S. Ayliffe, Executive Director, of International Needs Australia requests
signatures for a petition to be presented by the Australian government to the
United Nations to prevent the practice of a system of child sacrifice in Africa. He
states:
"In West Africa today, thousands of women and girls are still kept in
horrific slavery. The practice is variously called 'Trokosi' or 'Fiashidi'
or 'Woryokwe.' The terms mean 'Bride of the Gods.' "
Practice of the Trokosi/Fiashidi/Woryokwe belief system (religion), requires that
little girls (sometimes 7 or 8 years of age) are taken from their parents and given to
traditional shrines to atone for sins of family members and prevent thus
appease the anger of the gods. Some children die because of this treatment,
but many repeatedly become pregnant to the priests. Ghana has enacted (but
apparently has not enforced) a law which makes illegal the Trokosi/Fiashidi/
Woryokwe practice, but in other African countries such as Togo and Benin, child
sex slavery a sacrifice to appease the wrathful gods and to make an atonement
for the family's sin - is still legal. http://www.in-australia.org.au/stbpetition.htm
The Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2000, released by the Bureau of
Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, February 23, 2001 states:
"Trokosi, a traditional practice found among the Ewe ethnic group and in
part of the Volta Region.... is a system in which a young girl, sometimes
under the age of 10, is made a slave to a fetish shrine for offenses
allegedly committed by a member of the girl's family. In rare instances,
boys are offered. The belief is that, if someone in that family has
committed a crime, such as stealing, members of the family may begin to
die in large numbers unless a young girl is given to the local fetish shrine
to atone for the offense. The girl becomes the property of the fetish priest,
must work on the priest's farm, and perform other labors for him.
Because they are the sexual property of the priests, most Trokosi slaves
have children by the priests. Although the girls' families must provide for
their needs such as food, most are unable to do so. There are at least
2,200 girls and women bound to various shrines in the Trokosi system, a
figure that does not include the slaves' children. Even when freed by her
fetish priest from the more onerous aspects of her bondage, whether
voluntarily or as a result of intervention by activists, a Trokosi woman
generally has few marketable skills and little hope of marriage and
typically remains bound to the shrine for life by psychological and social
pressure arising from a traditional belief that misfortune may befall a
Trokosi woman's family or village if she abandons her obligations to the
shrine. When a fetish slave dies, her family is expected to replace her with
another young girl, thus perpetuating the bondage to the fetish shrine
from generation to generation....A local group, calling itself the "Troxovi
Institutional Council" (Troxovi is alternate spelling for Trokosi), declared
that Trokosi, as defined by CHRAJ and other human rights groups to be a
form of ritual servitude, does not exist in the country. The group claimed
that the practice of `Troxovi' does exist but neither enslaves nor exploits
anyone. The Council also listed 23 `genuine Troxovi shrines' in Ghana,
d
escribing them a s educational institutions and as part of the 'Afrikania
religion...' " http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2000/af/803.htm
Does the One True God require a human sacrifice to appease His wrath? Does the
destruction of a child's life through repeated rapes, justify the parents' sinful
behaviour? Does a child's suffering produce sanctification? Does ANY suffering
produce justification and sanctification? Do any of these crimes reflect the loving
character of God as demonstrated by the life of the Son of God? Absolutely not!
173

Cannibalism
Alexander Hyslop in the Two Babylons reveals that Baal worship combined the worship of
the fire-god and the serpent-god. An essential element of Baal worship involved the rite
of burnt offerings as a form of purification. The religion necessitated that the priests slay
the victim and eat the burnt offering. In Baal worship, the sacrifice which had to be eaten,
was the flesh of children. Similar rituals occurred in Egypt well before the Hebrews
arrived. (Refer to Appendix for more information)
Human Sacrifice in Ancient Egypt.by Caroline Seawright, October 11, 2003
http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/kunoichi/themestream/egypt_humansacrifice.html
The Cannibal Hymn
"Not strictly an offering to the gods, the Cannibal Hymn of Unas and Teti talk of
cannibalism to gain power from the gods in ancient Egypt. The Pyramid Texts have a
section that seems to hint that in Predynastic times, the ruler could gain the magical
powers of the gods through human sacrifice. Utterances 273 - 274 of the Pyramid Texts,
known as the Cannibal Hymn, describe the pharaoh as a god who cannibalises the gods -
'A god who lives on his fathers and feeds on his mothers ... who lives on the being of
every god, who eats their entrails ... Pharaoh is he who eats men and lives on gods.'"
(Egyptian Mythology (Paul Hamlyn:1965:58).
"There (in Phoenicia), the queen Astarte, entrusted to her (the goddess
Isis) the care of her newly born son. Isis adopted the baby and would
have conferred immortality upon it had its mother not broken the
charm by her cries of terror upon seeing the goddess bathe the
baby in purificatory (purifying) flames."
Hyslop traces the history of Baal worship from Egypt, to the Israelites.
"Cannibalism was practised by the priests in ritualised child sacrifices in
Egypt as the worship of the pagan "father of the gods" the fire-serpent
god - Bol-Khan. "He devoured his sons as soon as they were born.". It
was "through fire worship," that the worshippers sought "cleansing and
regenerating (of) the souls of men." The same system of worship in
Rome, termed the same god, "Vulcan."
"There is reason to believe that the same practice obtained in our own
land in the times of the Druids. We know that they offered human
sacrifices to their bloody gods. We have evidence that they made "their
children pass through the fire to Moloch," and that makes it highly
probable that they also offered them in sacrifice; for, from Jeremiah
32:35, compared with Jeremiah 19:5 we find that these two things were
parts of one and the same system. The god whom the Druids worshipped
was Baal, as the blazing Baal-fires show, and the last-cited passage
proves that children were offered in sacrifice to Baal. When "the
fruit of the body" was thus offered, it was "for the sin of the soul."
And it was a principle of the Mosaic law, a principle no doubt
derived from the patriarchal faith, that the priest must partake of
whatever was offered as a sin-offering (Num 18:9,10). H
ence, th
e
priests of Nimrod or Baal were necessarily required to eat of the
h
uman sacrifices; and thus it has come to pass that "Cahna-Bal,"20 *
the "Priest of Baal," is the established word in our own tongue for a
devourer of human flesh."
(Alexander Hyslop continued over page)
20The word Cahna is the emphatic form of Cahn. Cahn is "a priest," Cahna is "the
priest."
174

(Alexander Hyslop continued)
"Then the mode in which the rites of Tammuz21 or Adonis were celebrated in
Syria was essentially the same as the rites of Osiris....
"From the historian Castor (in Armenian translation of EUSEBIUS) we learn that
it was under Bel, or Belus, that is Baal, that the Cyclops lived; and the Scholiast
on Aeschylus states that these Cyclops were the brethren of Kronos, who was
also Bel or Bal, as we have elsewhere seen. The eye in their forehead shows
that originally this name was a name of the great god; for that eye in India and
Greece is found the characteristic of the supreme divinity. The Cyclops, then,
had been representatives of that God--in other words, priests, and priests
of Bel or Bal. Now, we find that the Cyclops were well-known as cannibals,
Referre ritus Cyclopum, "to bring back the rites of the Cyclops," meaning to
revive the practice of eating human flesh." "(OVID, Metam.) The Two Babylons,
Alexander Hyslop, Chapter 7, Section 1, "The Great Red Dragon."
http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/twobaby/twobaby.html
Some Christians consider that just as God permitted polygamy and divorce,
because of the hardness of the Israelites' hearts, He also tolerated the Israelites'
sacrificial system in their worship rituals, in preference to sacrificing their children,
"which abomination" He hated? (Jer 32:35; Jer 19:5).
This suggestion has been made, yet it tends to cast doubt on God's character also.
Doesn't God care about the animals which were slaughtered in these repetitive
ceremonies and the pain which they endured?
Eventually, the ritual of human (including child) sacrifice was largely, but not completely
replaced by the blood-letting substitutionary rites of circumcision and animal sacrifices.
Ellen White on Child Sacrifice
While recognising that Ellen White was given the gift of prophecy and accepting her
position as God's messenger, it is obvious that in keeping with her statement that "God
has not given any one person al the light", we must consider the fol owing comments to
have been made with a true heart, but without special revelation from God on this matter.
Ellen White does not claim that she "was shown" the fol owing in special vision.
3 Spiritual Gifts p 303
"God was a wise and compassionate lawgiver, judging all cases
righteously, and without partiality. While the Israelites were in Egyptian
bondage, they were surrounded with idolatry. The Egyptians had received
traditions in regard to sacrificing. They did not acknowledge the existence
of the God of Heaven. They sacrificed to their idol gods. With great pomp
and ceremony they performed their idol worship. They erected altars to
the honor of their gods, and they required even their own children to pass
through the fire. After they had erected their altars they required their
children to leap over the altars through the fire. If they could do this
without their being burned, the idol priests and people received it as an
evidence that their god accepted their offerings, and favored especially
the person who passed through the fiery ordeal. He was loaded with
benefits, and was ever afterward greatly esteemed by all the people. He
was never allowed to be punished, however aggravating might be his
crimes. If another person who leaped through the fire was so unfortunate
as to be burned, then his fate was fixed; for they thought that their gods
were angry, and would be appeased with nothing short of the unhappy
victim's life, and he was offered up as a sacrifice upon their idol altars."
21 Tammuz means 'to perfect by burning' - Tam (to perfect); muz (to burn)
175

(Ellen White's quote continued)
"Even some of the children of Israel had so far degraded themselves as to
practice these abominations, and God caused the fire to kindle upon
their children, whom they made to pass through the fire. They did not go
to all the lengths of the heathen nations; but God deprived them of their
children by causing the fire to consume them in the act of passing
through it." 3 Spiritual Gifts p 303
Are we to understand that according to Ellen White, that the pagan Egyptian god more
merciful and less bloodthirsty than the God of the Israelites? At least the god of the
Egyptians permits some children to escape the flames. However, it appears that Ellen
White believed that the One True God CAUSED the Israelites' children ALL the Israelite
children who were "passed through the fire" - to burn to death.
If Ellen White's statement is correct, that God ensured that the Israelite's children burn to
death on the pagan altars, then logic requires that we ask some questions:
·
Didn't the One True God have the option of extinguishing the fire on the altar?
Yes. The same God refused to permit Satan to ignite fire on Baal's altar during
Elijah's ceremony on Mt Carmel.
·
Why did God not only permit the fire to burn all the children, but to CAUSE the fire
to burn al the Israelites' children? This statement appears to no doubt
inadvertently, make a dreadful attack on the character of God.
·
Would the One True God burn children on an altar to a pagan god?
·
Would the One True God make an offering to another god? To a pagan god? It is
absurd and offensive to make such accusations against the pure, holy Creator.
For all these questions, we can find the answers in Jesus' life.
Jesus was not a child-murderer. Jesus would not even condone the stoning of an full-
grown, sinful woman taken in adultery. It is ludicrous to believe that He would condone
the burning of babies and children or in fact that He would CAUSE the burning of children
on the altar of pagan gods.
Perhaps Ellen White's words have another meaning, or if not, she clearly did not intend to
speak against the One True God, whom she loved. It might be however, that her words,
unknowingly implicated the Father's character as a murderer of little children.
176

F
uture Sacrifices 'God' Says Kill 7th d
ay Sabbath Keeping Children
It might be argued that while some professed "Christians" consider God has
instructed them to perform child sacrifices (as the preceding news reports
demonstrate), most Christians might recoil from the concept that God would
command adults to sacrifice children. However how might the majority of modern
Christians react if they truly believed the "One True God" did convey a similar
murderous command today?
Consider the fol owing possible scenarios:
·
Perhaps the president of a country might feel impressed that "God" wants
him/her to declare war on an "unholy" country. Would Christians support this
impression as a divine instruction?
·
Perhaps "an angel of light" appears to the world and instructs the Sunday-
keeping Christians that for the sake of peace and unity, al seventh-day
Sabbath keepers, including children, should be exterminated. Seventh-day
Sabbath keepers might be accused of desecrating the first day sabbath and
of being traitors to the world. How might professed Christians respond?
Would they uphold God's holy law that forbids murdering men, women and
children or would they also kil the "heretics"?
In Christ in Collision, (published by Pacific Press, 1982:18) the author describes a
similar situation which can be compared to a possible "last day" scenario as outline above.
George E Rice states:
"There were those (Jews of Christ's day) however who would
speculate conditions that would usher in the Messiah's presence, but
who would not set a date. Repentance and good deeds for
example, would hasten His appearance. Some went so far as to
state that keeping a single sabbath properly by all the people
would bring Him immediately. Indeed if all Israel kept two
sabbaths properly they felt not only would the Messiah appear
but the nation would be redeemed forthwith."
Perhaps when, at the end of the world, the "angel of light" appears, he (Satan) might tel
the world that if one or two Sunday sabbaths were kept perfectly by everyone that God
would usher in the 1000 years of peace.....
The familiar doctrine of having to do something to appease an angry god might once
again be presented on pain of death. How likely is it to occur?
It is prophesied that Satan disguised "as an angel of light" wil impersonate Christ
(2 Cor 11:14).
John 16:2
"They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth
you will think that he doeth God service. Will God's people kill then or will it be the demon-
possessed people who are killing the true Christians?"
177

El en White, Great Controversy p 624
"As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself wil
personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Saviour's
advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver wil
make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan
wil manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling
brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John
in the Revelation. Revelation 1:13-15. The glory that surrounds him is
unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of
triumph rings out upon the air: "Christ has come! Christ has come!" The
people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his
hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His
disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet
ful of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the
same gracious, heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the
diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he
claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands al to
hal ow the day which he has blessed. He declares that those who persist
in keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name by refusing to
listen to his angels sent to them with light and truth. This is the strong,
almost overmastering delusion. Like the Samaritans who were deceived
by Simon Magus, the multitudes, from the least to the greatest, give
heed to these sorceries, saying: This is "the great power of God." Acts
8:10."
Jeremiah 9:24
"But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am
the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in
these things I delight, saith the LORD."
The Next Section deals with Circumcision
Eventually human and child sacrifice became very "expensive" appeasement
transactions to the gods, and pagan worshippers substituted human sacrifices
with other "valuable" blood-letting rituals one of which was circumcision. The
precious blood was still provided to satiate the god, and pain was involved for the
victim, but it did not cost the life of the victim. The life was said to be "in the
blood."
178

Circumcision Which Covenant?
This section presents a theory which might challenge traditional y held beliefs about God
and the rite of circumcision.
Definition of Circumcision: Surgery that removes the foreskin (the loose tissue) covering
the glans of the penis. The Latin "circum-" means around (or about). Circumcision is,
literally, a cutting around. Circumcision dates back to prehistoric times. It is one of the
oldest surgical operations known to have been performed by people.
What is symbolised by the sign of circumcision?
In the Christian era, baptism is said to have replaced the Hebrew rite of circumcision as a
sign of the new covenant. If circumcision was a sign of the old covenant, it was not similar
to baptism.
1. A sign is supposed to be visible to others publicly noticeable. Baptism is a
visible, outward sign, but circumcision is not visible unless one was naked in public.
Naked adults and children did participate in sexual orgies in the pagan fertility
"religious" celebrations, but the One True God's religion had no rituals that were to
be celebrated in a sexual manner;
2. Baptism is an elected ritual - Adults make an informed decision to choose their
allegiance to God, but circumcision is performed on a baby before the baby is able
to give consent or to refuse the procedure- in a similar manner to christening which
is performed in the Roman Catholic and other churches;
3. Circumcision is a violent, blood-letting ceremony, while baptism is free from pain
and bloodshed.
Questions
·
How practical was it to use circumcision as a sign? Completely impractical.
Circumcision is not a visible sign unless a man is naked or his genitals are
exposed.
·
Is it logical to expect that the One True God established a "secret" sign, when what
He required was a method that could broadcast His kingdom's loving laws to the
world?
·
Would God be entirely truthful if He established an inflexible, permanent sign to
demonstrate a flexible, free-choice religious allegiance?
·
Wouldn't a perfect system have allowed for a flexible sign which might be removed
if a man decided to apostatise?
·
If the man apostatised, he could keep his apostasy a secret. How would anybody
else know of his change in religion unless his outward, visible behaviour also
changed?
·
Circumcised babies did not make a choice to be circumcised. How can their
circumcision be recognised as a sign of their choice to give their allegiance to the
One True God?
179

Origin of Circumcision
At the various International Symposiums on Circumcision, research has been found that
the rite of circumcision pre-dates Abraham. The following points were presented by the
various International Symposiums on Circumcision:
·
Bodies preserved since 4000BC have been exhumed in Egypt and disclose
evidence of circumcision "(Breasted, 353, p.10 cited in Gerald A Larue in Religious
Traditions and Circumcision, 1991 2nd International Symposium on Circumcision).
·
Evidence suggest that phallic pagan worship system, which involves circumcision,
might have originated in ancient Egypt.
·
In Egyptian mythology, Ra - the sun god - "the source of al life" - was said to have
circumcised himself. From the blood of this operation, two deities were given life,
resulting in a trinity of gods.
·
Akhenaten, was a monotheist Egyptian pharaoh whose capital city was the place
where the circumcised penis was found - Akhetaten (modern El-Amarna).
·
Circumcision was the symbol of the sun god Aten's religion with which Moses was
familiar.
·
Obilesks were massive stone images displayed to represent erect, circumcised
penises as a sign of fertility worship. They were found outside pagan temples.
·
Kings, nobles and priests were circumcised so circumcision became a status
symbol in Egypt. Average Egyptians could not afford the operation.
·
·
Egyptian priests were only al owed to serve their god/s in their temples, if they
were circumcised (a condition which also applied in the Israelite religious culture).
·
In pagan religions circumcision is apparently a substitutionary blood offering to the
god i.e. an offering of value, involving a sacred gift (reproductive organ), involving
blood (life) and pain (penance);
·
Circumcision appears to be a blood-letting ritual in a fertility ceremony which gives
honour to pagan fertility gods.
·
There is a connection between circumcision and human sacrifice. It is thought that
human sacrifice was eventually largely replaced by circumcision in pagan religions
·
Circumcision is thought to have been a substitution for human sacrifice.
(G. Rawlinson -- Ancient Egypt, vol. I, p. 452).
"Was it connected with phallic worship, and thus regarded as an
offering to the deity of fertility? or was it, as some think, a substitute
for human sacrifice?"
John P Warren and Jim Bigelow in The Case against Circumcision
"We do not know with certainty why this operation was carried out,
but many writers have suggested that it was a sacrificial rite. No doubt
human sacrifice was widespread, and it seems likely that substitutes
for this practice included the sacrifice of domestic animals and
mutilations of the human body, of which circumcision is just one
example." http://www.come-and-hear.com/editor/br-warren/
180

Jewish Culture
Today, the Jewish religion requires that, even if a baby boy was circumcised in a
"religious-free" operation previously, or was born without a foreskin, he must undergo a
special ceremony. The Mohle (circumciser) will prick the baby's penis so that blood is
shed in a religious ceremony/rite, or else the Abrahamic covenant is not ratified.
Roman Catholic Culture
The Roman Catholic church celebrates the Feast of Circumcision eight days after the
supposed birth of Christ on 25 December. (Tammuz the Babylonian sun god, was said to
be reborn each year on 25 December). The feast of Circumcision fal s 8 days later on 1
January. The Roman Catholic "Feast of Fools" fal s also on the Feast of Circumcision.
The "fathers" of the Catholic religion ruled that circumcision was not just a mere
ceremony, but a sacramental rite.
Ancient Israelite Culture
God forbade "cutting into the flesh" operations in ceremonies which mourned the dead.
Leviticus 21:5
"They (the priests) shal not make baldness upon their head, neither shal they shave off
the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh."
It seems strange that God forbade any cuttings into the Israelites' flesh to mourn the dead,
but supposedly commanded that all male babies were to be circumcised on the 8th day of
life. Even the strangers and slaves were to be circumcised which might be seen as an
amazing denial of the freedom of choice, reflected nowhere in Jesus' teachings.
Genesis 17:10-13
"This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee;
Every man child among you shall be circumcised. (11) And ye shall circumcise the flesh
of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. (12) And he
that is eight days old shal be circumcised among you, every man child in your
generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is
not of thy seed. (13) He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money,
must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting
covenant."
Abraham apparently performed the circumcision operations and the tradition was passed
down through the Israelite families even while in captivity in Egypt, however for the forty
years of desert wanderings under Moses' leadership, circumcision was NOT permitted,
supposedly to represent that God would not recognise the Israelites as His people.
After crossing into the Promised Land, Joshua announced that there would be a mass
circumcision ceremony at Gilgal.
Joshua 5:8, 9
"And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising al the people, that they abode in
their places in the camp, till they were whole. (9) And the LORD said unto Joshua, This
day have I rol ed away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the
place is called Gilgal unto this day."
Immediately following the operations, Joshua commented that "the reproach of the
Egyptians was now rolled off" them. The Egyptians considered the circumcised to be
nobility class - it was the UNcircumcised males who were a reproach. They were merely
slaves or commoners. Only the Pharaoh, priests and certain rich nobles could be
circumcised.
181

How could the reproach of the Egyptians be rol ed off the uncircumcised Israelites? Only
by becoming circumcised - which would identify them (in sexual fertility ceremonies) as
nobility or priests of Aten, the god of the Egyptians.
Would it not be logical to assume that a pagan god would be pleased that the reproach of
the Egyptians (uncircumcision) is rol ed off the Israelites? Wouldn't the pagan god be
pleased that a mil ion males were permanently marked with the sign of the sun god?,
Wouldn't the pagan's god be delighted to lead the Israelite men to display their "mark of
devotion" to the sun-god to the Canaanites when they joined in their fertility ceremonies?
The Israelite's mass circumcision ritual occurred in a location called Gilgal. The word
"gilgal" means 'circle of stones' or 'wheel' and apparently stems from a duplication of the
root gll meaning 'to roll' or to 'rol away.'
Gilgal was the first place that the Israelites camped after crossing the Jordan River
(Joshua 4:19). After crossing the Jordan River, Joshua instructed that the Israelites set
up a memorial. A monument was constructed from twelve unhewn river stones (Joshua
4:20).
The actual location of Joshua's Gilgal is not certain today, although it is interesting that
some say Gilgal is currently the location of a huge five-ringed solar wheel (photo available
at: http://www.mt.net/~watcher/gilgalrefaim.jpg) .
Amos describes Gilgal as a place to multiply transgression (Amos 4:4; 5:5). Hosea notes
that evil was done at Gilgal (Hos 9:15) and makes reference to the sacrifices which were
offered there as "vanity" or worthless (Hos 12:11).
When the Assyrians took control of Gilgal, the Assyrian chief god Ashur (an eagle-
headed, winged deity) was worshipped there at the place of the solar wheel. Ashur
was the god of water and of corn. He was depicted in a winged - wheel and holding a
bow and arrow. To the Assyrians, the solar wheel which surrounded their country's god,
was a symbol of life, and the idol was worshipped as a god not of war only, but also of
fertility. His blessing required human sacrifices. (Sacred Texts CD-ROM, chapter 14 p
346: http://www.sacred-texts.com/ane/mba/mba20.htm)
Perhaps it is not il ogical to suppose that the Israelites believed that, just as Ashur, the
Assyrian god of fertility and war would have been pacified through their blood-letting ritual,
that Yahweh also might be similarly pleased, for immediately following their mass
circumcision ceremony, the Israelites waged violent war against the Canaanites,
apparently with the blessing of the "Lord" and at his command.
The Israelites might have believed that the Lord was "appeased" based on the story of
Moses' experience in his journey to Egypt to ask Pharaoh to let God's people go.
Exodus 4:19-26
"And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead
which sought thy life. (20) And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an
ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand. (21)
And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do
all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his
heart, that he shall not let the people go. (22) And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith
the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: (23) And I say unto thee, Let my son go,
that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I wil slay thy son, even thy
firstborn. (24) And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and
sought to kill him. (25) Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her
son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. (26) So he
let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision."
182

The three verses dealing with the circumcision of the baby boy appears to be "slotted in"
to the main story, but it does not flow wel . One finds questions brought to mind.
·
If God wanted the baby circumcised, why didn't He remind or tell Moses of this
vitally important condition, prior to giving him the important job of leading the
Hebrew people out of bondage?
·
Why did God attempt to kill Moses, when He had just given him the leadership
task?
·
Why did Zipporah immediately assume that the bloody ritual of circumcision was
necessary to appease the angry "God?"
Some insight into this intruiging situation might be gained by understanding some of the
rituals which were believed and practised in Egypt and in many of the countries of
Canaan.
According to Egyptian religious beliefs, Isis was the wife and sister goddess of Osiris, the
ruler of the Egyptian gods. Seth, who is Osiris' jealous brother, kills Osiris by tricking him
into lying inside a wooden chest which he then locks and throws into the Nile River. Isis
searches for the chest which contain the remains of Osiris, but when the chest is
recovered, Seth rushes in and dismembers the body. Seth scatters the parts of Osiris'
body, but Isis manages to find and gather all of them, except for his penis. Isis manages
to put al the pieces together and makes a wooden penis to take the place of the missing
organ. She then "breathes" into Osiris, the breath of life by waving her wings over his
body parts. Then Osiris and Isis have a sexual experience, using the wooden penis and
Isis becomes pregnant. Her son is born and is called Horus.
Jonathan Kirsch (1997:167) considers the similarities of the story of Zipporah and Isis.
Both stories involve:
·
an attack on a husband;
·
rescue by the wife;
·
a penis operation;
·
and wings. Zipporah means 'bird."
Kirsch (1997:173) continues:
"The notion of circumcision as a surrogate for child sacrifice begins to
explain even the most bizarre and baffling details of Exodus 4:24-26. An
angry and vengeful Yahweh seeks to kill the father of a firstborn son or
perhaps the child himself because Yahweh has been denied the
offering of flesh and blood to which he is entitled by divine decree. When
Zipporah cuts off the foreskin of her son, her firstling, she is safely
mimicking the sacrifice of the child himself - she is 'sanctifying' the baby
who 'opened the womb of Israel' precisely as God had commanded.
Only through the mock sacrifice in the form of a circumcision is God
appeased and only then does he break off his attack....."
It is recorded in the King James Version of the Bible, that Zipporah circumcised her baby,
then threw the foreskin at Moses' feet, however the KJV has used the expression "cast it
at Moses' feet" when the Hebrew text actually states "made it touch his feet." The KJV
also sometimes uses the word "feet" when it is referring to "genitals" (e.g. Deuteronomy
28:57).
Recall that the most valuable part of any offering that was made to the gods, was the
blood - for "the life is in the blood." The blood of circumcision also sealed the covenant
between Yahweh and the Hebrew race (Genesis 17:10; Acts 7:8; Romans 4:11).
183

John Wesley's Notes on the Bible
"Circumcision was a bloody ordinance, for all things by the law were
purged with blood" (Heb 9:22; Exo 24:8)."
The sacrificial blood also sanctified and anointed the priesthood.
Exodus 29:20-21
"Then shalt thou kil the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear
of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right
hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar
round about. (21) And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the
anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and
upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and
his sons, and his sons' garments with him."
How did Zipporah use the "precious, sealing blood" of the circumcision covenant? Did
she unceremoniously 'throw it away?" It seems unlikely. According to the Hebrew terms,
it appears she might have used it to anoint Moses' genitals. If so, she would have been
following a practice similar to that which was later recorded in the Mosiac 'anointing' laws
for the sanctification of the priests, only the blood was applied to other body parts and not
the genitals.
Kirsch (1997:163) remarks
Indeed we might wonder whether it was some priestly redactor,22 rather
than God, who cared so passionately about circumcision. The fact is that
circumcision was not a uniquely Israelite ritual in the era of the Exodus; it
was practised by the Egyptians and many of the native dwel ing peoples of
Canaan, too. So a circumcised sexual organ could not have served to
readily distinguish the Israelites from their neighbors in their early history.
Among the peoples of Canaan, the bible identifies only the Philistines and
the unfortunate kinsmen of Hamor, prince of the Hivites, as uncircumcised."
Conclusion
Just as the wedding ring originated from pagan customs to signify the shape and colour
and eternalness of the sun, so too circumcision made a permanent, circular mark in the
flesh of the male organ of reproduction that signified it's wearer as a worshipper of the
ultimate fertility god - the sun god the "source of all life" (to the pagan). 23 Would God
require His people injure themselves and to become fixated on a reproductive organ a
sign of fertility when He is the True and Only Creator? The life of Jesus did not ever
exhort God's people to injure themselves in worshipping Him, but Satan's religions appear
to do so.
22 Redactor - similar to an editor
23 To investiage the subject of circumcision further, visit www.themeofthebible.com and
send email via the "contact me" button and request further information.
184

Animal Sacrifices
Movement To Bring Back Jewish Temple Sacrifice
"It's not a question of 'maybe' or 'if'," says the Temple Institute's Rabbi
Yisrael Ariel. "Bringing the Paschal sacrifice is a Torah obligation incumbent
upon the People of Israel these very days."
Speaking with Yoel Yaakobi of the weekly B'Sheva newspaper, Rabbi Ariel
said that though there are some grave Halakhic [Jewish legal] problems
associated with bringing the Paschal sacrifice, "we have found the solutions,
and the obligation is as strong as ever. This is one of the only two positive
Biblical commandments that those who forsake it are liable to receive the
ultimate karet [cutting off] punishment. From the moment that a Jew stands
on the Temple Mount and the site of the Holy Temple is under our control,
the Jewish People are immediately obligated to bring this sacrifice."
Sixteen of the 613 Biblical commandments relate to the Paschal sacrifice,
which must be brought on the 14th day of the month of Nissan - Passover
eve - and eaten on the night of the 15th. ...... The 200 commandments that
are connected with the Temple cry out every day, 'Jews, where are you?!'"
Rabbi Ariel: Paschal Sacrifice is Still Obligatory, 14:35 Apr 20, 2006 / 22
Nisan 5766 by Hillel Fendel
h ttp://www.israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=102189
Two arguments will be examined in this section.
·
the il ogical premise, that violent acts enhance one's understanding and
appreciation of a non-violent Person's character (Christ's) and demonstrate the
plan of salvation; and
·
the illogical premise that salvation can be 'bought' and forgiveness 'purchased' by
material gifts that human beings bring to God i.e. the doctrine of indulgences.
Violence Begets Violence
It seems a little incredulous to consider that cruel, animal sacrifices were required by the
One True God, just as they were required by pagan gods.
Blood-letting rituals using sacrificial animals are violent and horrific; however, the
barbarous practice of slitting the throats of lambs, calves and kids, bullocks, heifers,
goats, and breaking the necks of turtle doves and pigeons were undertaken by the
Israelites in their many sanctuary ceremonies. Such ceremonies were said to 'point them
to Christ' as the ultimate sacrifice, but obvious question begs an answer: Christ was non-
violent (Isa 53:9), so how could a violent exercise reveal any aspect of Christ to those
engaged in slaughtering innocent and unwilling animals? None of the sacrificial animals
voluntarily laid down their lives, but their lives were taken by violent, painful force. The
sanctuary services were not to typify the rough treatment of evil men, but the actions and
motives of the Messiah.
Despite this il ogical premise, that violent acts enhance one's view of a non-violent
Person, it is said that animal sacrifices pointed to the death of Jesus Christ and the great
sacrifice He would make when He died for humankind's redemption.
It is also often stated by Seventh-day Adventist theologians, that every act/ritual
performed in the sanctuary services, depicted some facet of the life and sacrifice of Jesus
Christ. While there is evidence that the sanctuary furniture demonstrates the plan of
salvation and Christ's character, there are also obvious signs that paganism has been
mixed with the true sanctuary sacrificial services, obscuring important truths concerning
the life, character and sacrifice of both Father and Son.
185

Offerings of Blood Poured Out to the Gods
It was a wel known pagan custom, when after a man hunted and killed an animal for
food, that he would pour out the blood on the ground, as an offering in honour of the gods
who enabled/blessed his successful hunting trip. Pagan worshippers also slaughtered
animals to appease their wrathful gods by the pouring out of blood as a libation on the
ground or on an altar to honour their gods. "The blood was sprinkled on the image of the
god....The blood of victims was sprinkled on altars, images, and trees." 24
The Israelites were to abide by different laws, but the same principle remained.
Leviticus 17:5-7, 9
"To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the
open field, even that they may bring them unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle
of the congregation, unto the priest, and offer them for peace offerings unto the LORD.
(6) And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the LORD at the door of the
tabernacle of the congregation, and burn the fat for a sweet savour unto the LORD. (7)
"And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have
gone a whoring....(9) And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the
congregation, to offer it unto the LORD; even that man shall be cut off from among his
people."
Leviticus 17:7 reveals that, like the pagans, the Israelites also had been offering blood
sacrifices in the field to pagan gods (devils) and that this was not acceptable according
to the writer of Leviticus. Specific instructions, on pain of death, were given to the
Israelites to bring their animals to the sanctuary for sacrificing to 'god', while animals
required for food purposes, were stil permitted to be slaughtered in the field.
The only extra stipulation was that when the Israelites slaughtered the food animal, the
blood had to be covered with dirt probably for health reasons instead of being poured
out as a thank offering to 'god.' Just as in many pagan ceremonies, the offering of blood
to the gods was not permitted to be made by anyone who was not an ordained priest. If
this 'sacred' ritual was performed by a mere 'layperson', it was a serious crime and the
Israelite offender earned the death penalty. He was 'cut off' i.e. kil ed.
In contrast, an animal sacrificed for religious purposes, was to be taken to the door of the
tabernacle for a ritualistic slaughtering, and its blood was to be poured out both on the
altar and at the door of the tabernacle in the shape of a circle25. This same violent
sacrifice was then deemed to be 'blessed' by god, simply because the location was in the
tabernacle, and the mediation of the blood had been properly performed by an ordained
priest.
Question
Is it likely that the same violent, blood-letting sacrificial ritual was practiced by both
pagans and Israelites the only difference appearing to be the location of the death of
the animal and the mediation of an ordained priest who was qualified to pour out the
blood to 'god.' Historian, Philo comments on the Jewish sanctuary services:
"The blood of the animal being poured at the altar in a circle, the perfect
figure; for blood is life, and the ritual action expresses the will of the mind
to serve God completely" Philo in De Spec. Leg. 1 p 204-205 cited in The
Jewish Temple, (CTR Hayward, 1996: 117).

24 The Religion of the Ancient Celts chapter 26, Sacrifice, Prayer and Divination p 237,
244, http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/rac/rac19.htm Sacred Texts CD-Rom
25 Philo, cited in The Jewish Temple, CTR Hayward, (1996) p 117
186

Did All the Sanctuary Sacrifices Represent Christ?
It was prophesied of the Messiah, that none of His bones would be broken.
Psalm 34:20
"He keepeth al his bones: not one of them is broken."
John's witness confirms the prophecy was fulfil ed.
John 19:36
"For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfil ed, A bone of him
shal not be broken."
According to the instructions concerning the feast of the Passover, none of the lamb's
bones were to be broken. Thus the Passover is said to symbolise Christ - that none of
Christ's bones would be broken when He died on the cross. However when John
demonstrated that prophecy had been fulfil ed, he referred to David's prophecy, not to the
sacrificial ceremonies in the Mosiac law. Christ certainly fulfil ed the Messianic prophecy
in that none of His bones were broken when He laid down His life for humanity, but why
didn't Christ announce Himself as the Lamb of God?
Christ called Himself :
·
the Bread of Heaven,
·
the Bread of Life;
·
the Water of Life;
but never the Lamb of God.
Christ is never referred to as "the bull of God", "the goat of God" or "the turtledove of
God," so why was He referred to as the "Lamb of God" five times?
Certainly, Isaiah prophesied in his Messianic prophecy (chapter 53), that Christ's
character was lamb-like in His tolerance of the violence heaped upon Him. His
character was demonstrated to be "harmless and undefiled." He was, and still is, long-
suffering and gentle, even under severe provocation.
Isaiah 53:7
"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is
brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb,
so he openeth not his mouth."
John the Baptist and John the Revelator referred to Christ as 'the Lamb of God'
(John 1:29, 26; Rev 5:6, 12; 13:8). Paul used the expression, "Christ our
Passover," and Peter also compares the blood (life/soul) of Christ to a lamb
"without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:19). Such expressions were used to
communicate the truth to Jewish minds, steeped in the Jewish sacrificial culture,
that Jesus was the true Messiah, but Jesus Himself did not claim to be a lamb
sacrificed by His Father.
Christ's sacrifice to become a mortal, human being WAS the reason that sinners,
were 'passed over' and offered life instead of death as they deserved. But Christ's
victory was not made effective because of a blood-letting, torturous and abusive
death. Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for humanity, when as the Son of God,
He took on the responsibility of redeeming the sinful human race by becoming a
mortal man and living a holy life, in sinful flesh.
187

Christ accepted the death sentence when He became a human being. Whenever
He would have died, His death would have redeemed humanity but only if Christ
had lived a sinless life. By heaping torture upon Christ, Satan endeavoured to
prevent Jesus from living a sinless, unselfish life.
In this sense, Christ is indeed our Passover. He and the Father sacrificed "al
heaven" for us. Christ sacrificed His high position as the Prince of heaven and
took on sinful humanity. Christ sacrificed His honour, His majesty and glory in
order to redeem humanity.26 And final y, as Satan was intent on destroying His
human body, Christ laid down His life and died the death which belonged to sinful
humanity. But the Father did not require a blood-letting ritual to atone for sin. He
did require a perfect human character though, and in order to provide that
character, Christ had to accept mortality as a human being.
Humanity owes no gratitude to Satan for organising the torturous death of the Son of God
on a pagan cross. Whenever Christ laid down His life, it would have redeemed
humanity as long as Christ's life and character were sinless.
However, if all the sanctuary sacrifices are said to represent Christ's sacrifice, then
shouldn't al of the sacrificial rites have avoided breaking the animals' bones?
If an animal's bones are broken, how could the sacrificed animal then represent Christ's
sacrifice?
For instance, one might logical y question how the turtle dove sacrifices could
accurately portray Christ's sacrifice.
When poor people, who had sinned, were seeking to obtain atonement and
forgiveness, they were required to bring two turtle doves to be sacrificed - one as a
sin offering and another as a burnt offering.
Leviticus 5:5-9
"And it shal be, when he shal be guilty in one of these things, that he shal
confess that he hath sinned in that thing: (6) And he shal bring his trespass
offering unto the LORD for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a
lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shal make an
atonement for him concerning his sin. (7) And if he be not able to bring a lamb,
then he shal bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or
two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt
offering. (8) And he shal bring them unto the priest, who shal offer that which is
for the sin offering first, and wring off his head from his neck, but shal not divide
it asunder: (9) And he shal sprinkle of the blood of the sin offering upon the side of
the altar; and the rest of the blood shal be wrung out at the bottom of the altar: it is
a sin offering."
The act of wringing off the head from the neck of one of two turtle doves involved
the breaking of its neckbones. This cannot represent the death of Jesus Christ, for
in fulfilment of David's prophecy in Psalm 43:20, Christ's bones were not broken.
26 Ellen White: "Do you contemplate that Christ sacrificed his majesty, his honor and
glory to bring salvation within your reach and save every son and daughter of Adam?"
An Important Testimony to our Brethren and Sisters in New York PH039.008.002
(1887)
188

Furthermore, it is difficult to imagine that a burnt offering typified Christ's death in
any way as Christ's body was never burnt. It is interesting to note however, that
sacrifices made by pagans, were burnt to represent and honour the sun god. The
sun god's supposed attritubutes of life and energy, were represented by the fire on
the altar of burnt offering.
Furthermore the Israelites' sacrificial laws involved many more abhorrent sacrificial
practices, many which are stil practiced in witchcraft, animist and pagan religions
today. Such sacrificial rituals required:
·
the slitting of the throat with a knife;
·
the breaking of bones;
·
the flaying or skinning of the animal;
·
the tearing apart of the bodies of doves and pigeons with the hands, by
grasping and pul ing the wings;
·
the sprinkling of animal's blood on furniture, altars and on people;
·
the chopping off of the legs and tail;
·
the removal of the kidneys and fat;
·
the disemboweling of animals;
·
washing for ritualised purification of the animal's internal organs and feet;
·
the incineration of the animals' bodies by fire to please the 'god';
·
the rearranging of the animals' dismembered body parts on an altar.
None of these gorey and barbaric actions are represented in a prophecy
concerning Jesus' death, so how can these actions be a shadow of Christ's
ministry?
In addition, God's initial plan for humanity was that they consume a non-flesh diet,
but the Mosiac laws required that the priests eat animal flesh as part of a religious
rite to achieve forgiveness of sins. Similar beliefs and rituals are stil held and
practiced in the Roman Catholic and other religions.
How can the Mosiac command to consume a flesh eating diet, be harmonised with
God's original diet for humanity?
How can the Mosiac principle of eating flesh to achieve forgiveness/atonement of
sins, be harmonised with the fact that forgiveness of sins is only possible through
Christ empowering a conversion of the mind?
Blood Sacrifices
Did God require blood sacrifices in the sanctuary services for an atonement to be
made for sin? Some verses in the Bible state "yes;" other verses state "no."
Samples of both fol ow.
189

Animal Sacrifices Required:
Exodus 20:24
"An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings,
and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in al places where I record my name
I wil come unto thee, and I will bless thee."
Leviticus 1:5-9, 14-17
"And he shall kill the bul ock before the LORD: and the priests, Aaron's sons, shall bring
the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the
tabernacle of the congregation. (6) And he shal flay the burnt offering, and cut it into his
pieces. (7) And the sons of Aaron the priest shal put fire upon the altar, and lay the wood
in order upon the fire: (8) And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and
the fat, in order upon the wood that is on the fire which is upon the altar: (9) But his
inwards and his legs shall he wash in water: and the priest shall burn all on the altar, to
be a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD....(14)
And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD be of fowls, then he shall bring his
offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons. (15) And the priest shall bring it unto the
altar, and wring off his head, and burn it on the altar; and the blood thereof shal be wrung
out at the side of the altar: (16) And he shal pluck away his crop with his feathers, and
cast it beside the altar on the east part, by the place of the ashes: (17) And he shall
cleave it with the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder: and the priest shall burn it
upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire: it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made
by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD."
Ezekiel 43:23-25
"When thou hast made an end of cleansing it, thou shalt offer a young bullock without
blemish, and a ram out of the flock without blemish. (24) And thou shalt offer them before
the LORD, and the priests shall cast salt upon them, and they shall offer them up for a
burnt offering unto the LORD. (25) Seven days shalt thou prepare every day a goat for a
sin offering: they shal also prepare a young bullock, and a ram out of the flock, without
blemish."
Leviticus 5:1-10
"And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen
or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shal bear his iniquity. (2) Or if a soul touch any
unclean thing, whether it be a carcase of an unclean beast, or a carcase of unclean
cattle, or the carcase of unclean creeping things, and if it be hidden from him; he also
shall be unclean, and guilty. (3) Or if he touch the uncleanness of man, whatsoever
uncleanness it be that a man shall be defiled withal, and it be hid from him; when he
knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty. (4) Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do
evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shal pronounce with an oath, and it be
hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shal be guilty in one of these. (5) And it
shall be, when he shal be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath
sinned in that thing: (6) And he shal bring his trespass offering unto the LORD for his sin
which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin
offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin. (7) And if he
be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed,
two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the
other for a burnt offering. (8) And he shall bring them unto the priest, who shal offer that
which is for the sin offering first, and wring off his head from his neck, but shal not divide
it asunder: (9) And he shal sprinkle of the blood of the sin offering upon the side of the
altar; and the rest of the blood shal be wrung out at the bottom of the altar: it is a sin
offering. (10) And he shal offer the second for a burnt offering, according to the manner:
and the priest shall make an atonement for him for his sin which he hath sinned, and it
shall be forgiven him.
190

A
nimal Sacrifices Not Required
Immediately fol owing the previous section in Leviticus chapter 5, a curious situation
occurs.
Leviticus 5:11-13
But if he be not able to bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned
shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall
put no oil upon it, neither shall he put any frankincense thereon: for it is a sin offering. (12)
Then shal he bring it to the priest, and the priest shal take his handful of it, even a
memorial thereof, and burn it on the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the
LORD: it is a sin offering. (13) And the priest shall make an atonement for him as
touching his sin that he hath sinned in one of these, and it shall be forgiven him:
and the remnant shal be the priest's, as a meat offering."
Verse 13 depicts a sinner being forgiven of his sins and an atonement being made for his
sins without the shedding of blood. However, according to Leviticus and Hebrews,
remission of sins is not possible without the shedding of blood.27

Jeremiah 7:21, 22
"Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your
sacrifices, and eat flesh. (22) For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded
them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt
offerings or sacrifices."
Micah 6:7, 8
"Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
shal I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
(8) He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of
thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
Jeremiah 9:24
"But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am
the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in
these things I delight, saith the LORD."
Psalm 40:6 -8
"Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering
and sin offering hast thou not required.(7) Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the
book it is written of me, (8) I delight to do thy wil , O my God: yea, thy law is within my
heart.
Hebrews 10:5
"Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest
not, but a body hast thou prepared me:"
Psalms 4:5
"Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD."
27 Leviticus 17:11
"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an
atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."
Hebrews 9:22
"And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no
remission."
191

1 Samuel 15:22
"And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in
obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken
than the fat of rams."
Psalms 51:17
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt
not despise."
Proverbs 12:10
"A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are
cruel."
Proverbs 17:1
"Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with
strife."
Isaiah 1:11
"To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am ful of
the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of
bul ocks, or of lambs, or of he goats."
Jeremiah 7:21
"Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your
sacrifices, and eat flesh."
Mark 12:33
"And to love him with al the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul,
and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt
offerings and sacrifices."
Acts 7:42
"Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the
book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to ME slain beasts and
sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?"
Hebrews 10:1, 6
"For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the
things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continual y make
the comers thereunto perfect. (6) "In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no
pleasure."
Hebrews 13:16
"But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is wel
pleased."
1 Peter 2:5
"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."
192

A team of Jewish authorities (Emil G. Hirsch, Kaufmann Kohler, M. Seligsohn Isidore
Singer, Jacob Zallel Lauterbach and Joseph Jacobs) suggest that among other ideas,
the sacrificial system might not have been instigated by God, but was a human invention
which was "expressive of man's delight."
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=35&letter=S
The sacrificial scheme was the target at which gnostics and other
skeptics shot their arrows. God, it was argued, manifested Himself in
this as a strict accountant and judge, but not as the author of the
highest goodness and mercy. In refutation, Ben 'Azzai cal s attention
to the fact that in connection with the sacrifices the only name used to
designate God is Yhwh, the unique name ("Shem ha-Meyuad; Sifra,
Wayira, i . [ed. Weiss, p. 4c], with R. Jose b. alafta as author; Men.
110a; Sifre, Num. 143). Basing his inference on the phrase "for your
pleasure shal ye offer up" (Lev. xxii. 29, Hebr.), Ben 'Azzai insists also
that sacrifices were not planned on the theory that, God's wil having
been done by man, man's wil must be done in corresponding
measure by God: they were merely expressive of man's delight;
and God did not need them (Ps. l. 12, 13; Sifre, l.c.; Men. 110a).
From the website Jewish Veg (Frequently Asked Questions FAQ) appears the article
entitled, "If God wanted us to have vegetarian diets and not harm animals, why were the
Biblical sacrificial services established? http://www.jewishveg.com/faq03.html The
sacrificial services are discussed and the fol owing comment made:
"Rashi indicated that God did not want the Israelites to bring sacrifices; it
was their choice. He bases this on the haphtorah (portion from the
Prophets) read on the Sabbath when the book of Leviticus which discusses
sacrifices is read: 'I have not burdened thee with a meal-offering, Nor
wearied thee with frankincense. (Isaiah 43:23)' Biblical commentator David
Kimhi (1160-1235) also stated that the sacrifices were voluntary. He
ascertained this from the words of Jeremiah: For I spoke not unto your
fathers, nor commanded them on the day that I brought them out of the land
of Egypt, concerning burnt-offerings or sacrifices; but this thing I
commanded them, saying, "Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye
shall be my people; and walk ye in al the ways that I have commanded you,
that it may be well unto you. (Jeremiah 7:22-23) David Kimchi, notes that
nowhere in the Ten Commandments is there any reference to sacrifice, and
even when sacrifices are first mentioned (Lev. 1:2) the expression used is
"when any man of you bringeth an offering," the first Hebrew we ki being
literally "if", implying that it was a voluntary act. David Kimchi, notes that
nowhere in the Ten Commandments is there any reference to sacrifice, and
even when sacrifices are first mentioned (Lev. 1:2) the expression used is
"when any man of you bringeth an offering," the first Hebrew we ki being
literally "if", implying that it was a voluntary act."
193

Christ's Bloodless Ceremony the Lord's Supper
John 6:32-35; 50-58
"Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread
from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. (33) For the bread of
God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. (34) Then said
they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. (35) And Jesus said unto them, I am
the bread of life: he that cometh to me shal never hunger; and he that believeth on me
shall never thirst... (50) This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man
may eat thereof, and not die. (51) I am the living bread which came down from
heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shal live for ever: and the bread that I wil give is
my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. (52) The Jews therefore strove among
themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? (53) Then Jesus said
unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and
drink his blood, ye have no life in you. (54) Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh
my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (55) For my flesh is
meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. (56) He that eateth my flesh, and
drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. (57) As the living Father hath sent
me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. (58) This is
that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are
dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever."
Cannibalism does not make anyone live forever, so clearly Christ did not institute a
mindless, cannibalistic ceremony. Therefore the words Christ uttered must have a
spiritual meaning.
At the Lord's Supper, Jesus demonstrated that the grape juice and bread represented a
spiritual component of His ministry in the plan of salvation. The bread represented His
human body which was prepared for Him so He could become mortal and therefore lay
down His life. But by eating his flesh, Christ meant, believing on him having faith in
Him as their Messiah and Saviour, and thus receiving spiritual life and nourishment from
him. The grape juice represented Christ's new testament in His blood His life and spirit
(His soul). Christ's entire life (His earthly ministry as Messiah and His spiritual ministry as
High Priest) will provide eternal life to those who are justified by His life and sanctified by
faith.
Luke 22:15-20
"And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I
suffer: (16) For I say unto you, I wil not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the
kingdom of God. (17) And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and
divide it among yourselves: (18) For I say unto you, I wil not drink of the fruit of the vine,
until the kingdom of God shal come. (19) And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake
it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in
remembrance of me. (20) Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new
testament in my blood, which is shed for you."
If the Passover lamb represented Christ's sacrifice, it would seem logical to expect that
the blood of the sacrificed lamb would represent Christ's blood. It would seem logical to
expect that the flesh of the sacrificed lamb would represent Christ's body. Yet Christ
chose non-blood and non-flesh emblems to represent His death. Christ instructed the
disciples that the bread represented His body (His humanity) and that the grape juice
represented His blood (His life, His spirit, His mind).

194

Some might assert Christ simply changed the sacrificial system, without regarding it as
faulty. If so, why didn't Christ ever refer to Himself as the Passover lamb, or any other
sacrificial beast?
Christ did refer to Himself as "the good shepherd" (John 10:11, 14) and He had perfect
opportunity to compare Himself to the sacrificial beasts if He chose to do so. He certainly
spoke of His impending death many times, but never appeared to compare His death with
the slaughter of the Passover lamb. 28 Was Christ's silence on this issue significant?
In contrast to the Passover lamb and sanctuary sacrifices, when Christ introduced the
Lord's Supper as a commemoration of His death, He compared His body (His humanity)
and blood (His spirit, mind) - His entire life and existence - to non-blood symbols. Wasn't
it rather unusual for Christ to institute a memorial supposedly of a blood-letting event,
with pure, bloodless symbols?

But it is obvious from the Lord's Supper, that the bloodless symbols were considered
appropriate by Christ to represent His life and death. Christ did not institute a ceremony
or ritual which required the shedding of blood.
Christ assured His disciples that His life demonstrates exactly, the character of the
Father. Christ declared that the works of His Father were those, which He, the Son of
God, performed.
John 5:36; 14:10, 11
"But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given
me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.
(10) Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I
speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwel eth in me, he doeth the
works. (11) Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me
for the very works' sake. "
In other words, Jesus appears to be saying, "if you can't see that I'm the divine Son of
God by my character, then at least believe it because of the good works you see me
doing. Those works reflect the Father's character."
Jesus showed us the Father. If Jesus did not even refer to the Passover lamb as
representing Himself, is it logically to assume that the Father required blood-letting
sacrifices in the first place to point towards the death of His Son? Or might the sacrificial
rites have been morphed into the true sanctuary services in error as the Israelites mixed
with the pagan countries around them?
Both the fresh grape juice and the unleavened bread used at the Passover feast, were
pure. No yeast appeared in the bread and no fermentation was permitted in the grape
juice (Exodus 12). Both these aspects of purity typified the fact that Christ's LIFE was
pure and free from any sin.
28Concerning the origin of the Hebrew word which is translated as "passover," Alfred de Grazia, in
God's Fire and the Exodus: Management of Exodus, writes:
"The lintels of Hebrew houses were marked with sheep's blood to inform Yahweh
not to destroy his people dwelling within, particularly the first-born. Many Arabs
continue this custom. Yahweh would "pass over" them. Prof. Beer finds in the word
"passah" the original meaning "Jumping of the ram." Several images now occur:
the original spring sacrifices, the identification of Yahweh with the ram of Egyptian
Thoth (Hermes) and thus a clue to Moses' religious origins, the passing over of the
god in a cometary form, the awesome destruction of most homes and buildings by
violent earthquake, and the passover into the desert from Egypt."
http://grazian-archive.com/quantavolution/QuantaHTML/plaintext/gods_fire.txt
195

It was prophesied that a human body would be prepared for Christ, to enable Him to live
and die as a human being and as a human being (the Second Adam), to develop a
perfect human character.
Hebrews 10:5
"Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest
not, but a body hast thou prepared me."
Christ instructed His disciples that His body soul was represented by the Passover bread
and grape juice.
The Bread of Life is the righteousness of Christ's character. It is the product of His
perfect life. It is the essence of His life which He made available to humanity as a
covering robe. His unselfish holy spirit/mind fills the believer and gives new spiritual life,
just as bread is eaten to sustain the physical life.
Christ's life demonstrated the truth about God's loving character. "If ye have seen
me, ye have seen the Father" (John 14:9). By partaking of Christ's body the Bread of
Life the Righteousness of Christ a believer is renewed spiritual y.
The Bread
Romans 5:6, 8.
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the
ungodly...." "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were
yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Grain offerings were offered to God in the Old Testament and were cal ed "bread."
The Hebrew word used for "bread" supports the belief that Christ did not appear to
associate His body with the murdered lamb the physical flesh and blood
sacrifice of the Passover lamb, but with the sacrifice of His divine position in
Heaven to become the New Representative of the sinful, human race and its
inherent mortality.
Leviticus 21:6, 6, 17
"They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the
offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore
they shall be holy.... (8) Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy
God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the LORD, which sanctify you, am holy.... (17)
Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any
blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God."
6They shall be holy
unto their God
, and not profane

the name
<06944>
<0430>
<02490> (8762)
<08034>
of their God
: for the offerings

of the LORD
made by fire
, and the
<0430>
<00> <0801>
<03068>
<0801>
bread <03899> of their God
, they do offer

: therefore they shall be holy
<0430>
<07126> (8688)
.
<06918>
Strong's Hebrew Concordance # 03899: bread
<03899> lechem lekh'-em from 3898; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or
grain (for making it):--((shew-))bread, X eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also
1036. see HEBREW for 03898 see HEBREW for 01036
196

Ellen White, Bible Training School, Sanctification ,1 February, 1904
"God requires of us conformity to His image. Holiness is the reflection
from His people of the bright rays of His glory. But in order to reflect
this glory we must work with God. The heart and mind must be emptied
of all that leads to wrong. The Word of God must be read and studied,
with an earnest desire to gain from it spiritual power. The bread of
heaven must be eaten and digested, that it may become a part of
the life. Thus we gain eternal life. Then is answered the prayer of the
Saviour, "Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy Word is truth."
How can Christians eat the Bread of Life? By asking God to send His spirit (mind) and to
renew a right spirit in them (Jer 31:33).
Ellen White, 3 Spiritual Gifts, p 227
"Here our Saviour instituted the Lord's supper, to be often celebrated, to
keep fresh in the memory of his followers the solemn scenes of his
betrayal and crucifixion for the sins of the world. He would have his
followers realize their continual dependence upon his blood for salvation.
The broken bread was a symbol of Christ's broken body, given for the
salvation of the world. The wine was a symbol of his blood, shed for the
cleansing of the sins of al those who should come unto him for pardon,
and receive him as their Saviour."
A. T. Jones, Adventist Review and Sabbath Herald, September 18, 1900
Galatians 5:16-18
"If men were to be saved by being delivered utterly from the flesh
just as it is, then Jesus need never have come to the world. If men were
to be saved by being delivered from al temptation and set in a realm of
no temptation, then Jesus need not have come into the world. But never,
by any such deliverance as that, could man have developed character.
Therefore, instead of trying to save men by delivering them utterly from
the flesh just where they were, Jesus came to the world and put himself
IN THE FLESH just where men are and met that flesh JUST AS IT IS,
with all its tendencies and desires, and by the divine power which he
brought by faith, He "condemned sin in the flesh" and thus brought to all
mankind that divine faith which brings the divine power to man to deliver
him from the power of the flesh and the law of sin, just where he is, and
to give him assured dominion over the flesh, just as it is. ....
And every soul can have in its fullness that victory, who will receive
and keep 'the faith of Jesus.' For 'this is the victory that overcometh the
world, even our faith.'"
The bread symbolises the "Word of God" Whose body was broken by abuse He received
as a human being. If believers place faith in Christ, then His spirit/mind will prompt their
character development and enable them to live victoriously. This process is called
sanctification. The bread at the Lord's Supper reminds us of our dependence on Christ's
spirit to develop a holy character.
197

The Cup
Luke 22: 20
"Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood,
which is shed for you."
Jesus instructed His disciples that the grape juice represented the new testament in His
blood.
Was Jesus suggesting that His blood was to be consumed to enforce the New Covenant?
No, for such an instruction would have contradicted the Old Testament command that
prohibted consuming blood (Leviticus 17:14) and a command which later in the New
Testament, the Jerusalem Council reconfirmed as a principle to be taught to the Gentile
believers to abstain from blood (Acts 15:20).
The new testament is not speaking about physical rituals. The new testament refers to
the righteousness by faith experience which Christ's sinless life as a mortal man made
possible. It is the promise that Christ can save to the uttermost, al who thirst for
righteousness and will come to Him.
John 7:37
"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man
thirst, let him come unto me, and drink (38) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath
said, out of his belly shal flow rivers of living water. (39) (But this spake he of the Spirit,
which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given;
because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"
The new covenant which is 'in His blood' - is the promise of a new, victorious life "in
Christ" which is made possible by Christ's perfect spirit/mind 'in the life' of the believer.
Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26, 27
"And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take
the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: (ch 36:verse
26) A new heart also wil 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 wil give you an heart of flesh. (27) And I wil
put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my
judgments, and do them."
Jeremiah 31:33-34
"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those
days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts;
and wil be their God, and they shal be my people. (34) And they shall teach no more
every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they
shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I
will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
The Old Testament asserts that 'the life in the blood." Does the new covenant life
harmonise with this concept? Yes. In fact, it is the same concept, but appears that it was
misunderstood and misapplied by the Israelties.
Leviticus 17:11
11For the life
of the flesh
is
in
the blood
: and I have given

it to
<05315>
<01320>
<01818>
<05414> (8804)
you upon the altar
to make an atonement

for your souls
: for it is the
<04196>
<03722> (8763)
<05315>
blood
that maketh an atonement

for the soul
.
<01818>
<03722> (8762)
<05315>
Darby Translation Notes on Leviticus 17:11:
'Life' and 'soul' are the same Hebrew word. The literal meaning is 'in souls.' Or 'that
maketh atonement by the soul (or life).'
198

Leviticus 17:14
"For it is the life of al flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the
children of Israel, Ye shal eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is
the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shal be cut off."
Darby Translation Notes on Leviticus 17:14:
Literal y: "Its blood is for its life." The preposition used here denotes essence.
The meaning or the essence of the blood, is life or 'life force' or spirit. So too, the grape
juice is a symbol of Christ's death, but the believer's new, pure spotless LIFE in Christ,
because Christ became mortal for humanity's sake.
Romans 8:2,10
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and
death...." (10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life
because of righteousness. "
EJ Waggoner, General Conference Sermons, 1891, Study #12, Romans 8:1-16
"Again Christ said, 'He that believeth on Me . . . out of his belly shall flow
rivers of living water.' And this He spake of the Spirit, that He would give.
Said Christ again said to the woman at the well, 'Whosoever drinketh of
the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall
give him shal be in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life.'
Why? 'For if the Spirit that raised up Christ from the dead dwell in you,
He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal
bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.' Here is the hope of the
resurrection again. What remains to be done when the Spirit of Christ
dwelleth in you? Only to quicken, that is, to make alive, our mortal
bodies."
The grape juice demonstrates justification forgiveness of sins and redemption. The
Lord's Supper reminds us of our dependence on Christ gift of life which He gave to each
of us at great risk to His own eternal existence.
By instituting the Lord's Supper, Jesus upheld the divine principle revealed in the Old
Testament concerning abstinence from blood in the diet, and then introduced a
meaningful, yet bloodless ceremony to mark the significance of His pure life as the
spotless Son of Man.
199

The Doctrine of Indulgences
Martin Luther began the Protestant reformation when he took a strong position again the
Roman Catholic doctrine of indulgences, which the papal representative Tetzel was
sel ing to those who believed they could pay a fee for the service of being forgiven.
Fundamental Protestants still affirm Luther's position against indulgences, however, a
very similar system operated in the Hebrew sacrificial system as recorded in Leviticus.
Leviticus 6:1-7
"And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, (2) If a soul sin, and commit a trespass
against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep,
or in fel owship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;
(3) Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in
any of al these that a man doeth, sinning therein: (4) Then it shall be, because he hath
sinned, and is guilty, that he shal restore that which he took violently away, or the thing
which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing
which he found, (5) Or al that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore
it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to
whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering. (6) And he shall bring his
trespass offering unto the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy
estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest: (7) And the priest shall make an
atonement for him before the LORD: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all
that he hath done in trespassing therein."
In the preceding paragraph, a penalty is given to 'informed' sinners who are guilty
of intentional y breaking at least three of the 10 commandments (stealing; bearing
false witness and coveting).
The legal process outlined in Leviticus 6 declares that three steps must be taken to
restore the criminal to a 'forgiven/holy' status:
·
restore the stolen goods;
·
pay a fine of 20% to the victim; and
·
present and sacrifice an expensive animal (a ram) at the sanctuary/temple.
There are several difficulties with these legal steps.
·
heartfelt confession is not seen to be a requirement for forgiveness of sins;
·
a poor person is discriminated against in four ways:
·
they are unable to afford the 20% fine; and
·
they are unable to afford the expensive sacrificial ram
·
they are sold into slavery (Exodus 22:3);29
·
they remain unforgiven, since they could not afford to pay the fine or
purchase the required sacrificial ram to secure an atonement for their
sin.
This discriminatory system of penalties permitted the rich to steal (sin) to the level
that their wealth dictated and secure forgiveness, while the poor who were
unable to pay the fines, were sold into slavery and remained unforgiven.
The Roman Catholic doctrine of indulgences claims that premediated sins can be
forgiven for a suitable price, while Protestants general y believe that heartfelt
repentance marks true confession and a turning away from sin.
29 Exodus 22:3 (concerning a finanically poor thief) "... if he have nothing, then he shall be sold
for his theft."
200

Hebrews 10:26
"For if we sin wilful y after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there
remaineth no more sacrifice for sins (27) But a certain fearful looking for of
judgment and fiery indignation, which shal devour the adversaries."
Jesus puts it more clearly:
John 9:41
"Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We
see; therefore your sin remaineth."
And Paul reiterates Christ's words.
Acts 17:30
"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth al men
every where to repent."
1Timothy 1:13 (Paul speaking of his sinful past)
"Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained
mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief."
Ignorant sinners are shown divine mercy, but premediatated sinning is not
condoned in Christ's government.
The Levitical laws mentioned in this section appear to promote
·
the use of violence against animals; and
·
the doctrine of indulgences.
One might ask the question, 'would the Father the God of peace (Rom 15:33;
16:20: Phil 4:9; 1 Thess 5:23; Heb 13;20) and gentleness (2 Sam 22:36; Psa
18:35; Gal 5:22; 2 Cor 10:1 30) the God of equality originate such discriminatory
and violent laws?'
30 "the meekness and gentleness of Christ," 2 Cor 10:1
201

God's Law is a Description of His Character:
·
lovingkindness
Jeremiah 9:24
"I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the
earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
·
non-discriminatory
Matthew 5:45; Acts 10:34
(Jesus said), "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." (Peter said),"God is no respecter of persons: (35) But in every
nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."
·
converting, causing true repentance
Psalm 19:7
"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul."
·
holy, just, good
Romans 7:12
"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good."
·
fulfil ed by loving and helping others
James 2:8; Galatians 6:2
"If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour
as thyself, ye do wel ." "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of
Christ."
·
gentleness and meekness
2 Corinthians 10:1
"Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in
presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you."
·
righteousness
Galatians 5:22, 23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith (23), meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
·
non-violent, non-deceptive
Isaiah 53:9
"And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he
had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth."
202

Comparing the (Characters of the) Sanctuaries
In view of Ellen White's conviction that the sanctuary services were designed between the
Father and Son in their heavenly counsels, one might begin to question if the sanctuary
services were adulterated after the Israelites' interaction with pagan nations. Some
theologians have suggested that pagan nations copied the Israelites' services, however
there are problems that accompany this view (see objection #29).
The earthly sanctuary was said to be designed after the pattern of the sanctuary in
heaven, but in comparing the Israelites sanctuary services with pagan nations temples
and ceremonies, the similarities are extremely difficult to deny. It is apparent that it was
not God's intention to have animals sacrificed to appease His anger; to purify the
worshippers' souls; or as a means of achieving eternal life as both the Jews and pagans
seemed to believe.
Despite the great spiritual darkness that Israel descended into, God was still able to make
His truth known in the midst of extreme wickedness, and He did not cast off the Israelites
because of the many evil practices in which they participated. God issued instructions
designed to counteract evil arising from their unrighteous acts (polygamy, divorce). Could
it be possible that the sanctuary services were adulterated to such a degree, that the love
of God and the plan of salvation were only barely discernible as though a veil was over
their hearts? Is it possible that the original sanctuary services, which accurately reflected
the heavenly sanctuary, also became obscured, because of the hardness of the Israelites
hearts?
2 Corinthians 3:13-16
"And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not
stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: (14) But their minds were blinded:
for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old
testament; which veil is done away in Christ. (15) But even unto this day, when Moses is
read, the veil is upon their heart. (16) Nevertheless when it shal turn to the Lord, the veil
shall be taken away."
The Israelites had physical y come out of Egypt, but they carried Egyptian spiritual
philosophy with them still in their minds. These beliefs and practices were evidenced in
their religious rituals, and were most evident at times of their national apostasy .
According to Old Testament references, along with pagan sacrifices, illicit (pagan) sexual
activities appear to have been practised by the Israelites in idolatrous worship, yet they
were "the chosen people" and promised to be obedient to the One True God (1 Kings
14:24; 15:12; 22:46; 2 Kings 23:7).
God had great mercy on the Israelites. He dealt patiently with them, endeavouring to lead
them out of paganism and into a deeper understanding of His loving righteousness. God
would have led them out of paganism, as quickly as they would fol ow Him. The problem
was not with God -it was with the people.
It appears that the ancient Israelites become so confused in their dealings with the pagan
nations around them so desensitised to their pagan sexual and child-burning worship
rituals - that they confused the character of the pure and holy Creator, the One True God
with the blended, good/evil character of the Canaanite religions?
The Biblical and historical evidence appears to strongly support this
hypothesis.
203

Walther Zimmerli (19071984) was Professor of Old Testament at the University of
Göttingen, Germany, and and considered by many as one of the most important biblical
scholars of the twentieth century. Among his many publications in English are Ezekiel, 2
vols. (Hermeneia; Fortress Press, 1979/1983), I Am Yahweh (1982), The Old Testament
and the World (1976), and The Law and the Prophets (1965). In The Law and the
Prophets, Zimmerli writes:
"In this connection Hosea attacks with particular passion the priests who
should have been the true guardians of the knowledge of God, and who
have especial y failed in this duty (Hosea iv. 4 ff.). They have allowed to
pass unnoticed the very real exchange of Yahweh, the God of Israel,
for the baals of Canaan. This was no longer the same threat which had
occurred in Elijah's time, it was something much more dangerous. While
the worship of Yahweh remained outwardly correct, in reality he had
come to be regarded as a nature deity like the Canaanite Baal. From
him men sought the fertility of the soil and of marriage; he was
worshipped with the forms of nature religion and with sacral prostitution,
as men worshipped the Baals. Ya
hweh became Baal. The name of one
of David's warriors, which is recorded in I Chronicles 12:5 as Bealiah
(Yahweh is Baal) demonstrates exactly this programmatic assertion.
Thus without knowing it, Israel had begun to misunderstand the very
nature of its God, because the professional guardians of a true
knowledge of him were asleep" (Walther Zimmerli, The Law and the
Prophets, Basil Blackwell 1965 p.70).
Columbia University Press Encyclopedia at Answers.com presents the folllowing
information concerning Baal, a pagan god who is acknowledged at an idol which
represented Satan as he attempts to imitate the Creator the One True God.
Baal (b'l) , plural Baalim (b'lm) [Semitic,=master, lord], name used
throughout the Bible for the chief deity or for deities of Canaan. The term
was originally an epithet applied to the storm god Hadad. Technically,
Baal was subordinate to El. Baal is attested in the Ebla texts (first half of
2d mil ennium B.C.). By the time of the Ugarit tablets (14th cent. B.C.),
Baal had become the ruler of the universe. The Ugarit tablets make him
chief of the Canaanite pantheon. He is the source of life and fertility, the
mightiest hero, the lord of war, and the defeater of the god Yam. There
were many temples of Baal in Canaan, and the name Baal was often
added to that of a locality, e.g. Baal-peor, Baal-hazor, Baal-hermon. The
Baal cult penetrated Israel and at times led to syncretism. In the Psalms,
Yahweh is depicted as Baal and his dwelling is on Mt. Zaphon (Zion), the
locale of Baal in Canaanite mythology. The practice of sacred prostitution
seems to have been associated with the worship of Baal in Palestine and
the cult was vehemently denounced by the prophets, especially Hosea
and Jeremiah. The abhorrence in which the cult was held probably
explains the substitution of Ish-bosheth for Esh-baal, of Jerubbesheth for
Jerubbaal (a name of Gideon), and of Mephibosheth for Merib-baal. The
substituted term probably means "shame." The same abhorrence is
evident the use of the pejorative name Baal-zebub (see also Satan). The
Baal of 1 Chronicles is probably the same as Ramah 2. As cognates of
Baal in other Semitic languages there are Bel (in Babylonian religion) and
the last elements in the Tyrian names Jezebel, Hasdrubal, and Hannibal."
http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=29l33c32f48kr?tname=
baal&curtab=2222_1&hl=bealiah&sbid=lc05b
204

Wikipedia Encyclopedia, Baal:
"After Gideon's death, according to Judges 8.33, the Israelites went astray
and started to worship the Ba`alîm (the Ba`als) especial y Ba`al Berith 'Lord
of the Covenant'. A few verses later (Judge 9.4) the story turns to al the
citizens of Shechem actual y kol-ba`alê skem another case of normal
use of ba`al not applied to a deity. These citizens of Shechem support
Abimelech's attempt to become king by giving him 70 shekels from the
House of Ba`al Berith. It is hard to disassociate this Lord of the Covenant
who is worshipped in Shechem from the covenant at Shechem described
earlier in Joshua 24.25 in which the people agree to worship Yahweh. It is
especially hard to do so when Judges 9.46 relates that all "the holders of
the tower of Shechem" (kol-ba`alê midgal-skem) enter bêt 'l brît 'the
House of El Berith', that is, 'the House of God of the Covenant'. Was Ba`al
then here just a title for El? Or did the covenant of Shechem perhaps
originally not involve El at al but some some other god who bore the title
Ba`al? Or were there different viewpoints about Yahweh, some seeing him
as an aspect of Hadad, some as an aspect of El, some with other
theories? Again there is no clear answer. We also find Eshbaal (one of
Saul's sons) and Beeliada (a son of David). The last name also appears
as Eliada. This might show that at some period Ba`al and El were used
interchangeably even in the same name applied to the same person. More
likely a later hand has cleaned up the text. Editors did play around with
some names, sometimes substuting the form bosheth 'abomination' for
ba`al in names, whence the forms Ishbosheth instead of Eshbaal and
Mephibosheth which is rendered Meribaal in 1 Chronicles 9.40. 1
Chronicles 12:5 gives us the name Bealiah (more accurately b`'alyâ)
meaning 'Yahweh is Ba`al'."
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, presents information concerrning Baal,
from the research of AH Sayce.
"Temples of Baal at Samaria and Jerusalem are mentioned in 1Ki 1:18;
where they had been erected at the time when the Ahab dynasty
endeavored to fuse Israelites and Jews and Phoenicians into a single
people under the same national Phoenician god. Altars on which incense
was burned to Baal were set up in all the streets of Jerusalem according
to Jeremiah (11:13), apparently on the flat roofs of the houses (Jer 32:29);
and the temple of Baal contained an image of the god in the shape of a
pil ar or Bethel (2Ki 10:26,27). In the reign of Ahab, Baal was served in
Israel by 450 priests (1Ki 18:19), as well as by prophets (2Ki 10:19), and
his worshippers wore special vestments when his ritual was performed
(2Ki 10:22). The ordinary offering made to the god consisted of incense
(Jer 7:9) and burnt sacrifices; on extraordinary occasions the victim was
human (Jer 19:5). At times the priests worked themselves into a state of
ecstasy, and dancing round the altar slashed themselves with knives
(1Kings 18:26,28), like certain dervish orders in modern Islam."
AH Sayce demonstrates the two-tone, blended character of the pagan deity, Baal:
"As the Sun-god, Baal was worshipped under two aspects, beneficent and destructive.
On the one hand he gave light and warmth to his worshippers; on the other hand the
fierce heats of summer destroyed the vegetation he had himself brought into being.
Hence, human victims were sacrificed to him in order to appease his anger in time of
plague or other trouble, the victim being usual y the first-born of the sacrificer and being
burnt alive. In the Old Testament this is euphemistically termed "passing" the victim
"through the fire" (2Ki 16:3; 21:6). The forms under which Baal was worshipped were
necessarily as numerous as the communities which worshipped him. Each locality had its
own Baal or divine "Lord" who frequently took his name from the city or place to which he
205

belonged. Hence, there was a Baal-Zur, "Baal of Tyre"; Baal-hermon, "Baal of Hermon"
(Jud 3:3); Baal-Lebanon, "Baal of Lebanon"; Baal-Tarz, "Baal of Tarsus." At other times
the title was attached to the name of an individual god; thus we have Bel-Merodach, "the
Lord Merodach" (or "Bel is Merodach") at Babylon, Baal-Melkarth at Tyre, Baal-gad (Jos
11:17) in the north of Palestine. Occasional y the second element was noun as in Baal-
Shemaim, "lord of heaven," Baalzebub (2Ki 1:2), "Lord of flies," Baal-Hamman, usually
interpreted "Lord of heat," but more probably "Lord of the sunpillar," the tutelary deity of
Carthage. All these various forms of the Sun-god were collectively known as the Baalim
or "Baals" who took their place by the side of the female Ashtaroth and Ashtrim. At
Carthage the female consort of Baal was termed Pene-Baal, "the face" or "reflection of
Baal."
http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=29l33c32f48kr?tname=baal&curtab=22
22_1&hl=bealiah&sbid=lc05b
It is clearly demonstrated that prior to the time that the Old Testament writings were
written down in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, the Israelites were very knowledgeable
about the religion of Baal worship.
In that pagan context, is it surprising that the 'blended' character traits of 'the baals' was
transferred unto the character of the One True God?
206

Ellen White Concerning Sacrifices
1 Testimonies for the Church, p 25
"My feelings were very sensitive. I dreaded giving pain to any living creature. When I saw
animals ill-treated, my heart ached for them. Perhaps my sympathies were more easily
excited by suffering because I myself had been the victim of thoughtless cruelty, resulting
in the injury that had darkened my childhood. But when the thought took possession of
my mind that God delighted in the torture of His creatures, who were formed in His image,
a wall of darkness seemed to separate me from Him."
Desire of Ages 1898, p 90 (similar passage Signs of the Times, 6 August, 1896, p 9)
"Mary often remonstrated with Jesus, and urged Him to conform to the usages of the
rabbis. But He could not be persuaded to change His habits of contemplating the works of
God and seeking to alleviate the suffering of men or even of dumb animals. When
the priests and teachers required Mary's aid in control ing Jesus, she was greatly
troubled; but peace came to her heart as He presented the statements of Scripture
upholding His practices."
Ministry of Healing, p 316
"What man with a human heart, who has ever cared for domestic animals, could look into
their eyes, so full of confidence and affection, and wil ingly give them over to the butcher's
knife? How could he devour their flesh as a sweet morsel?"
Signs of the Times, 25 November, 1880, p18
"Here is a lesson to all who have reasoning powers, that harsh treatment, even to the
brutes, is offensive to God. Those who profess to love God do not always consider that
abuse to animals, or suffering brought upon them by neglect, is a sin. The fruits of divine
grace will be as truly revealed in men by the manner in which they treat their beasts, as
by their service in the house of God. Those who al ow themselves to become impatient or
enraged with their animals are not Christians. A man who is harsh, severe and
domineering toward the lower animals, because he has them in his power, is both a
coward and a tyrant. And he wil , if opportunity offers, manifest the same cruel,
overbearing spirit toward his wife and children."
Ministry of Healing, p 316, 317
"The moral evils of a flesh diet are not less marked than are the physical ills. Flesh food is
injurious to health, and whatever affects the body has a corresponding effect on the mind
and the soul. Think of the cruelty to animals that meat eating involves, and its effect
on those who inflict and those who behold it. How it destroys the tenderness with
which we should regard these creatures of God!...(317) Is it not time that all should
aim to dispense with flesh foods? How can those who are seeking to become pure,
refined, and holy, that they may have the companionship of heavenly angels, continue to
use as food anything that has so harmful an effect on soul and body? H
ow can they take
th
e life of God's creatures that they may consume the flesh as a luxury? Let them,
rather, return to the wholesome and delicious food given to man in the beginning, and
themselves practice a
nd te
ach their children to practice mercy toward the dumb
c reatures that God has made and has placed under our dominion."

Desire of Ages, p 286
"Thus greater care was shown for a dumb animal than for man, who is made in the image
of God. This illustrates the working of all false religions. They originate in man's desire to
exalt himself above God, but they result in degrading man below the brute. Every religion
that wars against the sovereignty of God defrauds man of the glory which was his at the
creation, and which is to be restored to him in Christ. Every false religion teaches its
adherents to be careless of human needs, sufferings, and rights. The gospel places a
high value upon humanity as the purchase of the blood of Christ, and it teaches a tender
regard for the wants and woes of man."
207

In the light of the foregoing statements, Ellen White's following statements become
challenging.
Review and Herald, 6 May,1875 p 3
"God gave a clear and definite knowledge of his wil to Israel by especial precepts,
showing the duty of man to God and to his fellow-men. The worship due to God was
clearly defined. A special system of rites and ceremonies was established, which would
secure the remembrance of God among his people, and thereby serve as a hedge to
guard and protect the ten commandments from violation. (4) God's people, whom he
cal s his peculiar treasure, were privileged with a two-fold system of law; the moral and
the ceremonial. The one, pointing back to creation to keep in remembrance the living God
who made the world, whose claims are binding upon al men in every dispensation, and
which will exist through all time and eternity. The other, given because of man's
transgression of the moral law, the obedience to which consisted in sacrifices and
offerings pointing to the future redemption. Each is clear and distinct from the other. From
the creation the moral law was an essential part of God's divine plan, and was as
unchangeable as himself. The ceremonial law was to answer a particular purpose of
Christ plan for the salvation of the race. The typical system of sacrifices and offerings was
established that through these services the sinner might discern the great offering, Christ.
But the Jews were so blinded by pride and sin that but few of them could see farther than
the death of beasts as an atonement for sin; and when Christ, whom these offerings
prefigured, came, they could not discern him. The ceremonial law was glorious; it was the
provision made by Jesus Christ in counsel with his Father, to aid in the salvation of the
race. The whole arrangement of the typical system was founded on Christ. Adam saw
Christ prefigured in the innocent beast suffering the penalty of his transgression of
Jehovah's law. (5) The law of types reached forward to Christ. All hope and faith
centered in Christ until type reached its antitype in his death. The statutes and judgments
specifying the duty of man to his fellow-men, were ful of important instruction, defining
and simplifying the principles of the moral law, for the purpose of increasing religious
knowledge, and of preserving God's chosen people distinct and separate from idolatrous
nations. "(6) The statutes concerning marriage, inheritance, and strict justice in deal with
one another, were peculiar and contrary to the customs and manners of other nations,
and were designed of God to keep his people separate from other nations." The necessity
of this to preserve the people of God from becoming like the nations who had not the love
and fear of God, is the same in this corrupt age, when the transgression of God's law
prevails and idolatry exists to a fearful extent. In ancient Israel needed such security, we
need it more, to keep us from being utterly confounded with the transgressors of God's
law. The hearts of men are so prone to depart from God that there is a necessity for
restraint and discipline. (7) The love that God bore to man whom he had created in his
own image, led him to give his Son to die for man's transgression, and lest the increase of
sin should lead him to forget God and the promised redemption, the system of sacrificial
offerings was established to typify the perfect offering of the Son of God."
208

Ellen White's position appears contradictory.
·
She rebukes those who would butcher innocent animals, and yet promotes the
idea that the sacrificial system, (which required the brutal slaughtering of many
animals), offered the Jews an opportunity to develop their characters.
·
She tel s SDA's to teach their children to be merciful to animals, but how could the
Jews teach their children to practice mercy toward the dumb animals, and not to
be careless of their needs and sufferings, while the Jews were to instruct their
children how to slit the animals' throats. (Pagan religions also required that
children become instructed in these "offerings to the gods").
·
How could Ellen White suggest that God's people should eat only a vegetarian
diet, while the Jewish sacrificial system required every Jew to eat meat e.g. The
paschal lamb?
·
How could Ellen White suppose that killing thousands of animals would teach the
Israelites the dreadfulness of their sins, when she agrees that God commanded
the Israelites to deliberately kil men, women, children and infants? How does a
lamb compare to kil ing a baby? It is far more traumatic to kil a baby than a lamb.
While not denying that Ellen White was shown certain divine revelations, it is stil probable
that there were issues which were not revealed to her.
209

Prostitution
Pagan Practices and Symbols
In the introduction to the Latin work PRIAPEIA - SPORTIVE EPIGRAMS ON PRIAPUS
(by divers poets in English verse and prose, which was translation by Leonard C.
Smithers and Sir Richard Burton), NEANISKOS [July,1890] outlined the origin of Priapus -
a fertility god - and some prominent worship practices identified with the cult. Scanned at
www.sacred-texts.com , December, 2000.http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/priap/prpc.htm
'In the earliest ages the worship of the generative Energy was of the most
simple and artless character, rude in manner, primitive in form, chaste in
idea, the homage of man to the Supreme Power, the Author of Life, the
Sun, as symbolised by the reproductive force.
Afterwards the cult became depraved, a religion of feeling, of
sensuousness, corrupted by a priesthood who, not slow to take
advantage of this state of affairs, inculcated therewith profligate and
mysterious ceremonies, union of gods with women, religious prostitution
and other sexual rites. Thus it was not long before the emblems lost their
real and original meaning, and became licentious statues and debased
art. Hence we have the debauched ceremonies at the festivals of
Bacchus, who became, not only the representative of the creative Energy,
but the god of pleasure and licentiousness.
(An) Ithyphal us, (was) a piece of wood shaped like the erect virile
member (a penis), which was carried about in the festivals of Bacchus.
Hence, applied to Priapus, who was represented with an erect member.
Priapus was also called Triphallus (triphallos), a threefold phallus, an
immense phal us, on account of the extraordinary size of his member.]
This corrupted religion readily found eager votaries, captives to a
pleasant bondage compelled by the impulse of physical luxury: such was
the case in India and Egypt, and among the Phoenicians, Babylonians,
Hebrews and other Eastern races.
Sex-worship once personified became the supreme and governing deity,
enthroned as the ruling god over al ; and monarchs, complying with the
prevailing faith, became willing devotees to the cult of Isis and Venus on
the one hand, and on the other of Bacchus and Priapus, appealing, as
they did, to the most tyrannical passion of human nature.
The worship of Priapus amongst the Romans was derived from the
Egyptians, who, under the form of Apis, the Sacred Bull, adored the
generative Power of Nature; and as the syllable pri or pre signifies (we
are assured) principle, production, natural or original source, the word
Priapus may be translated principle of production or of fecundation
of Apis. The same symbol also bore among the Romans the names of
Tutenus, Mutinus[1] and Fascinum. (continued over page)
210

"According to Macrobius, the corresponding deity amongst the Egyptians
was cal ed Horus--a personification of the sun. This Horus is painted as
a winged youth, with a quoit lying at his feet, a sceptre in his right hand,
and in
his left a Phallus 31
e
qual in size to the rest of his body. The
Phallus was the ancient emblem of creation, and representative of
the gods Bacchus, Priapus, Hercules, Siva, Osiris, Baal and Asher,
who were all Phallic deities, the symbols being used as signs of the al -
creative Energy or operating Power of the Demiurgos, from no
consideration of mere animal appetite but in token of the highest
reverence. ....Among the Greeks, the membrum virile (wooden 'penis')
was borne in procession to the temple of Bacchus and was there crowned
with a garland by one of the most respectable matrons of the city.
According to St Augustine the sexual organ of man was
consecrated in the temple of Liber, that of women in the sanctuaries
of Liberia, these two divinities being named father and mother.
Payne Knight states that Priapus, in his character of procreative deity, is
celebrated by the Greek poets under the title of Love or Attraction, the
first principle of Animation, the father of gods and men, the regulator and
dispenser of all things. He Is said to pervade the universe with the motion
of his wings, bringing pure light, and thence to be called 'the splendid, the
self-illumined, the ruling Priapus'. According to Natalis Comes, the
worship of Priapus was introduced into Athens by express order of an
oracle.
The Priapi were of different forms, some having only a human head and
the Phallus, some with the head of Pan or of a faun--that is, with the
beard and ears of a goat. Among the paintings found in Pompeii there
are several representations of hircine sacrifices and offerings of milk and
flowers to Priapus. The god is represented as a Hermes on a square
pedestal, with the usual characteristic of the deity, a prominent Phal us.
.... When furnished with arms, in his character of 'Terminus', Priapus
held with one hand a reaping hook and, like Osiris, grasped with the
other the characteristic feature of his divinity which was always of a
monstrous size and in a state of statant energy. One of the paintings
discovered at Pompei represents a sacrifice or offering to Priapus, made
by two persons...."
"...it was a custom amongst the Babylonians that every woman should
once in her life prostitute herself at the temple of Venus to a stranger. This
practice is confirmed by Jeremiah and Strabo; The prostitution of women,
considered as a religious institution, was not only practised in Babylon, but
at Heliopolis; at Aphace, a place betwixt Heliopolis and Biblus; at Sicca
Veneria, in Africa, and also on the Isle of Cyprus. It was at Aphace that
Venus was supposed, according to the author of the Etymologicum
Magnum, to have first received the embraces of Adonis. At Argalae, in
Africa, women were prostituted on the wedding night. The Loricans,
when hard pressed in war, vowed to offer up their daughters to be
deflowered in a festival in honour of Venus, if they should be
victorious. 32 (continued over page)
31 Phallus, or privy member (membrum virile), signifies 'he breaks through or passes into'; German
(pfahl); English (pole); of Phoenician origin, the Greek word, pallo--'to brandish preparatory to
throwing a missile'; in Sanskrit, phal--'to burst, to produce, to be faithful', 'a ploughshare', and also
the names of Shiva and Mahadeva, who are Hindu deities of destruction. The kteis, or female
organ, as the symbol of the passive or reproductive powers of nature, generally occurs on ancient
Roman monuments as the concha Veneris, a fig, barley, corn and the letter delta.]
32 Jephthah, made a similar vow and she had "to bewail her virginity for two months" before the
father sacrificed his daughter (Judges 11 .30-40)
211

The Marquis de Sade in his priapistic book La Philsophie dans le Boudoir
states Babylonian children were deflowered at the temple of Venus at an
early age; and gives some curious details on the subject of prostitution in
Pegu and Tartary." http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/priap/prp40.htm
In his book, Pagan & Christian Creeds:Their Origin and Meaning, Edward Carpenter
(p 181)
"We know, of course, from the Bible that the Syrians in Palestine were
given to sexual worships. There were erect images (phal ic) and "groves"
(sexual symbols) on every high hill and under every green tree; 2 and
these same images and the rites connected with them crept into the
Jewish Temple and were popular enough to maintain their footing there
for a long period from King Rehoboam onwards, notwithstanding the
efforts of Josiah 3 and other reformers to extirpate them. Moreover there
were girls and men (hierodouloi) regularly attached during this period to
the Jewish Temple as to the heathen 9p. 182) Temples, for the rendering
of sexual services, which were recognized in many cases as part of the
ritual. Women were persuaded that it was an honor and a privilege to be
fertilized by a 'holy man' (a priest or other man connected with the rites),
and children resulting from such unions were often called "Children of
God"--an appellation which no doubt sometimes led to a legend of
miraculous birth! Girls who took their place as hierodouloi in the Temple or
Temple-precincts were expected to surrender themselves to men-
worshipers in the Temple, much in the same way, probably, as Herodotus
describes in the temple of the Babylonian Venus Mylitta, where every
native woman, once in her life, was supposed to sit in the Temple and
have intercourse with some stranger. Indeed the Syrian and Jewish
rites dated largely from Babylonia. "The Hebrews entering Syria," says
Richard Burton 2 "found it religionized, by Assyria and Babylonia, when
the Accadian Ishtar had passed West, and had become Ashtoreth,
Ashtaroth, or Ashirah, the Anaitis of Armenia, the Phoenician Astarte, and
the Greek Aphrodite, the great Moon-goddess who is queen of Heaven
and Love." The word translated "grove" as above, in our Bible, is in
fact Asherah, which connects it pretty clearly with the Babylonian
Queen of Heaven. In India again, in connection with the Hindu Temples
and their rites, we have exactly the same institution of girls attached to the
Temple service--the Nautch-girls--whose functions in past times were
certainly sexual, and whose dances in honor of the god are, even down to
the present day, decidedly amatory in character. Then we have the very
numerous lingams (conventional representations of the male organ) to be
seen, scores and scores of them, in the arcades and cloisters of the Hindu
Temples--(p. 183) to which women of al classes, especial y those who
wish to become mothers, resort, anointing them copiously with oil, and
signalizing their respect and devotion to them in a very practical way. As
to the lingam as representing the male organ, in some form or
other--as upright stone or pillar or obelisk or slender round tower--it
occurs all over the, world, notably in Ireland, and forms such a memorial
of the adoration paid by early folk to the great emblem and instrument of
human fertility, as cannot be mistaken." (Carpenter's quote continued
over page)
212

"The pillars set up by Solomon in front of his temple were obviously
fr
om their names--Jachin and Boaz 33
--m
eant to be emblems of this
k ind; and the fact that they were crowned with pomegranates-34
-th
e
universally accepted symbol of the female--confirms and clinches
th
is interpretation.35
The obelisks before the Egyptians' temples were
signs of the same character." (Carpenter's quote continued over page)
http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/pcc/pcc13.htm
33 Jachin and Boaz mean 'He shall establish' and 'in it is strength' are the marginal
interpretations of these two words found in the Bible. It is interesting that Priapus was called "the
rigid god." In pagan temples, the columns symbolised the male phallus. The 'pillars' were
emblems of the Procreator http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/pcc/pcc13.htm
1 Kings 7:18-22
"And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters
that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter. (19) And the
chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily work in the porch, four cubits. (20) And
the chapiters upon the two pillars had pomegranates also above, over against the belly which was
by the network: and the pomegranates were two hundred in rows round about upon the other
chapiter. (21) And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar,
and called the name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz.
(22) And upon the top of the pillars was lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished."
34 Pomegrantes and Bells-
In long established pagan rituals, pomengranates and bells were used to invoke fertility and
protection from evil spirits. "Pagans used bells to summon demons, cast spells, and communicate
with the dead, while 'Christians' used them to cast out evil spirits and frighten away storms. St.
Anthony Abbot attached a bell to his crutch to ward off the demons who plagued him with
temptations. Shakespeare alluded to the use of bells in exorcisms and excommunications with the
phrase 'bell, book, and candle' (King John, III,iii,12)."
http://ww2.netnitco.net/users/legend01/bells.htm
The goddess Astarte is also known as Astarat and Astoreth. The bull and the dove are especially
sacred to Astarte and Astoreth. The goddesses are often depicted wearing horns. The egg is a
symbol sacred to Astarte, and represents abundant fertility. The pomegranate, which was a "fruit
filled with eggs" (its seeds) was an important part of the sacred rites connected with the worship of
Astarte. According to a Wiccan source, a "bell is an amulet used by primitive and Western
people whose sound was intended to ward off the evil eye and dispel hostile spirits. In the Middle
East bells were attached to the harness of horses and camels for the same purposes."
http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/tigris/567/id38.htm Later it was believed that bells had
holy powers and they were tolled during funeral processions to ward off evil spirits.
The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, Vol. II: Basilica Chambers by
Philip Schaff, states"...among the pagans the priests of Proserpine announced the beginning of
the sacrifice by ringing bells. ..http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/encyc02.bells.html
In the Hebrew sanctuary services, the High Priest wore on the bottom of his robe 'a pomegranate
and a bell, a pomegranate and a bell' (Exodus 28:34) when He went before the Lord, so that he
would not die. Exodus 28:34 -35 "A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a
pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about. (35) And it shall be upon Aaron to minister:
and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he
cometh out, that he die not."
35Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
I Kings 7:21:"The right pillar-Jachin - That is, He shall establish. The left pillar-Boaz - that is, in
strength. These were no doubt emblematical; for notwithstanding their names, they seem to have
supported no part of the building."
213

(Edward Carpenter 's quote continued)
"The well-known T-shaped cross was in use in pagan lands long
before Christianity, as a representation of the male member, and
also at the same time of the 'tree' on which the god (Attis or Adonis
or Krishna or whoever it might be) was crucified; and the same
symbol combined with the oval (or yoni) formed the Crux Ansata
of the old Egyptian ritual--a figure which is to-day sold in Cairo as a
potent charm, and confessedly indicates the conjunction of the two
sexes in one design. MacLennan in The Fortnightly Review (Oct. 1869)
quotes with approval the words of Sanchoniathon, as saying that "men
first worship plants, next the heavenly bodies, (p 184) supposed to be
animals, then 'pillars' (emblems of the Procreator), and last, the
anthropomorphic gods. ....It is not necessary to enlarge on this subject.
The facts of the connection of sexual rites with religious services nearly
everywhere in the early world are, as I say, sufficiently patent to every
inquirer." http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/pcc/pcc13.htm
214

Temple Prostitutes
Leviticus 19:29;21:9
"Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom,
and the land become ful of wickedness. 9 And the daughter of any priest, if she profane
herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire."
1 Kings 14:22-24
"And Judah did evil in the sight of the LORD, and they provoked him to jealousy with their
sins which they had committed, above all that their fathers had done. 23 For they also
built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green
tree. 24 And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to al the
abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel."
2 Kings 23:7
"And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the LORD,
where the women wove hangings for the grove (image, statue)."
In the reign of Asa, sodomy and prostitution was practised as part of the Israelites' pagan
worship ceremonies (1 Kings 15:12). The male temple prostitutes (whoremongers)
engaged in "sacred" homosexual (sodomy) rites in special "houses" built for this particular
"service." The female temple prostitutes also participated in pagan worship rituals of the
male/female fertility god whose idols were "used" in worship ceremonies. Throughout
their entire Old Testament history, the Israelites were steeped in the practice of
human/child sacrifice and homosexual and male/female sexual religious rites. Just prior
to their Babylonian captivity, Amos related a message from God.
Amos 5:25
"Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house
of Israel? 26 But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the
star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. 27 Therefore wil I cause you to go into
captivity beyond Damascus, saith the LORD, whose name is The God of hosts."
Moloch (also cal ed Milcom), was the fire-serpent god of the Ammonites in Canaan, to
whom human sacrifices were offered. This was the same fire-serpent religion (Bol-Khan)
which the Egyptians had observed in Egypt; the same religion which the Moabites
practised the glory of their god Chemosh; and the same religion which the Zidonians
worshipped to the glory of their god Baal.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
2 Kings 23:7
"'He (Josiah) broke down the houses of the sodomites' ( µydqh hakkedeshim,
of the whoremongers,) 'where the women wove hangings for the grove' ( hral
µytb bottim laasherah, 'houses or shrines for Asherah.') Similar perhaps to
those which the silversmiths made for Diana, Acts xix. 24. It is rather absurd to
suppose that the women were employed in making curtains to encompass a
grove. The Syriac and Arabic versions countenance the interpretation I have
given above. In chap. xxii . 6, the former says, 'He cast out the idol, dechlotho,
from the house of the Lord;' and in 2 Kings xxiii. 7: 'He threw down the houses,
dazoine, of the prostitutes; and the women who wove garments, ledechlotho,
for the idols which were there.' The Arabic is exactly the same. From the whole
it is evident that Asherah was no other than Venus; the nature of whose
worship is plain enough from the mention of whoremongers and prostitutes."
215

Prostitution by Any Other Name is Still the Same Game
Numbers 31:1-54 reports that the Israelites waged war on the Midianites and were
victorious. The Israelite warriors kil ed al the adult males of the Midianites, but brought
back to Israel, all their women and children as captives. Moses was "wroth" (verse 14)
and commanded that only the female virgins (32,000) were to be kept alive, so the
mothers and male infants and male children were slaughtered. The reason suggested for
this slaughter by Moses, was that it was the Midianite women who led the Israelite men
into sin at Baal-Peor with their prostitution. However, wouldn't the young virgins have
learned a trick or two from their prostitute mothers? Wouldn't it have been safer to keep
the male babies alive and slaughter the virgin women just in case the virgins tried to lure
the Israelite men into sin again?
The report in Numbers states that the virgins, along with the pillaged livestock and the
gold etc, were distributed between the warriors and the congregation. The warriors
received half the virgins and the congregation who had not participated in the battle,
received the other 50% of the virgins. The priests were not overlooked and they received
the 32 virgins which were dedicated to the Lord as a type of tithe or levy. The Levites also
received 1/50th of all the pil age, including their share of young virgins.
Leviticus 19:29;21:9
"Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom,
and the land become ful of wickedness. 9 And the daughter of any priest, if she profane
herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire."
For what purpose were the Israelite men reserving the Midianite virgins? To save their
own daughters from becoming Israelite whores perhaps? Would the Midianite women be
utilised to fulfil the temple-prostitute role in the worship ceremonies to which the Israelites
returned so often?
Were the virgins that the Israelites took for themselves of a very young age? It appears
that pagan nations participated in paedophilia. Was child-adult sex depicted by this statue
of a tantra worship ritual between the supposedly divine Shiva and Shakti?
Certainly we know that the Israelites repeatedly performed child sacrifices to pagan gods
in their apostasy from God - it is well documented in the Bible in many places. Under
these conditions, it is not difficult to accept that the worship of the One True God gradually
became blended with the worship of pagan gods until the distinctly opposite characters of
both the Creator and pagan gods became almost indistinguishable to the worshippers.
216

Marriage
By interaction with pagan nations, the Israelite's system of worship had become
confused and so too had their understanding of the original, divine concept of
marriage.
The Israelites religious practices reflected their conception of God's character,
however the Mosiac laws concerning marriage, magnify still further the nation's
distorted view of the character of God. The following questions assist the study.
·
What was God's original plan for marriage?
·
What constitutes a "scriptural" marriage?
·
What constitutes a "scriptural" divorce?
·
What is a "non-Scriptural" divorce?
·
Does God permit and sanction remarriage after a "non-scriptural divorce?"
The Original Plan for Marriage
Genesis 2:21-24
"And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took
one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; (22) And the rib, which the LORD
God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. (23) And
Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called
Woman, because she was taken out of Man. (24) Therefore shall a man leave his father
and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
There is no doubt that the original plan for humanity was for one man to remain married to
one woman for life (and perhaps eternity if sin had not entered the world). However,
because after sin entered the world, humanity to inherit carnal flesh a selfish mind and
the plan for the perfect marriage was ignored. Practices involving sexual relationships
and marriage, became corrupt. God foresaw that drastic remedial action was required
and He outlined again the perfect plan for marriage in the 10 commandments.
Exodus 20:14
"Thou shalt not commit adultery."
Despite receiving the 10 commandments, with the 7th commandment forbidding adultery,
the Israelites required further clarification of the divine law of God. Just as the "man of
sin" tries today to change the law which identifies what constitutes a valid marriage, so
anciently Satan engineered strategies to make marriage dishonorable and illicit unions
'legal', in the Israelites experience.
Moses was required to relay further instructions to the Israelites, regarding marriage,"for
the hardness of their hearts." Still, because of their association with pagan nations, their
desire to imitate their practices, and the hardness of their hearts, the Israelites
encountered difficulties remaining within the confines of the seventh commandment.
Deuteronomy 24:1-4
"When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no
favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her
a bil of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. (2) And when
she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife. (3) And if the
latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and
sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; (4)
her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that
she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land
to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance."
217

Divorce was not the original plan for marriage, however it was in keeping with godly
principles. It was absolutely necessary that the many discarded Israelite wives be
provided opportunity for support through remarriage. The Mosiac law directed that a
divorce certificate to be given to such women. Many Israelite men did not wish to conform
to the perfect will of God and so God provided for the welfare of the discarded women
as He did for Hagar when she was sent out of Abraham's camp (Genesis 21).
In New Testament times Paul noted that marriage was still in the line of enemy fire.
1 Timothy 4:3 (Paul commenting on the man of sin)
"Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to
be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth."
The Roman Catholic Church was not the first institution to recognise annulments of
marriage. The Jewish culture had legalised annulments also. Under Jewish traditional
laws, if a woman was "barren" (produced no children) after 10 years of married life, she
could also be "sent away" or annul ed not recognised as being legal.
Regarding lawful marriage, we read that only marriage to believers in the Israelite race
were considered legal and sanctioned by God. Every marriage outside of God's
guidelines were illicit and/or adulterous.
Did the Israelites believe that breaking God's 7th commandment was legal (not sinful) in
some instances?
Exodus 23:32
"Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. (33) They shall not dwell
in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be
a snare unto thee."
Exodus 34:12-16
"Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither
thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: (13) But ye shall destroy their altars,
break their images, and cut down their groves: (14) For thou shalt worship no other god:
for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: (15) Lest thou make a
covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and
do sacrifice unto their gods, and one cal thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; (16) And
thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after
their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods."

Deuteronomy 7:2-4
"And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and
utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto
them:(3) Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give
unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. (4) For they wil turn away thy
son from fol owing me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be
kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly."
218

Regarding divorce and remarriage, Moses, in Deut 24, said that divorce involved 2 steps.
·
the man was to cause a physical separation by sending the woman away ( #07971

shalach); and
·
the man had to give a the woman a divorce certificate in the presence of witnesses
to indicate that the separation was with his consent and that it was legal and
permanent i.e. divorce.
If only the first step was taken, then the partners were not divorced. If only the first step
was taken the result for the "sent away" woman, was disastrous.

The "first step only" the "sent away" woman had to leave the family home without any
financial support (except her wedding dowry); and without her children. Some husbands
even refused to give the woman back her dowry, so she was completely without support.
Commonly, a man would send the woman away, but would also refuse to give the woman
a certificate of divorce.
This is a similar situation to that which Michal found herself in after she criticised King
David for "dancing before the Lord." David declared that from that point onward, she
would bear no children for the rest of her life. While David did not divorce Michal,
certainly he prevented her from having a normal married relationship with him. David was
not punished in this new arrangement with Michal, for he had many other wives with
which to continue a sexual relationship and to produce children. The punishment for
Michal was intense. Childlessness was seen as a "curse" and carried with it the threat of
an annulled marriage. It was the custom that after 10 years of a childless marriage, a
husband could legally annul his marriage with his "barren" wife. Michal was made to be
as a "barren" wife. Because of her enforced celibacy and corresponding childlessness,
Michal decided to raise another woman's children 5 sons - as her own. But David's
declaration that Michal would be "childless" was not en empty promise. The king
punished Michal dreadfully, when he agreed that her adopted sons should be handed
over to the Gibeonites to be murdered for political purposes. All five of Michal's adopted
sons were murdered as political scapegoats for Saul's prior crimes against the Gibeonites
at David's decree (2 Samuel 21:8).
Such was the power of the king, but also great was the power of the husband in Israel.
There is an old saying that "power corrupts." But God is powerful and He is incorruptible.
Power that is not under the restraint of the spirit of God, is the power that corrupts. This is
the unsanctified power that was demonstrated by the Israelite men toward their wives.
The hardness of their hearts - "male meanness," prevented the woman from remarrying
and being supported by another man who could legally become her husband. If there was
no divorce paper to prove the legal dissolution of the marriage, then anyone who married
the "sent away" woman would become an adulterer for the woman was still legal y married
to her estranged husband. If another marriage were contracted it would not be legal, for
the original marriage was not legal y dissolved. If the woman remarried, she would
become an adulteress, just as Jesus said. The original husband however, COULD
remarry, for it was not against the law of Moses for a man to have multiple wives (Deut
21:15), but the woman could not remarry another man without a certificate of divorce
which provision was controlled by her estranged husband.
219

It is recorded by Bible Commentator Adam Clark or Lightfoot that some men even wrote
into the divorce certificate that the woman was not permitted to remarry! This abusive
man's "law" was upheld, which then robbed a "pure" but perhaps "ugly" or older woman of
the opportunity to remarry and gain financial support. No wonder Jesus spoke out against
the practice.
Under the "altered" laws of Moses found in Deut 21:10:14, such abusive treatment was
"legal" for pagan, slave girls, virgins, who were "conquered" victims - trophies of war.
Pagan virgins ("women" aged approximately 12-15 years) who were" desirable to look
upon," were taken captive, given a month to grieve over the murder of their families, then
"married" to the men who had murdered their family and relatives. The record is given
that God through Moses, instructed the warrior-husband that he has the legal right to
"send away" (the new "wife" if he no longer found "delight" in her. One is hard pressed
to think that in the beginning of their "marriage, the "delight" this man found in the
pagan pubescent girl was anything more than than her physical appearance ( e.g.
her sex appeal). The warrior certainly was not delighting in the fact that the young virgin
was a true worshipper of Yahweh.
Despite God's law stating that marriage to pagan women was expressly forbidden in
God's law, the Biblical record reveals that contradictory "law" was later found in a Mosiac
book.
Deuteronomy 21:10-14
"When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath
delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive, (11) And seest
among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest
have her to thy wife; (12) Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall
shave her head, and pare her nails; (13) And she shall put the raiment of her captivity
from off her, and shal remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full
month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be
thy wife. (14) And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go
(send her away #07971

shalach) whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at al for
money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled (#6031
forced, profaned, polluted) her."
It appears that this supposedly "divine" arrangement describes legalised rape. Forced
"marriage" is not a marriage fashioned after God's pattern given to Adam and Eve. It
even appears that there was no permanency enjoined on the Israelite men in regards to
the sexual union that they forced onto their "child bride." The Israelite men had just
murdered the young girls' families! Now they were forced to "marry" their families'
murderers! Happy marriage? Not likely. Under the Mosaic instructions, the Israelite men
could legally "send away" the pagan girls (wives) after they had lost sexual interest in
them. These teenage girls -rape victims - were then considered "profaned" or "pierced."
"Profaned, polluted humbled and pierced" are words used to describe the pagan
virgins who were "married" but then cast aside if the man so chose. But these terms also
applied to Hebrew women who experienced similar experiences; for example Tamar,
King David's beautiful daughter. Amnon, her half brother lusted after Tamar. He
concocted a scheme whereby he could be alone with her and then he raped her. Tamar
was "Profaned, polluted humbled and pierced" after Amnon raped her. Amnon had
forced (#6031) himself sexual y (#7971) on Tamar. Tamar (not Amnon), was then a
"social reject" (#2491 defiled, profane, pierced) despite being a royal princess and
daughter of King David.
220

Il icit marriages did not require a divorce certificate. These illegal relationships were
simply annulled. Ezra engineered a "mass deportation" of foreign "wives" (captive
women) from Israel because he realised how dreadfully wrong the Israelites had been to
unite with these pagan women (Ezra 9 &10). No divorce certificates are recorded as
being issued to these women. Their illicit marriages were simply annul ed because they
had been illegal unions. But clearly, as seen in Ezra's prayer, it was the breaking of
God's law that made these separations necessary in these unequally-yoked, illegal
inter-religion marriages.
Ezra 9:1, 2, 10-14
"Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel,
and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the
lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the
Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.
(2) For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the
holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the
princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass. (10) And now, O our God, what shall
we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments, (11) Which thou hast
commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess
it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations,
which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness. (12) Now therefore
give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor
seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the
land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever. (13) And after al that is
come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God
hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as
this; (14) Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of
these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us til thou hadst consumed us, so
that there should be no remnant nor escaping?"

Without the certificate of divorce, the couple was not legally divorced. The woman could
not remarry because the marriage was still legally binding despite the fact that she had
been "sent away." The divorce certificate was necessary because of the hardship that
Israelite men, through "the hardness of their hearts" caused the women. A husband could
send his wife away (#07971

shalach) without a divorce paper "for any reason"
according to Rabbi Akiba. Rabbi Hil el said a man could send his wife #07971

shalach) away for adultery only. The Pharisees tried to trick Jesus into answering in
support of one of these rabbis and so speak against the law of Moses.
Jesus did not go against the compassionate divorce law of Moses; but neither did he side
with either Rabbis Hillel or Akiba.
Interlinear: Mt 5:32 (KJV text)
But <de> I <ego> say <lego> unto you <humin>, That <hoti> whosoever <hos>
<an> shal put away <apoluo> his <autos> wife <gune>, saving <parektos> for
the cause <logos> of fornication <porneia>, causeth <poieo> her <autos> to
commit adultery <moichao> and <kai> whosoever <hos> <ean> shal marry
<gameo> her that is divorced <apoluo> committeth adultery <moichao>.
Jesus said: "If you `put away' your wife and marry another, unless it be for
fornication, you commit adultery and anyone who marries the one who was put
away commits adultery." (Matt 19:9).
"Put away" and "divorce" are NOT terms which define the same concept.
Thayer says apoluo means, "to dismiss from the house, to repudiate."
221

"Apostasion" is properly translated "divorce" or "divorcement". [Grk. 647]
This situation was still happening in 1980 when it was brought to the attention of the world
in an article called "Jewish Women in Chains" by Norma Baumel Joseph , published
by Mike Willis Dayton in Ohio Truth Magazine XXIV: 14, pp. 227-230 3 April, 1980.
If the woman was a fornicator, the husband could send her away - without a certificate of
divorce to cover up her sin to put her away privately as Joseph planned to do to Mary
when he suspected her of fornication when she was pregnant by the spirit of God
(Matthew 1:19). The husband could have organised to have the woman stoned if he
chose to do so. Adulteresses were traditionally stoned, not (re)married. The certificate of
divorce given by a man to his "sent away" wife was to prove that she was NOT an
adulteress. It was to facilitate her re-marriage To give a certificate of divorce to an
adulteress was pointless. Husbands or wives who fornicate have broken their marriage
contract and had already proved that they are not faithful marriage partners.
Ken Crispin explains further.
Deuteronomy 24:1 says that a man might divorce his wife for some uncleanness - "ervath
dabhar." This Hebrew term refers to a range of misconduct. It has definite sexual
connotations and would include not only adultery, but other kinds of lewd or immoral or
indecent behaviour. It is interesting to note that in that part of the passage quoted from
Matthew 5 in which Jesus is normally assumed to be correcting the OT, the word which is
translated as "adultery" or "unchastity" is actually poerneia. In other words, Jesus did not
impose a new and more restrictive commandment but corrected the lax view of Rabbi
Akiba (a man could divorce his wife for any reason) and restated and confirmed the
original commandment. In fact, he had just finished saying, "Think not that I have come to
abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them." The
concept has become confused because of the lack of any English equivalent and
translators have opted to use "adultery" or "unchastity" probably because those words
have been thought to be the closest in meaning. Porneia nonetheless, had a wider
meaning than adultery and the normal English translation are expressed too narrowly.
There was a Greek word which meant simply adultery and that word moichea was used
only three sentences earlier when Jesus said, "But I say to you that everyone who looks
at a woman lustfully already has committed adultery with her in his heart." If Jesus
intended to permit divorce only in cases of adultery, why did he change to the more
general word only three sentences later? The only possible answer to that question is that
he did so because he wanted to express a wider concept, namely the concept of
shameful or indecent conduct already contained in the law that had been given to
Moses."....It seems to me however, that the concept should not be looked at in the
abstract but in the context of a marriage, which is of course, an essentially sexual
relationship. In that context it seems to me that the word may be taken to include any kind
of misconduct or immorality which is so serious that it pollutes or perverts the marital
relationship. If that construction is correct, it would mean that a Christian should not
contemplate divorce unless there was misconduct so serious that it virtual y undermined
the whole marriage. On the other hand, it would mean that a wife need not feel locked into
a marital relationship with a man who was repeatedly guilty of gross violence towards her
and or their children merely because he had not committed adultery. That is more the kind
of principle we would expect from a wise and loving father to impose upon his children. I
must confess I have always had the greatest difficulty in persuading myself that God
intended that women would be free to withdraw from a marital relationship if their
husbands committed adultery, but not if their husbands tried to kill them. "Ken Crispin,
Divorce, the Forgivable Sin?, 1988, p 28,29 (out of print).
222

Consider the case where a wife has committed adultery and is about to be stoned for her
sin. Traditional theology maintains that Jesus must say, "You can divorce your wife only
when you don't need to such as right now - because you are about to be widowed."
What good would a certificate of divorce be for the wife at this time? The divorce
certificate facilitated a woman's remarriage. She was going to be stoned to death. What
good would the certificate have been to the husband? He could remarry after his
adulterous wife's death anyway, without giving his wife a divorce certificate.
With that logic (that adultery is the only Biblical reason for getting a divorce), Jesus would
be made to add, "You can n
ot divorce your wife if she is about to kill you (that's not the sin
of adultery, it's murder) but you can divorce her for the sin of adultery, but she won't have
long to use the certificate because she'll be stoned soon." What is the point of the wife
getting a divorce certificate for a few hours before the stoning? The divorce certificate was
to facilitate remarriage. The traditional "adultery only" view, is clearly illogical.
A legal marriage requires three conditions:
· recognised by God (not yoked with unbelievers)
· living together physically
· the written marriage certificate/record or form of public acknowledgement.
A legal divorce requires three conditions:
· extremely serious, recurring, unrepentant offences by a partner;
· physical separation from the partner;
· a written certificate of divorce or form of public acknowledgement.
It appears and makes more sense that Jesus is saying, Matt.5.32, "But I say unto
you, Whoever puts away his wife (except for fornication) to marry another woman
commits adultery and whosoever shal marry the one put away, commits adultery." The
person marrying the "put away" woman would be guilty of committing adultery, because
the woman was not properly divorced. Her husband was an adulterer and certificates of
divorce were not given in cases of adultery.
Mark 10: 11 "And he saith unto them, Whosoever shal put away his wife, and marry
another, committeth adultery against her (12) And if a woman shal put away her husband,
and be married to another, she committeth adultery."
These texts do not seem to harmonise with the Moses' law, however when the intention is
highlighted, Jesus' statement harmonises perfectly:
"Whoever puts away his wife to marry another, commits adultery. And if a woman puts
away her husband to marry another man, she commits adultery" (Phil Ward, Divorce and
Remarriage, unpublished article).
Compare different versions of the Levitical texts.
Leviticus 21:7, 13-15
"They (priests) shal not take a wife that is a whore, or profane (has had sexual
intercourse); neither shal they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy
unto his God..... And he (a high priest) shall take a wife in her virginity. (14) A widow, or
a divorced woman, or profane (one who has had sexual intercourse), or an harlot, these
shal he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife. (15) Neither shal
he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him."
223

7They shal not take<03947>(8799) a wife<0802> that is a whore<02181>(8802),
or profane<02491>; neither shal they take<03947>(8799) a woman<0802> put
away<01644>(8803) from her husband<0376>: for he is holy<06918> unto his
God<0430>.
14A widow<0490>, or a divorced woman<01644> (Lit put away woman) (8803), or
profane<02491>,
or
an harlot<02181>(8802), these shal he not
take<03947>(8799): but he shal take<03947>(8799) a virgin<01330> of his own
people<05971> to wife<0802>. 15Neither shal he profane<02490>(8762) his
seed<02233> among his people<05971>: for I the LORD<03068> do
sanctify<06942>(8764) him.
Young's Literal Translation
14widow, or cast out, or pol uted one--a harlot--these he doth not take, but a virgin
of his own people he doth take for a wife,
Green's Literal Translation
14He shal not take a widow, or one put away, or a pol uted one, a harlot, but he
shal take a virgin of his own people for a wife;
The Apostles' Bible
14But a widow, or one that is put away, or profaned, or a harlot, these he shal not
take; but he shal take for a wife a virgin of his own people.
Strong's Concordance and Lexicon Definitions
02181:
02181

zanah zaw-naw'
a primitive root [highly-fed and therefore wanton]; ; v
AV- ... harlot 36, go a whoring 19, ... whoredom 15, whore 11, commit fornication 3,
whorish 3, harlot + <0802> 2, commit 1, continual y 1, great 1, whore's + <0802> 1;
93
1) to commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to be a harlot, act as a harlot, commit fornication
1a2) to commit adultery
1a3) to be a cult prostitute
1a4) to be unfaithful (to God) (fig.)
1b) (Pual) to play the harlot
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to commit adultery
1c2) to force into prostitution
1c3) to commit fornication
224

Brown-Driver-Briggs' Hebrew Lexicon
02491: chalal khaw-lawl' from <02490>;
AV-slay 78, wounded 10, profane 3, kil 2, slain man 1; 94
n m
1) slain, fatal y wounded, pierced
1a) pierced, fatal y wounded
1b) slain
adj
2) (CLBL) profaned
2a) defiled, profaned (by divorce)
02490:
02490

chalal khaw-lal'
a primitive root [compare <02470>]; ; v
AV-begin 52, profane 36, pol ute 23, defile 9, break 4, wounded 3, eat 2, slay 2,
first 1, gather grapes 1, inheritance 1, began men 1, piped 1, players 1, prostitute
1, sorrow 1, stain 1, eat as common things 1; 141
1) to profane, defile, pol ute, desecrate, begin
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to profane oneself, defile oneself, pol ute oneself
1a1a) ritual y
1a1b) sexual y
1a2) to be pol uted, be defiled
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to profane, make common, defile, pol ute
1b2) to violate the honour of, dishonour
1b3) to violate (a covenant)
1b4) to treat as common
1c) (Pual) to profane (name of God)
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to let be profaned
1d2) to begin
1e) (Hophal) to be begun
2) to wound (fatal y), bore through, pierce, bore
2a) (Qal) to pierce
2b) (Pual) to be slain
2c) (Poel) to wound, pierce
2d) (Poal) to be wounded
3) (Piel) to play the flute or pipe
Strong's Hebrew Concordance
02491:
2491 chalal khaw-lawl' from 2490; pierced (especial y to death); figuratively,
pol uted:--kil , profane, slain (man), X slew, (deadly) wounded. see HEBREW for
02490
225

01644:
01644

garash gaw-rash'
a primitive root; ; v
AV-drive out 20, cast out 8, thrust out 6, drive away 2, put away 2, divorced 2,
driven 1, expel 1, drive forth 1, surely 1, troubled 1, cast up 1, divorced woman 1;
47
1) to drive out, expel, cast out, drive away, , divorced*, put away, thrust away,
trouble, cast up
1a) (Qal) to thrust out, cast out
1b) (Niphal) to be driven away, be tossed
1c) (Piel) to drive out, drive away
1d) (Pual) to be thrust out
(*Note: sent away = separation, not a legal divorce which required a
certificate of divorcement)
Mosiac law permitted common priests to marry widows, but prohibited a high priest to
marry a woman who had experienced sexual intercourse in any way. A High Priest was
not to marry a:
1. whore;
2. widow;
3. a profane (pierced) woman (a non-virgin including divorced or raped woman);
4. sent away (separated, but without divorce certificate);
Comparing Other Religions
Dr Samuele Bacchiocchi (Retired Professor of Theology, Andrews University) comments
on this text from the Koran - Sura 33:50:
"One of the benefits of fighting for the cause of Islam is the permission to take captured
women as concubines, in addition to several legitimate wives.... The notion that God
would assign captured women as concubines to Muslim believers who fight for His
cause, hardly reflect high moral standards of the Islam faith. Polygamy and servile
concubinage have destroyed the dignity of women and the beauty of the home. In this
areas the infinite superiority of Christianity is clearly evident."
(http://www.keithhunt.com/Islam.html )
Note: The Old Testament Israelites must not have practised "Christian principles" as Dr
Bacchiocchi outlines above, because the Israelite warriors were authorised supposedly by
God to take many thousands of concubines as captives after being victorious against the
pagan nations in war. These women were not necessarily kept permanently, but could be
sent away and their marriages annulled (Deut 21:10-14; Judges 21:12; Numbers 31:18;
Ezra 9, 10).Under Jewish traditional laws, if a woman was "barren" (produced no children)
after 10 years of married life, she could also be "sent away" - her marriage being annulled
not recognised as being legal.
In another view, it might seem that Jesus, in accordance with Moses' law, is making the
allowance that the wife can receive a certificate of divorce except in cases where she has
committed fornication.
Perhaps the husband merciful y, might not report his wife's adultery so she escapes
stoning. He might "put her away" without a divorce certificate. If so, the "put away"
woman could not remarry without a divorce certificate, and would likely be assumed to be
an adulteress anyway why else wouldn't her husband give her the divorce papers?
226

Ezra 9 and 10 details a mass "sending away" of pagan "wives." Ezra does not specify if
these women were legally married wives, however the Hebrew supports the idea that
these women were captives who were forcefully taken from conquered pagan lands to
become concubines to the Israelites.
God forbade marriages with the idolatrous pagans. When these captured women and
their children were "sent away" there was no mention of divorce papers being necessary
as these marriages were not legally contracted. God had forbidden them, just as He
forbade Herod's marriage to his brother's wife. Just as Jesus said to the woman of
Samaria, "the man you are living with now, is not your husband." They were in fact, "living
in sin" an arrangement whereby the legal requirements of marriage were not met.
These relationships were not dissolved because of adultery. The objection was idolatry. -
the "ervath dabhar" -the "uncleanness" which was referred to in Deut 24:1. "Ervath
dabhar" must include idolatry or else the Israelites would not have been prevented
from conducting proper marriages with these women.
Traditional logic tends to verge on the ridiculous. It is clear that the traditional view of
divorce preventing remarriage is a gross error and not what Jesus was saying at all. The
"man of sin" has clearly attempted to change the 7th commandment law. Likewise, the
Israelites, in their misunderstanding of God's character and because of the "hardness of
their hearts," they too made the law of God of none effect because of their traditions;
polygamy, "marrying" beautiful pagan slave girls; sending away their wives without
properly divorcing them.
The traditions of men concerning divorce and remarriage in Jesus' time, also
endeavoured to alter God's law and make "serial marriages" legal ( i.e. not sinful).
Another passage of the Bible deals with remarriage.
1 Corinthians 7:7-11
"For I would that al men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God,
one after this manner, and another after that. (8) I say therefore to the unmarried and
widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. (9) But if they cannot contain, let them
marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. (10) And unto the married I command, yet not
I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: (11) But and if she depart, let
her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away
his wife.
Ken Crispin, in "Divorce, the Unforgiveable Sin?" (1988:44-47), comments on these often
misinterpreted pauline verses.
"Another significant new Testament passage concerning marriage appears in
1 Corinthians 7. In that chapter, verse 10 is one which, if not kept in its
context, can also be seen to be prohibiting marriage after divorce, "To the
married I give charge, no I but he Lord, that the wife should not separate from
her husband (but if she does let her remain single or else be reconciled to her
husband) and that the husband should not divorce his wife." For a proper
understanding of that verse, however, it is crucial to remember that it
immediately fol ows verses 8 and 9 which state, 'To the unmarried and the
widow I say that it is wel for them to remain single as I do. But if they cannot
exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be
aflame with passion.' there are two Greek words, both of which are translated
in the Revised Standard Version b the word 'unmarried'. Those words are
parthenos and agamos. The word parthenos means a person who has never
had sexual intercourse, a virgin. The other word, agamos, refers to a person
who is no longer married but who may have been married in the past.
227

(Ken Crispin continued)
Later in 1 Corinthians 7 in verse 25 Paul commences a lengthy narrative of
advice to the single person. That narrative commences with the phrase "the
unmarried" and the word there translated as "unmarried" is parthenos. The
advice which paul gives in verses 25 to 40 is accordingly confined to those
who have never married, the virgins. On the other hand, in 1 Corinthians 7:8,
the word agamos has been used. Now it is important to note that Paul has
referred to the widows quite separately and, consequently, did not have to use
the word agamos in order to include them. If he had used the parthenos he
would have made it plain that he was referring to those who were widowed
and to those who had never married and could have excluded the divorced
from consideration. Yet he did not do so. The word used is agamos. Not only
was Paul a Pharisee, but he was an outstanding student; one who had the
rare distinction of being permitted to sit at the feet of Gamaliel. It is scarcely
likely that his use of the word agamos in preference to parthenos can have
been explained by mere clumsiness of expression, especial y since he used
the word parthenos only a sentence later. It must be assumed that he chose
the world deliberately and that he did so conscious of its wider meaning.
Accordingly, verses 8 and 9 might be expressed more clearly in the following
terms, 'To those who have never married, those who are divorce and to the
widows I say to them that it is as well for them to remain single as I do. But if
they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry.' Paul had already made
it plain that he really wished that al people would remain single as he was, but
he recognises that whilst some are cal ed to celibacy, others are not."
"His summation in verses 8 and 9 indicates with the greatest possible clarity
that those who cannot exercise self-control, that is those whom the Lord has
not called to celibacy, should marry whether they are single, divorced or
widowed. Following that clear indication that so far as remarriage is
concerned the divorced are to adopt the same principle as single people and
widows, Paul turns to deal with the married. In verse 10, Paul clearly uses the
term "the married" in contradistinction to those referred to in the previous
verses. He has dealt with the unmarried, including the divorced, and now he is
passing on to deal with married people. It is to those people that he conveys
Jesus' charge that the wife should not separate from her husband and that the
husband should not remove or abandon his wife. Here again, the traditional
English translation is confusion. The word used in verse 11 is not apoluo
which means divorce36 , but aphiemi which means remove or abandon. There
is no reason to suppose that this passage was written in an attempt to lay
down an inflexible rule concerning divorce. Such a construction would be
quite inconsistent with what he says in verse 25. In laying down an instruction
for married Christians, Paul was clearly concerned to remind them that Jesus
had charged them to try to sort out their differences and remain in a proper
marital relationship. In that context Paul said that if the wife did leave she
should remain single or be reconciled to her husband. Clearly what Paul has
in mind was s hort-term situation immediately following separation. There may
have been some estrangement and one party may have stormed out but the
marriage has not been irretrievably destroyed. Whilst there is stil hope it is
the wife's duty to seek a reconciliation with her husband. Equal y, it is the
husband's duty to seek a reconciliation and not to abandon his wife. No doubt
that is the advice which any modern Christian counsellor would offer a woman
or a man for that matter , in similar circumstances. But it is important to
remember that the commandment was given as advice to the married.
36 see previous notes on apoluo meaning 'send away' - not divorce
228

(Ken Crispin continued)
Clearly then Paul was contemplating a period immediately following separation
when the prospect of a reconciliation existed and it had not become clear that
the marital relationship had terminated.
If, despite the wife's efforts, the relationship was finally extinguished then
without any further step being taken both the husband and the wife would be
regarded as agamos, that is unmarried. They would then be subject, not to
the commandments in verses 10 and 11, but to those in verse 8 and 9. In
other words, once it was clear that the marital relationship had been
terminated, then each would be free to marry. As in Deuteronomy 24, there is
no suggestion in any portion of 1 Corinthians 7 that the right to remarry is
limited to the person who was the innocent party in the original divorce. It is
clear from Matthew 5:31 that a person who dovorces a husband or wife
without justification of the kind recognised in the concept of porneia commits a
serious sin. His conduct is tantamount ot adultery. If a Christian has been
guilty of such a sin in terminating his marriage then he should confes it and
obtain forgiveness. Having done so he must treat it in the same nmanner as
he would treat any other sin that he has had to confess; that is, he should
accept God's forgiveness and put his sin behind him, secure in the knowledge
of Christ's atonement" (end quote Ken Crispin).
The following passage was omitted from a testimony written by Ellen White when extracts
of it were placed in "The Adventist Home" and "In Heavenly Places."
Ellen White, 1888 Materials Vol 3, p 1215; Manuscript Release #1019
Counsels for Husbands and Wives: also, Guidelines for Students and Faculty in a School
"Life is a precious gift of God, and is not to be wasted in selfish regrets or
more open indifference and dislike. Let the husband and wife talk things over
together. Revew the early attentions to each other, acknowledge your faults to
each other, but in this work be very careful that the husband does not take it
upon him to confess his wife's faults or the wife her husband's. Be
determined that you will be al that it is possible for you to be to each other,
and the bonds of wedlock will be the most desirable of ties. Let not the
thought be entertained for one moment that you are bound by irrevocable
vows to one whom you cannot love. It is as a terrible nightmare for two
persons to be apparently living as one through a lifetime and yet be in reality
as two."
Ellen White is NOT saying that marriage can be broken for sinful reasons such as "he/she
doesn't love me any more" or "I just don't love him/her any more." She is counsel ing
wives and husbands that they CAN love a "difficult" marriage partner - if the sin of being
unloving is surrendered to Christ. Christ offers to supply the needy partner with His love
for the husband or wife. If a partner responds to this unselfish, persistent love, then
marriage can indeed be harmonious.
Love is the way that God solves marriage problems.
229

God Hates Divorce
Malachi 2:16
"For I hate divorce...."
God hates divorce. This verse been misinterpreted to imply that God forbids the giving of
a divorce certificate when a marriage has broken down irretrievably. This concept is
incorrect and does not harmonise with the teachings of Jesus, Moses or Paul.
God hates sin. It is the sin of clinging to sinful feelings (e.g. resentment) which leads to a
complete breakdown of the marriage this is what God hates. He hates the sin and
selfishness that causes marriages to irretrievably break down and the suffering it causes.
Divorce was the first-aid or band-aid that was divinely applied to those who had been
injured by their "hard hearted" partners (i.e. those who would not submit their selfish
feelings to Him). Divorce was God's compassionate and necessary response to those
who were injured by their partner's selfishness.
Conclusion
Moses, Jesus and Paul's view on marriage, divorce and re-marriage are harmonious and
reveal the compassion of our Heavenly Father toward those who suffer the consequences
of sin through a broken marriage. Those who would try to deny the divorced persons the
opportunity to remarry, are committing a dreadful crime against their brothers and sisters
in Christ and distorting the true, compassionate character of God.
For those who might argue against this opinion, the following questions would require
answering:
1. Would God design a system that rewarded commandment breakers and penalised
commandment keepers? Consider a woman marries a violent, drunken man who
bashes her and their children. She divorces him, but it is thought she cannot
remarry another man to help raise her children. This belief seems illogical and
appears based on faulty perceptions of the character of God and a
misinterpretation of Scripture. Consider the reverse situation: a woman lives with
a violent drunken man without marrying him and they have children together. She
leaves the man. Later she is converted and confesses her previous "living in sin."
She is forgiven and permitted to marry other man. The first woman obeyed her
conscience initially, and married a man (who later abused her), while the second
woman initially "lived in sin." Which woman's behaviour was righteous? Which
woman was penalised the most? The woman who tried to live righteously. Would
God be the author of such an unfair system?
2. Would God design that the only way that a righteous woman could be free from her
bondage in a violent, abusive marriage is for her husband to commit adultery by
performing a sexual sin? If so, God is using sin to reward a righteous woman.
3. Does God sanction sin? Should the woman "arrange" for her husband to commit
adultery so she can be free from the bondage of her marriage? Should she pray
that her husband commit adultery?
4. Should persons who have remarried divorce their current marriage partners and
return to their first spouses, since it is assumed that Scripture teaches that any
other marriage is paramount to adultery.
5. Should a woman be able to divorce a man if he "looks after a woman to lust after
her?" Jesus said that he has committed adultery with her already in his heart and
adultery is all that is required to legalise divorce and remarriage.
These concepts verge on the ridiculous and contort the character of Jesus Christ and His
loving Father.
Cannibalism, infanticide, polygamy, serial marriage, prostitution the Israelites did not
appeared to recognise these sins as evils, but the satanic deception deepens further.
230

The Trinity - A Pagan Concept
1 Kings 11:33
"Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the
Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of
Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to
keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father."
The trinity of gods mentioned in 1 Kings 11:33 are all the same "deity." The god whom
the Moabites cal ed Chemosh, was also worshipped as Baal by the Zidonians and as
Moloch/Milcom by the Ammonites. This religion required child sacrifices and involved
cannibalism. This religion was practiced in Egypt as the fire-serpent religion (Hyslop, the
Two Babylons, ch 7 sec 1).
The Encyclopedia of Ancient Myths and Culture, 2003 p 543-544.
"Similar groupings of three existed among many other Egyptian gods. The
most notable other triads of gods were worshipped at Thebes (Amun, Mut
and Khons) and Memphis (Ptah, Sekhmet and Nefertum) Osiris received
general acceptance throughout Egypt and was not only a state god but also
a popular god to whom ordinary people could relate...."
(p 543) "Osiris had an important quality that made him more popular than
the other gods. As a human king, he had experienced death and had
triumphed over it and could assure his fol owers an eternal life. It was
believed that every king would become Osiris after he died while his
successor was the embodiment of Horus, his son. By the Middle Kingdom
2000BC, all worshippers of Osiris could themselves look forward to
becoming an Osiris when they died and would thereby enjoy eternal life. ....
He (Osiris) embodied the yearly cycle of the renewal or rebirth of the land
of Egypt after the Nile floods."
Egyptian Mythology (Paul Hamlyn: 1965: 17)
"Horus, Osiris and Isis formed a triad worshipped particularly at Philae. The
number three seems to have had a mystical significance for the Egyptians,
and their principal gods were generally worshipped in a triad, the third
member proceeding from the other two. Thus Horus is the child of Osiris
and Isis and inferior to them in the triad."
The Encyclopedia of Ancient Myths and Culture, 2003 p 538.
"In Egyptian mythology, this marsh represented the first solid matter, or
mound, on which the god Ra appeared and created a pair of deities, Shu
and Tefnut, by masturbation or spitting. They in turn produced the sky
goddess Nut, and the earth god Geb whose children were the more familiar
gods Osisris, Isis, Nephthys and Set. This group of nine gods 'ennead'
were worshipped at Heliopolis, and other centres had similar groups of
gods. Heliopolis was also the most important centre of the cult of the sun
god Ra, who was described in many texts as the creator of everything."
It is clear that the concept of a "trinity" was existent in Egypt as it had been in Babylon.
The idea of a trinity was very important to Satan who aspired to be "like the Most High"
(Isaiah 14:14) and to be part of the divine "council of peace" (Zechariah 6:13). Satan
was, and is still determined that he wil be considered a divine being. The 'ennead'
comprised 9 "deities." This is interesting because nine (9) is a product of three (3) trinities
.
231

Lewis Spence in The Illustrated Guide to Egyptian Mythology,(1993:57) states:
"There is no doubt, however that to the aristocracy of Egypt at least, Ra
stood in the position of creator and father of the gods. Osiris stood in
relation to him as a son. In fact, the relations of these two deities may be
regarded as that between the Christian God the Father and God the Son,
and just as in certain theologies the figure of the son has overshadowed
that of the father, so did Osiris overshadow Ra."
"The god Tem, or Atum was one of the first gods of the Egyptians....He
(Tem) appears to possessed many attributes in common with Ra and later
on he seems to have been identified with Osiris as wel . In the myth of Ra
and Isis, Ra says, 'I am Khepra in the morning and Ra at noonday and Tem
in the evening,' which shows that to the Egyptians the day was divided
into three parts each of which was presided over by a special form of
the sun god. Tem was worshipped in one of his forms as a serpent, a
fairly common shape for a sun-god, for in many countries the snake or
serpent, tail in mouth, symbolizes the disk of the sun."
The Encyclopedia of Ancient Myths and Culture, 2003 p 538.
"The sun played a central part in religious beliefs throughout Egyptian
history. The sun god Ra became important as early as the second dynasty
(c2,700BC) ....The king took the title Son of Ra and it was believed that after
death he also joined his father Ra in heaven."
The sun-serpent religion taught that the multiple gods which comprised the "sacred"
trinity/trinities, gave birth to other gods. It also taught that the "begotten" offspring were
their divine sons and daughters.
Note the theology in "Ra and the Serpent," an Egyptian myth of creation Introduction and
paraphrase prepared by Angelo Salvo.
"I designed every living creature by myself. I was stil alone, for I had not
exhaled Shu the Wind and I had not spat Tefnut the Rain. I wanted to have
a multitude of living creatures - I wanted then to reproduce so they had
children and grandchildren. In order to do that, I formed a physical union
with my fist. I masturbated with my own hand, and I ejaculated the seed into
my own mouth. I exhaled Shu the Wind and spat Tefnut the Rain. Old Man
Nun, my father, raised Shu and Tefnut and my Eye, an overseer, looked
after them during the times when I was away. Old Man Nun told me:"At first,
you Ra the Sun were the only god who existed. Two other gods have
emerged from you-so now there are three."
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/%7Ehumm/Resources/StudTxts/raSerpnt.html
232

Note that in the pagan version of creation:
·
The concept of a trinity is recurring and vital to the pagan religion;
·
Satan introduced il icit sexual behaviour into the divine realm. By so doing he
promoted the concept that il icit sexual activity (orgies) were "sacred" creative acts -
which became known as fertility rites.
·
The concept that divinity would repeatedly regenerate divine children and
grandchildren gave rise to the belief in a multiplicity of gods instead of the One
True God who begat a single, divine Son.
·
Satan engineered the belief that if the doctrine of multiple gods is rejected, then the
Son of God's divine birth (in heaven, prior to Bethlehem) must also be discarded
also
Through this Egyptian, pagan creation myth, Satan counterfeited the Biblical truth that:
1. the Father was alone until He brought forth a divine Son in the ages of eternity;
2. the Son is truly divine because He was begotten from the Father in eternity (prior to
Bethlehem);
3. the Father is the source of al life, and He created through His Son. The false concept is
demonstrated in figurines and paintings of the "serpent with its tail in its mouth" which
symbolise the creative power of the sun god Ra who was part of a trinity of gods
responsible for creating all life; and
4. the Father "brought forth" only one Son the ONLY begotten Son of the Father not a
multiplicity of begotten divine sons and daughters.
233

Truths and Counterfeits
Some theologians suggest that the doctrine of the Roman Catholic trinity and pagan
religion trinities, are a counterfeit doctrine of the real "true" heavenly trinity. While there
are heavenly truths which Satan has counterfeited, not al the doctrines that paganism
asserts are counterfeited. The following tables demonstrate both counterfeited
doctrines and lies/inventions and contradictions of the truth.

Truths
Counterfeits
The Father was initial y alone a single
Nun was the only divine being in existence -
being righteously jealous of His authority a jealous god. (Egyptian Mythology,
(Ex 20:5).
Hamlyn:1965:18).
The Father brought forth a divine Son
Nun brought forth a divine Son (by
cal ed Michael. He was the Son of God
masturbation, or some texts say by
(the Father) (Prov 8:22-31; Prov 30:4; Heb circumcision). Atum was the Son of Nun
1:1-10; John 3:16; Gal 4:4)
(Egyptian Mythology, Hamlyn:1965:23, 30).
In the beginning of earth's creation, there In the beginning of earth's creation, there
was chaos over water (Gen 1:2).
was chaos over water .(Egyptian Mythology,
Hamlyn:1965:27)
God's Son created al things through the Atum created Himself and everything else
Father's power (John 1:1-3).
through his father Nun's power (Egyptian
Mythology Hamlyn:1965:128).
Lucifer: rebelled against the Son's authority Osiris and Isis had a divine son named
(Isa 14:14, Eze 28:12-19); was instrumental Horus. Osiris' brother, Set, hated Osiris and
in causing the death of the Son (Gen 3;15); kil ed him. Set usurped the kingdom.
usurped the earthly kingdom (Eph 2:2)
(Egyptian Mythology, Hamlyn:1965:128)
Son died and rose again after the Father Osiris died and rose again because Isis
"cal ed him forth" (Rom 6:4; Gal 1:1). the resurrected Him (Egyptian Mythology,
Son gives humanity life after death (John Hamlyn:1965:58).
6:39)
Satan was defeated and the kingdom Set was defeated and the kingdom given
handed back to the Father through the Son. back to Osiris and Isis (Egyptian Mythology,
Hamlyn:1965:139-142).
Satan did not counterfeit a "true trinity." It was Satan's desire that there be a
heavenly trinity and that he would become the third being of that divine trinity.
Satan's pagan trinities reflect only his desire to be included and worshipped as
were both Father and Son not the heavenly reality. The doctrine of the trinity is
not a counterfeit of any truth. It is a lie.
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Truth and Lies (Inventions)
Truth
Lies/Inventions/Contradictions
Newborn children are dedicated to Christ
Newborn children are given immortality by
and the spirit/presence of Christ is able to
being purified (burnt) by fire (Egyptian
purify their characters as they develop
Mythology, Hamlyn 1965:58)
understanding
The True God is ONLY good (Matt 19:17). The world normally operates in balance
Normal worlds obey God's commands -gods are both good AND evil (The
which are holy, just and good (Rom 7;12). Elements of Egyptian Wisdom,
Good and bad understanding comes from Ozaniec:1994 95).
the tree of knowledge of good and evil sin
(Gen 2:9, 17; 3;5)
The entire person dies, body and soul (Eze The spirit (ba) does not die but leaves the
18:4, 20)
body at death (The Elements of Egyptian
Wisdom, Ozaniec:1994:66; The Il ustrated
Guide to Egyptian Mythology, Spence
1996:24).
Death comes to all men and after that the The Book of the Dead contained magic
judgment. There are no second chances, spel s which the dead needed to learn in
spells or magic which make it possible to order to pass through the dark land of Duat
win a place in heaven after death occurs which contained pits of fire and monsters
(Heb 9:7)
the underworld which had to be travel ed
prior to becoming immortal (The Il ustrated
Guide to Egyptian Mythology, Spence
1996:24, 25).
There are many who are CALLED gods and There are many gods and lords and trinities
lords (1 Cor 8:5) but unto us there is one (The Encyclopedia of Ancient Myths and
God, the Father (1 Cor 8:6)
Culture, 2003:36-45)
Note:
It is interesting that along with pagan concepts, the doctrines of the orthodox trinity and
tritheism are also mixtures of truth and error.
While it is generally accepted that the Son is divine, it is rejected that He is divine
because He was begotten from the Father. The orthodox doctrine of the trinity claims
that the Son was NOT completely begotten from the Father, but will always be in the
process of being begotten from the Father. The doctrine of tritheism claims that the Son
was NOT begotten from the Father; that there was no divine Father/Son relationship prior
to Bethlehem. The Bible says that they system that denies the Father and the Son is
antichrist (1 John 2:22).
The Egyptians ardently believed that the "sacred names" of the gods, possessed magical
power.
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The Encyclopedia of Ancient Myths and Culture, 2003 p 582,583.
In regard to Egyptian hieroglyphs, "It was more than just a writing system
and the Egyptians themselves referred to it as the "writing of the divine
words." Like the representations in their art, the script was endowed with
religious or magical significance. The name of a person inscribed in
hieroglyphs was believed to embody his unique identity. If the
representation lacked a name, it had no means of continued existence in
the afterlife. Therefore, many kings' and gods' names were defaced or
erased from monuments by later Pharaohs with conflicting ideals.
Similarly, existing inscriptions and statues could be taken over and
claimed by carving the new royal name on them."
Satan's counterfeit of the truth goes stil deeper. His amalgamation of the attributes of the
many gods, gave rise to the concept of "One god with three aspects or parts (orthodox
trinity) AND another concept of a 3 god- combination which was assumed to be acting as
"one god" (tritheism).
In the following example of the Egyptian god AMEN, definite trinitarian theology along
with superstition is demonstrated.
According to David Rohl, in A Test of Time From Myth to History, (1995:335), the period
in which Joseph held the office of vizier (governor), was during the reign of the Pharaoh
Amenemhat 3rd. Amenemhat 3 was the most powerful pharaoh of the Middle Kingdom.
The Egyptian god named AMN - (no vowels marked) means: "what is hidden, or "what
cannot be seen," "the Invisible God."
"Amen became a prominent deity, and by Dynasty XVIII was termed the
King of the Gods. His famous temple, Karnak, is the largest religious
structure ever built by man. According to Budge, Amen by Dynasty XIX-XX
was thought of as "an invisible creative power which was the source of all
life in heaven, and on the earth, and in the great deep, and in the
Underworld, and which made itself manifest under the form of Ra." Shawn
C. Knight in The Egyptian Pantheon (Last revised 3 June, 1997. Rewritten
and reformatted from the original "Frequently Asked Questions and
Information about Egyptian Mythology", 8 May 1994 revision, by Shawn C.
Knight. http://www.vibrani.com/gods.htm
Regarding the Egyptian god Amen, Lewis Spence states in The Illustrated Guide to
Egyptian Mythology (1996: 62)
"T
he entire pesedt or c ompany of gods was supposed to be u
nified
in
Amen a
nd indeed we may describe his cult as one of the most
s erious attempts of antiquity to formulate a s ystem of monotheism."
The Invisible God, (as in Col 1:15; 1 Tim 1:17) the Source of all life (echoes sentiments
from the 4th commandment) "in the heavens, in the earth and under the earth" (echoes
sentiments from the 2nd commandment). One god made up out of the attributes of three
or many gods is very much a doctrine of the trinity many triads of gods combined to
form one monotheistic god.
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The Elements of Egyptian Wisdom (Naomi Ozaniec:1994:18, 19)
"The Metaphyysical Neters (gods) include Amun the hidden one; Atum 
potentiality and Ra- the universal principle. Neith and the cosmic virgin
mother is also included here....The morning sun ws Khepera, the noon
sun was Ra, the evening sun was Tem. Each aspect of the one god
was worshipped separately at different cult centres. A single god was
known under many names to reveal the full range of divine
functions..."
Shawn C. Knight in The Egyptian Pantheon
Amen (Amon, Amun, Ammon, Amoun) Amen's name means "The Hidden
One."
"During the New Kingdom, Amen's consort was Mut, "Mother," who seems to
have been the Egyptian equivalent of the "Great Mother" archetype. The two
thus formed a pair reminiscent of the God and Goddess of other traditions
such as Wicca. Their child was the moon god Khons." See also Amen-Ra,
Khons, Thoth.
Amen-Ra (Amon-Re)
"A composite deity, devised by the priests of Amen as an attempt to link New
Kingdom (Dyn. XVIII-XXI) worship of Amen with the older solar cult of the god
Ra. In a union of this sort, the deities are said to indwell one another - so
we have the power represented by Amen manifesting through the
person of Ra (or vice versa). This sort of relationship is common among
Egyptian gods, particularly among cosmic or national deities. It is an example
of how the Egyptian gods are viewed, as Morenz puts it, of having
"personality but not individuality."
The pagan origins of the trinity are simply too obvious to ignore.
Effect on the Jewish Religion
While the Jewish religion did not recognise a "trinity", it is not difficult to see how Satan
"set up" the Israelites to become confused over the traits of their expected Messiah.
Based on the ancient pagan religions, Satan planned that the Israelites would not
consider their Messiah to be truly the pre-existent, divine Son of God, but simply a human
being. The Jewish religion refused multiple gods, but they were also in danger then or
rejecting the literal begottenness of the Son of God.
John 10:32, 33
"Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of
those works do ye stone me? (33) The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we
stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself
God" (divine).
Satan's counterfeit system also taught that, after the Pharaoh (a divine "son of Ra") was
resurrected, he was able to give immortal life to all who identified with him (i.e. offered the
correct sacrifices, said the right spells etc), because of Osiris' death and resurrection.
Jesus, the true Son of God said:
John 10:10
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they
might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
Satan confused the Israelites, by merging truth with Egyptian error. Christ would give
immortal life to al who believed that He was the Son of the Living God. He said:
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John 5:39, 40
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which
testify of me. (40) And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life."
But this truth the Jews also denied for they denied the divinity of the Son of God, the
Messiah who could give them life more abundantly. Very strangely, though the doctrines
of the trinity and tritheism reject the literal Sonship of Christ as begotten from the Father in
the ages of eternity, it holds fast to the principle of multiple gods (i.e. 3 in 1 god or 3 gods).
Through pagansim, Israelites' traditional religion, the Roman Catholic religion, the Islamic
religion and other wel -known religions, Satan has endeavoured again to force the
concept that God's law is not binding in all cases, upon all humanity.
So Close Yet So Far Off
It is clearly demonstrated from the Bible that the worship which the Israelites proposed
was in honour of the One True God, was continual y effected by false, pagan worship
concepts. As Paul states, the Old Testament writers did not grasp the glory of God's
character because their eyes were looking as through a thick veil (2 Corinthians 3:12-
4:6).
In comparison to the Canaanites, the Israelites had been blessed with superior knowledge
about God's character and law, yet the Israelites committed the same abominations (i.e.
sexual perversions and child sacrifices) that the Canaanites were condemned for
practising. If God permitted the inhabitants of Canaan to be destroyed because of their
evil actions, one logical y asks where is the justice in commanding one evil race to
exterminate another evil race?
Adam Clarke Comments on 2 Kings 21:9
"Manasseh seduced them to do more evil. He did al he could to pervert the national
character, and totally destroy the worship of the true God; and he succeeded. Partly,
because they were not contented with those idols which the Canaanites worshipped, but
either invented, or borrowed from other nations many new idols, and partly, because as
their light was far more clear, their obligations to God infinitely higher, and their helps
against idolatry much stronger than the Canaanites had; so their sins, though the same in
kind, were unspeakably worse in respect of these dreadful aggravations."
The history of the Israelites the chosen people reads like a modern day war story.
Attacks are made on a country. Men are killed, women are raped, children are injured
and killed, goods are plundered and pillaged. And the success of the mission is due to
the blessing of "god"- (but it's not the blessing of the One True God).
The wrath of God is not in any way similar to the wrath of humanity (Isaiah 55:8,9), but it
has been reported to be one and the same, even by Bible writers.
Graciously, God has ensured that the real truth about His character has been reported in
the Bible, but it must be searched out "with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-14),
comparing scripture with scripture and ultimately with the revelation of divine love in the
character of Jesus Christ - who was the express image of God (Heb 1:3), and came to
"show us the Father" (John 14:8).
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How did Jesus Express His Wrath?
Jesus is the full reflection of His Father's character. He is therefore our Pattern, our
Example and our Guide. We need to study Christ's reactions and responses to difficult
situations in order to understand the Father's character.
How did Jesus react when he was
· "much displeased,"
· "angry,"
· "disrespected,"
· "disappointed"
· abused, tortured and murdered?
Mark 10:13-14
"And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples
rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased,
and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of
such is the kingdom of God.
It can be seen that Christ's reaction when MUCH displeased, was to gently explain the
disciples' error and to rectify the situation with a demonstration of divine love.
How did Jesus behave when He was disappointed?
Mark 11:12-14
"And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: 13 And seeing
a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and
when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And
Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his
disciples heard it."
Jesus, far from venting His "anger" on the barren fig tree, simply turned the disappointing
situation into an object lesson for His disciples. If people are not motivated by the love of
Christ to bring forth "good fruits," then they are actually dead in trespasses and sins. A
person might appear to be spiritually productive of "good fruits," but in reality, is spiritually
dead i.e. just performing certain works which make it appear to be spiritual y alive.
Christ demonstrated that one's own works might deceptively obscure the true condition of
a person who is not connected to Christ. Such a person is under the curse of death.
They are not only spiritually dead, but they have chosen an eternal, physical death also.
How did Jesus react to abuse, torture and being murdered?
Luke 23:33-34
"And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him,
and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. 34 Then said
Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his
raiment, and cast lots."
How did Jesus react when disrespect was being shown?
239

Jesus was zealous to stop assassination of His Father's character. His Father's
character, was supposed to be portrayed in the temple services, but this loving character
was being assassinated and deliberately distorted by merchants in the temple. The
merchants were stealing from the people who came to worship God.
Mark 11:15-17
"And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out
them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers,
and the seats of them that sold doves; 16 And would not suffer that any man should carry
any vessel through the temple. 17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My
house shall be called of al nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of
thieves."
In order to prevent the continuation of theft, and thus, misrepresentation of His Father's
character, Jesus overturned tables and herded cattle from the temple grounds. The
thieves ran from the temple in fear not in fear of a physical beating, but in fear caused
by exposure of their sinful activities by Someone they knew to be sinless.
In another instance of disrespect being shown to Him, Christ demonstrated how
disrespect is viewed by the divine mind.
Luke 9:52-56
"And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a vil age of the
Samaritans, to make ready for him. (53) And they did not receive him, because his face
was as though he would go to Jerusalem. (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? (55) But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye
know not what manner of spirit ye are of. (56) For the Son of man is not come to destroy
men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village."
Jesus simply turned away from those who refused His presence. Jesus did not try to
punish those who rejected Him. He even told His disciples that their thinking of calling
down fire to destroy the disrespectful village - was Satanic.
It is interesting to note that Christ did not mention the incident of Elijah calling down fire on
the two groups of 50 soldiers (2 Kings 1:9-15), but he told the disciples that their
suggestion (to imitate Elijah's act), was inspired by Satan.
One wonders why Christ didn't go a step further in correcting His disciples and pronounce
directly to them that the Old Testament story of Elijah calling down fire on the soldiers,
also demonstrated the 'wrong' spirit.
Ellen White appears to make some significant comments in The EG White 1888 Materials
p 526, 527; MS Rel #1037 (MS 25, 9 Jan, 1890). She states that when Christ came to the
earth as a human being, He recognised that the truth about God's character had been
"buried and had apparently become extinct." It was "placed in a framework of error" and
"disconnected from its true position."
The Jewish religious leaders, despite being in possession of the Old Testament scrolls,
and despite having committed it to memory and teaching the books of Moses to their
youth, despite having all that knowledge, Christ recognised that they did not possess the
"gems of truth." For this reason, Christ endeavoured to bring the essential truths about
God's character to the minds of the people. Ellen White, from the same manuscript,
reveals a significant teaching strategy which Christ employed to achieve His tutorial goal.
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The EG White 1888 Materials p 526, 527; MS Rel #1037 (MS 25, 9 Jan, 1890)
"As Christ presented these truths to minds, He broke up their
accustomed train of thought as little as possible. Nevertheless a new
and transforming economy of truth must be woven into their experience.
He therefore aroused their minds by presenting truth through the agency
of their most familiar associations. He used il ustrations in His teaching
which called into activity their most hallowed recollections and
sympathies, that he might reach the innner temple of the soul." 37
It can be easily seen that Ellen White's comment harmonises with Christ' own statement
that He could not reveal all the truth to the disciples as they "could not bear it."
John 16:12
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now."
Paul also recognised that instructing others requires a 'holding back' and regulated
release of the 'gems' of truth, which if given 'all in one go' would have a negative, perhaps
disillusionary effect on the seekers of truth.
1 Corinthians 3:1, 2
"And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as
unto babes in Christ. (2) I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were
not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able."
It appears likely, according to Christ's own words, Paul's teaching strategies and Ellen
White's statements, that Christ purposely did not expose and confront all the false beliefs
which the people held as truth. Instead Christ endeavoured to establish correct concepts
of God's character initially and then as the believers were converted by recognising the
love of God, they would grow spiritually and be able to 'bear' more 'cutting away' of their
errors and be open to receiving more othe the true gems of truth. Christ promised that the
holy spirit of God would lead them into all truth (John 16:13).
37 The full quote from the EG White 1888 Materials Vol 2. p 526, 527; Manuscript Release
#1037 (MS 25, 9 January, 1890) reads as fol ows:
"Christ was the originator of all the ancient gems of truth. Through the work of
the enemy these truths had been displaced. They had been disconnected from
their true position, and placed in the framework of error. Christ's work was to
readjust and establish the precious gems in the framework of truth. The
principles of truth which had been given by Himself to bless the world had,
through Satan's agency, been buried and had apparently become extinct.
Christ rescued them from ther rubbish of error, gave them a new, vital force, and
commanded them to shine as precious jewels, and stand fast forever. Christ
Himself could use any of these old truths without borrowing the smallest particle,
for He had originated them all. He had cast them into the minds and thoughts of
each generation, and when He came to our world He rearranged and vitalized
the truths which had become dead, making them more forcible for the benefit of
future generations. It was Jesus Christ who had the power of rescuing the
truths from the rubbish, and again giving them to the eworld with more than their
original freshness and power. As Christ presented these truths to mind, He
broke up their accustomed train of thought as little as possible. Nevertheless a
new and transforming economy of truth must be woven into their experience.
He therefore aroused their minds by presenting truth through the agency of their
most familiar associations. He used il ustrations in His teaching which cal ed
into activity their most hallowed recol ections and sympathies, that he might
reach the innner temple of the soul."
241

So how do Christians reconcile the parts of Old Testament that appear to be so out-of
-harmony with Christ's character in the New Testament?
Perhaps we should follow Christ's example. He gave no explanation to the disciples
regarding Elijah's act of calling down fire to destroy human beings. Perhaps Christ judged
that the disciples could not at that time, bear an assult on that cherished falsehood.
However, there were occasions when Christ did explain that the Mosaic law had been
given to accommodate the hardness of the human heart, and that it didn't perfectly reflect
the pure loving character of the Father. However, in revealing the the Old Testament
wasn't a accurate representation of the Father's character, Christ provided instead a
perfect demonstration of the Father's divine character in human form - Himself.
Christ gently instructed the disciples in the truth about God's character, through parables
and nature, and as they realised the depth of the Father's love, the disciples gradually laid
down their false doctrines and conceptions of God. They realised eventual y that the truth
is "in Jesus."
It is difficult for human beings to understand the ways of God. Divine thinking is
completely unnatural to fallen humanity. The carnal mind is enmity against God (Rom
8:7). It is not able to serve the law (reproduce the character) of God. God says, "My
ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts (are higher) than your thoughts" (Isaiah
55:8,9). God's character and His thoughts are extremely different from humanity's
character and thoughts. His actions are not the same as those that come "naturally" to
human beings. Sadly, it appears that carnal ways of human thinking have drastical y
shaped the history, religious beliefs and practices of the Israelites as recorded in the Old
Testament.
Instead of basing their faith in the questionable Old Testament writings, 38 humanity would
do wel to fol ow the teaching example of Jesus and fashion their beliefs on the life and
teachings of the only begotten, commandment-keeping Son of God.
John 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?"
The Ellen White 1888 Materials, Vol 1. p 125, 126
"'And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.' What does that mean?
The work must be carried on, and this little world was chosen in which to carry on this
work. All the universe of heaven was interested in the great work. Every world that God
has created is watching to see how the battle between the Lord of light and glory and the
powers of darkness will end. Here is Satan, who has been seeking with all his power
to shut out the true character of God, wo that the world could not understand it, and
under a garb of righteousness he works upon many who profess to be Christians,
but they represent the character of Satan instead of the character of Jesus Christ.
They misrepresent my Lord. They misrepresent the character of Jesus every time that
they lack mercy, every time that they lack humility. Satan, by instigating in man a
disposition to transgress the law of God, mystifies the character of God. Someone
must come to vindicate the character of God and here is Christ, who stands as the
representation of the Father, and He is to work out the salvation of the human race."
38 According to Ellen White, MSR #1037, truth has been placed "in a framework of error."
Therefore, not all the Old Testament writings are brought into question. It is only those
writings which contradict the words of Jesus; which suggest that God commanded people
to kill others and in so doing, to break the 6th commandment of love, that are of concern.
The Old Testament prophecies which predict that Jesus was the Messiah are of course,
unquestionably divine.
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God's "Wrath"
God draws humanity through His loving character His spirit of love. God does not
employ force to coerce the human wil in order to secure obedience to His government.
Zechariah 4:6
"... Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."
Matthew 5:44, 45
"But I (Jesus) 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;
(45)That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven."
In the New Testament, two Greek words are translated as "wrath." They are:
· orge (#3709) 1) anger, the natural disposition, temper, character 2) movement or
agitation of the soul, impulse, desire, any violent emotion, but esp. anger 3)
anger, wrath, indignation 4) anger exhibited in punishment, hence used for punishment
itself 4a) of punishments inflicted by magistrates
· thumos (#2372) 1) passion, angry, heat, anger forthwith boiling up and soon subsiding
again 2) glow, ardour, the wine of passion, inflaming wine (which either drives the
drinker mad or kil s him with its strength).
The Hebrew language has many words that the King James Version has translated as
'wrath' but this does not always reveal an accurate translation from the Hebrew word. At
times the words do not mean "wrath" as commonly understood (see appendix)

charah (#2734) means

1) to be hot, furious, burn, become angry, be kindled 1a) (Qal) to burn, kindle
(anger) 1b) (Niphal) to be angry with, be incensed 1c) (Hiphil) to burn, kindle
1d)

(Hithpael)

to

heat

oneself

in

vexation

·
Commenting on Numbers 16:15, the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
Vol 1 p 877, states that the Hebrew word charah (#2734) which is translated as
"very wrath" in the KJV is translated "exceedingly sad" in the Septuagint
(LXX).
· aph (#639) means nostril, face, nose anger.(rapid breathing as in passion).
· Chemah (#2534) 1) heat, rage, hot displeasure, indignation, anger, wrath,
poison, bottles 1a) heat 1a1) fever 1a2) venom, poison (fig) 1b) burning anger,
rage
· Ragaz (#7264) means to quiver (with any violent emotion, especial y anger or
fear):--be afraid, stand in awe, disquiet, fal out, fret, move, provoke, quake, rage,
shake, tremble, trouble, be wroth.
· Ebrah (#5678) means outburst of passion
· Qetseph (#7110) means, literal y, a splinter or "chipped off". Freely translated it means
to be displeased, to fret or possibly to burst out.
· Kaac (#3707) - to be grieved or sorrowful, to be troubled.
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While some of these words do reflect the emotion humanity commonly understands as
"wrath," not all the Hebrew words mean strictly that emotion. Some words clearly reveal a
passionate displeasure or a sorrowful troubled spirit or exceedingly sad as the
Septuagint reveals (1SDABC p 877). When the KJV Bible (and other versions also)
was translated from the Greek and Latin where necessary, the current religious beliefs
were of the trinitarian god who burns the immortal spirits of evil doers in an ever-burning
hel . This misunderstanding of God's nature and character makes God appear violent,
unforgiving and certainly without even human mercy. His wrath is terrifying. God appears
vengeful to the extreme, permitting a baby to burn forever in hell, simply because its
parents failed to "baptise" it. This "ferocious" god evolved from pagan beliefs and is still
taught through major church doctrines trinitarianism and the immortality of the soul. A
closer study on the life of Jesus Christ, reveals that a more accurate translation is that
God's wrath can be described as occurring at times when He is passionately sorrowful
or troubled (by demonic and human sinfulness).
God Defines His Own "Wrath"
We make a serious error if we believe that human sinful anger and "wrath" is the same
emotion that the Father and Christ experience.
Isaiah 55:9
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and
my thoughts than your thoughts."
God describes his anger in the Old Testament.
Deuteronomy 31:17-18
"Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I
will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and
troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come
upon us, because our God is not among us? (18) And I will surely hide my face in
that day for al the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other
gods."
When God is "wrathful" He simply withdraws His holy presence from those who reject
Him. As seen in the story of Job, God turns away or removes His hedge of protection,
and Satan causes evil to afflict the unprotected rebels.
Deuteronomy 32:20
"And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they
are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. "
Numbers 12:1-16.
"And the Lord heard it. . . and the anger of the Lord was kindled against them; and He
departed."
2 Chronicles 24:20
"And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood
above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the
commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the
LORD, he hath also forsaken you."
God wil not force Himself on any person. Christ died to ensure humanity's freedom to
choose whom they will serve. However, when a person chooses to serve Satan, Christ
honours that choice and He permits us to follow the master we have chosen. He "gives
us up" and we reap the consequences of that decision. Human beings who thus give
themselves to the evil one, are "in Satan's hand." (Job 1:12)
244

Romans 1:18:
"For the wrath (Greek word orge) of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness
and unrighteousness of men, who hold (keep back) the truth in unrighteousness....24
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts,
to dishonour their own bodies between themselves. 26 For this cause God gave them
up unto vile affections; for even their women did change (exchange) the natural use into
(for) that which is against nature. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their
knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate (debased) mind, to do those things
which are not convenient (fitting)."
God's wrath is simply the grieved reaction He experiences when His creation (angels and
humanity) make choices to be disobedient. His wrath is the acceptance of the grief that
sinful beings cause Him, when He must honour their freedom of choice and give them up
to their sinful ways to reap what they have sown. God does not force us. He withdraws
His influence if we continual y reject His stil , small voice. He doesn't harm us nor does
He obtain pleasure from our suffering which is certain to accompany sinful choices.
Consider:
Would it suit Satan's deceptive plan to have humanity blame God for the disasters that
Satan himself brings on the earth?
God gives us freedom to traverse the road we have chosen. If a person chooses to
remain confirmed in an evil choice, then eventually they wil be taken captive by Satan
(become demon-possessed). This is the result of totally rejecting the holy spirit of God.
The Hedge
God gave humanity the 10 Commandments as a protective hedge around us (Job 1:10)
to guide our choices - for our protection. God promises that if His people obey His
commandments, they will be happy and safe from the power of sin. The natural
consequence of breaking the divine commandments is sadness, suffering and eternal
death. God doesn't warn humanity of the fearful consequences of sin, as if these
consequences were a punitive action on His part i.e. a cruel punishment for our refusal
to obey Him; but God lovingly warns us that the natural consequences of sinful
choices is death.
Sin = death
James 1:15
"Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth
forth death. '

Romans 6:23
"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
This concept might be explained in the way that parents lovingly care for their children.
Loving parents warn their children not to play with matches. Loving parents don't
threaten, "Don't you play with matches or I'll set you on fire and let you burn till you die!"
Loving parents warn their precious children of danger. They might say, "Please don't play
with matches. If you play with matches, you might burn yourself badly or even die." Our
heavenly Father is much more loving that any human parent could ever possibly be. The
Father wants us to prosper and be in health (3 John 1:2). However, if we decide to "go
our own way" and choose Satan for our master, then our own actions will determine the
painful consequences. God wil also suffer divine wrath a pained heart when He
watches us reap what we have sown.
245

Galatians 6:7
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shal he also
reap."
Ezekiel 33:11
"Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the
wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil
ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"
EJ Waggoner (commenting on) Romans, p 99, 100
"Romans 8:6. 'The sting of death is sin.' 1Cor. 15:56. There could be no
death if there were no sin. Sin carries death in its bosom. So it was not an
arbitrary act on the part of God that death came upon men because of sin. It
could not possibly be otherwise. Note the justice here. Death passed upon
all men, 'for that all have sinned.' 'The soul that sinneth, it shal die. The son
shal not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shal the father bear the
iniquity of the son; ....Ezek.18:20.' And this is also a necessary consequence
of the fact that sin contains death in it, and that death can not come in any
way than by sin. (100) Everything that came through Adam's fall is undone in
Christ; or, better still, al that was lost in Adam is restored in Christ."
The following summary was published in the Review and Herald, VOL. 77, No. 32.; 7
August 1900, p 498 . The Author was Mary C. Wilson, from St. Helena, California.
God is the very embodiment of life. John 5:26.
1. His is a living throne. Ezekiel 1.
2. A river of life flows from the throne. Rev 22 : 1.
3. On its banks grows the tree of life: Rev 22 : 2.
4. God's words are life. John 6:63; Genesis 1.
5. Thus, he is the fountain of life, fil ing with life everything connected with himself.
Psalm 36:9.
6. In order to have life, we must connect with him. 1 John 5:12.
7. In his natural condition, man is alienated from the life of God. Eph. 4:18.
8. His iniquities are what thus separates him from God. Isa. 59:2.
9. Sin separates because (Hab 1 : 13) God can not sanction sin in the least degree.
10. Since sin separates from him who is life, him who is the only source of life, it surely
must bring death. James 1 : 15.
11. The Jews in Christ's day refused to forsake their sins, come to Christ, and obtain life.
John 5 : 40.
12. It is not because God is angry and destroys the sinner, that death comes to
him; but his own sins keep him separated from the only life there is, so only
death can follow. Eze
18 : 30-32.
13. God declares that he has no pleasure in the death of the wicked; and he pleads
with the sinner to turn and not die. Eze. 33 : 11.
14. How much sin wil it require to separate from 'God?--"No one wil ever receive the seal
of God as long as there is one sin upon his character."' See Hab. 1 : 13.
246

Who is the Destroyer God or Satan?
Job's Experience
The story of Job reveals the identity of the destroyer.
Job, a prosperous farmer and family-oriented man and devout worshipper of God, is
suddenly and "mysteriously" afflicted. His wealth is removed by miraculous means and by
the acts of evil men; his children are "accidentally" kil ed in a "natural disaster," and
eventually agonising boils break out all over his body. Job understandably questions,
"What is going on?" Neither Job nor his wife understand the cause or reason for their
predicament, but Job holds on anyway, having faith in the concept that God is loving and
just. In stark contrast, Job's wife appears to believe that God's character is a combination
of both good and evil that He blesses humanity with good things, but also sends evil to
afflict the just. Because of her faulty understanding of God's character, Job's wife is
of little support to him. She advises him to "curse God and die."
Job did not take his wife's advice. In fact, he rebuked her. Job didn't reject God's leading,
nor did He sin in expressing his bewilderment apparently when he declared, "though He
slay me, yet will I trust Him."
Bewildered, Job retires to sit under a tree in his misery. After five days of sitting in
silence, Job's friends attempt to convince him that he is suffering because of his sins.
They insist that God punishes specific sins (Job 4:1 to Job 5:27). The young man Elihu
final y is given permission to speak and he introduces some "new theology" - he
endeavours to prove that perhaps God doesn't punish, but He disciplines those who have
gone astray (Job 32:1 to Job 33:33). In the final analysis, God commands Job to pray for
his friends for they had al sinned. They had not presented the truth about the origins of
evil. Job's friends were not privy to the heavenly counsels (Job 1:6-12) which were
revealed to Moses when he wrote the book of Job.
How much easier it would have been for Job if he has been given divine revelation of
what was transpiring behind the scenes!
Under the extreme circumstances which Job suffered, his faith in God brought him victory
over Satan's attacks. It is faith that overcomes the world.
1John 5:4
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that
overcometh the world, even our faith."
Faith overcomes the world but - faith in what? It is faith in God's loving and just
character that overcomes doubt and despair, temptation and trial.
Didn't Job realise that God wasn't trying to destroy him, but that it was Satan trying to take
his life? Perhaps he didn't understand the situation for nowhere does the Bible say that
God told Job that the evil he suffered came from Satan and that Job was the object of a
test of loyalty. It appears that God permits people to be "tested" in the fires of persecution
for the development of their character which in by faith in His character. Job, though not
realising why the afflictions were permitted, held on by faith, that God whatever he
permitted was purely righteous and just.
The reader of the book of Job is privileged to have more insight than Job himself had of
his predicament. The reader can see the "big picture." It is clearly revealed that God did
not send the afflictions. God did not originate Job's sufferings. The source of evil and
sufferings was Satan.
247

The book of Job reveals that evil events, whether labelled 'punishment' or harsh
'discipline', do not originate from the Creator, but from Satan.
Many Bible verses confirm this principle.
Psalm 89:18
"For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king."
Isaiah 14:20
"Thou (Lucifer, Satan) shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast
destroyed thy land, and s lain th
y people: the seed of evildoers shal never be
renowned."
Job 1:12; 2.6 (regarding Job)
"And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is
in th
y p
ower; only upon
himself put not forth thine hand ... And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, h
e is in th
ine
hand; but save his life."
Revelation 9:11
"And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in
the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. "
Apollyon means 'destroyer.'"
John 10:10
"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they
might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
Psalm 68:1-2
"Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.
(2) As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let
th
e wicked perish a t the presence of God. "
Psalm 89:15
"Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light
of thy countenance."
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible
Mark 6:49 (Jesus walking on the water)
"When Christ said to those that came to apprehend him by force, 'I am
he,' they were struck down by it (John 18:6). When he saith to those that
come to apprehend him by faith, 'I am he,' they are raised up by it, and
comforted (Mark 6:50)."
Matthew Henry comments on the contrasting reactions of two type of groups who came
into the presence of Jesus. In John 18:6, a violent, self-confident mob rush into arrest
Jesus. Judas leads them to Jesus, but the leaders of the mob still ask for Jesus of
Nazareth to be identified further. Jesus states the truth, "I am He." His captors fal to the
ground incapacitated and fearful. The mob's reaction is then compared to the disciples
reaction. The disciples were struggling with a violent storm on the sea of Galilee. Jesus
walked to them on the water, but they perceived His visible presence incorrectly to be
"spirit"or "apparition" (i.e. the manifestation of a demon). The disciples were terrified.
Jesus immediately speaks to them, "Do not be afraid. I am He." The disciples are
immediately comforted and at peace.
248

Jesus' action was the same to both groups of people. The consequences of that
meeting depended upon the people's reaction to Jesus. One group of people loved
Him. The other group of people hated Him. The consequence of coming into the
presence of Jesus was determined by the choice of humanity not by the actions and
choice of Jesus. So it will be at the last day. One group will love Jesus and will find
comfort and safety in His presence. The other group of people will hate Jesus and be
discomforted and afraid to discover that they are in His presence.
1 John 3:8
"He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this
purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might d
estroy th
e works o
f the devil."
·
God is the defence to all who accept Him.
·
·
Satan is credited with slaying his followers.
·
·
God's presence "melts" the wicked as wax, but His presence does not harm the
redeemed.
·
·
G
od's behaviour doesn't alter. He does nothing different to the wicked than
what He does for to the redeemed. He simply appears before both classes of
people.
·
·
It is the people who are different. It
is T
HEIR c ondition which causes the
o
utcome of either destruction or life n
ot God's actions
·
·
C
hrist destroys th
e w
orks o
f the devil 
n
ot the people!
The

devil destroys the
(wicked) people.
G
od destroys onl
y the
works of the devil.
249

W
hat are t
he Works of the Devil?

John 8:44
(Jesus said to the Pharisees) "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father
ye wil do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because
there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar,
and the father of it."
Revelation 20:14
"And death and hell (#86) were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death."
14And
death
and
hell
were cast
into
the lake
of fire
.
<2532>
<2288>
<2532>
<86>
<906>(5681)
<1519>
<3041>
<4442>
This
is
the second
death
.
<3778>
<2076>(5748)
<1208>
<2288>
Thayer's Greek Lexicon (#86)
hades hah'-dace
from <1> (as negative particle) and <1492>; ; n pr loc, AV-hell 10, grave 1; 11
1) name Hades or Pluto, the god of the lower regions
2) Orcus, the nether world, the realm of the dead
3) later use of this word: the grave, death, hell
The verse says that John saw "hades" cast into the lake of fire. Did he see literal graves
cast into the lake of fire? Did he also see a literal "death" cast into the lake of fire?
Hades originally meant, "Pluto god of the underworld." It might be possible that John
says he saw that the devil the god of the underworld - cast into the lake of fire and the
outcome of his system death symbolically being destroyed also. This suggestion gains
support by the following verse.
15And
whosoever
was
not
found
written
in
the
<2532>
<1536>
<2147><0>
<3756>
<2147>(5681)
<1125>(5772)
<1722>
book
of life
was cast
into
the lake
of fire
.
<976>
<2222>
<906>(5681)
<1519>
<3041>
<4442>
Were human beings being cast into a lake of fire?
# 906 ballo bal'-lo a primary word; ; v AV-cast 86, put 13, thrust 5, cast out 4, lay 3,
lie 2, misc 12; 125
1) to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls
1a) to scatter, to throw, cast into
1b) to give over to one's care uncertain about the result
1c) of fluids
1c1) to pour, pour into of rivers
1c2) to pour out
2) to put into, insert
After the 1000 years, the the wicked dead are resurrected and as they died, they again
come under the complete control of Satan. God has given the wicked "into Satan's care."
This is the "without mercy" act, the strange act, that God permits to happen in order to
preserve the principle of love freedom of choice regarding whom a being will serve.
The wicked chose to serve Satan to become slaves to him.
Romans 6:16
"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to
whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"
This "handing over" to Satan without divine protection, is God's complete withdrawal.
The results are uncertain in the sense that confusion reigns, but the ultimate
consequence is predicted and certain.
250

Ezekiel saw that the fire came from within the devil and spreads to the whole earth. God
does not "blitz" the devil, but He refuses to interfere and prevent the devil's destruction.
Ezekiel 28:18
"Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy
traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee,
and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee."
Isaiah 33:11, 12
"Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath, as fire, shall devour
you. (12) And the people shall be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shal they be
burned in the fire."
Ellen White, Early Writings, p 54 (End of the 2300 Days )
"I saw a throne, and on it sat the Father and the Son. I gazed on Jesus' countenance and
admired His lovely person. The Father's person I could not behold, for a cloud of glorious
light covered Him. I asked Jesus if His Father had a form like Himself. He said He
had, but I could not behold it, for said He, 'If you should once behold the glory of
His person, you would cease to exist.'"
Ellen White was protected by the Father who veiled His glory so that she would not die in
His glorious presence.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
I John 3:8:
"[He that committeth sin is of the devil] Hear this, also, ye who plead for Baal, and cannot
bear the thought of that doctrine that states believers are to be saved from al sin in this
life! He who committeth sin is a child of the devil, and shows that he has still the
nature of the devil in him; for the devil sinneth from the beginning - he was the
father of sin, brought sin into the world, and maintains sin in the world by living in
the hearts of his own children, and thus leading them to transgression; and persuading
others that they cannot be saved from their sins in this life, that he may secure a continual
residence in their heart. ...For this purpose] . For this very end-with this very
design, was Jesus manifested in the flesh, that he might destroy, , that he might
loose, the bonds of sin, and dissolve the power, influence, and connection of sin."
According to Adam Clarke, "the works of the devil" appear to be the law-breaking acts
that are naturally p
roduced by humanity, caused by Sa
tan's s elfish principles in the
human mind. This is called the carnal mind the sinful nature, the unconverted heart,
the unregenerate heart, an evil mind.
Romans 8:6, 7
"For to be carnal y minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7)
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God,
neither indeed can be."
To have Satan's selfish mind is to commit sin - and die; not to be killed by God, but
to die as a consequence of separating oneself from the Source of all Life.
Ellen White, Signs of the Times 20 June, 1895, p 6, 7
"Righteousness can be defined only by God's great moral standard, the Ten
Commandments. There is no other rule by which to measure character. 'He that
committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.' It was the refusal
of Satan to obey the commandments of God that brought sin and apostasy into the
universe. 'For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the
works of the devil.' (7) Through the devices of the great apostate, man has been led to
s eparate h
imself fr
om God, and has yielded to the temptations of the adversary of God
and man in committing sin and breaking the law of the Most High."
251

6Testimonies for the Church p 388
"With these words of light and truth before them, how dare men neglect so plain a duty?
How dare they disobey God when obedience to His requirements means His blessing in
both temporal and spiritual things, and disobedience means the curse of God? Satan is
the destroyer. God cannot bless those who refuse to be faithful stewards. All He can do is
to permit Satan to accomplish his destroying work. We see calamities of every kind and in
every degree coming upon the earth, and why? The Lord's restraining power is not
exercised. The world has disregarded the word of God. They live as though there were no
God. Like the inhabitants of the Noachic world, they refuse to have any thought of God.
Wickedness prevails to an alarming extent, and the earth is ripe for the harvest."
Great Controversy, p 516 - 517
"There is nothing that the great deceiver fears so much as that we shall become
acquainted with his devices. The better to disguise his real character and purposes, he
has caused himself to be so represented as to excite no stronger emotion than ridicule or
contempt. .... (517) It is because he has masked himself with consummate skil that the
question is so widely asked: "Does such a being really exist?" ... Satan can most readily
control the minds of those who are unconscious of his influence, that the word of God
gives us so many examples of his malignant work, unveiling before us his secret forces,
and thus placing us on our guard against his assaults. The power and malice of Satan
and his host might justly alarm us were it not that we may find shelter and
deliverance in the superior power of our Redeemer. We carefully secure our houses
with bolts and locks to protect our property and our lives from evil men; but we seldom
think of the evil angels who are constantly seeking access to us, and against whose
attacks we have, in our own strength, no method of defence. If permitted, they can
distract our minds, disorder and torment our bodies, destroy our possessions and
our lives. Their only delight is in misery and destruction. Fearful is the condition of
those who resist the divine claims and yield to Satan's temptations, until God gives them
up to the control of evil spirits. But those who follow Christ are ever safe under His
watchcare. Angels that excel in strength are sent from heaven to protect them. The
wicked one cannot break through the guard which God has stationed about His
people."
The Works of Righteousness
In complete contrast with the works of the devil, Jesus did the works of His Father. He
kept His Father's law.
John 10:36, 37
"Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou
blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? (37) If I do not the works of my
Father, believe me not."
John 15:10
"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my
Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
Sin is the transgression of the law - just as - Love is the keeping of the law.
Satan brings death just as - God brings life.
Sin destroys just as Love creates.
Satan stalks and snares just as - God protects and provides.
Satan is completely, permanently evil just as - God is completely, permanently loving.
So how are sinners destroyed?
252

Sin Brings Forth Death
Isaiah 33:11
"Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shal bring forth stubble: your breath (#7307), as fire, shall
devour you."
The Hebrew word 'rwach' is legitmately tanslated as breath, but also as
spirit/mind)39
Ezekiel 28:18
"Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy
traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shal devour thee, and
I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
Isaiah 29:5
"Moreover the multitude of thy strangers shall be like smal dust, and the multitude of the
terrible ones shal be as chaff that passeth away: yea, it shall be at an instant
suddenly."
Ellen White was told of this serious consequence by Jesus, in a vision.
Ellen White, Early Writings, p 54 (End of the 2300 Days )
"I saw a throne, and on it sat the Father and the Son. I gazed on Jesus' countenance and
admired His lovely person. The Father's person I could not behold, for a cloud of glorious
light covered Him. I asked Jesus if His Father had a form like Himself. He said He
had, but I could not behold it, for said He, 'If you should once behold the glory of
His person, you would cease to exist.'"
In this passage it is clear that Jesus was not threatening to kill Ellen White. Instead,
Christ assured her that she was protected by the Father who had intentionally veiled His
glory so that she, a (repentant) sinner, would not die in His glorious presence. The sin in
humanity kil s the person in whose body resides. In the presence of the unveiled glory of
God, such death is instantaneous to the sinful race, but such destruction does not
originate from God. God protects humanity and prevents their deaths by veiling His glory
from them. His 'strange act' (Isaiah 28:21) occurs when He finally does not veil His glory
to protect the wicked and their own sin which is in their spirit/minds, destroys them.
If the devil suddenly ceased to exist, there would still be sin, destruction and death in the
human race, because "the seeds of sin" would stil dwell in unrepentant human minds.
The sinful nature the mind of Satan already in the human race, would still lead
humanity to sin for all have been born with sinful flesh. Without the spirit of Christ, sinful
flesh can only commit sin. It is impossible for the carnal mind to obey the commandments
of God (Romans 8:7). Only those whose minds have been "reborn" with the spirit of
Christ, wil obtain power to cease sinning - lawbreaking. Sinful minds will ultimately be
destroyed, because sin leads to death and sinful flesh will be destroyed along with the
sinful mind.
39 Strong's Hebrew concordance #7307 ruwach roo'-akh from 7306; wind; by
resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger,
unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a
rational being (including its expression and functions):--air, anger, blast, breath, X cool,
courage, mind, X quarter, X side, spirit((-ual)), tempest, X vain, ((whirl-))wind(-y). see
HEBREW for 07306
253

Spirit has not flesh and bones
Jesus had a glorified body, but He still flesh and bones. A spirit has not flesh and bones.
Neither has an apparition. The disciples believed in demons and holy angels which could
become visible and appear to human beings. This was the "spirit" or "apparitions" (visible
manifestation) which the disciples believed they saw until Jesus reassured them that He
was not a spirit (the visible presence of a holy angel or demon).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
# 05326:
5326 phantasma fan'-tas-mah
from <5324>; ; n n
AV-spirit 2; 2
1) an appearance
2) an apparition, spectre
Luke 24:39
"Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not
flesh and bones, as ye see me have."
1Cor 15:50-52
"Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither
doth corruption inherit incorruption. (51) Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not al
sleep, but we shall al be changed, (52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we
shal be changed."
A spirit has not flesh and bones, but Jesus, in His humanity, did possess flesh and bones.
Corruption (sinful flesh and bones/blood) cannot enter into heaven.
Jesus possessed a mind with a sinful flesh (body) from the time of His incarnation till His
death. His mind was sinless.
Jesus after His resurrection, was changed into a glorified body - sinless flesh and bones.
He was not a ghost - a mind minus a body. He possessed both mind and glorified body at
His resurrection.
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Modes of Destruction
It appears that there are at least four types or modes of destruction, and probably
combinations of these modes.
· Sinners destroy themselves by their own actions or are destroyed by the actions
of others ("sleeping" death eg accidents, il nesses, smoking, suicide, wars,
environmental interference http://www.s8int.com/atomic1.htm l );
· Sinners reject the protection of God and are permitted to be destroyed by Satan -
"are handed over to Satan" 2 Kings 17:39; 21:14; Jer 15:9 (sleeping death, but
await the permanent death);
· Sinners are destroyed when the sin within their minds/bodies ignite when they
come into contact with the unveiled glory of holy divinity ("sleeping" death or
"permanent" death depending on the time frame) (Nadab and Abihu died the
"sleeping" death; sinners in the lake of fire die the "permanent" death);
· Sinners are destroyed in the chaos that results from the removal of God's
sustaining creative power e.g. The earth quakes and explodes and becomes
chaotic (Sodom and Gomorrah; Noah's flood http://www.s8int.com/atomic1.html ,
the Lake of Fire).
Matthew 10:28
"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kil the soul: but rather fear him
which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
Revelation 14:7
"Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of his judgment is come."
God is the Source of All Life. Only the Creator is able to provide eternal life. When
Eternal Life (God's creative power) is withdrawn, as occurs in permanent death, the soul
is eternal y dead. The judgment determines which persons elected to serve God and
which elected to separate themselves from Him.
Before sinners can be destroyed the God's protective hedge of holy angels must be
removed. This protective hedge will be removed from those who repeatedly resist the
spirit of God and instead, choose to serve Satan. God will not force His presence on
those who are determined to reject Him, but when God removes His presence, His
protection is also removed.
Psalm 27:12; 140:1,2
"Deliver me not over unto the wil of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up
against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. .... Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man:
preserve me from the violent man; (2) which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually
are they gathered together for war."
Ezekiel 31:11
"I have therefore delivered him into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen; he shall
surely deal with him: I have driven him out for his wickedness."
Psalm 91:3, 4
"Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome
pestilence. (4) He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust:
his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
Matthew 23:37
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent
unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth
her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! "
255

Sin equals death (Romans 6:23). Certainly, there is no doubt that sinners wil be
destroyed, but is their destruction caused by a vengeful, wrathful divine Being, or as a
consequence of their choices to alienate themselves from the protection of the Creator:
the Source of all Life?
When God's creative and sustaining power is removed, chaos occurs, both spiritual y and
physically. Demonstrations of this was evident during Noah's flood; the destruction of
Sodom and Gomorrah and Christ's death on the cross.
T
he Flood (Gen 6)
Genesis 1:2
"And the earth was without form, and void..."
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (Genesis1:2)
"The earth was without form and void. The original term tohu and bohu,
which we translate without form and void, are of uncertain etymology; but
in this place, and wherever else they are used, they convey the idea of
confusion and disorder."
In the flood, almost the entire world chose to serve Satan. God respectfully withdrew his
patient entreaties from the confirmed wicked, leaving them to the consequence of their
own violent and disruptive actions, without divine protection and under Satan's control.
However, it does not appear that Satan, with his angelic power, caused the flood. It
seems that there are perhaps a combination of two modes: man's own actions and
withdrawal of the sustaining and protective power of God.
What Happens When God Withdraws?
Does anything happen to the physical world when God withdraws His presence?
It is clear from Isaiah's prophecy, that there has been at least one time when the sun has
'gone down' and the moon has 'withdrawn itself.'
Isaiah 60:19, 20
"The sun shal be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light
unto thee: but the LORD shal be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
(20)
Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shal thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall
be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."
Young's Literal Translation renders verse 20 as such:
"Thy sun goeth no more in, And thy moon is not removed, For Jehovah becometh to thee
a light age-during. And the days of thy mourning have been completed."
When does Isaiah's prophecy apply? When did the moon withdraw itself move away
from the earth? When did the sun go down in the sense that its strength appeared to
have decreased?
Is it possible that these prophecies are referring to the physical actions that occurred in
the sun and the moon at the time of the flood?
Did the removal of God's sustaining Presence initiate the flood? If so, perhaps the divine
withdrawal caused the moon and the sun to stumble from their orbits. These celestial
reactions appear to coincide with a time of the withdrawing of God's spirit His rejection -
from the earth. Did God's withdrawal so greatly effect the sun and the moon that it
caused them to become unstable? Did their instability cause the world-wide flood?
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The Creator knows the result that His withdrawal from the earth would have (and will
have) on the heavenly planets. It has been prophesied that they would be moved out of
their natural orbits. The earth also would 'reel to and fro as a drunkard' and the earth's
surface would break open, causing the 'fountains of the deep to open up" and every
mountain to be moved out of its place (Isa 24:20; Gen 7:11; Rev 6:14).
Knowing the catacalysmic conditions that would occur if He was forced to withdraw His
presence from those who rejected Him, God in His mercy, arranged a way of escape from
the destruction, for those who would accept His leading. Noah was instructed to build a
life-boat as part of God's emergency plan to save humanity from the destruction that
would occur when He withdrew and ceased to sustain the natural forces.
Why Did God Withdraw if He Knew that Destruction Would Follow?
The principles of love and the law of God's government are founded on freedom of choice.
Thus, God was required to act in harmony with the principles of His law. He had to
withdraw His presence from those who refused and rejected His leading. There is no
sanction of force in God's government which operates totally on love (unselfishness) and
freedom of choice.
Thus, the action of God in withdrawing His sustaining presence from the earth, was not an
act of frustrated divine anger and wrathful revenge, but simply the operation of His law of
love. God will not force His presence on any being.
As a direct result of being rejected by the majority of the world, God's reluctant withdrawal
appears to have resulted in an alteration in the physical condition of the sun and the moon
and to have caused the flood.
Ellen White states that during the flood, God showed mercy - to the earth. Could this
mercy have been only a partial withdrawal of His spirit instead of a complete
withdrawal?
Review and Herald, 21 December,1897
"In Noah's day, men had disregarded the law of God until almost all remembrance of the
Creator had passed away from the earth. Their wickedness reached so great a height,
violence, crime, and every kind of sin became so intensely active, that the Lord brought a
flood of water upon the earth. Yet mercy was mingled with judgment. Noah and his family
were saved, but the wicked inhabitants of the world were swept away. In the destruction
of Sodom and Gomorrah, also, when fire came down from heaven and destroyed those
wicked cities, we see that the Lord wil interfere for his people."
The Lord showed mercy and interfered to save those who loved Him. God warned of the
destruction that was looming over Sodom and Gomorrah and which would occur when
God was forced to withdraw protection (via His restraining angels) from those who were
'joined to their idols." The laws of God's own character and government required that he
respect the choices of sinful humanity and insisted that He withdraw from those who
rejected Him and His principles of unselfish love. Those left without His spirit were then
unprotected from natural disasters, evil angels and evil humanity.
In a similar way, the mercy of God (His remaining presence and protection) is exercised
prior to the close probation, by restraining the work of the evil angels.
Great Controversy, p 614
"When He (Jesus) leaves the sanctuary, darkness covers the inhabitants of the earth. In
that fearful time the righteous must live in the sight of a holy God without an intercessor.
The restraint which has been upon the wicked is removed, and Satan has entire
control of the finally impenitent. God's long-suffering has ended. The world has
rejected His mercy, despised His love, and trampled upon His law. The wicked have
257

passed the boundary of their probation; the Spirit of God, persistently resisted, has
been at last withdrawn. Unsheltered by divine grace, they have no protection from
the wicked one. Satan will then plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great, final
trouble. As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of human
passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. The whole world will be involved in
ruin more terrible than that which came upon Jerusalem of old."
Desire of Ages, p 306
"Hearts that respond to the influence of the Holy Spirit are the channels through which
God's blessing flows. Were those who serve God removed from the earth, and His Spirit
withdrawn from among men, this world would be left to desolation and destruction,
the fruit of Satan's dominion."
When Jesus at His second coming, shall come close to the earth - in great glory - the
usual cycles of the sun and the moon are prophesied to be again interrupted.
Joel 2:1,2
"...for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; (2) A day of darkness and of
gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the
mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shal be
any more after it, even to the years of many generations....(10) The earth shall quake
before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars
shal withdraw their shining:"
Zephaniah 1:14, 15
"The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the
day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. (15) That day is a day of wrath, a
day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and
gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness."
Recall that at the time of the flood, God's spirit has been rejected and His presence
withdrawn from the earth. In a situation similar to the flood, the spirit of God will again be
withdrawn from the earth just prior to the second coming of Jesus. It is extremely
relevant to notice that at both the flood AND just prior to the second coming of Jesus,
similar changes occur in the sun and moon with similar consequences flooding,
earthquakes, volcanic activity, wind, tempests, tsunamis.
Luke 21:25
"And there shal be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth
distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring."
Amos 8:8,9
"Shal not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwel eth therein? and it shal
rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt.
(9) And it shal come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to
go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:"
Further to the consequences which God's withdrawal causes on the forces of nature, so
the withdrawal of His loving spirit will futher distress humanity. The wicked will seek to
destroy God's people AND each other.
Matthew 24:21, 22
"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to
this time, no, nor ever shal be. (22) And except those days be shortened, there should no
flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."
Jesus states that the end of time, just prior to His second coming, conditions on the earth
wil be similar to those just prior to the flood (Matt 24:37).
258

At the present time, people have invented and used, weapons of mass destruction
weapons which can alter weather patterns and cause tsunamis and other destructive
forces. Did pre-flood humanity also possess weapons capable of effecting the earth
itself?
Prior to answering that question, consider that even the Greek civilization possessed
fearful weapons the scorpion bomb; incendiary devices ancient flame-throwers which
contained sulphur, resins, tar, and petroleum; the ram and turtle (battering ram much like
a modern day tank); the 8 metre high moveable tower and troop carrier; catapult and
bal ista. In the third century BC, Archemides who lived in the Sicilian city of Syracuse,
invented a steam powered cannon which so terrorised the attacking Roman armies that
they retreated in fear. Archimede's Claw was another mechanical y advanced invention
which shocked the Romans and unexpectedly sank their boats. (Refer Polybius - Greek,
c. 200-118 BC, Universal History; Livy - Roman, 59 BC-17 AD, History of Rome from its
Foundation; Plutarch - Greek, c. 45-120 AD, Parallel Lives: Marcellus; Dio Cassius -
Greek, c. 155-235 AD, Roman History); Lost Worlds: Ancient Discoveries Pt 1 Ancient
Warfare: UK, video).
These weapons reveal that civilizations 300 years prior to Christ's first appearance,
possessed great destructive power against humanity, but is there any evidence that pre-
modern civilizations had weapons of mass destruction that could cause destruction to the
earth itself?
Nuclear Weapons in Ancient Times?
Rene Noorbergen in his book, Secrets of the Lost Races: New Discoveries of Advanced
Technology in Ancient Civilizations, (1977) presents the supposition that at least some
ancient civilizations were not ignorant of nuclear technology.
Chapter 4 of Noorbergen's book discusses evidence for "Advanced Aviation in
Prehistoric Times", and chapter 5 supports the concept of "Nuclear Warfare Among the
'Primitives.'"
The author's claims of nuclear technology and even weaponry as used in the prehistoric
era, may seem a ridiculous proposition, but it does appear that quite a few of Noorbegen's
claims are backed up by scientifical y valid evidence.
Fifteen years after Noorbergen's book was published, the following report by Bryant
Stavely in the United Kingdom's World Island Review (January 1992),appeared and
seem to give credibility to Noorbergen's "nuclear weapon amongst the primitives" claim.
Bryant Stavely's report revealed the following:
An ancient city in India appears to have level ed by an atomic blast 8,000 - 10,000 years
ago. A construction team discovered the radioactive site in Rajasthan, (a state of India)
while preparing to build a housing development.
A heavy layer of radioactive ash was found in a three-mile-square area which concealed
an ancient city. Evidence appears to show that an atomic blast dating back thousands of
years, from 8,000 to 12,000 years, destroyed most of the buildings and probably a half-
million people.
In his report Stavely noted that after its discovery, the ancient city became suspect as the
cause of a high rate of birth defects and cancer in the region. 'The levels of radiation at
the city site registered alarmingly high and the Indian government cordoned off the region.
Interestingly, the Indian Mahabharata (sacred writings) appears to have recorded an
atomic or similar event.
According to OOPARTS (out of place artefacts) at http://www.s8int.com/atomic1.html the
Mahabharata sacred writings proclaim:
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'A single projectile charged with al the power in the Universe...An
incandescent column of smoke and flame as bright as 10,000 suns, rose
in all its splendor...it was an unknown weapon, an iron thunderbolt, a
gigantic messenger of death40which reduced to ashes an entire race,"
says the sacred text. The Mahabharata is thought to have been
composed in 6500BC Historian Kisari Mohan Ganguli says that
Indian sacred writings are full of descriptions which sound like an
atomic blast. There are passages that mention fighting sky chariots
and weapons....weapons decimate entire armies which are blown
away as if they are leaves.
The Indian sacred writings also comments about the contamination of food and
people's hair falling out and burning. http://www.s8int.com/atomic1.html
On the same website, OOPARTS also reports that:
"Archeologist Francis Taylor says that etchings in some nearby temples
he has managed to translate suggest that they prayed to be spared from
the great light that was coming to lay ruin to the city."
Were the ancient residents of Rajasthan the victims of a nuclear blast, or was their
country the recipient of a radioactive meteorite strike?
Avinash Nair reported in Rediff.com News on 11 August, 2005 that a radioactive
meteorite fel in the Indian state of Rajasthan and that it was:
"a rare radioactive cosmic object. Elaborate tests... revealed it to be a
very rare iron meteorite showing significant radioactivity."
The meteorite fel on 25 June 25, 2005. It is recorded that more meteorites fall in
Rajasthan, than fall in any other state in India.
Since only about 126 fal s have been observed all over India in the past 2
centuries, this frequency of fall (1 every 2 years) in a smal area of Rajasthan
anomalously high. In comparison, no more than 10 falls have been reported
from the rest of India in the past 15 years. The scientists remarked, "We were
able to detect the radioactivity because the meteorite was sent to us
immediately after it fell, he said, adding radioactivity slowly wanes away with
the passage of time." http://www.rediff.com/news/2005/aug/11met.htm
It is interesting to note that God set in place, systems that protect the earth from col ision
with meteors and from receiving too much solar radiation. It is becoming obvious that
human activities are destroying these protective systems. e.g. the greenhouse effect.
In the light of the historical evidence, it seems plausible to consider that as God's spirit
was resisted and withdrawn from the earth, and His holy angels reluctantly release their
hold over the 'winds of human and demonic strife.' At that time, satanic forces begin to
work unimpeded on both evil humanity and on the natural elements of the earth. These
evil forces then are able to create "weather chaos" which spirals out of control (Refer
www.weatherwars.info or the video by Bob Fletcher, "Weather Control as a Weapon).
Not only are demons working to destroy God's people, but the wicked, who are under the
complete control of demons, also cooperate in destroying not only God's people, but other
unsaved people also and their property, animals, and the earth itself.
40 It is very interesting to note that the Indian sacred writings refer to the "unknown"
weapon of genocide as "the messenger of death." This terminology is the same as that
chosen by the Israelites to describe the destruction which the Egyptian firstborn were
subjected to by the Angel of Death. The English translation of the Hebrew word for
"Angel" is messenger.
260

Regardless of whether the ancient antediluvians perished by a flood caused by nuclear
warfare or by meteorite strikes it can be seen that because they rejected the pleadings
of the spirit of God, they caused Him to withdraw His protective presence and the wicked
were left without a divine shelter in the destruction that followed.
Summary
As the Creator withdrew His presence (His spirit) from the earth, the very life and stability
of the whole created world swayed precariously. The earth was destroyed "in mercy" i.e.
it was only destroyed to a limited degree. God did not completely withdraw His sustaining
power from the world. If the Creator had done so, it appears logical to assume that the
world would have exploded in a way similar to the description of the "lake of fire" when the
world is destroyed without mercy i.e. without any of the Creators' sustaining power.
Mountains are cast into the sea, islands move from their place; the earth reels like a
drunkard without the sustaining and stabilising power of the Creator to hold everything in
place (Psalm 33:9).
So
dom and Gomorrah (Gen 19)
Some suppose that when the Bible describes "fire falling from heaven" it means that God
originated the fire as a means of destroy wicked people. However, Job's story reveals
that 'people' who misunderstand the principles of God's kingdom, tend to consider that
God orginates destructive fires.
Job 1:16
"While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen
from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I
only am escaped alone to tell thee."
While God is blamed for the fire falling from heaven, the Bible clearly demonstrates that
Satan caused the fire to fall.
Job 1:12
"And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, al that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself
put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD."
Apply the same principles or God protecting and Satan causing destruction, to Sodom
and Gomorroah.
When God withdrew His creative power and His angels ensured that Lot was removed
from the city of Sodom, fire destroyed the cities of the plain. Did God cease to sustain the
cities of the plain, or did His withdrawal of the holy angels, permit Satan to rush in and
destroy the unrepentant sinners?
Or did God forsee perhaps, that a volcano was brewing in the vicinity of Sodom, which His
hand had held back while there was stil time for the Sodomites to repent?
Jesus referred to both the flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as being
demonstrations of what would happen at the final destruction of sinners (Luke 17:29, 30).
For this reason, it seems likely that God withdrew His creative and sustaining and
protective power from the cities of the plain and this resulted in the explosive, fiery
destruction of the wicked who chose to remain in that city.
The scenes described in the destruction of Sodom are similar to those which describe
some violent, explosive volcanic eruptions (Mt Vesuvius eruption AD 79; Mt Pelee
eruption in the West Indies in 1902; the Mt St Helens explosion in 1980; Mt Krakatoa
explosion in 1833).
"The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa is among the most violent volcanic events
in modern times (a VEI of 6, equivalent to 200 megatons of TNT - about
261

thirteen thousand times the yield of the Little Boy bomb which
devastated Hiroshima, Japan. (Little Boy was officially recorded at "only"
15 kilotons. In contrast, the biggest bomb ever exploded by man, the Tsar
Bomba, had an explosive power of 57 megatons."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krakatoa
In Lexiline, A Renaissance in Learning, the author states:
The Hebrews call the Dead Sea Yam ha-Melah ("salt sea")and some think the name
"dead sea" was so named because nothing can live in the salt sea.
But in Arabic the Dead Sea is called al-Bahr al-Mayyitt ("Sea of Death") or Buhayrat Lut
("Sea of Lot"). http://www.lexiline.com/lexiline/lexi58.htm
Do these names refer perhaps to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah? Reference is
made in the Arabic translation to Lot. Being cal ed the "Sea of Death" perhaps might
indicate a reference to the death of the inhabitants of the plain where five cities had
thrived previously.
Lot's wife, was recorded to have 'looked back' and then was turned to a pil ar of salt
(actually powder #4417 Strong's Hebrew Concordance).
It is interesting to note that, there have been incidences recorded during volcanic
explosions, where human bodies were covered with dust or ash and then became
petrified into stone. e.g. at Pompeii when Mt Vesuvius erupted in AD 79.)
If this was the case, one would expect to find archaelogical evidence of the volcano.
The Ancient Five Cities of the Dead Sea plain - Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zoboiim and
Zoar (Bela) were al destroyed. The five cities were situated in the Vale of Siddim which
the Bible states became the Dead Sea.
Genesis 14:3
"And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea)."
Between 1973 and 1979 two archaeologists, Walter E Rast of Valparaiso University,
Indiana and R. Thomas Schaub of Indiana University of Pennsylvania surveyed an area
around the South East of the Dead Sea and located the remains of five sites each at the
head of a small wadi. From North to South the sites are: Bab Edh-Dhra (first discovered in
1924); Numeira (found by Rast and Schaub in 1973); Safi; Feifa; and Khanazir.
Safi, one of the sites discovered, has been positively identified by a map found on the
floor of a 6th century AD Byzantium Church which identifies Safi with Zoar, one of the
Cities of the Plain.
The principal site of Bab edh Dhra, lying right at the edge of the Lisan, which is the
peninsular jutting into the Dead Sea, consists of a town and a cemetery which contains an
estimated 500,000 people.
Did a natural catastrophe occur to cause the death of so many people? If a volcano was
to have occurred, fire, ash and brimstone would give supportive evidence of such an
occurrence. Was there a tsumani which destroyed the fresh water pools and raised saline
levels in the soil? If so, these conditions would certainly have resulted in difficult living
conditions. The land would have become unproductive and the water source fouled.
But is there any evidence of volcanic or seismic activity around the Dead Sea?
262

David Graves & Jane Graves, in Electronic Christian Media report:
"From the research of geologist Frederick G. Clapp, who visited the area
in 1929 and 1934, it was discovered that there are fault lines along the
east and west sides of the Dead Sea. The cities of the plain lie at the edge
of the Ghor right along the eastern fault line. Also, earthquakes are
common to the area. In Clapp's research, asphalt and petroleum
accompanied by natural gas were found in the area. From Genesis 14:10,
it is evident that the valley of Siddim was ful of tar pits. This tar is naturally
occurring asphalt. Genesis 11:3; Exodus 2:3. It is a well-known fact that
the southern end of the Dead Sea is a location for these tar pits. With the
assistance of the imagination, the destruction of the Cities of the Plain can
be recreated. Bryant Wood speculates that, 'these combustible materials
could have been forced from the earth by subterranean pressure brought
about by an earthquake resulting from the shifting of the bounding faults.
If these combustibles were ignited by lightning or some other agency as
they came spewing forth from the ground, it would indeed result in a
holocaust such as described in Genesis 19.' From the 1973 report by Rast
and Schaub there is evidence of widespread burning in the case of three
of the cities. At Bab edh-Dhra, handfulls of ashy soil and charcoal could
be removed from the surface of the ruins. At Numeira, a pit was dug which
cut through a seven foot thick layer of dark ash and at Feifa, much the
same evidence of destruction by fire could be found Genesis 19:28. The
site at Bab edh-Dhra was destroyed at the end of the early bronze III age
2600-2300 B.C. The other two cities were also destroyed around this
period. Are these five sites the five cities of the plain described in the
Biblical record?" http://www.abu.nb.ca/ecm/topics/arch5.htm
The Encyclopedia Britannica notes that:
"The Dead Sea occupies part of a graben (a downfaulted block of the
Earth's crust) between transform faults along a tectonic plate boundary
that runs from the Red SeaGulf of Suez spreading centre to a
convergent plate boundary in the Taurus Mountains. The eastern fault,
along the edge of the Moab Plateau, is more readily visible from the lake
than is the western fault, which marks the gentler Judaean upfold....
Thermal sulfur springs also feed the rivers" (i.e. the four perennial
streams

that

flow

into

the

Dead

Sea.)
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9029627
With sulfur springs, converging plate boundaries, fault-lines, tar pits and flamable gases
being emitted from the region, the area certainly appears to lend itself to the theory that
the destruction of Sodom and Gomorroah might well have been caused by a natural
disaster, from which God had been protecting His people.
D
esolate Jerusalem
Jeremiah 6:8
"Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee
desolate, a land not inhabited."
Jeremiah 9:11
"And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of
Judah desolate, without an inhabitant."
Jeremiah 44:6
"Wherefore my fury and mine anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of
Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as at this day."
263

Ezekiel 12:19,20
"And say unto the people of the land, Thus saith the Lord GOD of the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, and of the land of Israel; They shall eat their bread with carefulness, and drink
their water with astonishment, that her land may be desolate from all that is therein,
because of the violence of all them that dwell therein (20) And the cities that are
inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shal be desolate; and ye shal know that I am
the LORD."
From the foregoing Old Testament verses, it certainly appears convincing that God is so
angry with Jerusalem that He is going to personally destroy the city and the land of Judah,
leaving the entire area desolate. However, as Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, He
demonstrates the reality of how rejection affects His Father.
Matthew 23:37
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent
unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth
her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"
Desire of Ages, 1989, p 829
"The holy Shekinah, in departing from the first temple, had stood upon the eastern
mountain, as if loath to forsake the chosen city; so Christ stood upon Olivet, with
yearning heart overlooking Jerusalem."
Furthermore, though God states unequivocally that HE will destroy Jerusalem and Judah,
the prophesied siege of Jerusalem and its destruction was accomplished by the Roman
army, under Titus a pagan.
Great Controversy, p 33
"Blood flowed down the temple steps like water. Thousands upon thousands of Jews
perished. Above the sound of battle, voices were heard shouting: "Ichabod!"--the glory is
departed."
General Conference Daily Bulletins,1899-03-07.005 (2 August, 1895)
"Their beautiful temple was in ruins, and 'Ichabod, Ichabod, the glory is departed from
Israel,' was heard in songs of lamentation.... The Lord permitted them to be broken up
until they should find in him their center of attraction."
Great Controversy, p 24
"In the presence of Christ, and in this only, did the second temple exceed the first in glory.
But Israel had put from her the proffered Gift of heaven. With the humble Teacher who
had that day passed out from its golden gate, th
e glory had forever departed from the
temple. Already were the Saviour's words fulfilled: 'Your house is left unto you
desolate.' Matthew 23:38."
God did not personally destroy the city of Jerusalem. Neither did He send holy angels to
massacre the rebellious Jews. God simply withdrew His presence and protection from
Jerusalem. The divine glory departed. Once this was done, Satan, the "deity" who
controlled the pagan Romans, and whom the Jews chose as their leader in stead of
Christ, destroyed the city and temple of Jerusalem and made the land as desolate as the
nation was spiritually.
C
hrist's Death, Resurrection and Return
When Christ died there was an earthquake (Matt 27:54). When Christ was resurrected
there was another "great earthquake" (Matt 28:2). When Christ returns the earth will be
"reeling like a drunkard," "clean dissolved" and "moving exceedingly" (Isa 24:19,20).
Chaotic events are demonstrated to occur when the spirit of God is withdrawn. The earth
collapses however, when God's sustaining and stabilising power is completely withdrawn
after His third coming to the earth eventually resulting in the Lake of Fire.
264

The Red Sea Crossing (please refer to Objection #43 where this incident is dealt with
in more depth)
Rejecting the Spirit of God
After God is continually rejected, He withdraws. His withdrawal removes life, not as a
punitive action, but as a consequence of the withdrawal of the Source of ALL life. His
withdrawal removes the stability of nature which human beings often take for granted.
In the sense that God is the ONLY Life-Giver, it might be said that by withdrawing from
them, He kills sinners; but in reality, sinners choose their own death by pushing away and
rejecting the only Source of their life. God removes away reluctantly, as a real
Gentleman, respecting the individual's choice to serve another god.
For God to surrender to the rejection of His created beings and withdraw His protective
life sustaining power, is called "His strange act."
Isaiah 28:21
"For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley
of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his
strange act."
265

The Trinity's Character - Versus - the Father's Character
When we look at the trinity doctrine, which column is represented by their beliefs? The
concept of a god who has a nature which is a blend of both good and evil traits - the
Masonic "black and white" god; the Roman Catholic's "good and bad" god; the pagan
religions "male and female" god. In short, the god who is a bit good and a bit bad. The
god who presents as an angel of light, (2 Cor 11:14) but is really a roaring lion, seeking
whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).
Roman Catholic Orthodox Trinity Assassinates the Character of the One True God
Consider the following Roman Catholic traditions which, according to the Catholic
Handbook, p 16, are all based on the doctrine of the trinity. Purgatory, Penance, Ever-
burning hel , Flagel ation, the Stigmata, Eucharist, the Deity is so angry that an
Intercessor is required to approach the Son (Mary), Humanity is never-good enough
even when "in Christ," hierarchical order, can't overcome sin, confession of sins to priest
who is the mediator between sinner and Mary and the saints, rituals and traditions,
mandatory offerings for ritualised ceremonies. The trinity doctrine denies the Father/Son
relationship and the all-sufficient sacrifice of Christ once for al humanity. It certainly
promotes the concept of an angry, violent, impatient god, who is pleased when his
followers suffer.
Tritheistic Trinity Assassinates the Character of the One True God
In many churches there is a hierarchical order or organisation. If members don't agree to
submit to the leadership, their membership is often terminated. This is the "We are the
chosen people syndrome."
Jeremiah predicted in Jeremiah 31:34
"And they shal teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother,
saying, Know the LORD: for they shal al know me, from the least of them unto the
greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I wil forgive their iniquity, and I wil remember their
sin no more."
In fulfilment of the prediction, Christ instructed in Matthew 23:8
"But be not ye cal ed Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren."
Paul informs us, that, far from being an isolated, wrathful God, as depicted in the Roman
Catholic doctrine of the Trinity, the Father is a God of comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3,4
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the
God of al comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in al our tribulation, that we may be able to
comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are
comforted of God."
The Son of God is humanity's only Advocate, (1 John 2:1) the only Mediator (1 Tim 2:5)
and the only Intercessor (Heb 9:24; Isa 53:12). Christ also is our only Comforter (Jn
14:18). 'The Father of all comfort' (2 Cor 1:2,3); comforts us through His Son. The Son of
God dwel s in humanity (John 14:10,11,20,23) by faith, via the ministry of His holy angels,
who minister His divine thoughts to human minds.
This is not the current position of the SDA church which officially accepts that there are 2
Comforters - Christ and the 3rd Person of the Trinity. In their book published by the
Ministerial Association of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in 1988
called, Seventh-day Adventists Believe, p 63 it states:
"The only other Parakletos mentioned in Scripture is Christ Himself."
This statement seems to deny that Christ is our only Mediator with the Father (1 Tim 2:5).
266

C
hristia
nity or
C
hurchia
nity
In their published material, the SDA church, in keeping with Roman Catholic trinitarian
theology, appears to verge on claiming that the organisation itself is another necessary
intercessor for salvation. (Please note that the fol owing quotes are not from Ellen White.
They are from contemporary writers).
Adventist Review 9 August, 1984, p 18.
"There is some relationship between salvation and church membership."
Adventist Review, 2 November, 1989, p 8
"I appeal to all who are outside the fold just now....If you are not here, He [Christ] misses
you....The Father owns the house. Return to Him. For every good love story should
have a happy ending."
Adventist Review, 2 June, 1988, p 9.
"When we backslide from the church, we also backslide from God."
Despite words to the contrary, the tritheistic trinity doctrine presents an unloving God -
"not the Father who Himself loveth thee."(John.16.27). Also in 1 John 4:9; Galatians 4:4
and John 3:16, we are told that the Father's love for the world is demonstrated in that He
sent His only Son. The trinity doctrine assassinates the character of the Father shooting
away the very fact that reveals His deepest love for the world.
The tritheistic god promotes a remote, aloof Father. He is portrayed as a punitive Being.
Obedience is sternly required, but not evoked from the heart which was created to
respond to the Father's drawing love. As a result, legalistic theology which in practice is
salvation through works - became common in many mainstream Christian churches.
Legalism presents a stern and loveless religion which:
· prompts parents to physically force children into obedience - perhaps with bashings
instead of drawing them with love and patient guidance;
· tinges the privilege of paying tithe with the undercurrent concept that God might be
cornered into pouring out a financial blessing (works programme) instead of
recognising that God loves a cheerful giver;
· elevates traditions and rituals e.g. Simple baptism into the name of Jesus was
replaced by a "special trinitarian formula" - the three names - when this formula is not
practised in the Bible. Such rituals tend to bring unity, but it is not unity based on truth
as revealed in Jesus, but in a ritualistic works programme condoned by tradition;
· encourages self-righteousness and a critical spirit people "keep" all the laws and
therefore are saved by their own works - a condition known today as Pharisaism.
Bible-believing Christians are in danger of making the Bible their god or their idol.
Christians ought not to worship the Bible, but they need to search the Bible to find the true
character of the God of the Bible. This can only be found by measuring al advocated
teachings in the Bible against the life and teachings of Jesus Christ whose life
demonstrated the principles of the 10 commandments.
It is not suggested that persons from religious organisations are not sincere. It appears
however that many have been taught to look to human traditions and rituals instead of
searching out the truth on the Father's character - by aligning it with that of Jesus'
character. Perhaps we need to seriously consider stepping away from al traditions,
rituals and ceremonies, in order to remove preconceived ideas about God's character.
We might need to question if these beliefs are Bible-based. It may also be necessary to
recognise co-dependency on churches and a subconscious reliance on other people's
thinking.
267

Jeremiah 31:34
"And they shal teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother,
saying, Know the LORD: for they shal al know me, from the least of them unto the
greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I wil forgive their iniquity, and I wil remember their
sin no more."
Matthew 23:8
"But be not ye cal ed Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren."
John 1613
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall
not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show
you things to come."
God is not Double-Minded
God did not tell the whole world that they must keep His 10 Commandments and yet that
the Israelites could break several of them.
God does not tell the whole world today, that they must keep His 10 Commandments and
yet that Christians are at liberty to break several of them.
James 2:10-12
"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
(11) For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no
adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. (12) So speak ye, and
so do, as they that shal be judged by the law of liberty."
God is not inconsistent. God does not encourage law breaking. Commandment breaking
stems from the lusts of the flesh. The Israelites had them and so Christians today. Even
the most perfect Man who ever lived, did not flaunt His Father's law, but kept that law until
death and is stil keeping His Father's law.
James 3:10-12
"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought
not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain
both yield salt water and fresh."
God's people will be identifiable by their Christ-like characters. They won't be double-
minded people. The 144000 won't be killing "less perfect human beings" pagan men,
women, and little children. They won't be stealing pagan virgins for their own use etc. (as
advocated in Deut 21:10-14; Numbers 31) when Jesus comes.
James 3:14-4:2
"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the
truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the
wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated,
full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of
righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. 4:1 From whence come wars
and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your
members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight
and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not."
268

Wrath Falls on Jesus
Jesus suffered the Father's wrath (separation) when He became sin for us (2 Cor 5:21).
Could the wrath of God fall on anyone else in the Bible account, as severely as it did on
Christ who took into His body, the sins of the entire world?
Isaiah 59:2
"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God and your sins have hid his
face from you that he will not hear."
Matthew 26:36-38
"Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the
disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37 And he took with him Peter and the
two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38 Then saith he unto
them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death:"
Mark 14:32-33
"And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples,
Sit ye here, while I shal pray. 33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and
began to be sore amazed, (#1568) and to be very heavy (#85)."
The Greek words ekthambeo (translated as sore amazed) and ademoneo (translated as
very heavy) reveal that Jesus was "struck with terror;" that He became depressed to the
most extreme level expressible in the Greek language; that He was greatly distressed and
in anguish of mind.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon defines#1568 ekthambeo from <1569>
1) to throw into terror or amazement
1a) to alarm thoroughly, to terrify
2) to be struck with amazement
2a) to be thoroughly amazed, astounded
2b) to be struck with terror
· #85 ademoneo
from a derivative of adeo (to be sated to loathing); ; v
1) to be troubled, great distress or anguish, depressed
This is the strongest of the three Greek words ( <85>, <916>, <3076>) in the New
Testament for depression or grief.
Ellen White, 2 Testimonies for the Church, p 209
"Oh, was there ever suffering and sorrow like that endured by the dying Saviour! It was
the sense of His Father's displeasure which made His cup so bitter. It was not bodily
suffering which so quickly ended the life of Christ upon the cross. It was the crushing
weight of the sins of the world, and a sense of His Father's wrath. The Father's glory
and sustaining presence had left Him, and despair pressed its crushing weight of
darkness upon Him and forced from His pale and quivering lips the anguished cry: 'My
God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?'"
Jesus felt the grief and depression that lost humanity will experience when the spirit of
God is finally removed from them. They wil cry out to God for mercy, but it wil be too
late. Finally they will realise they "are not saved."
Jeremiah 8:20
"The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved."
Isaiah 55:6
"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: "
269

Proverbs 1:28
"Then shall they cal upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they
shal not find me:"
The depression experienced by the wicked, will soon transform into the horror of fear.
Revelation 6:16
"And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that
sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:"
2 Timothy 1:7
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of a sound
mind."
Fear is a prominent instrument of Satan weaponry (Rev.21.8) It is an attack on God's
character. It attacks trust in God's faithfulness (Mark 4:40).
Satan knew that the presence of the Father would be withdrawn from Christ as part of the
plan of salvation. Prophecies predicted this event. (Ps 22; Isa 53). So the weapon of fear
was used to the greatest degree when Christ was most vulnerable separated from His
Father. Likened unto the treading of the winepress, the spirit of the Father was "pressed
out" in the Garden of Gethsemane (Isaiah 63:3).
North Pacific Union Gleaner, 23 March,1910 p 7
"Often in the silent watches of the night I think of the sufferings of Christ in our behalf.
Behold the Redeemer in the Garden of Gethsemane. The thought of being separated
from his Father was the burden pressing so heavily upon his soul. He felt as if he might be
unable to pass through such an experience. 'If it be possible,' he prayed, 'let this cup
pass from me.' So great was his agony that 'his sweat was as it were great drops of blood
falling down to the ground.' It was for the sake of ransoming a lost world that he passed
through this agony."
Proverbs 1:27
"When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when
distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28 Then shall they call upon me, but I wil not
answer; they shal seek me early, but they shal not find me:"
Hosea 9:12
"Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man
left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!"
Psalm 22:1, 11, 19, 20
"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and
from the words of my roaring? 2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not;
and in the night season, and am not silent. Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for
there is none to help. 19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste
thee to help me. 20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling (# 3173 yachiyd only
begotten, beloved son) from the power of the dog (#3611 attackers) "
When the presence of the Father was retracted from the Son, Jesus experienced the full
depth of the punishment that the unrepentant wicked wil experience. The separation
from God permits Satan to rush in and to attack the wicked. Christ was attacked, for
although He had done no sin, He accepted "to be made sin for us" (2 Cor 5:21) and took
upon Himself the full responsibility and consequences of our sins.
270

If Christ had not anchored His faith in the knowledge of His Father's loving character then
He would have been overcome.
Satan tempted Christ to doubt His Father's character His faithfulness His pledge to
redeem humanity, (despite their extreme sinfulness), through Christ's life and sacrifice.
But, despite experiencing the Father's ful wrath (withdrawal of His glory and presence),
Jesus held on to the knowledge of His Father's loving, faithful character. It was Christ's
FAITH in the unchanging, loving character of His Father that won the victory.
S
ummary:
Christ became sin for the redemption of the world. This caused the Father's presence to
be withdrawn for God is a consuming fire to sin (Isa 59:2; Heb 12:29). The Father did not
destroy His own Son. He withdrew His protection from His Son. This withdrawal is
termed the Father's "wrath." When the Father's protection was no longer over Christ,
Satan rushed in to forceful y tempt and try to destroy Christ' faith in the Father's character.
Separation from God the hiding of His Father's face God's wrath the reward of
sinners - THAT is the wrath of God. Jesus experienced this wrath to its deepest depths.
However, while experiencing the wrath (separation from His Father) Christ also had to
endure the evil opportunist. Satan ever awaits such opportunities where sin separates
humanity from divinity. In His humanity, separated from the divine spirit of the Father,
Christ was vulnerable. Satan rushed in with his evil angels, to tempt Christ's humanity to
sin and if possible, to destroy Him . But Christ's faith in the Father's character, gave
Him victory.
Wrath Falls on Humanity
When those who al ow Satan's weapon of fear to weaken their faith in Christ, they make
incorrect assumptions or decisions and commit sin. They doubt God's character is loving
and that He is faithful to save them out of Satan's hands. When this fear/doubt is
cherished, they separate themselves from God.
The fearful (those who doubt God's character the faithless) are counted with the wicked
and are then easy prey for Satan's attacks.
Revelation 21:8
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and
whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and al liars, shal have their part in the lake
which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
Hebrews 10:26, 31
"For if we sin wilful y after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there
remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and
fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries....31 It is a fearful thing to fall (#1706
be entrapped) into (#1519 against) the hands of the living God."
It is a fearful thing to fall out of the protective hands of the living God, because in that
situation, there is no protection from the devil and his evil angels.
271

Ellen White's Definition of the Character of God
Humanity's perception of God's character has been warped since the first lie Satan told
about God in the Garden of Eden. Satan is still assassinating God's loving character, and
casting on it, images of his own ferocious and depraved character.
Bible Echo, 16 April, 1894 p.12, 13
"God's law is a copy of His mind and will. The sins forbidden there could never find
a place in Heaven. It was love that prompted God to express His will in the ten precepts
of the decalogue. Afterward He showed His love for man by sending prophets and
teachers to explain and illustrate His holy law. 13 God has given man a complete rule of
life in His law. Obeyed, man shal live by it, through the merits of Christ. Transgressed, it
has power to condemn. The law sends men to Christ, and Christ points them back to the
law."
4 Spirit of Prophecy, p 273
"They had by faith followed their High Priest from the holy to the most holy, and
they saw him pleading his blood before the ark of God. Within that sacred ark is the
Father's law, the same that was spoken by God himself amid the thunders of Sinai,
and written with his own finger on the tables of stone. Not one command has
been annulled; not a jot or tittle has been changed. While God gave to Moses a
copy of his law, he preserved the great original in the sanctuary above."
Pacific Union Recorder, 31 December, 1903
"I am instructed to say to our people, Let us follow Christ. We may safely discard
all ideas that are not included in His teachings."
Ellen White said there is a lot to learn, and a lot to unlearn She specified that the
Pharisees, the leaders of the "chosen people" had to "unlearn" their traditional
understanding of the character of God.

Review

and

Herald,

3

August,

1897,

p

5

"When Moses desired to see the glory of God, God revealed his character to his
servant. "And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God,
merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping
mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by
no means clear the guilty." He who made this proclamation to Moses was the One who
now spoke to the Pharisees, though now his divine character was veiled by the garb of
humanity. But the priests and rulers had not that which they needed so much,--a
knowledge of God's character. For this reason they were constantly
misrepresenting him. They had much to unlearn of the traditions and inventions of
men; they had need to learn the true principles of the law of Jehovah. "
What did the Jews have in their tradition? They had vengeful, violent, murdering laws.
Stone the Sabbath-breaker. Stone the adulterer. Poke out the eye. Knock out the tooth.
They were the "chosen people" - and that made them incredibly racist, thinking they had
the "right" to annihilate many other races and even that God told them to do so. How
was their code of living, different to the other nations around them, who served pagan
gods? Other nations had gods (Satan) who delighted in war and prompted them to attack
the Israelites. Who told the Jews to do these horrendous things? Not the true God! Nor
His Son! God's character and law says, "Love your enemies. Revile not again." And He
had NO VIOLENCE in Him - only healing came from His hands. (Isa. 53:9; Mark 6:56;
Matt 4:24; Matt 8:16; Matt 14:14; Mark 1:34; Mark 6:5; Luke 4:40; Sun of Righteousness
healing in His wings (Mal 4:2); I am the Lord thy God that healeth thee (Exo 15:26)
healeth all thy diseases (Psa 103:3).
272

Ellen White emphasises that God's government does not involve principles of force.
Desire of Ages, 1898 p 759, 22
"God could have destroyed Satan and his sympathizers as easily as one can cast a
pebble to the earth; but He did not do this. Rebellion was not to be overcome by force.
Compelling power is found only under Satan's government. The Lord's principles
are not of this order. His authority rests upon goodness, mercy, and love; and the
presentation of these principles is the means to be used. God's government is
moral, and truth and love are to be the prevailing power..." 22 "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 broken. 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. "
Great Controversy, p.569
"It is Satan's constant effort to misrepresent the character of God, the nature of sin,
and the real issues at stake in the great controversy. His sophistry lessens the obligation
of the divine law and gives men license to sin. At the same time he causes them to
cherish false conceptions of God so that they regard Him with fear and hate rather
than with love. The cruelty inherent in his own character is attributed to the Creator;
it is embodied in systems of religion and expressed in modes of worship. Thus the minds
of men are blinded, and Satan secures them as his agents to war against God. By
perverted conceptions of the divine attributes, heathen nations were led to believe human
sacrifices necessary to secure the favor of Deity; and horrible cruelties have been
perpetrated under the various forms of idolatry. The Roman Catholic Church, uniting the
forms of paganism and Christianity, and, like paganism, misrepresenting the character
of God..."
Who then, correctly represents the Father's character? Who can teach humanity the truth
about the Father?
Ellen White answers repeatedly. - only One. Christ, the Son of God.
8 Testimonies, p 265, 266
"Christ came to teach human beings what God desires them to know. In the heavens
above, in the earth, in the broad waters of the ocean, we see the handiwork of God. All
created things testify to His power, His wisdom, His love. But not from the stars or the
ocean or the cataract can we learn of the personality of God as it is revealed in Christ.
God saw that a clearer revelation than nature was needed to portray both His
personality and His character. He sent His Son into the world to reveal, so far as could
be endured by human sight, the nature and the attributes of the invisible God. Had God
desired to be represented as dwel ing personally in the things of nature,--in the flower, the
tree, the spire of grass,--would not Christ have spoken of this to His disciples when He
was on the earth? But never in the teaching of Christ is God thus spoken of. Christ and
the apostles taught clearly the truth of the existence of a personal God. (266) Christ
revealed all of God that sinful human beings could bear without being destroyed. He is the
divine Teacher, the Enlightener. Had God thought us in need of revelations other than
those made through Christ and in His written word, He would have given them."
Ellen White states that Christ is the Divine Teacher.
273

Christ is the Divine, Greatest Teacher
Special Testimonies on Education p 141 (Australia, March 21, 1895).
"The disciples of Christ are not called upon to magnify men, but to magnify God, the
source of all wisdom. Let educators give the Holy Spirit room to do its work upon human
hearts. The greatest Teacher is represented in our midst by his Holy Spirit."
Christ is the Great Teacher
6 Testimonies for the Church, p 159, 160
"The Great Teacher who came down from heaven has not directed teachers to study any
of the reputedly great authors. He says: 'Come unto Me. . . . Learn of Me; . . . and ye shal
find rest unto your souls.' Matthew 11:28, 29. Christ has promised, and in learning
lessons of Him we shall find rest. All the treasures of heaven were committed to Him
that He might give these gifts to the diligent, persevering seeker. He is of God made
unto us 'wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.' 1
Corinthians 1:30. Teachers must understand what lessons to impart, or they cannot
prepare students to be transferred to the higher grade. They must study Christ's
lessons and the character of His teaching. They must see its freedom from formalism
and tradition, and appreciate the originality, the authority, the spirituality, the tenderness,
the benevolence, and the practicability of His teaching. Those who make the word of God
their study, those who dig for the treasures of truth, will themselves become imbued with
the Spirit of Christ, and by beholding they wil become changed into His likeness. Those
who appreciate the word wil teach as disciples who have been sitting at the feet of Jesus
and have accustomed themselves to learn of Him. In the place of bringing into our
schools books containing the suppositions of the world's great authors, they will say:
Tempt me not to disregard the greatest Author and the greatest Teacher, through
whom I have everlasting life. He never mistakes. He is the great Fountain head whence
all wisdom flows. Then let every teacher sow the seed of truth in the minds of students.
Christ is the standard Teacher."
Christian Education 1893 p 108
"The best educated in the sciences are not always the most effective instruments for
God's use. There are many who find themselves laid aside, and those who have had
fewer advantages of obtaining knowledge of books, taking their places, because the latter
have a knowledge of practical things that is essential to the uses of every-day life; while
those who consider themselves learned, often cease to be learners, are self-sufficient,
and above being taught, even by Jesus, who was the greatest teacher the world ever
knew."
5 Testimonies for the Church, p 253
"When Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, His disciples were gathered close
about Him, and the multitude, filled with intense curiosity, also pressed as near as
possible. Something more than usual was expected. Eager faces and listening attitudes
gave evidence of the deep interest. The attention of all seemed riveted upon the speaker.
His eyes were lighted up with unutterable love, and the heavenly expression upon His
countenance gave meaning to every word uttered. Angels of heaven were in that listening
throng. There, too, was the adversary of souls with his evil angels, prepared to
counteract, as far as possible, the influence of the heavenly Teacher. The truths there
uttered have come down through the ages and have been a light amid the general
darkness of error. Many have found in them that which the soul most needed--a sure
foundation of faith and practice. But in these words spoken by the greatest Teacher
the world has ever known there is no parade of human eloquence. The language is
plain, and the thoughts and sentiments are marked with the greatest simplicity. The poor,
the unlearned, the most simple-minded, can understand them. The Lord of heaven was in
mercy and kindness addressing the souls He came to save. He taught them as one
having authority, speaking the words of eternal life."
274

Special Testimonies on Education,1895 p 232
"Jesus Christ is the knowledge of the Father, and Christ is our great teacher sent
from God. Christ has declared in the sixth chapter of John that he is that bread sent
down from heaven. 'Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath
everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and
are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof,
and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this
bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I wil give for
the life of the world.' The disciples did not comprehend his words. Says Christ, 'It is
the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto
you, they are spirit, and they are life.'"
Southern Worker, 15 September, 1908, p 5
"...Jesus, the King of glory, who was rich, yet for our sake became poor, was opening to
him the treasures of divine love. The Holy Spirit was pleading with him to become an heir
of the inheritance that is "incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away." He had
seen evidence of the power of Christ. Now the opportunity was his to speak to the
great Teacher, to express the desire uppermost in his heart. But, like the man with the
muck-rake in Bunyan's allegory, his eyes were fixed on the earth. He saw not the crown
above his head. Like Simon Magus, he valued the gift of God as a means of worldly gain."
Special Testimonies on Education,1897 p 206,
"The religion of Jesus Christ never degrades the receiver, it never makes him coarse or
rough, discourteous or self-important, passionate or hard-hearted. On the contrary, it
refines the taste, sanctifies the judgment, and purifies and ennobles the thoughts, by
bringing them into captivity to Jesus Christ. God's ideal for his children is higher than the
highest human thought can reach. The living God has given in his holy law a
transcript of his character. The greatest teacher the world has ever known is Jesus
Christ. And what is the standard he has given for all who believe in him to reach? -
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." As God
is perfect in his high sphere of action, so man may be perfect in his human sphere.
The ideal of Christian character is Christlikeness. There is opened before us a path of
continual advancement. We have an object to reach, a standard to gain, which includes
everything good and pure and noble and elevated. There should be continual striving and
constant progress onward and upward toward perfection of character. (See 2 Tim. 3: 14-
17; Rom. 15:4; Col. 2:8-10.)"
Review and Herald, 12 May,1896, p5
"There are souls famishing for the bread of life, thirsting for the waters of salvation; and
woe unto that man who by pen or voice shal turn them aside into false paths! The Spirit
of God is appealing to men, presenting to them their moral obligation to love and serve
him with heart, might, mind, and strength, and to love their neighbors as themselves. The
Holy Spirit moves upon the inner self until it becomes conscious of the divine power of
God, and every spiritual faculty is quickened to decided action. Jesus said, "I wil send
you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever." A deep, thorough work is to
be wrought in the soul, which the world cannot see. Those who know not what it is to
have an experience in the things of God, who know not what it is to be justified by faith,
who have not the witness of the Spirit that they are accepted of Jesus Christ, are in need
of being born again. "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." What can the world know of Christian experience?--Verily, nothing.
"Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you."
The great Teacher explained this instruction, saying, "It is the Spirit that quickeneth;
the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are
life."
275

Review and Herald, 3 June,1890 p 10
"Those who stand in vindication of the law of God, are in a position where they
need much of the Spirit of God. If ministers are wanting in meekness, if they are easily
irritated when opposed, it is evident that they need divine enlightenment. Men must
manifest the grace of Christ as they labor for souls. The truth as it is in Jesus will have
altogether a different influence upon the minds of unbelievers, from that which it has had
when presented as a theory or as a controversial subject. If we do our very best to
present the truth in its stirring character, crossing the opinions and ideas of others, it will
be misinterpreted, misapplied, and misstated, to those who are entertaining error, in order
to make it appear in an objectionable light. There are few to whom you bring the truth,
who have not been drinking of the wine of Babylon. It is hard for them to comprehend the
truth, therefore the necessity of teaching it as it is in Jesus. Those who claim to be
lo
vers of truth can afford to be meek and lowly of heart, as was th
e great Teacher.
Those who have been diligently working in the mines of God's word, and have discovered
the precious ore in the rich veins of truth, in the divine mysteries that have been hidden
for ages, will exalt the Lord Jesus, the Source of all truth, by revealing in their characters
the sanctifying power of what they believe. Jesus and his grace must be enshrined in
th
e inner sanctuary of the soul. T
hen he will be revealed in words, in prayer, in
exhortation, in the presentation of sacred truth, for this is the great secret of
spiritual success. When self is woven into our labors, then the truth we bear to others
does not sanctify, refine, and ennoble our own hearts; it wil not testify that we are fit
vessels for the Master's use. It is only through fervent prayer that we may hold sweet
fellowship with Jesus, and through this blessed communion the words and the
spirit are made fragrant with the spirit of Christ. There is not a heart that wil not bear
watching. Jesus, the precious Saviour, enjoined watchfulness. The oversight of self must
not be relaxed for a moment. The heart must be kept with diligence, for out of it are the
issues of life. Watch and discipline the thoughts, that you may not sin with your lips.
Kress Col ection, p 82
"God desires to see the souls of His people in Africa mastered by heaven-born purposes.
But what a work needs to be done there! The people have not learned of the great
Teacher. Human nature, when unsubdued, unsanctified and depraved, is a very curious
and wonderful thing. It assumes a great many forms because it is not worked by the Holy
Spirit. But when the Lord Jesus is an abiding presence in the soul, none need to
question the value of the human being, man or woman."
Review and Herald 8 October, 1895, p 6
"...All need wisdom to understand that it is true greatness to keep company with Jesus
Christ, to walk in meekness and humility with God, cultivating single-hearted simplicity,
and being ever ready to receive instruction from the great Teacher. God has promised
his Holy Spirit, which is sufficient to teach us, il uminating to our minds the word of
God, which, if practiced, wil thoroughly furnish a man unto all good works. God's
commandments are exceeding broad."
Pamphlet: Individual Responsibility and Christian Unity,16 January, 1907, p 22
"While respecting authority...in accordance with wisely-laid plans, every worker is
amenable to the Great Teacher for the proper exercise of his God-given judgment and of
his right to look to the God of heaven for wisdom and guidance. God is Commander and
Ruler over all. We have a personal Saviour, and we are not to exchange His Word
fo
r the word of any man. In the Scriptures th
e Lord has given instruction fo
r every
worker. The words of the Master-Worker should be diligently studied; for they are
spirit and life. Laborers who are striving to work in harmony with this instruction, are
under the leadership and guidance of the Holy Spirit, and need not always, before
they make any advance move, first ask permission of some one else. No precise lines are
to be laid down. Let the Holy Spirit direct the workers. As they keep looking unto
Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith, the gifts of grace wil increase by wise use."
276

Ellen White Explains The Wrath of God
How Wrath Fell on Jesus
Ellen White describes the total wrath of His Father as it fell on Christ (who was made sin
for us 2 Cor 5:21), in the Garden of Gethsemane.
EG White, 2 Testimonies for the Church, p 203, 204, 209
"Could mortals view the amazement and sorrow of the angels as they watched in silent
grief the Father separating His beams of light, love and glory, from his Son, they
would better understand how offensive is sin in His sight. As the Son of God in the
Garden of Gethsemane bowed in the attitude of prayer, the agony of his spirit forced
from His pores sweat like great drops of blood. It was here that the horror of great
darkness surrounded Him. The sins of the world were upon Him. He was suffering
in man's stead, as a transgressor of His Father's law. Here was the scene of
temptation. The divine light of God was receding from His vision, and He was
passing into the hands of the powers of darkness. In the agony of His soul He lay
prostrate on the cold earth. He was realizing His Father's frown. The cup of suffering
Christ had taken from the lips of guilty man, and proposed to drink it Himself, and, in its
place, give to man the cup of blessing. The wrath that would have fallen upon man,
was now falling upon Christ.... (204) The sins of a lost world were upon Him and
overwhelming Him. It was a sense of His Father's frown, in consequence of sin,
which rent His heart with such piercing agony and forced from His brow great drops of
blood, which, rolling down His pale cheeks, fell to the ground, moistening the
earth.....(209)Oh, was there ever suffering and sorrow like that endured by the dying
Saviour! It was the sense of His Father's displeasure which made His cup so bitter. It was
not bodily suffering which so quickly ended the life of Christ upon the cross. It was the
crushing weight of the sins of the world, and a sense of His Father's wrath. The
Father's glory and sustaining presence had left Him, and despair pressed its crushing
weight of darkness upon Him and forced from His pale and quivering lips the anguished
cry: 'My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?' "
The wrath of the Father is called "the Father's frown." It is described as the separating of
His light, love, glory and sustaining presence. When the Father withdraws His spirit (light,
love, glory and sustaining presence) then Satan and his demons the powers of
darkness - rush in and bring horror and destruction. Ellen White continues this theme
throughout her writings.
277

Ellen White Sinners are Destroyed by the Wrath of God
Ellen White, Early Writings, p 54 (End of the 2300 Days )
"I saw a throne, and on it sat the Father and the Son. I gazed on Jesus' countenance and
admired His lovely person. The Father's person I could not behold, for a cloud of glorious
light covered Him. I asked Jesus if His Father had a form like Himself. He said He
had, but I could not behold it, for said He, 'If you should once behold the glory of
His person, you would cease to exist.'"
In this passage it is clear that Jesus was not threatening to kill Ellen White. Instead,
Christ assured her that she was protected by the Father who had intentionally veiled His
glory so that she, a sinner, would not die in His glorious presence. The sin in humanity
kills the person in whom it resides. In the presence of the unveiled glory of God, such
death is instantaneous to the sinful race, but such destruction does not originate from
God. God protects humanity and prevents their deaths by veiling His glory from them.
Review and Herald, 17 September, 1901 p 8
"God keeps a reckoning with the nations. Not a sparrow falls to the ground without His
notice. Those who work evil toward their fel ow men, saying, How doth God know? will
one day be called upon to meet long-deferred vengeance. In this age a more than
common contempt is shown to God. Men have reached a point in insolence and
disobedience which shows that their cup of iniquity is almost full. Many have well-nigh
passed the boundary of mercy. Soon God will show that He is indeed the living God. He
will say to the angels, "No longer combat Satan in his efforts to destroy. Let him
work out his malignity upon the children of disobedience; for the cup of their
iniquity is full. They have advanced from one degree of wickedness to another,
adding daily to their lawlessness. I will no longer interfere to prevent the destroyer
from doing his work."
Great Controversy, 1911, p 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 ful y 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 sentence against
transgression; but He leaves the rejectors 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 al who are trifling with the
offers of divine grace 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 punishment that wil
fall upon the guilty. The Saviour's prophecy concerning the visitation of judgments upon
Jerusalem is to have another fulfillment, of which that terrible desolation was but a faint
shadow. In the fate of the chosen city we may behold the doom of a world that has
rejected God's mercy and trampled upon His law. Dark are the records of human misery
that earth has witnessed during its long centuries of crime. The heart sickens, and the
mind grows faint in contemplation. Terrible have been the results of rejecting the
authority of Heaven. But a scene yet darker is presented in the revelations of the future.
The records of the past,--the long procession of tumults, conflicts, and revolutions, the
"battle of the warrior . . . with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood" (Isaiah 9:5),--
what are these, in contrast with the terrors of that day when the restraining Spirit of
278

God shall be wholly withdrawn from the wicked, no longer to hold in check the
outburst of human passion and satanic wrath! The world will then behold, as never
before, the results of Satan's rule. (p 37). But in that day, as in the time of
Jerusalem's destruction, God's people will be delivered, everyone that shall be found
written among the living. Isaiah 4:3. Christ has declared that He will come the second time
to gather His faithful ones to Himself: "Then shal al the tribes of the earth mourn, and
they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shal gather
together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." "Matthew
24:30, 31. Then shall they that obey not the gospel be consumed with the spirit of His
mouth and be destroyed with the brightness of His coming. 2 Thessalonians 2:8. Like
Israel of old the wicked destroy themselves; they fall by their iniquity. By a life of
sin, they have placed themselves so out of harmony with God, their natures have
become so debased with evil, that the manifestation of His glory is to them a
consuming fire."
Signs of the Times, 6 January, 1890, p 7
"If the Lord did not continue his guardian care over us by day and night, Satan would
exercise his power against us, and we should be consumed. The Lord has appointed his
angels to shield his people, that the wicked one may not destroy us. But because of the
preserving care and tender mercies of the Lord, men become careless. The wise man
says, "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the
heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." The patience and forbearance of
God should soften instead of hardening the hearts of men. Do not presume upon the
forbearance of God, but rather seek to understand his dealings with the children of earth."
Signs of the Times, 5 January, 1891, p 3
"Satan is the author of al doubt, all transgression. He leads men captive, binding them to
do his will; in order to fulfil his purpose, he holds them in the veriest slavery. To break this
bondage, the Lord, in man's behalf, has given to the world his only-begotten and wel -
beloved Son. Through the power of Christ, the captives of Satan may all be set free. Had
there been no interference on the part of God, Satan and men would have united in an
unbroken warfare against the God of heaven. When Christ came to the world, evil angels
conspired with evil men, and the energies of apostasy were united to destroy the Saviour
of the world. This enmity was due to the fact that Christ would not license the evil
passions of the natural heart, and made a decided warfare against all lust and every form
of evil."
James 4:1, 2
"From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence? even of your
lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kil , and desire to have, and
cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and
receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."
Signs of the Times, 4 December, 1893, p 4
"Jesus was the truth, yet he was scorned as a deceiver. He was hunted from place to
place as a malefactor. His own nation took the most active part in throwing contempt upon
him. His friends, and even his own brethren, denied and forsook him. Every cruelty that
an apostate angel could instigate was set in operation. He was buffeted with
temptations, lacerated with stripes, crowned with thorns, mocked and derided as a false
king, and at last crucified on the cross. 5 Satan has kept up his system of cruelty, and
still employs his planned agency of crookedness and deception, and accuses and
condemns and tortures in order that he may control the conscience. While
exercising his power in torturing those whom he controlled through demoniacal
possession, he yet laid the blame of it upon the Lord God of heaven. He put his own
interpretation on his Satanic actions, and charged God with being the author of all
evil. "
279

Signs of the Times, 12 March, 1896, p 3
"Satan and his confederacy of evil have tempted the world to believe a lie as they tempted
Adam and Eve in Eden. It has been the purpose of the enemy to unsettle the whole
fabric of truth, and to set the world adrift in the mazes of skepticism; but truth is
immutable. A wily foe has perverted the senses of men so that they have chosen
falsehood rather than truth. The Christian world has accepted the falsehoods of Satan,
and has believed and advocated a change in the fourth commandment, which was given
as a commemoration of God's creative power in making the world. This falsehood has
been working out its baleful results in making of no effect the whole law, in placing upon
the human mind the impression that God is not invariable, invincible truth. This is the cup
of intoxication that the Christian world is drinking, with which the inhabitants of the earth
are becoming drunken. Satan is seeking to destroy the force of the Ten
Commandments, urging his agents to declare that Christ nailed them to his cross. The
cross is an immutable argument of the unchangeable character of the law of God. Christ
died in order that a way might be provided for saving the sinner, in meeting the demands
of the broken law. The law was written with the finger of God upon tables of stone, ...."
1 Testimonies, p 301
"I was shown that Satan cannot control minds unless they are yielded to his control.
Those who depart from the right are in serious danger now. They separate
themselves from God and from the watchcare of His angels, and Satan, ever upon
th
e watch to destroy souls, begins to present to them his deceptions. Such are in
the utmost peril; and if they see and try to resist the powers of darkness and to free
themselves from Satan's snare, it is not an easy matter. They have ventured on Satan's
ground, and he claims them. He will not hesitate to engage all his energies and cal to his
aid al his evil host to wrest a single human being from the hand of Christ. Those who
have tempted the devil to tempt them wil have to make desperate efforts to free
themselves from his power. But when they begin to work for themselves, then angels
of God whom they have grieved will come to their rescue. Satan and his angels are
unwilling to lose their prey. They contend and battle with the holy angels, and the conflict
is severe. But if those who have erred continue to plead, and in deep humility confess
their wrongs, angels who excel in strength wil prevail and wrench them from the power of
the evil angels."
1 Testimonies, p 345
"I saw evil angels contending for souls, and angels of God resisting them. The conflict was
severe. Evil angels were corrupting the atmosphere with their poisonous influence, and
crowding about these souls to stupefy their sensibilities. Holy angels were anxiously
watching and waiting to drive back Satan's host. But it is not the work of good angels
to control the minds of men against their will. If they yield to the enemy, and make
no effort to resist him, then the angels of God can do but little more than hold in
check the host of Satan, that they shall not destroy, until further light be given to
those in peril, to move them to arouse and look to heaven for help. Jesus wil not
commission holy angels to extricate those who make no effort to help themselves."
Christ's Object Lessons, p 74
"Notwithstanding Christ's warning, men have sought to uproot the tares. To punish those
who were supposed to be evildoers, the church has had recourse to the civil power.
Those who differed from the established doctrines have been imprisoned, put to torture
and to death, at the instigation of men who claimed to be acting under the sanction of
Christ. But it is the spirit of Satan, not the Spirit of Christ, that inspires such acts.
This is Satan's own method of bringing the world under his dominion. God has
been misrepresented through the church by this way of dealing with those
supposed to be heretics. Not judgment and condemnation of others, but humility and
distrust of self, is the teaching of Christ's parable."
280

Early Writings, p 221
"Satan looks with great satisfaction upon those who profess the name of Christ, yet
closely adhere to the delusions which he himself has originated. His work is still to devise
new delusions, and his power and art in this direction continual y increase. He led his
representatives, the popes and the priests, to exalt themselves, and to stir up the people
to bitterly persecute and destroy those who were not willing to accept his delusions. Oh,
the sufferings and agony which the precious followers of Christ were made to endure!
Angels have kept a faithful record of it all. Satan and his evil angels exultingly told the
angels who ministered to these suffering saints that they were al to be kil ed, so that there
would not be left a true Christian upon the earth. I saw that the church of God was then
pure. There was no danger of men with corrupt hearts coming into it; for the true
C
hristian, who dared to declare his faith, was in danger of the rack, the stake, and e very
to
rture which Satan and his evil angels could invent or inspire in the mind of man. "
Desire of Ages, 1898, p 487
"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 pretense 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
m
ercy, ever seeking to win by the revealing 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 appreciate our work, or who act contrary to our ideas. "
"To hurt and destroy those who did not appreciate their work." The Jewish nation adopt
this course to those nations who did not appreciate their religion and who acted contrary
to Jewish ideas. What spirit does Ellen White reveal that actuated the killings?
Satan's spirit not the gentle, holy, law-abiding spirit of God.
1 Spiritual Gifts, p 19
"When Satan became fully conscious that there was no possibility of his being brought
again into favor with God, then his malice and hatred began to be manifest. He consulted
with his angels, and a plan was laid to still work against God's government. When Adam
and Eve were placed in the beautiful garden, Satan was laying plans to destroy them. A
consultation was held with his evil angels. In no way could this happy couple be deprived
of their happiness if they obeyed God. Satan could not exercise his power upon them
unless they should first disobey God, and forfeit his favor. They must devise some
plan to lead them to disobedience that they might incur God's frown, and be brought
under the more direct influence of Satan and his angels. It was decided that Satan should
assume another form and manifest an interest for man. He must insinuate against God's
truthfulness, create doubt whether God did mean as he said, next, excite their curiosity,
and lead them to pry into the unsearchable plans of God, which Satan had been guilty of,
and reason as to the cause of his restrictions in regard to the tree of knowledge."
Great Controversy, 1911, p 517
"The power and malice of Satan and his host might justly alarm us were it not that we may
find shelter and deliverance in the superior power of our Redeemer. We carefully secure
our houses with bolts and locks to protect our property and our lives from evil men; but we
seldom think of the evil angels who are constantly seeking access to us, and against
whose attacks we have, in our own strength, no method of defense. If permitted,
they can distract our minds, disorder and torment our bodies, destroy our
possessions and our lives. Their only delight is in misery and destruction. Fearful
is the condition of those who resist the divine claims and yield to Satan's
temptations, until God gives them up to the control of evil spirits. But those who
follow Christ are ever safe under His watchcare. Angels that excel in strength are sent
from heaven to protect them. The wicked one cannot break through the guard which God
has stationed about His people."
281

Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White (1851) p 33, 34
"At the general conference of believers in the present truth, held at Sutton, (Vt.)
September, 1850, I was shown that the seven last plagues wil be poured out after Jesus
leaves the Sanctuary. Said the angel, It is the wrath of God and the Lamb that causes
the destruction or death of the wicked. At the voice of God the saints wil be mighty
and terrible as an army with banners; but they will not then execute the judgment written.
The execution of the judgment wil be at the close of the 1000 years. After the saints are
changed to immortality, and are caught up together, with Jesus, receive their harps,
crowns, &c., and enter the City, Jesus and the saints sit in judgment. The books are
opened, the book of life and the book of death; the book of life contains the good deeds of
the saints, and the book of death contains the evil deeds of the wicked. These books were
compared with the Statute book, the Bible, and according to that they were judged. The
saints in unison with Jesus pass their judgment upon the wicked dead. Behold ye! said
the angel, the saints sit in judgment, in unison with Jesus, and mete out to each of the
wicked, according to the deeds done in the body, and it is set off against their names,
what they must receive at the execution of the judgment. This, I saw, was the work of the
saints with Jesus, in the Holy City before it descends to the earth, through the 1000 years.
Then at the close of the 1000 years, Jesus, and the angels, and all the saints with him,
leaves the Holy City, and while he is descending to the earth with them, the wicked dead
are raised, and then the very men that "pierced him," being raised, will see him afar off in
all his glory, the angels and saints with him, and wil wail because of him. They will see
the prints of the nails in his hands, and in his feet, and where they thrust the spear into his
side. The prints of the nails and the spear will then be his glory. It is at the close of the
1000 years that Jesus stands upon the Mount of Olives, and the Mount parts asunder,
and it becomes a mighty plain, and those who flee at that time are the wicked, that have
just been raised. Then the Holy City comes down and settles on the plain. (34) Then
Satan imbues the wicked, that have been raised, with his spirit. He flatters them that the
army in the City is small, and that his army is large, and that they can overcome the saints
and take the City. While Satan was rallying his army, the saints were in the City,
beholding the beauty and glory of the Paradise of God. Jesus was at their head, leading
them. All at once the lovely Saviour was gone from our company; but soon we heard his
lovely voice, saying, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for
you from the foundation of the world." We gathered about Jesus, and just as he closed the
gates of the City, the curse was pronounced upon the wicked. 41 The gates were shut.
Then the saints used their wings and mounted to the top of the wal of the City. Jesus was
also with them; his crown looked bril iant and glorious. It was a crown within a crown,
seven in number. The crowns of the saints were of the most pure gold, decked with stars.
Their faces shone with glory, for they were in the express image of Jesus; and as they
arose, and moved al together to the top of the City. I was enraptured with the sight. (35)
Then the wicked saw what they had lost; and fire was breathed from God upon them,
and consumed them. This was the Execution of the Judgment. The wicked then
received according as the saints in unison with Jesus had meted out to them during the
1000 years. The same fire from God that consumed the wicked, purified the whole
earth.42 The broken ragged mountains melted with fervent heat, the atmosphere, also,
and all the stubble was consumed. Then our inheritance opened before us, glorious and
beautiful, and we inherited the whole earth made new. We all shouted with a loud voice,
Glory, Alleluia."
41 Christ's curse is His final turning away from the wicked. Matthew 7:23 "And then
will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
42 The same life-giving and purifying creative act that recreates the earth and gives life to
animals etc, destroys the life of the wicked. The wicked, through their own choices, are
"hard wired" to sin and by their own choice, are not protected from divine powerful
creative and purifying forces, as are the righteous.
282

Review and Herald, 29 August,1893, p 1
"In the scene representing the work of Christ for us, and the determined accusation
of Satan against us, Joshua stands as the high priest, and makes request in behalf
of God's commandment-keeping people. At the time, Satan represents the people
of God as great sinners, and presents before God the list of sins he has tempted
them to commit through their lifetime, and urges that because of their
transgressions, they be given into his hands to destroy. He urges that they should
not be protected by ministering angels against the confederacy of evil. He is full of
anger because he cannot bind the people of God into bundles with the world, to
render to him complete allegiance."
Satan's Work Confused with God's Work
Review and Herald, 26 January, 1897, p 8
"When the Lord Jesus visited our earth, he brought with him renovating energy. He put
enmity between the seed of the woman and the serpent. But there is no enmity between
fallen angels and fallen men. Both, through apostasy, are evil; and wherever there is
evil, with no disposition to repent, it will always league with Satan against God.
Fallen men and fallen angels unite in a desperate struggle to destroy God's great
standard of righteousness. There was a bond of sympathy among the angels that Satan
succeeded in drawing into rebel ion, and he made them his allies in the effort to dethrone
God and to abolish his law. Satan's work in our world to day is to destroy the moral
image of God in man, by making void the divine law; and our enemies are inspired
by his spirit. By casting aside God's great standard of character, he can deprave
human nature, and win men and women to his standard; for, "Where no law is,
there is no transgression." With what triumph, then, he watches the professedly
Christian world, as they earnestly do the very work he is doing."

What did the ancient Jews do in breaking God's commandments? They killed, committed
adultery, stole. They performed Satan's work His evil character prompted vile atrocities
which were al committed "in the name of the Lord."
Signs of the Times, 23 December, 1886, p 12
"Our Saviour himself was a victim of religious intolerance. "He came unto his own; but his
own received him not." Had he praised and exalted men, had he called corruption purity,
and given license to human creeds by teaching for doctrines the commandments of men,
they would have received him gladly." "But his zeal for God, the righteous fervor with
which he denounced every abomination that was done in the land, and, above all, the
sinless purity of his own character, aroused the bitter hatred of the "whited
sepulchres" who deceived the people by the appearance of great sanctity. Satan
and evil angels united with evil men to destroy from the earth the champion of
truth. There was a bruising of the heel of the seed of the woman, when Christ was
scorned as a deceiver, and was hunted down and put to death as a criminal; but could
Satan have induced him to commit one sin, there would have been a bruising of the head,
and the world would have been abandoned to the power of the prince of darkness. 13
The religion of Christ is for men to accept, with all its inconveniences. They may invent an
easier way; but it will not lead to the city of God, the saints' secure abode. Only those
who "do his commandments," will have "right to the tree of life," and "enter in
through the gates into the city."
Ellen White explains that Satan tries to convince humanity that al evil comes from God.
He tries to convince humanity that God's character is real y evil or at least has portions of
evil in it.
Jesus suffered from character assassination also. Jesus was accused of using
demonic power to do good things when in fact, He used the power of God to do
good. This amounted to blasphemy.
283

Mark 3:22-30
"And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by
the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. 23 And he called them unto him, and said
unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 And if a kingdom be divided
against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 And if a house be divided against itself, that
house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot
stand, but hath an end. 27 No man can enter into a strong man's house (Satan's
house), and spoil his goods (take back dominion of the world), except he wil first bind the
strong man (Satan); and then he will spoil his house. 28 Verily I say unto you, All sins
shal be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shal
blaspheme: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never
forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: 30 Because they said, He hath an
unclean spirit."
Review and Herald, 18 January, 1898 p 7
"But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, contemptuously, "This fellow doth not cast
out devils, but by Beelzebub, the prince of the devils." These words were inspired by
Satan. The enmity and prejudice of the rulers were stirred into a fury of madness; and
priests and rulers, Pharisees and Sadducees, united in pouring forth their hatred. From
the treasure-house of their hard, stubborn hearts came the words, "This fellow doth not
cast out devils but by Beelzebub, the prince of the devils." They could not ignore Christ's
wonderful works, or attribute them to natural causes, so they said, They are the works of
the devil. In unbelief they spoke of the Son of God as a human being. The works of
healing done before them, works which no man had ever done or could do, were a
manifestation of the power of God. But they charged Christ with being in league with hel .
Their talent of speech was used to abuse the world's Redeemer, and the recording angel
wrote their words in the books of heaven. They attributed to satanic agencies the holy
power of God, manifested in the works of Christ. Thus the Pharisees sinned against the
Holy Ghost. Stubborn, sullen, iron-hearted, they determined to close their eyes to al
evidence, and thus they committed and unpardonable sin."
The Pharisees knew that the Old Testament prophecies identified Jesus as the Messiah.
However, because they did not WANT to accept Him as the Messiah, the Pharisees
accused Jesus of doing good works, by using Satan's power. The Pharisees knew their
accusation against Christ, was false. While Jesus WAS doing good, He was not using
Satan's power. By rejecting what their own consciences (God's spirit pleading with them)
testified was truth, the spiritual leaders of the "chosen people" committed blasphemy and
condemned themselves.
As a consequence, Christ labelled this false accusation as blasphemy against His spirit
because they knew Christ was not using evil powers for He WAS their Messiah.
Consider:
Contemporary spiritual leaders know that "God is love" (1 John 4:8, 16). They know that
Christ came to reveal the Father's character (John 14:8-11). They know that there was no
violence or law-breaking in Christ (Isa 53:9; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22), even toward people
whose probation was closed (eg Caiaphas, Judas, Jerusalem). There is no debate
between religious leaders over whether Christ taught His followers to love and pray for
their enemies. If contemporary spiritual leaders were to accuse God of committing evil
acts, (but claimed He was righteous to do so) - wouldn't it also be classified as blasphemy
against the spirit of God? Would not such an accusation that God commits and
commands evil acts - be blasphemous against the spirit, the mind, the character of God?
Would not the accusation that God breaks his own commandments when necessary
be blasphemous against the spirit of God also? Would not the accusation that God's law
is imperfect and that (in certain situations) it needs to be put aside, also be considered
blasphemous against the spirit of our holy God?
284

Isn't there a similar situation in existence today?
Consider:
Question:
Who supplies the supernatural power for the "faith-healing" miracles which occur in many
Pentecostal churches?
Answer:
Many Christians would reply that Satan is the active agent in these instances.
Question:
Is Satan's power actual y doing a "good" work in these "faith-healing" experiences?
Answer:
No, for Jesus tells us that a bad tree cannot produce bad fruit and a good tree cannot
produce good fruit (Matt 7:16-19).
In a similar manner, Satan apparently intends to deceive Christians, that in the Old
Testament, God did "bad" things (commandment-breaking e.g. killed people), for "good"
reasons.
In this scenario, the end justifies the means. In other words, whatever action is
needed "to get the job done," is considered to be "right." e.g. An example of a job
that needs to be done is that the wicked might need to be destroyed from time to time.
But a complication arises because God has a universal, unchangeable law which states
that "Killing is not loving, so do not kill." So, Satan suggests, that for God to achieve the
goal of destroying the wicked, He must put aside His law - momentarily. This strange
doctrine requires that God is somehow "licensed" to break His unbreakable law; and
furthermore God also licenses other sinful human beings to momentarily break His law in
order to assist Him to achieve the goal of "getting rid of sinners." And furthermore, the
doctrine requires that God is justified in breaking His law because of the importance of
the job's objective.
Satan suggests to Christians, that because it is "God" who breaks the law, it is somehow
"holy" for Him to do so! This satanic concept entices Christians to believe is that God
actually commits evil and that when "God" does evil things, those evil things (sins) must
actually be "good" things (righteous acts)! This deception is accepted by many Christians,
even though they understand that "sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3:4) and
that the law is a transcript of God's character which doesn't change (Mal 3:6; James 1:17;
Heb 13:8).
Beware of this deception, because this doctrine introduces again the pagan blended deity;
the good and evil god! The black and white god! The gentle/violent god! The
loving/wrathful god! The law-abiding/law-breaking god! The changeable god; the variable
god. Such characteristics were never seen in Jesus Christ whose mission it was to "show
us the Father (John 14:11), whose character changes not (Mal 3:6; James 1:17) and in
which there is not even the faintest shadow of turning (Heb 13:8).
285

Doing Bad Things with "Good" Motives
Proverbs 14:12
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of
death."
Isaiah 55:8, 9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and
my thoughts than your thoughts."
When confronted with the situation of the genocide of the Canaanites by the Jews,
mainstream Christianity claims that it was necessary. It was "good" because their "cup of
iniquity was full" - "their probation was up." Since when do we believe that a baby's
probation is over? Since when do young virgins' probation extend past their baby
brothers' probation?
The Mosaic law (Deut 21:10-14) claimed that the virgins were permitted to live on and be
"married" to the murderers of their parents and family, but the males, including the babies
were slaughtered. (In fact, the marriage of the virgin was a legal rape and provision was
made that the "humbled virgin" could later be abandoned without any support if she was
no longer of use to the Jewish man). Was this "marriage with a pagan woman" done for
any "sacred" reason? Or was it the god of lust that determined that particular law which
was credited with being a Mosaic law?
What is "good" about kil ing babies, "marrying" pagan virgins for sexual gratification -only
to discard them later when they were 'humbled,' and exterminating entire races?
Nothing. It is breaking God's commandments - "Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit
adultery." To break these commandments is to go completely against God's character.
But Satan tries to convince religious, legalistic people who don't know Jesus i.e. who
don't know His pure loving, non-violent character (Isa. 53:9) that God is a violent,
murdering, wrathful, fearsome, double-minded being. The evil character traits displayed
by the law in Deuteronomy 21:10-14 and Numbers 31:1-54, is in keeping with the
Egyptian sun god Amen-Ra (who was depicted as a trinity the rising sun, the midday
sun and the setting sun). This pagan "god" was worshipped by the Egyptians at the time
that the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. Jesus says that attributing Satan's evil character
to God, is sinning against the Holy Spirit!!! (Mark 3:22-30) And Ellen White agrees.
286

Great Controversy, 1911 p 534-5 (in reference to the "burning forever in hell" doctrine)
"Thus the archfiend clothes with his own attributes the Creator and Benefactor of
mankind. Cruelty is satanic. God is love; and all that He created was pure, holy, and
lovely, until sin was brought in by the first great rebel. Satan himself is the enemy who
tempts man to sin, and then destroys him if he can; ...Satan is seeking to overcome men
today, as he overcame our first parents, by shaking their confidence in their Creator and
leading them to doubt the wisdom of His government and the justice of His laws.
Satan and his emissaries represent God as even worse than themselves, in order to
justify their own malignity and rebellion. The great deceiver endeavors to shift his
own horrible cruelty of character upon our heavenly Father, that he may cause
himself to appear as one greatly wronged by his expulsion from heaven because he
would not submit to so unjust a governor. He presents before the world the liberty which
they may enjoy under his mild sway, in contrast with the bondage imposed by the stern
decrees of Jehovah. Thus he succeeds in luring souls away from their allegiance to
God.... Where, in the pages of God's word, is such teaching to be found? Will the
redeemed in heaven be lost to all emotions of pity and compassion, and even to
feelings of common humanity? Are these to be exchanged for the indifference of
th
e stoic or the cruelty of the savage? No, no; s
uch is not the teaching of the
B
ook of God. Those who present the views expressed in the quotations given above
may be learned and even honest men, but they are deluded by the sophistry of Satan.
He leads them to misconstrue strong expressions of Scripture, giving to the
language the coloring of bitterness and malignity which pertains to himself, but not
to our Creator. 'As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the
wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil
ways; for why will ye die?' Ezekiel 33:11. (p 536) What would be gained to God should
we admit that He delights in witnessing unceasing tortures; that He is regaled with the
groans and shrieks and imprecations of the suffering creatures whom He holds in the
flames of hell? Can these horrid sounds be music in the ear of Infinite Love? It is
urged that the infliction of endless misery upon the wicked would show God's hatred of sin
as an evil which is ruinous to the peace and order of the universe. Oh, dreadful
blasphemy! As if God's hatred of sin is the reason why it is perpetuated. For,
according to the teachings of these theologians, continued torture without hope of mercy
maddens its wretched victims, and as they pour out their rage in curses and blasphemy,
they are forever augmenting their load of guilt. God's glory is not enhanced by thus
perpetuating continually increasing sin through ceaseless ages."
If God would not be pleased for sinners to burn in hell forever, would not the murder of
innocents at the hands of the Israelites also have been unthinkable to a holy God?
Wouldn't the shrieks of children and infants being murdered by the "chosen people" be
comparative with the shrieks of the doomed burning in hell? Would a divine command for
genocide be consistent with God's loving character? Does either strategy reveal the love
of God for sinners?
God is consistent. He is a God of love. The One True God, through His Son Jesus Christ
commands, "Love one another and love your enemies." However the Bible also records
that God, in special circumstances, was said to command, "Kil your enemies."
This contradiction can only be clarified in the light of God's character which was
demonstrated to the world by His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus words must take precedence
over the words which were reportedly given to Moses from the Son of God.
As he did in the Garden of Eden, Satan attempts to undermine God's law. (Gen 3:4) He
desires worship (Isaiah 14:13, 14) and endeavours to achieve that goal by casting his own
hateful character onto God (Job 1).
It is clearly the evil angels who do the evil work of destruction, but this evil work is only
permitted when God is forced (by His respect for human freedom of choice) to total y
287

withdraw His spirit from wicked humanity. As soon as God withdraws His holy, protecting
angels, Satan's angels rush in, but God gets the blame for the destructive work. What
God permits, He is responsible for (in the Biblical view) since He is the ultimate Source
of All Life. (Also see ST.1893-12-04.004; P&P 404)
Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing p 77
"God does not employ compulsory measures; love is the agent which He uses to expel sin
from the heart."
SDA 7 Bible Commentary p 976 ; ST 6 May, 1897
"Force is the last resort of every false religion."
Ministry of Healing p 409; 113
"The knowledge of God is the foundation of all true education and of all true service. It is
the only real safeguard against temptation. It is this alone that can make us like God in
character." p113 "Satan is the destroyer; God is the restorer."
Christ's Object Lessons, p 69, 415
"When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He
will come to claim them as His own..... 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."
6 Testimonies for the Church, p 388
"With these words of light and truth before them, how dare men neglect so plain a duty?
How dare they disobey God when obedience to His requirements means His blessing in
both temporal and spiritual things, and disobedience means the curse of God? Satan is
the destroyer. God cannot bless those who refuse to be faithful stewards. All He can do is
to permit Satan to accomplish his destroying work. We see calamities of every kind and in
every degree coming upon the earth, and why? The Lord's restraining power is not
exercised. The world has disregarded the word of God. They live as though there were no
God."
Education, p 25, 26
"The reason Adam and Eve had to leave the Garden of Eden was because it could no
longer teach them the lessons they must learn to re-enter Paradise. They must now see
the contrast between the character of God and the character of Satan written on the face
of nature."
The example of the American Civil War also demonstrates the principle of God's wrath
and divine punishment as Ellen White details in the testimonies for the church.
288

Divine Wrath in The American Civil War (18611865)
The Rebellion (Ellen G White)
1 Testimonies for the Church, p 355, paragraph 1
"The dreadful state of our nation calls for deep humility on the part of God's people. The
one all-important inquiry which should now engross the mind of everyone is: Am I
prepared for the day of God? Can I stand the trying test before me? I saw that God is
purifying and proving His people. He wil refine them as gold, until the dross is consumed
and His image is reflected in them. All have not that spirit of self-denial and that
wil ingness to endure hardness and to suffer for the truth's sake, which God requires.
Their wills are not subdued; they have not consecrated themselves wholly to God,
seeking no greater pleasure than to do His wil . Ministers and people lack spirituality and
true Godliness. Everything is to be shaken that can be shaken. God's people wil be
brought into most trying positions, and all must be settled, rooted, and grounded in the
truth, or their steps wil surely slide. If God comforts and nourishes the soul with His
inspiring presence, they can endure, though the way may be dark and thorny. For the
darkness will soon pass away, and the true light shine forever. I was pointed to Isaiah 58;
59:1-15; Jeremiah 14:10-12, as a description of the present state of our nation. The
people of this nation have forsaken and forgotten God. They have chosen other Gods and
followed their own corrupt ways until God has turned from them. The inhabitants of the
earth have trampled upon the law of God and broken His everlasting covenant.
Page 356
I was shown the excitement created among our people by the article in the Review
headed, "The Nation." Some understood it one way, and some another. The plain
statements were distorted, and made to mean what the writer did not intend. He gave the
best light that he then had. It was necessary that something be said. The attention of
many was turned to Sabbathkeepers because they manifested no greater interest in the
war and did not volunteer. In some places they were looked upon as sympathizing with
the Rebellion. The time had come for our true sentiments in relation to slavery and the
Rebellion to be made known. There was need of moving with wisdom to turn away the
suspicions excited against Sabbathkeepers. We should act with great caution. "If it be
possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." We can obey this
admonition, and not sacrifice one principle of our faith. Satan and his host are at war with
commandment keepers, and will work to bring them into trying positions. They should not
by lack of discretion bring themselves there. I was shown that some moved very
indiscreetly in regard to the article mentioned. It did not in all respects accord with their
views, and instead of calmly weighing the matter, and viewing it in all its bearings, they
became agitated, excited, and some seized the pen and jumped hastily at conclusions
which would not bear investigation. Some were inconsistent and unreasonable. They did
that which Satan is ever hurrying them to do, namely, acted out their own rebel ious
feelings. In Iowa they carried things to quite a length, and ran into fanaticism. They
mistook zeal and fanaticism for conscientiousness. Instead of being guided by reason and
sound judgment, they allowed their feelings to take the lead. They were ready to become
martyrs for their faith. Did all this feeling lead them to God? to greater humility before
Him? Did it lead them to trust in His power to deliver them from the trying position into
which they might be brought? Oh, no! Instead of making their petitions to the God of
heaven and relying solely upon His power, they petitioned the legislature and were
refused. They showed their weakness and exposed their lack of faith. (continued over
page)
289

(EGW quote continued)
All this only served to bring that peculiar class, Sabbathkeepers, into special notice, and
expose them to be crowded into difficult places by those who have no sympathy for them.
Page 357
Some have been holding themselves ready to find fault and complain at any suggestion
made. But few have had wisdom in this most trying time to think without prejudice and
candidly tel what shal be done. I saw that those who have been forward to talk so
decidedly about refusing to obey a draft do not understand what they are talking
about. Should they really be drafted and, refusing to obey, be threatened with
imprisonment, torture, or death, they would shrink and then find that they had not
prepared themselves for such an emergency. They would not endure the trial of
their faith. What they thought to be faith was only fanatical presumption. Those who
would be best prepared to sacrifice even life, if required, rather than place themselves in a
position where they could not obey God, would have the least to say. They would make
no boast. They would feel deeply and meditate much, and their earnest prayers
would go up to heaven for wisdom to act and grace to endure. Those who feel that
in the fear of God they cannot conscientiously engage in this war will be very quiet,
and when interrogated will simply state what they are obliged to say in order to
answer the inquirer, and then let it be understood that they have no sympathy with
the Rebellion.
Page 358
There are a few in the ranks of Sabbathkeepers who sympathize with the slaveholder.
When they embraced the truth, they did not leave behind them all the errors they should
have left. They need a more thorough draft from the cleansing fountain of truth. Some
have brought along with them their old political prejudices, which are not in
harmony with the principles of the truth. They maintain that the slave is the property of
the master, and should not be taken from him. They rank these slaves as cattle and say
that it is wronging the owner just as much to deprive him of his slaves as to take away his
cattle. I was shown that it mattered not how much the master had paid for human flesh
and the souls of men; God gives him no title to human souls, and he has no right to hold
them as his property. Christ died for the whole human family, whether white or black. God
has made man a free moral agent, whether white or black. The institution of slavery does
away with this and permits man to exercise over his fellow man a power which God has
never granted him, and which belongs alone to God. The slave master has dared
assume the responsibility of God over his slave, and accordingly he will be
accountable for the sins, ignorance, and vice of the slave. He will be called to an
account for the power which he exercises over the slave. The colored race are God's
property. Their Maker alone is their master, and those who have dared chain down the
body and the soul of the slave, to keep him in degradation like the brutes, wil have their
retribution. The wrath of God has slumbered, but it will awake and be poured out without
mixture of mercy. Some have been so indiscreet as to talk out their pro-slavery
principles--principles which are not heaven-born, but proceed from the dominion of Satan.
These restless spirits talk and act in a manner to bring a reproach upon the cause of God.
I will here give a copy of a letter written to Brother A, of Oswego County, New York:
290

(EGW quote continued) Page 359
'I was shown some things in regard to you. I saw that you were deceived in regard to
yourself. You have given occasion for the enemies of our faith to blaspheme, and to
reproach Sabbathkeepers. By your indiscreet course, you have closed the ears of some
who would have listened to the truth. I saw that we should be as wise as serpents and as
harmless as doves. You have manifested neither the wisdom of the serpent nor the
harmlessness of the dove. Satan was the first great leader in rebellion. God is
punishing the North, that they have so long suffered the accursed sin of slavery to
exist; for in the sight of heaven it is a sin of the darkest dye. God is not with the
South, and He will punish them dreadfully in the end. Satan is the instigator of al
rebel ion. I saw that you, Brother A, have permitted your political principles to destroy
your judgment and your love for the truth. They are eating out true Godliness from
your heart. You have never looked upon slavery in the right light, and your views of this
matter have thrown you on the side of the Rebellion, which was stirred up by Satan and
his host. Your views of slavery cannot harmonize with the sacred, important truths for this
time. You must yield your views or the truth. Both cannot be cherished in the same
heart, for they are at war with each other. Satan has been stirring you up. He would
not let you rest until you should express your sentiments upon the side of the powers of
darkness, thus strengthening the hands of the wicked, whom God has cursed. You
have cast your influence on the wrong side, with those whose course of life is to sow
thorns and plant misery for others. I saw you casting your influence with a degraded
company, a Godforsaken company; and angels of God fled from you in disgust. I saw
that you were utterly deceived. Had you fol owed the light which God has given you, had
you heeded the instructions of your brethren, had you listened to their advice, you would
have saved yourself and saved the precious cause of truth from reproach. But
notwithstanding all the light given, you have given publicity to your sentiments. Unless you
undo what you have done, it will be the duty of God's people to publicly withdraw their
sympathy and fellowship from you, in order to save the impression which must go out in
regard to us as a people. We must let it be known that we have no such ones in our
fellowship, that we will not walk with them in church capacity.
Page 360
You have lost the sanctifying influence of the truth. You have lost your connection with the
heavenly host. You have al ied yourself with the first great rebel, and God's wrath is
upon you; for His sacred cause is reproached, and the truth is made disgusting to
unbelievers. You have grieved God's people, and despised the counsel of His
ambassadors upon earth, who labor together with Him, and are in Christ's stead
beseeching souls to be reconciled to God. I was shown that as a people we cannot be
too careful what influence we exert; we should watch every word. When we by word or
act place ourselves upon the enemy's battle ground, we drive holy angels from us,
and encourage and attract evil angels in crowds around us. This you have done,
Brother A, and by your unguarded, willful course have caused unbelievers to look upon
Sabbathkeepers all around you with suspicion. These words were presented before me
as referring to the servants of God: 'He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that
despiseth you despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me.' May
God help you, my deceived brother, to see yourself as you are, and to have your
sympathies with the body.'
Our kingdom is not of this world. We are waiting for our Lord from heaven to come
to earth to put down all authority and power, and set up His everlasting kingdom.
Earthly powers are shaken. We need not, and cannot, expect union among the nations of
the earth.
Our position in the image of Nebuchadnezzar is represented by the toes, in a divided
state, and of a crumbling material, that will not hold together. Prophecy shows us that the
great day of God is right upon us. It hasteth greatly.
291

(EGW quote continued)
Page 361
I saw that it is our duty in every case to obey the laws of our land, unless they
conflict with the higher law which God spoke with an audible voice from Sinai, and
afterward engraved on stone with His own finger. "I will put My laws into their mind,
and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a
people." He who has God's law written in the heart will obey God rather than men,
and will sooner disobey all men than deviate in the least from the commandment of
God. God's people, taught by the inspiration of truth, and led by a good conscience
to live by every word of God, will take His law, written in their hearts, as the only
authority which they can acknowledge or consent to obey. The wisdom and
authority of the divine law are supreme. I was shown that God's people, who are
His peculiar treasure, cannot engage in this perplexing war, for it is opposed to
every principle of their faith. In the army they cannot obey the truth and at the same
time obey the requirements of their officers. There would be a continual violation of
conscience. Worldly men are governed by worldly principles. They can appreciate
no other. Worldly policy and public opinion comprise the principle of action that
governs them and leads them to practice the form of rightdoing. But God's people
cannot be governed by these motives. The words and commands of God, written in
the soul, are spirit and life, and there is power in them to bring into subjection and
enforce obedience. The ten precepts of Jehovah are the foundation of all righteous
and good laws. Those who love God's commandments will conform to every good
law of the land. But if the requirements of the rulers are such as conflict with the
laws of God, the only question to be settled is: Shall we obey God, or man? Page
362 In consequence of long-continued and progressive rebellion against the higher
constitution and laws, a gloomy pall of darkness and death is spread over the earth. The
earth groans under the burden of accumulated guilt, and everywhere dying mortals are
compel ed to experience the wretchedness included in the wages of unrighteousness. I
was shown that men have carried out the purposes of Satan by craft and deceit, and a
dreadful blow has recently been given. It can be truly said: "Justice standeth afar off: for
truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter," "and he that departeth from evil
maketh himself a prey." In some of the free states the standard of morality is sinking lower
and lower. Men with depraved appetites and corrupt lives have now an opportunity to
triumph. They have chosen for their rulers those whose principles are debasing,
who would not check evil, or repress the depraved appetites of men, but let them
have full sway. If those who choose to become like the beasts, by drinking liquid
poison, were the only sufferers; if they alone would reap the fruit of their own
doings, then the evil would not be so great. But many, very many, must pass through
incredible suffering on account of others' sins. Wives and children, although innocent,
must drain the bitter cup to its dregs.
Page 362
Without the grace of God, men love to do evil. They walk in darkness, and do not
possess the power of self-control. They give loose rein to their passions and appetites
until all the finer feelings are lost and only the animal passions are manifested. Such men
need to feel a higher, controlling power, which wil constrain them to obey. If rulers do
not exercise a power to terrify the evildoer, he will sink to the level of the brute. The
earth is growing more and more corrupt.
Page 363
Many were blinded and grossly deceived in the last election, and their influence
was used to place in authority men who would wink at evil, men who would witness
a flood of woe and misery unmoved, whose principles are corrupt, who are Southern
sympathizers, and would preserve slavery as it is. In positions of trust in the Northern
army there are men who are rebels at heart, who value the life of a soldier no more
than they would the life of a dog. They can see them torn, and mangled, and dying,
by thousands, unmoved.
292

(EGW quote continued)
The officers of the Southern army are constantly receiving information in regard to the
plans of the Northern army. Correct information has been given to Northern officers in
regard to the movements and approach of rebels, which has been disregarded and
despised because the informer was black. And by neglecting to prepare for an attack, the
Union forces have been surprised and nearly cut to pieces, or what is as bad, many of the
poor soldiers have been taken prisoners to suffer worse than death. If there were union in
the Northern army, this Rebellion would soon cease. Rebels know they have
sympathizers all through the Northern army. The pages of history are growing darker and
still darker. Loyal men, who have had no sympathy with the Rebellion, or with
slavery which has caused it, have been imposed upon. Their influence has helped
place in authority men to whose principles they were opposed. Everything is
preparing for the great day of God. Time will last a little longer until the inhabitants
of the earth have filled up the cup of their iniquity, and then the wrath of God, which
has so long slumbered, will awake, and this land of light will drink the cup of His
unmingled wrath. The desolating power of God is upon the earth to rend and
destroy. The inhabitants of the earth are appointed to the sword, to famine, and to
pestilence. Very many men in authority, generals and officers, act in conformity
with instructions communicated by spirits. The spirits of devils, professing to be
dead warriors and skilful generals, communicate with men in authority and control
many of their movements. One general has directions from these spirits to make
special moves and is flattered with the hope of success. Another receives
directions which differ widely from those given to the first. Sometimes those who
follow the directions given obtain a victory, but more frequently they meet with
defeat.
Page 364
The spirits sometimes give these leading men an account of events to transpire in
battles in which they are about to engage, and of individuals who will fall in the
battle. Sometimes it is found to be as these spirits foretold, and this strengthens the faith
of the believers in spiritual manifestations. And again it is found that correct information
has not been given, but the deceiving spirits make some explanation, which is received.
The deception upon minds is so great that many fail to perceive the lying spirits which are
leading them on to certain destruction.
The great leading rebel general, Satan, is acquainted with the transactions of this war,
and he directs his angels to assume the form of dead generals, to imitate their manners,
and exhibit their peculiar traits of character. And leaders in the army real y believe that the
spirits of their friends and of dead warriors, the fathers of the Revolutionary War, are
guiding them. If they were not under the strongest fascinating deception, they would begin
to think that the warriors in heaven (?) did not manifest good and successful generalship,
or had forgotten their famed earthly skill. Instead of the leading men in this war
trusting in the God of Israel, and directing their armies to trust in the only One who
can deliver them from their enemies, the majority inquire of the prince of devils and
trust in him. Deuteronomy 32:16-22. Said the angel: "How can God prosper such a
people? If they would look to and trust in Him; if they would only come where He
could help them, according to His own glory, He would readily do it."
Page 365
I saw that God would not give the Northern army wholly into the hands of a
rebellious people, to be utterly destroyed by their enemies. I was referred to
Deuteronomy 32:26-30: "I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the
remembrance of them to cease from among men: were it not that I feared the wrath of the
enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should
say, Our hand is high, and the Lord hath not done al this. For they are a nation void of
counsel, neither is there any understanding in them. Oh, that they were wise, that they
understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
293

(EGW quote continued)
How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock
had sold them, and the Lord had shut them up?"
There are generals in the army who are wholly devoted and seek to do all they can
to
stop this dreadful Rebellion and unnatural war. B
ut most of the officers and
le
ading men have a selfish purpose of their own to serve. Ea
ch is looking for gain
from his own quarter, and many of the true, whole-hearted soldiers are becoming
fainthearted and discouraged. They nobly perform their part when in an engagement
with the enemy, but the treatment which they receive from their own officers is
brutal. Among the soldiers there are men that have fine feelings and independence of
spirit. They have never been accustomed to mingling with so degraded a class of men as
war brings together, and being tyrannized over and abused, and treated like brutes. It is
very hard for them to endure al this. Many officers have brutal passions, and as they
are placed in authority they have good opportunity to act out their brutal natures.
They tyrannize over those under them as Southern masters tyrannize over their
slaves.
Page 366
These things will make it difficult to procure men for the army. In some cases when
generals have been in most terrible conflict, where their men have fal en like rain, a
reinforcement at the right time would have given them a victory. But other generals
cared nothing how many lives were lost, and rather than come to the help of those
in an engagement, as though their interests were one, they withheld the necessary
aid, fearing that their brother general would receive the honor of successfully
repulsing the enemy. Through envy and jealousy they have even exulted to see the
enemy gain the victory and repulse Union men. Southern men possess a hellish spirit in
this Rebel ion, but Northern men are not clear. Many of them possess a selfish jealousy,
fearing that others will obtain honors and be exalted above themselves. Oh, how many
thousands of lives have been sacrificed on this account! Those of other nations who have
conducted war have had but one interest. With a disinterested zeal they have moved on
to conquer or to die. Leading men in the Revolution acted unitedly, with zeal, and by that
means they gained their independence. But men now act like demons instead of
human beings. Satan has, through his angels, communicated with officers who were
cool, calculating men when left to themselves, and they have given up their own judgment
and have been led by these lying spirits into very difficult places, where they have been
repulsed with dreadful slaughter. It suits his Satanic majesty well to see slaughter and
carnage upon the earth. He loves to see the poor soldiers mowed down like grass. I
saw that the rebels have often been in positions where they could have been subdued
without much effort; but the communications from spirits have led the Northern
generals and blinded their eyes until the rebels were beyond their reach. And some
generals would rather allow the rebels to escape than to subdue them. They think more of
the darling institution of slavery than of the prosperity of the nation. These are among the
reasons why the war is so protracted.
Page 367
Information sent by our generals to Washington concerning the movement of our armies
might nearly as well be telegraphed directly to the rebel forces. There are rebel
sympathizers right at the heart of the Union authorities. This war is unlike any other. The
great lack of union of feeling and action makes it look dark and discouraging. Many of the
soldiers have thrown off restraint and have sunk to an alarming state of
degradation. How can God go forth with such a corrupt army? How can He,
according to His honor, defeat their enemies and lead them on to victory? There is
discord, and strife for honor, while the poor soldiers are dying by thousands on the
battlefield or from their wounds and from exposure and hardships. This war is a most
singular and at the same time a most horrible and heartsickening conflict. Other nations
are looking on with disgust at the transactions of the armies of both North and South.
294

(EGW quote continued)
They see such a determined effort to protract the war at an enormous sacrifice of life and
money, while at the same time nothing is really gained, that it looks to them like a strife to
see which can kil the most men. They are indignant.
I saw that the Rebellion had been steadily increasing and that it had never been more
determined than at the present moment. Many professed Union men, holding important
positions, are disloyal at heart. Their only object in taking up arms was to preserve the
Union as it was, and slavery with it. They would heartily chain down the slave to his life of
gal ing bondage, had they the privilege. Such have a strong degree of sympathy with the
South. Blood has been poured out like water, and for nought. In every town and
village there is mourning. Wives are mourning for their husbands, mothers for their
sons, and sisters for their brothers. But notwithstanding all this suffering, they do
not turn to God.
Page 368
I saw that both the South and the North were being punished. In regard to the South,
I was referred to Deuteronomy 32:35-37: "To Me belongeth vengeance, and recompense;
their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that
shal come upon them make haste. For the Lord shall judge His people, and repent
Himself for His servants, when He seeth that their power is gone, and there is none
shut up, or left. And He shall say, Where are their Gods, their rock in whom they
trusted?" (end quote EGW)
295

Comments:
Regarding the American Civil War, El en White states that God was punishing both
armies - North and South. When God punished them, He simply withdrew His
protection which permitted evil warriors to kil each other. God did not punish
evil men in 1861, by conscripting "holy" men (ie.g. early SDA church
members) to exterminate the evil doers. In fact, the SDA pioneers officially
refused to bear arms in accordance with the divine command, "Thou shalt
not kill." [Read the denomination's first official non-combatancy statement
authorised by the General Conference and published on 2 August 1864]
reproduced in Francis McLellan Wilcox's book entitled, Seventh-day
Adventists in Time of War)
In fact, the pioneers gave Biblical evidence in defence of their position which
opposed killing and murder during warfare on the grounds that it was
breaking the commandments of God.
http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/ITOW/ITOW1936/index.djvu
Some questions are begging for answers:
1. If, in ancient times, God used holy men to punish (kill) both rebellious
Israelites and pagans, why didn't He employ the same punitive strategy
against nations that required divine punishment in 1861?
2. If a divine punitive strategy (killing) was at one time considered
appropriate, acceptable and sinless, how could the same action be
considered inappropriate, unacceptable and sinful in 1861?
In the foregoing testimony, El en White clearly demonstrates that::
· evil works begin as thoughts in the minds of the unconverted people who are
under the inspiration of evil angels;
· God's wrath is expressed in the action of removing His holy influence from
rebel ious people, leaving them unprotected from Satan's angels;
· The expression of divine wrath only occurs after God has been continual y
rejected by His people.
As seen repeatedly in this study, God's strange act is, that in order to honour the
free choice He has given humanity, He "turns His face away from them." His spirit
retreats and His holy angels are commanded to leave the rebels to experience the
consequences of their sinful choices. Because God does not intervene by
sending protective angels, He is seen to be responsible for the outcome. His
part in this destruction is only that He allows or permits the destruction to
take place without divine interference. This action was again seen to occur
in the American Civil War, as just outlined by Ellen White in 1T, p 355-386.
296

T
he SDA Pioneer Position on the 6th C
ommandment
In harmony with the theme of this book, the SDA pioneers' non-combatancy
position rests on Christ's example and His non-violent teachings. Unlike
other"Christian" religions, the pioneers did not appeal to records of Old Testament
to justify breaking God's commandments during warfare in modern times.
Why Seventh-day Adventists Cannot Engage in War (George W. Amadon Review
and Herald, 7 March, I865, published during the Civil War; representative of the SDA
denominational position; reprinted in Seventh-day Adventists in Time of War by
Francis McLellan Wilcox (1936)
I. They could not keep the Lord's holy Sabbath. "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the
Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work.'" Ex :20:10. Fighting, as military men tel us,
is the hardest kind of work; and the seventh day of all days would be the least regarded in
the camp and field.
2. The sixth command of God's moral law reads, "Thou shalt not kill." To kill is to
take life. The soldier by profession is a practical violator of this precept. But if we
would enter into life, we must "'keep the commandments." Matt. 19:17.
3. "God hath. called us to peace ;"and "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal."
1 Cor. 7:15; 2 Cor. 10:4. T
he g
ospel43
* p
ermits us to use no weapons but "the
sword of the Spirit."
4. Our kingdom is not of this world. Said Christ to Pilate, "If My kingdom were of
this world, then would My servants fight." John 18:36. This is most indisputable
e vidence that Christians have nothing to do with carnal instruments of war.
5. We are commanded to love even our enemies. "But I say unto you," says the
Saviour, "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." Matt. 5:4-4-
Do we fulfill this command when we blow out their brains with revolvers, or sever
their bodies with sabers? "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of
His." Rom. 8:9.
6. Our work is the same as our Master's, who once said, "The Son of man is not
come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." Luke 9:56. If God's Spirit sends us
to save men, does not some other spirit send us to destroy them? Let us know
what manner of spirit we are of.
7- The New Testament command is, "Resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite
thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." Matt. 5:39. That is, we had
better turn the other cheek than to smite them back again. Could this scripture be
obeyed on the battlefield?
8. Christ said to Peter, as he struck the high priest's servant, "Put up again thy
sword." Matt. 26:5:z. If the Saviour commanded the apostle to "put up" the sword,
c ertainly His followers have no right to take it. T
hen let those who are of the world
fight, but as for us, let us pray. (end quote by Gorge W. Amadon)
43Note: #3*T
he g
ospel *
permits us to use no weapons but "the sword of the Spirit."
The same gospel applied to the ancient Israelites as applied to the early SDA
pioneers. DAp 290 "When banished from Paradise, our first parents still
worshipped in the fields and groves, and there Christ met them with the gospel of
His grace."
297

C
hanges to the 6th C
ommandment by the SDA Church
The First World War caused division in the Seventh-day Adventist church. SDA church
members in Europe were facing great problems over the question of whether the church
internationally condoned its members serving in combatant roles in the armed forces
the position which had been taken by the German leadership. In an effort to assist in
resolving these issues, some theological questions were put to the General Conference.
Of particular concern was the church's international position regards the law of God,
especially the 6th and 4th commandments: "Thou shalt not kil " and the Sabbath rest.
Elder Daniells' replied:
"As soon as the war broke out in Europe, we in America studied this matter carefully. And
we took this position:.. Let everyone act according to his conscience in this question.
Then we had some brethren who had the spirit of love for their country, and went to the
battle line, and fought. They came to England and France, and went to the trenches, and I
don't know what they did while they were there, but they served and came back when the
armistice was signed. ... We regret the war, and we are against it. But we must permit
every citizen to act toward the authorities according to the dictates of his own conscience.
Not one of these persons was disfellowshiped from our church. Not one of them was
treated as if he was not a Christian. As long as we do not have precise limits towards the
authorities, it must be left with each one to act according to his own conscience. The
brethren in America took the same moderate and tolerant position as our brethren in
Europe....After al this we are convinced that our brethren here, too, take the
noncombatant position. We have talked with brethren who were in the war, and I can tell
you that I have not found in any brother in Europe a greater military spirit than in America.
And I can say, too, that in their spirit and in their procedure, our brethren in Europe have
been as faithful as our brethren in America. I wil say it all over again in other words: We
are sorry for some of the declarations that have been issued. But when we consider the
spirit and the purpose that led them to do that, we find that these brethren stand as faithful
and upright in the work as we ourselves... And I must say that everyone has had the
right to set up his own conviction and form his own conscience with reference to
the war question. ... We believe that you brethren [referring to the representatives of the
disfel owshiped minority] are completely wrong in the position you represent. We do
believe in the fourth commandment as we have ever believed in it. But we cannot
agree with your interpretation in connection with it. What would you have said
about Moses a few days after he had received the law on mount Sinai, if he had told
you to go and kill the king of Bashan, and all the men, women, and children? Would
yo
u have accused him of murder? B
ut God commanded him to violate the
sixth commandment. You see that there are many things to be found in the
interpretation of the commandments, and we must have freedom to read and
understand them, without being bound to the interpretation of any small
corporation." Minutes of the Conference with the Movement of Opposition (held in
Friedensau, July 21--23, 1920), published by the SDA Church. (Read on line at:
http://www.sdarmgc.org/origin/his_07_reconciliation.html)
N
ote Daniells' appeal to the Old Testament to justify breaking the 6th c
ommandment
 just as the "Mother" church religion does! One wonders why the General
Conference President, Elder Daniells did not refer to the non-violent position that Jesus,
the Son of God and our Perfect Example advocated. One also wonders what
might have been Daniel s' response had Ellen White still been alive.
298

Is Daniel s' theology correct? Are the 10 commandments so loosely defined that it is left
to fal en, sinful humanity to decide which precepts should be kept or how they should be
interpreted? Surely Jesus' own definitions should be of major consideration in any
decision regarding the keeping of the law of God!
Compare Daniells' position with other SDA literature published during the same era below.
SHOULD CHRISTIANS BEAR ARMS? by RC Porter, president, South African Union
Conference during the first World War.
"The true Christian can never fight his fellows for personal ends. All wrongs that he
is caused to suffer, he endures. He does not kill or murder his fellows. His loyalty to
God will not allow him to revenge himself in any way, regardless of injustice or
severe personal injury. Christians are charged: "Avenge not yourselves, but rather
give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the
Lord." Rom. 12:19. In the early church it was thought that followers of Christ should
be separate from the world, and they did not voluntarily join the army. They
endured all kinds of persecution, and even suffered death for their faith, but they
would not take life. When Constantine outwardly accepted Christianity, he did so as
a converted pagan general. Later he persuaded Christians to fight in his army.
From then on professed Christians were less and less conscientious; and the more
worldly the church grew, the more willing to join the government in war did she
become .... The Christian is a citizen of an unseen country, whose King reigns in
the heart. His citizenship is in heaven, and he looks for a "city . . . whose builder
and maker is God." He recognizes earthly governments as ordained of God to
punish evildoers; but he is unable to obey laws where obedience compels him to
break the moral law of his Creator. Undoubtedly the conflict between the state on
the one hand and the true people of God on the other, must ever bring forth
conflicting views of the duty and the rights of the Christian. The state generally
believes in war, and often in conquest; the Christian believes in obedience to the
state for the good of humanity, and is cheerfully obedient to all that the state
requires when he is permitted to worship God as he understands the Holy
Scriptures to teach. But he does not believe that he can be a Christian and take
human life. To him this is a matter of conscience. In this realm the state has no
divine right to interfere."
MINISTRY (June/July, I935, editorial) .I. H. Evans, vice-president, General Conference of
Seventh-day Adventist Church
"If the use of the sword by true Christians can be justified on any grounds, it would seem
that Peter was justified in defending the Son of God who was soon to be crucified by a
mob. Christ is the Christian's perfect pattern. As He lived, we are to live. It would be
unthinkable that Christ and His chosen twelve should have joined the Roman army and
followed the Roman eagle. Nor can we think that the people of God can live the
Christian life when engaged in taking human life."
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS IN TIME OF WAR by Francis McLellan Wilcox, (1936)
The Divine Law and Human Requirements
"WHAT relation does the Christian sustain to war? In harmony with his high and holy
profession as a follower of the Prince of Peace, can he engage in the destruction of his
fellow men? This is a question which has confronted the members of the Seventh-day
Adventist Church through- out its entire history. From their study of the life and example of
Christ and the teachings of the gospel, they have been forced to take the position of
noncombatants." http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/ITOW/ITOW1936/index.djvu
299

The Final Destruction
It is never the intention of God to destroy the sinner, but to save him, yet, it is the Father's
glory which on exposure, causes sinful beings to cease to exist.
Early Writings, p54
"I saw a throne, and on it sat the Father and the Son. I gazed on Jesus' countenance and
admired His lovely person. The Father's person I could not behold, for a cloud of glorious
light covered Him. I asked Jesus if His Father had a form like Himself. He said He had,
but I could not behold it, for said He, "If you should once behold the glory of His
person, you would cease to exist."
Why? Fire comes from within sinners as sin (evil) destroys them.
Psalm 34:21
"Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate."
If God slays the wicked, then He must be considered evil! Clearly, God is not evil!
Isaiah 33:11, 12
"Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath, as fire, shall devour you.
(12) And the people shal be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be
burned in the fire."
Satan likewise is consumed in the same manner.
Ezekiel 28:18
"Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy
traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I wil
bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of al them that behold thee."
The wicked dead are not alive when Jesus and the righteous come down from heaven
and the Mt of Olives splits open at the touch of Jesus' feet. Then the wicked are 'awoken'
or raised. Jesus and the saints are within the New Jerusalem, with its transparent walls.
Great Controversy p .665
"Now Christ again appears to the view of His enemies. Far above the city, upon a
foundation of burnished gold, is a throne, high and lifted up. Upon this throne sits the Son
of God, and around Him are the subjects of His kingdom. The power and majesty of Christ
no language can describe, no pen portray. The glory of the Eternal Father is enshrouding
His Son. The brightness of His presence fil s the City of God, and flows out beyond the
gates, flooding the whole earth with its radiance. 666 As soon as the books of record
are opened, and the eye of Jesus looks upon the wicked, they are conscious of every sin
which they have ever committed. They see just where their feet diverged from the path of
purity and holiness, just how far pride and rebel ion have carried them in the violation of
the law of God. The seductive temptations which they encouraged by indulgence in sin,
the blessings perverted, the messengers of God despised, the warnings rejected, the
waves of mercy beaten back by the stubborn, unrepentant heart--all appear as if written
in letters of fire. .... 669 Satan seems paralyzed as he beholds the glory and majesty of
Christ. He who was once a covering cherub remembers whence he has fallen. A shining
seraph, "son of the morning;" how changed, how degraded! From the council where once
he was honored, he is forever excluded. He sees another now standing near to the
Father, veiling His glory. He has seen the crown placed upon the head of Christ by an
angel of lofty stature and majestic presence, and he knows that the exalted position of this
angel might have been his."
300

Desire of Ages, 1898 p 600
"The glory of His countenance, which to the righteous is life, wil be to the wicked a
consuming fire."
Note: The Father's glory is still veiled at this time, by the new "covering cherib."
Great Controversy, p 670
"For thousands of years this chief of conspiracy has palmed off falsehood for truth. But
the time has now come when the rebellion is to be finally defeated and the history and
character of Satan disclosed. In his last great effort to dethrone Christ, destroy His
people, and take possession of the City of God, the archdeceiver has been fully
unmasked."
Ellen White, Desire of Ages, p 758
"Not until the death of Christ was the character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or
to the unfallen worlds. The archapostate had so clothed himself with deception that even
holy beings had not understood his principles. They had not clearly seen the nature of his
rebel ion."
Early Writings, p 52; Review & Herald, 1 November, 1850, p 6
"Then Satan imbues the wicked, that have been raised, with his spirit. He flatters them
that the army in the City is small, and that his army is large, and that they can overcome
the saints and take the City. 53 While Satan was rallying his army, the saints were in the
City, beholding the beauty and glory of the Paradise of God. Jesus was at their head,
leading them. All at once the lovely Saviour was gone from our company; but soon we
heard his lovely voice, saying, "Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world." We gathered about Jesus, and just as
he closed the gates of the City, the curse was pronounced upon the wicked. The gates
were shut. Then the saints used their wings and mounted to the top of the wal of the City.
Jesus was also with them; his crown looked brilliant and glorious. It was a crown within a
crown, seven in number. The crowns of the saints were of the most pure gold, decked
with stars. Their faces shone with glory, for they were in the express image of Jesus; and
as they arose, and moved all together to the top of the City, I was enraptured with the
sight. ....54 Then the wicked saw what they had lost; and fire was breathed from God
upon them, and consumed them. This was the Execution of the Judgment."
How does sin destroy the sinner? The redeemed saints possess sinless, glorified bodies.
Philippians 3:21
"Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body,
according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."
1 Corinthians 15:52
"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and
the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
However, the wicked are not raised physically incorruptible with sinless bodies and
minds.
John 5:28, 29
"Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear
his voice, (29) And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of
life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."
Ellen White, Desire of Ages, p 106, 600
"To sin, wherever found, 'our God is a consuming fire.' Heb. 12:29. In all who submit to
His power the Spirit of God will consume sin. But if men cling to sin, they become
identified with it. Then the glory of God, which destroys sin, must destroy them....
301

(Jacob's) transgression had been forgiven, and his sin purged; therefore he could endure
the revelation of God's presence. But wherever men came before God while willfully
cherishing evil, they were destroyed. At the second advent of Christ the wicked shal be
consumed "with the Spirit of His mouth," and destroyed "with the brightness of His
coming." 2 Thess. 2:8. The light of the glory of God, which imparts life to the righteous, will
slay the wicked.... The glory of His countenance, which to the righteous is life, wil be to
the wicked a consuming fire."
After unmasking Satan's evil character, the Father's glory is revealed to the righteous,
who see Him face to face without any physical or mental discomfort. But the Father's
unveiled glory destroys the wicked who have been experiencing dreadful mental anguish
(gnashing of teeth Matt 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13;24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28).
The connection between the physical and spiritual aspects of humanity are inseparable.
What happens to the physical effects the spiritual and vice versa.
The physical glory of God is not a special weapon to facilitate the destruction of sinners.
Their destruction is caused simply by a negative reaction occurring within the mortal body
of the sinner who clings to his cherished sin. The incompatibility of the two opposites
God's glory and the sin in man is so great - that the sinner is destroyed. Sin combusts
in the presence of the unveiled glory of God, causing the death of the sinner.
Great Controversy p 676
"'I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.'
Revelation 21:22. The people of God are privileged to hold open communion with the
Father and the Son. 'Now we see through a glass, darkly.' 1 Corinthians 13:12. We
behold the image of God reflected, as in a mirror, in the works of nature and in His
dealings with men; but then we shall see Him face to face, without a dimming veil
between. We shal stand in His presence and behold the glory of His countenance."
When God completely withdraws His life-sustaining and stabilising power from the earth,
the elements melt with fervent heat and a process begins which causes the earth to revert
to its original chaotic condition (Genesis 1:2) and the earth is purified by the fire which
pours out from the earth.
Isaiah 24:17-23
"Fear, and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth. 18 And it shall
come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he
that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shal be taken in the snare: for the windows from
on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake. 19 The earth is utterly
broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly. 20 The earth
shal reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the
transgression thereof shal be heavy upon it; and it shal fall, and not rise again. 21 And it
shal come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that
are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. 22 And they shal be gathered
together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after
many days shall they be visited. 23 Then the moon shal be confounded, and the sun
ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and
before his ancients gloriously."
Revelation 6:12-14, 17
"And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake;
and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And
the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when
she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled
together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places....17 For the
great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?"
302

2 Peter 3:9-11
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-
suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that al should come to
repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the
heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shal melt with fervent heat,
the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all
these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy
conversation and godliness."
Since the Father is the Source of al life, He is credited with the destruction of the wicked.
God is implicated, but not directly intentional y responsible for their death. God repeatedly
warned that the natural consequences of holding on to sin was death (Rom 6:23). The
wicked wil ingly clung to their sins, knowing that at one day, all humanity would "stand
before the judgment seat of Christ" (Romans 14:10); knowing that God is a consuming fire
to sin (Heb 12:29); knowing that the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23), knowing they
neglected the offering of a great salvation (Heb 2:3). God, respecting the principle of the
freedom of choice, permits the wicked to move away from Him an action that leaves the
sinner unprotected.44
Desire of Ages, 1898 p 600
"Because of love rejected, grace despised, the sinner wil be destroyed."
Ezekiel 33:11
"Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the
wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil
ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
God is a consuming fire to sin in every person (refer to Objection # 11). It would appear
to be a far better decision to let God destroy the sin in our lives while humanity is stil
under His protection, than to meet His divine presence - unprotected - when His
righteousness will destroy sin where ever it is found.
AT Jones, Review and Herald Jan, 24 & 31, 1899.
"Yet, what every one must understand is this: the only way that God
does, or can, separate anybody from sin is by that very consuming fire of
his presence. The only way, therefore, in which you and I can ever be so
separated from sin as to meet God as he is, in the flaming fire that he is,
in that great day, is to meet him TODAY as he is, in the consuming fire
that he is. The only way that we can be prepared to meet him at his
coming in that great day is to meet him in his coming today. For there is
a coming to men now , as really as to the world in that great day. 'I will
not leave you comfortless: I will COME TO YOU.' John 14:18. But do not
forget that whether he comes to you or to me now, or whether he comes
to other people in that great day, he comes only as a consuming fire."
44EJ Waggoner (commenting on) Romans, p 99, 100 "Romans 8:6. 'The sting of death is
sin.' 1Cor. 15:56. There could be no death if there were no sin. Sin carries death in its
bosom. So it was not an arbitrary act on the part of God that death came upon men
because of sin. It could not possibly be otherwise. Note the justice here. Death passed
upon all men, 'for that all have sinned.' 'The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall
not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; ...
.Ezek.18:20.' And this is also a necessary consequence of the fact that sin contains death
in it, and that death can not come in any way than by sin. (100) Everything that came
through Adam's fall is undone in Christ; or, better stil , all that was lost in Adam is restored
in Christ."
303

Vengeance is Mine and I Will Repay
What about the fol owing vengeance texts? Don't they show that God is full of frenzied
wrath, about to crush and destroy His enemies?
Isaiah 2:10-22; Isaiah 4:1-6 ; Isaiah 11:10-17; Isaiah 13:9-16 ; Isaiah 24:21-23; Isaiah
26:20,21; Isaiah 63:1-6; Isaiah 66:15-24; Revelation 19:11-21
Recall that as Anton LaVey outlined in The Satanic Bible:
"Satan represents vengeance, instead of turning the other cheek"
(Barrett, 2001:343).
In contrast, Jesus' life demonstrated that God is infinite, unchanging love.
The 'vengeance passages' are lengthy, so only samples of each passage are reproduced
here.
Isaiah 2:10-22
Verse 19 "And they shall go into the holes of the rocks... for fear of the LORD, and for the
glory of his majesty, when he arised to shake terribly the earth." (As God's presence
is removed from the earth, His sustaining, maintaining power is also removed. The
earth "reels to and fro" etc. This is a sign of the withdrawal of God's presence, not
His active aggression towards the earth).
Isaiah 4:1-6
Verse 2, 4, 5 "In that day shal the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the
fruit of the earth shal be excel ent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.(4)
When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have
purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by th
e spirit of judgment, and by
the spirit of burning. (5) And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount
Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming
fire by night: for upon all the glory shal be a defence. " (Zechariah 2:5 refers to a similar
image:- "And I will be unto her a wall of fire round about; And a glory (margin 
defence, covering) will I be in the midst of her." In the wilderness, the Israelites
were protected from the Egyptians by (Christ in the form of) the pillar of fire and the
cloud. In the last days Christ will also protect the redeemed saints from the wicked.
His unveiled glory will be as a destructive fire to them, while the same glory
protects the saints. What maintains life to the saints, causes death to the wicked ).
Isaiah 11:10-17
Verses 16, 17 "Therefore shall the Lord, the Lord of hosts, send among his fat ones
leanness; and under his glory he shall kindle a burning like the burning of a fire (17)
And the light of Israel shal be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame: and it shall burn and
devour his thorns and his briers in one day." (The wicked do not receive eternal life.
Their reward is eternal death. In a protective act toward the redeemed saints, God's
unveiled glory shines upon the attacking wicked and God does not intervene to
prevent their death. He permits them to reap their reward).
304

Isaiah 13:9-16
Verse 9 "Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger,
to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it." (After
the earth has been desolate for 1000 years, unrepentant sinners will raised to reap
the consequences of what they have sown. They reap the wages of their sinful
lives eternal death. At no stage is God revealed to be "cruel, wrathful or with
fierce anger" as humanity understands those concepts).
Isaiah 24:21-23
Verses 21-23 "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the
host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. (22) And
they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shal be shut
up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. (23) Then the moon shal be
confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shal reign in mount Zion,
and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously."(Rev 20:5 For 1000 years, the
wicked are sleeping in the prison of a temporary death, then they are raised to
receive the reward for their sinful lives- eternal death. This deathly reward is also
called 'punishment.' Jesus calls it everlasting punishment in Matt 25:46).
Isaiah 26:20, 21
Verses 20, 21 "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about
thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. (21) For,
behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for
their iniquity: the earth also shal disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain."
(The wages of sin is death - Romans 6:23. This deathly reward is also called
'punishment.' Jesus calls it everlasting punishment in Matt 25:46).
Isaiah 66:15-24
Verses 15-17 "For, behold, the LORD wil come with fire, and with his chariots like a
whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire. (16) For
by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the
LORD shall be many. (17) They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the
gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the
mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD." (Anger with "fury" means anger
with judgment see Isaiah 59:16, compare Isaiah 63:5; or can also mean "fervour."
God's "fervent" rebuke is His protective defence of His people. Jesus rebuked
demons and the storm Luke 8:24; Mark 4:39; Mark 9:25 to protect His people.
Christ also rebuked the Egyptians with the pillar of fire which protected the
Israelites from attack. The Lord 'pleads' with His sword His spirit. Those who
continue to reject Christ's pleadings will die in their sins, as they attack the saints -
not because Christ attacks them).
Revelation 19:11-21
Verses 11, 13 "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon
him was cal ed Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war...(13)
And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of
God...(15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the
nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the
fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (21) And the remnant were slain with the sword
of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls
were fil ed with their flesh. (See Isaiah 63:1-6 in Objections section)
305

Isaiah 25:4, 5
For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge
from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm
against the wall. (.5) Thou shalt bring down the noise of strangers, as the heat in a dry
place; even the heat with the shadow of a cloud: the branch of the terrible ones shall be
brought low. (Unveiled divine glory is a protective shield to the saints, but a
destructive fire to the wicked. God is protecting His saints - not being aggressive).
Isaiah 34:8
"For it is the day of the LORD's vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the
controversy of Zion. (9) And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust
thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch." (Refer to
Objections # 23, 24)
Isaiah 35:4
"Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come
with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you."(Refer to
Objections # 23, 24)
Isaiah 61:2
"To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to
comfort al that mourn;" (Refer to Objections # 23, 24)
Jeremiah 51:6, 7
Jeremiah 51:6
"Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her
iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a
recompense. (7) Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made al the
earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are
mad."(Refer to Objections # 23, 24)
Luke 21:20-23
"And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation
thereof is nigh. (21) Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them
which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter
thereinto. (22) For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written
may be fulfilled. (23) But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in
those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this
people." (Refer to Objections # 23, 24)
2 Thessalonians 1:,7,8
"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shal be revealed from
heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not
God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Refer to Objections # 23, 24)
If the true gospel of Jesus Christ is unknown, there can be no saving knowledge of God.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
#1557, ekdikesis ek-dik'-ay-sis
from <1556>; ; n f1) a revenging, vengeance, punishment. In 2 Co 7:11 --meeting out
of justice; d
oing justice to a ll p
arties. See Lu 18:3, 21:22. The word also has the
sense of acquittal and carries the sense of vindication. (Vincent III, p. 329) )
#1556 - to protect, defend, one person from another
306

Revelation 6:8-17;7:1
Verse 10, 16 "And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true,
dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwel on the earth? (16) And said
to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the
throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:(17) For the great day of his wrath is come; and
who shal be able to stand? (17:1) And after these things I saw four angels standing on
the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not
blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree." Thayer's Lexicon defines "avenge" #
01556:
as
1) to vindicate one's right, do one justice
1a) to protect, defend, one person from another
2) to avenge a thing
2a) to punish a person for a thing (See section Objections, 23, 24 and "the wrath of
God."
Revelation 18:2-19:2
"And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fal en,
and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of
every unclean and hateful bird. (3) For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of
her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the
merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. (4) And I
heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not
partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (5) For her sins have
reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. (6) Reward her even
as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the
cup which she hath filled fill to her double. (7) How much she hath glorified herself,
and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit
a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. (8) Therefore shall her plagues
come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned
with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. (9) And the kings of the earth,
who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shal bewail her, and
lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, (10) Standing afar off for
the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in
one hour is thy judgment come. (11) And the merchants of the earth shall weep and
mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: (12) The merchandise
of gold, ...and (13) souls of men. ... (15) The merchants of these things, which were
made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, ...
(17) For in one hour so great riches is come to nought... (18) And cried when they saw the
smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! (19) And they cast dust
on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein
were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour
is she made desolate. (20) Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and
prophets; for God hath avenged you on her." (21) "And a mighty angel took up a stone
like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that
great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. (23) ... for thy
merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
(24) And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain
upon the earth. (19:1) And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in
heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord
our God: (2) For true and righteous are his judgments: for h
e h
ath judged the great
whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of
his servants at her hand."
307

Who Sends the Plagues?
Revelation 11: 3 - 6
"And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand
two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (4) These are the two olive
trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any
man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their
enemies: (5) and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. (6)
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and
have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all
plagues, as often as they will."
The two witnesses have long been considered to be the Old and New Testaments. It
would appear however, that the description better fits with the description of Isaiah 8:20 -
"to the law and to the testimony:"
1. the 10 commandments (which are a transcript of the character of God); and
2. the testimony of the life of Jesus Christ the True Witness (Rev 3:14).
When people reject the character of God as expressed in the 10 commandments and also
in the life of Jesus Christ, they "have not the Father or the Son" (1 John 2:23). Though
professed Christians, these people will have no protection from the destruction (the
plagues) that humanity is bringing upon itself. Through cooperation with evil angels,
humanity have already designed technology with the potential to cause all the plagues
mentioned in Revelation 15, 16.
For an example of the nanotechnology already in existence and for planned technology
which wil cause complete devastation on the world, refer to such sources as The Dark
Secret of Handrik Schoen which aired on SBS, 8 January, 2006 (Australian Television)
and "Weather Control as a Weapon" www.weatherwars.info (video) by Bob Fletcher
available at Better Life Productions (02) 65678166, PO Box 392 West Kempsey NSW
2440.
The third plague is purported to be depicting God, via an angel, cursing the earth
and turning water into blood.
Revelation 16:4
And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they
became blood.
It is interesting to note a similar occurrence is known to have occurred already, where the
water appears to turn to blood.
Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia has the fol owing entry concerning rivers and fountains
of blood.
"Red rain in Kerala was a phenomenon observed sporadical y from 25
July to 23 September 2001 in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
Heavy downpours occurred in which the rain was primarily red, staining
clothes and appearing like blood. Yel ow, green, and black rains were
also reported. It was initially suspected that the rains were colored by
fallout from a hypothetical meteor burst, but the Government of India
commissioned a study which found the rains had been colored by
spores from a local y prolific aerial algae. Then in early 2006, the
Keralan colored rains suddenly rose to worldwide attention after media
reports of an extraordinary theory that the colored particles are
extraterrestrial cells, proposed by Godfrey Louis and Santhosh Kumar
of the Mahatma Gandhi University in Kottayam."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_rain_in_Kerala
I
308

t's Raining Blood
In the 2 March 2006 issue, New Scientist Magazine ran an article written by Hazel Muir
which discussed 'red rain' which fell in India from July to September, 2001.
Recently, the New Scientist received some reader feedback, commenting on the article
and the usual occurrence.
Vincenzo Liguori Manly, from New South Wales, Australia wrote:
"I'm surprised that neither your article nor the original paper suggest a
fairly obvious explanation for the red rain that fel over Kerala in India (4
March, p 34). If indeed the link between the red rains and a meteorite can
be proven, then it has been known for a while that organic compounds in
meteorites can form vesicles that look like cel s when they interact with
water. This phenomenon is mentioned with regard to the Murchison
meteorite on NASA's website: web99.arc.nasa.gov/~astrochm/vesicle.html
It is also mentioned in an interview with a co-investigator for the Stardust
mission, referring to interstellar ice
ww.bibiblio.org/astrobiology/index.php?page=interview06. Although I can't
find the references, I seem to remember that vesicles obtained by similar
processes can be made to "replicate" under certain circumstances."
Martin Pitt, of University of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK wrote:
"To a microbiologist, the particles in the red rain may look superficially like
red blood cells, but to a chemical engineer they look like liposomes or
microcapsules. These are bubbles of oil which can spontaneously trap
aqueous material. They are typically spherical when formed, but may
partial y collapse with change of temperature and/or pressure. The activity
that the researchers observed in cedar wood oil at 300 °C may be
rearrangement of material rather than reproduction. There are many
known methods of formation, and more to be discovered, but I would
suggest that a source of oil mist or smoke has condensed on particles of
ice and dust, which could even be meteoric in origin. One possible source
would be a ship burning red oil in the Arabian Sea. The reported sonic
boom could have been the rupture of an aircraft oil tank, a military cargo
plane with 50 tonnes of hydraulic oil, perhaps, though the length of time
the red rain continued suggests a longer release. The absorption spectrum
is not that of haemoglobin, but is feasible for an iron complex precipitating
at a surface."
Kevin Gardner, from West Huntspil , Somerset, UK wrote:
"Rhodophyceae 'red' algae are a likely cause of Hazel Muir's red rain. The
description and the low resolution of the cel photo points in particular to a
Porphyridium species, such as is commonly seen in bird baths where
soluble salts col ect. It can form mucilaginous masses resembling drops
of blood or even tomato sauce at times of population explosions. It is an
alga that is open to desiccation, which is when its distribution and survival
mechanism kicks in."
Rachel Cave, of National University of Ireland, Galway, Republic of Ireland wrote:
"If the material creating the red rain in Kerala turns out to be mammalian
blood, there is no need to invoke exploding bats to find a source for it. It
was commonplace in my childhood in Ireland for slaughterhouses to
dump their effluent into nearby watercourses and I wonder if the same
practice goes on in India today. All that is then needed to provide
downpours of blood in rainfall over succeeding days is a tornado of the
kind that empties water bodies of their fish or frogs along with the
water.....'
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Ian Simmons, Penarth, from Vale of Glamorgan, UK wrote:
"Godfrey Louis's paper on the Kerala red rain will not be the first time the
organic nature of such falls has been considered in the scientific press.
Charles Fort, in his Book of the Damned (1919), summarises quite a
variety of red rains, mostly culled from the scientific press. In the on-line
version (www.resologist.net/damnei.htm) Fort scholar "Mr X" (his real
name) gives the references for all the cases Fort refers to, many of them
from reputable journals including Nature. A number of the reports Fort
cites involve the fal persisting over one area for several days, being
preceded by loud "thunderclaps" and on occasions being accompanied
by falls of "slag" that may be of meteoric origin. Also, in the early days of
London's Royal Society, its collection included a sample of a "rain of
blood" collected in the Isle of Wight by Sir John Oglander. It is
unfortunately now lost."
From issue 2543 of New Scientist magazine, 18 March 2006, page 24
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg18925430.300.html
If the phenomenon of 'red rain' was shown to John the Revelator in vision, it is likely that
he might have been shown something similar to what occurred over India for two months.
At the time of the end, just prior to Christ's second coming, the earth's ecosystems are
predicted to be 'upside down.' Meteorites, algae-blooms and nuclear activity might al
contribute to the formation of 'red rain' or something that has the appearance of blood,
although the majority of the world will apparently consider such occurrences to be 'natural
disasters' or 'wrathful acts of an angry God.'
Revelation 15:1
"And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvel ous, seven angels having the seven
last plagues; for in them is fil ed up the wrath of God."
However, the "wrath of God" has already been shown to be a reluctant, but final
withdrawal of His divine presence and protection from those who insist on rejecting Him
i.e. Rejecting the principles of His character as stated in the life of His Son and in the 10
commandments. It is not an outburst of frenzied anger by a temporarily insane being.
·
Babylon is fallen; its probation is over; the whore is "found wanting" (Verse 1).
· Who makes the whore desolate? The demons who completely control her. (Verse 2)
· God calls His people out of Babylon before the plagues fall. Anyone still in Babylon
must share some responsibility for her sins not because God is angry but
because the people refuse to leave Babylon. (Just as Lot had to leave Sodom, so
God's people must leave Babylon prior to its destruction, or be destroyed with
and by the false religious/political system).
· Who sends the plagues? When the angels are instructed to "hold," it is to prevent
disastrous plagues from coming on the earth, not to send trouble to the earth.
When the angels loose the winds, then destruction follows. The protection of the
angels will be removed from the earth, not so that they can better destroy the
earth, but because the majority of the inhabitants on earth insist that they will
NOT accept God's involvement in their lives!
· God says to reward her proportionately for her iniquities. Who is to do this task? The
law of sowing and reaping applies. If wickedness is sown, wicked consequences
will be reaped. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also reap' (Gal 6:7).
310

· The Lord God judges Babylon and then Babylon is destroyed with fire. Where does the
fire originate that consumes the sin? Where is the sin residing? Within sinners
because they are "joined to their idols." When they come into the glorious divine
presence of the Father, their sins will be consumed. Just as Jesus became "sin"
for us, taking sin into His own body, so the wicked retain their own sins in their
own bodies. The fire that destroys sin comes forth from within sinners and from
within Satan from the bodies where in sin resides in their minds and bodiies.
They are "joined to sin." Ye (unrepentant sinners) shall conceive chaff, ye shall
bring forth stubble: your breath, as fire, shall devour you. And the people shall
be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire"
(Isaiah 33:11, 12). Thou (Satan) hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of
thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from
the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the
earth in the sight of all them that behold thee (Eze 28:18).
· In one hour her judgment is come. When is the one hour period? Before the burning?
· In one hour Babylon has become desolate. Is this the same hour as her judgment?
· God has avenged someone on Babylon. God is not the avenger Satan is the
avenger. He will ultimately reap the consequences of his own devising and reap
an evil harvest. Satan has defiled Heaven, persecuted and murdered the
apostles and prophets. He will be destroyed as a consequence of clinging to his
own sins.
· How did God avenge heaven (the holy inhabitants - angels), the apostles and
prophets? God "balances the scales" by supplying divine interference. He will
protect holy heavenly beings from sin; He will protect His persecuted people on
earth from sin and from the consequents of the actions of the wicked people
which bring on the plagues. Christ, (the Son of God) will resurrect the righteous
prophets and apostles, covering them with His own righteousness and eternal
life. God will further protect them from their enemies when they attack the New
Jerusalem.
· How is Babylon thrown down? With violence. Babylon is a violent system. From
what this system sows it will reap the natural consequences. If violence is done,
violence will be returned to the one committing that violence.
· What does the mil stone represent? Inescapable death, destruction which results
as a consequence of sin (Romans 6:23).
(More thoughts in future updates)
311

Who Gets the Blame for the Plagues?
Plagues in Egypt
In contrast to the theory that God sent the plagues on Egypt, it is highly likely that the
plagues on Egypt resulted from a removal of divine protection and a consequent exposure
to severe natural disasters. Refer to Graham Phillip's book, "The Moses legacy the
Evidence of History, section on the plagues of Egypt.
(http://www.grahamphillips.net/Books/Moses.htm).45 Creditability is gained for this
theory from archaeological evidence researched by Egyptologist and ancient historian
David Rohl.
David Rohl's description of the early Hyksos invaders of Egypt, as portrayed in his book,
A Test of Time The Bible from Myth to History (1995:288-289), casts light on the
belief that God sent evil angels to destroy the Egyptians as the last plague just prior to the
Israelites' exodus. Apparently, after the 9 previous 'natural disasters,'46 the country of
Egypt was a "sitting duck" to other warlike tribes.
Psalm 78:49, 50,
"He (God) cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble,
by sending evil angels among them. (50) He made a way to his anger; he spared not their
soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;"
Of this verse David Rohl comments:
The context of this verse is that of God's final punishment following the
calamitous events of Exodus. Who then are the 'evil angels' sent by God
to destroy the Egyptians? Velikovsky again comes up with an interesting
observation. He notes that the phrase usually translated 'evil angels' is
malakhei-roim, but the literal translation would then be 'angel of evils.'
The correct Hebrew for 'evil angels' is malakhim-roim. Could it be that
here we have another textual corruption resulting from a
misunderstanding on the part of the redactor?47 If the Psalmist, who
original y composed this verse probably sometime in the tenth century BC,
was aware of the agents of God's punishment of the Egyptians, then he
would have written the verse as fol ows:
He loosed the full heat of his anger, fury and rage and destruction
by sending an invasion of king-shepherds against them.
The phrase 'king-shepherds' in biblical Hebrew is malakhei-roim."
"The 'Early Hyksos' invaders of Egypt were Amalekite tribesmen who
migrated through Sinai from northern Arabia. This marauding army met
the Israelites in battle during the Sinai wanderings. They settled at sites
such as Avaris in the eastern delta and drove the native Egyptian
pharaoahs back to their captial at Itj-Tawy in Upper Egypt. The Amalekite
warriors can be identified with the non-Egyptianised Asiatic newcomers
who occupied Avaris at the beginning of stratum F...."
45 Please note: By referring readers to Graham Phillips' material, the author does not wish to imply
that Graham Phillips' theories are also her own, but just that his theories and the evidence to
support the theories, are quite thought -provoking on the subject of the source of the Egyptian
plagues.
46 See Graham Phillips in "the Moses Legacy" who demonstrates how the plagues might well have
been the result of natural phenomenon which, without God's protection was able to cause
devastation to the Egyptians.
47 A "redactor" is someone who seeing information from a different perspective, revises or edits
information.
312

Another author, Alfred de Grazia, writes in God's Fire; Moses and the
Management of Exodus, writes:
"An immense gravitational-electric strain interrupted the Earth's
rotation. Earthquakes faulted the ground and fires broke out,
mingling with the electrical fires. In many areas most houses were
shattered. The pyramids stood the strains wel . They were an
excel ent solution in stone for shock-proof structures. They must
have been ablaze with Saint-Elmo's fire with great eyes of the gods
alight at their peaks, The eye at the peak of the pyramid is of this
age. (Thanks to the Masonic order, it may be found today on the
American dol ar bil .) Now the Earth prepared to tilt, in order to
decelerate less. A tilt of the axis wreaks less strain upon it than a
sudden slowdown of rotation or revolution [48] . An oblique
approach of the comet would also have contributed to the choice of
the tilt over the abrupt slowdown, since its electrical-gravitational pul
was at a sharp angle to the rotation. Whether it actual y tilted is a
highly debatable question, to which we address only a few remarks
in this book. We say here merely that the strain to tilt must have
occurred and had consequences. The question is not beyond the
capabilities of geophysics to resolve. A research team would obtain
a set of measurements showing the angles of stress of disturbed
monuments and geological features; it would postulate several
chronological settings; it would calculate a number of possible
movements of the crust resulting from combinations of decelerating
and tilting forces; and significant statistical correlations would be
computed. Tidal waves swept the coastal areas, and whenever the
land was flat, raged inland for many miles. If the Delta area of
Goshen was spared some of the disaster until some of the Hebrews
had left, it was a miracle, perhaps related to the preventive
measures that Moses and the leaders ordered. But Goshen may
have been overturned as the Hebrews were crossing the Sea of
Passage; a Jewish legend says that the cities they had built for the
Pharaoh col apsed."
Alfred de Grazia continues:
"Here again is what happened, told, now, from the Egyptian
viewpoint. It is taken from the papyrus of Ipuwer, an Egyptian writing
shortly after the Exodus (reference supplied). Velikovsky located it in
its true historical context, and independent sources have fixed the
same time for it (reference supplied).
'Forsooth, great and smal say: I wish I might die....
Would that there might be an end of men, no conception,
no birth! He who places his brother in the ground is
everywhere, There is not a house where there was not
one dead. The children of princes are dashed against the
wal ; The children of princes are cast out in the streets. It is
groaning that is throughout the land, mingled with
lamentations. 0 that the earth would cease from noise,
and tumult be no more! Years of noise. There is no end to
noise The land turns round as does a potter's wheel. The
towns are destroyed.' (quote continued over page)
313

"Upper Egypt has become dry. Al is ruin. The land is not
light. Gates, columns and wal s are consumed by fire The
fire has mounted up on high. Plague is throughout the land.
Blood is everywhere. The river is blood. Men shrink from
tasting and thirst after water. Hair has fal en out for
everybody. Women are barren; none can conceive. Trees are
destroyed. No fruit nor herbs are found. Grain has perished
on every side. Cattle are left to stray. The laws of the
judgement-hal are cast forth. The storehouse of the king is
the common property of everyone. Behold no craftsmen
work. A man strikes his brother. One uses violence against
another. If three men journey upon a road, they are found to
be two men; the greater number slay the less. Noble ladies
go hungry. She who looked at her face in water is possessor
of a mirror. Serfs become lords of serfs. The Desert is
throughout the land. A foreign tribe from abroad has come to
Egypt. There are none found to stand and protect
themselves. Enemies enter into the temples - weep. Woe is
me because of the misery of this time.'
Alfred de Grazia comments:
'We note here, in addition to the other plague evidence of the Bible,
complete social breakdown of a type never observable in modern
disasters, even at Hiroshima (where outside help came); prolonged
chaos, for Ipuwer has experienced weeks and months of it; a foreign
desert tribe has taken over the country and its temples; death is
everywhere; wobbling of the Earth, possibly the tilting axis slowly
coming to rest; fires mounting to the sky, consuming stone; radiation
disease (fal ing hair, women barren); al Upper Egypt affected as wel
as Lower Egypt. Ipuwer mentions the baffling death of his Pharaoh,
but much more detail is supplied, again from the Egyptian side,
particularly as to the manner of death of King Thoum. This is from
the inscribed stone of el-Arish [51] :
'The land was in great affliction... It was great upheaval in
the residence... Nobody left the palace during nine days,
and during these nine days of upheaval there was such a
tempest that neither the men nor the gods could see the
faces of their next.... His majesty went to battle against the
companions of Apopi [fierce god of darkness]. His majesty
[the culprits] finds on this place cal ed Pi-Kharoti. Now
even the majesty of Ra-Harmachis fought with the evil-
doers in this pool, the Place of the Whirlpool, the evil-doers
prevailed not over his majesty. His majesty leapt into the
so-cal ed Place of the Whirlpool.'
The el-Arish inscription reports that the King's son led a search party that
heard "al that happened... the combats of the King Thourn" and that the
prince was badly burned and his companions kil ed by a "blast." "The
children of Apopi... fel upon Egypt at the fal of darkness. They
conquered only to destroy." The prince fled the land in the face of the
invading Hyksos. Later "the air cooled off, and the countries dried."
http://grazian-archive.com/quantavolution/QuantaHTML/plaintext/gods_fire.txt
314

Mosiac Law - God Will Punish the Disobedient
Deuteronomy 8:19, 20
"And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and
serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shal surely perish.
(20) As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish;
because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God."
Deuteronomy 11:26-29
"Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; (27) A blessing, if ye obey the
commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: (28) And a curse,
if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the
way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. (29)
And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land
whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and
the curse upon mount Ebal."
Joshua 8:34
"And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to
all that is written in the book of the law."
Jeremiah 11:7-8
"For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the
land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice. (8)
Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of
their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I
commanded them to do; but they did them not."
Malachi 2:1-4
"And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. (2) If ye wil not hear, and if ye wil
not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a
curse upon you, and I wil curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because
ye do not lay it to heart. (3) Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your
faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it. (4) And
ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be
with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts."
315

Islam Allah Sends Punishment on the Disobedient
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,25689-1952823,00.html
The Times December 22, 2005
Tsunami was God's revenge for your wicked ways, women told From
Nick Meo in Aceh
MARLUDDIN JALIL, a Sharia judge who has ordered the punishment of
women for not wearing headscarves, was uncompromising: "The tsunami was
because of the sins of the people of Aceh. Thundering into a microphone at a
gathering of wives, he made clear where he felt the fault lay: "The Holy Koran
says that if women are good, then a country is good." A year after the
disaster which many see as a divine punishment, emboldened Islamic
hardliners are doing their best to eradicate sin -- and women are their prime
targets....The Wilayatul Hisbah, which loosely translates as "Control Team",
has arrested women, lopped off their hair, and paraded them in tears through
the streets while broadcasting their sins over a megaphone. More than 100
gamblers and drinkers -- men and women -- have been caned in public and
some clerics are cal ing for thieves' hands to be amputated....The Sharia
police say the tsunami happened because women ignored religion....."Sin
starts small and gets bigger," he said...."Another tsunami is possible," he said.
"The Holy Koran says that if humans don't listen to Allah they will be
punished." Copyright 2005 Times Newspapers Ltd.
Roman Catholic God Punishes the Wicked
New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07207a.htm
"Hel (infernus) in theological usage is a place of punishment after death."
Christians God Sends Punishment on the Disobedient
Robertson says Sharon's stroke is God's punishment
http://www.kare11.com/news/cooler_article.aspx?storyid=115851
"The Reverend Pat Robertson says Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's massive
stroke could be God's punishment for giving up Israeli territory....He noted
that former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated. Robertson
said God's message is, "This land belongs to me. You'd better leave it
alone" (Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press).
Jesus God Does Not Destroy
When Sinners Persistently Reject Him, God Withdraws His Presence (and
Protection) Leaving the Unprotected Vulnerable to their Enemies
When Roman soldiers sacked Jerusalem, was Jesus (or His Father) responsible for the
atrocities which were committed against the Israelite people? No. The enemies of God
performed these wicked acts.
Luke 19:41-44
"And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, (42) Saying, If thou
hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!
but now they are hid from thine eyes. (43) For the days shall come upon thee, that thine
enemies shal cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on
every side, (44) And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and
they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time
of thy visitation."
316

Jesus had wept over Jerusalem. He wanted to protect the city as a hen protects her
chickens, but the proud city had rejected Him. He was forced to "depart" and at that point,
the city became desolate - without God, without the Saviour and without divine protection.
Matthew 23:36-39; 24:1
"Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. (37) O Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how
often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens
under her wings, and ye would not! (38) Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
(39) For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, til ye shal say, Blessed is he that
cometh in the name of the Lord. (24.1) And Jesus went out, and departed from the
temple:"
Luke 9:52-56
"And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a vil age of the
Samaritans, to make ready for him. (53) And they did not receive him, because his face
was as though he would go to Jerusalem. (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? (55) But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye
know not what manner of spirit ye are of. (56) For the Son of man is not come to destroy
men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village."
In both the preceding examples, when Jesus experience rejection, He withdrew. He did
not punish, reprimand or curse those who would not receive Him.
By His example, Jesus taught that it is not in His Father's character to destroy sinners
either. Sinners choose to separate themselves from God. Then Satan and his wicked
angels use various means to destroy the unprotected sinners; they use supposed "acts of
God" - natural disasters and blame it on God. Evil angels inspire other human beings to
create warfare to destroy the unprotected also. This too is blamed on God.
To which category does the Mosiac law fit? Is the law of Moses to be seen as being in
harmony with Islamic faith and the supposed militant Christian faith which teaches that
God destroys; or does the Mosiac law fit in with the demonstration of Jesus Christ, the
Son of God who revealed that it is separation from God and leaving His protection
which causes destruction?
Summary
Unrepentant sinners wil reap eternal destruction, "for the wages of sin is death" (Romans
6:23). However, the destruction of sinners does not occur because a vengeful, hateful
Being (God) has "had enough," loses His temper and in a frenzied furious fit, violently
destroys sinners.
When sinners are final y destroyed, it wil simply be the result of sin coming into contact
with unveiled glorious divinity. Unveiled glorious divinity is "a consuming fire" to sin. On
contact with unveiled divinity, fire comes from within the sinner and the sin is consumed.
(Isa 33:11; Eze 28:18; Heb 12:29). The Father and Son do not take delight in the
destruction of the wicked (Ezekiel 33;11).
God's vengeance is not to be seen as human, selfish vengeance. God's vengeance is the
liberation of His people from their enemies. God removes His people at the second
coming and the rebels are left to reap the consequences of their own behaviour.
317

The wicked who are alive at the second coming of Christ, die a temporary death when
they are exposed to Christ's glorious unveiled divinity. The wicked are revived after 1000
years when Christ brings the righteous back to the earth in the New Jerusalem. Under
Satan's control, the wicked attempt to "charge" the New Jerusalem and to take it by force.
In a protective move not an aggressive move - Divinity rises to defend the redeemed.
The wicked cause their own permanent death for as they rush toward the city, they
encounter the glorious divine presence of unveiled divinity. Divine glory destroys sin
(Hebrews 12:29) and if humanity is joined to sin in a sinful body, it too will be destroyed.
God is a consuming fire to sin in every person (refer to Objection # 11). It would appear
to be far better to let God destroy the sin in our lives while humanity is still under His
protection, than to meet His divine presence - unprotected - when His righteousness will
destroy sin where ever it is found.
AT Jones, Review and Herald Jan, 24 & 31, 1899.
'Yet, what every one must understand is this: the only way that God does,
or can, separate anybody from sin is by that very consuming fire of his
presence. The only way, therefore, in which you and I can ever be so
separated from sin as to meet God as he is, in the flaming fire that he is,
in that great day, is to meet him TODAY as he is, in the consuming fire
that he is. The only way that we can be prepared to meet him at his
coming in that great day is to meet him in his coming today. For there is
a coming to men now , as really as to the world in that great day. 'I will
not leave you comfortless: I will COME TO YOU.' John 14:18. But do not
forget that whether he comes to you or to me now, or whether he comes
to other people in that great day, he comes only as a consuming fire.
318

Objections
1.
K
ill the Soul - (Matthew 10:28)
"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear
him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
Objection:
God has the power to destroy both soul and body in hell because if people cut themselves
off from Him, the Source of all Life, then they choose eternal death.
Answer:
Proverbs 8:36
"But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: al they that hate me love death."
In Matthew chapter 10, Jesus is saying, "Don't be concerned about what man can do to
you. The Father supplies your needs. Nothing can happen to you without the Father's
permission. Trust in the Father. He wil preserve your eternal life, despite what evil men
might do to your body." Similarly Jesus said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness and all these things wil be added unto you." (Matt 6:33). In similar tones,
Paul encourages, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom.8.31).
2.
Ete
rnal Life in the Scriptures - (John 5:39)
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they
which testify of me."
Objection: The Bible is the only true way to eternal life.
Answer:
Jesus told the Pharisees that they supposed they could find eternal life in the Scriptures.
The Pharisees already thought they had eternal life, through traditions and rituals. Christ
told them that the Scriptures revealed His messiahship. He continues:
John 5:45-47
"Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even
Moses, in whom ye trust. 46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for
he wrote of me. 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?"
Jesus knew that the Pharisees professed to believe in Moses' writings, but that in reality
they rejected what Moses had prophesied about the predicted arrival and birth of the
Messiah. The Jews denied that Christ was the Messiah. So the searching of the
Scriptures was only carried out to support their rituals and traditions.
Matthew 15:9
"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
Christ revealed the lie that eternal life does not come from the Scriptures. Knowledge that
Christ is the Son of God comes from the Scriptures, but eternal life comes only from
knowing Christ knowing His character. Christ also said:
John 6:63
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you,
they are spirit, and they are life."
Who is the Spoken Word the Logos - of God? (John 1:1) Who is the Wisdom of God?
(Proverbs 8:22). Who is the spirit of God? (Romans 8:9). It is Christ. Christ's words are
the spirit and they are eternal life. Christ's life, His words, His actions, His example, is the
key to our eternal life. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).
319

3.
G
od Kills and Wounds Deuteronomy 32:39
"See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make
alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand."
Other similar verses:
1 Samuel 2:6 "The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the
grave, and bringeth up."
Hosea 6:1, 2
"Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us;
he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. (2) After two days will he revive us: in
the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight."
Objection:
God has control of all parts of life. He gives life and he destroys.
Answer:
In the Hebrew culture in Caanan, the pagan religions taught that their gods were the
source of life and protection (Deut 32:38). The sun god was the chief source of life. The
fertility rituals appeased the gods and they blessed their worshippers with children, cattle,
crops and rain. The pagan gods were also thought to control the after-life. Reincarnation
was an essential part of the pagan religion, as it is stil today in the New Age Movement.
It is called "crossing over" to the other world.
The pagan gods were credited with winning battles. The Philistines thought that Dagon
delivered Samson into their hands (Judges 16:23).
In an endeavour to alert the Israelites to the fact that the pagan gods were not the source
of life, God tells them He is the source of al life. There is no other god who has the power
of life or who has inherent, immortal life in themselves. The absence of that life is death
(Exodus 20; Psa 68:20). In God is healing (Numbers 21:8,9). Without God or in the
absence of His Life - is only decay and death (Prov 8:36). God provides protection for
those who consent to give their allegiance to Him (Matt 23:37). Without God's protective
presence, humanity is defenceless against the forces of evil (Eph 6:12). God wounds the
enemies of His people. How does He do this? God puts a hedge around His people and
the evil schemes which are brought against them prove ineffective in separating them
from the love of God (Romans 8:39). However, the evil that the wicked planned to apply
to the righteous 'backfires' and the wicked are caught in their own snare ( Gal 6:7; Psa
64:7; Job 18:8).
Psalms 64:6-8
"They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of
every one of them, and the heart, is deep. 7 But God shal shoot at them with an arrow;
suddenly shal they be wounded. 8 So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon
themselves: al that see them shall flee away."
Job 18:8
"For he (a wicked man) is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare."
God works with the natural consequences of sin. You reap what you sow (Gal 6:7). God
terms this "wounding" the wicked, but it can be seen that the wicked wound themselves
and reap the evil results of what they have sown.
320

4.
A
ll Scripture is Inspired - 2 Timothy 3:16
Objection:
16All<3956> scripture<1124> is given by inspiration of God<2315>, and<2532> is
profitable(5624) for<4314> doctrine<1319>, for<4314> reproof<1650>, for<4314> correction<1882>,
for<4314> instruction<3809> in<1722> righteousness<1343>:
A
nswer:
All in Thayer's Greek Lexicon doesn't always mean "all." Sometimes, it means "some of
all types." Note the fol owing Biblical examples.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
#3956 pas "all" including all the forms of declension; ; adj
King James Version translates pas as "al " 748 times; al things 170, every 117, all men
41, whosoever 31, everyone 28, whole 12, all manner of 11, every man 11, no + <3756>
9, every thing 7, any 7, whatsoever 6, whosoever + <3739> + <302> 3, always + <1223>
3, daily + <2250> 2, any thing 2, no + <3361> 2, not translated 7, misc 26; 1243
1) individually
1a) each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, al things, everything
2) collectively
2a) some of all types
Scriptural Examples
..." the whole world has gone after him" (John 12:19) Did all the world go after Christ?
"then went all Judea, and were baptized of him in Jordan. (Matt 3:5,6) " Was all Judea, or
all Jerusalem, baptized in Jordan? "Ye are of God, little children", and the whole world
lieth in the wicked one" (1 John 5:19) . Does the whole world there mean everybody? The
words "whole" and "all" are used in some seven or eight senses in Scripture, and it is very
rarely the "all" means all persons, taken individually. The words are general y used to
signify that Christ has redeemed some of al sorts --some Jews, some Gentiles, some
rich, some poor, and has not restricted His redemption to either Jew or Gentile ... (C.H.
Spurgeon from a sermon on Particular Redemption).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
"2 Timothy 3:16 'All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.'
This sentence is not well translated. The original
should be rendered:
Every writing Divinely inspired is profitable for doctrine etc"
(end quote Adam Clarke)
All divinely inspired writing comes from God. This statement is definitely correct, but
not al writing that is said to be divinely inspired is divinely inspired! -It is not proof of
divine inspiration to have human beings col ect certain writings, put them into a book and
call it "The Divinely Inspired Writings." (Or they might cal it "the Holy Bible.") If the writing
is truly divinely inspired, then the thoughts expressed will reflect the holy character of
God. The divinely expressed writings wil not contradict the divinely originated 10
commandments! There is much in the Bible that is obviously divinely inspired because it
aligns with the 10 commandments, but there are also writings that are completely
opposed to God's law. Such writings cannot have originated from the mind of God, but like
1 John 5:7,8, these passages found their way into the Bible for political or doctrinal
reasons. Regardless of man's intentions, Satan would have encouraged the placement of
such passages to intentionally distort the character of God.
321

Ellen White states in Early Writings p 220
"I saw that God had especially guarded the Bible; yet when copies of it were few, learned
men had in some instances changed the words, thinking that they were making it
more plain, when in reality they were mystifying that which was plain, by causing it
to lean to their established views, which were governed by tradition."
It is widely accepted by archaelogists and historians, that the writers and editors who
reproduced the Old Testament down through the centuries prior to Hezekiah's time -
'adjusted' the Biblical texts to reflect their own particular theology and added these notes
to the Bible record (Who Wrote the Bible, Robert Beckford, Compass, ABC 9 April, 2006).
Could it be logically supposed that the personal views of the scribes, whose job it was to
copy the inspired books by hand not to alter them - were not strongly influenced by the
theology of the surrounding pagan nations and by their savage environment? The
evidence demonstrates that this type of editing certainly did occur.
The Torah (first five Old Testament books) originated from four sources. Each source
displayed the individual writer's prespective of God and His government, in much the
same way as Matthew, Mark, Luke and John describe four different accounts of the
gospel.
The four sources are:
1. Jaweh emotional God communicates directly with humanity.
2. Elohiym God communicates with men via the mediation of angels, through
dreams, the burning bush
3. Priestly God communicates with humanity through laws and sacrifices
4. Deuteronomic The dominant theme is that God must be worshipped as one God
- monotheistic religion.
(Who Wrote the Bible, Robert Beckford, Compass, ABC 9 April, 2006).
The additions and alterations to the Biblical record appear to have greatly confused and
effected our views on the One True God's character. If the writing is truly divinely
inspired, then the thoughts expressed wil reflect the holy character of God. The divinely
expressed writings will not contradict the divinely originated 10 commandments! There is
much in the Bible that is obviously divinely inspired because it aligns with the 10
commandments, but there are also writings that are completely opposed to God's law.
Such writings cannot have originated in the mind of God, but like 1 John 5:7,8, have been
erroneously "divine-ised." Perhaps this was done in a similar manner that Ellen White
describes in Review and Herald 25 March,1890 p 4 - through genuine error, human
weaknesses of character; or for political or doctrinal reasons. Whatever the human
reasons for adding to the divinely inspired writings, it is obvious that this work has
contributed to the distortion of the character of God.
The Bereans didn't accept a blind assertion that Paul's words were inspired. They
checked the prophecies to see if Jesus really was the Messiah. Christ through Isaiah
tells us how to determine which character concepts are inspired and which isn't inspired.
All writings relating to the character of God, must line up; every thought must line up with
the 10 commandment law and the testimony - the life of Jesus Christ.
Christians are not at liberty to "throw out the Old Testament!" Christians, in order to
demonstrate the true character of the Father to the world, are under obligation to line up
every Scripture and compare it with the life of Jesus.
322

Isaiah 8:20
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because
there is no light in them."
The law of God is His 10 commandments a transcript of His character; the foundation of
His government. The testimony is the True Witness - the life of Jesus Christ. God wil not
leave His obedient disciples in spiritual darkness or ignorance.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Isaiah 28:10:
For precept must be upon precept] The original is remarkably abrupt and
sententious. The hemistichs are these:-
latsav tsav latsav tsav ki
lakav kav lakav kav sham zeeir sham zeeir
For,-Command to command, command to command.
Line to line, line to line. A little there, a little there.
"Kimchi says tsav, precept, is used here for mitsvah, command, and is
used in no other place for it but here.tsav signifies a little precept, such as
is suited to the capacity of a child; see Isa 28:9. kav signifies the line that
a mason stretches out to build a layer of stones by. After one layer or
course is placed, he raises the line and builds another; thus the building is
by degrees regularly completed. This is the method of teaching children,
giving them such information as their narrow capacities can receive; and
thus the prophet dealt with the Israelites."
All writings, whether in the Bible or outside the Bible, need to undergo the ultimate test -
do they line up with the precepts set down in the 10 commandments and the testimony
(words and life) of Jesus Christ?
God wil not leave His truth-seeking disciples in ignorance.
John 7:17.
"If any man will do his will, he shal know of the doctrine, whether it be of God."

But, popular doctrines should not be accepted just because they are popular or orthodox
for this practice might lead to the acceptance of "doctrines of men" instead of God's law.
Matthew 15:9
"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
Exodus 23:2
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil."
The position held by the majority is not always correct. Some majorities "do evil" based
on their incorrect doctrinal positions.
John 16:2
"They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth
you will think that he doeth God service."
Followers of Jesus need to study AND to ask God to reveal to them how to correctly
understand His character from the revelations in the Bible.
Isaiah 28:10
"For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line;
here a little, and there a little."
323

2 Timothy 2:15
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth."
According to Thayer's Greek Lexicon, the phrase translated "righly dividing" (#3718)
means to "teach truth directly and correctly."
All correct doctrine is founded on Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18) not on the faulty
perceptions of human beings.
Doug Batchelor uses an illustration concerning another subject, but which is helpful in this
context also.
When a young man in the army and was away from home for a long time, the mother
would often go to the son's photo and kiss it. The photo made her feel closer to her son.
However, as soon as the son arrived back home, would the mother meet him at the door,
but then turn away to kiss the son's photo? Of course not! She would kiss and embrace
her son not his photo.
In the same way, before God sent His Son to the world, humanity did not have even a true
photo of God. They possessed perhaps a "black and white sketch" in the writings of the
prophets. Then the Father sent His Son and the world saw the glory (the true character)
of "the image of God" veiled in human flesh. Humanity saw a "full colour photo" of the
Father's character in Jesus.
John 1 : 16,17, (Syriac translation)
"For the law was given by Moses, but the reality came by Jesus Christ."
We need to understand that our concept of God's character has likely become corrupted
by the doctrines and traditions of men; and by dedicated, but erring human beings who try
to explain their perception of God's character.
We need to focus again on the perfect reflection of God's character as il uminated by the
Son of God Himself.
324

It is interesting that the Islamic religion also claims that every word from its Holy Book, the
Qur'an was also completely inspired and protected by Allah.
"The Qur'an ("Qor-Ann") is a Message from Allah to humanity. It was
transmitted to us in a chain starting from the Almighty Himself (swt) to the
angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad (saas). This message was given
to the Prophet (saas) in pieces over a period spanning approximately 23
years (610 CE to 622 CE). The Prophet (saas) was 40 years old when the
Qur'an began to be revealed to him, and he was 63 when the revelation
was completed. The language of the original message was Arabic, but it
has been translated into many other languages. The Qur'an is one leg of
two which form the basis of Islam. The second leg is the Sunnah of the
Prophet (saas). What makes the Qur'an different from the Sunnah is
primarily its form. Unlike the Sunnah, the Qur'an is quite literally the Word of
Allah, whereas the Sunnah was inspired by Allah but the wording and
actions are the Prophet's. The Qur'an has not been expressed using any
human's words. Its wording is letter for letter fixed by no one but Allah.
Prophet Muhammad (saas) was the final Messenger of Allah to humanity,
and therefore the Qur'an is the last Message which Allah has sent to us. Its
predecessors such as the Torah, Psalms, and Gospels have al been
superceded. It is an obligation - and blessing - for al who hear of the Qur'an
and Islam to investigate it and evaluate it for themselves. Allah has
guaranteed that He wil protect the Qur'an from human tampering, and
today's readers can find exact copies of it al over the world. The Qur'an of
today is the same as the Qur'an revealed to Muhammad (saas)."
University of Southern California USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim
Texts: http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/
How will the world know which inspired writings are the writings of the One True God? A
Christian might consider that al writing, divinely inspired must speak according to the
word and testimony of Jesus Christ who lived according to the divine principles of
righteousness.
Hebrews 1:1-3
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the
fathers by the prophets, (2) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,
whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (3)
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and
upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our
sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.."
325

5. H
oly Men of God Spake - (2 Peter 1:20, 21)
2 Peter 1:19-2:2
"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as
unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your
hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men
of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2:1 But there were false prophets
also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shal
bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon
themselves swift destruction. 2:2 And many shall fol ow their pernicious ways; by reason
of whom the way of truth shal be evil spoken of."
Objection:
Everything that God related to holy men who wrote the Bible, is truth.
Answer:
There is no question that everything which comes from God is absolutely correct and
truthful. When God conveys any message, it is truth. It is faultless. When God instructs
a prophet with a dream or vision or special message, then we can trust that God has
spoken truth to the prophet. The question is, "How do we determine IF a prophecy
comes from God? How do we know that a message has its origin with God and not
with man, or the anti-christ?
All statements, messages, prophecies, spirits must be tested.
1 John 3:24 - 1John 4:1
"And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we
know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. 4:1 Beloved, believe not
every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are
gone out into the world."
Against which standard should all statements, messages, prophecies and spirits be
tested?
Isaiah 8:20
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not ac
cording to thi
s w
ord, it is because
there is no light in them."
In the New Testament, the same principle is outlined by Paul to the Corinthian believers.
If two or three prophets suggested that they had a "message from the Lord" then Paul
exhorts the older prophets, (experienced men) to examine the message prior to
accepting it as being from the Lord - to see if it aligns and harmonises with the truth that
has already been established by God in the past. This truth is the 10 commandments
given by the Lord God Himself and written with His own finger and spoken aloud in His
own voice (Exodus 20). If the "new" prophecy did not harmonise with God's
commandments then God would be the author of confusion and Paul warns against falling
into the error of suggesting that God's character is contradictory.

1 Corinthians 14:29
"Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. (30) If any thing be revealed
to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. (31) For ye may al prophesy one by
one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. (32) And the spirits of the prophets are
subject to the prophets. (33) For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all
churches of the saints."
326

Please note what the verses (2 Peter 1:21, 22) do state and what they do not state. They
state that all prophecy is given by God, and al prophecy is inspired by God. Peter does
not state that all the activities listed in the Bible were commanded by God and inspired by
God.
The Bible records that there were many false prophets among the Israelites, claiming to
have a message "from the Lord" but those prophets lied to the people.
Jeremiah 14:14; 23:25-27, 31, 32
"Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not,
neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false
vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart. 15 Therefore
thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them
not... 23:25 I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I
have dreamed, I have dreamed. 26 How long shal this be in the heart of the prophets
that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; 27 Which think
to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his
neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.... 31 Behold, I am against
the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues... 32 Behold, I am against them that
prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tel them, and cause my people to err by
their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they
shal not profit this people at al , saith the LORD."
Ezekiel 13:16
"To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see
visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD."
Micah 3:5
Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err..."
Jeremiah 28:9
"The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to
pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him."
Clearly some instructions that were said to have been given as a "Thus saith the Lord,"
are not in harmony with God's own expressed 10 commandment laws ( Numbers 31:17).
The commandment supposedly given by "the Lord" to the Hebrew people, ordering them
to kill men, women and infant children, but to keep the virgins for themselves, is clearly in
conflict with the other inspired writings that do align with the 10 commandments the
commandments that teach us how to love God and how to love to humanity.
Proverbs 24:17
"Rejoice not when thine enemy fal eth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth."
When a prophet professes to receive a message from the One True God, the spirit
(thoughts and concepts) of that prophet needs to be tested by the law of the One True
God the God who is Love.
1 John 5:2, 3
"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his
commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his
commandments are not grievous."
327

Ellen White demonstrates the fact that even "holy men of God" can speak and yet have
their own personalities and preconceived ideas might effect the accuracy of their writings.
Review and Herald 25 March,1890 p 4
"I am the vine, ye are the branches," said Jesus. We do not half understand
the preciousness of this lesson; we must learn more and more the significance
of these words. We need our eyes anointed that we may see the light of truth.
We must not think, "Well, we have al the truth, we understand the main pillars
of our faith, and we may rest on this knowledge." The truth is an advancing
truth, and we must walk in the increasing light. A brother asked, "Sister
White, do you think we must understand the truth for ourselves? Why
can we not take the truths that others have gathered together, and
believe them because they have investigated the subjects, and then we
shall be free to go on without the taxing of the powers of the mind in the
investigation of all these subjects? Do you not think that these men who
have brought out the truth in the past were inspired of God?" I dare not
say they were not led of God, for Christ leads into all truth; but when it
comes to inspiration in the fullest sense of the word, I answer, No. I
believe that God has given them a work to do, but if they are
not fully consecrated to God at all times, they will weave self
and their peculiar traits of character into what they are doing,
and will put their mold upon the work, and fashion men in
religious experience after their own pattern. It is dangerous for us to
make flesh our arm. We should lean upon the arm of infinite power. God
has been revealing this to us for years. We must have living faith in our
hearts, and reach out for larger knowledge and more advanced light."
Ellen White differentiates between "inspired" and "led by God." She states that "inspired,
in the fullest sense of the word" is different to being "led by God." In the fullest sense of
the word, "inspired" refers to prophecy which was given to human beings directly from
the Lord. Other writings might have merit, but prophecy, visions and other direct
communications from God are "inspired" in the highest sense.
If it was possible that "men led of God" in 1890, were able to "put their own mold upon the
work" and to "weave self and their peculiar traits of character" into what they were doing,
is it not possible that the same could be said of the "men of God" who fashioned the
writings known as the Holy Bible? Not all writings in the Bible were prophecy (or as Ellen
White states inspired in the fullest sense of the word). The prophecies were ful y
inspired and direct communications from God. Other writings the Bible might logical y
have been at risk of having the writer's "peculiar traits of character" woven into them.
Ellen White demonstrates that even those who wrote the Bible could err in judgment.
Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) p 213, para 2
"The disciples themselves yet cherished a regard for the ceremonial law, and were too
wil ing to make concessions, hoping by so doing to gain the confidence of their
countrymen, remove their prejudice, and win them to faith in Christ as the world's
Redeemer. Paul's great object in visiting Jerusalem was to conciliate the church of
Palestine. So long as they continued to cherish prejudice against him, they were
constantly working to counteract his influence. He felt that if he could by any lawful
concession on his part win them to the truth, he would remove a very great obstacle to the
success of the gospel in other places. But he was not authorized of God to concede
so much as they had asked. This concession was not in harmony with his
teachings, nor with the firm integrity of his character. His advisers were not
infallible. Though some of these men wrote under the inspiration of the Spirit of
God, yet when not under its direct influence they sometimes erred."
328

Again, in the following quote, Ellen White portrays a similar problem with divine character
being tainted with human traits.
Gospel Workers, 1892 p 319
"He was giving them an opportunity to become acquainted with him, and to see the
marked contrast between his life and teachings and those of the Pharisees. As
professed followers of Christ, we have much to learn. There is with many an icy
chil iness, a reserve like that of the Pharisees, that must be broken down. They are not
wil ing to become learners, but, like the Pharisees, desire to be dictators, teachers. God
sent his Son to give his people a better knowledge of the truth, to show them the
best way to help their fellow-men. But the Pharisees refused to receive the divine
instruction. They thought that Christ was too liberal. His ways did not agree with
theirs; and instead of seeking to come into harmony with Christ, they sought to
bring Christ into harmony with them. While he differed from them so widely, his
influence would, they thought, lessen theirs, and would counteract their teachings. In
order to carry out their own purposes, they set themselves in opposition to Christ, and
thus brought darkness upon themselves."
Review and Herald, 29 August, 1899 p 5
"As we trace the course pursued by the scribes and Pharisees, and see the light and
privileges granted them, we are led to inquire, How could those teachers read the word of
God without perceiving the truths which it teaches? Upon these men was placed the
responsibility of explaining the law in the synagogue; but Christ declared, "Ye do err, not
knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God." Ye teach for doctrine the commandments
of men. The sayings of men, coming down through the rabbis from age to age, had
molded their religious worship. Traditions were constantly increasing, which kept the mind
in a state of questioning and controversy over the most trivial matters. New laws were
constantly being enacted, and the people were taught to regard them as the
requirements of God, until a mechanical service became the sum of their religion
and their worship. Many of these laws were not committed to writing, and exaction
after exaction was added until a most unreasonable mass of maxims and fables
was brought together. He who attempted to bring forward scriptures that conflicted
with these laws and traditions, was condemned as if he had refused to accept a
"Thus saith the Lord." This education of the rabbis was well-pleasing to Satan; for
through them he was preparing the way so that when Christ should come to the
world, he would be rejected by his own nation."
Signs of the Times, 20 March, 1901 p4
"The men who have the oracles of God not only break the law themselves but teach
those who would investigate and obey the light to do the same. The men who claim
to be teachers deceive the people, as did the leaders in Israel in Christ's day. He,
the great Teacher, was in the world; He was the light of the world; but Satan
interposed his hellish shadow between Him and the souls whom Christ came to
save. When accused by the Pharisees, He said, 'Ye make void the law of God by
your tradition.' 'Ye teach for doctrines the commandments of men.' Again He said
to those so-called teachers, 'Ye are both ignorant of the Scriptures and the power
of God."
On the road to Emmaus, Christ demonstrated which writings were vital for
humanity to study. It was the typical law and the prophecies which identified Him
as the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God.
329

Signs of the Times, 6 October, 1909 p 7,8
"Jesus did not first reveal Himself in His true character to them, and then open the
Scriptures to their minds; for He knew that they would be so overjoyed to see Him again,
risen from the dead, that their souls would be satisfied. They would not hunger for the
sacred truths which He wished to impress indelibly upon their minds, that they might
impart them to others, who should in their turn spread the precious knowledge, until
thousands of people should receive the light given that day to the despairing disciples as
they journeyed to Emmaus. He maintained His disguise till He had interpreted the
Scriptures, and had led them to an intelligent faith in His life, His character, His
mission to earth, and His death and resurrection. He wished the truth to take firm
root in their minds, not because it was supported by His personal testimony, but
because the typical law, and the prophets of the Old Testament, agreeing with the
facts of His life and death, presented unquestionable evidence of that truth."
Summary
Hebrews 1:1
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by
the prophets, (2) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son...."
The author does not deny that 'in times past, God spoke through the prophets.' However,
it is of concern to find that some prophets were not instructed by God or were not
speaking the words given them by God eg. Baalim, Barjesus (Jer 6:13; 8:10:14:14-16;
Lam 2:14; Matt 7:15-20; 24:11, 24; Mk 13:22; Luke 6:26; Acts 13:6; 2 Pet 2:1; 1 John 4:1).
How are these false prophets identified so that their messages can be prevented from
causing confusion to the people of God? Christians need to be able to differentiate which
words are spurious from those which did in fact, 'proceed from the mouth of God.'
That holy men of God spake as they were moved with the thoughts of the Son of God is
not in question. That every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God is absolute truth,
is not contested. Jesus quoted from MANY of the Old Testament Scriptures, thus
sanctioning them. Jesus fulfilled and thus sanctioned the Messianic prophecies which
revealed that He was the Messiah. He sanctioned the 10 commandment laws and quoted
from Deut 6:5 and Lev 19:18 establishing the law's two great principles upon which
hang all the law and the prophets. By these words, Jesus assured us that IF any law was
from God, it would be in harmony with those two principles - of love to God; and love to
humanity.
The vital question is, "Did al the words now found in the Old Testament, (which were said
by the Jewish leaders to have proceeded from the mouth of God), actually originate from
God - or were some words enhanced by Jewish leaders (perhaps to enable religo-political
control) which they then authorised by saying that "God" instructed them to perform?
From the Old Testament it can be seen that great legitimacy was applied to 'commands'
that were said to have been given by God through Moses or Joshua - and the opportunity
for enormous political 'clout' which such a belief imparted to theocratic (religio-political)
governments, cannot be ignored.
With such potential for obviousl political abuse, how can Christians be sure that a certain
writing or words, originated from the mouth/mind of God?
Isaiah 8:20 reminds us that if ANYONE speaks NOT according to THIS word the law
and testimony of God then there is no light in those words.
"This Word." To what does the term, "this word" does refer?
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It refers to the Word which proceeded from God.
Revelation 19:13 says that Christ is the Word of God.
Revelation 19:13
"And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of
God."
John 1:1
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
Ellen White states that Christ is the thought of God made audible.
Desire of Ages, 1898, p 19
"By coming to dwell with us, Jesus was to reveal God both to men and to angels. He was
the Word of God,--God's thought made audible."
It is Christ's life - His pure, loving words and actions - which constitute the true Word of
God. The Bible itself is not the Word of God. God related truths to the prophets, in
particular, truths to demonstrate through prophecy that the Son of God was the true
messiah, but the Word of God is the title given to Jesus Himself (Rev 19:13, John 1:1)
According to the Bible itself, Jesus Christ is the Word of God. It is His life - which is
comprised of His actions and words of truth which are recorded in the Bible - but it is
Christ the Son of God who is the ony Word of God.
1 John 1:1
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our
eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (2)
For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you
that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us; (3) That which
we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fel owship with us:
and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."
In the New Testament, Christ Jesus Himself the Word of God - confirmed that the
principles found in Isaiah 8:20, (to the law and to the testimony) is the solution to this on-
going dilemna.
Matthew 7:15
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are
ravening wolves. (16) Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns,
or figs of thistles? (17) Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree
bringeth forth evil fruit. (18) A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt
tree bring forth good fruit. (19) Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down,
and cast into the fire. (20) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
A true prophet's message and life will be in harmony with the law and the testimony. The
'fruit' or works of a true prophet and his/her message, wil give evidence that such a
person upholds the law of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Therefore, no true
prophet will ever state that God has commanded them to instruct others to murder or kil
their enemies.
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6.
T
he Old and the New Testaments are Infallible
Objections:
(a) I stand firmly on the entire Old and New Testaments;
(b) Jesus said in John 55:46,47 "For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed
me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my
words?"
Answer:
(a) I stand firmly on the entire Old and New Testaments
The statement is made: "I stand firmly on the entire Old and New Testaments," but that
statement generates a question: Why? Shouldn't the Christian's faith be anchored in
Christ? It is Christ's character that is the 10 commandments in very essence. Both the
Old and New Testaments are recognised as sacred if the principles they uphold and
demonstrate the Messiahship of Christ, His character and that of His Father as declared
in the 10 commandments.
Hebrews 1:1-3
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the
fathers by the prophets, (2) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,
whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (3)
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and
upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our
sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.."
Was Christ a commandment-keeper, as He claimed to be? (John 15:10) Or was He, in
His pre-incarnated form, a commandment-breaker who commanded others to break His
law also (Numbers 31)?
To insist that Christ was responsible for the massacres in the Old Testament is to accuse
Christ of attacking the very foundation of His Father's government.
Is it safe to put faith in a being who breaks his own laws or is such a faith misplaced?
Putting faith in an inanimate object is placing faith in an idol. Some Biblical verses apear
to claim that God sanctions murder. In other places it insists that God does not break His
commandments. Isn't the evidence that supports the supposition that God keeps His
laws, stronger than those which claim He breaks them?
Regarding Moses:
(b) John 5:45-47
"Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even
Moses, in whom ye trust. (46) For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me:
for he wrote of me. (47) But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?"
In this instance, Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees. The passage is quite often
misinterpreted as if Jesus was sanctioning ALL of Moses' writings, but this is definitely not
the case. The only Mosaic writings which Jesus sanctioned in these specific verses, were
those which prophesied of His coming as the Messiah.
Jesus said the Jewish leaders trusted in Moses. The Jews claimed to believe in every
word written by Moses, much as some devout Christians claim to believe in all the Old
and New Testaments. But Moses, under the spirit of Christ, had received prophesies
concerning the coming of Jesus as the Messiah. When Jesus came, the Jews rejected
Him as the Messiah - in spite of Moses' prophetic evidence to the contrary (Gen 49:10;
Deut 8:18).
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The divinely inspired prophetic writings were ignored by the Pharisees. The Jews
trusted that a legalistic religion the Mosaic rites and ceremonies- a works gospel -
would save them, but they wouldn't accept Moses' teachings and trust in the Messiah to
whom the prophesies pointed.
Christ was stating that the Jews were rejecting the divinely inspired prophecies that
revealed Him to be the Messiah. He was not stating that the Jews had difficulty accepting
Moses' "legalised" (supposedly divine) command to murder, rape, and commit genocide
recorded as history in the same Mosaic writing. These sins were no problem for the
Jewish leaders. 'Legalised' commandment-breaking was not difficult for them. The
Pharisees had made legalised sinning an art form. They accepted the violent Hebrew's
history as normal and were proud of their ancestors' conquests. But Jesus told them that
they did the works of their father the devil (John 8:44) and that they did not know His
Father's character (John 8:55). Jesus condemned their legalised sinning.
Matthew 23:27, 28
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres,
which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all
uncleanness. (28) Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye
are full of hypocrisy and iniquity."
These verses can not be used to show that Jesus gave support to all the writings in the
books of Moses. Jesus regularly gave support to the divinely inspired prophecies and
the 10 commandment law in the Old Testament, but it is not demonstrated that Christ
endorsed the evil commandment-breaking commands that were supposedly given by
Himself prior to His incarnation. To such suggestions, Christ rebukes. "Ye know not what
manner of spirit ye are of" (Luke 9:55).
There is no question that God inspired the Old Testament writings which uphold the 10
commandments and the prophecies identifying the Son of God as the Messiah. This is
the value of the Old Testament emphasised by Ellen White.
Ellen White, 2 Spirit of Prophecy, p 254, 255
"The Saviour inquired of his disciples if they understood these things.
They answered, 'Yea, Lord. Then said he unto them, Therefore every
scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a man
that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new
and old.' In this parable, Jesus presented before his disciples the
responsibility of those whose work it is to give to the world the light which
they have received from him. The Old Testament was al the Scripture
then in existence; but it was not written merely for the ancients; it was for
al ages and for al people. Jesus would have the teachers of his
doctrine diligently search the Old Testament for that light which
establishes his identity as the Messiah foretold in prophecy, and
reveals the nature of his mission to the world. The Old and the New
Testament are inseparable, for both are the teachings of Christ. The
doctrine of the Jews, who accept only the Old Testament, is not unto
salvation, since they reject the Saviour whose life and ministry was a
fulfillment of the law and the prophecies. And the doctrine of those
who discard the Old Testament is not unto salvation, because it
rejects that which is direct testimony of Christ. Skeptics begin with
discounting upon the Old Testament, and it takes but another step to deny
the validity of the New, and thus both are rejected. (p 255) The Jews have
little influence over the Christian world in showing them the importance of
the commandments, including the binding law of the Sabbath, because in
bringing forth the old treasures of truth, they throw aside the new ones
in the personal teachings of Jesus." (Ellen White statement is
continued over page)
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(Ellen White continued)
"On the other hand, the strongest reason why Christians fail to influence
the Jews to accept the teachings of Christ as the language of divine
wisdom, is because, in bringing forth the treasures of his word, they treat
with contempt the riches of the Old Testament, which are the earlier
teachings of the Son of God, through Moses. They reject the law
proclaimed from Sinai, and the Sabbath of the fourth commandment,
instituted in the garden of Eden. But the minister of the gospel, who
follows the teachings of Christ, will gain a thorough knowledge of both the
Old and the New Testament, that he may present them in their true light to
the people an inseparable whole--the one depending upon and
il uminating the other. Thus, as Jesus instructed his disciples, they will
bring forth from their treasure 'things new and old.'"
The value in the Old Testament was that the prophecies verified beyond any shadow of
doubt, that Jesus was indeed the Messiah the Son of God. Christ repeated admonished
the disciples to refer to the prophecies of the Old Testament to determine whether or not
He fulfil ed the Messianic predictions. On this basis, Christ led them to become
established on the truth that He was the true Messiah.
Another important feature of the Old Testament which Christ endorsed, was the law of
God. In the New Testament, Christ quoted from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18
thus sanctioning those principles which required love to God and love to one's fellowman.
Matthew 22:36-40
"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? (37) Jesus said unto him, Thou
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
(38) This is the first and great commandment. (39) And the second is like unto it, Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (40) On these two commandments hang al the law
and the prophets."
Jesus demonstrated that His Father's law the 10 commandments - is the embodiment of
His Father's holy character.
Furthermore, Jesus stated that God's love is freely given to al people - both the evil and
the good friend and enemy - regardless of their spiritual al egiance.
Matthew 5:44, 45
"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 despiteful y use you, and persecute you; (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."
If the Old Testament contains anything that contradicts these great commandments, then
perhaps Ellen White's insight can suggest how that situation arose.
However, Ellen White also states in Early Writings p 220:
"I saw that God had especial y guarded the Bible; yet when copies of it
were few, learned men had in some instances changed the words,
thinking that they were making it more plain, when in reality they
were mystifying that which was plain, by causing it to lean to their
established views, which were governed by tradition."
It is widely accepted by archaelogists and historians, that the writers and editors who
reproduced the Old Testament down through the centuries prior to Hezekiah's time -
'adjusted' the Biblical texts to reflect their own particular theology and added these notes
to the Bible record (Who Wrote the Bible, Robert Beckford, Compass, ABC 9 April, 2006).
334

Could it be logically supposed that the personal views of the scribes, whose job it was to
copy the inspired books by hand not to alter them - were not strongly influenced by the
theology of the surrounding pagan nations and by their savage environment? The
evidence demonstrates that this type of editing certainly did occur.
It is widely accepted that 1 John 5:7,8 was added because many historians agreed on
this fact. However, should Christians take the word of scholars, theologians and
historians as being "gospel truth?" NO! Even if scholars, theolgians and historians agree
that some writing is divinely inspired, Christians are repeatedly warned not to put trust in
human beings but to evaluate all writings according to the 10 commandments of love.
The Torah (first five Old Testament books) originated from four sources. Each source
displayed the individual writer's prespective of God and His government, in much the
same way as Matthew, Mark, Luke and John describe four different accounts of the
gospel.
The four sources are:
1. Jaweh emotional God communicates directly with humanity.
2. Elohiym God communicates with men via the mediation of angels, through
dreams, the burning bush
3. Priestly God communicates with humanity through laws and sacrifices
4. Deuteronomic The dominant theme is that God must be worshipped as one God
- monotheistic religion.
The research appears to reveal that by 700 BC most of the Old Testament was written
down although the book of Psalms was recorded in its present form later - by 586 BC.
(Who Wrote the Bible, Robert Beckford, Compass, ABC 9 April, 2006).
The additions and alterations to the Biblical record appear to have greatly confused and
effected our views on the One True God's character. If the writing is truly divinely
inspired, then the thoughts expressed wil reflect the holy character of God. The divinely
expressed writings will not contradict the divinely originated 10 commandments! There is
much in the Bible that is obviously divinely inspired because it aligns with the 10
commandments, but there are also writings that are completely opposed to God's law.
Such writings cannot have originated in the mind of God, but like 1 John 5:7,8, have been
erroneously "divine-ised." Perhaps this was done in a similar manner that Ellen White
describes in Review and Herald 25 March,1890 p 4 - through genuine error, human
weaknesses of character; or for political or doctrinal reasons. Whatever the human
reasons for adding to the divinely inspired writings, it is obvious that this work has to
caused distortion to the character of God.
The Bereans didn't accept a blind assertion that Paul's words were inspired. They
checked the prophecies to see if Jesus really was the Messiah. Christ through Isaiah
tells us how to determine which character concepts are inspired and which isn't inspired.
All writings relating to the character of God, must line up; every thought must line up with
the 10 commandment law and the testimony - the life of Jesus Christ.
335

Please Consider
If the famous interpolation 1 John 5:7,8 found its way into the Bible, can we be sure
that no other verses were added or altered over the centuries? Wasn't God
carefully guarding the Bible? Of course He was! But then how did 1 John 5:7,8 get
into it? God guarded His Bible by making sure that His truth was still to be found in
the Bible, despite it being buried in erroneous human thinking. Such uninspired
writings are not profitable for doctrine as it attempts to put the devil's evil traits
onto the pure character of the Father and Son.
How can we tell if other texts are added to the Bible? How can we tel if some other
writers added their own distorted views to the Bible record?
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
2 Timothy 3:16. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. This sentence is
not well translated. The original
should be rendered:
Every writing Divinely inspired is profitable for doctrine etc"
(end quote Adam Clarke)
All divinely inspired writing comes from God. This statement is definitely correct, but
not al writing that is said to be divinely inspired is divinely inspired! -It is not proof of
divine inspiration to have human beings collect certain writings, put them into a book and
cal it "The Divinely Inspired Writings." (Or they might cal it "the Holy Bible.") If the writing
is truly divinely inspired, then the thoughts expressed wil reflect the holy character of
God. The divinely expressed writings will not contradict the divinely originated 10
commandments! There is much in the Bible that is obviously divinely inspired because it
aligns with the 10 commandments, but there are also writings that are completely
opposed to God's law. Such writings cannot have originated from the mind of God, but
like 1 John 5:7,8, these passages found their way into the Bible for political or doctrinal
reasons. Regardless of man's intentions, Satan would have encouraged the placement of
such passages to intentional y distort the character of God.
Christ prophesied that the time was coming when people would think that breaking the
commandments of God would please Him.
John 16:2, 3
"They shal put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth
you will think that he doeth God service. (3) And these things wil they do unto you,
because they have not known the Father, nor me."
Jesus prophesied that some people who think they know the Father and Son will think
that killing people would please God. The 'wise man' Solomon says, "There is nothing
new under the sun." For centuries, the ancient Israelites were killing thousands of people,
(called pagans - heretics) thinking it would please God.
Jesus said, if you know the Father and Son, then you won't kill. "If you love me, (you will)
keep my commandments.... as I kept My Father's commandments (John 14:15; 15:10).
Did Jesus lie when He said He kept His Father's commandments or did He only mean He
kept His Father's commandments when He lived on earth as a human being? If Christ
ordered and assisted the Hebrews to destroy other nations, then He did not keep His
Father's law prior to the incarnation. The faith that overcomes the world is not in any
inanimate object. The Word of God is not a "thing" - He is a commandment-keeping
divine Person.
336

Ellen White appears to make some significant comments in The EG White 1888 Materials
p 526, 527; MS Rel #1037 (MS 25, 9 Jan, 1890). She states that when Christ came to the
earth as a human being, He recognised that the truth about God's character had been
"buried and had apparently become extinct." It was "placed in a framework of error" and
"disconnected from its true position."
The Jewish religious leaders, despite being in possession of the Old Testament scrolls,
and despite having committed it to memory and teaching the books of Moses to their
youth, despite having all that knowledge, Christ recognised that they did not possess the
"gems of truth." For this reason, Christ endeavoured to bring the essential truths about
God's character to the minds of the people. Ellen White, from the same manuscript,
reveals a significant teaching strategy which Christ employed to achieve His tutorial goal.
The EG White 1888 Materials p 526, 527; MS Rel #1037 (MS 25, 9 Jan, 1890)
"As Christ presented these truths to minds, He broke up their
accustomed train of thought as little as possible. Nevertheless a new
and transforming economy of truth must be woven into their experience.
He therefore aroused their minds by presenting truth through the agency
of their most familiar associations. He used il ustrations in His teaching
which called into activity their most hallowed recollections and
sympathies, that he might reach the innner temple of the soul." 48
It can be easily seen that Ellen White's comment harmonises with Christ' own statement
that He could not reveal all the truth to the disciples as they "could not bear it."
John 16:12
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now."
Paul also recognised that instructing others requires a 'holding back' and regulated
release of the 'gems' of truth, which if given 'all in one go' would have a negative, perhaps
disillusionary effect on the seekers of truth.
48 The full quote from the EG White 1888 Materials Vol 2. p 526, 527; Manuscript Release
#1037 (MS 25, 9 January, 1890) reads as fol ows:
"Christ was the originator of all the ancient gems of truth. Through the work of
the enemy these truths had been displaced. They had been disconnected from
their true position, and placed in the framework of error. Christ's work was to
readjust and establish the precious gems in the framework of truth. The
principles of truth which had been given by Himself to bless the world had,
through Satan's agency, been buried and had apparently become extinct.
Christ rescued them from ther rubbish of error, gave them a new, vital force, and
commanded them to shine as precious jewels, and stand fast forever. Christ
Himself could use any of these old truths without borrowing the smallest particle,
for He had originated them all. He had cast them into the minds and thoughts of
each generation, and when He came to our world He rearranged and vitalized
the truths which had become dead, making them more forcible for the benefit of
future generations. It was Jesus Christ who had the power of rescuing the
truths from the rubbish, and again giving them to the eworld with more than their
original freshness and power. As Christ presented these truths to mind, He
broke up their accustomed train of thought as little as possible. Nevertheless a
new and transforming economy of truth must be woven into their experience.
He therefore aroused their minds by presenting truth through the agency of their
most familiar associations. He used il ustrations in His teaching which cal ed
into activity their most hallowed recol ections and sympathies, that he might
reach the innner temple of the soul."
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1 Corinthians 3:1, 2
"And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as
unto babes in Christ. (2) I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were
not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able."
It appears likely, according to Christ's own words, Paul's teaching strategies and Ellen
White's statements, that Christ purposely did not expose and confront all the false beliefs
which the people held as truth. Instead Christ endeavoured to establish correct concepts
of God's character initially and then as the believers were converted by recognising the
love of God, they would grow spiritually and be able to 'bear' more 'cutting away' of their
errors and be open to receiving more othe the true gems of truth. Christ promised that the
holy spirit of God would lead them into all truth (John 16:13).
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Who Decided Which Writings Were Inspired by God?
As Ellen White (in Early Writings p 220) and the Bible itself warns that to find truth, the
Bible student must dig deeply as for buried treasure (Matthew 13:44) linking line upon
line and precept upon precept; here a little there a little' (Isaiah 28:9, 10), until it al
harmonises as a perfect chain which uphold the foundational principles of God's
government the 10 commandments which express infinite, unselfish love. According to
Ellen White, anything else can be safely discarded.
Ellen White, Pacific Union Recorder, 31 December, 1903
"I am instructed to say to our people, Let us follow Christ. We may safely discard
all ideas that are not included in His teachings."
The Old Testament
It is accepted that Christ definitely authorised certain passages of the Old Testament
scriptures. These passages are primarily those which were prophetic and which predicted
certain aspects of the Messiah and the moral law of God. But, aside from these
numerous passages which Jesus confirmed Himself and by indeed being the promised
Messiah, how 'sacred' is the Old Testament record?
Jeffrey H. Tigay from the University of Pennsylvania, in an article dated 13 October, 1999,
called, The Bible "Codes": A Textual Perspective comments:
" It is not that we lack good texts. All forms of the Tanakh used today are
forms of what is known as the Masoretic Text, abbreviated "MT," named
after the medieval scholars (the Masoretes) who labored for several
centuries to produce the most accurate text they could. The MT in use
today is based on Masoretic manuscripts of the ninth and tenth centuries
C.E., themselves based on older manuscripts. It has been largely
unchanged since late Second Temple times (ca. the third century B.C.E.,
as reflected in the earliest of the Dead Sea scrolls from Qumran)."
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/~jtigay/codetext.html
The article below is taken from The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious
Knowledge, Edited by Samuel Macauley Jackson (New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1908-
1912).
"The extant Hebrew text of the Old Testament text is commonly cal ed the
Masoretic, to distinguish it from the text of the ancient versions as well as
from the Hebrew text of former ages. This Masoretic text does not
present the original form but a text which within a certain period was
fixed by Jewish scholars as the correct and only authoritative one.
When and how this official Masoretic text was fixed was formerly a matter
of controversy, especially during the seventeenth century. One party
headed by the Buxtorfs (father and son), in the interest of the view of
inspiration then prevalent, held to the absolute completeness and
infal ibility, and hence the exclusive value, of the Masoretic text. They
attributed it to Ezra and the men of the Great Synagogue, who, under the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit, were supposed to have purified the text from
all accumulated error; added the vowel points, the accents, and other
punctuation-marks (thus settling the reading and pronunciation); fixed the
canon; made the right division into verses, paragraphs, and books; and,
final y, by the providence of God and the care of the Jews, the text
thus made was believed to have been kept from all error, and to
present the veritable Word of God. This view of the text prevailed
especially when Protestant scholasticism was at its height, and may be
designated as the orthodox Protestant position." http://www.bible-
researcher.com/hebrewtext.html
339

John H. Skilton, The Transmission of the Hebrew Text
"The text of our Hebrew Bible goes back, first of all, to the Masoretes, a
succession of Jewish scholars, notably connected with a school at
Tiberias, whose painstaking work on the text began about A.D. 600 or
before. The Masoretes introduced into the text an intricate system of
accent and vowel notations. Since the Hebrew alphabet was entirely
consonantal and since in earlier times no full-fledged system of vowel
notation had been employed in the manuscripts, readers had been
required to supply vowels to the text. The Masoretes also provided notes
on the text, notes of such abundance and detail that from them alone it is
possible to a considerable extent to reconstruct the text. 9 They
mentioned even what they regarded as unusual accents, vowel points,
and spelling. They recorded a number of variant readings -- on the
average of about one to a page of a printed Hebrew Old Testament 10 --
and they made reference to eighteen corrections attributed to the scribes
before them. 11 But the Masoretes did not originate the Hebrew traditional
text. 12 They received from their predecessors a text already traditional
which they treated with great reverence. Their high regard for the text that
had come down to them is evidenced by their placing in the margin
readings which they believed to be correct and leaving the text itself
unaltered. The Masoretes were heirs of the text in use when the Talmud
was written, a text which, as is clear from the Talmud itself, had previously
been in a relatively fixed condition....We may be confident, according to
Albright, that the consonantal text of the Hebrew Bible has been
transmitted with remarkable accuracy. He maintains that the Masoretic
text of the earlier books of the Bible can be fol owed back to the
Babylonian Exile, when he believes they were edited. After the Exile,
he holds, these fixed texts were taken back to Palestine. There the
consonantal text was copied and transmitted with exceptional fidelity.... "
.http://www.bible-researcher.com/skilton1.html#28
Menachem Cohen, Professor of Bible, Bar-Ilan University; Director, Miqraot Gedolot
HaKeter Project writes in The Idea of the Sanctity of the Biblical Text and the Science
of Textual Criticism:
"The Hebrew vorlage of the Septuagint text-type was undoubtedly used by
the Jews of Alexandria in the late centuries BCE, as this was the version
chosen for the Greek translation. The ..."Samaritan text-type" found at
Qumran was also common in the Land of Israel, adopted by the
Samaritans who added their ideological changes to that version. It can
also now be proven beyond doubt that the author of Chronicles used a
version of Samuel different from the MT and closer to the Lucianic version
of the Septuagint, whose Hebrew prototype was found at Qumran. All the
evidence we possess points to textual pluralism in the Second
Temple era, as opposed to the notion of a single sacred consonantal
text as later conceived. ... There are several signs that Pharisaic circles
attempted to reject the multiple text-types long before the destruction of
the Temple, while at Qumran there are no such signs until close to the
destruction of the Temple, when the sect ceased to exist..... It can be said
that the unification of the text was hastened by two parallel processes: (1)
rejection and removal of "deviant" text-types like the Septuagint and the
Samaritan texts, which left the MT as the single legitimate text-type; (2)
the formulation of one particular consonantal text and its prevalence in as
wide a circle of transmission as possible. A realistic examination of
matters shows that the first process was the main cause for the relatively
sudden and swift changeover to the single-text-type reality; the second
process rapidly spread the notion of a sacred consonantal text, but it did
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not succeed in uprooting the variety of sub-types which existed within the
MT framework even before an official text was fixed. The battle between
the Authorized Text or the textus receptus and other shadings of this text-
type continued another 1,500 years, until the era of print. "
http://cs.anu.edu.au/~bdm/dilugim/opinions/CohenArt/
Net Ministries (1996):
"It is not known how the original collection process happened, although
there is reference to the early collections of books, and the authors of the
books in the Babylonian Talmud. Apparently various books were accepted
as scripture by the early rabbis and gathered for reading and study in the
synagogue. Scripture was determined based on the fact that the author
was considered to be a prophet, that is under the influence of the Holy
Spirit. This fact was accepted by Jesus as evidenced by his use of the Old
Testament. The term 'Old Testament' makes sense only to Christians,
who declare that there is indeed a 'New Testament'. Although much of the
'Holy Scriptures of Judaism' are the same as the Old Testament, they are
not identical. Aside from the order of the books being different, there are
additional books included in the Roman Catholic Old Testament canon,
the 'reformed' Old Testament canon, and the Orthodox collection. This
uncertainty about what is part of the Old Testament still exists today,
although some official canons were declared over the past centuries. In
170 A.D., Melito of Sardis declared the collections of Jewish scriptures
found in the Jerusalem church to be the official OT canon for Asia Minor.
This also became the OT canon for the Egyptian church. But later, in 348,
Cyril of Jerusalem, declared the OT canon to additional y include the book
of Baruch, and the Letter of Jeremiah. The African churches at the synods
of 393 (Hippo) and 397 (Carthage), had an enlarged collection of books
which include what we today call the 'deutero-canonical' books of the
Roman Catholic Church. Protestant churches rejected this canon however
accepting only the Scriptures of Judaism."
http://netministries.org/Bbasics/BBOOrig.htm

Sir Godfrey Driver, Introduction to the Old Testament ot the New English Bible

"Very few manuscripts are said to have survived the destruction of
Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Soon after that disaster, therefore, the Jewish
religious leaders set about defining the canon and finally standardizing
the text. This last process went on for many centuries and resulted in the
production of an eclectic text based on arbitrary rather than scientific
principles. This was the Massoretic (so called from the Hebrew
massorah, 'tradition') or traditional text found in all Hebrew Bibles....The
Old Testament consists of a collection of works composed at various
times from the twelfth to the second century B.C.; and much of it, e.g.
genealogies, poems and stories, must have been handed down by word
of mouth for many generations. It contains, however, scattered
references to written texts; but how extensive or widely current these may
have been cannot be said, as no manuscripts have survived from the
period before the destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation of the
Jews into exile in 587/6 B.C. The text therefore is not infrequently
uncertain and its meaning obscure."
http://www.bible-
researcher.com/driver1.html
It can be seen that even by the time of the second Temple, there were various renditions
of the sacred text. Jesus obviously recognised which sections were authentic and chose
to quote and confirm those passages which coincidentally, harmonise with the 10
commandments, the Messianic prophecies and the loving character of God.
341

The New Testament
While the New Testament is much more recent than the writings of the Old Testament, a
glance at the historical record reveals that even the New Testament was not without
threat from editors.
Ellen White, Early Writings p 220
"I saw that God had especially guarded the Bible; yet when copies of it were few, learned
men had in some instances changed the words, thinking that they were making it
more plain, when in reality they were mystifying that which was plain, by causing it
to lean to their established views, which were governed by tradition."
From an excerpt from The Bible the Book the Bridges the Millennia, Maxine Clarke
Beach (1998) outlines the formation of the Holy Bible the canonised Scripture.
"The early church made decisions about which writings should be
considered authoritative first in local councils of elders, and later, as the
church became institutional, through councils of bishops. Criteria used
for selection of texts included o
rthodoxy,
a postolic origin,
g
eneral
a cceptance by the churches,
and whether they had been c ited by
b
ishops. The earliest list we know of Christian books judged as Scripture
is the Muratorian Canon from the late second century. Its stated
criterion is that a book must be suitable for reading in church.
This canon did not include the letter to the Hebrews or those we know as
James, 3 John, and perhaps 1 and 2 Peter. ...By A.D. 200 there was
general agreement by the major Christian communities on the core of our
New Testament canon: the four Gospels, Acts, Paul's epistles, 1 Peter,
and 1 John. By the late fourth century, the twenty-seven books we now
have had been general y accepted, with Revelation the last and most
controversial...."
It is interesting to note that Athanasius, the man who introduced the doctrine of the trinity
into the church, was the very same man who took it upon himself to declare which
writings were canonical (i.e. divinely inspired) and which were not inspired. In short,
Athanasius declared which writings were able to be considered as part of the New
Testament Bible. Prior to Athanasius' decree, al sacred writings had been determined by
investigating whether they were upholding Godly principles e.g. Its stated criterion is
that a book must be suitable for reading in church. Why should that criteria
be suspect today? Why should Christians believe Athanasius that the
books belonging to the Arians or semi-Arian "heretics," were not divinely
inspired messages from God?
Bishop Athanasius of Alexandria was born around 293 AD in Alexandria and he died in
373 AD. He was the 'saint' who was made famous by triumphantly introducing the
doctrine of the trinity, vanquishing the Arian (and semi-Arian) opposition. Athanasius was
the defender of the trinity doctrine.
The Arians and Semi-arians were persecuted and kil ed as heretics for holding a non-
trinitarian position, which prior to the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, had been the orthodox
position i.e. the non-trinitarian position which was held by the majority of the population.
(Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Vol 3 p 627, 628).
342

Arians believed that:
"the son is not unbegotten, nor part of the unbegotten in any way, nor is
he derived from any substance; but that by his own will and counsel he
existed before times and ages fully God, only-begotten, unchangeable.
And before he was begotten or created or appointed or established, he
did not exist; for he was not begotten. We are persecuted because we
say the Son has a beginning, but God is without beginning. For that
reason we are persecuted and because we say that he is from what is
not. And this we say because he is neither part of God nor derived from
any substance. For this we are persecuted." Letter written by Arius to
Eusebius, Bishop of Nicomedia in 312 AD.
Herbert Krosney, in The Last Gospel, (2006) p 200-201 writes:
Athanasius dedicated his life to the fight against whoever or whatever
would undo the work of the Council of Nicea. He was arrested and sent
into exile three times. He experienced thirty years of conflict and
instability as different forces fought for supremacy within Christianity.
Within this context of turbulence between 330 and 380 (AD) the final
framework of the Christian canon crystallized. It represented a significant
step toward a denined body of holy literature that was recognzied by all
Christians. Athanasius played the critical role in achieving this
unified vision. In his thirty-nith festal letter, written in 367, he basical y
defined what was acceptable and what was not. He gave a stamp of
approval to the New Testament, as it was already general y formulated."
Maxine Clarke Beach (1998) comments on Athanasius' role in selecting the 'inspired
writings of the Bible.'
In his Festal Letter for A.D. 367, St. Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, was
the first to list the twenty-seven canonical books of the New Testament.
He.... claimed that "in these alone is the teaching of true religion
proclaimed as good news; let no one add to these or take anything from
them." He distinguished canonical from apocryphal...By A.D. 400 these
twenty-seven books were generally accepted as Christian Scripture,
although no official action was taken by the church until 1546. The canon
was not actually formally ratified until the Council of Trent, when the
Roman Catholic Church was fine-tuning its teachings and beliefs in
reaction to the Protestant Reformation. Protestants have accepted
this canon, without the Apocryphal books, by common consent.
....for some 400 years after the life of Jesus the church was still
determining what would be the normative texts." http://gbgm-
umc.org/umw/bible/canonselect.html
Glenn Davis, also comments on the manner in which the New Testament, under the
authority of Athanasius, came to be accepted as exclusively sacred.
"Saint Athanasius, theologian, ecclesiastical statesman, and Egyptian
national leader, was the chief defender of Christian orthodoxy in the
4th-century battle against Arianism... Athanasius attended the Council
of Nicaea (325) and shortly thereafter became bishop of Alexandria
(328). For the rest of his life he was engaged in theological and political
struggles with the Emperor and with Arian churchmen. It was an
ancient custom for the bishop of Alexandria to write, if possible, every
year soon after Epiphany a so-called Festal Epistle to the Egyptian
churches and monasteries under his authority, in which he informed
them of the date of Easter and the beginning of the Lenten fast. By
fixing the date of Easter, this yearly epistle fixed also the dates of all
343

Christian festivals of the year. In view of the reputation of Alexandrian
scholars who were devoted to astronomical calculations, it is not
surprising that other parts of Christendom should eventually come to
rely on the Egyptian Church for information concerning the date of
Easter, made available to the Western Church through the bishop of
Rome, and to the Syrian Church through the bishop of Antioch.
http://www.ntcanon.org/Athanasius.shtml
From Athanasius' 39th Festal Letter in the year 367:(AD)
'Since, however, we have spoken of the heretics as dead but of
ourselves as possessors of the divine writings unto salvation,
and since I am afraid that -- as Paul has written to the Corinthians
[2 Cor. 11:3] -- some guileless persons may be led astray from
their purity and holiness by the craftiness of certain men and
begin thereafter to pay attention to other books, the so-called
apocryphal writings, being deceived by their possession of the
same names as the genuine books, I therefore exhort you to
patience when, out of regard to the Church's need and benefit, I
mention in my letter matters with which you are acquainted. It
being my intention to mention these matters, I shall, for the
commendation of my venture, follow the example of the
evangelist Luke and say [cf. Luke 1:1-4]: Since some have taken
in hand to set in order for themselves the so-called apocrypha
and to mingle them with the God-inspired scripture, concerning
which we have attained to a sure persuasion, according to what
the original eye-witness and ministers of the word have delivered
unto our fathers, I also, having been urged by true brethren and
having investigated the matter from the beginning, have decided
to set forth in order the writings that have been put in the canon,
that have been handed down and confirmed as divine, in order
that every one who has been led astray may condemn his
seducers, and that every one who has remained stainless may
rejoice, being again reminded of that.' ... In them alone is the
doctrine of piety proclaimed. Let no one add anything to them or take
anything away from them... But for the sake of greater accuracy I add,
being constrained to write, that there are also other books besides
these, which have not indeed been put in the canon, but have been
appointed by the Fathers as reading-matter for those who have just
come forward and which to be instructed in the doctrine of piety: the
Wisdom of Solomon, the Wisdom of Sirach, Esther, Judith, Tobias, the
so-called Teaching [Didache] of the Apostles, and the Shepherd. And
although, beloved, the former are in the canon and the latter serve as
reading matter, yet mention is nowhere made of the apocrypha; rather
they are a fabrication of the heretics, who write them down when it
pleases them and generously assign to them an early date of
composition in order that they may be able to draw upon them as
supposedly ancient writings and have in them occasion to deceive the
guileless." http://www.ntcanon.org/Athanasius.shtml
Athanasius considered certain additional books to be worthy of reading for instruction in
the doctrine of piety. It might be accepted that he considered them 'not as inspired' as the
other 'sacred writings,' which he declared constituted the New Testament 'Word of God'
based on their acceptance and use by other bishops.
344

Questions
·
What creditability does Athanasius possess that Christians readily accept his
decision?
·
Why should Christians place unswerving confidence in the Egyptian bishop's
selection of what he considered was the 'only inspired' writings to make up the New
Testament?
·
Why should Christians rely on the clergy, instead of God, to instruct them?
·
Was Athanasius' wisdom, spiritual discernment and decision trustworthy?
·
What were the fruits of Athanasius' character?
Recall that Athanasius:
·
was involved in theological and political struggles with the Roman Emperor;49
·
prayed that "rather than the church be disgraced, that Arius might die;" 50
·
persecuted heretics (non-trinitarians i.e. Arians and semi-Arians);
·
determined that heretics considered other writings to be inspired - which he
rejected. Perhaps the rejected writings (which Athanasius labelled as 'heresies')
were of a distinctly non-trinitarian nature ;
·
determined the dates (from the moon's position) upon which the churches of the
empires would celebrate the pagan Easter festival and all other church feasts;
·
·
was beatified (recognised as a saint) because of his service to the Roman church
the system which inflicted the '1260 years of persecution' upon God's people;
·
considered writings were inspired on the basis that church leaders' already
approved of them; and
·
was not a prophet and does not appear to have been given special divine insight.
49 Emperor Constantine denounced Athanasius as "proud, turbulent, obstinate and
intractable." Encyclopedia Britannica
50 The Arians, under the authority of the emperor, threatened that the next day, Sunday,
they would force their way into the church, , and compel the admission of Arius to full
membership in good and regular standing. Upon this, the Athanasian party took refuse
in 'prayer;' the bishop prayed earnestly that, rather than the church should be so
disgraced, Arius might die; and naturally enough, Arius died on the evening of the same
day. In Constantinople, where men were familiar with Asiatic crimes, there was more
than a suspicion of poison. But when Alexander's party proclaimed that his prayer had
been answered, they forgot what then that prayer must have been and that the difference
is little between praying for the death of a man and compassing it. (Draper, 'Intellectual
Development of Europe,' p 358; cited by Lynnford Beachy, in The Formulation of the
Doctrine of the Trinity p 15 www.presenttruth.info )
345

Were the transcripts which the ancient Jewish leaders and Athanasius declared to be
exclusively, divinely inspired, without error?
Barry Setterfield, in Creation and Catastrophe Chronology, (1999) in section titled,
Comparing NT Quotations of the OT, comments:
"Ezra and Nehemia are usual y accredited with assembling the original,
complete Old Testament around 440 BC. These writings became known
as the 'Vorlage Text'51 of the Old Testament in paleo-Hebrew. With time,
the Vorlage gave rise to three 'recensions.' The first of these was the
Samaritan Pentateuch (SP), again in paleo-Hebrew about 408BC. The
second recension was the Septuagint Greek (LXX) which was translated
from the Vorlage Test about 250 BC by 72 Jewish scholars in Alexandria.
The third recension was the Masoretic Hebrew Text re-written in square
'modern' Hebrew characters at the Council of Jamnia around 100 BC with
vowel points added around 900AD. In "Our Bible and the Ancient
Manusacripts" p 49, authored by Eyre and Spottiswoode, London, Sir
Frederick Kenyon commented that this dual procedure could easily be '
one considerable source of corruption' in the MT [Masoretic Text]
....Confirmatory evidence of the acceptance of the LXX as an accurate
reflection of the Vorlage comes from the NT quotes by Christ and the
Apostles from the OT. Compare, for example, Christ's quote of Psalm 8:2
in Matthew 21:16 or the Apostle Paul's quote of Hosea 13:14 in 1
Corinthians 15:55, or his quote from Isaiah 64:4 in 1 Corinthians 2:9. From
such comparision it is obvious that the NT quotes almost exactly follow the
LXX. By contrast, when the NT quote is compared with our modern OT we
find our OT version is deviant. It is significant that our OT is translated from
the MT (Masoretic text). Some differences can have major implications
such as Paul's quote in Hebrews 1:6 of Deuteronomy 32:43 from the
Vorlage. There he argues that Messiah had to be Divine. Paul writes:
"But again, when He brings the first begotten into the world, He says, 'And
let all the angels of God worship him.' On checking that Deuteronomy
passage in the AV or NKJV, we find that Paul's important quotation on
Messiah's Divinity is simply not there! It is omitted on the MT, but is still
recorded in the LXX just as Paul quotes it. In fact the MT omits another
significant part of that verse as the LXX goes on to say of Messiah: 'and let
all the sons of God strengthen themselves in him.' The LXX thus
seems to be at least a more complete translation of the Vorlage
Pentateuch" (Barry Setterfield: Creation and Catastrophe Chronology,
1999).
It is not the author's aim to suggest that the Old Testament prophetic passages are not
divinely inspired, or that the Masoretic Text is not generally reflective of the earliest
manuscripts which have been dated from the first century BC, however, it must be noted
that some errors through copying are present and that by comparing all the existing
manuscripts it can be seen that some errors have been introduced. The errors are
obviously not God's words, but those of men who translated or copied the sacred
writings.52
51 "The Vorlage Text is quoted in scrolls from Qumran and Masada written prior to the Council
of Jamnia. After that Council, the Jews used the new Masoretic Text exclusively and
destroyed all other versions. But Christ, the Apostles and Josephus all quote from the
Vorlage, and its LXX translation as did the Church Fathers. In most matters, the differences
between the texts are usually relatively minor, however the chronologies have some
significant differences."
52 For an interesting article on the copied mistranslations in the Bible, refer to "Encyclopedia of
Bible Difficulties" by Gleason L Archer p 19-44
http://lambsound.com/Reading/books/Bible%20Difficulties.pdf
346

Ellen White, Early Writings p 220
"I saw that God had especially guarded the Bible; yet when copies of it were few, learned
men had in some instances changed the words, thinking that they were making it
more plain, when in reality they were mystifying that which was plain, by causing it
to lean to their established views, which were governed by tradition."
When Jesus quoted from the Old Testament, He clearly endorsed those passages
of Scripture written by the prophets who predicted His coming as the Messiah.
Thus the credibility of the Messianic prophecies are clearly established by Christ
Himself. Further Christ endorsed the great principles of the law of God (Matthew 5)
which revealed the unchangeableness of God's loving character, despite the
erroneous traditional beliefs which the Jewish religion had unknowingly absorbed.
Christ often and repeatedly contrasted the Jewish leaders beliefs with the truth
about His Father's character which He demonstrated through parables and by
quoting relevant passages from the Old Testament.
Summary
These preceding factors certainly appear to need careful consideration, but God's people
need not fear being deceived. Jesus promised that He would instruct His people, through
His spirit. Jesus declared that no other human intercessor was or is required to lead His
people into al truth.
John 16:13
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall
not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he wil show
you things to come."
Prior to the giving of the 10 commandments on Mt Sinai, God's people were aware of His
laws and His character (e.g. Enoch walked with God Genesis 5:22-24).
Today, when every wind of doctrine is blowing, God can still be relied upon to lead His
people. His still smal voice still speaks through human consciences. The 144,000 will
have their Father's name His character written in their foreheads. They wil be taught
of the Lord; will know their God and reflect His character perfectly (Rev 14:1;Isa 54:13;
Dan 11:32). They wil know which writings reflect the character of God as they are tested
by the great standard the law of God as seen in the faith and character of Jesus.
347

7.
Pa
rable of the Vineyard
Objection: Didn't Jesus teach an angry God in His parables? Luke's gospel appears to
do so.
Luke 20:14-16
"But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is
the heir: come, let us kil him, that the inheritance may be ours. 15 So they cast him out
of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto
them? 16 He shal come and destroy these husbandmen, and shal give the vineyard to
others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid."
Answer:
One is left wondering why the Pharisees would remark "God forbid" if the vineyard was
taken from them for killing the heir. Having the vineyard "taken from them" would be the
expected, logical response to murdering the heir. This response was in keeping with
Jewish tradition given as the accepted treatment of murderers, but the Pharisees appear
to react as if in shock.
However, Matthew's gospel reveals why the Pharisees were shocked.
Matthew 21:38-42
"But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir;
come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. 39 And they caught him, and
cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. 40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard
cometh, what wil he do unto those husbandmen? 41 They say unto him, He wil
miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen,
which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. 42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never
read in the scriptures..."
Acts of the Apostles, p 174
"The Saviour Himself, during His earthly ministry, foretold the spread of the gospel among
the Gentiles. In the parable of the vineyard He declared to the impenitent Jews, "The
kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits
thereof" (Matthew 21:43).
The Pharisees who were convinced that the Father was an angry, vengeful Being. They
stated this belief to Christ, that God would destroy those who opposed Him. Then,
realising that they had already condemned themselves, the Jewish leaders, as
represented by the guilty husbandmen, the Pharisees reacted in shock. "God forbid."
Jesus did not teach that God was like the vineyard owner who would "miserably destroy
those wicked men" - that was the expressed belief of the Pharisees of the character of
the Father. The Pharisees were convinced that the Father was an angry, vengeful Being.
348

8.
T
he Parable of the Wedding Garment
Matthew 22:11-13
"And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a
wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having
a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants,
Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall
be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Objection:
The parable of the wedding garment teaches that God personally inflicts punishments on
the wicked.
Answer:
Notice that in this parable, the Father calls the self-righteous guest "Friend." Jesus also
called Judas, the traitor, "Friend." (Matthew 26:50).
The wedding feast is obviously a parallel of the judgment scene. The Jews had traditional
attire that was meant for public festivals. They wore long white robes. Those guests who
dared attend the festival with any other kind of garment were not only highly offensive to
the host, but were considered worthy of punishment. The organiser of the festival invited
the guests prepared a wedding garment for them to wear (while at the festival). On his
arrival, the guest would be given the garment by the organiser. This custom meant that
the wedding guest who wore his own garment must have refused the special garment
prepared just for him by the organiser. This was considered extremely insulting
behaviour. It was purposely performed with the knowledge that it would insult the host.
He could have obtained a wedding garment if he had asked for and accepted it from the
organiser of the festival.
It is interesting that the texts from Zephaniah speaks about a garment, kings and guests.
Zephaniah 1:7-9
"Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for
the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests. 8 And it shal come to pass
in the day of the LORD'S sacrifice, that I wil punish the princes, and the king's children,
and all such as are clothed with strange apparel. 9 In the same day also will I punish al
those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit."
God forces no man to wear the garment to accept Christ's righteousness. But the
natural consequence of refusing the wedding garment is that the guest will be excluded
form the heavenly marriage feast. The guest was bound hand and foot. Sin binds
everyone so they can't escape. The man was taken into darkness. The unrepentant sinner
wil likewise be bound outside the New Jerusalem, with the devil and His angels and
THAT situation wil cause much sadness and grief. God is not making the pain and grief.
It is the absence of God that causes negative consequences. That is simply what
happens when people choose to sin. Sin brings forth or results in death.
349

9.
O
ther Parables of Jesus
Objection:
In the life of Christ that there is an active process of judgment portrayed by Him. In
John15:6 the branch that is withered is cast onto the fire. The branch symbolises the
professor of Christianity whose does not have a living connection with Christ. He doesn't
say that the withered branch falls off into a fire below. Rather they are cast into the fire in
a deliberate process. Similarly in Matthew 13:30, the tares are bound into bundles to burn.
In Matthew 13:41 we read, "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shal
gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall
cast them into a furnace of fire: there shal be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Again in
Matthew 13:47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the
sea, and gathered of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat
down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49 So shall it be at the
end of the world: the angels shal come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shal be wailing and gnashing of
teeth." These are the words of Jesus. This is in harmony with the actions of Jesus
recorded in the Old Testament where judgements are made against the wicked.
Answer:
As demonstrated in these parables of Jesus, there is a separation of wicked from those
made righteous. There is no argument that an executive judgment wil take place and that
sinners will be destroyed. People make their own choices about whom they will serve.
(Review the three ways that sinners can be destroyed depending on the time frame. i.e.
which judgment is specified.).
These verses speak of Christ's third coming to the earth at the time of the executive
judgment not the second coming or the investigative judgment. (see Isaiah 33:10-12.
The investigative judgment separation - has already taken place. With the investigative
judgment already completed, and the separation clearly made between God's people and
Satan's followers, the decision is made that the spirit of God will be withdrawn from the
wicked. However, the righteous remained filled with the spirit of Christ.
Sinners chose their own destiny. All humanity has the freedom to choose and they are
warned of the results of the their decisions.
Jeremiah 21:8
"And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the
way of life, and the way of death. "
There certainly wil be agony of body and spirit when the wicked realise they are eternally
lost and that they will soon suffer the second death in the eternal fire of destruction. But
holy angels do not cast the wicked into the fire. The fire comes from inside the wicked
themselves when they come into contact with unveiled glory of holy divinity as per the
example given by Ezekiel and Isaiah:
Ezekiel 28:18
"Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy
traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee,
and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee." .
Isaiah 33:10-12
"Now wil I rise, saith the LORD; now will I be exalted; now wil I lift up myself. 11 Ye shall
conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath, as fire, shall devour you. 12
And the people shal be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in
the fire."
The "flame" that destroyed the Amorites came from within their own stronghold.
350

Numbers 21:28 (prophesied by Moses)
"For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed
Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon."
Amos 2:2 (prophesied by Amos)
"But I wil send a fire upon Moab, and it shal devour the palaces of Kirioth: and Moab
shal die with tumult, with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet:"
Jeremiah 48:45 (commenting on the Mosiac prophecy)
45They that fled<05127>(8801) stood<05975>(8804) under the shadow<06738> of
Heshbon<02809> because of the force<03581>: but a fire<0784> shal come
forth<03318>(8804) out of Heshbon<02809>, and a flame<03852> from the midst<0996>
of Sihon<05511>, and shall devour<0398>(8799) the corner<06285> of Moab<04124>,
and the crown of the head<06936> of the tumultuous<07588> ones<01121>.
Heshbon means " stronghold." The capital city of the Amorites, which was Sihon, was
referred to as their stronghold. The same term was also used to refer to the Amorite king.
In contrast, another OT passage in the pre-Christian era records a different methodology
for the destruction of the wicked. This record was written by an author who was "looking
through a veil" - without the benefit of a knowledge of God through Christ (2 Cor 3:12-4:2).
Deuteronomy 20:16-18
"But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an
inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: 17 But thou shalt utterly destroy
them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the
Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee: 18 That they
teach you not to do after al their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so
should ye sin against the LORD your God."
In the Old Testament, people suffered death when they chose to separate themselves
from God not because God became "out of control and wrathful" - as the Jewish religion
pictured Him. Despite claims to the contrary, God did not in fact, command the
Israelites to annihilate the wicked. God had instructed the Jewish nation through
Moses, that He would drive the wicked out of the land by confusing them with a loud noise
and with hornets.
Exodus 23:27
I wil send <7971>(8762) my fear <terror - 0367> before<06440> thee, and will destroy<
to move noisily, confuse, make a noise - 02000>(8804) all the people<05971> to whom
thou shalt come<0935>(8799), and I wil make<05414>(8804) all thine
enemies<0341>(8802) turn their backs<06203> unto thee. (backs: Heb. neck)
Strong's Hebrew Concordance:
#2000 hamam haw-mam' a primitive root (compare 1949, 1993); properly, to put in
commotion; by implication, to disturb, drive, destroy:--break, consume, crush, destroy,
discomfit, trouble, vex. see HEBREW for 01949 see HEBREW for 01993
Brown-Driver-Briggs' Hebrew Lexicon
1) to move noisily, confuse, make a noise, discomfit, break, consume, crush,
destroy, trouble, vex 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to move noisily 1a2) to confuse, discomfit, vex
The Israelites rarely grasped this divine promise and it appears that the nation came to
believe that THEY would be the active agents in destroying the inhabitants of their
promised land Caanan, through military force, with divine assistance and divine
justification.
However, this was not God's strategy, but a faulty human strategy.
351

God said he would cause a loud noise which would confuse the idolaters who would then
retreat, deserting their land. No bloodshed was necessary. Certainly the Jews were not
required to take human life to possess the land. To the contrary, the Israelites were
given opportunity to witness to the pagan nations, of the love and righteousness of
God as contained in the 10 commandments, however they chose instead to imitate
the violence of their pagan neighbours and became a warlike, pillaging people. By
so doing, they dreadfully misrepresented the character of the One True God whom they
professed to serve and obey.
In New Testament times, Jesus came to show us the Father. This was necessary for He
proclaimed that the world didn't know His Father's character.
John 17:25
"O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these
have known that thou hast sent me. 26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and wil
declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them."
Jesus also reminded the Jewish leaders that they didn't know His Father either. He
pursued this further, making the connecting that by not knowing the Father's character,
they could not be His children. Christ spoke very strongly, informing the Jewish leaders,
that they neither knew His Father and neither was God their father - , but that the devil
was their father (John 8:19, 42).
The Jews had severely misrepresented the Father's character. Christ said that they
represented the devil's character. The fact is incontrovertible that the Jews did NOT have
a proper or correct understanding of God's character. Jesus worked within the realm of
the Jewish understanding as can be evidenced in several of his addresses and parables.
Jesus parables convey certain spiritual meanings which responded to the traditional
beliefs of the Jews, many of which Christ corrected, but some truths He could not even tel
His disciples, "for they could not bear them yet." (John 16:12) Not ALL facets of parables
are representations of doctrinal truth in every aspect, (eg Lazarus and the rich man), but
all Christ's parables address a deeper principle giving information about the Father's
character and government.
Concerning the parables mentioned in this objection, it is noted that:
· Holy angels gather/bring the righteous to heaven. The wicked are left behind -
bound - joined to sin;
· The withered branch represents a spiritually dead professed Christian. The
withered branch is without Christ, which is why it is dead spiritually. It will die
the final physical death (2nd death) at the executive judgment when the sin
within that being is burned by coming into contact with the unveiled glory of
holy divinity. "Our God is a consuming fire" to sin (Heb 12:29); (see
objections)
· The holy angels do not carry the wicked into the fires of hell. The wicked are
outside the New Jerusalem. (Rev 21:24, 27). The fire comes forth from within
the wicked, in the same way as it bursts forth from Satan. (Ezek 28:18; Isa
33:10 -12). Sin is consumed by the glory of holy divinity. Whatever is attached
to sin - joined to sin - bound to sin - burns along with the sin.
352

Concerning the death of the wicked, it should be remembered that there are at least
four types of destruction possible to sinners. ALL types of destruction involve the
natural consequences of the sinner's choice to separate from God and to reject God's
presence.
· Sinners destroy themselves by their own actions or are destroyed by the actions of
others (first death eg accidents, illnesses, smoking, suicide, wars);
· Sinners reject the protection of God and are permitted to be destroyed by Satan -
"are handed over to Satan" 2 Kings 17:39; 21:14; Jer 15:9 (first death, but await the
second death);
· Sinners are destroyed with fire, by coming into contact with the unveiled glory of
holy divinity (first death or second death depending on the time frame) (Nadab and
Abihu died the first death; sinners in the lake of fire die the second death)
· Sinners are destroyed in the chaos that results from the removal of God's
sustaining creative power eg. The earth quakes and explodes and becomes chaotic
(Sodom and Gomorrah; Noah's flood, the plagues on Egypt).
Matthew 10:28
"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kil the soul: but rather fear him
which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
Revelation 14:7
"Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of his judgment is come."
God is the Source of All Life. Only the Creator is able to provide eternal life. The judgment
determines which persons elected to serve God and which persons elected to separate
themselves from Him - from Life itself. The death of the wicked is simply a natural
consequence of separation from the Source of All Life. It is not an act of vengeful divine
wrath. Jesus demonstrated His Father's reaction to the death of the wicked as He cried
over Jerusalem. The Father has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. He is loving.
Would His people have pleasure in the death of the wicked?
Proverbs 8:36 - "all they that hate me love death."
Death is a natural outcome of sin - not the act of a hateful divine being. Death wil
happen to sinners because it is a natural consequence of sin. Sinners choose death. God
does not inflict it, but He does withdraw His presence from those who choose death. It is
not God's fault that these sinners die when they enter into the presence of holy, unveiled
divinity.
Early Writings, p 54 ( End of the 2300 Days)
"I saw a throne, and on it sat the Father and the Son. I gazed on Jesus' countenance and
admired His lovely person. The Father's person I could not behold, for a cloud of glorious
light covered Him. I asked Jesus if His Father had a form like Himself. He said He had,
but I could not behold it, for said He, 'If you should once behold the glory of His
person, you would cease to exist.'"
God has warned sinners - pleaded with them. "Why will ye die? Ezekiel 18:28-32
Ezekiel 18:28-32
"Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath
committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 29 Yet saith the house of Israel, The way
of the Lord is not equal. O house of Israel, are not my ways equal? are not your ways
unequal? 30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his
ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from al your transgressions; so
iniquity shall not be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you al your transgressions, whereby
ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O
house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord
GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye."
353

Jesus cried when he announced to the leadership that His people's probation was over.
Luke 13:34-35
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto
thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her
brood under her wings, and ye would not! (35) Behold, your house is left unto you
desolate:"
Just as demonstrated in the fal of Jerusalem 40 years later, God will permit the
destruction of those who refuse His spirit. But, before sinners can be destroyed, God's
protective hedge of holy angels must be removed.
This protective hedge will be removed from those who repeatedly resist the spirit of God
by choosing to serve Satan. God will not force His presence on those who are determined
to reject Him, but when God removes His presence, His protection is also removed.
Psalm 27:12; 140:1,2
"Deliver me not over unto the wil of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up
against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. .... Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man:
preserve me from the violent man; (2) which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually
are they gathered together for war."
Ezekiel 31:11
"I have therefore delivered him into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen; he shall
surely deal with him: I have driven him out for his wickedness."
Psalm 91:3, 4
"Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome
pestilence. (4) He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust:
his truth shall be thy shield and buckler."
Matthew 23:37
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent
unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth
her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! "
Sin equals death (Romans 6:23). Certainly, there is no doubt that sinners will be
destroyed, but is their destruction caused by a vengeful, wrathful divine Being, or as a
consequence of their choices to alienate themselves from the protection of the Creator:
the Source of all Life?
When God's creative and sustaining power is removed, chaos occurs, both spiritual y and
physically. Demonstrations of this were evident during Noah's flood; the destruction of
Sodom and Gomorrah, the Red Sea crossing and Christ's death on the cross.
David Rohl's description of the early Hyksos invaders of Egypt, as portrayed in his book,
A Test of Time The Bible from Myth to History (1995:288-289), casts light on the
belief that God sent evil angels to destroy the Egyptians as the last plague just prior to the
Israelites' exodus. Apparently, after the 9 previous 'natural disasters,'53 the country of
Egypt was a "sitting duck" to other warlike tribes.
"The 'Early Hyksos' invaders of Egypt were Amalekite tribesmen who
migrated through Sinai from northern Arabia. This marauding army met the
53 See Graham Phillips in "the Moses Legacy" who demonstrates how the plagues might well have
been the result of natural phenomenon which, without God's protection was able to cause
devastation to the Egyptians.
354

Israelites in battle during the Sinai wanderings. They settled at sites such as
Avaris in the eastern delta and drove the native Egyptian pharaoahs back to
their captial at Itj-Tawy in Upper Egypt. The Amalekite warriors can be
identified with the non-Egyptianised Asiatic newcomers who occupied Avaris
at the beginning of stratum F...."
355

Psalm 78:49, 50,
"He (God) cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble,
by sending evil angels among them. (50) He made a way to his anger; he spared not their
soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;"
Of this verse David Rohl comments:
The context of this verse is that of God's final punishment following the
calamitous events of Exodus. Who then are the 'evil angels' sent by God to
destroy the Egyptians? Velikovsky again comes up with an interesting
observation. He notes that the phrase usually translated 'evil angels' is
malakhei-roim, but the literal translation would then be 'angel of evils.' The
correct Hebrew for 'evil angels' is malakhim-roim. Could it be that here we have
another textual corruption resulting from a misunderstanding on the part of the
redactor?54 If the Psalmist, who originally composed this verse probably
sometime in the tenth century BC, was aware of the agents of God's punishment
of the Egyptians, then he would have written the verse as follows:
He loosed the full heat of his anger, fury and rage and destruction
by sending an invasion of king-shepherds against them.
The phrase 'king-shepherds' in biblical Hebrew is malakhei-roim."
54 A "redactor" is someone who seeing information from a different perspective, revises or edits
information.
356

10. T
empting the Faithful - Harassment o
f the Wicked
Objections:
(a) Would it be that the Old Testament, God allowed sin to happen in some cases.
eg, when David numbered Israel? In one verse it says that Satan made David do it,
and in another, it says God made him do it.
(b) When we compare this to Job and his afflictions from Satan, we can see that
God had allowed Satan to hurt Job, therefore God did it to him. Would the apparent
contradiction be that when Satan makes someone sin, (as in the above cases) he is
only able to do so when God allows it, therefore saying that God also made him do
it.
(c) Also, God had foretold (in the old testament) that Judas would betray Jesus.
Jesus also foretold this. But the Bible also says that Judas allowed Satan to take
control of him. So did God or Jesus, make Judas a betrayer, or did Satan? I read it
as: God allowed Judas to be taken by Satan, but it was Satan who did the work on
Judas.
Answer:
(a) Satan can't force anyone to sin, but he can present strong temptations. Sin is only
committed when a sinful thought is cherished by the person who is tempted. The act of
cherishing the sinful thought, demonstrates that the person's al egiance is with Satan.
Proverbs 23:7
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he."
God simply permits human beings (and every other being for that matter), to exercise total
freedom of choice. If a man wants to sin, then God respects his freedom to choose to do
so. God doesn't condone or force any person to sin, neither does he tempt anyone to sin.
James 1:13
"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted
with evil, neither tempteth he any man: "
Biblical y it can be seen that Satan tempts people to sin as in David's experience. Satan
put the proud thoughts in David's mind, but Satan couldn't force him to sin. David chose
to cherish those selfish thoughts. By cleaving to the sin, by cherishing the selfish
thoughts, David spiritual allegiance temporarily changed and he placed himself outside
God's protective hedge. The only thing for which God is responsible, is that He refused to
withdraw David's right to choose how he would respond to the temptation.
2 Samuel 24:12, 13
"Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things; choose thee one
of them, that I may do it unto thee.13 So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto
him, Shall seven years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three
months before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days'
pestilence in thy land?"
God honoured David's choice to cleave to his sin. With sadness, He withdrew His
presence (His spirit) from David. God could no longer defend David, because David was
exercising his freedom of choice to separate Himself from God and God would not force
His protective presence on him. God knew that Satan's desire was to destroy Israel and
God warned David of the consequences of cleaving to his sin.
357

David apparently repented immediately of his sin, but was his repentance sincere? For
three days there is no record of David offering the required sin offerings as laid out in the
law of Moses.
Satan had power to destroy the Israelites until the king sincerely and genuinely repented
of his sin.
David's repentance became sincere as he saw men dying as a consequence of his sin.
In demonstration of his genuine repentance he confessed his sin and asked for mercy.
2 Samuel 24:17
"And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said,
Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let
thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house."
David's repentance legally invited the Lord back as the official God of the Israelites.
Immediately after David's genuine repentance, the Lord intervened to stop the slaughter
of the Israelites.
Then David responded by offering the sin offering and the peace offering to the Lord on
the threshing floor belonging to Araunah the Jebusite.
2 Samuel 24:25
"And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace
offerings. So the LORD was entreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from
Israel."
The Lord's accepted David's genuine repentance and immediately, His protective
presence prevented Satan (the destroyer Rev 9:11) from inflicting more slaughter on the
Israelites. God immediately surrounded Israel with His hedge again.
But why did 70 000 men die at the hand of the destroying angel? They weren't involved in
the decision to number Israel. Would God punish 70 000 men for the sin of David, and
yet let David, the one who did the sin, live on?
It is not in keeping with God's laws that the penalty of guilt is transferred from one person
to another person.
Ezekiel 18:20
"The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither
shal the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be
upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him."
Jesus Himself comments on the false belief that the guilt of sin could be transferred from
one person to another.
John 9:1-3
"And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his
disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was
born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the
works of God should be made manifest in him."
Jesus explained that some times, bad things happen not as a result of punishment
being inflicted, but because there are painful consequences to living in an evil world.
358

Luke 13:1-5
"There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood
Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose
ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above al the Galilaeans, because they suffered
such things? 3 tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall al likewise perish. 4 Or
those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they
were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye
repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
Some of the Galilaeans, who died at Pilate's command, were thought to be followers of
Judas Gaulonites (Acts 5:37). This group of about 3000 men were seditious and refused
to acknowledge the authority of Rome. According to Josephus, Judas Gaulonite and
Sadduc (a Pharisee) convinced many Galilaeans that God would assist them to use force
to break free from the yoke of Roman bondage. (Josephus, The Antiquities of the Jews,
book 18, chapter 1, section 1). Archelaus sent soldiers to control the riotous group, but
the worshippers threw stones at the soldiers and killed several of them, while other
soldiers fled. The worshippers went back to making their sacrifices for the Passover
feast. More soldiers were sent to the temple and overpowered the "worshippers." Pilate
had the Galilaeans slaughtered while they were worshipping in the temple, during the
Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover). (The War of the Jews, book 2. chapter. 1,
section. 3, & Book 2, Chapter 2, section. 5),
Jesus comments, "Do you think these men were any worse than any other sinners?"
These Galilaean men were murderers. They were seditious, riotous and violent. They
were undeniably commandment-breaking sinners despite keeping the feasts. The
Galilaeans strongly believed that God was with them and that He would fight for them
against the Romans. This belief was based on the lie that the Father's character is one of
fighting and bloodshed. This dangerous belief led to their sinful actions in attacking and
murdering the Roman soldiers. The Galilaeans died as a consequence of their lack of
knowledge about God's character. It is just as dangerous today to believe a lie about
God's character being one of bloodshed and murder.
Jesus' words have impact today. People who consider themselves "righteous" or "not as
bad as other sinners," need to be careful. "Righteous" people ARE sinners, but they are
simply forgiven sinners. If self-declared "righteous" people believe a lie about the
character of God, they too will form unholy characters characters resembling that of the
military god they envision - as did the Galilaeans. The modern day Galilaeans will
likewise suffer the consequences of their sins also, if they do not repent of the lies they
believe about God's character and seek Him with all their heart (Jer 29:11-14).
The mentality demonstrated by the Galilaeans is hardly surprising considering their
Jewish ancestry, traditions and literature. The Old Testament scriptures promote the
concept of a militant god. The Galilaeans were taught from the books of Moses and the
prophets, that the God of 'our forefathers' "won the battle," "avenged us of our enemies,"
and "commanded us to fight."
The Old Testament war reports do not demonstrate that the Father is a God of love - but a
brutal god of war and fighting. And the Old Testament writers and the Galilaeans both
appeared unaware that eternal life depended upon having a correct understanding of the
Father's character. Jesus was not unaware of the importance of knowing God's
character.
He said in:
John 17:3
"This is life eternal, that they may know thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom
thou has sent."
359

When a person rejects God and His principles of government (the 10 commandments),
God's respect for the person's freedom of choice, forces a separation between that
person and God. When God is rejected, His divine protection is also rejected and Satan
rushes in to destroy the rebellious person.

Regarding whether God permits evil to happen to people who reject Him, I agree that He
does permit it for legally He is committed to honour the individual's freedom of choice - but
God does not cause evil to happen.
The only way that God could stop evil happening to someone who has chosen to follow
Satan, is by over-ruling that person's free choice to be separated from God. But Jesus
died to secure our freedom of choice. God does not use force, for force and coercion are
not fruits of the spirit of God (Gal 5;22,23). It is the spirit of Satan to use force and to deny
freedom of choice. God respects the right of the sinner to reject Him. He will not use
force. He uses divine love to draw people to Him. He never compels anyone to serve
Him - not His own Son, neither angels nor humans.

(c) The case of Judas shows how sin develops and the inevitable result.
Judas cherished status, position and power in his heart. His worldly ambitions did not
include the things of God. He was interested in power and money. It was prophesied that
Judas would betray Christ and yes, Christ knew his betrayer (John.6.64; 13:11) however,
God had nothing to do with forcing Judas to sin. It was not predetermined that Judas had
to sin. But Judas entertained the thought of self-exaltation. He cherished the thought and
then decided to act on it. Judas wanted Jesus to become a powerful king who would
instal him in a position of power in his earthly kingdom (as did James and John - and
the other disciples - Matt 20:21). Judas rejected the mission of the humble Master. Jesus
performed the actions of a slave by humbly washing the disciples' feet, but Judas wanted
Jesus to think and act like an ambitious, power-seeking earthly king. Despite Jesus
washing Judas' feet and giving him opportunity to repent of his evil thoughts, Judas' heart
only hardened. He was already a thief he held the money bag (John 13:29) and robbed
Jesus (John 12:6) to serve his own purposes. When Judas left the Lord's
Supper/Passover feast, determined to betray Jesus, the Bible says that Satan entered
into him (John 13:27). Judas made his final free-will decision at that time - and it was a
decision to betray Jesus. After that decision was made, THEN Satan 'entered into him"
and Judas went out and acted on the cherished sinful thought.
Until that time, the spirit of God was pleading with Judas. But that hateful decision to
betray the humble Jesus who washed his feet, and acted as a servant, closed Judas'
probation. Only death remained (Acts 1:18).
As demonstrated in the experience with Judas, when people reject God's invitation to
come to Him for protection (and remain with the boundaries of His law), then God, a true
gentleman, steps back a certain distance and leaves the person to the natural
consequences of sin - which is separation from God's protection and makes the sinner
vulnerable to an attack by Satan.
God is the source of all life. To separate from life is to choose death. "Why will ye die O
house of Israel?" "He who hateth me, loveth death." "I would have gathered you as a hen
gathereth her chicks, but ye would not." "He shall gather thee with his feathers and under
His wings shalt thou trust. His truth shall be thy shield."
360

When the 10 commandments, the government of God is rejected, then His protection is
also withdrawn. There is only safety within the loving principles of the government of
God. Outside those unselfish principles one only finds chaos, destruction and death. i.e.
the evil angels are free to torment and destroy.
When people haven't had opportunity to learn how to resist temptation or when they don't
understand that God is 100% love, God doesn't abandon them to Satan. However, God
presents opportunities for them to learn about Him. It is only outright rejection of Christ
that will eventually place the sinner completely outside the protection of God.

God monitors demonic activity. Satan can only tempt commandment keepers to the level
which God permits. God knows the spiritual maturity of each fol ower. It is through trials
that a loving character is developed and demonstrated.(Heb 5:8; Rev 3:18). Christ's
followers wil demonstrate His character. (Col 1:27)

1 Corinthians 10:13
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful,
who wil not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation
also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

God's government is based on love - which is freedom of choice. God's own character
prevents Him from becoming dictatorial and usurping the free choice of human beings to
sin. The 10 commandments reflect the respect God has for the freewil of every human
being and other created creature.

So the negative consequences of sinful choices are what the unrepentant sinner reaps.
Ultimately that reward is death. However, if before probation, a "wicked" person (an
enemy of God) turns to God and calls out for help, God will instantly intervene and restore
His protection to that person and shield him/her from Satan's attacks as demonstrated in
David's experience when he numbered Israel.

(b) As noted already, Job's experience was different to David's. Job did not reject God's
leading, nor did He sin in expressing his bewilderment apparently when he declared, "thou
He slay me, yet will I trust Him." Did Job not realise that God wasn't trying to destroy him,
but that it was Satan trying to take his life? Perhaps he didn't understand the situation for
nowhere does the Bible say that God told Job that the evil he suffered came from Satan
and that Job was the object of a test of loyalty. It appears that God permits people to be
"tested" in the fires of persecution for the development of their character. Job's friends
attempted to convince him that God punishes specific sins (Job 4:1 to Job 5:27). The
young man Elihu introduced "new theology" and endeavoured to prove that perhaps God
doesn't punish, but He disciplines those who have gone astray (Job 32:1 to Job 33:33). In
the final analysis, God commanded Job to pray for his friends for they had all sinned.
They had not presented the truth about the origins of evil. Job's friends were not privy to
the heavenly counsels (Job 1:6-12) which were revealed to Moses when he wrote the
book of Job. The book of Job reveals that evil events, whether labelled 'punishment' or
'discipline,' do not originate from the Creator, but from Satan.
Job 37:23
"Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment,
and in plenty of justice: he wil not afflict."
Hebrews 5:8
"Though he (Jesus) were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he
suffered."

361

Satan persecuted Christ Himself and the Father permitted that to happen. But despite the
demonic harassment that Christ experienced, He developed a perfect human character.
Similarly, when Christians are exposed to trials, their characters wil also develop either
as pleasing to God, or aligned with Satan's principles.
Trials either "make us" or 'break us." We decide which way we will react to persecution
and hardship. Satan was permitted to "test" Christ's humanity. The real question was,
"Would Christ be faithful to His Father's law of love - even unto death?" and of course,
the answer is, "yes." Christ developed a perfect human character that clung to His
Father's love, and Christ kept His Father's law of love even unto death. Christ's death
was brought about by Satan's torture. Of course, Christ could have "borrowed" from His
divine nature and kept His humanity alive eternal y, but He refused to do what humanity
could not do. He continued to keep His Father's law until His human life was
extinguished. Christ had voluntarily laid down His life . He would not break His Father's
law of love even though he was tested to His final breath.. Christ's ways, words and
actions were all entirely loving. His love did not fail under any circumstances. This
represents the Father's love. His love will continue under ANY circumstances also. His
character won't change either.
Who Tempts?
2 Samuel 24:1
"And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved David
against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. "
Would God tempt a person to sin? No. James, the brother of Jesus, tel s us that God
tempts no man.
James 1.13
"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be
tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when
he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Tempting comes through lust. Would God entice a man to sin through lust to destroy his
life? No. That is the enemy's strategy. Satan draws a person away from God by
appealing to the carnal nature of humanity.

In the New Testament, the KJV translators also used the word "tempt," but it would be
more concisely translated as "test."
Strong's Greek Concordance #3984 peira pi'-rah from the base of 4008 (through the idea
of piercing); a test, i.e. attempt, experience:--assaying, trial. see GREEK for 4008
Luke 20:22, 23 (spies sent by the chief priest and scribes questioned Jesus)
"Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? (23) But he (Jesus) perceived their
craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?"
If God DOESN'T tempt people, but Satan does, then how can we believe that God, who
doesn't tempt people, who doesn't put them on trial to trap them, told Abraham to go and
break His commandments - as a kind of a test?
Genesis 22:1
"And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him,
Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am."
Abraham was told to offer Isaac up as a burnt offering on a high mountain, supposedly by
God, however, these actions according to Moses and Jeremiah, were condemned by
God.
362

Deuteronomy 12:31
"Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which
he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they
have burnt in the fire to their gods."
Jeremiah 7:22, 30, 31:
"For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them
out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: ....(30) For the children of
Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in
the house which is called by my name, to pollute it. (31) And they have built the high
places of Tophet which is in the val ey of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their
daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart."
Jeremiah 32:35
"And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of
Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto
Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they
should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin."
Didn't it come into the heart of God to tell Abraham to offer up Isaac as a burnt offering on
the heights of Mt. Moriah? If it didn't come into the heart of God, who did tel Abraham to
offer up Isaac? Leviticus 18:21; 20:2-5; 1 Kings 11:7; 2 Kings 23:10 tells us which "god"
enjoyed human sacrifices. The One True God detested child/human sacrifices, at least to
the pagan gods, and those who DID offer up their children as burnt offerings in the high
places (to Molech) were an abomination to God (Ezek 16:20, 21; Jer 32:35).
Does this mean that both the One True God AND Satan want us to offer up our
children as burnt offerings in the high places? Could it be that the One True God
was only "wroth" with the Israelites because they were offering up their children as
burnt offerings to Satan and not to Him?
Are Christians really considering the question, "To which God should we offer up
our children as burnt offerings?" The One True God or to Satan? Such a thought
is abhorrent to Christians true followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
It appears there are only two conclusions to draw from this. Either:
·
God enticed Abraham by lying and temping him; or
·
Satan tempted Abraham to break God's law.
If it is accepted that God enticed Abraham to commit a heinous crime (to break the 6th
commandment), it follows logically that this view would necessarily incriminate Him as a
liar and a tempter.
It is possible that Abraham was influenced by the surrounding pagan nations. It is a well-
established historical fact that the Canaanite nations practised sacrificing their children as
burnt offerings on the high places.
Jephthah was confused on this point. He thought God required him to offer His only
daughter - his only child in fact - as a human sacrifice, since he had made a vow that if
God gave him victory in battle, he would offer to God as a sacrifice, the first thing that ran
out of his house to greet him, on his arrival home (Judges 11:30-40).
Judges 11:31
"Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me,
when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shal surely be the LORD'S, and I will
offer it up for a burnt offering."
363

Jephthah only had one child his daughter. On his arrival home from his 'victorious'
battle, his only child ran out of the house to greet him. Jephthah was devestated,
believing that he was required by God to offer up his daughter as a burnt offering.
Did Jephthah fail to consider that perhaps his wife might have run out of his house to
welcome him home? Or that his servants might also have come out to assist him into the
house? Did he expect an animal to run out of his house to greet him? It appears that
Jephthah might have been planning to offer a human sacrifice to God, as a "plea-
bargaining" process. "If you let help me win in battle, I'll give you a sacrifice that is
extremely valuable a human sacrifice." The offering of human beings as sacrifices was
very common in pagan religions.
It is also highly unlikely that Jepthah was ignorant of the provisions made for his particular
type of error which was supposedly found in the Levitical law at that time, which made
provision for a man making a foolish pledge.
Leviticus 5:4-6
"Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be
that a man shal pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it,
then he shal be guilty in one of these. (5) And it shal be, when he shall be guilty in one
of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing: (6) And he shall
bring his trespass offering unto the LORD for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from
the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shal make an
atonement for him concerning his sin."
As did Jepthah, Ellen White revealed that David also made the mistake of making a
foolish and sinful vow that involved breaking the commandment, "Thou shalt not kil ."
Ellen White, Signs of the Times, 26 October, 1888
"David had taken an oath that Nabal and his household should perish; but now
he saw that it was not only wrong to make such a vow, but it would be wrong to
keep it. If Herod had had the moral courage of David, no matter how humiliating
it might have been, he would have retracted the oath that devoted John the
Baptist's head to the ax of the executioner, that the revenge of an evil woman
might be accomplished, and he would not have had upon his soul the guilt of
the murder of the prophet of God."
David, only through Abigail's intervention, realised that to kil Nabal and his family either
in anger or when not angry - would be sinful. (One wonders why a man who was given
prophetic visions from God, would not realise that to break the 6th commandment, is to
sin). Similarly, Jepthah did not appear to realise that killing his daughter in order to keep
a vow, was equally wrong. The foolish vow should have been broken and repented of,
rather than to commit another offence by breaking the 6th commandment. But, with the
Old Testament portrayal of Abraham pleasing God by offering up Isaac as a burnt
offering, perhaps Jepthah's confusion is understandable. Obviously, Jephthah's
understanding of the One True God's character was extremely limited (or veiled).
Perhaps Jephthah's sincere worship of the One True God was simply contaminated by
familiarity with pagan worship services of the fire-serpent god.
Which ever the case, Jephthah apparently thought it was more important to keep a
v ow to h
is god,
than to keep one of the 10 commandments of the Creator, which
stated, "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13). Jephthah apparently thought that
offering a human sacrifice especially a human sacrifice which he highly valued 
would be likewise highly valued by his god. From whom did he learn this faulty
concept? From the One True God? Or from the pagan nations around him?
364

Dr. Charles Wel born, Professor of Religion Emeritus, Florida State University,
Tallahassee comments in Is It Murder--The Problem of Ethical Language:.
"What are we to make of this? Are we to see it, as preachers sometimes extol it,
as a great act of faith and obedience on the part of Jephtha? Or--are we to see it
as the disastrous story of a sinful man, misunderstanding the wil and character of
God, actually committing "murder"?
Perhaps I can press the point with a far-fetched, hypothetical, modern example. If
President George Bush, at the beginning of the Gulf War, had publicly vowed that,
if God gave America victory over Saddam Hussein, he would sacrifice whatever
first met him at the White House door, how would most sensible people, including
Christians, have reacted? And if the President had been greeted on his return by
George, Jr., his eldest son, and, in fulfil ment of his vow, had sent his son to his
death, what would have been our judgment on him? The whole example is, of
course, ridiculous, but the fact that we cannot conceive such a scenario surely
passes some sort of judgment on Jephtha.
Concrete examples of the shaping of the interpretation of Scripture can be
multiplied almost endlessly. In the 6th century, Procopius, secret court historian
for the Emperor Justinian in Constantinople, wrote of his Christian master (who
had built the magnificent Santa Sophia and left his enduring legacy in the
Justinian legal code), "He did not accept that the crime of murder extended to
those who did not agree with him on theological or, indeed, other matters. He slew
them without compunctions of conscience." In the Middle Ages the leaders of the
Holy Inquisition piously believed that it was the will of God for them to torture or
even kill in order to preserve the purity of their doctrine. In the years leading up to
the American Civil War devout pastors across the South proclaimed that the
Scriptures endorsed and approved the institution of human slavery. Today, few if
any honest Christians support that interpretation of God's moral law. We easily
recognize that in the past such distortions of Biblical interpretation resulted largely
from cultural conditioning. It is more difficult for us to accept that our own
contemporary understandings may be similarly misshapen.
To return to Richard Niebuhr's terminology, the Scriptures can be seen as a
"divine gesture." That gesture consists of a particular set of words. The process of
communication is not complete until we interpret and respond to the gesture. Our
response, as sinful persons locked up in a time-space box that conditions
our every thought and action, is always and everywhere partial and
problematical." (end quote Dr. Charles Wellborn, Professor of Religion Emeritus,
Florida State University, Tal ahassee)
http://www.christianethicstoday.com/Issue/018/Is%20It%20Murder%E2%80%94T
he%20Problem%20of%20Ethical%20Language%20By%20Charles%20Wel born_
018_3_.htm
1 Samuel 15:22
"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice..."
Jephthah failed to understand that to obey the 10 commandments and adhere to the
principles of God's character as demonstrated in those commandments, is better of
more value - than any gift we could offer God.
Summary
It can be concluded that God does not tempt humanity to sin nor does He employ lies or
deception to teach object lessons. This misconception about God's character falls into the
category of faulty, traditional human thinking.
365

11.
The

Wicked Consumed - (2 Thessalonians 2:8)
Objection:
2 Thessalonians 2:8
"And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shal consume
with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of
his coming." This verse states that God wil consume the wicked.
Answer:
From a surface glance at the following texts many have concluded that the presence of
Jesus at His second coming wil destroy the wicked in an act of vengeance, but in the light
of Bible study and history and a careful consideration of the teachings of Jesus Christ we
conclude that the way we perceive an event is not always actually what happens behind
the scenes. The is no doubt that the event occurred but what really happened?The near
certainty of death is like a cliff upon which we all stand, some people call it living on the
edge. If your own loved one was living dangerously on the edge of that cliff, no doubt you
would try to help, possibly send warnings and eventual y come to their rescue. Jesus is
coming to our rescue but many who have repeatedly failed to understand the truth about
God's love and character, wil refuse to be rescued by such a God. There wil be
brightness and fiery lights and dazzling appearances. It even looks like these laser-light
beams are killing off the wicked. How sad it is to have fallen so low to perceive God like
this. The wicked shall be destroyed certainly but by their refusal to be saved, they fall into
death, they are suicidal, they even cry for the rocks to fall upon them. An incorrect
perception of how God deals with sin or us personally could end up being the foundational
cause of rejecting His rescue. The intent of Jesus is to rescue the whole world in fact,
He came to save the whole world when He was born as a human being 2000 years ago.
But what thoughts would be in your mind if you saw a majestic Being coming in glory, but
you believed He was kil ing off people you personal y knew and loved?. Would you want
to be rescued by such a Being?
Such considerations must be kept in mind. Christ is not coming to rescue the world based
on the sinful, human mentality of a "good-guys-versus-the-bad-guys" movie where the
"good guys" use more violence than the "bad guys" to secure the "morally right" outcome.
It must be remembered that it is not God who destroys sinners, but cherished sin that
destroys them. God's presence destroys sin selfishness - where-ever it might be
residing. This is not an intentional murder of sinners by a wrathful Being. It is simply a
reality in the universe like the law of gravity which is neither good nor evil. The rule of
sin, results in death.
Concerning 2 Thessalonians 2:8 and similar texts, it must be understood that prophecy
reveals that Christ will return to this earth on at least two more occasions.
Some texts in the Bible refer to the second coming of Christ when Jesus will take the
righteous to heaven for 1000 years, while other texts refer to the third coming of Christ to
this earth, when after the 1000 years, the earth will be purified with fire.
At the second coming of Christ, the wicked die a temporary death a sleep that extends
for 1000 years. They are not consumed in the lake of fire at Christ's second coming. So
how do the wicked die?
Isaiah 11:4
"But with righteousness shal he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of
the earth: and he shal smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of
his lips shall he slay the wicked."
This concept of the breath of His lips (or word or voice) killing the wicked, also
harmonises with 2 Thessalonians 2:8 which states that "the Lord shal consume
with the spirit of his mouth."
366

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
Isaiah 11:4 [With the rod of his mouth-"By the blast of his mouth"]
"For beshebet, by the rod, Houbigant reads beshebeth, by the blast of his
mouth, from nashab, to blow. The conjecture is ingenious and probable;
and seems to be confirmed by the Septuagint and Chaldee, who render it
by the word of his mouth, which answers much better to the correction
than to the present reading. Add to this, that the blast of his mouth is
perfectly parallel to the breath of his lips in the next line."
This concept, that the word of His mouth which will slay the wicked is in keeping
with the voice of the archangel which is said to speak or shout at Christ's return.
1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17
"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:17
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the
clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
Notice the similar expressions: The sleep death occurs by the voice of the Archangel
the trump of God; the blast of His mouth; the breath of His lips. These phrases appear to
describe similar concepts which refer to the words of Christ or the spirit of Christ.
When Christ comes in the glory of His Father and in His own glory, (and with the glory of
the holy angels), (Luke 9:26) He will call out to those who are "dead in Christ."
Daniel 12:2
"And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life,
and some to shame and everlasting contempt."
Isaiah 26:19
"Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye
that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the
dead."
Exposure to the divine voice of Christ and His unveiled divine glory, wil cause wicked
human beings to begin the sleep of death which lasts for 1000 years.
Note: Christ's second coming does not slay Satan. Christ's coming renders useless the
satanic powers of the papacy and the global confederacies of evil, including evil human
beings.
The same divine voice that calls out to give life to the dead "in Christ" will have the
opposite effect on the wicked. The wicked are not protected by the indwelling spirit of
God. They have not been separated from sin or purified in their minds. Their mortal,
corruptible bodies do not undergo a change "in the twinkling of an eye" as do the bodies
and minds of the redeemed. The redeemed "put on incorruption and immortality," but the
wicked remain unchanged (1 Cor 15:53). Their bodies cannot stand in the presence of
the unveiled glory of God. Their bodies cease to operate and the wicked begin the sleep
of death for 1000 years. This death occurs due to a cause and effect situation it is not
the case of a murdering, angry and wrathful god taking out His pent-up vengeance on the
wicked. God remains the same to all humanity. It is humanity that must adapt to meet
"the consuming fire" of God's holy presence.
367

EJ Waggoner, Prophetic Lights, Christ's Second Coming, p 110, 111
"When Christ appears in the clouds of heaven, in power and great glory,
the righteous, because they are righteous, are strengthened to behold his
glory; but the wicked cannot endure it. Says Isaiah: "He shall smite the
earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shal he slay
the wicked." Isa.11:4. And the apostle Paul, speaking of "the man of sin,"
- "that Wicked," - says that he is the one "whom the Lord shal consume
with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his
coming." 2Thess.2:8. This, however, is not the final destruction of
the wicked, and the cleansing of the earth, for the millions who have
died in sin lie all this (p 111) time in their graves, unconscious of the
wonderful events that are taking place on the earth. Not at that time
do they receive the recompense for their evil deeds. Neither do the
wicked who are alive at the time of Christ's appearing, and who are slain
by the brightness of his coming, receive their punishment at that time.
They simply drop dead, unable to endure the dazzling glory of Christ's
presence. 'And the slain of the Lord shal be at that day from one end of
the earth even unto the other end of the earth; they shall not be lamented,
neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.'
Jer.25:33."
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Thessalonians 2:8:
"Whom the Lord shall consume He shal blast him so,that he shall
wither and die away; and this shall be done by the spirit of his mouth-the
words of eternal life, the true doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus; this shall be
the instrument used to destroy this man of sin: therefore it is evident his
death wil not be a sudden but a gradual one; because it is by the
preaching of the truth that he is to be exposed, overthrown, and finally
destroyed.
Barne's New Testament Notes - 2 Thessalonians 2:8:
"With the spirit of his mouth. What goes out of his mouth, or what
he speaks; that is word, truth, command, or gospel--all of which he
may be regarded as speaking. In Rev 1:16, 19:16, 21, it is said of the
Redeemer that "a sharp two-edged sword goeth out of his mouth" that is,
his word, doctrine, or command--what he speaks --is like a sharp sword.
It wil cut deep; will lay open the heart; will destroy his enemies. Comp.
Isa 11:4, "With the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked." The
reference in the passage before us is one of the methods which would be
employed to "destroy" the man of sin; and the sense is, that it would be
by what is spoken by the Redeemer. This may refer either to what he wil
say at his coming, or to his truth--already spoken; to what has gone from
his lips, by whomsoever uttered; and the meaning then is, that one of the
grand agencies for destroying this antichristian power is the truth spoken
or revealed by the Saviour--that is, his pure gospel.... "
368

The Third Coming of Jesus
At Christ's return after the 1000 years (Rev 20:5) the wicked are "awakened" from their
"death sleep." They again continue to obey Satan's commands and he orders them to
assault the righteous and take possession of the city and the tree of life. God intervenes
to protect His people. The same action that protects His people causes the permanent
death of the wicked. God's glory is unveiled and God who is "a consuming fire" (Heb
12:29) to sin stands between the wicked and the righteous.
Fire is said to "come down out of God out of heaven and to destroy the wicked.
Revelation 20:9
"And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints
about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured
them."
It is interesting that when the prophets saw God in visions, that many remarked that His
glory was like a fire, but the fire did not destroy any beings.
Daniel 7:9, 10
"I beheld til the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment
was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the
fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. (10) A fiery stream issued and came forth
from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten
thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. "
Daniel 10:6
"His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his
eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the
voice of his words like the voice of a multitude."
Revelation 2:18
"And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God,
who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;"
Even angels have this fiery appearance.
Revelation 10:1
"And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a
rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as
pillars of fire:"
An example of a human reaction to viewing unveiled divine glory is given when John the
Revelator saw the Son of God in vision.
Revelation 1:13-17
"And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a
garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. (14) His head and
his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
(15) And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the
sound of many waters. (16) And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his
mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth
in his strength. (17) And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead."
369

John viewed the Son of God's glory in vision. In response, he fell down as if he was dead.
The wicked also, will fal down as dead at Christ's second coming, but no-one strengthens
them, so they remain in a "sleeping" death until they are raised at the final resurrection.
The final resurrection precedes the executive judgment. Each person must stand before
God and give account of His life.
Romans 14:12
"So then every one of us shal give account of himself to God."
Those who are not covered by the perfect life of Christ Jesus, must present their own
good works to God and a perfect, faultless character. This of course the wicked cannot
do. In their own weakness, they must face the unveiled glory of God. Unprotected and
unstrengthened from exposure to such intense divine purity and glory, unrepentant
sinners die a permanent death. There must be something different between this
exposure to God's glory and the exposure of the second coming, for the final
exposure causes fire to spring forth from sinners - and they self-combust.
Whatever the difference is, God knows it will cause the wicked to be consumed.
This action might well be considered "God's strange act" (Isaiah 28;21) as He does
not interfere to prevent their deaths.
Since sin entered the world, the Father has veiled His glory in order that sinful humanity
might not perish in His presence.
Ellen White was instructed of this situation by Jesus Himself.
Early Writings, p 54 (End of the 2300 Days )
"I saw a throne, and on it sat the Father and the Son. I gazed on Jesus' countenance and
admired His lovely person. The Father's person I could not behold, for a cloud of glorious
light covered Him. I asked Jesus if His Father had a form like Himself. He said He
had, but I could not behold it, for said He, 'If you should once behold the glory of
His person, you would cease to exist.'"
Ezekiel 28:18
"Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy
traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from (# 1537) the midst (#3319) of thee, it
shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them
that behold thee." .
Strong's Concordance reveals that the fiery action originates in the sinner in this case
within Satan. LXX Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures)
"from" Strong's Greek Concordance
# 1537 ek or ex a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence
action or motion proceeds)...
"midst"
#3319 mesos mes'-os from 3326; middle (as an adjective or (neuter)
noun):--among, X before them, between, + forth, mid(-day, -night), midst,
way. see GREEK for 3326
Isaiah 33:10-12
"Now wil I rise, saith the LORD; now will I be exalted; now wil I lift up myself. 11 Ye shall
conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath, as fire, shall devour you. 12
And the people shal be as the burnings of lime: as thorns cut up shall they be burned in
the fire."
Notice that it is again the "breath" (or the words or spirit) his own breath - which devours
the wicked person.
370

Jesus warned humanity that their words (or spirit) would either justify or condemn them.
Matthew 12:36, 37
"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shal give account
thereof in the day of judgment. (37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy
words thou shalt be condemned."
So how do the words or spirit of the wicked cause them to be consumed?
Romans 8:6
"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."
Romans 8:9-11
"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (10) And if Christ be
in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of
righteousness. (11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell
in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies
by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
When the spirit of the Lord is already dwelling in humanity, they are strengthened to stand
they are protected from - the divine glory which destroys sin and which brings death to
the unprotected.
Deuteronomy 4:24
"For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God."
Hebrews 12:29
"For our God is a consuming fire."
Malachi 4:1
"For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and al the proud, yea, and all
that do wickedly, shal be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the
LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch."
Psalm 68:2
"As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let
the wicked perish at the presence of God. "
Sin is within the wicked dwel ing in their carnal minds and dominating every cel of their
"corruptible" and "mortal" flesh. Embedded sinfulness (corruption 1 Cor 15:53) causes the
sleep death of the wicked when exposed to unveiled divine glory at the second coming of
Christ. Hosea reports, that sinners will be committed to sin - "joined" to their idols.
Hosea 4:17
"Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone."
Even pleadings from the loving spirit of Christ are spurned by those who insist that they
prefer to live a life of selfishness. Accompanied by divine agony, God leaves these lost
people to serve the master of their own choosing. Their 'righteousness' cannot protect
them from God's glory and that they are left "desolate" (Matt 23:38) unable to "stand in the
presence of a holy God."
God is not pleased that the wicked have chosen to suicide and lose eternal life.
Hosea 11:6-9
"And the sword shal abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour
them, because of their own counsels. 7 And my people are bent to backsliding from me:
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though they cal ed them to the most High, none at all would exalt him. 8 How shall I give
thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how
shal I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled
together. 9 I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, I wil not return to destroy
Ephraim: for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee: and I will not enter
into the city."
Ezekiel 33:11
"Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the
wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil
ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"
Does God derive no pleasure from the death of the wicked, or is that divine statement
only in effect until the day of "God's wrath" when God will derive pleasure from His act of
justice - the burning of wicked sinners?
God knows that the wicked will be destroyed when they are in the presence of unveiled
divinity. He warns them to repent today, and to come back to Him, the Source of their life,
but the choice is their own.
The permanent death of the wicked might be illustrated by the following allegories:
A man develops the habit of sleeping on the warm bitumen surface of a road. He
was warned by a concerned truck driver, that the practice is very dangerous. But the man
takes no notice of the warning and doesn't consider it a serious threat because he knows
the truck driver is a "nice guy" who "wouldn't hurt a fly." So day after day, the man
continues to enjoy the warm surface of the road. Suddenly the road train appears and
cannot stop in time to avoid hitting the man who is laying on the road again. The driver is
horrified to have run over the sleeping man, but he knew that it was the inevitable
outcome if the man continued to lie down on the road.
Consider a second analogy: what happens when water is dripped onto a very hot
surface such as a stove hotplate. The water is immediately 'consumed' (converted into
steam). Just as the hotplate possessed no intention to injure or transform the water, the
transformation occurred anyway. In a similar way, when the wicked are destroyed, there
is not present in God, any intention to destroy the wicked. Just as the water was
'consumed' as a natural consequence of being on the hotplate, so too are the wicked
consumed by coming into contact with the unveiled glory of divinity. Divinity does not
aggressively seek to destroy the sinner. Death occurs as a consequence of the sinners'
actions coming closer to the glory of the unveiled Divine Presence.
In a similar fashion, God has warned humanity that the wages of sin is death. Life is in
Jesus Christ. God doesn't want the wicked to die, but He knows that death will
automatically come on all who refuse to separate from sin. Those who are possessed by
the spirit of Christ wil endure the adaption when their bodies will be changed in the
"twinkling of an eye." However, the wicked, whose bodies and minds are not "changed,"
wil be completely unprotected from death by self-combustion.
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AT Jones, Review and Herald Jan, 24 & 31, 1899.
'Yet, what every one must understand is this: the only way that God does,
or can, separate anybody from sin is by that very consuming fire of his
presence. The only way, therefore, in which you and I can ever be so
separated from sin as to meet God as he is, in the flaming fire that he is,
in that great day, is to meet him TODAY as he is, in the consuming fire
that he is. The only way that we can be prepared to meet him at his
coming in that great day is to meet him in his coming today. For there is
a coming to men now , as really as to the world in that great day. 'I will
not leave you comfortless: I will COME TO YOU.' John 14:18. But do not
forget that whether he comes to you or to me now, or whether he comes
to other people in that great day, he comes only as a consuming fire.
Listen: 'If any man hear my voice, and open the door,'-- what does he
say?--'I will come in to him.' Good. Thank the Lord! And 'he is a consuming
fire;' and when he comes in to you, that coming will consume all the sin in
you, so that when he comes in the clouds of heaven in flaming fire, you can
meet him in joy in the consuming fire that he is.

Then do you hear his voice? "Behold, I stand at the door, and
knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I WILL COME IN TO
HIM." Do you hear his voice? Then swing open wide the door, and keep
it everlastingly open. Bid him welcome, in the consuming fire that he is:
and that flaming fire of his presence will consume sin in all your being,
and so will thoroughly cleanse and prepare you to meet him in flaming
fire in that great day.

When I meet him today 'in a flaming fire,' when I welcome him
today 'a consuming fire' in me, shall I be afraid to meet him in flaming fire
in that day-- No; I shall be accustomed to it; and knowing what a blessed
thing it is to become familiar with meeting him as 'a consuming fire,'
knowing what a blessing that has brought to me today, I shall be
delighted to meet him on that other day, when he shall be revealed from
heaven in flaming fire. 'Our God is a consuming fire.' Bless the Lord!

'Who may abide the day of his coming? Who shall stand when he
appeareth? for he is like a refiner's FIRE.' Good. Then when I meet him
now, in the consuming fire that he is, I meet him in a fire that is refining,
that purifies. 'And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he
shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they
may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.' That is separation
from sin; that is purification from sin. And that sets us where we offer an
offering unto the Lord in righteousness: we become the servants of
righteousness unto holiness, that we may meet the Lord. So, then, bless
the Lord that he is a consuming fire,-- that he is as a refiner's fire.

Look again at that expression in Revelation: 'His eyes were as a flame
of fire.' In that day his eyes will rest upon each one of us, and he will look clear
through us. When his eyes are as a flame of fire, and those eyes in that great
day rest upon every one of us, and look clear through us, what will that look do
for every one who is wrapped up, body and soul, in sin?-- It will consume the
sin, and the sinner with it; because he would not be separated from the sin.
And today, just now, those eyes are the same that they wil be in that day.
Today his eyes are as a flame of fire; and 'al things are naked and opened
unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.' Very good, then. As all things
are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do, whether
we will have to do with him or not, why not accept the fact, choose to have it
so, and on our part open up everything to the eyes of him with whom we have
to do?
373

AT Jones (continued)
And having opened up the life thus to him, to the flaming fire of the glory
of his shining eyes, what will that do?-- Those eyes of living flame will look
clear through us, and wil consume away all the sin, and al the dross; and will
refine us so that he shall see in us the image of himself.

It is written that we are to serve the Lord 'as of sincerity.' Sincere is
genuine; it is true; it is as strained honey. Original y, it is honey strained, and
strained again, over and over, until, holding up the honey to the light, it is found
to be sine-cera, -- 'without wax,' no trace of cera to be seen floating in it. That
is what he says you and I are to be as certainly as we are Christians. God
cleanses us in the blood of Christ, and holds us up in the light of the Lord, and
the world can see only the light. And so, 'ye are the light of the world.'
"Here, again, is the word of the Lord: 'Search me, O God, and know my heart:
try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me.' Ps.
139:23, 24. That is the word given to us for today and for all time.
Another word goes right along with it: 'O Lord, thou hast searched me, and
known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, . . . and art
acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O
Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and
laid thine hand upon me.' Another translation has it: 'Thou has compassed me
all around; and holdest thine hand over me.' Verses 1-5. That is a fact. He
has compassed us all around, and his hand is over us. Whether we accept it
or not, is another matter; but that is the fact with every man in all this wide
world. That is how it is that al things are naked and opened unto the eyes of
him with whom we have to do.

Then when it is a fact that he has searched us, and known us, and does
search out and know us all the time, why not accept it as a fact, and have the
benefit of it? Why not present to him the word, 'Search me, O God, and know
my heart: try me, and know my thoughts'? What for?-- 'And see if there be
any wicked way in me.' O, that sets me before his face; for his glorious eyes of
light to look upon me, and to shine through me, as the fire, searching out if
there be any wicked way in me! And having searched it out, and being a
consuming fire, he consumes it al away, and leads me in the way everlasting.

So, then, the sure way to escape the flaming fire of that great day is to
welcome that flaming fire this day. Therefore, I say again, Let it never escape
from your thought that "our God is a consuming fire;" and that the sure way to
escape from that consuming fire in that great day when there will be no chance
to change, and no time to choose, is to choose today the blessed change
that is wrought, by welcoming freely, gladly, into the life, our God, who is a
consuming fire.

I remember the word that was spoken to Moses. As Moses had come
nearer and nearer to God, he said at last: 'I beseech thee, show me thy glory.'
That is exactly what appears in the coming great day that is at hand: he comes
"in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." His glory covers the
heavens in that day, and the earth is filled with his praise. In that day he is
"wrapped in a blaze of boundless glory," "and every eye shall see him." But
who shall endure it? That is the question; and the answer is: Only those who
have prayed, and now pray, that Christian prayer, 'I beseech thee, show me thy
glory.'
374

AT Jones (continued)
When Moses prayed that blessed Christian prayer, the Lord said: 'There
is a place by me, . . . and I wil put thee in a cleft of the rock," 'and I will make
all my goodness pass before thee.' 'And it shall come to pass, while my glory
passeth by, I wil cover thee with my hand. And I wil take away my hand,'
and you shall see me. Ex. 33:21-23. So, though every man should dread the
terror of the consuming glory of the Lord in that great day, there is today a
place by him. So we are to bid al souls; and from him I bid you, today,
Come, and stand in this place by him, in the very presence of the flaming glory.
Do not be afraid. Moses was not able to bear the ful ness of that consuming
glory that day; but the Lord, in his love, covered him with his hand, and
protected him from the effects of that glory, which he was unable to bear.

The great trouble in that great day is that the people are not able to bear
the glory. The kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, the
chief men and the captains, and every bondman, and every freeman flee to the
rocks and mountains to hide themselves, and say to the rocks and mountains,
'Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from
the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be
able to stand?' The blazing glory of God wil shine upon the earth, and these
people can not bear it. But today do not be afraid. He says: 'There is a place
by me;' there is a place 'in a cleft of the rock,' and 'I will put thee in a cleft of
the rock,' and I 'will cover thee with my hand,' so that you can bear the blaze,
and the purifying power, of my glory.
And that consuming fire of my presence shall consume away all the sin. I 'wil
cover thee with my hand,'-- I wil protect you even from that weakness which, in
you, makes you unable to bear the ful ness of my glory. And when he takes
away his hand in that great day, those who have dwelt by his side, and been
purified by living in this consuming fire until they are made white and tried, can
look upon his unveiled face. In the ful brightness of his glory, we shal look
upon him, and see him as he is.

And that is where we are now, to look. With open face we can look,
even now, into his face. For, in the flesh of Jesus Christ, God has veiled the
annihilating power of the glory of his face; for, having shined into our hearts,
he gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus
Christ. In looking into the face of Jesus Christ, we see the face of God, and
'we al , with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are
changed into the same image from glory, to glory, even as by the Spirit of the
Lord.'

Then let every soul welcome the glorious message that God sends to
the world, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost;" welcome that blessed Spirit that works
this change by which we are changed from glory to glory, and made ready to
meet him in that great day of glory; and welcome not only the Holy Spirit, but
covet earnestly the best gifts, which the Holy Spirit brings when he comes.
Desire spiritual gifts; for these are to bring us to perfection in Christ Jesus.
Only in this way shall we be made perfect in Christ Jesus; and in Christ be
made ready to meet him as he is.

God is a consuming fire; and I am glad of it. Our God is coming; and I
am glad of it. He is coming in flaming fire; and I am glad of it. He is coming in
all his glory; and I am glad of it. I am sorry that there will be anybody upon
whom he will have to take vengeance; but I am glad that the day is coming
when all sin will be swept away by our God, who is a consuming fire.

Come, brethren. Are you ready? Are you ready to meet him in that
day ? If not, he says to you today, 'There is a place by me.' Come today, and
stand in this place by me. I will reveal to you all my glory; "I will make al my
goodness pass before thee."
375

AT Jones (continued)
And where there is any defect in you that cannot just now bear the
deeply consuming fire of this glory, I "will cover thee with my hand" until it is all
over: so that I may separate you from all sin, and save you in that day of
glory.

O, then, welcome him who is a consuming fire! Dwell in his presence.
Open up the life. Recognize the fact that he is a consuming fire-- that he is
never anything else. Then rejoice in that today. Dwell in that consuming fire
today. And when that great day breaks upon the earth, in all his glory, we
shal also rejoice in that day. Then we shall stand and say, "Lo, this is our
God." But what! with the mountains hurling through the air; every island
fleeing out of its place; the earth coming up from beneath; the heavens
departing as a scrol , with a noise that is more than deafening; and flaming fire
all around, his face as the sun, his eyes as a flame of fire,-- in all this shal we
rejoice?-- Yes, bless the Lord! We shal rejoice, because "this is our God." We
have seen him before; we have lived with him; we have welcomed his
consuming presence; we have welcomed the living flame of which his eyes are
as a flaming fire, that they should pierce us through, and search out any wicked
way in us."
"We know what blessing and joy were brought into our lives when his
consuming glory purified us from sin and from sinning, and made us the
servants of righteousness unto holiness. And knowing what blessedness that
was, we exclaim, in the fullness of perfect joy, 'Lo, this is our God' indeed. We
see him now, more ful y than before. That means more blessing still. 'Lo, this
is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: This is the Lord; we
have waited for him, we wil be glad and rejoice in his salvation.' Isa. 25:9."
(end quote AT Jones)
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12. G
od is Angry with the Wicked (Psalm 7:11)
Objection: "God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. In
this psalm, it is clear that God is able to become angry with wicked persons.
Answer:
According to the Webster's Dictionary (1913), one definition of anger is: The feeling
excited by that which is unworthy, base, or disgraceful.
God's anger is an emotional reaction to something disgraceful, base or unworthy. But
God tel s us, that His anger is not like our anger.
Psalm 50:21
"These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether
such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes."
Isaiah 55:8, 9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
(9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts."
With these texts in mind, consider the following passage:
Psalm 7:11-16
"God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. 12 If he (the
wicked man) turn not (doesn't return to God, doesn't return from apostatising), he (the
wicked man) wil whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. (the wicked wil
progress from sin into violence) .13 He hath also prepared for him (self) the instruments
of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors (literally, those who "hotly
pursue" - people who chase the wicked man to try to bring him to justice). 14 Behold, he
(wicked man) travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth
falsehood. 15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he
made. 16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing
shall come down upon his own pate (scalp)."

This passage is NOT saying that God is violent. It is not saying that God's violence
wil come down upon His own head. God is not a violent being. We can be certain of that
because the Father's character, (the express image of the Father's character) was shown
in the life, words and actions of Jesus Christ - and in Christ there was NO violence.
Isaiah 53:9 (In reference to Jesus Christ)
"And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had
done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth."
In Psalms 7: 12,13, David is referring to the wicked persons, whose evils escalate and
progress to violent acts. e.g. a man steals another man's wife. The husband pursues the
kidnapper "hotly." However, the thief and kidnapper simply prepares his arrows to kil the
pursuing husband. He uses violence, instead of "turning away from his iniquity."
Eventual y, this wicked man's sins will take his own life, because by his sinful decisions,
he is separating himself from the Father, the Source of al Life.
Psalm 9:15-17
"The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their
own foot taken. (16) The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the
wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah. 17 The wicked shall
be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."
377

Those who commit iniquity will reap the consequences of iniquity. Violent people will reap
violence from their own actions. The consequence of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Death
comes from separation from a holy, pure, powerful, but respectful God. Death is only
possible when created beings choose to separate themselves from the Source of al Life
and Perfect Goodness.
Review and Herald 18 January, 1898, p 8 (Jesus speaks regarding the Pharisees)
"'If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin,' Christ said, 'but now they
have no cloak for their sin. . . . But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfil ed that
is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.' Christ's works of mercy contrasted
too sharply with their pride, selfishness, and evil actions. They could not bear to have his
goodness and tender sympathy acted out, even to those whom they despised."
Despite the warnings, if a sinner chooses to live his probationary life in a direction that is
moving away from God's unselfish, loving principles, then the sinner is choosing death.
Proverbs 8:36
"He that hateth me, loveth death."
God informs of the natural consequences of sin, but sinners choose their own destiny.
378

13. A
braham and Isaac - (Genesis 22:1, 2)
Genesis 22:1, 2
"And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him,
'Abraham': and he said, 'Behold, here I am.' And he said, 'Take now thy son, thine only
son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for
a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I wil tell thee of.'"
Objection:
This Old Testament account requires that we ask the very serious question, does God
tempt man to break His commandments?
Answer:
The New Testament answer to that question is, no. The Son of God Himself
confirmed this answer when He stated:
Matthew 5:19
(Jesus said) "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and
shall teach men so, he shall be cal ed the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever
shal do and teach them, the same shal be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
James, the brother of Jesus stated also:
James 1:13
"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted
with evil, neither tempteth he any man."
However, in the Old Testament account, it is recorded supposedly by Moses, that God
did tempt Abraham to break His commandments to make an exception and to put aside
those commandments a most startling and contradictory declaration!
God is not only said to have required that Abraham disregard the commandment, "Thou
shalt not kill" in this circumstance, but to also perform a special, pagan-reeking ritual - to
kill Isaac as a human sacrifice - a burnt offering on top of a high place the same nature
of the sacrifices which the Canaanites were condemned for performing hundreds of
years later.
The book of Genesis states that God originally asked Abraham to "get thee out of thy
country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show
thee" (Gen 12:1).
Abraham had to separate from pagan worshippers (those who performed human
sacrifieces), so that God could reveal Himself - His character clearly to him. The
admonition to "be separate," was continual y emphasised by the prophets down through
Israelite history, but was most often ignored by the leaders of the people.
During a famine, Abraham went into Egypt and from that time onward, sins and pagan
practises were recorded against his record.
1. Upon his entry in Egypt, Abraham revealed that he did not trust God with his life. He
feared the Egyptians might murder him to possess his wife. Sarah, Abraham's wife
was "fair to look upon" (Gen 12:11) so Abraham required her to lie about their marriage
relationship (Gen 12:18, 19). He devised this scheme to deceive Pharaoh instead of
asking for God's protection.
2. On leaving pagan Egypt, Abraham, instead of remaining separate from the pagan
worshippers, purchased an Egyptian female slave named Hagar to become Sarah's
handmaiden.
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3. Not long after Abraham left Egypt, he believed that the Creator told him to circumcise
himself and his male descendants as a public sign of their al egiance to Him (Gen
17:11.12). However, this blood ritual was not original with Abraham or "God" because
the ritual had been practised in Egypt for centuries prior to Abraham's visit. (55) and it
was a blood ritual that signified allegiance to the most important god; the sun "god"
Amon-Re.
4. Abraham again revealed his lack of faith in the One True God and made the same
mistake in Gerar, as he did in Egypt. The circumcision rite had not caused him to
become "certain" of God's loving and faithful character (Genesis 20:2, 3). "And
Abraham said of Sarah his wife, 'She is my sister:' and Abimelech king of Gerar sent,
and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him,
Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a
man's wife."
5. Abraham again distrusted the promises of the One True God, when he took Hagar for
his concubine. This "marriage of convenience" was the accepted custom in the pagan
countries around them, but not in the religion of the Creator. God's perfect
arrangement for marriage had been clearly portrayed in Eden - one man - one woman.
Marriage was instituted in Eden, but mocked in Egypt where the royal class married
multiple wives (Mark Andrews, Marriage in Ancient Egypt.
http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/marriage.htm Abraham became a polygamist.
If God had made a covenant of circumcision with Abraham, why didn't He make that
covenant with Adam straight after the fall? In fact, God did make a covenant with Adam
after the fall, and it was the promise that the Messiah would come through Adam's
posterity - his children of whom Abraham was a descendant. Satan was present when
this aspect of the plan of salvation was presented to Adam. So Satan knew that the Child
of Promise - Christ, was going to come through Adam's children.
When Abraham was selected to be the "father of a great nation," Satan knew the
Promised Child would come through Abraham. Would it be too difficult to consider that
Satan would try to destroy the child Isaac, just as Satan tried to destroy the baby Moses
through Pharaoh's decree to kill al the male babies? Just as Satan tried to destroy the
baby Jesus through King Herod's murderous plot to kil the male babies under 2 years old
in Bethlehem? There is an alarming, familiar threat to these three events.
55 In Egyptian mythology, the sun "god" Amon-Re circumcised himself and from the
blood from his wound two deities (gods) were given existence (The Third International
Symposium on Circumcision, 22-25May, 1994, University of Maryland, Voskuil, Duane,
Ph.D. From Genetic Cosmology to Genital Cosmetics: Origin Theories of the Righting
Rites of Circumcision) http://www.nocirc.org/symposia/third/ "...what makes Egyptian
circumcision especially interesting is that the scholarly evidence indicates that, no
matter where and upon whom it was practised, it represented a sign of affiliation to the
cult of sun god, Amon-Re, chief deity and creator of all things" (Ashley Montagu,
Ph.D, D.Sc., presented at the Second International Symposium on Circumcision, San
Francisco,

California,

30

April

3

May,

1991).
http://www.nocirc.org/symposia/second/montagu.html
"Just when and why
circumcision was first practised in the ancient Near East is not known, but it was widely
attested in antiquity. Bodies from 4000 Before the Common Era (B.C.E.) exhumed in
Egypt disclose evidence of circumcision (Breasted, 353, p.10). Ancient Egyptian art, on
those occasions when the genitals of Egyptian males were depicted, provide evidence
of male circumcision. For example, the carpenter portrayed in a Sixth Dynasty (2350-
2000 B. C. E. tomb at Saqqara with his loin cloth pulled to the rear clearly reveals this
circumcised penis... A relief from the Sixth Dynasty tomb on Ankh-ma-Hor at Saqquara
portrays the circumcision of two puberty-aged youths." Gerald A. Larue Ph.D, Religion
and Circumcision, presented at the Second International Symposium on Circumcision,
San Francisco, California,
30 April 3 May, 1991,
http://www.nocirc.org/symposia/second/larue.html
380

Abraham had made at least 5 serious errors arising from his experience in Egypt, many of
which had their source in Egyptian pagan religions. Could it be that, after his trip to Egypt,
amongst the pagan worshippers, Abraham became confused as to how to worship the
One True God? Did he confuse the voice of God, with the command of another pagan
voice? Did Satan impersonate God's voice and entice Abraham to follow the pagan
Egyptian practices of child sacrifice? If so, Abraham must have been confused for God's
commandments said, "Thou shalt not kill."
In any case, Abraham believed that he was obeying the voice of the Creator. When
Abraham was about to take the life of his son, the One True God intervened, urging him
not to take his son's life (Gen 22:12). Perhaps God accepted that Abraham had intended
to worship Him, in giving up his beloved son Isaac, and so prevented Abraham from doing
that which was abhorrent to Him. In fact, God said that He had NEVER asked for human
sacrifices (Jer 7:31: Jer 32:35).
Through his confusion over the character of God, Abraham still had faith that God would
bring the Messiah from his lineage, even if He had to raise Isaac from the dead. That
faith was granted to him as righteousness (Heb 11:17-19) despite his confusion over
God's character and law.
Not having stated that she 'was shown' by a divine revelation or vision, Ellen White makes
a strange statement in Patriarchs and Prophets concerning this 'divine' command given to
Abraham to murder his 'son of promise.'
Ellen White, Patriarch and Prophets, p 148
"The command was expressed in words that must have wrung with anguish
that father's heart: "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou
lovest, . . . and offer him there for a burnt offering." Isaac was the light of
his home, the solace of his old age, above al else the inheritor of the
promised blessing. The loss of such a son by accident or disease would
have been heart rending to the fond father; it would have bowed down his
whitened head with grief; but he was commanded to shed the blood of that
son with his own hand. It seemed to him a fearful impossibility. Satan was
at hand to suggest that he must be deceived, for the divine law commands,
"Thou shalt not kill," and God would not require what He had once
forbidden. Going outside his tent, Abraham looked up to the calm
brightness of the unclouded heavens, and recal ed the promise made
nearly fifty years before, that his seed should be innumerable as the stars.
If this promise was to be fulfilled through Isaac, how could he be put to
death? Abraham was tempted to believe that he might be under a delusion.
In his doubt and anguish he bowed upon the earth, and prayed, as he had
never prayed before, for some confirmation of the command if he must
perform this terrible duty. He remembered the angels sent to reveal to him
God's purpose to destroy Sodom, and who bore to him the promise of this
same son Isaac, and he went to the place where he had several times met
the heavenly messengers, hoping to meet them again, and receive some
further direction; but none came to his relief. Darkness seemed to shut him
in; but the command of God was sounding in his ears, 'Take now thy son,
thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest.' That command must be obeyed,
and he dared not delay. Day was approaching, and he must be on his
journey."
It would appear that Ellen White confirms the concept that God does tempt man to break
His commandments and to 'lead them into temptation.'
If we accept Ellen White's understanding as being correct, - that the 10 commandments
can be put aside if God so communicates that to us, what then becomes the great
381

standard by which we can identify the voice of God and discern the temptations of Satan?
In Matthew 6:13, Jesus said His people were to pray, "Lead us not into temptation."
Does Jesus mean that we are to ask God to STOP leading us into temptation, the way He
led Abraham into temptation regarding sacrificing Isaac?
Adam Clarke casts some light on the Greek text.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 6:13
Verse 13. [And lead us not into temptation] That is, bring us not in to sore
trial. , which may be here rendered sore trial, comes from
, to pierce through, as with a spear, or spit, used so by some of the
best Greek writers. Several of the primitive fathers understood it
something in this way; and have therefore added quam ferre non
possimus, "which we cannot bear." The word not only implies violent
assaults from Satan, but also sorely afflictive circumstances, none
of which we have, as yet, grace or fortitude sufficient to bear. Bring
us not in, or lead us not in. This is a mere Hebraism: God is said to do
a thing which he only permits or suffers to be done.
[But deliver us from evil] , from the wicked one. Satan is
e xpressly called
,
the wicked one. Mt 13:19, 38, compare
with Mr 4:15; Lu 8:12." (end quote Adam Clarke)
So Jesus was teaching his disciples to ask the Father to continue to prevent their
exposure to Satan's temptations which their weak faith could not yet stand against.
This principle, of temptations arising from Satan not from God - is in harmony with
Paul's instructions to the Corinthian believers.
1 Corinthians 10:13
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful,
who wil not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation
also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
We can trust the words of Jesus.
Matthew 5:19
(Jesus said) "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and
shal teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever
shal do and teach them, the same shal be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
382

14. G
od's Strange Act - (Isaiah 28: 21)
Objection:
Some people believe that God will kill the wicked, even though it is against His
commandments and character to kill. Isaiah certainly appears to say that God
Himself will destroy the wicked and Isaiah calls it God's "strange work" and
"strange act."
Isaiah 28:21
"For the LORD shal rise up as in mount Perazim, he shal be wroth as in the valley of
Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange
act."
Answer:
Let's examin what happened in the Valley of Gibeon?
Joshua 10:5-11
"Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the
king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and
went up, they and al their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it.
6 And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy
hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for al the kings
of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us. 7 So
Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and al the mighty
men of valour. 8 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered
them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. 9 Joshua therefore
came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night. 10 And the LORD
discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and
chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and
unto Makkedah. 11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the
going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them
unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom
the children of Israel slew with the sword."
In the val ey of Gibeon, hailstones rained down from heaven and destroyed the Amorites.
The Lord is again credited with this amazing mass murder, however, just as God withdrew
His protection from Job, and this act permitted Satan to bring fire "down from heaven" to
destroy Job's property, so Satan destroyed the Amorites with hailstones in the val ey of
Gibeon. The Amorites were not protected by God, as they worshipped pagan gods.
Christ revealed the Father's character. While on earth, Christ performed a "strange act."
Signs of the Times, 15 February, 1899 p 14
"The explanation of this strange act of Christ in the cursing of the fig tree was to stand
as a living, warning appeal to all Christian churches. The blighted tree was to repeat its
lesson in every age to the close of earth's history. God is looking for piety, self-denial, self-
sacrifice, compassion for man, and zeal for God. He longs to see in man a deep yearning
of soul to save his fellow-man from unbelief and ruin. But the present condition of the
Christian churches is similar to the condition of the Jews in Christ's day. The Lord and all
heaven behold the fruitless fig tree. They see men trampling upon the law of Jehovah,
making the covenant between Him and His commandment-keeping people a thing a
naught. But to the people who trample upon that law which God has ordained, Christ
says, as He said to the Jewish nation, "Thou hast destroyed thyself."
383

15. C
hrist Executes Judgment - (Jude 1:14, 15)
Objection:
"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the
Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (15) to execute judgment upon all."
Christ's earthly life revealed the character of a sanctified human being. Christ did not
destroy the wicked during His incarnation, because that was not the work that God gave
Him. Neither is the destruction of the wicked the work He gives to this human generation.
That work was performed by the Jews under Joshua's leadership, in their generation.
Christ's work was not to destroy sinners during the time He was to be a Sacrifice for the
sins of the world. Christ wil perform that destroying work as a conquering King. Then
Christ as Judge, will destroy sinners and satisfy the wrath of God against sin.
Answer:
Jesus told the Pharisees to rethink the meaning of an Old Testament verse.
Hosea 6:6
"For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt
offerings."
Matthew 9:13
"But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not
come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Christ informed the Pharisees that they needed to receive clearer knowledge of God's
character. The same advice could be applied today.
The Bible clearly shows that Christ performed the office of a prophet while on earth, and
performs the office of a priest in heaven, and will perform the office of king at His
second coming.
The suggestion is made that Jesus, whilst performing the duties of His prophetic office,
only showed us the character of the prophet while on earth - not the High Priest's
character and not the character of a King - as if the divine character could change
with the duties of His different offices. It is claimed that Jesus' character (while
incarnated) did not reveal the traits of a Judge or King. It is claimed that Christ's judging
character - the supposedly destroying aspect of His character - will be enacted when God
destroys the wicked in a strange violent act. Is this claim provable? What is the
evidence?
Philip requested to Jesus, "Show us the Father and it sufficeth us." Jesus answered that
He that had seen Him had seen the Father also (John 14:9-11). Christ came to show us
the Father and He did show us the Father's character perfectly. It was only the Father's
character that was shown to humanity. Jesus assured His disciples that the Father's
character is the same character as the Son's character i.e. Their spirit is the same.
Does the divine character of Jesus and His Father ever change?
James 1:17
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of
lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
Malachi 3:6:
"For I am the LORD, I change not..."
Hebrews 13:8
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever."
384

How can some people suppose that Christ's character changes when He officiates in the
role of Judge?
The Father handed over judgment to the Son.
John 5:22
"For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son."
Therefore, Jesus also must have revealed the character of a Righteous Judge, despite
not executing that judgment during His incarnation.
Matthew 23.13
"But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of
heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are
entering to go in. (14) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour
widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shal receive the
greater damnation. (15) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye
compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold
more the child of hell than yourselves. (16) Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say,
Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shal swear by the gold
of the temple, he is a debtor! (17) Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or
the temple that sanctifieth the gold? (18) And, Whosoever shal swear by the altar, it is
nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. (19) Ye fools and
blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? (20) Whoso
therefore shal swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by al things thereon. (21) And
whoso shal swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. (22)
And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth
thereon. (23) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint
and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment,
mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (24)
Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. (25) Woe unto you, scribes
and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but
within they are full of extortion and excess. (26) Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that
which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. (27) Woe
unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which
indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of al
uncleanness. (28) Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye
are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (29) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
(30) And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been
partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. (31) wherefore ye be witnesses unto
yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. (32) Fill ye up then
the measure of your fathers. (33) Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye
escape the damnation of hel ? (34) Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and
wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall
ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: (35) That upon you
may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel
unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the
altar. (36) Verily I say unto you, All these things shal come upon this generation. (37) O
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent
unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth
her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (38) Behold, your house is left unto you
desolate. (39) For I say unto you, Ye shal not see me henceforth, till ye shal say,
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."
385

In this chapter, Jesus prophesied the consequences which would eventually befal the
Pharisees and scribes if they continued in their self-righteousness. Christ judged their
works as evil and predicted the outcome on the day of judgment. In this judgment, Christ
simply stated that the end result of their evil choices will be more dreadful for them than
the pagans suffered in Sodom and Gomorrah (Matt 10:6-15).
The scribes and Pharisees and the "chosen people" had greater knowledge of truth than
the pagan races, yet they chose to cherish sin; therefore more sin resided in their minds
and consequentially they will have more sin that wil self-destruct when brought into
contact with unveiled divinity on judgment day. Then Christ declares that He, the
Righteous Judge, will proclaim, "Depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt 7:23).
Christ, in His strange act, (Isa 28:21) finally and completely turns away from those He
died to save, leaving them without the mercy of the loving, protective God. This strange
act on God's part is demonstrated in the parables:
· the 10 virgins, the wise and the foolish (Matt 25:1-12) ;
· good and faithful servants and the unprofitable servant (Matt 25:15-30);
· the sheep and the goats (Matt 25:31-33);
· the wheat and the tares (Matt 24:13-3);
· the good tree and the corrupt tree (Matt 7:17-19)
· branch grafted into the vine and the withered branch (John 15:5,6)
These parables represent the two classes - those who are hid "in Christ" and those who
cling to sin and are representatives of Satan.
While acting in the office of Judge/King, the Bible assures Christians that Christ's
character does not change. Christ simply accepts the choice humanity has made and His
strange act is to leave sinners to the certain fatal consequences of their sad choice to
reject Him.

386

16. O
pen or Closed Probation
Objection: God treats people differently depending on whether their probation is closed
or still open.
Answer:
How did Jesus treat His enemies, when their probation had expired?
Did Jesus only reserve His "loving, forgiving" character traits for those to whom mercy for
repentance was still extended? Did the character of Jesus change toward those whose
probation was expired? Did He then demonstrate a destructive, vengeful character?
Luke 22:2-6
"And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the
people. (3) Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of
the twelve. (4) And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains,
how he might betray him unto them. (5) And they were glad, and covenanted to give him
money. (6) And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the
absence of the multitude.
Luke 22:47-51
"And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the
twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. (48) But Jesus said unto
him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? (49) When they which were about
him saw what would fol ow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword? (50)
And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. (51) And
Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him."
Matthew 26:51-53
"And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his
sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. (52) Then said
Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for al they that take the sword shall
perish with the sword. (53) Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he
shal presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?"
John 18:10-11
"Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off
his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. (11) Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up
thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?"
From studying these three accounts of violence used by Peter to protect Jesus from being
taken captive by the Jews, it can be seen that Jesus left a definite example of how His
followers are to treat those:
· who betray us,
· those whose probation has closed; and
· those who are endeavouring to take our lives.
Jesus knew that during the Lord's Supper meal, Judas' probation was expired for Satan
had entered into him at that time (Luke 22:30). Nonetheless, Jesus did not refuse the
traitor's kiss which marked Him as "the victim" to His enemies. The love of Jesus for lost
sinners is so great that He even called the traitor, "friend," though this man's actions led to
the Saviour's cruel torture and death.
If Jesus treated those whose probation was over with mercy and love, how can Christians
suppose that God would treat those rebels whose probation expires any differently?
387

17. I C
ame to Send a Sword - (Matthew 10:34)
Objection: "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace,
but a sword." Jesus advocated the use of weapons. That is not pacifist ideology.
Answer:
Jesus was speaking to His disciples, prophesying as to the "cross" that they would have
to bear for following His teachings. Christ declared that His words, His truth, - the gospel
would bring trouble, strife and protest from those who rejected His words. The disciples
would preach the truth and the rejection of that truth would bring division among families
and communities.
Jesus was not suggesting that His disciples become physical war warriors and be
involved in carnal warfare, as did Mohammed, and several popes. The sword that Jesus
referred to was His testimony - the "sword of the spirit."
Revelation 19:13
"And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of
God."
Ephesians 6:17
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God:"
Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and
is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
The truth divides believers into two categories those who accept truth and those who
reject it. These two groups would separate and be at enmity with each other.
1 John 4:6
"We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us.
Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error."
In the next six verses, Christ elaborated the truth divides souls into two groups.
Matthew 10:35-40
"For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her
mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. (36) And a man's foes shall be
they of his own household. (37) He that loveth father or mother more than me is not
worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (38)
And he that taketh not his cross, and fol oweth after me, is not worthy of me. (39) He that
findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (94) He that
receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. "
Ellen White makes this comment in Review and Herald, 9 February, 1911, p 19
"Though he bore the title of the Prince of Peace, Christ said of himself, "Think not that I
am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." By these words
he did not mean that his coming was to produce discord and contention among his
followers. He desired to show the effect that his teaching would have on different
minds. One portion of the human family would receive him; the other portion would take
sides with Satan, and would oppose Christ and his fol owers. The Prince of Peace, he
was yet the cause of division. He who came to proclaim glad tidings and to create hope
and joy in the hearts of the children of men, opened a controversy that burns deep and
arouses intense passion in the human heart. And he warns his followers, "In the world ye
shal have tribulation."
388

18. B
uy a Sword - (Luke 22:36) - "
"Then said he unto them, 'But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his
scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.'"
Objection: Jesus commanded His disciples to prepare to kil people by buying swords.
Jesus is not speaking of the sword of the spirit in this passage as the sword of the spirit is
not for sale.
Answer: Let's examine the passage in question.
Geneva Bible Translation Notes
Luke 22:36:
"Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and
likewise [his] scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy
one. He says all this using an al egory, as if he said, "O my friends and fellow
soldiers, you have lived until now in relative peace: but now there is at hand a
most severe battle to be fought, and you must therefore lay all other things
aside and think about dressing yourselves in armour." And what this armour is,
is shown by his own example, when he prayed afterward in the garden and
reproved Peter for striking with the sword."
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
Verse 36. He that hath no sword] Bishop PEARCE supposes that the word
, sword, has been inserted here from what is said in Lu 22:38, as it is
evident our Lord never intended to make any resistance, or to suffer a sword to
be used on the occasion; see Mt 26:52. The word stands rather oddly in the
passage: the verse, translated in the order in which it stands, is as follows: And
he who hath none, let him sell his garment and buy-a sword. Now it is plain that
the verb , let him buy, may be referred to a scrip, in the former
part of the verse: Therefore if, according to the bishop's opinion, the word
sword be omitted, the passage may be understood thus: "When I sent you out
before, Lu 10:1, for a few days, and to preach the Gospel only to your country-
men; therefore you had but little need of a staff, purse, or scrip, as your
journey was neither long, nor expensive; but now I am about to send you into
al the world, to preach the Gospel to every creature; and, as ye shal be
general y hated and persecuted for my sake, ye shall have need to make every
prudent provision for your journey; and so necessary wil it be for you to provide
yourselves victuals, inhospitable country, that, if any of you have no scrip or
wallet, he should sell even his upper garment to provide one." Others, who are
for retaining the word sword, think that it was a proverbial expression, intimating
a time of great difficulty and danger, and that now the disciples had need to look
to themselves, for his murderers were at hand. The reader wil observe that
these words were spoken to the disciples just before he went to the garden of
Gethsemane, and that the danger was now so very near that there could be no
time for any of them to go and sell his garment in order to purchase a sword to
defend himself and his Master from the attack of the Jewish mob."
Prior to Peter's conversion and just after Jesus statement which supposedly instructed the
disciples to arm themselves for physical warfare, Peter used violence against one of his
enemies. Jesus rebuked him immediately and repaired the damage that Peter's sword
had inflicted on the priest's servant's ear.
John 18:10-12
"Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off
his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. (11) Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up
thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shal I not drink it? (12)
Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him."
389

If Jesus intended His direction to be taken literally to buy a sword and to use it for
protective purposes why didn't the disciples carry swords with them in compliance with
Christ's command? If Christ meant for His disciples to understand that from now on they
should use "self-defence" as they spread the gospel, why is there no record of Paul and
the disciples fighting their enemies with the sword? Why are there no Biblical records of
the "sons of thunder" (James and John) or Simon the zealot, reverting to their defensive
behaviour, violent habits which they possessed prior to their conversion? The Bible
simply records that the disciples bore patiently the cross that Jesus prophesied would be
theirs to bear. Paul and Silas sang and prayed in prison. Peter was released from prison
by an angel not by his own trickery or violence against the jailer.
Furthermore, Jesus told His disciples to "love your enemies" -not to "destroy your
enemies" (Matthew 5:44). If Christ gave a command contrary to that which He taught
continuously throughout His ministry and in His sermon on the mount, then it would make
Christ contradict His own teaching.
Matthew 10:16-23
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as
serpents, and harmless as doves. (17) But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to
the councils, and they wil scourge you in their synagogues; (18) And ye shal be brought
before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
(19) But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall
be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. (20) For it is not ye that speak, but
the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. (21) And the brother shal deliver up the
brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their
parents, and cause them to be put to death. (22) And ye shal be hated of all men for my
name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (23) But when they
persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shal not have
gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come."
Christ clearly taught His disciples that when they suffered persecution, they were to suffer
it patiently and accept what their heavenly Father permitted to come upon them.
Matthew 5:11-12
"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shal say all manner
of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (12) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is
your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
Christ further instructed His disciples who, when suffering abuse, to "endure unto the end"
for in so doing, they would imitate their Master's perfect, loving example.
1 Peter 2:21-23
"For even hereunto were ye cal ed: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow his steps: (22) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in
his mouth: (23) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he
threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:"
So whatever the meaning of Christ's words in instructing the disciples to "buy a sword," it
can be safely accepted that Christ never intended "the sword" to be purchased with the
intent of causing violence or threat to any human being. It has also been clearly
presented from Christ's teachings, that He never advocated His disciples to employ self-
defence as a substitute for placing their trust in God's defence.
390

19. T
hou Shalt Surely Kill - (Deuteronomy 13:6-13)
"If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy
bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go
and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; (7) Namely, of
the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee,
from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; (8) Thou shalt not
consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt
thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: (9) But thou shalt surely kill him; thine
hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of al the
people. (10) And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought
to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of
Egypt, from the house of bondage."
Objection: This passage is a direct command from Moses to destroy idolaters. The
instructions are explicit. Moses spoke with God face to face. There can be no doubt that
God gave Moses this direct instruction to destroy all idolaters, either inside the Israelite
camp or in the Promised Land.
Answer:
In the passage from Deuteronomy 13, it appears that Moses received his instructions to
exterminate idolaters from God. This is strange, for in 1 Samuel 28:18-19, Satan also
credits God for handing over the Israelites into the hands of the idolatrous Philistines.
1 Samuel 28:18-19 (Satan speaking, disguised as Samuel's "spirit")
"Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath
upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day. (19)
Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and
to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of
Israel into the hand of the Philistines."
The Bible appears to claim that:
· God (through Moses) instructed the Israelites to actively destroy idolaters in Canaan;
· God permitted Satan's fol owers, the Philistine idolaters to destroy the Israelite idolaters
(their leader, King Saul attended a séance);
· Satan led the Philistines to murder the Israelites.
Satan (disguised as Samuel) claimed that:
· the kingdom was being "rent" from Saul because God was "fiercely wrath" with him
for not total y exterminating the Amalekites;
· God's fierce wrath needed to be vented by the destruction of many Israelites in an
active, aggressive, blood-thirsty war with the idolatrous Philistines.
Should Satan's words be believed?
Jesus said that Satan is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:44
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer
from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he
speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
Satan's lies beg the question Are the characters of God and Satan so similar that both
commit the same destructive work of killing human beings? Jesus warned against such
confused reasoning.
Matthew 12:26 (Jesus asked)
"And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom
stand?"
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Mark 3:26
"And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end."
Do Christ and Satan do the same destructive work? No!
John 18:36
"Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then
would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my
kingdom not from hence."
Christ said His kingdom is not of this world. If it was, His servants WOULD fight if they
were worldly and carnal (as was Peter when he sliced off the priest's servant's ear)) but
the only fight that Christ's converted servants are to be lawfully engaged in, is the fight of
self surrender to God's spirit.
1Timothy 6:12
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and
hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."
Ephesians 6:11-13
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in
high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able
to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
Revelation 2:24;12:9
"But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and
which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none
other burden..... And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and
Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels
were cast out with him."
Just as Jesus said the disciples could not bear to learn many more truths at that time
(John 16:12), so also, humanity is often ignorant of the depths of Satan's evil ways.
Review and Herald 22 April, 1862, p 10
"Our efforts must be earnest and persevering to resist the attacks of Satan. He employs
his strength and skill in trying to turn us out of the right way. He watches our going out
and coming in, and intends to hurt or destroy us. He works most successfully in
darkness, injuring those who are ignorant of his devices. He could not gain
advantage if his method of attack was understood."
Does God instruct sinful human beings to destroy other sinful human beings? Or, as
Satan insinuated to Saul, "Is God the only destructive force?"
Shouldn't Christians question Satan's lies and examine the life of Jesus Christ for
evidence of His (and the Father's) divine character?
Can we know if God is destructive to human beings? Yes, we can examine the life of
Christ and see if His character was destructive.
Luke 9:54-56
"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? (55)
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
(56) For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."
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John 10:5, 10.
(Jesus said) "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:.... I am
come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
· According to Satan (disguised as Samuel), God is the destroyer of heretics!
· According to Jesus (through John) in Revelation 9:11, Satan is the destroyer
(Destroyer is translated Abaddon in Hebrew and Apollyon in Greek).
Who wil Christians believe?
Wil they believe the testimony of the Son of God?
Hebrews 2:12
"Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith."
393

20. G
od Has a Right to Destroy Heretics EGW (4 Spiritual Gifts p 50 )
O
bjection:
"Moses commanded the men of war to destroy the women and male children. Balaam
had sold the children of Israel for a reward, and he perished with the people whose favor
he had obtained at the sacrifice of twenty-four thousand of the Israelites. The Lord is
regarded as cruel by many in requiring his people to make war with other nations. They
say that it is contrary to his benevolent character. But he who made the world, and formed
man to dwel upon the earth, has unlimited control over al the works of his hands, and it is
his right to do as he pleases, and what he pleases with the work of his hands. Man has no
right to say to his Maker, Why doest thou thus? There is no injustice in his character. He
is the Ruler of the world, and a large portion of his subjects have rebel ed against his
authority, and have trampled upon his law. He has bestowed upon them liberal blessings,
and surrounded them with everything needful, yet they have bowed to images of wood
and stone, silver and gold, which their own hands have made. They teach their children
that these are the gods that give them life and health, and make their lands fruitful, and
give them riches and honor. They scorn the God of Israel. They despise his people,
because their works are righteous "The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. They
are corrupt. They have done abominable works." God has borne with them until they filled
up the measure of their iniquity, and then he has brought upon them swift destruction. He
has used his people as instruments of his wrath, to punish wicked nations, who have
vexed them, and seduced them into idolatry." (end quote) Ellen White testifies that
God has a right to order His people to destroy heretics. Are you rejecting the spirit
of prophecy?"
Answer:
Ellen White certainly was the "messenger of the Lord" and a true prophet. What she was
shown in vision or in a communication from God, can be accepted as being direct truth
from the Lord, however al other theological conclusions need to be weighed against the
"law and the testimony of Jesus" (Isaiah 8:20). Regarding the above statements made by
Ellen White, consider the vision she was "shown" on this subject. It appears immediately
after the quote above. Did Ellen White conclude MORE than was given in the vision? It
might appear that this is the case.
The Vision - 4 Spiritual Gifts p 50
"A family picture was presented before me. A part of the children seem anxious to
learn and obey the requirements of the father, while the others trample upon his
authority, and seem to exult in showing contempt of his family government. They
share the benefits of their father's house, and are constantly receiving of his
bounty. They are wholly dependent upon him for all they receive, yet are not
grateful, but conduct themselves proudly, as though all the favors they received of
their indulgent parent were supplied by themselves. The father notices all the
disrespectful acts of his disobedient, ungrateful children, yet he bears with them.
(51) At length, these rebellious children go still further, and seek to influence and
lead to rebellion those members of their father's family who have hitherto been
faithful. Then all the dignity and authority of the father is called into action, and he
expels from his house the rebellious children, who have not only abused his love
and blessings themselves, but tried to subvert the remaining few who had
submitted to the wise and judicious laws of their father's household. For the sake
of the few who are loyal, whose happiness was exposed to the seditious influence
of the rebellious members of his household, he separates from his family his
undutiful children, while at the same time he labors to bring closer to himself the
remaining faithful and loyal ones. All would honor the wise and just course of such a
parent, in punishing most severely his undutiful, rebel ious children. God has dealt thus
with his children. But man, in his blindness, will overlook the abominations of the ungodly,
and pass by unnoticed the continual ingratitude and rebellion, and heaven-daring sins of
those who trample upon God's law and defy his authority. They do not stop here, but exult
in subverting his people, and influencing them by their wiles to transgress, and show open
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(Ellen White, continued) contempt for the wise requirements of Jehovah." (52) Some
can see only the destruction of God's enemies, which looks to them unmerciful and
severe. They do not look upon the other side. But let everlasting thanks be given, that
impulsive, changeable man, with all his boasted benevolence, is not the disposer and
controller of events. "The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." (unquote)
Ellen White was not shown in vision that the Father ordered the "good" children to kil the
"bad" children. Ellen White was shown that the Father forsook, or "turned His back" on
the "bad" rebellious children and left them to their own devices. Also, the vision reveals
that the Father did this in order to protect the "good" children who were endeavouring to
be obedient to the Father's law. The Father was not encouraging the "good" children to
break His law which stated, "Thou shalt not kill." The "good" children were shown to be
protected by the "casting out" of the "bad" children not by killing them. What does
casting out involve? "He separates from his family his undutiful children." God
removes His "wings of protection" (Psalm 91:4) from the rebellious children and with
weeping, commands His angels, "Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone." (Hosea 4:17).
As in the case of Ephraim, God's protection is withdrawn. Without divine protection,
enemies are able to attack, murder and destroy under the command of the devil. The
Father agonises as did Jesus as He wept over Jerusalem, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou
that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I
have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her
wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate"(Matthew
23:37,38). The Father cries, "Cast away from you al your transgressions, whereby ye
have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for Why will ye die, O
house of Israel?" (Ezekiel 18:31)."As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the
death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from
your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" (Ezekiel 33:11)
Should our faith be placed in any man or woman? No. "Neither be ye called masters: for
one is your Master, even Christ" (Matthew 23:10).
Our faith is established in Jesus' testimony in His life. Christ's life aligns with the law of
God perfectly. There is a safeguard against trusting in human beings for direction in
spiritual matters. If they speak not according to the law and to the testimony, it is because
there is no light in them (Isaiah 8:20).
Is it possible that Ellen White might have been unaware that God's "wrath" is His "turning
away" from those who continually reject His spirit? If so, one might question why God did
not tell Ellen White that she was mistaken in this aspect of interpreting the vision.
Perhaps, God did not explain some matters to Ellen White because, as Jesus said to His
disciples, the church "could not bear them" at that stage.
John 16:12
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now."
Jesus did not say that the disciples were not inspired or converted or not genuine, nor in
receipt of the gifts of the spirit of God. In fact the disciples were already "healing the sick,
cleansing the lepers, raising the dead, casting out devils" (Matthew 10:8; Luke 10:17).
He stated that they could not bear any more truth just at that particular time. God does
not overwhelm us with too much truth al at once. He leads His sheep gently (Isaiah
40:11).
However, the 144, 000 WILL reflect God's character PERFECTLY. There is much to
learn about the character of God and we learn these lessons through His Son.
John 16:13
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:"
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21. K
orah's Death
Objection:
Concerning the destruction of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, from Patriarchs and Prophets p
401, 4, Ellen White states: "Overwhelming evidence had been given that they were
wrong, and that Moses was right. The signal manifestation of God's power had removed
all uncertainty..... The same thing was done by the people, who the day after the
destruction of Korah and his company came to Moses and Aaron, saying, 'Ye have kil ed
the people of the Lord.' Notwithstanding they had had the most convincing evidence of
God's displeasure at their course, in the destruction of the men who had deceived them,
they dared to attribute His judgments to Satan." You appear to be saying that Satan
destroyed Korah and his company, whereas the prophet says God destroyed them.
Answer:
God destroyed Korah, Dathan and Abiram (and the 250 princes and some of the
congregation) only in the sense that He withdrew His presence and protection and Satan
was able to rush in and destroy the defenceless rebels. Consider the situation as follows:
Korah and his peers died after refusing to believe the divine evidence given to them
personally, that Moses was chosen as leader of the Israelite people.
Patriarchs and Prophets, p 396
"Korah and his fellow conspirators were men who had been favored with special
manifestations of God's power and greatness. They were of the number who went up with
Moses into the mount and beheld the divine glory."
Korah, Dathan, and Abiram ascended the mountain with the seventy leaders and he saw
the glorious divine light of Christ. Even with this undeniable evidence, Korah still dared to
suggest that it was not God who appointed Moses as leader, but Satan.
Ellen White, 3 Testimonies for the Church, p 346, 348
"He (Korah) claimed that God had opened the matter to him and laid upon him the
burden of changing the government of Israel just before it was too late. He stated that the
congregation were not at fault; they were righteous; that this great cry about the
murmuring of the congregation bringing upon them the wrath of God was all a mistake;
and that the people only wanted to have their rights; they wanted individual
independence.... And they gave themselves up to discontent until they really deceived
themselves and thought that Moses and Aaron had placed themselves in the
position which they occupied in Israel.... Moses told them that Aaron had assumed no
office of himself, that God had placed him in the sacred office.... They said that it was
Moses who had told them that they could not go into the land, and that the Lord had not
thus said."
Korah accused Moses of authorising his own leadership and accused him of being
tyrannical (insinuating that he was controlled by the devil). Of course this was not the
case. It was God Who declared that Moses was the leader and that Aaron's priesthood
was ordained by divine instruction. This was the evidenced testimony of the spirit of God
that the rebels denied. It was then that God separated the people and withdrew His
protection from the rebels. This action is in harmony with other demonstrations of the
"wrath of God."
Korah claimed that God had not judged him and his friends as evil doers. The rebels also
claimed that God's judgment of Moses and Aaron (as being His leaders), wasn't from God
but from Satan.
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After being privileged to be on the mountain with God and to see His divine leading in
setting apart Moses and Aaron, Korah rejected the divine evidence and continued to rebel
against God's expressed order of organisation. After hardening his heart repeatedly, God
left him to his own choice. Korah was judged guilty. That was the judgement of God.
Then God withdrew His protection. With divine protection removed, Satan rushed in - to
do the destroying - and again, God got the blame. The people who witnessed all the
destruction caused as God removed His protection from Korah, also sinned in not
accepting that their leaders were divinely ordained and that Korah and his cohorts were
killed because of continued disobedience to God.
The day after Korah and the 250 princes were destroyed it was evident that Korah's
rebel ious sentiments had been conveyed to and accepted by the congregation also.
Patriarchs and Prophets, p 404
"The same thing was done by the people, who the day after the destruction of Korah and
his company came to Moses and Aaron, saying, "Ye have killed the people of the Lord."
Notwithstanding they had had the most convincing evidence of God's displeasure at their
course, in the destruction of the men who had deceived them, they dared to attribute His
judgments to Satan, declaring that through the power of the evil one, Moses and
Aaron had caused the death of good and holy men. It was this act that sealed
their doom. They had committed the sin against the Holy Spirit, a sin by which man's heart
is effectually hardened against the influence of divine grace.... It is through the agency
of the Holy Spirit that God communicated with man; and those who deliberately reject
this agency as satanic, have cut off the channel of communication between the soul and
Heaven."
The people declared that Moses and Aaron served Satan. They accused Moses and
Aaron of causing the death of men whom the people stil declared were innocent and
"good and holy men." The people rejected the judgment of God, despite knowing that
Moses and Aaron had been especially selected by God - as they witnessed in the
mountain when they saw the divine light and Moses go into the light. These are the
judgments of God that they rejected.,
But, even though He was being rejected, Christ still wanted to save the rebels from the
destroying angel.
Patriarchs and Prophets, p 401
"Jesus, the Angel who went before the Hebrews, sought to save them from
destruction. Forgiveness was lingering for them. The judgment of God had come very
near, and appealed to them to repent. A special, irresistible interference from heaven had
arrested their rebellion. Now, if they would respond to the interposition of God's
providence, they might be saved. But while they fled from the judgments, through fear of
destruction, their rebellion was not cured. They returned to their tents that night terrified,
but not repentant."
The Bible states that the earth swallowed up Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Isn't it possible
that Satan caused these evil men's destruction after God removed His protection?
The Son of God tenderly pleaded with the rebellious people, but they would not repent. In
response to their reconfirmed rebellion and rejection of Him, Christ once again reluctantly
withdrew His protective presence from the rebellious people. Only in the sense of
withdrawing His protection was Christ responsible for their destruction, for in withdrawing
His presence, the rebels were left unprotected from Satan. Their probation was over.
The rebels chose to cling to their cherished their sins. Satan then became their master
and he controlled and destroyed them.
397

How the Son of God must have wept, that these people died, as He later cried over
unrepentant Jerusalem!
If this scenario seems far-fetched, please consider the situation explained by Ellen White
concerning Jesus' experience of enduring the Father's wrath, in the Garden of
Gethsemane.
EG White, Sufferings of Christ, p 17, 18
"Could mortals view the amazement and sorrow of the angels as they watched in silent
grief the Father separating His beams of light, love and glory, from his Son, they would
better understand how offensive is sin in His sight. As the Son of God in the Garden of
Gethsemane bowed in the attitude of prayer, the agony of his spirit forced from His pores
sweat like great drops of blood. It was here that the horror of great darkness surrounded
Him. The sins of the world were upon Him. He was suffering in man's stead, as a
transgressor of His Father's law. Here was the scene of temptation. The divine light of
God was receding from His vision, and He was passing into the hands of the
powers of darkness. In the agony of His soul He lay prostrate on the cold earth. He
was realizing His Father's frown. The cup of suffering Christ had taken from the lips of
guilty man, and proposed to drink it Himself, and, in its place, give to man the cup of
blessing. The wrath that would have fallen upon man, was now falling upon Christ."
From the above quote, it is explained by EG White that the wrath of the Father is called
"th
e Father's frown."
It is described as the separating of His light, love and glory.
When the Father withdraws His spirit (light, love and glory) then Satan and his
demons the powers of darkness - rush in and bring horror and destruction.
Ellen White here states that the Father turned away from His Son and Satan rushed in to
destroy Him.
If Ellen White's definition and understanding of the Father's wrath is rejected, there is no
other conclusion remaining than to suppose that the Father kil ed His Son, or that the Son
committed suicide. Both these options accuse Father and Son of breaking Their own
commandments - "thou shalt not kill."
While on the cross, the Son of God laid down His immortal life. Christ refused to "borrow"
life from His divinity. In this way, no-one could take His immortal life from Him. However,
Satan inflicted torture to ensure the death of Christ's mortal, human life. To this
murderous action, Christ voluntarily submitted.
Just as the wrath of God fell on Jesus (on behalf of guilty humanity) in the Garden of
Gesthemane, the same divine wrath fell on guilty Korah and the other Israelite rebels.
When the Father withdraws His spirit (light, love and glory) then Satan and his
demons the powers of darkness - rush in and bring horror and destruction.
398

22. T
he Lord Shall Judge His People Deuteronomy 32:20-36
Objection: "For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his
servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or
left." In 1 Testimonies for the Church, p 355-386, Ellen White applies
Deuteronomy 32:36 as God's punishment on wicked people. The result was the
Civil War. Therefore, God must approve of warfare to get rid of, or to punish the
wicked.
Answer:
There are many Old Testament passages which appear to teach that God is personally
going to destroy idolaters, even enlisting other human beings to perform the murderous
task on His behalf. Many major religions expound doctrines based on the premise that
God destroys His enemies - heretics, by asking "the righteous" people to commit murder.
It seems strange that when "God" commands someone to murder a heretic, religions
which accept this as doctrine, never describe the act as murder. Some well-known
religions include the Roman Catholic and Islamic religions whose sacred traditions and
holy books teach that God commands His people to destroy sinners and heretics.
Two examples follow:
The Directorium Inquisitorum (Handbook of the Spanish Inquisition) states:
"He is a heretic who does not believe what the Roman Hierarchy teaches.... A
heretic merits the pains of fire.... By the Gospel, the canons, civil law, and
custom, heretics must be burned...Inquisitors enjoy the benefits of a plenary
indulgence [a full papal forgiveness of sin] at all times in life, and in
death." http://www.rulersofevil.com/chap8.html Inquistoium Dictorum 1376.
Dr Samuele Bacchiocchi (Retired Professor of Theology, Andrews University)
"Rather, the issue is the teachings of the Koran which call for the suppression
and extermination of those who practice a different religion.....
"By teaching that those who die fighting for the cause of Allah will have
their sins forgiven and are admitted into the pleasure of Paradise, the
Koran has inspired Muslims throughout the centuries to fight unto death for the
cause of Allah." www.keithhunt.com/Islam.html)
Ellen White states that "Force is the last resort of every false religion." (SDA 7 Bible
Commentary p 976 ; ST 6 May, 1897)
When carefully examined and compared with the life of Jesus Christ, the judgment
promised in Deut 32:36 and in similar passages in the Bible, such as Jeremiah 11, can be
understood as a desperate safety warning from a loving God - to quickly return to Him.
Following is Bible Commentator Adam Clarke's notes on those verses which reveal from
the Hebrew text the understanding that God's wrath is demonstrated by His "turning away"
or when He "changes His conduct toward them." Green's Literal Version of the same
Bible texts, fol ow the commentary.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
Deuteronomy 32:36:
Verse 36. The Lord shall judge his people] He has an absolute right over them as their
Creator, and authority to punish them for their rebel ions as their Sovereign; yet he will
repent himself-he will change his manner of conduct towards them, when he seeth
that their power is gone-when they are entirely subjugated by their adversaries, so that
their political power is entirely destroyed; and there is none shut up or left-not one
strong place untaken, and not one family left, all being carried into captivity, or scattered
into strange lands. Or, he will do justice to his people, and avenge them of their
adversaries; see Deuteronomy 32:35.
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Green's Literal Translation
Deuteronomy 32:20-35
20 "And H
e said, I will hide My face from them; I will see what their end w
ill be ; for
they are a perverse generation, sons in whom is no faithfulness. 21They made Me jealous
with a no-god; they made Me angry by their vanities; and I shall make them jealous by a
no-people; by a foolish nation I shal make them angry. 22For a fire has been kindled in
My anger, and it burns to the lowest Sheol, and consumes the earth and its
produce; and sets on fire the foundations of the mountains. 23I will heap evils on
them; I wil use up My arrows on them. 24I wil send on them exhaustion by famine, and
depletion by burning heat, and bitter destruction, and the teeth of beasts, with the venom
of crawling things of the dust. 25The sword shall bereave from without, and terror from
within, both the young man and the virgin, the suckling with the man of gray hairs. 26I
said, I will dash them to pieces; I wil make their memory cease from among men; 27
saying , Were it not the provocation of an enemy I feared, that their foes should judge
amiss, that they might not say, Our hand is high, and Jehovah has not done all this. 28For
they are a nation void of counsel, and no understanding is in them. 29If they were wise,
they would understand this; they would consider their latter end. 30How could one chase
a thousand, and two put a myriad to flight, if it were not their Rock that sold them, and
Jehovah had shut them up? 31For their rock is not our Rock, even our enemies being
judges. 32For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and their grapes of the fields of
Gomorrah, grapes of gal ; they have bitter clusters. 33Their wine is the venom of
serpents, and the cruel venom of asps. 34 Is it not stored up with Me, sealed in My
treasuries? 35Mine are vengeance and recompense, At the due time--doth their foot slide;
For near is a day of their calamity, And haste do things prepared for them."
Despite the intense language, closer study reveals that God did not inflict evil on anyone.
Evil resulted as a sad consequence of people who made a choice to reject God's spirit
and protection, thus leaving themselves exposed to satanic attacks. Take for example, the
prophesied desolation of Jerusalem which God had threatened for centuries.
Divine Fury on Jerusalem
(This section concerning Jerusalem is repeated from an earlier section for convenience)
Jeremiah 6:8
"Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee
desolate, a land not inhabited."
Jeremiah 9:11
"And I will make Jerusalem heaps, and a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of
Judah desolate, without an inhabitant."
Jeremiah 44:6
"Wherefore my fury and mine anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of
Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as at this day."
Ezekiel 12:19,20
"And say unto the people of the land, Thus saith the Lord GOD of the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, and of the land of Israel; They shall eat their bread with carefulness, and drink
their water with astonishment, that her land may be desolate from all that is therein,
because of the violence of all them that dwell therein (20) And the cities that are
inhabited shall be laid waste, and the land shal be desolate; and ye shal know that I am
the LORD."
400

In fact, Jeremiah paints a furious picture in Jeremiah 11:1-14. Jeremiah was instructed to
write dire warnings of judgments to come upon idolaters in Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 11:1-14
The prophet Jeremiah revealed that the Israelites were wicked from the time they were
delivered from Egyptian captivity. They served "other gods." Jeremiah captures the truth
that the wrath of God is a "turning away" from His people and that "cursings" (evil) is
a "natural" consequence that fol ows the removal of God's blessings His spirit and
protection.
Jeremiah 11:1
"The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, (2) Hear ye the words of this
covenant, and speak unto the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem; (3) And
say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that
obeyeth not the words of this covenant, (4) Which I commanded your fathers in the
day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey
my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people,
and I will be your God: (5) That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your
fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered
I, and said, So be it, O LORD. (6) Then the LORD said unto me, Proclaim al these words
in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this
covenant, and do them. (7) For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I
brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting,
saying, Obey my voice. (8) Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every
one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words
of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not. (9) And the
LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the
inhabitants of Jerusalem. (10) They are turned back to the iniquities of their
forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to
serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which
I made with their fathers. (11) Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil
upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto
me, I will not hearken unto them. (12) Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of
Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not
save them at all in the time of their trouble. (13) For according to the number of thy cities
were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye
set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal. (14) Therefore
pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not
hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble."
From the foregoing Old Testament verses, it certainly appears convincing that God
is so angry with Jerusalem that He is going to personally destroy the city and the
land of Judah, leaving the entire area desolate. However, many years later, as
Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, He demonstrates the reality of how rejection affects
His Father.
Matthew 23:37
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent
unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth
her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"
Ellen White states that Christ's reaction after being rejected by first century Jerusalem,
was of the same character as that suffered by the Old Testament Christ, Who
wasreluctant to remove His presence from Old Jerusalem.
401

Desire of Ages, 1989, p 829
"The holy Shekinah, in departing from the first temple, had stood upon the eastern
mountain, as if loath to forsake the chosen city; so Christ stood upon Olivet, with
yearning heart overlooking Jerusalem."
Furthermore, though God states unequivocally that HE will destroy Jerusalem and Judah,
the prophesied siege of Jerusalem and its destruction was accomplished by the Roman
army, under Titus a pagan.
Great Controversy, p 33
"Blood flowed down the temple steps like water. Thousands upon thousands of Jews
perished. Above the sound of battle, voices were heard shouting: "Ichabod!"--the glory is
departed."
General Conference Daily Bulletins, 7 March, 1899 p 5 ( written 2 August, 1895)
"Their beautiful temple was in ruins, and 'Ichabod, Ichabod, the glory is departed from
Israel,' was heard in songs of lamentation.... The Lord permitted them to be broken up
until they should find in him their center of attraction."
The judgments of Deuteronomy and Jeremiah are the expression of God's wrath where
He is pictured as "turning away." It is demonstrated in the Bible and in Christ's life, that
when God's spirit is continually rejected, He wil very sadly "turn away His face" from that
person. God absents Himself by retracting His spirit and His holy angels no longer protect
the person. It is logically understood that when holy angels are recalled from
protecting people, sad consequences will follow. These sad consequences are
c alled "curses." B
lessings are the joyful consequences of God's presence. .

Once again, these passages demonstrate that God removed His glory, His spirit, His
presence and disaster occurred. Desolation followed rejection of God, not because God
caused it, but because humanity makes a choice to move away from God and then Satan
finds easy targets who are without divine protection. As a satanic attack happened to
Job, who was innocent, so a satanic frenzied attack was inflicted on Jerusalem..
Matthew 5:43 (Jesus said)
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine
enemy. (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; (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. (46)
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the
same?"
Micah 6:8
"He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee,
but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
Those who love Christ and want to imitate His character will show mercy as He showed
mercy. In Christ's instructions, there is no allowance made for killing our neighbour - or
our enemy - instead of loving them (Matthew 5:44).
402

23. T
o Me Belongeth Vengeance and Recompense - Deuteronomy 32:35
Deuteronomy 32:35 "To me belongeth vengeance and recompense."
Objection: This verse appears to state that God's character permits Him to harbour anger
and that He will eventually "pay back" that anger and cal it justice. This appears to
harmonise with the Mosaic law.
Exodus 21:23-25
"And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, (24) Eye for eye, tooth for
tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, (25) Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for
stripe."
Answer:
If God ever acted in an unloving way, then He would change His character, which He says
He will not do (Mal 3:6;Jam 1:17;.Heb 13:8). To do so would mean that God would break
His own commandments, for love is the fulfilment of the law of God. Love is defined by
God's character. The 10 commandments educate humanity how to love in God's
government. Therefore, God's vengeance and recompense are undoubtedly loving, law-
abiding actions of a holy and supremely loving God.
If this premise is correct, we can safely assume that no divine act has ever been
performed which was motivated from fury or wrath as understood by fallen humanity
for these character traits stem from sinful, selfish motives. So God's vengeance and
recompense must be quite different from the usual human understandings.
Dictionary Definitions:
· T
hayer's Greek Lexicon
VENGEANCE# 1557 ekdikesis ek-dik'-ay-sis from <1556>; ; n f
1)

a

revenging,

vengeance,

punishment

In 2Co 7:11 --meeting out of justice; doing justice to all parties. See Lu 18:3, 21:22.
The word also has the sense of acquittal and carries the sense of vindication.
(Vincent III, p. 329) )
from #1556 to protect, defend, one person from another
· Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language (1913) defines
VENGEANCE as follows:
Vengeance /Venge´ance/ (?), n. [F. vengeance, fr. venger to avenge, L.
vindicare to lay claim to, defend, avenge, fr. vindex a claimant,
defender, avenger, the first part of which is of uncertain origin, and the
last part akin to dicere to say. See Diction, and cf. Avenge, Revenge,
Vindicate.] 1. Punishment inflicted in return for an injury or an offense;
retribution; -- often, in a bad sense, passionate or unrestrained revenge.
· Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language (1913) defines
RECOMPENSE as fol ows:
Recompense /Rec´om·pense/ (rk´m·pns), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
Recompensed (-p?nst); p. pr. & vb. n. Recompensing (-p?n`s?ng).] [F.
récompenser, LL. recompensare, fr.L. pref. re- re- + compensare to
compensate. See Compensate.] 1. To render an equivalent to, for
service, loss, etc.; to requite; to remunerate; to compensate. 2. To
return an equivalent for; to give compensation for; to atone for; to pay
for. 3. To give in return; to pay back; to pay, as something earned
or deserved. [R.]
403

· God's vengeance is His defensive protection of His people.
· God recompenses (repays) evil when He does not interfere to prevent
the wicked receiving in their bodies, the reward which they have
earned death.
Romans 6:23
"The wages of sin is death. "
At the final destruction, God defends the redeemed saints from the final attack of the
wicked who murderously compass the New Jerusalem. Because of their effort to harm
the saints, God moves to protect His people. This divines protection the unveiled glory
of God - causes the wicked to received in their bodies, the reward which they have
earned.
In one action God will demonstrate His protective vengeance to His saints, and His
recompense - His "turning away" His protection from the wicked who are left to reap what
they themselves have sown.
404

24. My
Fury Upheld Me - Isaiah 63:1-6
Verses 2-6 "I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with
me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood
shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I wil stain al my raiment. (4)For the day of
vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. (5) And I looked,
and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore
mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and m
y fury 56 *
(righteousness) it
upheld me (6) And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk
in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth."
Objections:
These verses raise several issues.
· treading the winepress;
· alone, none to help;
· sprinkling the blood;
· day of vengeance;
· divine fury;
· tread the people down;
· make them drunk;
· bring down their strength.
Answers:
· T
reading the winepress .
Christ is shown to "tread the winepress." 'Treading out the grapes' is an expression that is
used to describe "the utter destruction of a people" (John Wesley's Notes on the Bible).
Christ, as the second Adam, took upon Him, the entire human race. That race of
humanity with its sinful flesh was conquered by the righteous life of Christ Jesus.
· A
lone, none to help
Isaiah 59:16
"And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor:
therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him."
Christ suffered alone, resisted temptation alone. He alone lived a sinless life. There is
only one Saviour, One Mediator and High Priest (1 Tim 2:5). Christ was tried, tested and
tempted more than any other human being could be tested. His humanity was crushed
and there was none to help Him only His faith in His Father's character made it possible
for Christ to conquer sin. Christ's righteousness upheld Him. It was the righteousness of
Christ that brought salvation and upheld Him. This passage also employs strong
sanctuary symbolism. "

Sp
rinkling the blood
Pagan sacrificial practices focused on "the life" being in the blood of a sacrificial human
being or animal both of which the Israelites sacrificed in their frequent apostasies.
Curiously, in the Jewish sanctuary services, as in the pagan religions, the sacrificial blood
also signified "the life."
Leviticus 17:11
"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make
an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."
56 God's fury is His righteousness! See Isaiah 59:16
405

On the Jewish day of Atonement, the priest would take some sacrificial animal's blood
into the most holy place. This blood or "life" was said to represent the sin of the Israelites.
Some blood was applied to the mercy seat, but some blood stained the priest's garments.
Patriarchs and Prophets, p 355
"Then in his character of mediator the priest took the sins upon himself, and, leaving the
sanctuary, he bore with him the burden of Israel's guilt."
Review and Herald, 13 November, 1913, p11
"Still bearing humanity he ascended to heaven, triumphant and victorious. He has taken
the blood of the atonement, sprinkled it upon the mercy-seat and his own garments, and
blessed the people. Soon he will appear the second time to declare that there is no more
sacrifice for sin."
Review and Herald, 17 August, 1869, p 2
"God forbid that we should go down to death with the blood of souls upon our garments."
Revelation refers to Isaiah 63:6 where Christ alone makes atonement for humanity's
sin. His own righteousness His white robe became stained with blood as He
bore the sins of others. Sinners lives depended on Christ developing a righteous
character. The sins of others, Christ carried to His death.
· D
ivine fury
Proverbs 22:24, 25; 29:22
"Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: (25)
Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. (29:22) "An angry man stirreth up
strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. " Compare Isaiah 59:16 -and 63:5 -
God's fury is actually His righteousness. God's fury is not like sinful human anger;
God's fury is His righteousness!
· D
ay of vengeance -
In determining the nature of God's "vengeance" it must be understood that His character
certainly cannot be given the selfish traits of a furious man. And Isaiah assures his
readers that God's character is not infected with selfishness as is humanity's nature! (see
point above). By comparing Scriptures, it can be seen that God's vengeance is defined as
His protection, which He gives to His people to save them from their sins and from their
enemies' attacks (Matthew 1:21; Isaiah 63:6, see objection previous section "To Me
Belongeth Vengeance and Recompense - Deuteronomy 32:35").
· T
read the people down (figuratively - reject the nation)
The Jewish nation rejected Christ and Christ prophesied that they would be "trodden
down by the Gentiles (Luke 21:24). So at the end of the world, Christ prophesied that the
wicked would be eventually destroyed - trodden down - also.
· Ma
ke them drunk (the people become confused; unable to detect right from wrong;
they drink the wine of Babylon; sent a strong delusion);
When the truth about Jesus Christ is rejected, people do not retain the ability to
distinguish right from wrong. The receive a "strong delusion" and "believe a lie." At the
end of the world, "The nations are deceived (Revelation 18:23).
· B
ring down their strength (they wil be undefended, helpless).
By His righteousness, Christ broke down al the devil's strongholds by which he had
maintained control of humanity (Psalm 89:40;Micah 5;11; 2 Cor 10:4,5 ). Similarly in the
judgment, there will be no power able to stand against Christ's kingdom (1 Cor 15:27, 28).
Far from being the expression of an angry God, these texts reveal the anguish that
Jesus endured in His battle to secure salvation for the human race.
406

25. S
amson a Suicide "Bomber?"
Objection: According to the Book of Judges, Samson took out over three thousand
people at his death. He was a prisoner, and he had strayed from God, was he a suicide
killer? (from Walter Veith's Creation Message Board)
Answer: How do Christians know whether a certain act is sinful? By knowing the law of
God. Without the law of God as their guide, humanity can not tel "right" from "wrong"
(Rom 7:7,8 ).
"Sin is the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4).
Was Samson a suicide bomber? Let's examine the evidence.
Samson was guilty of breaking the 10 commandments. He broke the 1st commandment
and his actions revealed that he preferred to serve his own lusts than God. He certainly
took the "name of the Lord in vain." He broke the 5th commandment and failed to honour
his father and mother in his choice of a wife. He broke the 7th commandment and
committed adultery on more than one occasion. He broke the 6th commandment and
killed many people. No doubt he was guilty of breaking many commandments. The
question of Samson's death really leads to an interesting discussion.
Can a person break God's 10 commandments "in a holy way?" Can someone commit
adultery when it is real y "not" adultery? Can adultery be divinely legalised under some
circumstances? The Israelites apparently thought so, claiming that Moses "legalised" it
and cal ed it marriage (Deut 21:10-14; Numbers 31; Deut 24:1), but it was actual y
because of their sinful hearts that these laws were given (Matt 19:8). The laws were
given to protect abandoned women, not to give men licence to "put away their wives" in
order to commit adultery with another woman in a new "marriage." Jesus expanded the
law; He didn't condone the breaking of it. He taught that adultery included more than a
physical act - it was a spiritual/mind problem (Matt 5:28).
This leads us to the question: if someone can't commit adultery without it being a sin, can
they kill someone else without it being a sin?
When is it not a sin to commit adultery or to kill someone? Or can the sinful action
become divinely declared "legal" under any circumstances? Does the penalty for sin, the
wages of sin - death - (Rom 6:23) ever not apply when person breaks the
commandments?
In short, when is a sin, not a sin? The popular answer is: When God commands you to
sin and then gives you an indulgence to neutralise the punishment of that sin. You sin,
but you don't receive the death penalty. Or you break a commandment, but God declares
it not to be a sin in that special instance.
But this theology is not consistent with what Jesus said. It's not what Paul said. People
who have been forgiven, cannot wilful y and knowingly ("legally") commit a sin without
"earning the wages of sin the death penalty" (Romans 6:23)
Hebrews 10:26
"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there
remaineth no more sacrifice for sins."
407

But some people have been taught that God can command someone to break His laws
and that's it's not a sin when God commands it. They have learned to believe in the
doctrine of indulgences - that someone can sin without incurring the penalty of death for
breaking God's specific commandments.
The doctrine of indulgences has an interesting history. It certainly existed in pagan
religions, but became more wel -known in 1376 in a document called "Dictorium
Inquisitorum." This document later became the "handbook" for the inquisitioners to use to
force "heretics" to confess during the Spanish Inquisition. An extract from this article
reads: "He is a heretic who does not believe what the Roman Hierarchy teaches.... A
heretic merits the pains of fire.... By the Gospel, the canons, civil law, and custom,
heretics must be burned....Inquisitors enjoy the benefits of a plenary indulgence [a ful
papal forgiveness of sin] at all times in life, and in death."
http://www.rulersofevil.com/chap8.html
Islamic theological material reveals that Allah, their God, teaches a similar command to
kill heretics, and a "divine neutralising" of that sin. Dr Samuele Bacchiocchi (Retired
Professor of Theology, Andrew's University) states: "By teaching that those who die
fighting for the cause of Allah wil have their sins forgiven and are admitted into the
pleasure of Paradise, the Koran has inspired Muslims throughout the centuries to fight
unto death for the cause of Allah." www.keithhunt.com/Islam.html
Also, according to Alberto Rivera, the evidence that the Roman Catholic church considers
it lawful to kill heretics is found in the letters printed upon the crucifix used in worship
services.
"The Bible tel s us the words put on the cross of Christ at the crucifixion said: "Jesus of
Nazareth the King of the Jews" (John 19:19), but on the Roman Catholic crucifix, it reads:
I.N.R.I. Webster's Dictionary says I.N.R.I. Means: Iesus Naarenus, Rex Iudaedrum. But
in the Extreme Oath of the Jesuits, it has special meaning. In classical Latin, I.N.R.I
means: 'Iustom, Necar, Reges, Impios.'..... Translated into English ... I.N.R.I....means, 'It is
just to exterminate or annihilate impious or heretical kings, governments or rulers.'"
Alberto Rivera cites the source, "The engineer Corps of Hel ," by Edwin A. Sherman, p
118 © 1883 (Under Ceremony of Induction and Extreme Oath of the Jesuits), Library of
Congress catalog card # 66-43354. Double Cross, p 7, published by Chick Publications
Inc; Ontario: 1981).
Author's note: 57 Jesus Christ told us to love our enemies, not to kill them (Matt 5:44).
And Jesus also told us, that "Yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think
that he doeth God service" (John 16:2).
Was Samson thinking that He was doing God service by kil ing the Philistines? Didn't
Jesus eventually give His life for those people too? If the Philistines had passed their
probation, did that fact make it "okay" divinely "legal" for the Israelites to kill them?
57 I haven't read the original documents; I'm only quoting what other respected
authors have stated, but it is certainly interesting to note that a "Christian" religion
and a non-Christian religion both agree that the gods they worship, command the
destruction of "heretics." i.e. a heretic is anyone who doesn't agree with an
organisation's specific theology and hence is worthy of death. No criticism is
intended of individual Catholics or Muslim people. Reference is made only to
doctrines which appear to be advocated by these two religions - not individual
members of these religions. Other religions might also believe similar theology. It
is not my purpose to expose certain religions. Mention is made of these two
religions because they are well known and their doctrine is relevant to the topic
under discussion that heretics, by the command of God, can be "righteously"
(sinlessly) killed.
408

When probation closes on the world both the wicked and the righteous are sealed. The
144000 - who are 100% righteous in character -will face the threat of annihilation at the
hands of the demon-possessed wicked. The wicked have no chance to repent at this
stage. The wicked wil have already legislated the "death decree" on all 'heretics' - those
who won't honour the first day Sabbath. Their probation is over. Now they are set to
break God's 6th commandments and kil the righteous.
Remember, the wicked believe "that they do God service" (John 16:2) by killing the
"heretics" who won't worship their trinity god, as signified by keeping their Sunday law.
Question 1: If the wicked killed the righteous would they be innocent of commiting a sin?
Or would they be breaking God's 6th commandment, "Thou shalt not kil ?"
Question 2: If the righteous 144000 killed the wicked, before probation closed, would
they be committing a sin?
Question 3: Does the fact that wicked's probation is over, make it okay and 'divinely
legal' for the 144000 to kil them? If not, why not?
The righteous people will not be killing anybody at any time. They are sealed with the law
of their Father in their foreheads and they keep all the commandments of God (Rev
12:17;14:1,12). The commandments are a transcript of God's character. The righteous
wil have no desire to kil their enemies. They wil be filled with the love of their Father for
their enemies, just as Jesus was. "Father forgive them" (Luke 23:34) wil be on their lips,
not "Father annihilate them."
Even the prophets of the Old Testament, though zealous to serve God, did not grasp the
loving concept of the Father's character which is the basis of His universal government.
Jeremiah 18:23; 11:20
"Yet, LORD, thou knowest all their counsel against me to slay me: forgive not their
iniquity, neither blot out their sin from thy sight, but let them be overthrown before thee;
deal thus with them in the time of thine anger. But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest
righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto
thee have I revealed my cause. "
Psalm 109: 2-20
"For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they
have spoken against me with a lying tongue. (3) They compassed me about also with
words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause. (4) For my love they are my
adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. (5) And they have rewarded me evil for good,
and hatred for my love. (6) Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his
right hand. (7) When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer
become sin. (8) Let his days be few; and let another take his office. (9) Let his children be
fatherless, and his wife a widow. (10) Let his children be continual y vagabonds, and beg:
let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places. Let the extortioner catch al that
he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour. (12) Let there be none to extend mercy
unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children. (13) Let his posterity be
cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out. (14) Let the iniquity of
his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
(15) Let them be before the LORD continual y, that he may cut off the memory of them
from the earth. (16) Because that he remembered not to show mercy, but persecuted the
poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart. (17) As he loved
cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.
(18) As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his
bowels like water, and like oil into his bones. (19) Let it be unto him as the garment which
covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually. (20) Let this be the
reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul."
409

Jesus came to show deluded and deceived humanity what kind of life would please His
Father and He revealed His Father's character perfectly.
When Philip asked, "show us the Father," Jesus replied that "he who has seen Me has
seen the Father" (John 14:9).
While exposed to the violence of demon-possessed men and suffering extreme physical
and mental agony, Jesus Christ revealed to us the superior character of the Father.
Luke 23:34
"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
Is Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith, or are the imperfect teachings of humanity -
as they misunderstand the Father's character - to be the foundation of our faith?
Who was Samson fol owing? He, like many people back then and even today, had a
twisted idea of God's character.
Walther Zimmerli (19071984) was Professor of Old Testament at the University of
Göttingen, Germany, and and considered by many as one of the most important biblical
scholars of the twentieth century. Among his many publications in English are Ezekiel, 2
vols. (Hermeneia; Fortress Press, 1979/1983), I Am Yahweh (1982), The Old Testament
and the World (1976), and The Law and the Prophets (1965). In The Law and the
Prophets, Zimmerli writes:
"In this connection Hosea attacks with particular passion the priests who
should have been the true guardians of the knowledge of God, and who
have especial y failed in this duty (Hosea iv. 4 ff.). They have allowed to
pass unnoticed the very real exchange of Yahweh, the God of Israel,
for the baals of Canaan. This was no longer the same threat which had
occurred in Elijah's time, it was something much more dangerous. While
the worship of Yahweh remained outwardly correct, in reality he had
come to be regarded as a nature deity like the Canaanite Baal. From
him men sought the fertility of the soil and of marriage; he was
worshipped with the forms of nature religion and with sacral prostitution,
as men worshipped the Baals. Ya
hweh became Baal. T
h
e name of one
of David's warriors, which is recorded in I Chronicles 12:5 as Bealiah
(Yahweh is Baal) demonstrates exactly this programmatic assertion.
Thus without knowing it, Israel had begun to misunderstand the very
nature of its God, because the professional guardians of a true
knowledge of him were asleep" (Walther Zimmerli, The Law and the
Prophets, Basil Blackwell 1965 p.70).
Samson confession was sincere, but he still had a serious problem in understanding
God's character. He thought that killing 3000 Philistines would please God. Jephthah
thought it would please God if he sacrificed his daughter, but he was wrong also (Judges
11).
Jewish leaders didn't understand the character of God and Jesus corrected them.
John 8:44
"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye wil do. He was a murderer
from the beginning..."

Paul, an educated Pharisee was previously wrong about God's character. He also
thought God would be pleased that he was destroying "heretics" only to be corrected later
(Acts 9).
410

James and John didn't understand God's character. They wanted to bring down fire and
burn up the Samaritan "heretics" but Jesus told them that they didn't "know what spirit
they were of" (Luke 9:54).
The religious leaders wanted execute a heretic - to stone a woman taken in adultery, but
Jesus told them that only a righteous person was qualifed to execute judgment on others.
The "righteous" Jewish leaders needed to consider their own sinful condition because
THEIR OWN SINFUL CONDITION prevented them from executing judgment on anyone
else (John 8:7).
Would not that principle which Jesus gave to the Pharisees, also have applied to the
Israelites who believed that it was God's will that THEY destroyed the nations of Canaan?
God had told them that HE, the RIGHTEOUS ONE, would cause their enemies to be flee -
from hornets and from confusion (Exodus 23:27).
I wil send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come,
and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.
Exodus 23:28
And I will send hornets before thee, which shal drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and
the Hittite, from before thee.
Was it God's plan that man destroy man and not be guilty? Or was it man's idea of what
God wanted? Jesus came to give the perfect demonstration of the Father's character. He
is the word of God made audible.
Revelation 19:13
"And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of
God." He is the spirit / character of God.
Christ Jesus is the spirit / character of God.
Ellen White states in the Desire of Ages, p 19
"By coming to dwell with us, Jesus was to reveal God both to men and to
angels. He was the Word of God,--God's thought made audible."
Perhaps Christians should consider if their God's commandments are real y binding in all
situations. If not, there might be some real problems that need addressing.
So was Samson a suicide bomber? In my opinion, Yes. Just as the Muslim religion
condones kil ing heretics in the name of Allah because they believe it to be Allah's
righteous wil ; and just as the Catholic religion condones killing of heretics based on the
Old Testament misconceptions of God's character; just so Samson believed that God also
condoned the kil ing of heretic Philistines. He killed 'heretics' "thinking that he did God
service" (John 16:2) However, I believe the words of Jesus prove that Samson's honest
belief (that kil ing heretics was "legal" i.e. that it was not a sin -) was in fact, wrong.
411

26. K
ill to Prevent Contamination
Objection:
"Why did God al ow his people to kill? Obviously to eradicate unrepentant evildoers. To
prevent contamination of his people, ie. stoning of unrepentant sinners. Phinehas who
stayed the plague by putting a javelin through the one committing whoredom. Num 25:7 is
another example. But this still creates a contradiction. I heard a good explanation from
Pastor XXX on why God said kil the babies of those nations too. Because they were
possessed with devils. He was speaking from experience. He knew a baby girl who
inherited demons from her parents and had much turmoil in her life."
Answer:
Those are thoughtful questions.
Please consider the fol owing:
· Did the life of Jesus show humanity the Father's character - perfectly?
· Did the life of Jesus show humanity how to live - perfectly?
· Should humanity follow exactly in Jesus' ways?
· Didn't Jesus say that His words are "spirit and they are life?" Jesus is referring to
"eternal life" (John 6:63).
· Was there ever a time when God says it is legal for any being in the entire universe
to break even one of the precepts of His law?
· If the law is a transcript of God's character, then whose character does law-
breaking demonstrate?
· Can law-breaking somehow become considered legalised law-keeping? Or in the
same manner, can legal actions be illegal or considered to be law-breaking?
You wrote:
I heard a good explanation from Pastor XXX on why God said kill the babies of
those nations too. Because they were possessed with devils. He was speaking from
experience. He knew a baby girl who inherited demons from her parents and had
much turmoil in her life.
I disagree with Elder XXX's assertion that it is not a sin to kill babies who are or who might
be assumed to be demon-possessed.
It is recorded in Numbers 31:18,35,40, 46, 47 that the Israelites were able to marry very
young virgin females from these "demon-possessed" nations, so Moses was apparently
not too concerned about the Israelites marrying demon-possessed young girls.
Incidentally the "divine" permission to intermarry with the Canaanites (relayed through
Moses in Numbers 31, Deut 21:10-14) ) contradicts the previous, specific divine
command, also given by Moses, that the Israelites NOT intermarry with the Canaanites
(Exodus 34:14, 16; Deut 17:17). It certainly appears that Moses is contradicting himself,
by first outlawing intermarriage, but later legalising it.
The point under discussion however, is that Moses did not consider the fact that the
Canaanite children were demon-possessed to be a valid reason, of sufficient concern, to
prevent intermarriage between pagans and the Israelites. So was intermarrying with
pagans legal or illegal? Were demon-possessed babies and virgins to be kil ed or married
and absorbed into the "chosen people"?
"Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).
Jesus healed a demon-possessed child Matthew 17:14-21. Recall that Christ's disciples
could not cast the demon out of the boy. I assume that Elder XXX, like Christ's disciples,
could not cast the demons out of the adopted girl. Would that be reason to kill her? I
certainly don't think so!)
412

There is no record of Jesus ever killing anyone - certainly not kil ing a baby who was
already being tortured by Satan. Jesus warned though, that whoever even offends a little
child would rather have a mil stone tied around their neck and cast into the midst of the
sea than suffer the punishment in hel -fire.
If a baby is murdered (or purposely aborted), what chance has he/she of learning about
God and when of an age of accountability, coming to repentance and to enjoy salvation?
Is the baby's probation up before the child even comes to the age of responsibility and
accountability? This is not possible. A child must gain a knowledge of right and wrong
before God holds him/her responsible for committing sin - uninformed, unintentional sin is
a "sin of ignorance" - a sin that God "winks at." A baby knows no sin, nor righteousness,
nor good nor evil. Neither can they have a "probationary period." Neither can their "cup
of iniquity" be full because of their parents' sin. Ezekiel 18 makes that abundantly clear.
Is Elder XXX suggesting that the Lord commanded the "holy" Israelites (who were
rebel ious, stiff-necked sinners also) to murder "sinful" (unrepentant sinners) ie. The
Amorites, Amalakites, Canaanites etc because these nations' probation was over and
their cup of iniquity was ful ? If so, then God put His own law aside temporarily and made
it legal to commit murder in this particular 'dispensation.'
To test if this logic is correct, please consider these questions:
· Would it be a sin for the144 000 to kil the demon-possessed babies of demon-
possessed wicked people after probation is closed on the whole world?
· If it was NOT a sin to kil the pagan men , women, children and babies, under the
Israelite "theocracy" in Joshua's time, how is it possible that the same action would
be regarded as sinful at the end of the world when conditions wil be very similar?
i.e. probation is closed on the wicked and the redeemed are completely sinless.
· Did God give the Israelites special dispensation to kill people when no-one else in
the whole world has been trusted to complete that "holy" task of murdering pagans
ever since? (apart from the Catholic church, the Muslims etc who believe God
commands them to kill heretics).
The Bible states that the 144 000 wil have their Father's name written in their foreheads.
Ellen White says the same thing in different words. She tel s us that the 144 000 wil
"reflect the character of Jesus perfectly."
Christ's Object Lessons, p 69
"Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When
the character of Christ shal be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He wil come to
claim them as His own."
Jesus Himself said to Philip, that He represented His Father's character perfectly. Jesus
had "no violence in Him." Isa 53:9. Therefore the Father has no violence in Him and
neither will the redeemed.
The 144000 wil have two things in common. They will:
· keep ALL the commandments of God; (reflect His character) and;
· have the faith of Jesus
What is the faith of Jesus? It is simply Him trusting that the Father's character is
unfailingly loving.
The faith of Jesus was displayed when, even though He was in mortal danger as a human
being, He trusted His human life to His Father's wisdom and love. Jesus prayed in the
Garden of Gethsemane, "Not my wil , but Thine be done." He could pray such a faithful
prayer because Jesus knew without doubt the character of the Father was supremely,
unchangeably loving - to Him, but also to everyone whether good or evil, repentant or
non-repentant.
413

Similarly, in reflecting the divine character of Christ, the redeemed, though under the
sentence and threat of death, will not be persuaded to take matters into their own hands
and out of God's protection. Because of their faith in the love of God, they will trust Him
with their lives. They will refuse to break God's law, though in the face of death.
The fourth commandment is not the only commandment that God's people will refuse to
break. They wil refuse to break all ten commandments. Satan knows that he only has to
tempt them to break one commandment and he doesn't care which one it is.
If Satan can't persuade people to break the fourth, then the sixth will do just as well to
achieve his purposes. One broken commandment is all he needs to cause them to lose
salvation!
James 2:10
"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of al ."
414

27. S
elf-Defence
Objection:
What do you say to Self Defense? Do we just lay down and let evil trample over us and
say God deliver me. Is not this presumption? If we do not defend ourselves we are
allowing evil, to not resist is to assist. Resist the Devil. James 4:7. If someone is trying to
kill your family and you sit back and allow it to happen then you have become participant
to the murder and broken the 6th commandment and committed a sin of omission. If you
accidentally kill the attacker then you must surely be held guiltless. I think this is shown in
the Cities of Refuge in the O.T.
Answer:
What do you say to Self Defence? Do we just lay down and let evil trample over us
and say God deliver me. Is not this presumption?
Self - defence is just that - SELF defence -It is the opposite of putting oneself into the
hands and protection of Jesus. It is doubting God's love and ability to save us from
destruction. It reveals a lack of faith or trust in the depth of divine love. Jesus did not use
self-defence, but when urged to do so by His disciples, Jesus said, "Don't you think I can
ask my Father to send me 12 legions of angels?" Jesus knew He was NOT defenseless.
His Father was His defence. And Jesus, by faith, placed Himself completely into the
Father's hands and submitted completely to the Father's will. Like Jesus' example to us,
we need God's defence, not our own defence. And Jesus said, "Love your enemies - not
kill your enemies" (Matt 5:44). We certainly don't "do nothing." If God advises His people
to relocate from the cities for their own protection, His people wil endeavour to live in the
country. But when they've done all we can to protect themselves by non-violent means,
then it is that they wil pray and have faith that God protect them.
Remember the blind Waldensian leader who never lost a battle with the Roman armies?
Every time the Romans went to attack his group, a thick fog hid them. Every time. Then
the Romans became disoriented and fear gripped them. They fought among themselves
and others retreated from the battle. The blind Waldensian leader never fought, neither
did he or his group kill or injure a Roman soldier. The whole group simply put their trust in
God to protect them. However there was another group among the Waldensians who
practiced SELF-defence. When the army came to attack them, the group threw rocks
down on top of them from a cliff above the soldiers. It wasn't long before the Roman
armies killed all the members of the group - they were thrown off the cliff onto rocks
below; men women and little children. Do you suppose the Romans thought that it was
"righteous" for them to slaughter the children whose parents were heretics? Natural y
they did. They were just enforcing the combination of church and state law. Furthermore,
the soldiers were also offered a plenury indulgence so that they were absolved from
breaking the 6th commandment (their 5th commandment) "thou shalt not kill." Could the
144 000 participate in such a vile activity? How could they show love for their enemies by
destroying them and their children?
You wrote:
Why did God allow his people to kill? Obviously to eradicate unrepentant evildoers.
To prevent contamination of his people, ie. stoning of unrepentant sinners.
Fear of contamination is often cited as a justification for genocide. Hitler did it to the
Jews. The Jews did it to the Canaanites. Was one genocide holy and the other, satanic?
This logic makes God a party to murder (since He supposedly ordered the Canaanite
massacres) and inadvertently, it limits our perception of God in that we believe He thinks
in the way that a sinful human being would think.
415

Isaiah 55:8,9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and
my thoughts than your thoughts."
Jesus did not operate from a basis of "fear of contamination." Jesus didn't separate
Himself from "sinful" people so that He would not become contaminated. He trusted His
Father to keep Him from becoming spiritually contaminated, just as He trusted His Father
to keep Him physically safe or to permit Him to die if that was the Father's will. That
doesn't mean Jesus participated in these people's sins - of course He did not, but He went
right into their territory and showed them truth in love. While He didn't join them in false
worship ceremonies, He didn't wage war on, or annihilate the Samaritans and the
Romans as the Jews were keen to do!
Jesus said that He would draw people to Him. How did He do it? Jesus said to the
woman (whom the Pharisees wanted to stone to death for being an unrepentant
adulteress - a deliberate, wilful sinner) - "I do not condemn you." That meant Jesus
forgave her; but she was not a repentant sinner until AFTER He forgave and saved her. It
was His lack of condemnation that won her heart and His forgiveness that drew her to
repentance. It is the LOVE of Christ that draws to repentance and give power to live
within the boundaries of the moral law of God.
2 Corinthians 5:14
"For the love of Christ constraineth us."
God's justice and mercy are simply equivalents for justification and sanctification and are
combined in His saving character. In the example of the women taken in adultery, Christ
justified Mary (I don't condemn thee) and then He sanctified her i.e. empowered her to
overcome sin (Go and sin no more). In contrast to this loving response to a guilty sinner,
the Old Testament god simply declares, "I condemn thee to death. There are no second
chances with me. You have sinned. Now you must die."
It is not the One True God who refused to show compassion and love. It appears that the
Israelites were deceived about the identity of the God they worshipped, because their
"fruits" are not "the fruits of the spirit of Christ" (Gal 5;22, 23).
When a person is murdered they have no chance to repent. Forgiveness and protection
(not condemnation and killing) are elements of love. Jesus loved His enemies. He
forgave those who used force against Him. He reviled not again (1 Peter 2:23) despite
the fact that the probation of some of those who crucified Him, was already over. Even
Judas, who became demon possessed at the Last Supper was not repulsed or treated
harshly or rejected by Jesus. Jesus still called him "friend" and accepted Judas' kiss of
death.
You wrote:
Resist the Devil (James 4:7). If someone is trying to kill your family and you sit
back and allow it to happen then you have become participant to the murder and
broken the 6th commandment and committed a sin of omission. If you accidentally
kill the attacker then you must surely be held guiltless. I think this is shown in the
Cities of Refuge in the O.T.
Sitting back and letting someone kill your family would be absolutely wrong, but before
jumping in to solve the problem with human reasoning, what did Jesus say? He said:
·
If they don't like you preaching here, go somewhere else (Matt 10:23).
·
If they hit you on this cheek, turn the other cheek (Matt 5:39)
·
If they are coming to attack you, flee into the mountains (Luke 21:21).
·
If they do something bad to you, do something good back (Matthew 5:44)
·
If they abuse you, pray for them (Matthew 5:44)
416

Matthew 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 despiteful y use you, and persecute you."
Matthew 10:16
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as
serpents, and harmless as doves."
James does says we are to "Resist the devil." He's talking about resisting the temptation
to break God's law, just as Jesus resisted that temptation in the wilderness. Christ
resisted the devil and the devil had to flee. So it will be for humanity. The temptation is to
break God's commandments to save our own lives or that of our family. That's what the
death decree and the Sunday law is al about. Will we "endure unto the end?" That
means, will we continue to keep al God's commandments until our life is taken, just as
Jesus' human life was taken?
Will we trust God to protect us if it is His will, or will we take matters into our own hands
and trust to our own defence?
"He that is faithful unto death" receives the crown of life. He that is a commandment
keeper - even though the death decree is enacted upon him - that person proves his
loyalty to the Father's kingdom.
Desmond Doss decided he would trust God and God miraculously protected Desmond.
View a trailer of his inspiring experience at www.desmonddoss.com then click on "view
trailer".
Pastor Cyril Pascoe tells this story. When he was a missionary in New Guinea, another
church group tried to "get rid" of his missionary group. One 'mission boy' was badly
beaten by a group of men from the other church mission. There was a court case where
the aggressors were brought to court to face justice. The judge saw the victim whose
featured were now disfigured and disabled. He was fuming at the "Christian" perpetrators
and threatened them with severe punishments. He turned to the victim and asked the
boy, "What do you want to do with these men who beat you so badly?" The victim thought
for a while and then he answered the judge, "Sir, I would like to forgive them." The judge
was incredulous. So was the defence. So were the perpetrators. But Pastor Pascoe was
conscious that God had just been honoured. He told a representative of the other
mission, who was also present at the court. "You have just seen the attitude of our group.
It is the attitude of Jesus. These bashings are not the way of the Lord. What are you
teaching your people at your missions?" The bashings did stop - because one boy chose
to forgive as Jesus had instructed him.
You wrote:
Resist the Devil. James 4:7
James also says in that chapter, that even speaking evil of someone makes them a
lawbreaker who finds fault with God's law. i.e. with God's character.
James 4:11, 12
Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth
his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou
art not a doer of the law, but a judge. (12) There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and
to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?"
417

You wrote:
Phinehas who stayed the plague by putting a javelin through the one committing
whoredom. Num 25:7 is another example.
As far as Phineas murdering the Moabite woman and the Israelite fornicator, I believe the
Israelites believed that God was pleased with actions that they considered appropriate to
the crime, but which fell far short of God's high standards. I believe that God honoured
their good intentions despite their actions. God knew that Phineas was zealous for His
honour, but I do not believe He sanctioned Phineas' action of murdering the two
fornicators. Jesus Himself, who could have "thrown the first stone" at the woman taken in
adultery, did not perform this murderous action, though Mary had done the very same act
of prostitution which the Moabite woman had performed. If it's a toss up between Phineas
and Jesus as to who acted in accordance with the law of God, I'l have to side with Jesus.
You wrote:
If you accidentally kill the attacker then you must surely be held guiltless. I think
this is shown in the Cities of Refuge in the O.T.
The same principle applies to the Cities of Refuge. The cities were set up to help
"unintentional killers" (those who kil ed someone accidental y) to escape from those who
would pursue and kill the man who accidentally murdered his relative. Murdering
someone for accidental y killing a person is not true justice. It is vengeance which is
aimed at "paying back" a presumed evil for a premeditated evil.
Deuteronomy 19:21
"And thine eye shal not pity; but life shal go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for
hand, foot for foot."
What did Jesus say? He said, there's a better way a right way.
Matthew 5:38-39
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: (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."
Then He stated in Matthew 5:44, 45 :
Matthew 5:44, 45
"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 despiteful y use you, and persecute you; (45) That ye
may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:"
Jesus had just given the principles of righteousness in the beatitudes a few sentences
before the "love your enemies" statement. Christ had also just stated that He had not
come to do away with the Law and the Prophets. So, it appears that somebody
misinterpreted the law and the prophets, while Jesus interpreted it and fulfil ed it correctly.
Matthew 5:17
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy,
but to fulfil."
Once again, the Christian is invited to side with Jesus.
The Cities of Refuge were set up because of "the hardness of their hearts." If the
Israelites were loving, and repaid evil with good, they wouldn't have needed Cities of
Refuge.
418

You wrote:
Is it not God's prerogative to give life and to take it?
God is the source of all life - not the source of death. God gives life. Sinners choose to
die when they move away from Him and embrace sin which of course brings death.
You wrote:
Does he not destroy sinners in the lake of fire?
No, fire comes out of the sinner and consumes them.
Ezekiel 28:18
"Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy
traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I wil
bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of al them that behold thee."
Isaiah 33:11
"Ye shall conceive chaff, ye shall bring forth stubble: your breath, as fire, shall devour
you." (See also Isa 5:24; Isa 33: 12; Zeph 2:3; Mal 4:1).
Ellen White, Early Writings, p 54 (End of the 2300 Days )
"I saw a throne, and on it sat the Father and the Son. I gazed on Jesus' countenance and
admired His lovely person. The Father's person I could not behold, for a cloud of glorious
light covered Him. I asked Jesus if His Father had a form like Himself. He said He
had, but I could not behold it, for said He, 'If you should once behold the glory of
His person, you would cease to exist.'"
God is a consuming fire to sin - not to sinners. We can authorise God to consume the sin
in us now so that we are not kil ed by coming into His presence when we meet Him on
judgment day - or we can continue to be joined to our sins and be consumed on that day.
AT Jones, Review and Herald Jan, 24 & 31, 1899.
'Yet, what every one must understand is this: the only way that God does,
or can, separate anybody from sin is by that very consuming fire of his
presence. The only way, therefore, in which you and I can ever be so
separated from sin as to meet God as he is, in the flaming fire that he is,
in that great day, is to meet him TODAY as he is, in the consuming fire
that he is. The only way that we can be prepared to meet him at his
coming in that great day is to meet him in his coming today. For there is a
coming to men now , as really as to the world in that great day. 'I will not
leave you comfortless: I will COME TO YOU.' John 14:18. But do not
forget that whether he comes to you or to me now, or whether he comes
to other people in that great day, he comes only as a consuming fire."
(end quote AT Jones). (See longer extract of sermon by AT Jones in the
section called God is a consuming fire to sin).
God isn't murdering anyone. Sinners are choosing death.
You wrote:
Did he not rain down Fire and Brimstone on Sodom?
No. God protected and evacutated those who would separate themselves. The others
were handed over to Satan who once again, as the fire god in Job's story, sent down fire
and destroyed them. God permitted this to occur to the Sodomites for He was legal y
bound to do so. His principle of honouring the freedom of choice required that He was
forced to abandon the people who had rejected His leadership. He could not protect them
any longer and He had to leave them to the master they had chosen - Satan.
419

You wrote:
God used his people when they were submitted to him to destroy those
unrepentant nations.
No. God said don't kil . I suggest that Satan tricked the Israelites into thinking they heard
God's voice. Please read section of my book cal ed "human sacrifices." Did God ever ask
for human sacrifices - according to the Bible record? Yes. In Abraham's story of making a
human sacrifice as a burnt offering on a high place with his son as the offering. But God
to the Israelites that He had never commanded them since they came out of Egypt to
make animal sacrifices or human sacrifices which He called an abomination which the
heathen practiced (Jer 7:22, 30, 31; Jer 32:35). According to the Bible record, the
Israelites practiced human and animal sacrifices with war captives. They are especially
denoted as being consecrated to death and devoted to death or another expression is
"put under the ban" in worship "to the Lord." This is in the Biblical record. Lev 27:29 is
one example. It was a pagan practice and the Assyrians, Moabites, Ammonites al
performed the same human sacrifices of war captives, just as Jephthah did to his
daughter after a battle that "god" helped him to win. These violent murders were
committed when the Israelites were NOT in supposed apostacy from Yahweh. Did Jesus
ever commend this type of heathen activity? Never. When the Israelites were rebel ious it
is supposed that the One True God used the other nations to chastise them to bring them
to repentance. This is not so. When the Israelites were rebel ious, God had to let them
remain "joined to their idols" (Hosea 4:17 "Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone".)
Because of their unyielding decisiion to rebel against God's loving laws, the spirit of God
(His presence) retreated and the Israelites were then without divine protection. Satan,
their chosen master, who delights in war, was then able to use one nation of unbelievers
to destroy another.
Ellen White, Great Controversy, p 589
"Satan delights in war, for it excites the worst passions of the soul and then sweeps into
eternity its victims steeped in vice and blood. It is his object to incite the nations to war
against one another, for he can thus divert the minds of the people from the work of
preparation to stand in the day of God."
You wrote:
Moses killed an Egyptian which was wrong then later at Gods direction he had a
Sabbath breaker stoned which was right.
Moses was wrong on both counts of murder. Jesus did not suggest that Sabbath breakers
were to be stoned. He didn't order the death of Judas or of the Pharisees who broke the
Sabbath by their traditions. He didn't even condemn an adulteress. Is this the same Jesus
as seen in the Old Testament? No. The Old Testament God which was worshipped was a
mixture of pagan gods. By their fruits ye shal KNOW them. Were the ancient Israelites
"holy"? Were their fruits in keeping with the 10 commandments? No! Were the fruit of
the true spirit (the fulfilment of the 10 commandments) seen in Jesus? Absolutely.
You wrote:
The difference is one "killing" was according to Gods will the other was not.
I can't agree. It is more consistent and reasonable based on the evidence, to believe that
God kil ed no-one nor ordered anyone else to do the killing for Him. The One True God
did not require sacrifices or murdering rampages. God never authorised His people to
break the 10 everlasting commandments. The difference was dependent on the person's
choice. The sinner decided to separate themselves from the protection of God by
cherishing and retaining the love of sin in their minds. The Israelites became very
confused about who God was and that is why Jesus came to earth to "show them the
Father" (John 14: 8 9). Jesus' life demonstrated the fulfilment of the 10 commandments.
420

You wrote:
Did God give the Israelites special dispensation to kill people when no-one else in
the whole world has been trusted to complete that "holy" task of murdering pagans
ever since? (God can do what is just and right in his wisdom and time.
Exactly. God has told us what is just and right. It is in the principles contained in the 10
commandments and God wil not change what is right and just and good. To believe that
God's law is changeable is to beleive a satanic lie which says that there is something
wrong with God's law. Jesus said the law would not be done away with. Satan has said it
is a faulty law.)
You wrote:
If an animal is suffering in severe agony with no remedy is it not an act of mercy to
put it out of its misery?
Perhaps, but wouldn't an act of faith be superior? Ask God to intervene. We did this
recently with our very old, terminal y cat who was suffering in his old age. We had done
all we could to provide for his needs and for his comfort, but we knew the end was near
when his kidneys and bowels failed. That day we prayed that God would let our faithful
old cat go to sleep peacefully. We prayed and patted our cat and he simply went to sleep
without any struggle whatsoever. He died in his sleep. That is to me a demonstration of
the true mercy of God and His love.
On the other hand, we do not think it would be merciful to have taken a sledge hammer
and bludgeoned our little cat to a terrified death.
Likewise the Israelites did not use "mercy killings" out of compassion on the men, women,
children, infants and animals. They were barbarians. They committed murder and tried to
justify it by claiming that their god commanded them to do so. Many of these war captives
were used as sex slaves also - it's in the Biblical record. This is not the way of Jesus nor
does it demonstrate the character of the Father.
You wrote:
If you don't believe in mercy killings, then are you not condoning the suffering by
allowing it to continue?
Not at al . Weren't the Israelites supposed to be a witness to the world of the superior
laws the ruled the One True God's government? They didn't do this. They began their
"witness" in a murderous attack on the inhabitants. Was that merciful? They murdered
mercilessly the people who needed most to know about the loving Creator God - and to
have His love demonstrated to them. The Israelites might have revealed to the pagans,
the righteous principles established by the all powerful, but loving God - the God who
could save to the uttermost all who would come to Him. However, this witness was denied
the pagan nations by the Israelites. The Israelite attitude to the Canaanites was the same
as was the Canaanites attitude to them. The pagan attitude was clearly outlined in
Deuteronomy 13:8. This was their attitude to those, even of their own nation, who
"worshipped another god."
Deuteronomy 13:8
"Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him,
neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him:"
In stark contrast to the Old Testament prinicple of destroying heretics, Christ
demonstrated the principles of divine love and freedom of worship. If people didn't come
to Christ in Old Testament times, but chose to cling to their sin, God had to legal y respect
that decision. He had no choice but to leave them to the murdering god - the one who
was a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44).
421

You wrote:
Isn't Gods "Strange Act" of killing an act of mercy?
No. God doesn't kill anyone. God's strange act is "letting go" of a sinner who has insisted
that he does not want to be identified with God in any way. His strange act means,
withdrawing His protection and influence from the one who has rejected Him. Because
God has pledged freedom of choice to everyone, He is not legally authorised to interfere
with Satan's plans to destroy the person's life, when that person has rejected His
presence.
It is painful to God to make the decision to stop pleading with the sinner, knowing that the
person He loves, has made the irrecoverable decision to give his al egiance to an
imposter god; a murderer - and to expose himself to the cruelty of Satan's rule. This reality
caused Jesus to weep over Jerusalem (Luke 13:34).
Jeremiah 9:24
"But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am
the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in
these things I delight, saith the LORD."
422

28. God Will By No Means Clear the Guilty - Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:18
Objection: God's mercy runs out and He eventually kills the guilty.
Answer:
Exodus 34:7
7Keeping
mercy
for thousands
, forgiving
iniquity
and
<05341>(8802)
<02617>
<0505>
<05375>(8802)
<05771>
transgression
and sin
, and that will by no means
clear
the
<06588>
<02403>
<05352>(8763)
<05352>(8762)
guilty ; visiting
the iniquity
of the fathers
upon the children
, and
<06485>(8802)
<05771>
<01>
<01121>
upon the children's
children, unto the third
and to the fourth
generation.
<01121>
<08029>
<07256>
Numbers 14:18
"The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and
transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the
fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation."
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
Exodus 34:7:
Verse 7. [That will by no means clear the guilty] This last clause
is rather difficult; literally translated it signifies, in clearing he will not
clear. But the Samaritan, reading lo, to him, instead of the negative
lo, not, renders the clause thus: With whom the innocent shall be
innocent; i.e., an innocent or holy person shall never be treated as if
he were a transgressor, by this just and holy God. The Arabic
version has it, He justifies and is not justified; and the Septuagint is
nearly as our English text, , and he doth not
purify the guilty. The Alexandrian copy of the Septuagint, edited by
Dr. Grabe, has , and the guilty he
will not cleanse with a purification-offering. The Coptic is to the same
purpose. The Vulgate is a paraphrase: nullusque apud te per se
innocens est, "and no person is innocent by or of himself before
thee." This gives a sound theologic sense, stating a great truth, That
no man can make an atonement for his own sins, or purify his
own heart; and that all have sinned and come short of the glory
of God."
Certainly, when the wicked reject the justice (forgiveness) and the mercy of Christ (His
indwelling power to live a sanctified life), they wil be without divine protection when Christ
appears the second and third times on the earth. There is no vengeance in God however;
it
is the s piritual c ondition of the person which determines their level of safety in
the Presence of God.
423

29. D
enying the Sanctuary Doctrine?
Objection:
Ellen White stated that in the last days heretics would be preaching false doctrines that try
to deny the doctrine of the sanctuary. Isn't what you are presenting denying the
sanctuary doctrine?
Answer:
This objection appears to be a reference to the fol owing quote by Ellen White.
Paulsen p 61 (1 Nov, 1907); Lessons from the Visions of Ezekiel, Part One Exhortation to
Faithfulness, (4 July, 1906 )
"New theories have been advanced as truth, which were not truth, and the Spirit of God
revealed their error. As the great pillars of our faith have been presented, the Holy Spirit
has borne witness to them, and especially is this so regarding the truths of the
sanctuary question. Over and over again the Holy Spirit has in a marked manner
endorsed the preaching of this doctrine. But today, as in the past, some will be led to
form new theories and to deny the truths upon which the Spirit of God has placed His
approval. Any man who seeks to present the theories which would lead us from the light
that has come to us on the ministration in the heavenly sanctuary, should not be
accepted as a teacher. A true understanding of the sanctuary question means much to us
as a people. When we were earnestly seeking the Lord for light on that question light
came. In vision I was given such a view of the heavenly sanctuary, and the ministration
connected with the holy place, that for many days I could not speak of it. I know from the
light that God has given me that there should be a revival of the messages that have been
given in the past, because men will seek to bring in new theories, and will try to prove that
those theories are scriptural, whereas they are error which if allowed a place will
undermine faith in the truth. We are not to accept these suppositions and pass them along
as truth. No, no; we must not move from the platform of truth on which we have been
established."
The doctrine which Ellen White refers to as being established by the Holy Spirit, is the
doctrine of the heavenly sanctuary and Christ's heavenly intercession for humanity.
Ellen White prophesied that a satanic attack would be made on the doctrine of the
heavenly sanctuary. There is a vast difference between the holy heavenly sanctuary and
the earthly sanctuary.
Great Controversy, p 516
"There is nothing that the great deceiver fears so much as that we shal become
acquainted with his devices."
Satan endeavours to destroy every avenue whereby God's loving character is visible to
humanity. At times the devil counterfeits God's systems, giving them a demonic flavour
and casting this flavour onto God's character. Satan also attacks God's character by
designing satanic inventions that directly oppose God's systems and crediting the origin
of these inventions to God.
It appears that Satan has developed both these strategies to destroy the true doctrine of
the heavenly sanctuary.
·
Jesus said that the Father GAVE His only Son out of extreme love for humanity
(John 3:16). Satan, through the trinity doctrine, opposes this truth and claims that
a role-playing arrangement existed between three co-equal, co-eternal, unrelated
beings God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Christ's
intercessory office is denied by the doctrine of the trinity which suggests that
another being called the Holy Spirit is interceding in the sanctuary before the mercy
seat "with groanings which can not be uttered" (Romans 8:26) as an Intercessor or
Advocate in the place of the Son of God.
424

·
The two sanctuary models were in stark contrast to each other in that they were
founded on diametrically opposed moral principles:
·
The heavenly sanctuary (the council of peace) displayed the true essence of
God's character unselfish, giving love. In consolidating the plan of salvation,
both Father and Son realised that in order to redeem humanity, it might cost
them eternal separation from each other. The Son of God would risk His
eternal life and suffer torment, torture and execution at the hands of the very
people He came to save. Even though humanity was riddled with sin and in a
desperately lost condition, Christ's love for sinners exceeded the risk of being
separated from His Father.
·
The earthly sanctuary was constructed by men. It was founded on the principle
of an arbitrary god who selfishly demanded worship and commanded perfect
obedience and conformity. This false god deceived his followers into believing
they would be cleansed of their sins by a system of works. This satanic system
involved the butchering of innocent animals in violent blood-letting rituals as
sacrificial rites to cleanse humanity. Burning flesh was to this god, a sweet
savour to his nostrils. In contrast to the selfless, compassionate God of the
heavenly sanctuary, the selfish, merciless god of the earthly sanctuary, would
strike dead the sinner who stood before him, unless he was sufficiently
appeased by the correct ceremonial rites and bloody offerings. The earthly
sanctuary system was hierarchical. The priests appear to have employed
secrecy. The common people were motivated by fear of death which would be
inflicted for breaking any of the many compulsory, ceremonial rules that
governed their society.
·
The earthly (and pagan) sanctuary services required numerous sacrifices. The
claim is also made that Christ dies daily in the form of the Eucharist.
·
The Son of God said that out of love, He would lay down His life voluntarily for
humanity (John 10:14-16), without demanding or expecting any selfish repayment
other than the joy that was set before him, He endured the cross(Hebrews 12:2).
Christ anticipated joy from His actions of saving humanity. In contrast, the
sacrificial bulls, goats and lambs were tied to the horns of the altar (Psa 118:27).
They did not voluntarily give up their lives, despite not being able to escape the
slaughtering knife. There is no evidence to suggest the animals enjoyed being
slaughtered, nor that they had any joy to anticipate in the sacrificial ritual.
·
God was angered by Balaam's action of striking his donkey angry enough to slay
Balaam (Num 22:33), but then He commands the butchering of innocent animals58.
·
Christ willingly risked His eternal life for the salvation of humanity.
Satan glories in the death of Christ. "Dead Christs" adorn many churches as if
perhaps as a token of the devil's (false) power over the Son of God. The
anniversary of Christ's death is commonly known as "Good Friday"- but the
disciples did not consider it a "good day." Christians might be expected to call the
resurrection day, "Good Sunday," - but the pagan term "Easter Sunday" is used.

·
A sacrificial service cannot realistically portray the resurrection of Christ and this
was a vital concept in the plan of salvation.
58 Thomas L Thompson, The Bible in History How Writers Create a Past (1999) p 11 It appears
there were two records of the prophet Balaam's story. The original story is recorded in the Deir
Alla text of ancient Moab/Jordan. The original story is recorded centuries before Moses' time.
Both the Israelite story and the Moab story portray the prophet speaking "as the voice of God."
In the Moab story, the "voice of god" belongs to Shgr a pagan deity.
425

·
The sacrificial system required the brutal slaughtering of many animals, yet it was
purported to offer the Jews an opportunity to develop their characters after Jesus
but there was no violence in Jesus (Isaiah 53:9).
·
The Levitical law promoted kindness to animals (Exo 232:12; Deut 22:4,10). How
could the Jews teach their children to practice kindness toward animals, and then
instruct their children to slit the animals' throats? (Exo 20:24; Lev 1:5-9, 14,17; Exe
43:23-25). (Pagan religions also required that children become instructed in these
"offerings to the gods").
·
How could God's original vegetarian diet be maintained, while the Jewish sacrificial
system required every Jew to eat meat e.g. The paschal lamb?
·
How could it be supposed that kil ing countless animals would teach the Israelites
the dreadfulness of their sins, when according to the Torah, God supposedly
commanded the Israelites to deliberately kil men, women, children and infants?
·
Was it God's intention that His people feel guilty for killing a lamb and not a baby?
·
Was it God's intention that His people feel guilty or that they develop love to their
neighbours?
·
Was it God's intention that His people feel guilty until they negated that sin with the
slaughtering of an animal and then continued to traverse the cycle of "sin and
sacrifice"? The sacrificial system appears to closely represent the false gospel
which suggests that Christian's can continue to traverse the cycle of "sin and
repent" and still be saved.
·
How does killing a lamb bring repentance for sin while kil ing a baby brings no
feelings of guilt? Surely it is logical to conclude that it must be far more traumatic
to kill a baby than a lamb and killing a baby transgresses the 10 commandment
law of God. If God required the repentant sinner to feel the guilt of his sin,
sacrificing a baby, as the pagans did, would certainly create a bigger guilty impact
on the slayer.
·
If God desired His people to "see" that sin results in death, there were countless
examples of death already in the world without deliberately sacrificing animals.
·
If God desired His people to "feel" the anguish of losing His own Son, sacrificing
was not necessary. Countless examples of children dying already existed in the
world and the accompanying grief would have been very visible.
·
The sacrificial system taught brutality and effectively desensitised the Israelites to
the extent that they could sacrifice their own children as they had previously
sacrificed animals.
·
God doesn't employ faulty systems. The sacrificial system did not appear to have
successfully conveyed the plan of salvation to the Jewish people. The Jews
considered they were giving a gift to God in the slaying of their animals; however,
the real gospel teaches that God gave His Son to humanity. The sacrificial
services convinced the Hebrews that atonement was made by the "blood" of
animals, instead of the truth which Paul taught that, "it is not possible that the
blood of bul s and of goats should take away sins" (Heb 10:4).
426

·
While the original sanctuary system was no doubt perfect, fashioned after the
heavenly pattern shown to Moses on Mt Sinai (Exo 25:40), the plan of salvation
became almost indiscernible. The message became weakened by the constant
blending of theologies, brought about by the Hebrews interaction with pagan
nations.
·
When the books of Moses were made into a written record about 300-600 years
after his death, and re-recorded and edited in the first, second and third centuries
BC, the blended theology appears to have been recorded also. The blended
system might well have been a ploy by Satan to deliberately misrepresent the
character of true heavenly sanctuary.
·
The heavenly sanctuary demonstrates a more perfect representation of the plan of
salvation for it reveals the character - mind/heart of the Father and Son. Christ
ministers to humanity, not only in the heavenly sanctuary, but in the minds of
individuals. He is "a Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which
the Lord pitched, and not man" (Heb 8:2). The Son desires "That they al may be
one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us"
(John 17:21). Both Father and Son desire that humanity dwel s "in Them" i.e. that
humanity receives the unselfish mind of the Father through Christ. The earthly
temple that divinity desires to dwell in, is the living human temple the human
mind becomes a willing dwelling place for the spirit of God. "Howbeit the most
High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet" (Acts 7:48).
In light of these stark contrasts, without bringing into the equation the physical aspects of
either model, would it be justifiable to claim that the earthly sanctuary model is an
accurate type or a shadow of the heavenly sanctuary, when it appears to be completely
contrary in all its principles?
EJ Waggoner did not think so. The fol owing extract of his confession of faith was written
just prior to his death (and after his separation from the SDA church).
EJ Waggoner, Confession of Faith, 27 May, 1916
"The ancient sanctuary with its ceremonies was essentially a type by
contrast. It was built because the children of Israel would not have God to
dwell in them. But for their unbelief they might have come direct to the
sanctuary which God's hands had established, and might have talked with
God face to face, as Moses did. The promise was, if they kept God's
covenant, as Abraham did, they should be a kingdom of priests; instead, the
priesthood was confined to one tribe, and to one family of that tribe, and was
utterly useless so far as freeing from sin was concerned. Instead of having
the law of the Spirit of life in Christ, the Living Stone, from which they could
drink righteousness, they had law on lifeless stone, a "ministration of death."
The "tabernacle of witness" was continual witness against them. Of course
they were not shut up to those weak and unprofitable things, for whoever
turned to the Lord in truth had the veil taken away, and could, like Moses,
behold the glory of God. What I wish to emphasize is that we are not to
spend precious time studying the minutest details of a system that was
only the product of unbelief, when with Abraham and Isaiah and Paul
we may by faith have boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of
Jesus. The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews, in referring to the
tabernacle and its instruments said, "of which we cannot now speak
particularly"; and it seems to me that we would do well to follow his
example."
427

Desire of Ages, p 278, 279. (Ellen White)
"The effort to unite the teaching of Jesus with the established religion would
be in vain. The vital truth of God, like fermenting wine, would burst the old,
decaying bottles of Pharisaical tradition....Jesus pointed out the power of
false teaching to destroy the appreciation and desire for truth. 'No man,' He
said, 'having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is
better.' All the truth that has been given to the world through patriarchs
and prophets shone out in new beauty in the words of Christ. But the
scribes and Pharisees had no desire for the precious new wine. Until
emptied of the old traditions, customs, and practices, they had no place in
mind or heart for the teachings of Christ. They clung to the dead forms, and
turned away from the living truth and the power of God."
Human theology is always faulty unless founded upon the example of the Son of God in
whom there is a perfect demonstration of the Father's matchless love.
Isaiah 55:8,9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
(9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Ezekiel 11:19
"And I wil give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the
stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:"
Ezekiel 36:26, 27
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit wil I put within you: and I wil take away
the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (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."
Jeremiah 29:11-14
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and
not of evil, to give you an expected end. (12) Then shal ye call upon me, and ye shall go
and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. (13) And ye shal seek me, and find me,
when ye shal search for me with all your heart. (14) And I wil be found of you, saith the
LORD: and I will turn away your captivity..."
428

Questions on the Sacrificial Rituals of the Sanctuary
Objection: Isn't the Old Testament basically about the sacrificial system?
Answer: The Old Testament is concerned with Christ and the signs with which to
recognise His coming as the Messiah. The OT also demonstrates what happens to
humanity and the earth, when people choose to live apart from the principles of God's
loving law.
Would not having a earthly sacrifice take away from the heavenly sanctuary?
There is a sacrifice for sins and Jesus made it in col aboration with His Father, but the
sacrifice is one that is better portrayed by the words and life of Jesus, than by the
sacrificial rituals of the sanctuary. Jesus died for humanity and accepted the sins of the
world upon His own self, when He took on sinful, human, mortal flesh and developed a
perfect character whilst in that sinful flesh. That was the sacrifice which Christ gave for
humanity. It was a total sacrifice of His entire being His entire life. His sacrifice required
that He live as a human being until His human mortal life expired. At that point the test of
His character would cease. Christ gave us His perfect life - by developing a perfect human
character - amidst severe temptations. His act of giving His entire being, was the sacrifice.
Hebrews 1:1, 2
"God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by
the prophets, (2) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath
appointed heir of al things, by whom also he made the worlds;"
The heavenly sanctuary is the real tabernacle designed by God, where no human being
or demonic angel can taint or corrupt the system of righteousness conducted by God.
Hebrews 8:2
"A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not
man."
Where is the real sanctuary? In heaven. What is it pol uted with? The record of our sins.
Only Jesus can remove the record of sins from the heavenly sanctuary and He could only
accomplish this saving act by becoming the second Adam and by living a perfect life in
sinful flesh. This gift was the sacrifice of heaven which made it possible for the earthly
sanctuaries of our bodies to be cleansed of sin and of the power of sin.
There are no blood-letting rituals in the heavenly sanctuary or even an altar of sacrifice.
The 'sacrifice' was the life of the Son of God who laid aside heaven to take on mortality.
Jesus gave us His life - His perfect character and that life saved humanity. The value of
salvation was in His life - not in his death or in His blood. Jesus did not have to shed
blood to save us, but He did have to live a sinless life up to the point where He died - i.e.
He had to live without sin for every second of His human life until the test ended at His
death. Christ was faithful "unto death." Rev 2:10
The Catholic religion glories in a "dead" Christ. That was considered Satan's victory over
the Son of God. "Dead Christs" are seen everywhere in Roman Catholic icons, art and
statues. Animists also worship the spirits of their dead ancestors.
Satan cut short the normal mortal life span that Christ would have lived as a mortal human
being. Jesus was born under the law, i.e. mortal. As a human being, Christ would
eventually die -be cut off - but not for His own sins (Dan 9:26) but because of humanity's
sins which He took upon Himself. Christ did not have to be crucified or to shed copious
amounts of blood. God did not command that His Son be tortured as a partial payment
for sin, although this doctrine appears in Roman Catholic and pagan religions. Paul said
that the wages of sin was death - not torture and intentional suffering (Rom 6:23).
429

The Day of Atonement was a type of the cleansing of the sanctuary in 1844. How
can it be proved without the sacrificial rituals of the sanctuary?
The Day of Atonement involved performing many sacrifices which were said to signify the
putting away of sin and cleansing the earthly sanctuary of the year's record of the
Israelites sin. Afterwards, the Day of Atonement was to signal the beginning of the
cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven in 1844. The real cleansing from sin is both in the
Most Holy Place in heaven and in the temple of the Christian's mind, where true
conversion takes place. Ezekiel pointed this out the real temple to be cleansed is the
'heart' or 'spirit' Ezekiel 36:26, 27.
It appears that the original system - "the pattern shown to Moses in the mount" (Exo
25:40) had been a perfectly divinely ordained system which slowly became corrupted over
the years and was written down when it was pol uted with pagan theology - paganism that
was seeped in blood rituals.
The date of 1844 signalled the 'time of the beginning of the cleansing of the sanctuary'
both in heaven and in a special sense in the minds of Christ's fol owers.
Daniel 8:14
"And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the
sanctuary be cleansed."
1844, a date which comes from the Dan 8:14 prophecy - as explained to a Jewish man
(Daniel) by the angel Gabriel - signal ed a warning time - to prepare for the end of
probation by cleansing the mind, separating from Babylon physical y and spiritually; a time
to return to the One True God and to "worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea
and the fountains of water."
When the period of the 2300 days ceased, then the sanctuary was to be cleansed.
How could this occur without a sacrifice?
There was a divine sacrifice, but it was not a pagan, blood-letting sacrifice.
Of course al of God's children need to cleanse their minds through submission to Christ
every day, but this applies more to those who wil be part of the special group - the
144000 - who wil reflect perfectly the character of Jesus. Gabriel was instructed to "make
this man understand the vision" so Gabriel used language which the Jewish people were
familiar with in their language and cultural situations. Jesus Himself employed this
strategy to teach people, though the people's cultural beliefs were not based on truth. e.g.
the parable of the rich man and Lazarus; calling the Samaritan woman "a dog."
Daniel's vision predicted the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary. The earthly Jewish and
pagan sanctuaries extolled the virtues of the physical blood of the sacrifices. But we
know that the Jewish people did not believe that simply collecting the blood would
provide cleansing from sin. If collecting and applying blood to the sanctuary furniture was
the only requirement for making an atonement, then one must wonder why a person might
not preserve the life of the sacrificial animal, and simply have "bled" it as do the Masi
tribesmen. After collecting a sufficient amount of blood to perform the sprinkling rituals,
there would be no reasons why the animal could not have been returned to the herd.
However, the blood was not the important issue. The important fact was that the animal's
blood symbolised the animal's death.
430

Christ's sacrifice actually represented His becoming one with the human race, putting on
sinful humanity, developing a perfect character over His entire human life and not just
the event of His death. When Jesus, as our High Priest, entered into the heavenly
sanctuary in 1844, He presented to the Father, the merits of His perfect life - evidenced by
His perfect character. It seems obvious that God would not permit pagan blood-letting
rituals to completely obscure the truth which He had original y given to Moses. Despite
the pagan influences, God ensured that the truth could still be found by those who were
prepared to dig as though for hidden treasure. God over-rides many situations that Satan
has orchestrated to produce evil. God brings good out of evil situations. e.g. Joseph
explained to his brothers, Genesis 50:20 "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but
God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. "
Why is Jesus called the "Lamb of God?"
The Jews believed the sacrificial services were given by Moses, and so God spoke to
them in their own language just as Jesus also spoke to those who couldn't understand
heavenly concepts other-wise.
John 16:12
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now."
To the farmers, Jesus used farming language. To the fishermen, He used fishing
language and stories. To the Jews, the apostles spoke of Jesus as the Lamb of God
because they connected that term with the Messiah.
Would Genesis have to be thrown out as well, as that is where the first account of
sacrifice is?
We don't need to 'make excuses' for God because of the bad reporting He's received
whether in the Bible or elsewhere. The Bible is divinely inspired in its prophetic
statements and in its revelation of the law of God. The Bible is proved to be an accurate
historical record of ancient Jewish theology and of the Jewish nation's actions. However,
if Jewish theology reported in the Bible, contradict the words and teachings of Christ and
or are not in harmony with the 10 commandments, we need to question their veracity as
theological truths.
For example: There is an apparent inconsistency between the Jewish sanctuary and the
heavenly sanctuary. While the Jewish sanctuary contains an altar of burnt offering
sacrifices, there does not appear to be a corresponding altar in the heavenly sanctuary.
In fact, every piece of sanctuary furniture appears to be mentioned in Revelation where
John sees the temple of God except for outer court items - the altar of burnt
offering/sacrifice and the laver. One wonders why is the sacrificial altar and the laver are
missing if everything was made "according to the pattern shown in the mount" (Ex 25:40).
Paul appears to discount the value of the sacrifices and washings which took place in the
in the outer court of the earthly sanctuary.
Hebrews 9:9, 10
"Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and
sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the
conscience; (10) Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal
ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation."
431

If the sacrificial sanctuary services were set up by God to teach the Jewish race about
salvation, why didn't they understand the meaning? Why does it appear that there is zero
perception from the Jews of a Messiah who would come at the predicted time, to die as
like a meek little lamb? Why were the Jews expecting their Messiah to be a conquering
war hero? Didn't the sacrificial system work? Was it a faulty system? Does God create
faulty systems? No. Rebellious people who wanted to 'be like the other nations' likely
absorbed pagan influences into God's holy sanctuary services and this corruption caused
the plan of redemption to become almost indiscernible.
It seems that anti-trinitarian people throw out Spirit of Prophecy and then they
throw out the Bible."
Consider how the Reformers must have experienced similar accusations. It is claimed
that after Martin Luther rejected the Roman Catholic belief of justification by works, he
was warned by other monks, that if he continued to question the church's position, this
grave 'error' would lead him into deeper darkness and he might also throw out other
catholic doctrines i.e. the eucharist and indulgences. Was Luther wrong to continue
seeking truth?
When God's people cast off error, He will not lead them into sin or into evil. The SDA
pioneers had to cast off Sunday keeping. They also were required to cast off the
immortality of the soul and creeds and church membership etc. Perhaps some of their
friends in the church warned them that if they cast off the Sunday sacredness doctrine,
that it would lead them to cast off the immortality of the soul too. However, the pioneers
trusted Jesus to lead them and He did. Christ is still leading His people today if their
minds are open to His spirit. He promised "You will hear a voice behind you saying, "this
is the way, walk ye in it." It is not going into deeper error when we cast off error! Jesus
has said He wil lead us and the 144,000 have a LOT of casting off of errors to do, but not
of their own doing, but only as Christ leads them.
Is anything definite in the Bible? How do we know whether the words of Jesus
Himself haven't been altered?
"To the law and to the testimony" - Isaiah 8:20.
"Keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" - Rev 14:12
"Keep the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ - Rev 12:17
"On these (2 principles of love-laws) hang all the law and the prophets" - Matt 22:40
The two pillar supports are a recurring theme in both the Old Testament and the New
Testament . Jesus upholds His Father's law. We follow Jesus by faith - the same way that
Abraham and Noah and Enoch heard and recognised the voice of Jesus. They had no
Bible. The voice of Jesus brought by angels to our consciences, is the promise being
fulfilled that HE will lead us into al truth.
We need to know that God's character does not change because His law never changes.
God's law of love is unchanging. Jesus lived the law and upheld the unselfish and loving
principles of His Father's character and heavenly government. The overwhelming theme
of all the Bible writers who harmonise with Jesus' words also elevate the principles of
God's law. Those who don't line up "line upon line" with the commandments and the
teachings of Jesus, are not inspired of God and must qualify as writings which have been
interfered with by human authors / editors.
432

Ellen White wrote only inspired writings, not her own thoughts.
It is not disputed that when God spoke to Ellen White in vision, that she was receiving a
divine, infal ible message, however Christ's followers cannot accept that any human being
is infal ible in things not especially revealed. At times, Ellen White proved that her
assumptions were made without divine revelation on the specific subject upon which she
had commented and she had to rescind the information in the testimony e.g. claiming that
pork eating was not an unhealthy habit. Was it possible also that Ellen White also made
comments that were not especially inspired concerning God's character? While she had a
better knowledge than others who had no visions of heavenly things, she did not possess
complete, infallible knowledge. Only Christ and the Father are infallible and have infinite
wisdom. Ellen White herself warned, that no matter how 'righteous' a particular human
being appears, Christ's followers are not to establish their faith in that person, for that is
making an idol of them.
Did Ellen White have a wrong understanding of the character of God?
Although Ellen White had special insights into heavenly things, it is not possible that she
understood God's character perfectly while she was stil a sinful human being. All
humanity has a very poor understanding of the character of God. God's character
exceeds anything our human minds can comprehend as good. Ellen White states that
the redeemed wil be studying God's goodness for eternity. While certainly qualifying as
Christ's messenger, Ellen White could not possibly have a perfect understanding of God's
character and neither could anyone in the world today, but His people can ask Jesus to
continue to enlighten them to the point where Christ's character will be perfectly
reproduced in His followers, to prepare them to stand firm during the terrible times ahead.
God is still refining and instructing His people. If we are content to remain only as
advanced as the pioneers, we are following men and women not Christ.
Isaiah 55:8, 9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
(9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts."
433

30. My House Clearing the Temple Matthew 21:12-13
"And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in
the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that
sold doves (13) And said unto them, 'It is written, My house shal be called the house of
prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.'" Jesus used violence to cleanse the
temple and He also called the temple, where sacrifices were made, 'His Father's
house.' Therefore Jesus claimed the sacrificial system as being of divine origin.
O
bjection: The sacrificial system was of Divine origin
Another version of this event is recorded by Mark.
Mark 11:15-17
"And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out
them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers,
and the seats of them that sold doves; (16) And would not suffer that any man should
carry any vessel through the temple. (17) And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not
written, My house shal be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a
den of thieves."
Luke 19:46
"Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a
den of thieves."
John 2:16
"And he said unto them that sold the doves, 'Take these things hence; make not my
Father's house an house of merchandise.'"
Answer:
When Jesus cleared the temple, He quoted from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah.
Isaiah 56:6-7
"Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to
love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from
polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; (7) Even them will I bring to my holy
mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their
sacrifices shal be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of
prayer for all people.
Jesus stood in the court and proclaimed that His Father's house was a house of prayer.
The temple court was designated as a place of prayer (especially for repentance).
EG White, Education p 163
"And Jehoshaphat, standing in the temple court before his people, poured out his soul in
prayer, pleading God's promise, with confession of Israel's helplessness. 'We have no
might against this great company that cometh against us," he said: "neither know we what
to do: but our eyes are upon Thee.' 2 Chronicles 20:2, 1, 3, 4, 12"
In practice, the Israelites would enter the court with a sacrificial animal. The prayer of
repentance was recited and the animal slain. Christ only mentioned that His Father's
house was a house of prayer not one of sacrifice, although sacrifice was also
mentioned prominently in the text (Isaiah 56: 6, 7) from which He was quoting. Christ
drove the sacrificial animals out of the temple courts. Why didn't Christ include the
quotation from the text and say that His Father's house was a house of prayer and
animal sacrifice? Why would Jesus not retain at least some animals in the temple so
that the true worshippers, after they offered their sincere prayers of repentance, could
then make their sacrifices? It would appear that Jesus quoted the Old Testament
scriptures "selectively" emphasising the true concepts, but omitting the spurious.
434

John reports that Jesus instructed the dove-sellers to take even the doves out of the
temple.
John 2:16
"And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's
house an house of merchandise."
Ellen White appears to disagree.
Review and Herald, 27 August, 1895
"When Christ had expel ed those who had sold doves, he had said,
'Take these things hence.' He had not driven the doves out as he had
the oxen and the sheep, and why?--Because they were the only offering
of the poor. He knew their necessities, and as the sel ers were driven
from the temple, the suffering and the afflicted were left in the courts.
Their only hope had been to come to the temple where they might
present their offering with a petition to God that they might be blessed in
their fields, in their crops, in their children, and in their homes."

This statement from Ellen White causes some questions to be asked:
·
if Christ al owed the doves to remain to be sacrificed for the poor, who would have
performed the sacrifices? (The priests had run from the temple and no-one else
was authorised to sacrifice in the temple or to 'apply the blood' onto the altar);
·
would Christ have discriminated against richer worshippers? (if Christ permitted
only the doves to remain for a sacrifice, the richer people who were required to
sacrifice a goat, sheep or ox, would have been unable to fulfil their sacrificial
obligations according to the Mosiac law);
·
if John, an eye-witness to the event, reported that Christ commanded those who
sold the doves to 'take these things hence,' is it likely that they disobeyed His
command, while others powerless to disobey His command, fled from the temple,
driving their cattle before them?
Further evidence that Christ did not condone the sacrificial system is found when Jesus
rebuked the selfishness (sins) of the Pharisees. Christ rebuked certain of their
hypocritical practices, but used the opportunity to endorse their correct behaviours as
outlined in the Old Testament.
Matthew 23:23
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and
cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith:
these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
Concerning the clearing of the sanctuary the following question could be asked:
If animal sacrifices were required in the worship of the One True God, why didn't Jesus
(in harmony with records of His usual practices) announce to the temple crowd, "My
Father's house is to be a house of animal sacrifice and a house of prayer. You ought to
have performed the sacrifices, but not left the other (the prayer) undone."
Jesus twice cleared the sacrificial animals from the temple. The gospels do not say that
Christ struck any animal or person with the cords that He waved. No violence is recorded
in Christ's actions; in fact Isaiah 53:9 states explicitly that as a prophecy of the coming
Messiah, that "in Him was no violence." If there was any violence in Christ, then He
could not fulfil the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9.
435

Jesus tried to teach the temple leaders about God's kingdom and to convince them that
He represented His Father as the Messiah. What was Jesus' work in the temple? Was it
sacrificing animals? There is no record that Christ ever sacrificed an animal. It might be
argued that of course Christ didn't sacrifice an animal because He didn't need to offer a
sin offering, since He did not sin and did not need to confess any sins. (Jesus didn't need
to be baptised either, but He made a special request to have that ceremony performed "to
fulfil all righteousness"). But there were many more sacrificial ceremonies that Jesus
could have performed IF He considered them to have been divinely established. Perhaps
Christ might be expected to make a free-will sacrificial offering in order to fulfil the Mosaic
laws. Christ certainly could have offered a free-will sacrifice had He deemed the
sacrificial laws to be of divine origin and value.
From an early age, Jesus was "about His Father's business" of teaching others about his
Father's character. Even His mother and step-father could not understand that this
constituted the true work that was required to be done in the temple.
Luke 2:46-50
"And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the
midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. (47) And all that
heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. (48) And when they saw
him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with
us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. (49) And he said unto them,
How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? (50)
And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them."
The only people whom Jesus strongly denounced were the temple authorities.
Matthew 23:25-28
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the
cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. (26) Thou blind
Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them
may be clean also. (27) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like
unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead
men's bones, and of all uncleanness. (28) Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous
unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity."
Jesus knew of the sinful practices of the temple chiefs, particularly Annas' family.
Matthew 15:8, 9
"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but
their heart is far from me. (9) But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the
commandments of men."
George E Rice (1982: 50-56) in his book Christ in Collision details some of the evil
practices taking place in the temple, which Christ condemned.
"By cleansing the temple, Jesus attacked the power structure of Jewish religions
and secular society and threatened to destroy it. In order to understand the
impact of Jesus' next move in the great controversy, the nature of this power
structure must be understood......The business activity in the temple court was a
well organised financial monopoly and the priestly aristocracy manipulated the
strings. ....The priestly aristocracy was composed of a group of men who had
control over the affairs of the temple. By virtue of his office, the high priest held
the foremost position in this group as well as the presidency of the Sanhedrin,
the governing body of the Jewish nation. During Jesus' ministry, Caiaphas held
this position. (52). While Caiaphas was high priest, a second man, Annas, the
former high priest and Caiaphas' father-in-law held immense power. . Jeremias
points to the Tulmud for evidence that all the chief influential positions in the
temple hierarchy were filled by relatives of Annas...This is supported by Acts 4:6.
436

(George E Rice continued)
The other positions filled by members of Annas' family would be these:
1. Captain of the Temple - next to the high priest in authority he always
assisted the high priest when he ministered in the temple. The
captain of the temple also held the position of chief of the temple
police and he had the power of arrest.
2. Seven temple overseers worked under the direction of the captain of
the temple. The gospels refer to them as the captains of the temple.
They would be the lieutenants of the temple police force.
3. Three treasurers had charge of the temple treasury as well as other
duties. Other family members may have been among the directors of
the (p53) weekly and daily courses who also held positions of
authority, but these directors numbered around 180 so it is difficult to
see them all as members of Annas' family.
...The power of the priestly aristocracy, came not only from their position in
the hierarchy but also from their wealth. They profited in a number of ways
by the merchandising that was carried on in the courts of the temple.
·
Before a worshipper could purchase an animal for sacrifice, he had to exchange
his money for temples shekels. Business was transacted in the temple only with
this currency. The exchange of secular currency for temple shekel had become an
opportunity for fraud and extortion, but this was only one of the sources of revenue
for the priestly aristocracy.Animals for sacrifices were sold for exorbitant prices and
the dealers shared their profits with the priests. The priests in turn, taught the
people that God would not bless their children and lands unless they offered
a sacrifice. They people paid the price demanded for the animals, for they felt
obliged not to return home without perform the act of devotion for which they had
come so far.
·
Another source of an abundant income was the blood of the sacrifices. The blood
of the victims not used in the services was rinsed down a drain that emptied into the
Kidron Valley. The farmers who worked this val ey bought and used the blood from
this drain as fertilizer. The temple treasurers supervised (p54) this arrangement.
Jeremias points again to the Talmud which teaches that to use this blood without
paying for it was sacrilege. The sale of the blood of the numberless sacrifices in
this manner provided a constant source of income.
·
T
he hides of animals slaughtered in these sacrifices, provided yet another source
of revenue. Dealing in hides was a lucrative business for they were in demand by
tanners to make articles of leather. The leather business was so good we are told,
that inn keepers in Jerusalem would take the skins of the Passover sacrifices by
force from the pilgrims.
·
The priestly aristocracy had found still another source of ill-gotten gain. The Old
Testament specified that the tithes were to be paid to the Levites, however,
sometime after the return from the Babylonian captivity, the priests took the tithe
income away from the Levites.. Therefore, Johanan Hyrcanus 134-104 BC
abolished the avowal of tithes because they were no longer paid to the Levites....
the Talmud also states that in practice the tithes were paid to the priests.
·
As if the misappropriation of the tithes was not bad enough, Josephus tells us how
the high priest would send his servants to raid the farmers' threshing floors and
to confiscate the tithe of grain set aside for the priests. The violent seizing of
the hides and tithes by the priestly aristocracy caused a deep animosity between
them and the common priests" (end of George E Rice's material).
437

Christ did not condone evil practices being done anywhere, but especial y did He object
to the evil being done by the religious leaders, in the temple area which was al ocated for
repentance, confession and prayer -in the court.
While the Jews used this area for the marketing of animals for sacrifices, the court was
thought to be intended to be reserved especially for prayer and the submitting of the
heart to God. Repentance and confession and opening the heart to God, was the
practice in the court yard which Christ approved, not the marketing and sacrificing of
animals.
Did Jesus use violence to clear the temple?
If Jesus was the Messiah, then He could not have used violence to clear the temple, for
Isaiah 53:9 predicted that the Messiah had "no violence in Him."
Jesus over-turned the moneychangers tables, but that act was not performed in
uncontrolled anger or violence. It was an act of righteous indignation for His Father's
honour and a caring for the needs of the common people - not a selfish action motivated
by rage.
Desire of Ages, p 590
"In fulfillment of prophecy the people had proclaimed Jesus king of
Israel. He had received their homage, and accepted the office of king. In
this character He must act. He knew that His efforts to reform a corrupt
priesthood would be in vain; nevertheless His work must be done; to an
unbelieving people the evidence of His divine mission must be
given."
Jesus' actions aren't comparable to a frenzied riot where people are physical y assaulted.
Christ, as their King, defended the rights of the common people to worship in the Father's
house and He did not chase the thieves from the temple; they left of their own accord,
driving their own cattle before them. The thieves were terrified because of their own guilt
before Christ, whose face flashed with divine light."
Desire of Ages, p 590-591
"Divinity flashed through humanity, investing Christ with a dignity and glory
He had never manifested before. ....The displeasure of His countenance
seemed like consuming fire. With authority He commanded, "Take these
things hence." John 2:16. (p 591) Three years before, the rulers of the
temple had been ashamed of their flight before the command of Jesus. They
had since wondered at their own fears, and their unquestioning obedience to
a single humble Man. They had felt that it was impossible for their
undignified surrender to be repeated. Yet they were now more terrified than
before, and in greater haste to obey His command. There were none who
dared question His authority. Priests and traders fled from His presence,
driving their cattle before them."
The common people did not flee from Christ. They appreciated His work on their behalf,
so that they could again make repentance and worship God in a house of prayer.
Desire of Ages, p 592
"When the multitude fled from the temple, many had remained behind."
While clearing the temple, Jesus reasoned with the Pharisees and temple leaders as He
exposed their sinful behaviour. He told them, "My Father's house will be called a house
of prayer, but you have made it a den of theives." This is loving logic in action, not the
ravings of a madman.
438

Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
Christ loved His enemies, despite their evil plans to murder Him.
Review and Herald, 27 August, 1895
"He longed to save the priests and the rulers, who, while claiming to be
guardians of the people, had oppressed them, and turned aside the
needy from their right."
What does Christ's action of clearning the temple imply for Christians today?
·
Jesus exposed evil practices which were disguised as works of righteousness.
God's people are authorised to expose and reprove the works of darkness.
Ephesians 5:11
"And have no fel owship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."
·
Jeus did not use violence against any person for there was 'no violence in Him' the
Messiah (Isaiah 53"9)
God's character will motivate the actions of true Christians. Just as Jesus actively
exposed and reproved evil practices, so ought Christians to expose and reprove the
works of darkness - however, exposing the works of darkness, does not include using
violence against any person in either actions or words.
·
When Jesus cleared the temple, He used logical arguments that presented the
consequences of a certain (mis)behaviours.
Christians wil also endeavour to reason with their adversaries, based on the loving
principles of the 10 commandments as revealed in the the life of Jesus Christ. Christians
wil also demonstrate genuine love for their enemies and will extend an invitation to 'come
let us reason together' over any upsets.
·
Christ only revealed only a loving response to His enemies' abuse of Him.
Christians motivated by love, will endeavour to help their abusers to see the love of Jesus
reflected in their own characters, which wil draw them to repentance.The temple leaders
ran away from Christ, exposed as thieves by Jesus. They did not run away bruised and
beaten by a wrathful madman, but of their own free wil .
In a similar way, sinners wil of their own accord, flee from Christ when He comes in the
glory of His Father and the glory of the angels and in His own glory. Sinners will not need
to fear that Christ will persue them as a raving mad-god to physically assault them.
Sinners should fear their love of sinfulness, for like a terminator gene in a seed, it is that
attachment to sin which will destroy them.
439

31. The Angel Wants to Kill Balaam Numbers 22:33
Objection:
God was angered by Balaam's action of striking his donkey angry enough to slay
Balaam apparently (Num 22:33).
Numbers 22:31,33
"Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD
standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and
fell flat on his face...... And the ass saw me (the angel), and turned from me these three
times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her
alive."
Answer:
Balaam was not an Israelite but traditions about Balaam were well known in the areas of
Ammon, Moab, the Jordan Val ey, and probably in Israel and Judah also (Gildas Hamel,
An Oracle of Balaam, from Comparing Mari, Neo-Assyrian, Aramaean, and Biblical
Prophetic Texts, http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~humm/Resources/OT/balaam.html)
God in His mercy gave truth to other nations as well as Israel and Balaam was "permitted
to behold the manifestation of God's presence" (Ellen White, 4 Spiritual Gifts , p 47, 48).
Sadly, he was also cherishing the sin of covetousness. As Balaam clung to his sin,
spurning the spirit of God which called him to repentance, he separated himself from God.
This decision left him unprotected from evil angels - and unprotected in an encounter
with unveiled glory and holiness.
Consider the effects that being exposed to the glory of a holy angelic being has on
unrepentant, sinful human beings.
Matthew 28:2-4
"And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from
heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. (3) His
countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: (4) And for fear of him the
keepers did shake, and became as dead men."
But notice, in the next verse, the very different reaction which the repentant followers of
Jesus had when they encountered the same angels.
Matthew 28: 5
"And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek
Jesus, which was crucified."
It was not the intention of Gabriel to slay the soldiers guarding Christ's tomb. In fact,
Gabriel did nothing to cause the guards to "fall down as dead men" except approach
closer to them in order to roll back the stone from the tomb entrance.
The guards around Christ's tomb were as human as were the women whom the holy
angels appeared to only hours later, but what a difference in their reactions to angelic
holiness. The women who were followers of Jesus, were told, "Be not afraid." They did
not "fal down as if dead."
What was the difference between the women and the guards? Both groups met angels at
close quarters both groups were sinners. However, there was one vital difference and
it was a difference in the people not in the angels.
The guards were not repentant, while the women's sins were covered by their faith in
Jesus. The unrepentant guards did not possess the righteous covering while the
repentant women were covered by Christ's life and protected.
440

The people's characters and not in the angels' actions- determined the outcome of an
encounter with holy angels.
In this way, it was not the intention of the holy angel to slay Balaam. The angel simply
stated that if Balaam had continued closely into his holy presence, then the angel's
holiness would have caused Balaam to fal down and die in his sins.
If Balaam had proceeded further into the presence of the holy angel, no doubt Balaam
would have fallen "as one dead" just as the soldiers guarding the Saviour's tomb fell down
"as dead" when a holy angel approached them.
But what about the sword which the angel held?
Angels can possess swords without murdering anyone. If holy angels wanted to cause
the death of sinful human beings they would not require the use of a sword. They could
simply draw closely to them and their very presence would cause the person to "fall down
as dead men."
Genesis 3:24
"So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubims,
and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life."
The sword which "turned itself around" at the entrance to the Garden of Eden, was not
designed as an offensive attack on human beings. Because Adam had permitted the
earth to pass into Satan's dominion, it was necessary that the universe be protected
against an attack of demons wanting to avail themselves of the tree of life which was
planted on the earth. God stationed defensively equipped, powerful cheribum to "guard"
the way to the tree of life. This was a divine, protective act to prevent the evolution of an
immortal sinner whether angelic or human.
Swords are also symbolic for the "word" or "spirit" of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:17
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"
Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and
is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
The word of the Lord created humanity.
Psalm 33:6
"By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the
breath."
The word or breath of God wil also slay the wicked.
Isaiah 11:4
"But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of
the earth: and he shal smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his
lips shall he slay the wicked."
Genesis 2:17
"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day
that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die."
God did not say He would kil Adam and Eve if they ate of the fruit. He said they would
die. God simply stated a given fact.
441

Consider an analogy:
A man is warned by a pilot, that if he jumps out of an aeroplane without a parachute, he
wil die. The man decides to jump out anyway, disregarding the pilot's warning. This
does not mean that the pilot has pushed the person out of the plane and murdered him.
The pilot protectively warned of the danger that would follow if his warnings were
disregarded.
In the same way, God will not murder any human beings. Human beings will cause their
own deaths by cherishing and remaining joined to sin.
Other interesting information is that there appears to be at least three separate stories
recorded that involve Balaam the son of Beor: the Biblical rendition, the Moabite version
and the Talmudic record.
The Biblical Version
Numbers 22:4-6
"And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shal this company lick up all that are
round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor
was king of the Moabites at that time. (5) He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the
son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to
call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the
face of the earth, and they abide over against me: (6) Come now therefore, I pray thee,
curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we
may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou
blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed."
Numbers 24:17 (prophecy by Baalam)
"I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out
of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and
destroy all the children of Sheth."
God was said to give Balaam the words of specific prophecies, one of which accurately
predicts either the Messiah's origin or a mighty king's origin from the Hebrew race. But
the same prophecy also adds that the "Star" would smite the corners of Moab and destroy
all the children of Sheth.
Jesus did not perform any war-like actions. He did not smite the corners of Moab or
destroy the children of Sheth. Moab was taken into captivity well before the Messiah was
born. Perhaps it might be considered that Balaam's prophecy has a double meaning and
some of the prophecy refers to King David. Jeremiah appears to place at least part of the
prophecy (Moab's destruction) in Cyrus' time.
Jeremiah 48:42, 47
"And Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he hath magnified himself
against the LORD. (47) Yet will I bring again the captivity of Moab in the latter days, saith
the LORD. Thus far is the judgment of Moab." Green's Literal Version translates it as:
"But I wil restore the prisoners of Moab in the end of the days)."
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
"The Moabites were partially restored; but never, as far as I have been
able to learn, to their national consequence. Their conversion to the
Christian faith must be the main end designed by this prophecy."
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (from The Sword Project) Jeremiah 48:47:
"Yet will I bring. Many of the Moabites were afterwards restored to their
country by Cyrus, as we learn from Josephus; but they never were restored
to their national consequence; and perhaps their restoration in the latter
days refers to the conversion of their scattered remnants to the gospel."
442

The Talmudic Version (p 129)
The Talmudic version records that some enmity existed between Moses and Balaam.
"Pharaoh awoke, and sending for his officers, he related to them this dream, which
caused them both fear and amazement. Now among the magicians of Egypt there was
one whom the king considered especially wise, Bil'am, the son of Be'or. For him the
king sent, and desired an explanation of the vision. 'A great evil will befal Egypt in the
latter days,' replied Bil'am, the son of Be'or. 'A son will be born in Israel who will destroy
Egypt, kill its inhabitants, and carry his people out from among them. Now, oh lord and
king, give heed to this matter, and destroy the power of the children of Israel and their
future welfare, before this misfortune to Egypt buds. '....Then spoke Bi'lam, and said:
'None of the means proposed for the subduing of the Hebrews will prove successful. Fire
cannot prevail over them, for Abraham was delivered from its power; the sword will fail, for
Isaac was delivered from its edge, and a ram killed in his stead; they cannot be
exterminated by rigorous labour, for Jacob worked day and night for Laban, and yet
prospered. Listen, oh king, to the advice which I shall give thee. By this means only wilt
thou be able to (p 125) prevail over them. Command that all the male children born to
these Hebrews be cast into the river, for none of their ancestors ever escaped from the
death in the water' ...(p 126) Moses became even as a son to Bathia, the daughter of
Pharaoh, as a child belonging rightly to the palace of the king. Now it came to pass when
Pharaoh saw that the advice (p. 127) of Bi'lam did not prove effective, but that the
Israelites, on the contrary, seemed to increase and multiply even more rapidly than
before, he laid additional labour upon them, and issued orders that if any man failed in
accomplishing his full daily task, his children should be wal ed up alive in the building in
which he worked. This order continued in effect for many years. About this time, when
Moses was three years old, Pharaoh sitting at his banquet table, with his queen upon his
right, Bathia at his left, and his two sons, with Bi'lam and the princes of his realm about
him, took Moses upon his lap. The child stretched forth his hand, and taking the royal
crown from Pharaoh's head placed it upon his own. In this action the king and the people
around him imagined they saw a meaning, and Pharaoh asked: 'How shall this Hebrew
boy be punished?' Then said Bi'lam, the son of Be'or, the magician, 'Think not, because
the child is young, that he did this thing thoughtlessly. Remember, oh king, the dream
which thy servant read for thee; the dream of the balances. The spirit of understanding is
already implanted in this child, and to himself he takes thy kingdom. Such, my lord, hath
ever been the way of his people, to trample down those who have dealt kindly with them,
to deceitfully usurp the power of those who have reared and protected them. Abraham,
their ancestor, deceived Pharaoh, saying of Sarah, his wife, 'She is my sister;' Isaac, his
son, did the same thing; Jacob obtained surreptitiously the blessing which rightful y
belonged to his brother; he travelled to Mesopotamia, married the daughters of his uncle,
and fled with them secretly, taking large flocks and herds and immense possessions; the
sons of Jacob sold their brother Joseph (p 128) into slavery; he was afterwards exalted by
thy ancestor and made second in Egypt, and when a famine came upon the land, he
brought hither his father with all his family to feed upon its substance, while the Egyptians
sold themselves for food; and now, my lord, this child arises to imitate their actions. He
mocks thee, oh king, thy elders and thy princes. Therefore, let his blood be spil ed; for the
future welfare of Egypt let this thing be done'.....It came to pass in those days that the
Assyrians rebelled against Kikanus, the king of Ethiopia, to whom they were under tribute.
Kikanus, appointing Bi'lam, the son of Be'or, who had fled from Egypt, to be his
representative in his absence, marched forth with a large army and subdued the
Assyrians, and imposed heavy taxes upon them. Bi'lam, the son of Be'or, was
unfaithful to his trust, and usurping the power he was delegated to protect, he induced
the people of Ethiopia to appoint him their king in place of the absent Kikanus. He
strengthened the walls of the capital, built huge fortresses, and dug ditches and pits
between (p 130) the city and the river Gichon, which compassed all the land of Ethiopia. "
http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/pol/pol09.htm
Clearly, the true God did not inspire Balaam to suggest that baby Moses should be killed.
443

The Moabite Version
In the country of Jordan, at the excavation site of Deir 'Alla, (probably the Biblical town of
Succoth) 119 fragments of plaster inscribed with black and red ink are thought to be
evidence of the prophet Balaam's existence. The fragments were found in earthquake
ruins. The inscription seems to have been at least 50 lines long. The disaster has been
dated at about 760 BC. This date coincides with the severe earthquake which occurred
during King Uzziah's reign (Azariah) and Amos' time also (Amos 1:1; Zechariah 14:5).
The inscription is written in Aramaic. A reference to the "Scrol of Balaam" indicates that
the text was part of a pre-existing document and therefore the original date of the material
would be earlier than the plaster text itself. The title appears: "Warnings from the Scroll
of Balaam the son of Beor. He was a seer of the gods."
From a section cal ed An Oracle of Balaam, from Comparing Mari, Neo-Assyrian,
Aramaean, and Biblical Prophetic Texts, Gildas Hamel, gives the translation of the
inscription as follows:
[1] Scroll of [Ba]laam [son of Beo]r, the man seeing the gods; behold, the
gods came to him at night, and [spoke to] him [2] according to these
words, and they said to [Balaa]m son of Beor thus: "The last flame has
appeared; a fire for judgment has appeared." [3] And Balaam arose in the
morning,[2 ] days, [...] [ ], and cou[ld not eat], and he wept [4] abundantly.
And his people came up to him and they [said] to Balaam son of Beor:
"Why are you fasting and why are you weeping?" And he [5] said to
them: "Sit! 59 I'll show you what the Sh[addayin] 60 are [. . . .], and come,
consider the doings of the gods." [6] The gods have gathered together,
and the Shaddayin have held an assembly, and they have said to
Sh[ama]sh 61 : `Sew up, close the sky with your cloud! [Let] darkness be
there, and not bright[7]ness, shadow and not radiance; For you'll strike
terror [with the cl]oud of darkness, and do not make noise ever but
[instead??] the passer, b- [8] -at, eagle, and peli[can], vultures, ostrich,
st[ork], young of falcons, owl, chicks of heron, dove, bird-of-prey, [9]
pigeon and sparrow. [every bird of the s]kies ... [on earth?] below where
the stick led the ewes, hares have eaten [10] [tog]ether [fr]eely....'"
Gildas Hamel, January 2004
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~humm/Resources/OT/balaam.html
In the Moabite story, Balaam is associated not only with the pagan god Shgr, but also the
group of gods called the Shadday gods and goddesses much like the god El Shadday
of Genesis 17:1 and Exodus 6:3 and also with the goddess Ashtar.
Clearly, Balaam was not a worshipper of the One True God, nor obedient to Him, despite
the fact that God had given him personal instructions. This left Balaam vulnerable and
without protection from even, exposure to angelic glory.
59 or "Return!" (as in "Repent!").
60 The Shaddayin = the Powerful ones? Cf. the appel ation "El Shadday" in the Bible.
61 Shamash is a female deity of rain.
444

32. I Make Peace and Create Evil - Isaiah 45:7
Objection:
"I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do
all these things."
Answer:
The absence of light creates darkness. The absence of life creates death. The absence
of goodness creates evil. When the God of light, life and goodness departs, the result is
darkness, death and evil.
(Jamieson Faussett Brown Bible Commentary)
Isaiah 45 :7
·
"form . . . create--yatzar, to give 'form' to previously existing matter.
Bara, to 'create' from nothing the chaotic dark material.
·
light . . . darkness--literally (Genesis 1:1-3), emblematical also,
prosperity to Cyrus, calamity to Babylon and the nations to be
vanquished [GROTIUS] . . . Isaiah refers also to the Oriental belief in two
coexistent, eternal principles, ever struggling with each other, light or
good, and darkness or evil, Oromasden and Ahrimanen. God, here, in
opposition, asserts His sovereignty over both [VITRINGA].
·
create evil--not moral evil (James 1:13), but in contrast to 'peace' in the
paral el clause, war, disaster (compare Psalm 65:7; Amos 3:6)."
Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 edition
Isaiah 45:7:
"create evil Heb. "ra" translated "sorrow," "wretchedness," "adversity,"
"afflictions," "calamities," but never translated sin. God created evil only in
the sense that He made sorrow, wretchedness, etc., to be the sure
fruits of sin."
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
Isaiah 45:7:
"Verse 7. (I form the light, and create darkness] It was the great principle of
the Magian religion, which prevailed in Persia in the time of Cyrus, and in
which probably he was educated, that there are two supreme, co-eternal,
and independent causes always acting in opposition one to the other; one
the author of al good, the other of al evil. The good being they cal ed
LIGHT; the evil being, DARKNESS. That when LIGHT had the ascendant,
then good and happiness prevailed among men; when DARKNESS had the
superiority, then evil and misery abounded. An opinion that contradicts the
clearest evidence of our reason, which plainly leads us to the
acknowledgement of one only Supreme Being, infinitely good as wel as
powerful. With reference to this absurd opinion, held by the person to whom
this prophecy is addressed, God, by his prophet, in the most significant
terms, asserts his omnipotence and absolute supremacy:- "I am
JEHOVAH, and none else; Forming light, and creating darkness, Making
peace, and creating evil: I JEHOVAH am the author of al these things."
Declaring that those powers whom the Persians held to be the original
authors of good and evil to mankind, representing them by light and
darkness, as their proper emblems, are no other than creatures of God, the
instruments which he employs in his government of the world, ordained or
permitted by him in order to execute his wise and just decrees; and that
there is no power, either of good or evil, independent of the one
supreme God, infinite in power and in goodness." (continued over page)
445

(Clarke continued)
"There were, however, some among the Persians whose sentiments were
more moderate as to this matter; who held the evil principle to be in some
measure subordinate to the good; and that the former would at length be
wholly subdued by the latter. See Hyde, De Relig. Vet. Pers. cap. Xxii. That
this opinion prevailed among the Persians as early as the time of Cyrus we
may, I think, infer not only from this passage of Isaiah, which has a manifest
reference to it, but likewise from a passage in Xenophon's Cyropaedia,
where the same doctrine is applied to the human mind. Araspes, a noble
young Persian, had fallen in love with the fair captive Panthea, committed to
his charge by Cyrus. After al his boasting that he was superior to the
assaults of that passion, he yielded so far to it as even to threaten violence if
she would not comply with his desires. Awed by the reproof of Cyrus, fearing
his displeasure, and having by cool reflection recovered his reason; in his
discourse with him on this subject he says: "O Cyrus, I have certainly two
souls; and this piece of philosophy I have learned from that wicked sophist,
Love. For if I had but one soul, it would not be at the same time good and
evil, it would not at the same time approve of honourable and base actions;
and at once desire to do, and refuse to do, the very same things. But it is
plain that I am animated by two souls, and when the good soul prevails, I do
what is virtuous; and when the evil one prevails, I attempt what is vicious.
But now the good soul prevails, having gotten you for her assistant, and has
clearly gained the superiority." Lib. vi. p. 424. I make peace, and create evil]
Evil is here evidently put for war and its attendant miseries. I will procure
peace for the Israelites, and destroy Babylon by war. I form light, and create
darkness. Now, as darkness is only the privation of light, so the evil of
war is the privation of peace."
How is God the creator of darkness? By withdrawing His light His truth.
How is God the creator of evil or war? By withdrawing His peace His Presence.
446

34. The

Lord Has Done Evil - Amos 3:6
"Shal a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there
be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done [it]? Will the Prophet's threaten
God's judgments and the people not be afraid? Does any adversity come
without God's appointment?"
Objection:
The Lord brings evil on perverse people.
Answer:
The verse, in its context reads as fol ows - Amos 3:1-8
1 Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the
whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying, 2 You only have I known
of all the families of the earth: therefore I wil punish you for all your iniquities. 3 Can two
walk together, except they be agreed? 4 Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no
prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? 5 Can a bird fall in a
snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shal one take up a snare from the earth,
and have taken nothing at all? 6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not
be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? 7 Surely the Lord
GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. 8 The
lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
God warned Israel that their own perverse ways would bring upon them the
consequences of pain and suffering. God informed them of the source or origin of the evil
and that source was not with Him.
God revealed that it was their own sin that had "trapped" them. The prophet asked, "can
a bird fall in a snare upon the earth where no gin is for him?"
God warns that the Israelites can expect punishment the same way that a bird is snared in
a trap. Loving owners place their pets in a confined area to prevent them from being
injured; but they do not place traps to snare their pets for the purpose destroying them. It
is the hunter who lay snares for birds and other animals to kil them. Animals that are
caught in traps, are often caught by their own behaviour, but it is not an accident on the
part of the trapper, who intentionally set and hid the trap to ensnare the "prey."
God does not attempt to "trap" His people. God does not trick or tempt humanity. Satan
is the deceiver and the destroyer.
James 1:13
"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted
with evil, neither tempteth he any man:"
God warns sinners of the evil consequences they will endure if they persist in wandering
in the devil's dangerous territory, but it is by their own doings that sinners are snared. A
side-effect of being caught in Satan's trap is that his victims suffer and are tormented.
This painful conditions often evokes a return to God to escape the destroyer's grasp
and not because God is the destroyer.
(v. 4): "Will a lion roar in the forest when he has no prey in view?
It is Satan who is depicted as a roaring lion, "seeking whom he may devour."
1 Peter 5:8
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour:"
Satan not God - stalks victims to devour and destroy them.
447

35. The Sanctuary Services
Objection:
Ellen White is very clear that the sacrificial services were given by God.
3 Spiritual Gifts, p 301-304 (1864)
"The Lord instructed Moses definitely in regard to the ceremonial sacrifices, which
were to cease at the death of Christ. The system of sacrifices foreshadowed the offering
of Christ as a Lamb without blemish. The Lord first established the system of
sacrificial offerings with Adam after his fall, which he taught to his descendants.
This system was corrupted before the flood by those who separated themselves from the
faithful fol owers of God, and engaged in the building of the tower of Babel. They
sacrificed to gods of their own make instead of the God of Heaven. They did not offer
sacrifices because they had faith in the Redeemer to come, but because they thought
they should please their gods by offering a great many beasts upon polluted idol altars.
Their superstition led them to great extravagances. They taught the people that the more
valuable the sacrifice, the greater pleasure would it give their idol gods, and the greater
would be the prosperity and riches of their nation. Hence human beings were often
sacrificed to these senseless idols. Those nations had laws and regulations to control the
actions of the people which were cruel in the extreme. Their laws were made by those
whose hearts were not softened by grace, and while they would pass over the most
debasing crimes, a small offence would call forth the most cruel punishment from those in
authority. (p 302) Moses had this in view when he said to Israel, "Behold, I have taught
you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do
so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep, therefore, and do them; for this is your
wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations which shal hear al these
statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what
nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in al
things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and
judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?" (p 303) God was
a wise and compassionate lawgiver, judging all cases righteously, and without partiality.
While the Israelites were in Egyptian bondage, they were surrounded with idolatry. The
Egyptians had received traditions in regard to sacrificing. They did not acknowledge the
existence of the God of Heaven. They sacrificed to their idol gods. With great pomp and
ceremony they performed their idol worship. They erected altars to the honor of their
gods, and they required even their own children to pass through the fire. After they had
erected their altars they required their children to leap over the altars through the fire. If
they could do this without their being burned, the idol priests and people received it as an
evidence that their god accepted their offerings, and favored especial y the person who
passed through the fiery ordeal. He was loaded with benefits, and was ever afterward
greatly esteemed by all the people. He was never allowed to be punished, however
aggravating might be his crimes. If another person who leaped through the fire was so
unfortunate as to be burned, then his fate was fixed; for they thought that their gods were
angry, and would be appeased with nothing short of the unhappy victim's life, and he was
offered up as a sacrifice upon their idol altars. Even some of the children of Israel had
so far degraded themselves as to practice these abominations, and God caused the
fire to kindle upon their children, whom they made to pass through the fire. They
did not go to all the lengths of the heathen nations; but God deprived them of their
children by causing the fire to consume them in the act of passing through it (p
304). Because the people of God had confused ideas of the ceremonial sacrificial
offerings, and had heathen traditions confounded with their ceremonial worship,
God condescended to give them definite directions, that they might understand the
true import of those sacrifices which were to last only til the Lamb of God should be
slain, who was the great antitype of all their sacrificial offerings."
448

A
nswer:
Before answering the main objection, it is interesting to note that Ellen White states that
"God caused the fire to kindle upon their (the Israelites') children" when three other
innocent Jewish youths were protected from fire by Christ Himself.
Notebook Leaflets from Elmshaven Library 1985, p119
"Refusing to do as the king had commanded, they (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego)
suffered the penalty, and were cast into the burning fiery furnace. But Christ came in
person and walked with them through the fire, and they received no harm."
Christ Himself revealed that it is not part of His character to destroy a child.
Matthew 18:5
"And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. (6) But whoso
shal offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a
millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
There is an obvious conflict between what Jesus said, which upheld the principles of the
10 commandments particularly the command which prohibits the taking of life - with the
words of Ellen White.
I am unaware that Ellen White made any claim suggesting that God revealed special light
on this subject (of Him supposedly burning children) to her. Perhaps a vision concerning
this fact is recorded somewhere, but I have not found the reference for the vision at this
stage and I cannot harmonise her statement with the law of God the great standard
upon which al writings must be tested.
Concerning the question regarding the sacrificial rituals in the Jewish sanctuary, it is
accepted that this objection demands a serious answer.
It appears that the original sanctuary system was set up as a copy of the heavenly
sanctuary. "The pattern shown to Moses in the mount" was a perfect, divinely ordained
system, a system that operated without the slightest trace of pagan theology or practice.
It is therefore, a serious concern to observe that the sanctuary's sacrificial ceremonies as
recorded in the books of Moses, reveal many pagan practices.
It is the presence of these pagan practices which tend to suggest that it is highly probable
that the sanctuary services slowly became corrupted over the years of intermingling with
pagan worshippers (as Ellen White mentions) resulting in certain pagan rituals becoming
included in the sanctuary services and also finding a place in the Hebrew Scriptures.62
It appears that by the time the teachings in the Torah, were finally recorded in written
form, 63 the sanctuary services might have already have become pol uted with paganistic
theology.
62The Temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt toward the end of the 6th century BC, becoming once again
the central place of worship for the Jews. It remained so until the Romans destroyed it in 70 CE.
Many books of the Bible were composed or edited into their final form during the two centuries of
Persian rule, and it is clear that Jews absorbed much from Persian culture. Encarta Encyclopedia
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761567959_4/Jews.html
63 (between 300-600 years after Moses died) The Septuagint version of the Old Testament
was translated from Hebrew to Greek some time during the 3rd century BC. The Dead Sea
Scrolls, which were discovered in 1940-50 are dated as being written during 200 B.C. to 68 A.D
(based on various dating methods, including carbon 14, paleographic and scribal). Many crucial
biblical manuscripts (such as Psalm 22, Isaiah 53 and Isaiah 61) date to at least 100 B.C. Most of
the texts are written in Hebrew and Aramaic, with a few in Greek.
449

While the pagan contamination could not destroy the basic truth of the sanctuary doctrine
which pointed to Christ, the presence of pagan theology certainly hindered God's plan to
save humanity.
While the sanctuary structure and furniture survived, is it possible that a particle of poison
was also introduced which effected the entire demonstration of divine love?
The pagan dimension that "the life being in the blood" replaced the real focus of the
sanctuary services. The real sacrifice was made when the Son of God laid aside His glory
in heaven to be born in sinful, human flesh and to accept mortality in order to save
humanity. Humanity's eternal life depended upon the perfect human character which
Christ developed in sinful, human, mortal flesh. Eternal life was "in Christ's character" -
not "in Christ's blood." The term "the life of Jesus Christ" is a reference to His holy
character/mind/spirit.
Consider the earthly sanctuary, in the light of the heavenly pattern. While in vision, John
the Revelator saw certain items in the heavenly sanctuary:
·
a lampstand (candlestick) (Rev 1:20, 2:1);
·
the altar of incense (Rev 8:3,4); and
·
the ark of God's covenant (Rev 11:19).
·
Jesus said He was the bread of life (John 6:34)
·
Jesus sanctioned baptism which is similar in concept to the laver (Matt3:15)
·
Paul tells us that Jesus is our High Priest (Heb 9:11).
The priest
Jesus was a priest not after the order of Aaron, who specialised in blood sacrifices, but
after the order of the high priest Melchizedek, the King of Salem The King of Peace.
The laver
Christian baptism is not a bloody ordeal, although pagan baptism was known to have
been performed with blood.
Jesus was able to wash away the sins of the world, only by virtue of the fact that He lived
a sinless life not by the fact that He died a bloody death.
The Father cannot legal y wash away sin if sinners' claims to holiness is simply that Jesus
died a bloody death. There would be no guarantee that such sinners would live a sinless
life in heaven. While all sinners are justified because of the merits of Christ's perfect life,
sinners must also be clothed in His righteous character they must be sanctified - or they
must forfeit heaven. Heaven is not entered by virtue of a bloody death but by receiving
Christ's perfect character His spirit - in their minds. Christ freely gives His character to
the world a character which He developed despite torture and a slow, agonising and
bloody death. He endured these evils in order to secure that character for humanity.
The candlesticks
Jesus is the Light of the World no blood required
The shewbread
Jesus is the Bread of Life no blood required (except in Roman Catholic eucharist rituals)
The altar of incense
Jesus is the Mediator, who intercedes on our behalf to the Father when we pray. Jesus is
qualified to intercede for humanity because He lived a pure holy life which covers
repentant sinners.
http://www.allaboutthejourney.org/bible-manuscripts.htm
http://www.allaboutarchaeology.org/dead-sea-scrolls.htm
450

The ark of the covenant
Jesus upheld His Father's Law as shown in the sermon on the mount and in the
Beatitudes (Matt 5).
The mercy seat
The Father of mercies.
2 Corinthians 1:3
"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the
God of all comfort;"
Apart from the altar of burnt offering sacrifice, there is represented in the heaven
sanctuary, every other piece of furniture as appeared in the earthly sanctuary.
The burnt offering or sacrificial altar
The earthly altar of burnt offerings represents a sacrifice. Although there are ample
examples of the other sanctuary furniture existing in the heavenly temple, it is not certain
from the context in Revelation, whether there is present in heaven, an altar of (burnt
offering) sacrifice. It appears that the altar mentioned in Rev 6:9; 8:3,5; 9:13; 11:1, refer
to the altar of incense.
Ellen White saw the heavenly sanctuary in vision also.
Early Writings, p 32
"We felt an unusual spirit of prayer. And as we prayed the Holy Ghost fell upon us. We
were very happy. Soon I was lost to earthly things and was wrapped in a vision of God's
glory. I saw an angel flying swiftly to me. He quickly carried me from the earth to the Holy
City. In the city I saw a temple, which I entered. I passed through a door before I came to
the first veil. This veil was raised, and I passed into the holy place. Here I saw the altar of
incense, the candlestick with seven lamps, and the table on which was the shewbread.
After viewing the glory of the holy, Jesus raised the second veil and I passed into the holy
of holies. In the holiest I saw an ark; on the top and sides of it was purest gold. On each
end of the ark was a lovely cherub, with its wings spread out over it. Their faces were
turned toward each other, and they looked downward. Between the angels was a golden
censer. Above the ark, where the angels stood, was an exceeding bright glory, that
appeared like a throne where God dwelt. Jesus stood by the ark, and as the saints'
prayers came up to Him, the incense in the censer would smoke, and He would offer up
their prayers with the smoke of the incense to His Father. In the ark was the golden pot of
manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of stone which folded together like a
book. Jesus opened them, and I saw the ten commandments written on them with the
finger of God."
It is interesting to note also, that Ellen White did not see a sacrificial altar or the laver in
the heavenly sanctuary, although she was shown all the other pieces of the sanctuary
furniture.
It is not disputed that a divine sacrifice was made to redeem humanity, but this discussion
is investigating the similarities between the heavenly sanctuary and the earthly sanctuary
which was said to be model ed after the heavenly pattern (Ex 25:40).
It is clear that heaven's sacrifice was the decision to risk Christ's entire existence to save
a sinful race by taking on sinful humanity and becoming mortal. The salvation of the
human race was dependent on the life and character developed by the Son of God.
By contrast, the earthly sanctuary focused the attention of the worshippers on the value of
the blood of an animal, which became commonly accepted as a means to atone for sin.
451

If blood was the most important article in the sacrificial rituals, then the animal needed
only to be bled and have its blood collected. If the blood was the al -important factor,
perhaps one might wonder why the animal, after making its blood donation, could not
have been released into the herd again, to continue living. However, an animal's donated
blood would not have been considered a complete sacrifice to the Hebrews. Blood was
only valued because it was understood to have represented the death of the victim.
The Slain Lamb
John in vision, speaks of Christ as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Rev
3:8) and yet, Christ was not physically slain in heaven; and Christ stated that no-one could
slay Him (John 10:18). So why was Christ considered the Sacrifice which was "slain from
the foundation of the world?"
It was the decision to take on the entire sinful human race into His own existence that
caused Christ to be considered already 'slain.' Taking on the human race was a suicidal
decision - for the wages or natural consequences of sin is death. (Rom 6:23) The human
race was doomed; it could only offer Christ death. If Christ took the sins of the world into
His own being (to give the race life/existence once again), He would die, for sin is deadly.
Taking on human nature in order to develop in it a perfectly loving character, was the only
way to restore the character of God in the human race the only way for humanity to
again receive life.
When Christ agreed to become the second Adam, He agreed to take on human mortality
including the fearful consequences of separation from His Father and unprotected
exposure to demons. Christ accepted the chal enge of preparing a holy character to offer
humanity -at the risk of His own eternal existence. This decision to take the human race
into His own life and to suffer the consequences, caused Christ to be considered slain
from the foundation of the world. Though the human race offered Christ death, Christ
offered humanity eternal life, through the donation of His perfect character. To give
that precious gift, the Son of God had to become mortal. To become mortal meant to lay
down His life. The act of taking on humanity, was the True Sacrifice of heaven.
The Father did not slay His Son. Satan could not slay the Son of God. Christ could not
save the human race without taking on human mortality. This voluntary action resulted in
Christ's death. It was not a pagan sacrifice. It was just as Jesus stated in John 15:13
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
The salvation of sinful humanity required the highest donation that heaven could afford
the giving of both Father and Son. This giving action was the sacrifice.
What did the Sacrifice Involve?
The Father did not give Jesus to the world for the purpose of making His Son a bloody
sacrifice, but so that His Son might - against all the odds- develop a perfect, human
character in sinful flesh. In taking on sinful flesh, Christ became mortal.
Bible Echo, 15 September, 1892 p 6
"As a member or the human family, He was mortal; but as God, He was the fountain of life
to the world. He could, in his divine person, ever have withstood the advances of death
and refused to come under its dominion; but voluntarily He laid down his life, that He
might give life, and bring immortality to light. He bore the sin of the world, and endured
the penalty, that rolled like a mountain upon his divine soul. He yielded up his life a
sacrifice, that man should not eternally die. He died, not through being compelled to die,
but by his own free wil ."
452

If Christ was faithful until He died a human death however that death might occur then
Christ could then legally impart the merits of His righteous human life (His character) to
save sinners. Because Christ (as the second Adam) succeeded in developing a perfect,
human character, He made it possible to re-establish the Father's law in minds of the
human race. At the time of Jesus' death, because He lived a righteous life, all humanity
had opportunity to be covered by Christ's life for Christ took on Himself the sin of the world
and conquered it with His perfect LIFE. Christ's perfect life did not terminate until He
died - and Christ was faithful UNTIL death and in the face of death.
By living a human life which extended from birth to death Christ gave His life as a
sacrifice to redeem humanity.
The true sacrifice required by God did not require blood to be shed.
Psalm 51:17
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt
not despise."
Since animal's life ENDS with death, the pagan sacrificial rituals focused on death and
dying as having some mystical and supernatural atoning benefits.
The Hebrew ceremonies appeared to have adopted similar paganised concepts in regard
to Jesus' death. The focus "on the blood," minimizes Christ's real sacrifice in taking
humanity into Himself and forming a perfect life. The sacrifice of Christ's entire being
through His representation as the New Head of the human race and His subsequent life
as a human being, are discounted or devalued. It is vital to the plan of salvation that we
recognise that Christ's sacrifice involved much more than His death.
Because of Christ's testimony, it can be seen that the plan of salvation was still discernible
despite the pagan "blood-letting" practices which influenced the sanctuary services.
453

More Questions on the Sacrificial Services in the Sanctuary
Objection:
If indeed the sanctuary was built by Moses according to God's instructions and
if indeed it was to impress upon the hearts and minds of the people the
seriousness/gravity of sin and to point the people towards Christ, how could
this have been achieved if there were to be no animals sacrifices? What would
the daily and yearly services involve? There would be no blood. There would be
no sin, peace, thank, etc, offerings as such.

Answer:
Your questions focus on the definition given to "sacrifice." A person can make a sacrifice
or a person can be a sacrifice.
·
A sacrifice can be an act of giving (a verb) e.g. The man sacrificed his own time to
build the orphanage. Such a sacrifice often causes hardship to the giver for the
benefit of another person; or
·
A sacrifice can be a person, animal or object ( a noun) e.g. The Aztec religion
required a human sacrifice offering of a human being as an appeasement to
pagan gods.
The sanctuary service reveals that Christ and His Father made a total sacrifice to save
humanity. In fact, Their divine 'giving,' was the greatest of al sacrifices. Satanic however,
chose to disguise the genuine sacrifice of both Father and Son and to instead make Christ
an 'object' that was sacrificed in order to 'placate' His angry, wrathful Father. With such
pagan concepts being assumed by millions of Christian people, some important Biblical
verses have been misunderstood and misapplied. Consider Paul's instructions to the
Ephesians.
Ephesians 5:2
"And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering
and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour."
Is Paul saying that Christ was a sacrificed object a bloody offering - to appease an angry
God in heaven? No. Not at al . Paul is reminding the Ephesians that Christ's loving and
complete act of giving (of His perfect SELF His character and life), was the sacrifice that
was pleasing to God.
Who saved humanity? The Father and Son.
How did They save humanity?
·
The Father permanently gave His Son for eternity to the human race.
·
The Son gave Himself to humanity by becoming a mortal, human being.
Christ's death would have been effectual if He had not consented to represent the sinful
human race as a mortal man - the second Adam. Nor would Christ's death benefit
humanity, if Jesus had not developed a perfect character in humanity's fallen condition.
Thus, salvation was achieved in a two step process. Christ brought salvation to the
human race because He represented them in life and in death. Therefore, because of
what Christ sacrificed to become Head of the sinful, human race (accepting
mortality) and because He endured temptation to develop a pure human character,
the sinful human race was justified and sanctified - redeemed.
Humanity was not redeemed on the basis that Christ's blood was shed as a sacrificial
Victim, to appease an angry, wrathful god.
454

You wrote:
If indeed the sanctuary was built by Moses according to God's instructions
and if indeed it was to impress upon the hearts and minds of the people the
seriousness/gravity of sin and to point the people towards Christ, how
could this have been achieved if there were to be no animal sacrifices?
Answer: How could it be achieved WITH sacrifices? WAS it achieved with sacrifices?
No. The Jews generally appeared to have NO concept that the sacrifices pointed to
salvation from sin through a meek, gentle Messiah.
The Jewish nation generally believed that the sacrificial services would make atonement
for their sins. It was only later that the apostle Paul informed them that this was not the
case.
Hebrews 10:4
"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."
Retrospectively, the ceremonies were given significance - but this meaning was not
available to the average Jew prior to Christ's appearance as the Messiah. Thousands of
Jews knew very little about righteousness by faith, although this is the gospel in verity.
Finding out 'after the fact' certainly didn't help thousands of Jews over the previous
thousand years to understand the plan of salvation that God's plan to save them was
centred on 10 loving principles and not 'of works'. How many slaughtered little lambs,
goats, bul s and doves died in vain?
Jesus said if He was crucified, that He would draw all men unto Him. This drawing is
through His love - not through the blood-letting that Satan inflicted on Him on the cross.
Jesus confirmed that love is the drawing agent, not the crucifixion because He also said
that His Father drew them and the Father was not crucified. 'Drawing' has nothing to do
with blood-letting because the Father draws humanity with His love.
John 6:44
"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise
him up at the last day."
If it was the love of Jesus and His Father which draws sinners to Christ in the New
Testament, then the same principles of salvation must apply to the Old Testament rituals,
if in fact they were commanded by God.
Did the sacrificial services demonstrate the love of God to the Jews? It doesn't appear so.
The Jews, though their religion was steeped in blood, were still ignorant of the supposed
meaning/interpretation that the sacrifices were said to have typified. They did not
recognise their Messiah. They had no idea what the Messiah's role involved. They were
expecting a violent, blood-shedding war hero to deliver them from Roman bondage.
There was not a trace of spiritual understanding. So much for the lesson of love which
we are told was supposed to be clearly indicated in the ritualistic kil ings of the sacrificial
services!
How could the Jews be expected to feel drawn to the god who required them to slit an
innocent lamb's throat, morning and evening, and the next morning and the next night
etc......and then on special occasions to kill multiple animals per day, until there were over
1000 lambs, goats, bul s, birds sacrificed every single year just in the official rituals of
the temple alone?
It is difficult to accept that slaughtering animals would engender the development of the
fruits of the spirit - love, joy, peace, long-suffering GENTLENESS, goodness, faith,
meekness, temperance.
455

As a nation, the Jews kept wandering away from God's 10 commandments of love, in
order to serve other gods who promoted the same sacrificial rituals - but whose religion
did not require the keeping of the principles of love - the 10 commandments. Despite their
profession, even a casual glance at the historical record reveals that the Jews considered
sacrificial rituals their focus of worship, rather than realising the sanctifying power of God
to enable them to live according to the holy law of God .
You wrote:
What would the daily and yearly services involve? There would be no
blood. There would be no sin, peace, thank, etc, offerings as such.
Answer:
The sanctuary services were capable of giving excellent instruction in the plan of
salvation and righteousness by faith through bloodless confession and a bloodless
sacrifice of sin and selfishness. The furniture of the sanctuary reveals the same
principles of salvation as does the gospel today - a turning away from sin by faith in the
Messiah.
Sin-offerings, peace offerings and thank offerings, could have been bloodless offerings
which might have been made to represent the bloodless sacrifices which God especially
values.
Psalm 51:16, 17
"For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
(17) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou
wilt not despise."
All the sanctuary furniture, including the sacrificial altar, could have played a significant
role in the revelation of the plan of salvation through bloodless operations in the
sanctuary.
Old Testament Sanctuary Scenario
For the sake of a simple scenario, consider what might have happened if the sinner went
to the (bloodless) temple to confess His sins.
On entering the courtyard, the sinner would be greeted by the sympathetic priest - who
represented the Messiah. 64
The sinner might find encouragement in the words of the priest, that whatever sin the Jew
had committed, the Messiah would be able to forgive it.
If an altar of sacrifice was there, it might be noticed to be empty. The priest would explain
that one day, the altar would be occupied by the Son of God who would risk and give
(sacrifice) His entire existence - as an offering to the world. He would forego the glories of
heaven (a sacrifice) and risk His entire existence to save repentant sinners from the death
which must come to those who have separated themselves from God through sin. The
Messiah would be shown to be wil ing to go to any lengths -to sacrifice all - including
laying down His life (enabled by His taking on sinful human mortality) - so that sinners
could be saved - because He loves humanity so much. 65
64 Review and Herald, 6 May, 1902 p 13 "In all true disciples this love, like sacred fire, burns on
the altar of the heart. It was on the earth that the love of God was revealed through Jesus. It is
on the earth that his children are to let this love shine out through blameless lives. Thus sinners
will be led to the cross, to behold the Lamb of God."
65 Review and Herald, 15 April, p 14 "If the man who feels that he is called of God to be a
minister will humble himself and learn of Christ, he will become a true preacher. If his lips are
touched with a live coal from the altar, he will lift up Jesus as the sinner's only hope.... The
Holy Spirit has fallen upon him, his soul has felt the vital, heavenly fire, and he is able to
456

While standing beside the huge altar of sacrifice, the priest might instruct the sinner that in
order to be forgiven, he must first confess his sins to those injured by his sins. If the
sinner had already done that, then the priest might instruct the sinner to leave his 'sins' on
that altar. e.g. The sinner would pray for forgiveness for his sins at the altar, claiming
forgiveness by faith in the coming Messiah. The sinner is required to give his 'all' to Christ
in order to be saved. His 'all' must be laid on the altar of sacrifice 66 but there is nothing
'good' that the sinner can give to God.
The true sacrifice is one of giving of our sinful SELF to Christ. Christ likewise
made a True sacrifice by entirely giving His Righteous SELF to humanity.
Perhaps then sinner might place a self-imposed fine (like Zacchaeus imposed upon
himself) on the altar; or he might place some other offering of value which could be used
to help others. 67 Or the sinner might make a sacrifice of time - by making a promise to
perform a service for others, perhaps those whom his actions had injured (like community
service- not senseless penance).
Reimbursing a person for damages would not be seen as 'a payment to have sins
forgiven' - but neither OT sins nor NT sins could be forgiven without a demonstration of a
genuine sorrow for sin. These sinner's offerings would be free-will and not imposed,
because God's system does not use violence or force.
The priest might then ask the repentant sinner if he would like to declare his repentance
and conversion by being baptised in the laver or by washing the feet of the person he had
injured.
To encourage him in his new life, the priest might point out that the Messiah would be the
light of his world - to guide the sinner into righteousness in future.
The priest might also say that the Messiah's loving principles were as necessary as food
to his spiritual life; the Bread of life, which would enable him to apply the principles of the
10 commandment law which were in the Ark of the Covenant - to his daily life.
In speaking of the mercy seat over the Ark, the priest might explain, God's holy law would
be, by divine mercy, placed "in the sinner's heart/mind" and that Christ Himself, as the
Priest before the altar of incense, would apply that love to the sinner's heart through His
divine mediation.68
compare spiritual things with spiritual. Power will be given him to tear down the strongholds of
Satan. Hearts will be broken by his presentation of the love of God, and many will inquire.
"What must I do to be saved?"
66 Signs of the Times, 21 October, 1889 p 6 " When the Majesty of Heaven became a babe, and
was intrusted to Mary, she did not have much to offer for the precious gift; but when she brought
her two doves to the altar, they were received as an acceptable offering to the Lord. ... It was the
willingness of her heart that the Lord looked upon, and her love made her offering sweet."
67 Review and Herald, 23 December, 1890, p 6 "The love to Jesus that once burned upon the
altar of the heart, has become dimmed and nearly extinguished. Spiritual strength has become
enfeebled. The displeasure of the Lord is against his people. In their present condition it is
impossible for them to represent the character of Christ."
68Review and Herald, 10 February, 1903, p 7 "Jesus will be our theme; his love, burning upon
the altar of our hearts will reach the hearts of the people. The truth will be presented, not as a
cold, lifeless theory, but as a living force to change the life. But the power is of God through his
Spirit, which works effectually on heart and mind."
457

After confessing his unworthiness, but also his faith in the coming Messiah, the repentant
sinner would be forgiven and possibly baptised. By so doing, he would make a sacrifice
of his soul. He might wish to make a freewil offering - a donation, not a payment - to
celebrate being forgiven and to express his thankfulness to God and the priest who
explained to him the spiritual things in the sanctuary.
In consideration of the Sanctuary furniture:
The lampstand required no blood to represent that the Messiah as the light of the world.
The oil in the lamps in the lampstand required no blood to represent the
spirit/mind/presence of the Messiah. The table of shewbread required no blood to convey
that the Messiah was the sustenance of His people. The altar of incense and the incense
itself required no blood to convey that the Messiah was interceding for sinners and their
prayers were ascending to heaven with the aid of their Mediator. The Ark of the Covenant
required no blood to hold its special significance as the written, expressed character of
God which the coming Messiah would express in His life. The laver required no blood to
represent the washing away of guilt and shame of the sinner, much as foot-washing
requires no blood in SDA churches services today. The laver was large enough to act as
a baptismal font - (baptism does not require the shedding of blood). 69 And the sacrificial
altar was poorly represented the sacrifice of Jesus the Son of God who gave Himself so
that humanity could give all of itself to Him.
Questions:
·
Was salvation different for the Old Testament Jews than it is for today's Christians?
·
Don't all human beings have to give their ALL to follow Jesus Christ?
·
Did the Jewish nation err by thinking the sacrificial system pointed to salvation they
could purchase (i.e. justification by works) as they focused in giving their cattle to
the sanctuary, instead of surrendering their hearts and minds to Christ?
·
Did the sanctuary services correctly instruct the people in the nature of the true
sacrifice which was acceptable by God?
·
Did God accept the animal offerings which were slaughtered as blood-letting gifts
despite the Hebrews' misunderstanding, because of the motives in their hearts?
·
Jesus is repeatedly referred to as "the Lamb of God," but many other animals were
said to have represented the Son of God in the sanctuary rituals. Why is there no
Biblical record of Jesus being called the "Bullock of God," the "Red Heifer of God,"
the "Ram of God," the "Turtle-Dove of God," or the "Goat of God?" These other
animal titles seem almost blasphemous, and yet the title, "Lamb of God" is
accepted. Why?
·
If the slaughtered lamb represented Christ, giving His all for humanity, what part of
the sanctuary services demonstrate the sinner giving his/her all for Christ which is
a vital part of the gospel? Where is it shown that the sinner must place him/herself
on the altar of sacrifice to love the Lord with al His heart, mind, strength and soul
which is the first great commandment according to Jesus? Either the lamb
represents Jesus as the gift of God or does it represent the giving of the human
being to God dying to self.
69 Baptism was practised prior to Christ's death also. Where did this practice originate? Is it
possible that it was the original purpose of the sanctuary laver?
458

36. Jesus called the Syrophenician Woman a Dog - Mark 7:27
Mark 7:27,
"But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the
children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs."
O
bjection:
Jesus referred to the Gentile woman as a 'dog,' which Jewish culture intended as
racist euphemism for anyone who was not a Jew. Thus, non-Jewish persons, by
virtue of their racial inheritance, was considered unclean and detestable. Was
Jesus a racist?
Answer:
The seemingly callous and racist words of Jesus to a Gentile woman as expressed in
Mark 7:27, need closer examination.
The Syrophenecian woman had approached Jesus asking for healing of her demon-
possessed daughter, but Jesus seemed to initially refuse her request, justifying it on racist
grounds.
Mark 7:27
"But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the
children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs."
The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts of Apostles comments:
Mark 7:27:
#Mr 7:27| Let the children first be filled. By the use of the word "first"
Jesus suggested that there would come a time of mercy for the Gentiles.
For it is not meet. Suitable, becoming. To take the children's bread
and cast it to the dogs. He uses the diminutive for the word "dog," thus
indicating a tame pet, and suggesting rather the dependence and
subordinate position than the uncleanness of the dog. By so doing he
gave the woman an argumentative handle which she was not slow to
grasp. (TFG 401)
Mark 7:28:
#Mr 7:28| Yea, Lord; even the dogs under the table eat of the
children's crumbs. Jesus had suggested that domestic order by which
dogs are required to wait until the meal is over before they receive their
portion; but with a wit made keen by her necessity, she replies by al uding
to the well-known fact that dogs under the table are permitted to eat the
crumbs even while the meal is in progress; intimating thereby her hope to
receive and before all the needs of Israel had first been satisfied. By using
the word "dogs" Jesus did not mean to convey the impression that he
shared the Jewish prejudices against Gentiles; a construction which
would be contrary to #Lu 4:25,26|, and #Mt 8:10-12|. (TFG 401).
459

Similarly, Jesus had told His mother Mary, when she also requested a miracle from Him,
that His time had not yet come.
John 2:1-11
"And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was
there: (2) And both Jesus was cal ed, and his disciples, to the marriage. (3) And when
they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. (4) Jesus
saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. (5)
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. (6) And
there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews,
containing two or three firkins apiece. (7) Jesus saith unto them, Fil the waterpots with
water. And they filled them up to the brim. (8) And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and
bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. (9) When the ruler of the feast had
tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants
which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, (10) And
saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have
wel drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. (11) This
beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory;
and his disciples believed on him."
Notice that Mary's reaction of faith, is similar to the Syrophenecian woman's reaction
persistent faith in the goodness of the Messiah's character.
Both women persisted in their belief that Jesus would not turn them away, but would help
them by performing a miracle.
Mary urged the servants at the wedding feast, to do anything that Jesus instructed them
to do. Her great faith lay in the pure and loving character of the Son of God, who up until
this stage, had not performed a miracle at all.
The Syrophenecian woman also persisted in faith, asking Christ to perform a miracle to
heal her daughter prior to the time when the gospel was appointed to be preached to
the Gentiles.
Christ operated to a divinely constructed timetable, which was set down by the prophets in
the Scriptures. These appointed times were revealed in the Old Testament messianic
prophecies (compare Isaiah 61:2; Luke 4:18).
Jesus did not promote or hold racist views or theology.
460

37. Fi
re From Heaven to Consume the Disrespectful - 2 Kings 1:8-15
Objection:
God answered Elijah's prayer to send fire down to consume disrespectful soldiers three
times. This is clear evidence that God does indeed destroy the wicked. What is your
response to this Biblical evidence?
Answer:
This story appears in 2 Kings chapter 1.
2 Kings 1:8-15
"And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his
loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite. (9) Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty
with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hil . And he
spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down. (10) And Elijah
answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down
from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and
consumed him and his fifty. (11) Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with
his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said,
Come down quickly. (12) And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God,
let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came
down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty. (13) And he sent again a captain of
the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his
knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let
my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight. (14) Behold, there
came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their
fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight. (15) And the angel of the LORD
said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down
with him unto the king."
Elijah was reportedly motivated by the disrespect shown by a captain and fifty soldiers
who was sent from King Ahaziah to ensure that he presented himself at the royal court.
However, it appears that the captain failed to show respect due to a prophet of the Lord.
The captian did not bow respectful y and ask Elijah 'nicely,' to accompany him to the King.
Instead, the captain relayed the king's command - ordering him to accompany them 'in the
name of the king.' Because of this demonstration of disrespect, it appears that the writer
of 2 Kings considered Elijah was justified in 'cal ing down fire from heaven' to destroy
them.
Thus, it is recorded in scripture, that a dreadful fiery explosion sent from heaven from God
- and by inference from the One True God and incinerated the captain and his fifty
soldiers. This destructive 'divine act' was said to have occurred twice swelling the tally
of dead soldiers to 102 men in one day, al at the command of Elijah and performed by the
One True God.
Is this Old Testament report true? Does it correctly demonstrate the character of the One
True God?
The life, experience and teaching of Jesus hold the answer. An incident occurred just
prior to Jesus' trial and crucifixion which casts much light on the Old Testament story of
Elijah and the fire from heaven which supposedly consumed 102 soldiers.
461

Luke 9:51-55
"And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he
stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, (52) And sent messengers before his face: and
they went, and entered into a vil age of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. (53) And
they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. (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? (55)
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of."
Notice that the disciples referred to an Old Testament story in 2 Kings 1:8-15. In that
passage of scripture it is reported that Elijah cal ed down fire from heaven to consume
approximately 100 soldiers who didn't respect him as being a prophet of the Lord.
The disciples presented this Old Testament Scripture to Jesus as justification for their
desire to destroy the population of the Samaritan townfolk who had shown disrespect to
Jesus (by denying Him lodgings in their vil age).
Jesus' response to the disciples' question did not sanction their desires nor did they give
justification to Elijah's (supposed) actions.
Instead Christ seriously repimanded the disciples by saying that the desire to destroy
someone for showing disrespect to them, is not motivated by the spirit of the One True
God.
Jesus simply turned away from those who refused His presence. Jesus did not try to
punish those who rejected Him. He even told His disciples that their thinking of calling
down fire to destroy the disrespectful village - was Satanic.
It is interesting to note that Christ did not mention the incident of Elijah calling down fire on
the two groups of 50 soldiers (2 Kings 1:9-15), but he told the disciples that their
suggestion (to imitate Elijah's act), was inspired by Satan.
One wonders why Christ didn't go a step further in correcting His disciples and pronounce
directly to them that the Old Testament story of Elijah calling down fire on the soldiers,
also demonstrated the 'wrong' spirit.
Ellen White appears to make some significant comments in The EG White 1888 Materials
p 526, 527; MS Rel #1037 (MS 25, 9 Jan, 1890). She states that when Christ came to the
earth as a human being, He recognised that the truth about God's character had been
"buried and had apparently become extinct." It was "placed in a framework of error" and
"disconnected from its true position."
The Jewish religious leaders, despite being in possession of the Old Testament scrolls,
and despite having committed it to memory and teaching the books of Moses to their
youth, despite having all that knowledge, Christ recognised that they did not possess the
"gems of truth." For this reason, Christ endeavoured to bring the essential truths about
God's character to the minds of the people. Ellen White, from the same manuscript,
reveals a significant teaching strategy which Christ employed to achieve His tutorial goal.
462

The EG White 1888 Materials p 526, 527; MS Rel #1037 (MS 25, 9 Jan, 1890)
"As Christ presented these truths to minds, He broke up their
accustomed train of thought as little as possible. Nevertheless a new
and transforming economy of truth must be woven into their experience.
He therefore aroused their minds by presenting truth through the agency
of their most familiar associations. He used il ustrations in His teaching
which called into activity their most hallowed recollections and
sympathies, that he might reach the innner temple of the soul." 70
It can be easily seen that Ellen White's comment harmonises with Christ' own statement
that He could not reveal all the truth to the disciples as they "could not bear it."
John 16:12
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now."
Paul also recognised that instructing others requires a 'holding back' and regulated
release of the 'gems' of truth, which if given 'all in one go' would have a negative, perhaps
disillusionary effect on the seekers of truth.
1 Corinthians 3:1, 2
"And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as
unto babes in Christ. (2) I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were
not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able."
It appears likely, according to Christ's own words, Paul's teaching strategies and Ellen
White's statements, that Christ purposely did not expose and confront all the false beliefs
which the people held as truth. Instead Christ endeavoured to establish correct concepts
of God's character initially and then as the believers were converted by recognising the
love of God, they would grow spiritually and be able to 'bear' more 'cutting away' of their
errors and be open to receiving more othe the true gems of truth. Christ promised that the
holy spirit of God would lead them into all truth (John 16:13).
70 The full quote from the EG White 1888 Materials Vol 2. p 526, 527; Manuscript Release
#1037 (MS 25, 9 January, 1890) reads as fol ows:
"Christ was the originator of all the ancient gems of truth. Through the work of
the enemy these truths had been displaced. They had been disconnected from
their true position, and placed in the framework of error. Christ's work was to
readjust and establish the precious gems in the framework of truth. The
principles of truth which had been given by Himself to bless the world had,
through Satan's agency, been buried and had apparently become extinct.
Christ rescued them from ther rubbish of error, gave them a new, vital force, and
commanded them to shine as precious jewels, and stand fast forever. Christ
Himself could use any of these old truths without borrowing the smallest particle,
for He had originated them all. He had cast them into the minds and thoughts of
each generation, and when He came to our world He rearranged and vitalized
the truths which had become dead, making them more forcible for the benefit of
future generations. It was Jesus Christ who had the power of rescuing the
truths from the rubbish, and again giving them to the eworld with more than their
original freshness and power. As Christ presented these truths to mind, He
broke up their accustomed train of thought as little as possible. Nevertheless a
new and transforming economy of truth must be woven into their experience.
He therefore aroused their minds by presenting truth through the agency of their
most familiar associations. He used il ustrations in His teaching which cal ed
into activity their most hallowed recol ections and sympathies, that he might
reach the innner temple of the soul."
463

Conclusion
If the Old Testament report of fire consuming the soldiers at Elijah's command is to be
believed, one must ask the question, "Did Elijah command the incineration of the soldiers
by the spirit of Christ or by the spirit of Satan?"
Christ clearly stated that the spirit which motivated the disciples to want to destroy the
Samaritians for their disrespect of their Leader, was the spirit of Satan.
If showing disrespect for the Son of God did not justify calling down fire from heaven to
destroy the unbelievers, how can it be justified that Elijah was correct in calling down fire
to consume those who showed disrespect to him?
It is more likely that the story has been misrecorded and misreported in the Old Testament
writings.
The Son of God, Jesus Christ was not a racist. Christ stated that the spirit which
motivated the disciples to want to destroy the Samaritians was the spirit of Satan.
The reason given by the disciples for wanting to murder the Samaritians was because
these Gentiles rejected their theology. Christ stressed the point that even if correct
theology was rejected - as it was in this case, (that He was the true Messiah) the people
stil had a right to reject that theology without fear that the "holy, righteous theology"
adherents would attack them.
Christ patiently bore with those He was endeavouring to instruct in the ways of love. For
His instruction to be successful, it was required that He would not attack their cherished,
but false doctrines. This was not 'bearable' to the people who considered error as
precious truth. Christ therefore focused on setting before the people the truth about the
character of God, as seen in nature and as demonstrated in His own perfect, human life.
Christ's life demonstrates that it is the spirit of love, patience and passivism that stands
vindicated and contrasted against the satanic spirit of selfishness, intolerance and
violence.
464

38. C
ain and Abel's Sacrifices - Genesis 4:3-5
Objection:
If God did not require animal (blood) sacrifices to atone for sin, why did He accept Abel's
offering as a lamb from his flock? Why was Cain's rejected?
Answer:
The most important concept that needs to be examined from this question, is not if the
Cain and Abel story is legitimate, but on what basis does humanity achieve salvation?
Down through the ages, God has always accepted sinners who demonstrate faith in the
Messiah. To evaluate the quality and genuiness of the sinner's repentance, God marks
the motivation of the heart not the quality/quantity of the gift that the sinner brings.
1 Samuel 16:7
"... for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but
the LORD looketh on the heart."
Proverbs 23:7
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:"
In Matthew chapter 23, Jesus confirms this principle that motivation from the heart is
what is important to God not ritualistic ceremonies.
Matthew 23:25-28
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the
cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. (26) Thou blind
Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them
may be clean also. (27) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like
unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead
men's bones, and of all uncleanness. (28) Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous
unto men, but within ye are ful of hypocrisy and iniquity."
Again the principle is demonstrated by Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem.
Mark 12:41-44
"And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the
treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. (42) And there came a certain poor
widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. (43) And he called unto him
his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast
more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: (44) For al they did cast in of their
abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even al her living."
God accepts repentance born of genuine faith that is motivated by love.
1 John 4:7
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of
God, and knoweth God."
Galatians 5:6
"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith
which worketh by love."
God accepted Abel's faith that the Saviour would give him victory over sin. Regardless of
any rituals that he carried out, it was Abel's faith in Christ that affected his salvation.
Some theologians suppose that religious rituals are necessary for human salvation.
465

Entire religions support this theology which is simply the doctrine of salvation by works.
Pagan religions, the Canaanite religions, the Israelite religions and the Roman Catholic
religion believe that the worshipper must DO something to secure his/her own salvation.
This belief, carried to its logical conclusion requires that the correct performance of rituals
and ceremonies be held as the standard upon which al humanity is to be compared in the
judgment. For example, Author W. Pink, from the Fundamental Baptist Institute writes in
Gleanings in Genesis, the following:
"The ultimate difference, then, between Cain and Abel was not in their
characters, but in their offerings. In one word, it was a difference of blood.
Abel was accepted because he offered to God a bleeding lamb. Cain was
rejected because he refused to offer such. Here, then, we have traced
back to their fountain head the two streams which empty themselves in
Heaven and Hel , namely, the saved and the lost, and the dividing line
between them in a line of blood. That was the difference between the
Israelites and the Egyptians. On the night when God's avenging angel
passed through the land of Pharaoh and found a house upon whose door
blood was sprinkled--the blood of a lamb, he passed over. But, when he
found a house without blood upon it, he entered and slew the firstborn,
from the king upon his throne to the prisoner in the dungeon. This wil be
the test in the day of judgment--all whose names are not found written in
the Lamb's book of life shall be cast into the lake of fire. Redemption is to
be obtained only through Jesus Christ. 'Whom God hath set forth to be a
propitiation through faith in His blood'" (Rom. 3:2[6]sic).
http://www.fbinstitute.com/genesis-pink/genesis_08.htm
Although the author of Gleanings in Genesis, appears to quote Romans 3:25 in support
of the supposition that salvation is based on the shedding of blood, the Bible is clear that
is faith in the Son of God and HIS actions, which saved humanity, as the following texts
reveal.
Romans 3:23-26
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (24) Being justified freely by his
grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (25) Whom God hath set forth to be
a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of
sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (26) To declare, I say, at this time his
righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."
Paul clearly states that humanity is saved by faith in Jesus Christ.
Ephepians 2:8
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
Galatians 3:26
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."
Romans 3:22, 23-28
"Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto al and upon all
them that believe: for there is no difference:"(26) To declare, I say, at this time his
righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (27)
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of
faith. (28) Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds
of the law."
Can there be any doubt that humanity can do nothing that can affect their salvation?
Humanity cannot 'save themselves' by performing any rituals whatsoever. Humanity is
saved by the loving actions of divinity not by the actions (works) of humanity.
466

Was it a ritualistic blood sacrifice that Christ made to save the world? Was it a blood-
letting ritual that saved sinners from satanic power? No.
The wages of sin is death.
Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord."
Humanity's sins naturally bring forth death.
Proverbs 8:36
"But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death."
Christ voluntarily took the wages of death into His own body. Sin worked death in Christ's
body as He lay down His life for humanity. The Father, abiding by the 'counsel of peace
which was made between them both' did not intervene with this natural law. Sin brings
forth death. Christ's death was not a ritualistic, divine killing. Christ suffered the wages of
the law of sin which resulted in death. Though possessing a sinless character Himself,
Christ voluntarily laid down His life on behalf of sinful humanity.
Once again it is necessary to ask the question, What saves humanity? The blood of
sacrifices? Paul, Jeremiah and David answer that question.
Hebrews 10:4
"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."
Jeremiah 7:22
"For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them
out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices."
Psalam 69:30-31
"I wil praise the name of God with a song, and wil magnify him with thanksgiving. (31)
This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs."
It is not the spil ing of animal blood that saves humanity.
Salvation is only available by faith which is placed in the perfect life the perfect character
of Jesus Christ. This perfect life Christ voluntarily laid down in order to relieve humanity
of paying the wages of their own sins ie. reaping the consequences of their sinful actions.
Christ's life demonstrated that the foundation of His Father's government is pure love.
The life of Christ is a transcript of the 10 commandment law the Father's government in
visible form to all humanity.
John 14:8-9
"Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. (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?"
Pagan religions and those who advocate salvation by works, tend to believe that Christ
was offered as a blood sacrifice to appease an angry 'God.' Although this theology
appears to be reflected in certain places in the Old Testament, such thinking is not
demonstrated in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
467

It is widely accepted by archaelogists and historians, that the writers and editors who
reproduced the Old Testament down through the centuries prior to Hezekiah's time -
'adjusted' the Biblical texts to reflect their own particular theology and added these notes
to the Bible record (Who Wrote the Bible, Robert Beckford, Compass, ABC 9 April, 2006).
Could it be logically supposed that the personal views of the scribes, whose job it was to
copy the inspired books by hand not to alter them - were not strongly influenced by the
theology of the surrounding pagan nations and by their savage environment? The
evidence demonstrates that this type of editing certainly did occur.
The Torah (first five Old Testament books) originated from four sources. Each source
displayed the individual writer's prespective of God and His government, in much the
same way as Matthew, Mark, Luke and John describe four different accounts of the
gospel.
The four sources are:
1. Jaweh emotional God communicates directly with humanity.
2. Elohiym God communicates with men via the mediation of angels, through
dreams, the burning bush
3. Priestly God communicates with humanity through laws and sacrifices
4. Deuteronomic The dominant theme is that God must be worshipped as one God
- monotheistic religion.
The additions and alterations to the Biblical record appear to have greatly confused and
effected our views on the One True God's character.
Ellen White demonstrates that even those who wrote the Bible could err in judgment and
that unauthorised alterations were made to the Bible.
Early Writings p 220
"I saw that God had especially guarded the Bible; yet when copies of it were few, learned
men had in some instances changed the words, thinking that they were making it
more plain, when in reality they were mystifying that which was plain, by causing it
to lean to their established views, which were governed by tradition."
Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) p 213, para 2
"The disciples themselves yet cherished a regard for the ceremonial law, and were too
wil ing to make concessions, hoping by so doing to gain the confidence of their
countrymen, remove their prejudice, and win them to faith in Christ as the world's
Redeemer. Paul's great object in visiting Jerusalem was to conciliate the church of
Palestine. So long as they continued to cherish prejudice against him, they were
constantly working to counteract his influence. He felt that if he could by any lawful
concession on his part win them to the truth, he would remove a very great obstacle to the
success of the gospel in other places. But he was not authorized of God to concede
so much as they had asked. This concession was not in harmony with his
teachings, nor with the firm integrity of his character. His advisers were not
infallible. Though some of these men wrote under the inspiration of the Spirit of
God, yet when not under its direct influence they sometimes erred."

468

Conclusion
Regardless of the alterations and particular slants that Bible copyists entered into the
Bible, it does not alter the basic principle of discerning the divine from the human.
Is the Christian's faith grounded in the belief that sinful men, however honest, NEVER
altered the ancient scrolls in order to reflect their own human thinking? To believe so,
would be to place faith in a human being.
Shouldn't a Christian's faith lie in the demonstration of the Father's character by Jesus
Christ?
The Christian places their faith in the merits of the life of Christ Jesus alone not in rituals
or ceremonies the works of humanity.
Therefore Abel was saved by faith not by his works nor by his sacrifice in the same
way that every repentant sinner is saved.
Cain was not saved, but his sad plight was not because he did not present a blood
sacrifice, but because he was not repentant for his sins. Even after the rebellious man
murdered his brother, the loving Creator placed a protective mark on Cain. This loving
act was especially done in order to protect Cain from similar violence that others might be
tempted to inflict upon him.
The mark of Cain demonstrates God's gentle, loving and protective character. In
accordance to His eternal principles of love as seen in the 10 commandments, God
showed love to His enemy. He did not impose the death penalty on Cain according to
the Mosiac law of 'eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for
burning, wound for wound and stripe for stripe" (Exodus 21:24-25). But mercy and
unquenchable Love reached out from God, to entice the rebel to reconsider and to return
to Him.
Blood sacrifices didn't save Abel and they didn't cause Cain to be rejected. Human
beings decide their own salvation. They either accept Christ as their Saviour by faith, or
they reject Him. Their faith in Christ will be reflected in their characters which wil be
formed in obedience to the 10 commandments, - the law of love - not in obedience to
violent rituals.
469

39. A
Time to Kill Ecclesiastes 3:3
"Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every
purpose under the heaven: (2) A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to
plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; (3) A time to kill, and a time
to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; (4) A time to weep, and a
time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance" King James Version
1. "To everything--a season, and a time to every delight under the heavens: 2A
time to bring forth, And a time to die. A time to plant, And a time to eradicate
the planted. 3A time to slay, And a time to heal, A time to break down, And a
time to build up. 4A time to weep, And a time to laugh. A time to mourn, And a
time to skip". (Young's Literal Translation, 1898)
Objection: There is a time to kill.
Answer:
In this chapter, Solomon (as Job did) considers many of the routine events and emotions
which are experienced by those who live in this sinful world. In his considerations, the
king selects qualities that he has observed and experienced; and he compares them with
their opposite quality. He notes that in a sinful world, there are tears and yet there is the
opposite of tears - there is laughing; just as there are deaths and there are births which
bring new life.
Solomon continues " 8A time to love, And a time to hate. A time of war, And a time of
peace." Then he questions, 9 "What advantage hath the doer in that which he is labouring
at? 10I have seen the travail that God hath given to the sons of man to be humbled by it."
Solomon concludes that there is no escaping the good and the evil in everything human
in the human experience of life in an sinful world. However, Solomon knows that one day,
God wil judge between the righteous and the wicked (which he has just compared in the
beginning of the chapter).
Ecclesiastes 3:17
"I said in mine heart, God shal judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time
there for every purpose and for every work."
Till the judgment day arrives, both good and evil will continue in the world.

470

40. Pi
cking up Sticks on Sabbath Numbers 15:32-36
Numbers 15:32-36
"And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man
that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. (33) And they that found him
gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto al the
congregation. (34) And they put him in ward, because it was not declared
what should be done to him. (35) And the LORD said unto Moses, The
man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with
stones without the camp. (36) And all the congregation brought him
without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD
commanded Moses."
Objection:
The Old Testament book of Leviticus, reports an incident whereby a man who picked up
sticks on the Sabbath, thereby breaking the commandment, was locked up by Moses until
he inquired of God what should be done with the law-breaker. It is claimed that the man
was stoned to death at the express command of God.
Answer:
This is the record of the event in the Old Testament, recorded by scribes who Paul says,
only saw things "through a glass darkly" or "through a veil."
2 Corinthians 3:14-17
"But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in
the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ. (15) But even unto this
day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. (16) Nevertheless when it shall
turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. (17) Now the Lord is that Spirit: and
where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
God's people should turn to the Lord and then the veil of Old Testament confusion wil be
taken away from the character of God.
Ellen White states that the man who broke the Sabbath by col ecting sticks, performed a
deliberate act, defiant of the law of God. For this rebellion he was condemned to death.
Patriarchs and Prophets, p 408, 409
"Soon after the return into the wilderness, an instance of Sabbath violation
occurred, under circumstances that rendered it a case of peculiar guilt. The
Lord's announcement that He would disinherit Israel had roused a spirit of
rebel ion. One of the people, angry at being excluded from Canaan, and
determined to show his defiance of God's law, ventured upon the open
transgression of the fourth commandment by going out to gather sticks upon
the Sabbath. During the sojourn in the wilderness the kindling of fires upon
the seventh day had been strictly prohibited. The prohibition was not to
extend to the land of Canaan, where the severity of the climate would often
render fires a necessity; but in the wilderness, fire was not needed for
warmth. The act of this man was a wil ful and deliberate violation of the
fourth commandment--a sin, not of thoughtlessness or ignorance, but of
presumption. (p 409) He was taken in the act and brought before Moses. It
had already been declared that Sabbathbreaking should be punished with
death, but it had not yet been revealed how the penalty was to be inflicted.
The case was brought by Moses before the Lord, and the direction was
given, "The man shall be surely put to death: al the congregation shall stone
him with stones without the camp." Numbers 15:35. The sins of blasphemy
and willful Sabbathbreaking received the same punishment, being equal y an
expression of contempt for the authority of God."
471

Recalling that we should, "look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" we might
ask if an event exists in the life of Jesus Christ that is comparable with the event of the
man who was stoned because he knowingly, deliberately broke a commandment of God?
A comparable incident is probably the story of the woman who was found in the very act
of adultery. This woman was dragged before Jesus to be sentenced.
In an amazing turnaround, Jesus refused to condemn this woman who knowingly,
deliberately broke the 7th commandment. The Old Testament law commanded that she
be stoned to death but Jesus instructed that such a woman should be loved into
repentance and given forgiveness freely not condemned. He saved her physical life
and gave her eternal life without condoning her sinful act.
Ministry of Healing p 89
"The woman had stood before Jesus, cowering with fear. His words, "He that is without
sin among you, let him first cast a stone," had come to her as a death sentence. She
dared not lift her eyes to the Saviour's face, but silently awaited her doom. In
astonishment she saw her accusers depart speechless and confounded; then those
words of hope fell upon her ear, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." Her
heart was melted, and, casting herself at the feet of Jesus, she sobbed out her grateful
love and with bitter tears confessed her sins. This was to her the beginning of a new
life, a life of purity and peace, devoted to God. In the uplifting of this fallen soul,
Jesus performed a greater miracle than in healing the most grievous physical
disease; He cured the spiritual malady which is unto death everlasting. This
penitent woman became one of His most steadfast followers. With self-sacrificing
love and devotion she showed her gratitude for His forgiving mercy. For this erring
woman the world had only contempt and scorn, but the Sinless One pitied her weakness
and reached to her a helping hand. While the hypocritical Pharisees denounced, Jesus
bade her, "Go, and sin no more." Jesus knows the circumstances of every soul. The
greater the sinner's guilt, the more he needs the Saviour. His heart of divine love
and sympathy is drawn out most of all for the one who is the most hopelessly
entangled in the snares of the enemy. With His own blood He has signed the
emancipation papers of the race."
The contrast between the actions and words of Christ to the adulterous woman, and the
words supposedly given by God in the Old Testament, condemning the Sabbath-breaking
man, is glaringly obvious. Jesus saved the woman from her would be murderers, but the
poor man was murdered supposedly "by the command of God, through Moses."
The Mosaic law required death for both of the crimes committed - by the man and also the
crime committed by the woman.
Consider: Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow. The principles of His
government are unchangeable, based on His law/character.
Is it likely that Christ - in whom is justice and mercy - would have treated the guilty man
in the opposite manner to the guilty woman?
If Christ commanded the destruction of the Sabbath-breaking man, to be just, He would
also need to require the destruction of the adulterous woman.
Conversely, because Christ redeemed and forgave the guilty adulterous woman, could
His response to the guilty man, have been any less merciful than that which He gave the
adulterous woman?
If the guilty stick-col ecting Sabbath-breaking man had been brought to Jesus and thrown
at His feet, guilty of breaking the fourth commandment, would Christ have condemned
him of this crime? Would He have thrown the first stone in condemnation?
Moses prophesied that the Messiah would be like him.
472

Deuteronomy 18:15, 18
"The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy
brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;....(18) I will raise them up a Prophet
from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall
speak unto them al that I shall command him."
Moses is described, (in Numbers, which was a book supposedly authored by himself) as
'the meekest man in the earth.'
Numbers 12:3
"Now the man Moses was very meek, above al the men which were upon the face of the
earth."
Ellen White, Life Sketches, p 245
"The close intercourse which Moses had with God, and the glorious manifestation
vouchsafed to him, caused his face to shine so brightly with heavenly luster that the
people of Israel could not look upon him. He appeared like a bright angel from heaven.
This personal experience of the knowledge of God was of more value to him as a man
bearing responsibilities as a leader than all his former education in the learning of the
Egyptians. The most brilliant intel ect, the most earnest study, the highest eloquence, can
never be substituted for the wisdom and power of God in those who are bearing the
responsibilities connected with His cause. Nothing can be substituted for the grace of
Christ and the knowledge of God's wil ."
Moses prophesied that the Prophet which God raised up, would be meek, like him. And
that He would speak the words of God as did Moses.
Moses surely must have been meek and of holy character, for he is currently in heaven.
We know this, because the testimony of Peter confirms that Moses appeared on the
Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus and Elijah.
Moses compared his character with that of the Messiah. We have an accurate record of
the Messiah's character, by many eye-witnesses in the gospels. If the two characters
that of Christ's and that reportedly to be of Moses are found to be dissimilar, then it
would appear that Moses has received 'bad press' at the hands of the Jewish scribes,
perhaps occurring when they converted the Old Testament from an oral history into a
printed record. That this might have occurred, is highly probable. Moses was considered
to have been a highly honoured and respected prophet of God by the common people.
From the discussion that Christ held with the Jewish leaders, it is not difficult to envision
their use of Moses' name in order to secure their leadership and authority and to retain
political and religious control of the nation.
John 5:45
"Do not think that I wil accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even
Moses, in whom ye trust. (46) For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for
he wrote of me. (47) But if ye believe not his writings, how shal ye believe my words?"
The Pharisees bragged that they trusted in and kept the law of Moses, yet they did not
believe Moses' prophesies concerning the Messiah and neither did they understand that
the law of God was built on principles of love.
Ellen White comments on this situation.
Review and Herald, 9 March, 1905 p 3, 4
"We are to copy no human being. There is no human being wise enough to be our
criterion. We are to look to the man Christ Jesus, who is complete in the perfection
of righteousness and holiness. He is the author and finisher of our faith. He is the
pattern Man. His experience is the measure of the experience that we are to gain. His
character is our model. Let us, then, take our minds off the perplexities and the
473

difficulties of this life, and fix them on him, that by beholding we may be changed into his
likeness. We may behold Christ to good purpose. We may safely look to him; for he is
all-wise. As we look to him and think of him, he will be formed within, the hope of glory.
Let us strive with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-
four thousand."
Another incident that might be helpful to examine in the life of Jesus occurred when, one
Sabbath day, the Jewish leaders observed Jesus' disciples 'collecting' grain. The
disciples were not col ecting sticks, like the law-breaking man in the Old Testament, but it
was a similar crime in the religious leaders' estimation. The ever vocal and critical
Pharisees judged the disciples' actions as being the same crime as the one committed by
the man (in the Old Testament) who had picked up sticks on the Sabbath day. It was
righteously concluded that Jesus' disciples were guilty of breaking the Sabbath
commandment. In the Pharisees' minds, the death penalty was applicable to Christ and
his disciples. It appears that the same harsh, merciless judgement was also made earlier,
by Jewish leaders who condemned the man who had collected sticks in the wilderness on
Sabbath.
Given that the Jewish oral traditions and Mosaic laws, were only written down in the days
of Ezra, and such evidence only dates to 300 BC, could the sad incident of the man
collecting sticks, as recorded in the Old Testament, have been slightly different from that
which actually transpired many years before? Or could this incident possibly be an
inclusion by zealous scribes and priests, even centuries before, who were keen to press
their legalism on the nation of Israel and through fear, rather than love, gain their
obedience?
Because of the evidence of Jesus' testimony and witness, there is sufficient cause to
doubt whether God actual y commanded the leaders to stone the Sabbath-breaker to
death. Is it not more likely that the leaders, in keeping with the practice of other pagan
religions, authorised this murder by claiming that "God" commanded them to perform it?
Ellen White, Signs of the Times 11 June, 894 p 6
"The origin of false commandments may be clearly discerned by the principles
which underlie them. All that is not in accordance with the known and expressed
will of God, is at enmity with God, and has its origin in the synagogue of Satan. The
wil of God is expressed in his law, and sin is the transgression of the law. Those who
disregard the commandments of God, and teach for doctrines the commandments of
men, are working in Satan's line, and are in harmony with the great leader of apostasy... '"

Signs of the Times, 23 April, 1896
"The inhabitants of worlds unfallen could view in this case the attributes of Satan and the
character of God. The law of God is a transcript of his character. The rebel leader (Satan)
was in opposition to the law of God, and revealed the fact that his principles were those
that actuated one who is lawless, disobedient, unholy, an accuser, a liar, and a murderer.
The true character of the ruler of the synagogue was laid bare, and it was made manifest
that he was on the side of the great rebel, tho sanctimoniously professing to be very
punctilious concerning the law of God. He knew not the principle of love that underlies
the commandments, ...yet the ruler never forgave Christ for departing from the maxims,
customs, and commandments of men, with which the rabbis had burdened the law of God
and obscured its spiritual significance."
If things said to be commanded by the Lord (including Bible verses) don't line up with the
words, teachings and life example of Christ, it isn't truth! If it doesn't line up with the 10
commandments, it isn't truth! If it doesn't line up with the principles of love, it isn't truth!
474

41. N
adab and Abihu Ananias and Sapphira-
Lev 10; Acts 5
Objection: God killed Nadab and Abihu in the Old Testament and Ananias and Sapphira
in the New Testament.
Leviticus 10:1, 2
"And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire
therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he
commanded them not. (2) And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them,
and they died before the LORD. (3) Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD
spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before al the people I
wil be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. (4) And Moses cal ed Mishael and Elzaphan,
the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your
brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp. (5) So they went near, and carried
them in their coats out of the camp; as Moses had said."
Acts 5:1-5
"But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, (2) And
kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and
laid it, at the apostles' feet. (3) But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine
heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? (4) Whiles
it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?
why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto
God. (5) And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great
fear came on all them that heard these things .... (9) Then Peter said unto her (Sapphira),
How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of
them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. (10) Then
fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came
in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband."
Answer:
God kills no man.
Ellen White, 5 Testimonies for the Church, p 120
"This case is placed on record for our benefit. Just what took place in Pharaoh's heart wil
take place in every soul that neglects to cherish the light and walk promptly in its rays.
God destroys no one. The sinner destroys himself by his own impenitence. When a
person once neglects to heed the invitations, reproofs, and warnings of the Spirit of God,
his conscience becomes seared, and the next time he is admonished, it will be more
difficult to yield obedience than before. And thus with every repetition. Conscience is the
voice of God, heard amid the conflict of human passions; when it is resisted, the Spirit of
God is grieved. We want all to understand how the soul is destroyed. It is not that God
sends out a decree that man shall not be saved. He does not throw a darkness before the
eyes which cannot be penetrated. But man at first resists a motion of the Spirit of God,
and, having once resisted, it is less difficult to do so the second time, less the third, and
far less the fourth. Then comes the harvest to be reaped from the seed of unbelief and
resistance. Oh what a harvest of sinful indulgences is preparing for the sickle!"
Sin, cherished by sinners until their probation ends, causes their own deaths.
When Ananias and Sapphira confirmed again with a lie that they would give their
allegiance to Satan and abide by the principles of his government, they took themselves
out of God's hands. As God removed His sustaining presence from them, Ananias and
Sapphira were left unprotected from Satan's attack.
475

As they continual y insulated themselves from the Source of al Life, Ananias and
Sapphira must have suffered similar physical sensations which Christ endured in the
Garden of Gethsemane. During that period of trial, Christ suffered in the sinners' place,
both mentally and physically as Satan afflicted Him. The physical stress Christ endured
was evidenced in that His sweat was mixed with blood. Ellen White explained that, had
God not sent an angel to strengthen His Son, Christ would have died in the garden.
Bible Training School, 1 September, 1915, p 5
"In the garden of Gethsemane Christ suffered in man's stead, and the human nature of
the Son of God staggered under the terrible horror of the guilt of sin, until from His pale
and quivering lips was forced the agonizing cry, 'O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup
pass from Me:' but if there be no other way by which the salvation of man may be
accomplished, then 'not as I will, but as Thou wilt.' Human nature would then and there
have died under the horror of the sense of sin, had not an angel from heaven
strengthened Him to bear the agony. The power that inflicted retributive justice upon
man's substitute and surety, was the power that sustained and upheld the suffering One
under the tremendous weight of wrath that would have fal en upon a sinful world. Christ
was suffering the death that was pronounced upon the transgressors of God's law."
Ellen White explained that the power which inflicted retributive justice upon Christ was the
Father. How is this possible? Did Ellen White mean that the Father killed and tortured
His own Son?
No, never. The Father's retributive justice was His moving away from His Son while
Satan rushed in to persecute the innocent Son of God.
EG White, Sufferings of Christ, p 17, 18
"Could mortals view the amazement and sorrow of the angels as they watched in silent
grief the Father separating His beams of light, love and glory, from his Son, they would
better understand how offensive is sin in His sight. As the Son of God in the Garden of
Gethsemane bowed in the attitude of prayer, the agony of his spirit forced from His pores
sweat like great drops of blood. It was here that the horror of great darkness surrounded
Him. The sins of the world were upon Him. He was suffering in man's stead, as a
transgressor of His Father's law. Here was the scene of temptation. The divine light of
God was receding from His vision, and He was passing into the hands of the
powers of darkness. In the agony of His soul He lay prostrate on the cold earth. He was
realizing His Father's frown. The cup of suffering Christ had taken from the lips of guilty
man, and proposed to drink it Himself, and, in its place, give to man the cup of blessing.
The wrath that would have fallen upon man, was now falling upon Christ."
From the above quote, it is explained by EG White that the wrath of the Father is called
"th
e Father's frown."
It is described as the separating of His light, love and glory.
When the Father withdraws His spirit (light, love and glory) then Satan and his
demons the powers of darkness - rush in and bring horror and destruction.
Ellen White here states that the Father turned away from His Son and Satan rushed in to
destroy Him.
If Ellen White's definition and understanding of the Father's wrath is rejected, there is no
other conclusion remaining than to suppose that the Father kil ed His Son, or that the Son
committed suicide. Both these options accuse Father and Son of breaking Their own
commandments - "thou shalt not kill."
But the words of Jesus reassure us that Satan was a murderer from the beginning (John
8:44). Neither the Father nor the Son are murderers.
476

In the case of Nadab and Abihu and in the case of Ananias and Sapphira, the same
principle applies. Unrepentant sinners clung to their sin which resulted in their final
decision to separate themselves from God. Left unprotected, they were exposed to
attack by Satan and their unprotected, physical bodies could not endure the stress which
resulted in their sudden death.
Some might suppose that this argument is 'far-fetched' or that it can only be sustained by
a 'twisting of the facts in order to sustain a certain belief.' Therefore, in order to establish
the veracity of the argument, it might be well to consider another Biblical example where
both the Divine and the satanic characters are contrasted and their opposing strategies
clearly demonstrated.
Job 1:9-12, 16; 2-7
"Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? (10) Hast not
thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about al that he hath on
every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in
the land. (11) But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will
curse thee to thy face. (12) And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in
thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the
presence of the LORD... (16) While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and
said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the
servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.... (Job 2:4) And
Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, al that a man hath will he give for
his life. (5) But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will
curse thee to thy face. (6) And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand;
but save his life. (7) So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job
with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown."
In the book of Job, the source of Job's physical, emotional and spiritual harassment is
revealed. In the conversation between God and Satan, Satan endeavoured to credit God
with destroying Job's possessions. God did not accept the blame or credit for these
destructive acts, but He clearly exposed the source of the destruction.
The conversation reveals that Satan wished to inflict death on Job - and to cause Job to
blame the attacks on God. God prevented Satan from murdering Job, but this had been
Satan's intention. Had it not been Satan's intention to murder Job, God would not have
instructed Satan that Job was 'in his hand, except for his life.' God instructed Satan that
the hedge surrounding Job would not be completely removed. Why? God knew that
Satan would kil Job if he was given opportunity and that the devil would try to implicate
God in the crime.
The first two chapters in the book of Job clarify that Satan was responsible for:
·
Job's afflictions (including causing a destroying fire to come down from "God" out of
heaven - Job 1: 16);
·
for desiring to kill Job;
·
blaming God for the afflictions; and
·
making it appear that God was punishing Job.
The principles of Satan's government are exposed by his cruel treatment of Job.
1. Satan desires to kil God's people;
2. God puts a hedge of protection around His people;
3. Satan harasses God's people to whatever extent God permits;
4. Satan and his agents accuse God of causing the harassment (perhaps by sending
the fire from heaven, or from the sanctuary to kil people);
5. When a person rejects God completely, He withdraws His holy presence/spirit (i.e.
the hedge is completely removed) and as demonstrated by Jesus in Gethsemane
477

(who took humanity's sin into His own body), Satan crushes out the unprotected
life;
6. When the unrepentant sinner is unprotected and Satan destroys his/her life, those
who do not understand God's character presume that God has destroyed them;
7. God's character is confused with Satan's character and God's love is obscured;
8. People obey God out of fear instead of being drawn to Him through unfailing love.
Therefore, it is logical to expect those same satanic principles or strategies will be
repeated in other situations. Does the Bible record other incidents where the same
principles are identified? Yes as demonstrated in the cases of Nadab and Abihu, and
Ananias and Sapphira - but often the blame for deaths and tragic events are blamed on
God, even ignorantly, by those who are His followers.
Only an unprotected and unhappy existence remains certain for everyone who separates
themselves from God.
Ellen White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p 98
"So when Christ shall cease His intercession for guilty men, before His coming
in the clouds of heaven, the door of mercy will be shut. Then divine grace wil
no longer restrain the wicked, and Satan wil have full control of those who
have rejected mercy. They wil endeavor to destroy God's people; but as Noah
was shut into the ark, so the righteous wil be shielded by divine power."
Ellen White, 1 Testimonies for the Church, p 346
"I saw that in our journeying from place to place, he had frequently placed his
evil angels in our path to cause accident which would destroy our lives; but
holy angels were sent upon the ground to deliver. Several accidents have
placed my husband and myself in great peril, and our preservation has been
wonderful. I saw that we had been the special objects of Satan's attacks,
because of our interest in and connection with the work of God. As I saw the
great care which God has every moment for those who love and fear Him..."
Ellen White, Review and Herald, 8 May, 1894
"With all his hel ish arts, Satan has sought to lead men into practices that
would destroy and debase, and destruction is sure to him who does not repent
and turn to God for his healing grace. The soul that has not the grace of God
can make no efforts to resist Satan, but will co-operate natural y with the
Satanic agencies, and disregard and oppose the law of God; and the sure
result of such a course is that men become the wil ing slaves of Satan, and
work with him in influencing others in the way of disobedience."
The devil is able to destroy his rebellious, human agents at any time, for they are
unprotected by God's angels. Satan might not instantly destroy the physical life of
unrepentant sinners because as his agents, wicked human beings can assist him to
achieve certain evil purposes. However, Satan might choose to kill unrepentant sinners
with the purpose that he can cause humanity to blame his own satanic, murderous actions
on God.
Regarding the death of Ananias and Sapphira, it would appear that Satan thought it
profitable to destroy some professed (but unrepentant) 'Christians' in the early church for
the express purpose of casting aspersions on God's character by suggesting to them that
God would kill the disobedient. Similarly, in the case of Nadab and Abihu, Satan took the
same opportunity in the Old Testament. In contrast, in His demonstration of the Father's
character, Christ gave no such example of using fear and coercion to obtain obedience,
but only used love to "draw al men unto him" (John 12:32).
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42. God Commanded Genocide - The Amalekites 1 Samuel 15
1 Samuel 15:1-3
"Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over
his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words
of the LORD. (2) Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek
did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.
(3) Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare
them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep,
camel and ass."
Objection:
God apparently command His 'holy' people to commit genocide against the Amalekites.
Answer:
What was the heinous crime that the Amalekites committed, to be 'divinely' condemned to
extermination as a race?
According to the Old Testament record, the Amalekites were a Canaanite tribe. The
Israelites had been given the command to "go up and possess the (Promised) Land," but
they baulked, fearful of the numerous inhabitants. Their refusal was considered a serious
sin and their lack of faith as rebellion against God. In consequence, it was then divinely
declared that all males 20 years and older, would die in the wilderness.71 With much
regret at the divine decision, the rebellious Israelites decided to attack the Amalekites
anyway. Moses warned that God would not be with them, but this warning fell on deaf
ears - and the Israelites were soundly defeated.
From this passage, it appears that the Amalekites committed the crime of defending their
own land from Israelite attack, and in the process, defeated them.
Strangely, the Old Testament records that it was not national or human revenge that
prompted the pronouncement made against the Amalekites, but divine revenge which was
prescribed because the Amalekites' ancestors opposed the Israelites' invasion (1 Samuel
15: 2). So it was 'God' who supposedly determined that a feudal war was necessary to
completely and permanently annihilate the Amalekite tribe (Exodus 17:16) for defending
their homes and families.
It is logical to believe that it was the Israelites (rather than God) who decided that revenge
and genocide of the Amalekites was necessary.72 This position is harmonious with the
loving principles that Jesus repeatedly demonstrated, and which Ellen White affirms.
Ellen White states in Patriarchs and Prophets, p 392
"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."
71 God did not withdraw His divine protection from those who truly repented. Thus Satan was not
able to strike dead the fearful Israelites.
72In the account of the war in 1 Samuel 15, the Israelites are reported to have killed all the
Amalekites, including finally the king himself, however, in the period of the judges, under Deborah
and Barak, the Amalekites still presented an opposing army. How could they be an army, if the
race was already exterminated years before by Saul's forces? Judges 6:3 "And so it was, when
Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east,
even they came up against them."
479

As the details concerning the Israelites' hostility toward the Amalekites are examined, a
familiar, human pattern emerges:
·
a desire to acquire land by warfare;
·
an invasion;
·
a failed conquest;
·
a desire to revenge the defeat;
·
the formation of a racist culture toward the victors; and
·
clan wars.
The very common, sinful, human response to racial conflict between the Amalekites and
the Israelites is obvious. Rather than support a 'divinely-inspired' genocide, the facts
logically tend to support the human desire for revenge and conquest.
When one considers other 'divinely-inspired' battles in the Old Testament, the human
trend is further confirmed.
In a previous battle with the Philistines, (in 1 Samuel 13:15) Saul hesitated to attack the
enemy not because he loved them,as the spirit of Jesus would have inspired but
because he only had an tiny army of 600 soldiers. Saul's forces therefore were heavily
outnumbered.
Many of the Canaanites were superstitious73 and it appears the Israelites were also
affected by similar beliefs.
Conveniently for the Israelites, an earthquake shook the ground. It was immediately
presumed by both the Philistines and the Israelites, that the Israelite 'god' was angry and
that the quaking earth was a sign of His intervention. Since the Israelites were known as
the people who worshipped the "gods of the hil s" (1 Kings 20:23), the superstitious
Philistines retreated in fear and the Israelites, in the same manner as the pagans (Judges
16:23), credited God with their victorious slaughter of their enemies.
Many pagan doctrines were built on the assumption that when the 'gods' of nature were
angry, 'natural calamities' occurred. It was also taught that lightning occurred when 'god'
hurled lightning bolts to the earth to destroy his enemies.
However, it is wel -known today, that because of its geological position situated over fault
lines, the Promised Land, was and still is prone to suffer earthquakes and fiery
explosions.74 Furthermore, the story of Job reveals that Satan, 'the prince of the power of
the air' (Ephesians 2:2) is quite capable of causing earthquakes and storms.
73 1 Kings 20:23 "And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their (the Israelites') gods
are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the
plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they."
74
The Encyclopedia Britannica states: "The Dead Sea occupies part of a graben (a downfaulted
block of the Earth's crust) between transform faults along a tectonic plate boundary that runs
from the Red SeaGulf of Suez spreading centre to a convergent plate boundary in the Taurus
Mountains. The eastern fault, along the edge of the Moab Plateau, is more readily visible from
the lake than is the western fault, which marks the gentler Judaean upfold.... Thermal sulfur
springs also feed the rivers" (i.e. the four perennial streams that flow into the Dead Sea.)
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9029627
480

It is interesting to remember what the One True God revealed about Himself. When
hidden in the cave on Mt Sinai (Horeb), Elijah learned that 'God was not in the
earthquake' 75 nor in the destructive forces of nature - but in the still, small voice.
Was the earthquake which occurred during the battle with the Amalekites, a 'natural
disaster' or one that Satan especially provoked to convince the Israelites that 'god' was
with them?
History of the War with the Amalekites
Condemnation of the Amalekites was pronounced when the Israelites were not long out of
Egyptian bondage.
Exodus 17:8-16
Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. (9) And Moses said unto Joshua,
Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the
hil with the rod of God in mine hand. (10) So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and
fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hil . (11) And it
came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down
his hand, Amalek prevailed. (12) But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone,
and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one
on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the
going down of the sun. (13) And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge
of the sword. (14) And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book,
and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I wil utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek
from under heaven. (15) And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:
(16) For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with
Amalek from generation to generation."
What happened to the divine principles set out in Ezekiel 18 that punishment for the
personal sins of the fathers, will definitely not be transferred to the children? Did this
principle, which God was so definite about, somehow not apply to the warring Israelites?
Numbers 13:29-31
"The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the
Amorites, dwel in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast
of Jordan. (30) And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once,
and possess it; for we are wel able to overcome it. (31) But the men that went up with him
said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we."
Numbers 14:36-45
"And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made al the
congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land, (37) Even
those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the
LORD. (38) But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of
the men that went to search the land, lived still. (39) And Moses told these sayings unto
all the children of Israel: and the people mourned greatly. (40) And they rose up early in
the morning, and gat them up into the top of the mountain, saying, Lo, we be here, and
wil go up unto the place which the LORD hath promised: for we have sinned. (41) And
Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall
not prosper. (42) Go not up, for the LORD is not among you; that ye be not smitten
before your enemies. (43) For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before
75 1 Kings 19:11-12 "And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And,
behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in
pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an
earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: (12) And after the earthquake a fire; but
the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."
481

you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the LORD,
therefore the LORD will not be with you. (44) But they presumed to go up unto the hil
top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and Moses, departed not out of
the camp. (45) Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that
hil , and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah."
In a previous battle recorded in 1 Samuel 13:13, 14, Saul was informed that the kingdom
would be taken from him because he had disobeyed the Lord by offering sacrifices
himself. Undeterred, he continued to rouse his army of only 600 footmen to do battle with
the Philistines. Unbeknown to the king, his son Jonathan and his armour-bearer were
fighting some unsuspecting Philistines at an outpost. Suddenly an earthquake shook the
earth. Saul asked the priest to pray for divine instruction, but then decided there was no
time to wait upon the Lord for advice (1 Samuel 14:19). Saul attacked the large Philistine
army ONLY when the earthquake caused their enemies to retreat in fear. The Israelites
celebrated a great victory that 'the Lord' had given them (verse 45).
When Saul attacked the country of Amalek, he did so with an immense army of 200,000
footmen (verse 4). It is interesting to note that, when Saul had a huge number of soldiers
available to go into the battle against the Amalekites, the command was given that 'the
Lord' would be with him. Victory was certain, but was it because 'the Lord' fought for him,
or because his forces outnumbered the enemy considerably? How strange! Samuel was
recorded to have said that God would not be with Saul anymore and that the kingdom
would be taken away from him and given to another who was 'after God's own heart'
(1 Samuel 13:13, 14). Suddenly, without any proper confession of sins, Saul is being
again blessed by 'god' with another amazing victory over the Amalekites. Does the One
True God bless those who do not repent and enable them to kil others in war?
According to the Old Testament writers, God was given the credit for the outcome of
victorious battles. If God commanded Saul to kill the Amalekites, (who were
coincidentally, the very same people to whom they held a grudge and wanted to revenge
anyway), then, by believing that 'God' ordered the murders of their enemies, their guilty
consciences could conveniently be soothed. The Israelites might desire to murder the
Amalekites in order to revenge their earlier defeat in battle with them, but if God
sanctioned it, even commanded the kil ings, then there was no need of confession or
repentance for killing those people from a race whom they hated anyway.
Another 'convenient' outcome was that if 'God' commanded the Israelites to total y destroy
their enemies from off the face of the earth, al their enemies' land and possessions would
belong to the 'holy' victorious warriors. This battle strategy is referred to as 'plunder.' In
keeping with wartime mentality, the Israelites indeed, did reserve the best plunder and
livestock from the Amelek genocide for themselves despite the supposedly 'divine'
command to kil the Amalekites because 'their cup of iniquity was ful ' and not plunder.
The sinful, selfish human stamp is all over the genocide of the Amalekites.
Is it logical to suggest that God commanded Saul to fight a 'holy' war against the
Amalekites for sins that their ancestors committed when Ezekiel 18 clearly states that God
operates under a very different principle?
Is a doctrine of 'divinely-inspired' genocide, harmonious with Jesus' demonstration of the
Father's character?
Is the 'divine' command to slaughter of all the Amalekite's cattle, in keeping with the
principles of divine economy demonstrated when Christ fed the multitudes with loaves and
fish? Christ organised that there be no wastage (Matthew 14:20), while the Israelites
were supposedly instructed by 'god' to destroy all the apparently healthy cattle.

482

It is more than interesting to note that, in the time when there was no king in Israel, that
when 'every man did what was right in his own eyes,' (Judges 17:6; 21:25) the actions of
the Israelites were incredibly similar to the events previously declared to be 'divine'
commands.
Judges 21:9-12, 25
"For the people were numbered, and, behold, there were none of the inhabitants of
Jabeshgilead there. (10) And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the
valiantest, and commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of
Jabeshgilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the children. (11) And
this is the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every
woman that hath lain by man. (12) And they found among the inhabitants of
Jabeshgilead four hundred young virgins, that had known no man by lying with any male:
and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan....(25) In
those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own
eyes."
Compare this event with that commanded by 'god' in Deuteronomy 20:16-18 and also in
Deuteronomy 21:10-14.
Deuteronomy 20:16
"But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an
inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth: (17) But thou shalt utterly
destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites,
the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee: (18) That
they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their
gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God."
Deuteronomy 21:10-14
"When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath
delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive, (11) And seest among
the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to
thy wife; (12) Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shal shave her
head, and pare her nails; (13) And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her,
and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and
after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife. (14)
And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she
wil ; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her,
because thou hast humbled her."
In Judges 20, the shameful story is told of an Israelite and his concubine who stayed
overnight in a small town called Gibeah. Appal ingly, the concubine was gang-raped and
died, kil ed by wicked men who resided in that Benjaminite town. When the Israelite
husband complained, by cutting his murdered wife into 12 pieces and sending a body part
'to all the coasts of Israel,' there was a strong reaction to her murder.
The Israelites decided to kill the rapists and petitioned the tribe of Benjamin to 'hand over'
the offenders. The Benjaminites refused and a decision to go to war was made by the
Israelites (verses 8-14), but later this decision was said to be endorsed by God (verse 18).
Quite unexplainably, after 'God' supposedly told them to go to war, the Israelites suffered
a dreadful defeat (verse 21). 22,000 Israelite men were kil ed. (Perhaps God was with
the Benjaminites?) Again the Israelites wept before the Lord and asked if they should
resume the battle the next day (verse 23). Again, God is presumed to have instructed
them to go to battle (verse 25). Again the Israelites are defeated. 18,000 Israelite men
died. After more weeping and fasting before the Lord (verse 26) and the offering of
sacrifices (verse 27) the Israelties enquired again of 'the Lord', through Aaron's grandson,
Phinehas, if they should make another attack on the tribe of Benjamin on the third day
(verse 28). For the third time, 'God' commanded the Israelites to attack the Benjaminites
483

and promised the Israelites that at that time, for some undisclosed reason, they would win
(verse 28). On the third day, the Israelites altered their battle strategy and deceived the
Benjaminites into thinking they were retreating, when they were actually enticing their
victims into a trap.
Of this encounter, the Old Testament records that 'The Lord smote Benjamin before
Israel' (verse 35, 46) and that the Israelites slaughtered 25,000 Benjaminites. It was
claimed that 'God' gave them the victory. Yet, the Israelites were shown to have been
victorious, not because of their trust in God, but because 'they trusted unto the liers in wait
which they had set beside Gibeah' (verse 36). Was it 'god' or a war strategy that effected
the battle victory on the third attempt?
The Benjaminites also worshipped the same 'god' as the Israelites, so one must wonder:
Which 'god' were the Benjaminite warriors consulting for war advice? To which 'god' were
the Benjaminites offering their sacrifices?
Ellen White, Great Controversy, p 589
"Satan delights in war, for it excites the worst passions of the soul and then sweeps into
eternity its victims steeped in vice and blood. It is his object to incite the nations to war
against one another, for he can thus divert the minds of the people from the work of
preparation to stand in the day of God."
After the adrenalin-rush of the battle, in an apparent after-thought, the Israelites
bemoaned the fact that one tribe of the Israelites was doomed to extinction. In their
distress, they again consulted the Lord the same Lord who had 'given' them the
victorious slaughter against the Benjaminites earlier that day.
Judges 21:3
"And said, O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be
to day one tribe lacking in Israel?"
Incredibly, instead of realising the obvious answer - that their frenzied warfare had caused
the near extinction of the tribe of Benjamin - the Israelites immediately offered more burnt
offerings to the Lord (verse 4) as if to appease their wrong doing.
However, before any answer was received from the Lord, every man among the Israelites
again 'did what was right in his own eyes' (Judges 17:6; 21:25) and decided to inflict
another death penalty upon those towns which had chosen not to "come up for the Lord"
and fight against the Benjaminites (verse 28).
More human-inspired destruction followed.
Judges 21:10-12
"And the congregation sent thither twelve thousand men of the valiantest, and
commanded them, saying, Go and smite the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead with the edge of
the sword, with the women and the children. (11) And this is the thing that ye shal do, Ye
shal utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man. (12) And they
found among the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead four hundred young virgins, that had known
no man by lying with any male: and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is
in the land of Canaan."
The Israelites then considered that the Lord has caused the problem and that He was to
blame for the situation.
Judges 21:15
"And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the LORD had made a breach
in the tribes of Israel."
484

It is clear that again, God is credited with events that He does not prevent. It is obvious
that the Lord did not involve Himself in confusion and war, but that the Hebrew scribes
recorded the events, but sadly they put their own interpretation on them. The Israelites
themselves had created the appalling situation, by their own, violent mismanagement of
the original crime of rape.
The 'war stories' of the Old Testament reveal interesting and important comparisions
between what God was supposed to have commanded and what men commanded and
then often attributed to God.
'God' Commanded
Men Commanded
Destroy men, sexually active women, Destroy men, sexual y active women and
children and infants
children
1 Samuel 15:3
Judges 21:9-12, 25
Desirable virgins captured in war can be Desirable virgins captured in war can be
married to the victors, but discarded after 'married' to the victors
'humbling' if they are no longer desired
Judges 21:12
Deuteronomy 21:10-14
To war against their own people
To war against their own people
Judges 20:18
Judges 20:8-14
War on evil doers
War on evil doers
Deuteronomy 20:17
Judges 20:8-14
Fasting, offering peace offerings to win Fasting, offering peace offerings (serving the
the battle (serving the Lord) in order to Lord) in order to win the battle
win the battle
1 Samuel 14:24; 1 Sam 12:10
Exodus 20:24: chapters 28-30; 31:3-9; 2
Kings 17:36-39
Did the Lord Jesus ever set an violent, warring example for humanity to follow?
The entire episode of war is an attempt to convince humanity that God's
holy law cannot be kept in a sinful world, amid demon-possessed, violent
men and women.
The entire example of Jesus' life was to meet Satan's chal enge and to
prove that God's law can be kept under any circumstances. Christ proved
that the law of God can be kept and is the best, logical, most reasonable
government of the universe.
The 144,000 wil confirm that fact that the law of God His character is
ONLY holy, just and good - and Satan's false accusations against God and
His law His character - wil final y be silenced.
485

God sent His Son to earth - at the worst possible time to prove that Love indeed
conquers all.
Ellen White, Signs of the Times, 5 February, 1894
"At the time when sin had become a science, when the hostility of man was
most violent against heaven, when rebel ion struck its roots deep into the
human heart, when vice was consecrated as a part of religion, when Satan
exulted in the idea that he had led men to such a state of evil that God
would destroy the world, Jesus was sent into the world, not to condemn it,
but, amazing grace! to save the world. The unfallen worlds watched with
intense interest to see Jehovah arise and sweep away the inhabitants of the
earth, and Satan boasted that if God did do this, he would complete his plans
and secure for himself the allegiance of unfallen worlds. He had arguments
ready by which to cast blame upon God, and to spread his rebellion to the
world's above; but at this crisis, instead of destroying the world, God sent
his Son to save it. The apostle caught a glimpse of the plan, and he kindled
into inspiration upon the great theme. Language cannot express his
conception, but ever fal s below the reality. John exclaims: 'Behold, what
manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be cal ed the
sons of God; therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him
not.' Before the coming of Christ to the world evidences abundant had been
given that God loved the human race. But in the gift of Christ to a race so
undeserving was demonstrated the love of God beyond all dispute. This gift
outweighed all else, showed that his love could not be measured. We
have no line to measure it, no plummet by which to sound its depths, no chain
by which to encompass it, no standard with which to compare it. All we can say
is that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' Jesus
said, 'Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life.' He gave
his life for the sheep. T
he only-begotten Son of God accepts all the
liabilities that fall upon the transgressor of the law, vindicates its
unchangeable and holy character. The death of Christ removes every
argument that Satan could bring against the precepts of Jehovah. Satan
has declared that men could not enter the kingdom of heaven unless the
law was abolished and a way devised by which transgressors could be
re
instated into the favor of God, and made heirs of heaven. H
e made the
claim that the law must be changed, that the reins of government must be
slackened in heaven, that sin must be tolerated, and sinners pitied and
saved in their sins. But every such plea was cast aside when Christ died as a
substitute for the sinner. He who was made equal with God bore the sin of
the transgressor, and thereby made a channel whereby the love of God could
be communicated to a fallen world, and his grace and power imparted to those
who came to Christ in penitence for their sin."
486

43. The

Red Sea Closed on the Egyptians (Exo 15:4)
O
bjection:
The Old Testament records the destruction of the Egyptians in the Red sea 'by God' who
expressly instructed Moses to stretch his rod over the waters in order that they might
come back together upon the Egyptians.
Answer:
The above passage describes how the Old Testament writers perceived the events that
occurred when their ancestors crossed the Red Sea. These writers did not have the
benefit of seeing and knowing ful y the character of Jesus (and through Him, the Father).
2 Corinthians 3:14-16
"But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in
the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ. (15) But even unto this
day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. (16) Nevertheless when it shall turn
to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away."
The ancient Israelites simply did not know or understand the depth of God's love, but
modern Israel has had the benefit of Christ's own testimony for Christ revealed the
Father.' Sadly, Christians have attributed many things to His Father's character that
required Christ's correction (Matt 5).
It is not certain whether the plagues were caused by natural disasters or by Satan's
special interference, however there is strong evidence that the plagues were the natural y
occurring effects which have been reported fol owing a large volcanic eruption. Very
similar 'plagues' have been experienced by survivors of well documented, more recent
volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.76
Is it outrageous to consider that during the plagues in Egypt, perhaps it was God's
intention not only to preserve the Egyptians lives if possible, but to warn them of the
danger before every plague occurred? When the plagues were falling in Egypt, God
protected those who trusted Him and stepped out in faith both the Israelties and the
Egyptians who joined them. Perhaps God, who knows the future, lovingly warned both
the Israelites and even His enemies of imminent natural disasters or of Satan's pre-
meditated attacks. This is in keeping with His character as demonstrated by Jesus.
Matthew 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 despiteful y use you, and persecute you; (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. (46) For if
ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?"
76 Recent archaelogical studies from both geological and literary sources, have suggested that the
plagues which fell on Egypt and the changes in the Red Sea might have been caused by volcanic
and seismic activity. The island of Thera, which is now called Santorini, exploded with thirty
times the force of Krakatoa in the 15th century BC. The explosion and the ash caused conditions
strikingly similar to the plagues of Egypt. For more information, refer to: The Eruption of
Thera

-

Devastation

in

the

Mediterranean
available

at:
http://www.mystae.com/restricted/streams/thera/thera.html or view the video, "Moses" which
was produced by the BBC (viewed locally- 9 July, 2006) and which is available at BBC centres.
Thera's eruptions effected and are recorded in Crete, China, Greece, but the records from Egypt
are missing, despite evidence a huge tsumani occurring in Egypt at the same time as Thera
exploded during the period of Hyskos occupation of Egypt (the Hyskos were shepherds who
had come from an area north of Egypt. (Many suppose the Hyskos were Jacob and his
descendents). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thera_eruption
487

If the Son of God had purposed to kill the Egyptians perhaps because they were
pagans - He could have permitted the destroying angel (Rev 9:11) to kill all of them at the
same time as when the firstborn perished.
Or perhaps, prior to entering the Red Sea path, it would have been a powerful warning to
others, if God destroyed the pagans by sending fire from out of the cloud of His presence.
However the record states that when the rebellious Egyptians entered the sea-path and
came near to His presence in the cloud, God retreated from them. The cloud that
separated them from the Israelties was the final, protective, divine warning to the
Egyptians that they should remain safe on the Egyptian side of the Red Sea. However,
as the cloud of God's presence moved to cover and protect the Israelites, the Egyptians
still followed, intent on murdering or enslaving again the Israelites.
Perhaps if, the Son of God (whose presence was veiled in the cloud), had not retreated
from the advancing Egyptians, His presence would have been to them 'a terror.' When
sinful humanity comes into contact with holy beings, there is a distressing physical
reaction to the sinful, human being. e.g. Roman soldiers were physical y effected by an
angel's presence when Jesus was resurrected and became as 'dead men' ( Matt 28:4).
Balaam, the false prophet, fel on his face (Numbers 22:31). Even God-fearing prophets
became weak and fell down 'as one dead' in the presence of divinity (Rev 1:17). It is
even prophesied that at Christ's second coming, the wicked will try to flee into caves to
escape His glory and they will prefer to die than to be in His holy presence (Rev 6:16).
However, just as the redeemed wil not flee from Christ's presence when He comes the
second time, but wil be strengthened to stand in the presence of God (because they are
'in Christ'), so the Israelites were not terrified by the Divine Presence veiled in the cloud.
Just as the wicked will be unable to tolerate Christ's purity when He comes the second
time, it is most likely that the Egyptians in the Red Sea crossing were also effected by the
veiled, but divine presence of the holy Son of God.
At the close of probation, the wicked will have repeatedly confirmed that they refuse to
serve the One True God and as a result the separate themselves from God just as the
Egyptians did.
At the close of probation, the wicked forfeit divine protection which has been sustaining
them to that point and they have to endure the terror that sinful beings will experience
when in the presence of a Holy God.
In a similar way, the Egyptian army must have experienced this terror as they came close
to the divine presence. Surely they must have 'fal en as dead men also' perhaps unable
to move when the water returned to its normal place.
If the archaeological and historical literature is correct - that a huge tsunami occurred in
that area - caused by the eruption of Thera, then it is is possible that God could have
timed the Israelites' crossing during the period that the sea waters initially retreated, and
then held back the returning waters until the Israelites were safely across the Red Sea.
When the Red Sea closed on the Egyptian army the fact was demonstrated that God can
not morally offer protection to those who reject His leadership. If God did protectively
surround those who rejected His leadership, this would be interfering with their freedom of
choice regarding which god they wished to serve.
488

The Egyptians had spurned the option to join the Israelites and flee from Egypt indeed
some grasped the opportunity and were saved. However, those Egyptians who remained
opposed to the Israelites and their God, confirmed that they chose to remain loyal to their
pagan gods - and Satan was their master.
After much warnings, these Egyptians were "given into the hands of Satan" (See similar
concepts in Job 1:12; 2:6; 1 Cor 5:5; 1 Tim 1:20).
God's government of love and freedom renders Him unable to interfere with humanity's
choice. After Pharaoh's final rejection of God's spirit - the Egyptians were left
defenceless against natural disasters and also against Satan's attacks.
Whether it was a natural disaster such as a tsunami (from which God protected those who
would come under His care) or whether it was an evil event caused by Satan, the end
result was that the Egyptian army perished because they placed themselves outside
divine protection.
God is bound to honour an individual's free choice concerning worship. When the divine
Presence sadly retreated, the Red Sea closed on the Egyptian army. No doubt the death
of the unrepentant Egyptians caused the Son of God to wept as He later wept similar
bitter tears over unrepentant Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37).
489

44. D
oes God Change the Rules to Suit Himself Titus 1:2; Heb 6:18
Objection: Three opposing objections concerning the character of God have been raised.
(a) God has emptied Himself of the freedom to choose how He wil behave. What ever He
does, He cannot break the commandments; and
(b) God has a perfect right to govern the world in any way He chooses. If He decides to
order people to kil others, (break the commandments) that is His right. Christians just
need to obey whatever God tells them to do;
(c) God can put aside or adjust His laws temporarily when He needs to deal with a certain
situation as it is occurring. When God breaks the commandments, it is not sin. It is His
right as the Creator . It is a loving divine act, despite it not appearing horrendous to
human beings.
Answer:
Certainly God has a right to govern the world in any way He chooses, however, the
Christian can be certain that God will not put aside His own commandments. When called
upon to obey God, Christians will not be commanded to kill their enemies or to break the
other commandments of God.
To demonstrate the fact that God adjusts His responses to a given situation, advocates of
this objection have used the example that God cannot lie.
The apostle Paul clearly instructed the new Christian church that God cannot lie.
Titus 1:2
"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;"
Hebrews 6:18
"That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a
strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:"
(a) Some suppose these texts teach that God has emptied Himself of the freedom to
choose how He will behave. While God's law is the 'law of liberty' and the 'royal law' it is
somewhat surprising that God Himself is considered by some, to lack the freedom of
choice as to whether He will abide by its principles of unselfish love or to choose
otherwise.
Are such persons correct in assuming that God cannot sin? Should Christians suggest
that God is incapable of sinning or that He lacks the freedom of choice that He grants to
all His created beings and subjects?
The suggestion has been made that if God spoke something that was untrue, suddenly
divine creative power would cause the statement to occur. This might be mistakenly
understood to convey the thought, that if God speaks a lie, it becomes truth the instant
that He speaks it. However, the truth is that God does not lie; not even for a micro-
second. For example, In Genesis 1: 2-5, God did not say, "There is light," when in truth
there was only darkness covering 'the face of the deep.' God was not in denial about the
existence of darkness. He didn't tell a lie. God recognised that there was darkness and
then, as a consequence of that fact, commanded that light be formed.
It seems dangerous for Christians to accept the concept that God can tel a lie, and
endeavour to justify it by adding that, because He's a creative God, His power makes the
lie (a sin), miraculously become a reality. In fact, the truth would be that God told a lie,
but that He changed the rules so that the life 'didn't count.' Can God morphe a sin into
truth?
490

The Bible says that God cannot lie, and this is truth but it is not good scholarship to
assume that God cannot lie because by telling the lie, (breaking the 9th commandment
which forbids the bearing of a false witness), He simply creatively adjusts the situation so
that the lie is no longer applicable to the new situation. This objection cannot be
substantiated because it demonstrates a god who doesn't 'play by the rules', but who
makes up new rules to suit Himself when the situation demands it, as suggested in
objection (c).
The Biblical reason as to why God does not sin relates directly to His character. God
chooses not to sin. It is impossible for Him to sin, because He has never, will never
adjust His loving, pure and truthful character to embrace the slightest hint of sinfulness.
Therefore the One True God would never choose to speak a lie. Such an adjustment
would result in a complete character change from absolute unselfishness to selfishness.
The purity of God's unselfish character is the sole reason why it is impossible for Him to
sin. Sin requires selfishness, therefore God cannot sin because there is no darkness no
selfishness - in His character at all. God pledges that His character will not ever change .
James 1:17
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of
lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
Malachi 3:6:
"For I am the LORD, I change not..."
Hebrews 13:8
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever."
God has chosen to forever observe the principles of pure, unselfish love. This promise
ensures that God's character will never change. For this reason alone, God cannot sin.
He refuses to abide by any principles other than unselfish love.
Consider that if God's character did change -in opposition to His statements that it cannot
change, it would mean that His character contains some evil tendencies or other
commandment-breaking traits.
(b) Is it safe to suggest that God can break any of His commandments because He has a
perfect right to do whatever He desires to do? Certainly God is omnipotent and is
unlimited in power, however, God's own moral integrity protects Him from performing any
sinful (selfishness).
It appears extremely dangerous for human beings to attempt to justify the righteousness
or holiness of a god who 'changes the rules' and breaks His own commandments.
It is dangerous to suggest that God is entitled to break His own commandments. It is
dangerous to endeavour to justify God's perceived 'commandment breaking.' It is
dangerous to suggest that God covers up his sinful behaviour (eg telling a lie) by adjusting
the situation using His divine, creative power so that the new situation becomes a reality.
All these attempts to justify God's (perceived) law-breaking are actual y admitting that God
does not abide by the principles of His own law and that He changes the rules to
selfishly suit His own circumstances.
Such reasoning is an attack on God's character and even supportive of the claim that
Satan made about God's law; that the law of God was faulty. The law of God is a
transcript of His perfect, unchanging pure, loving character.
Did God order anyone to break His commandments? If so, the belief must be also
accepted that His character has changed.
491

To accept that God changes the rules, is to stand in defiance of God's expressed
statements that He has not, does not and will not change under any circumstances
(James 1:17; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8).
The principles of God's law is unchangeable because God character is guarranteed to be
unchangeable.
Ellen White emphasises this fact.
8 Testimonies for the Church, p 207
"By His life and death Christ taught that only in obedience to God's
commandments can man find safety and true greatness 'The law of the Lord is
perfect, converting the soul.' Psalm 19:7. God's law is a transcript of His
character."
A Christian can have absolute certainty that God's character wil never change from the
principles of unselfish love contained in the 10 commandments. They can "know their
God" (Daniel 11: 32) and recognise Him in the life of Jesus Christ.
Consider the statement that the disciple John made when he stated that a Christian
'cannot sin.'
1 John 3:9
"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he
cannot sin, because he is born of God."
John's statement does not mean that the Christian's freedom of choice is removed, but
that he/she can be powerfully and divinely equipped to resist temptation in the same way
that Christ overcame temptation as a human being - by the indwelling of the holy spirit of
God the unselfish mind of Christ - which dwells in them and guides their thinking,
speaking and actions. Thus they are 'kept from fal ing' (Jude 24).
Does the process of salvation require that a Christian surrender his/her freedom of choice
on their conversion?
No!
Not even in the eternal ages when sin has been destroyed, wil humanity, nor any creation
of God be denied the freedom of choice.
Great Controversy, 1888, p 504
"The whole universe wil have become witnesses to the nature and results of sin. And its
utter extermination, which in the beginning would have brought fear to angels and
dishonor to God, will now vindicate his love and establish his honor before a universe of
beings who delight to do his will, and in whose heart is his law. Never will evil again be
manifest. Says the Word of God, 'Affliction shall not rise up the second time.' [Nahum 1:9]
The law of God, which Satan has reproached as the yoke of bondage, will be honored as
the law of liberty. A tested and proved creation will never again be turned from
allegiance to Him whose character has been fully manifested before them as
fathomless love and infinite wisdom."
The redeemed realise that unselfish love is the only sane rule of the universe and while
always able to do so, they will forever refuse to choose to sin.
God is the Sovereign of Universal liberty and freedom of choice. That which He values
Himself, He imparts to His subjects and always God abides by His own commandments of
love (absolutely unselfishness).
492

45. T
hey are Enemies of God for your Sake Romans 11:28
Robertson'sWord Pictures Commentary on Romans 11:28:
As concerning

the gospel

, they are enemies

for
<2596> (PREP)
<2098> (N-ASN)
<2190> (A-NPM)
<1223>
your

sakes

: but

as touching

the election
(PREP)
<5209> (P-2AP)
<1223> (PREP)
<1161> (CONJ)
<2596> (PREP)

, they are beloved

for

the fathers'

sakes
<1589> (N-ASF)
<27> (A-NPM)
<1223> (PREP)
<3962> (N-APM)
<1223>
.
(PREP)
As touching the gospel ( ). "According to ( with the accusative)
the gospel" as Paul has shown in verses 11-24, the gospel order as it has developed.
Enemies (). T
reated as enemies (of God), in
passive sense, b
ecause of their
re
jection of Christ (verse 10), just as
(b
eloved) is
passive.
As touching the election ( ). "According to the election" (the principle of
election, not as in verses 5f. the elect or abstract for concrete).
For the fathers' sake ( ). As in 9:4; 11:16f.
Bible in Worldwide English Version translates these verses as:
"The Jews make themselves enemies of God because they do not want the good news of
Jesus Christ. That helps you since the good news has then come to you. But God stil
loves the Jews because of the promise he made to their fathers long ago."
By using the passive tense, Paul makes it clear that God is acknowledging the painful
rejection that the Jewish nation actively determined toward the Messiah. God is not
actively making enemies. God is not rejecting anyone; not even the Jewish race.
Therefore, because of their rejection of the Messiah, they have chosen to be enemies
of the One True God. God did not choose to be their enemies because they rejected His
Son. They became enemies BECAUSE their own choice to reject the Messiah placed
them in opposition to God. Jesus said in Luke 9:50, "he that is not against us is for us."
and in Luke 11:23, He states, "He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth
not with me scattereth."
Jesus is demonstrating the application of an unatlerable principle. God doesn't cast off
any man who comes to Him; who is drawn to Him through the Son's demonstation of love.
The fact of the matter is clearly explained by Jesus: Either we accept God and His
government of love, or we choose by default to serve Satan and be governed by his
selfish princples.
493

The Focus of the Conflict
1 John 1:5
"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is
light, and in him is no darkness at all."
1 John 4: 8, 16
"God is love."
What is love? Have Christians forgotten Christ's living demonstration and example?

1 Corinthians 13:4-13
"Love suffers long, and is kind; love does not envy; love does not push itself forward, is
not puffed up, (5) Does not behave itself unseemly, does not seek its own, is not easily
provoked, thinks no evil; (6) Does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; (7) Bears
all things, believes al things, hopes al things, endures al things. (8) Love never fails: but
whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease;
whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (9) For we know in part, and we
prophesy in part. (10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part
shal be done away. (11) When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I
thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (12) For now we
see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know
even as also I am known. (13) And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the
greatest of these is love."
What will be the works of those who are new creatures in Christ Jesus?
Galatians 5:22, 23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
(23) meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."
What are the works of Satan and his agents?
Galatians 5:19-21
"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lasciviousness, (20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath,
strife, seditions, heresies, (21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:
of the which I tel you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such
things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
Review and Herald, 18 November, 1890 p3
"The enemy of Christ, who rebelled against God's law in heaven, has, as a skilled, trained
general, worked with al his power, bringing out one device after another, full of deception,
to make of none effect the law of God, the only true detector of sin, the standard of
righteousness."
Signs of the Times, 24 April, 1893 p 4
"The Lord would not leave the enemy any opportunity to perplex the soul or to becloud the
mind as to the commandments of which he is speaking. It is the commandments which
he made when the foundations of the earth were laid, "when the morning stars
sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." Away back in the world's
history, before there were any people distinguished as Jews, he laid the
foundations of his law, when he laid the foundations of the world. ...Thank God, we
are not left in mist and confusion in regard to the commandments."
494

Review and Herald 3 May, 1898 p 2
"God requires obedience to his law. But Satan, ever since his fall, has been working
against this law. He created disaffection in heaven by his ambition to be higher than
Christ, the Commander of the heavenly host; and then he attacked the law of Jehovah.
He held a position next to Christ, and in his rebellion he carried the angels with him."
Signs of the Times, 20 January, 1890 p 6
"Christ came to save fallen man, and Satan with fiercest wrath met him on the field of
conflict; for the enemy knew that when divine strength was added to human weakness,
man was armed with power and intel igence, and could break away from the captivity in
which he had bound him. Satan sought to intercept every ray of light from the throne of
God. He sought to cast his shadow across the earth, that men might lose the true
views of God's character, and that the knowledge of God might become extinct in
the earth. He had caused truth of vital importance to be so mingled with error that it had
lost its significance. The law of Jehovah was burdened with needless exactions and
traditions, and God was represented as severe, exacting, revengeful, and arbitrary. He
was pictured as one who could take pleasure in the sufferings of his creatures. The very
attributes that belonged to the character of Satan, the evil one represented as belonging
to the character of God. Jesus came to teach men of the Father, to correctly represent
him before the fallen children of earth. Angels could not fully portray the character of
God, but Christ, who was a living impersonation of God, could not fail to
accomplish the work. The only way in which he could set and keep men right was
to make himself visible and familiar to their eyes. That men might have salvation he
came directly to man, and became a partaker of his nature."
Review and Herald 23 May, 1899 p 3,5
"In his sermon on the mount, Christ stripped away the mass of rubbish that had been
wrapped about the law of God, and gave no honor to their human traditions. He
proclaimed the true character of the law, revealing it as he had given it in Eden and from
Mount Sinai. He presented it in its elevated character as binding upon all ages and
conditions of men, as a law that will never lose its force in time or eternity. Christ
lived the law, and his life of purity and holiness was a constant rebuke to the religious
teachers of the day..... The law of God is the expression of his goodness and love,
the transcript of his character. There is no power in the law to pardon the transgression
of law; but the tidings of salvation through a Mediator was the only hope for the
transgressor."
Southern Watchman, 4 Febraury,1908 p 1
"God will test all, even as he tested Adam and Eve, to see whether they will be obedient.
Our loyalty or disloyalty wil decide our destiny. Since the fal of Adam, men in every age
have excused themselves for sinning, charging God with their sin, saying that they
could not keep his commandments. This is the insinuation Satan cast at God in
heaven. But the plea, "I cannot keep the commandments," need never be presented to
God; for before him stands the Saviour, the marks of the crucifixion upon his body, a living
witness that the law can be kept. It is not that men cannot keep the law, but that they
will not."
Signs of the Times, 25 January,1905 p3
"Some claim that the commandments are not binding on those who are led by the Spirit.
What spirit? we inquire. Certainly not the Spirit of Christ; for He declared, 'I came not to
destroy the law.' 'Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least
commandments,' He said, 'and shall a teach men so, he shall be called the least in
the kingdom of heaven.' He is a rebel against God's government. He is sinning
himself, and is leading others in the path of disobedience. 'He shall be called the
least in the kingdom of heaven.' For him there wil be no place in God's kingdom. He is a
transgressor of the law, and into the holy city no transgressors are admitted."
495

Jesus said that anyone who teaches men to break God's commandments will be cal ed
the least in the kingdom of Heaven.
But in the Old Testament, the accusation is made that God Himself ordered the Israelites
to break His law by kil ing heretics and pagans! Jesus said desire, to destroy a person's
enemies, was the wrong spirit! (Luke 9:55) Would Christians accuse the Father, God
Himself of having the 'wrong spirit?'
Matthew 5:17-19
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy,
but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle
shal in no wise pass from the law, til all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shal break
one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be cal ed 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."
Christ's words in Matthew 5:17-19 are self-condemnatory if Christ commanded the
Israelites to murder the wicked nations in Canaan. Christ Himself would be implicated in
the commandment-breaking sins that He commanded (taught) the Israelites to perform.
Ellen White explains that Satan brought certain charges against God's character, the law
of unselfish love, the concept of which is demonstrated by the 10 commandments.
Desire of Ages 1898, p 308
"'Since "the law of the Lord is perfect,' every variation from it must be evil. Those who
disobey the commandments of God, and teach others to do so, are condemned by Christ.
The Saviour's life of obedience maintained the claims of the law; it proved that the law
could be kept in humanity, and showed the excellence of character that obedience
would develop. All who obey as He did are likewise declaring that the law is "holy, and
just, and good." Rom. 7:12. On the other hand, all who break God's commandments
are sustaining Satan's claim that the law is unjust, and cannot be obeyed. Thus they
second the deceptions of the great adversary, and cast dishonor upon God. They are the
children of the wicked one, who was the first rebel against God's law. To admit them into
heaven would again bring in the elements of discord and rebellion, and imperil the well-
being of the universe. No man who willfully disregards one principle of the law shall
enter the kingdom of heaven."
496

Signs of the Times, 16 January, 1896
"Satan declared that it was impossible for the sons and daughters of Adam to keep
the law of God, and thus charged upon God a lack of wisdom and love. If they could
not keep the law, then there was fault with the Lawgiver. Men who are under the
control of Satan repeat these accusations against God, in asserting that men can not
keep the law of God. Jesus humbled himself, clothing his divinity with humanity, in order
that he might stand as the head and representative of the human family, and by both
precept and example condemn sin in the flesh, and give the lie to Satan's charges.
He was subjected to the fiercest temptations that human nature can know, yet he sinned
not; for sin is the transgression of the law. By faith he laid hold upon divinity, even as
humanity may lay hold upon infinite power through him. Altho tempted upon all
points even as men are tempted, he sinned not. He did not surrender his allegiance
to God, as did Adam."
Signs of the Times, 22 December, 1914
"Satan had declared that the law of God was faulty, and that the good of the universe
demanded a change in its requirement. In attacking the law, he thought to overthrow the
a uthority of its Author, and gain for himself the supreme allegiance. But through the plan
of salvation, the precepts of the law were to be proved perfect and immutable, that at last
only glory and love might rise to God throughout the universe, ascribing glory and honor
and praise to Him that sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever."
Ellen White, Review and Herald, 15 July, 1890
"We must inquire what captain we are following, under whose banner we are standing.
Satan was the first transgressor of the law of Jehovah. We read in the Bible how sin
entered into the world. Satan was the first one who ever questioned the holy will of
God, and his very first work was to transgress God's law, and then he came to Adam
and Eve in Eden, and through his temptations caused them to break the commandments
of God. Satan thought to win the human family to his side that they might war
against the family in heaven. It was Satan's plan to war against the God of heaven.
God has a constitution and laws to govern those whom he has created, and it would
be a terrible thing if any of us should be found on the wrong side, warring against the
government of Heaven."
Signs of the Times, 29 August, 1892
"There are many who in their hearts murmur against God. They say, "We inherit the
fallen nature of Adam, and are not responsible for our natural imperfections." They
find fault with God's requirements, and complain that he demands what they have
no power to give. Satan made the same complaint in heaven, but such thoughts
dishonor God..."
If a Christian believes that Christ ordered the Israelites to commit genocide, infanticide
and to plunder the wicked Canaanites' possessions, one must ask the question: Could
not Christ have reacted to the situation in a different manner a manner that permitted
Him and the Israelites to keep His Father's commandments? Or was breaking the
commandments to murder and steal the only possible solution to the "Canaanite
problem?"
Jesus said it is vital y important to know the Father's character for it is the basis of His
government and al citizens must agree to abide within the boundaries of His law of love
under every situation; however if people choose to abide by the rules of a selfish
government, this choice will separate them from all the protection with which God desires
to shelter them.
John 17:3
"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ,
whom thou hast sent."
497

So what is the Father's character like? It is not a mystery. Jesus said we need to know
what God is like. But how do we know God?
Philip asked the same question.
John 14:6-11
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me. (7) If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and
from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. (8) Philip saith unto him, Lord, show
us the Father, and it sufficeth us. (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? (10) Believest thou not that I am
in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself:
but the Father that dwel eth in me, he doeth the works. (11) Believe me that I am in the
Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake."
In other words, Jesus appears to be saying, "if you can't see that I'm the divine Son of
God by my character, then at least believe it because of the good works you see me
doing. Those works reflect the Father's character."
If Christians teach and believe this fallacy - that Christ commanded the Israelites to
commit murder - it is necessary to accept that Satan must have been right in His
claims against God's government for it would prove that even God Himself
couldn't keep His own law.
498

Every Earthly Support Cut Off
Ellen White was given a dream of the emotional experience of God's commandment-
keeping people at the time when "every earthly support will be cut off
Review and Herald 12 January, 1869
"While at Battle Creek, about five months since, I dreamed of being with a
large body of people. A portion of this assembly started out prepared to
journey. We had heavily-loaded wagons. As we journeyed, the road seemed
to ascend. On one side of this road was a deep precipice. On the other side
was a high, white, smooth wall, like the hard finish upon plastered rooms.
As we journeyed on, the road grew narrower and steeper. Some places in
the road seemed very narrow, so much so that we concluded that we could
travel no longer with the loaded wagons. We then loosed them from the
horses, and took a portion of the luggage from the wagons and placed it
upon the horses, and journeyed on horseback. As we progressed, the path
still continued to grow narrow. We were obliged to press close to the wal , in
order to save ourselves from fal ing off the narrow road, down the deep
precipice. In doing this, the luggage on the horses pressed against the wal ,
and caused us to sway toward the precipice. We feared that we should fall,
and be dashed in pieces on the rocks. We then cut the luggage from the
horses, which fell over the precipice. We continued, on horseback, greatly
fearing as we came to the narrower places in the road, that we should lose
our balance, and fall. At such times, a hand seemed to take the bridle and
guide us over the perilous way. As the path grew more narrow, we decided
that we could go no longer on horseback with safety, and we left the horses
and went on foot, in single file, one fol owing in the footsteps of another. At
this point, small cords were let down from the top of the pure white wall,
which we eagerly grasped, to aid us in keeping our balance upon the path.
As we traveled, the cord moved along with us. The path finally became so
narrow that we concluded that we could travel more safely without our
shoes; so we slipped them from our feet, and went on some distance without
them. Soon it was decided that we could travel more safely without our
stockings; these were removed, and we journeyed on with bare feet. We
then thought of those who had not accustomed themselves to privations and
hardships. Where were such now? They were not in the company. At every
change, some were left behind, and those only remained who had
accustomed themselves to endure hardships. The privations of the way only
made these more eager to press on to the end. Our danger of falling from
the pathway increased. We pressed close to the white wall, yet could not
place our feet fully upon the path,for it was too narrow. We then suspended
nearly our whole weight upon the cords, and would exclaim, "We have hold
from above! We have hold from above!" The same words were uttered by all
the company in the narrow pathway. As we heard the sounds of revelry and
mirth that seemed to come from the abyss below, we shuddered. We heard
the profane oath, the vulgar jest, and low, vile songs. We heard the war
songs and the dance songs. We heard instrumental music, and the loud
laugh, mingled with cursing and cries of anguish and bitter wailing, and were
more anxious than ever to keep upon the narrow, difficult pathway. Much of
the time we were compelled to suspend our whole weight upon the cords.
And these increased in size as we progressed. I noticed that the beautiful
white wal was stained with blood. It caused a feeling of regret to see the wall
thus stained. This feeling, however, lasted but for a moment, as I soon
thought that it was all as it should be. Those who are following after will know
that others have passed the narrow, difficult way before them, and wil
conclude that if others were able to pursue their onward course, they can do
the same."
499

(Ellen White continued)
"And as the blood should be pressed from their aching feet, they would not
faint with discouragement; but, seeing the blood upon the wall, they would
know that others had endured the same pain. At length we came to a large
chasm at which our path ended. There was nothing now to guide the feet,
nothing upon which to rest them. Our whole reliance must be upon the
cords, which had increased in size, until they were as large as our bodies.
Here we were for a time thrown into perplexity and distress. We inquired in
fearful whispers, 'To what is the cord attached?'"
"My husband was just before me. The large drops of sweat were falling from
his brow. The veins in his neck and temples were increased to double their
usual size, and suppressed, agonizing groans came from his lips. The sweat
was dropping from my face, and I felt such anguish as I had never felt
before. A fearful struggle was before us. If we failed here, all the difficulties of
our journey had been experienced for naught. Before us, on the other side of
the chasm, was a beautiful field of green grass, about six inches high. I could
not see the sun, but bright, soft beams of light, resembling fine gold and
silver, were resting on this field. Nothing I had seen upon earth could
compare in beauty and glory with this field. But could we succeed in
reaching it? was the anxious inquiry. Should the cord break, we must perish.
Again, in whispered anguish, the words were breathed, "What holds this
cord?" For a moment we hesitated to venture. Then we exclaimed, "Our only
hope is to trust wholly to the cord. It has been our dependence al the difficult
way. It wil not fail us now." Stil we were hesitating and distressed. The
words were then spoken, "God holds the cord. We need not fear." These
words were then repeated by those behind us, accompanied with, "He will
not fail us now. He has brought us thus far safely." My husband then swung
himself over the fearful abyss into the beautiful field beyond. I immediately
followed. And oh, what a sense of relief and gratitude to God we felt! I heard
voices raised in triumphant praise to God. I was happy, perfectly happy. I
awoke, and found that from the anxiety I had experienced in passing over
the difficult route, every nerve on my being seemed to be in a tremor. This
dream needs no comment. It made such an impression upon my mind that
probably every item in it will be vivid before me while my memory shall
continue." (end quote Ellen G. White).
1 Testimonies for the Church, p 29; Early Writings p 81; Life Sketches p 36; Signs
of the Times 24 February, 1876; 2 Spiritual Gifts p 20
"The green cord represented faith to my mind, and the beauty and
simplicity of trusting in God began to dawn upon my soul."
4 Testimonies for the Church, p 558
"It is safe to let go every earthly support and take the hand of Him who
lifted up and saved the sinking disciple on the stormy sea."
Desire of Ages p 121
"In the last great conflict of the controversy with Satan those who are
loyal to God will see every earthly support cut off. Because they refuse
to break His law in obedience to earthly powers, they will be forbidden
to buy or sell. It will finally be decreed that they shall be put to death.
See Rev. 13:11-17. But to the obedient is given the promise, "He shall
dwell on high: his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks:
bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure." Isa. 33:16. By this
promise the children of God will live.
500

The Last Message
Revelation 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."
4 Testimonies for the Church, p 58
"The most eloquent sermon that can be preached upon the law of Ten Commandments is
to do them."
Christ's Object Lessons, 1900 p 415
"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."
WW Prescott , The Present Message, Reading for Friday, 25 November, 1897 p 221, 222
"It is the character of God that is on trial in the great controversy between
Christ and Satan. The question to be settled is, Who is God? Lucifer said:
"I will ascend into heaven, I wil exalt my throne above the stars of God: I
will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I
will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High."
Isa. 14:13, 14. In his effort to dethrone God and to put himself in the place
of God, Satan has involved man in the rebellion, through
misrepresentation of God's character; but in the gospel, the good
news of a Saviour, God has revealed his true character, and the whole
world is now cal ed upon to acknowledge that 'the Lord is the true God, he
is the living God, and an everlasting king.' The settlement of this question
involves everything else. When the true God is known and acknowledged
for what he really is, when he is given the place which belongs to him in al
things, and we take the place which belongs to us, then he is glorified and
we are glorified in him. This means our salvation from sin now and
eternally....And so the work of every man is to reveal the character of
God in his daily life, and thus to bear witness that He is good. And by
this revelation of God's character, the gospel of his glory will be
preached, and the way of the Lord will be prepared. Then it wil be
seen and acknowledged that all flesh is grass, that the only glory in the
world is God's glory, and that to seek first the kingdom of God and his
righteousness is to glorify God and to obtain eternal salvation."
Elder RC Porter, The Mind of Christ (SDA General Conference Bul etin Daily) #93 p 145
"Now let us proceed with the mind of Christ. 'Let this mind be in you,
which was also in Christ Jesus'.... We have seen Christ in his exalted
position where he had al the plan of God in his mind - the eternal
purpose. That purpose was a kingdom of love, with a God of love at the
head; Jesus as equal with the Father, and ruling over all, and all a
dominion of love. If we study the nature of God's kingdom we shall
find that the principles that underlie the third angel's message were
the principles of God's government back in the very beginning.
There was every principle there that we need to stand upon now. God
was a God of love. All things were created for his pleasure. He takes
pleasure only in love. 'Love seeketh not her own.' That is the way God
purposed to rule the worlds he had created. But what did Satan say?
'God is not a God of love. He is not the truth.' He impugned God's
character. Was God's law not the law of love? Was Satan's charge
true? He was a liar, a murderer from the beginning. Let us see how he
got the dominion from Adam. He was a usurper." (continued over)
501

(Elder RC Porter continued)
"It was originally Christ's dominion. Christ was appointed heir of all things.
Heb.1:1. How many things? Of 'al things.' But Christ gave it to man. It
was Christ's by right, and it was man's by right. Has every man who wil
receive the image of God a right to this earth? Of course he has. Then
when Satan took the dominion he took it by fraud and deception. As we
go .... we are to tell (people) that God is a God of love. We shal tell
them that Satan is a usurper and a liar. That God is right, and that his
c haracter and his law is right. That his law being right is
unchangeable. We are to tel them how Satan got possession of the
dominion by fraud, by deception; and the third angel's message that we
are going to preach is the same old gospel taught by Jesus back in
the Eden of God. The same gospel that was presented to Adam, the
gospel of love. .... ' The law of love being the foundation of the
government of God, the happiness of all intelligent beings depends
upon their perfect accord with its great principles of righteousness.
God desires from all his creatures the service of love. He takes no
pleasure in a forced obedience.' Patriarchs and Prophets, p.34. W
h
at
then is to be the propelling power of the message? It is the love of
God. We are to show God's love in contrast with Satan's malice and
hate. God manifests his great love to us through Jesus Christ, and asks
us for our voluntary service. He asks us for a service of love to him and
to our fel ow-beings. We are to contrast this with Satan's government,
that was begun in deceit and carried on by usurpation, and who still holds
his subjects by the unwil ing chains of force."
Home Missionary, 1 August, 1894, p 2
"But the truth must be brought into the inner sanctuary of the soul. We must by living faith
grasp the arm of Omnipotence; for Christ has said, ' Without me ye can do nothing.' But if
we are laborers together with God, we shall be able to do all things. We shall be tested,
we shal be proved to see what kind of material we have brought into our character
building. If we have brought material into our life and character that is not of a divine
order, this wil be made manifest in the moral warfare in which every soul will be called
upon to act a part. The truth cannot be justly sustained or defended by words that
arouse the unbeliever to resistance and contention. The true spirit that controls the
heart will be revealed in a company where ideas are presented that are opposed to ideas
that others hold. If those who stand in defense of truth are under the control of the
Spirit of Christ, they will be calm and self-possessed, kind and courteous, and will
not be betrayed into the use of harsh language. They will not be accusers of those
who honestly differ from them in opinion, nor regard their own ideas as infallible,
and thus be led to look upon all those who differ with them as enemies and
apostates. They will not make them the subjects of jest and ridicule."
502

Ellen White comments on the assassination of the character of God which has been
instigated by Satan.
Review and Herald, 22 October, 1895
Satan's Malignity Against Christ and His People
"Speaking of Satan, our Lord says that "he abode not in the truth." He was once the
covering cherub, glorious in beauty and holiness. He was next to Christ in exaltation and
character. It was with Satan that self-exaltation had its origin. He became jealous of
Christ, and falsely accused him, and then laid blame upon the Father. He was envious of
the position that was held by Christ and the Father, and he turned from his al egiance to
the Commander of heaven and lost his high and holy estate. Though the angels had a
knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, though they were happy in the glorious service
which they did for the King of heaven, yet, through his crooked representations of
Christ and the Father, the evil one deceived a great company of angels, drew them
into sympathy with himself, and associated them with himself in rebel ion. Satan and his
sympathizers became the avowed antagonists of God, established their own infernal
empire, and set up a standard of rebellion against the God of heaven. All the principalities
and powers of evil ral ied to the work of overthrowing the government of God.
Satan accomplished the fall of man, and since that time it has been his work to
efface in man the image of God, and to stamp upon human hearts his own image.
Possessing supremacy in guilt, he claims supremacy for himself, and exercises over his
subjects the power of royalty. He cannot expel God from his throne, but through the
system of idolatry, he plants his own throne between the heaven and the earth, between
God and the human worshiper. He intercepts every ray of light that comes from God to
man, and appropriates the worship that is due to God.
Satan has wrought with deceiving power, bringing in a multiplicity of errors that
obscure the truth. Error cannot stand alone, and would soon become extinct if it did not
fasten itself like a parasite upon the tree of truth. Error draws its life from the truth of God.
The traditions of men, like floating germs, attach themselves to the truth of God, and men
regard them as a part of the truth. Through false doctrines, Satan gains a foothold,
and captivates the minds of men, causing them to hold theories that have no
foundation in truth. Men boldly teach for doctrines the commandments of men; and
as traditions pass on from age to age, they acquire a power over the human mind.
But age does not make error truth, neither does its burdensome weight cause the plant
of truth to become a parasite. The tree of truth bears its own genuine fruit, showing its true
origin and nature. The parasite of error also bears its own fruit, and makes manifest that
its character is diverse from the plant of heavenly origin.
It is through false theories and traditions that Satan gains his power over the
human mind. We can see the extent to which he exercises his power by the
disloyalty that is in the world. Even the churches that profess to be Christian have
turned from the law of Jehovah, and have erected a false standard. Satan has had
his hand in all this; for by directing men to false standards, he misshapes the
human character, and causes humanity to acknowledge him as supreme. He works
counter to the holy law of God, and denies God's jurisdiction. It is at his throne that
every evil work finds its starting-point and obtains its support.
Satan has charged injustice upon God, and at various times has set in motion
all his supernatural agencies, in order to cut off from men the knowledge of God, to
turn their attention from the temple of God, and to establish his own kingdom in the
earth. At different times he has almost succeeded in spreading idolatry throughout the
world. The history of the past shows that he has striven to obtain the mastery upon earth,
and that his strife for supremacy has seemed to be almost whol y successful. He has
worked in such a manner that the Prince of heaven has seemed to be lost sight of. It has
seemed that the confederacy of idolatry has borne supreme sway, and that Satan had
indeed become the god of this world. But the only begotten Son of God has looked upon
the scene, has beheld human suffering and misery. With pity he has seen how his
human agencies have been blinded by the deceptions of the enemy, and have
become victims of Satanic cruelty." (continued over page)
503

(continued)
"He has seen how Satan has exalted men simply for the purpose of casting them down,
how he has flattered them, in order to draw them into his net and destroy them. He looked
upon the schemes by which Satan works to blot from the human soul every trace of
likeness to God; how he led them into intemperance so as to destroy the moral powers
which God gave to man as a most precious, priceless endowment. He saw how, through
indulgence in appetite, brain power was destroyed, and the temple of God was in ruins.
He looked with compassion upon men who were becoming corrupted, ruined, murdered,
and lost, through choosing a ruler who chained them to his car as captives, and yet these
slaves were so bewildered, so beguiled and deceived, that they were actual y pleased
with their slavery as they moved on in gloomy procession toward eternal ruin,--to death in
which is no hope of life, toward night to which comes no morning. He saw human beings
possessed by devils, saw Satanic agencies incorporated with men, saw the bodies of men
become the habitations for the degrading indwelling of demons. Man, made for the
dwelling-place of God, became the habitation of dragons. The senses, the nerves, the
passions, the organs of man, were worked by supernatural agencies in the indulgence of
the grossest, vilest lust. The very stamp of demons was impressed upon the
countenances of men, and human faces reflected the expression of the legions of evil with
which they were possessed. Such was the prospect upon which the world's Redeemer
looked. What a horrible spectacle for the eyes of infinite purity to behold! Wherein can he
behold his image? And yet God, the infinite One, "so loved the world, that he gave his
only begotten Son [for such a world!], that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life."
Christ came to our world, sent of God to take human nature upon him. The mysterious
union was to be formed between human nature and the divine nature. Christ was to
become a man, in order that he might unfold to men as fully as possible the mysteries of
the science of redemption. But the scheme of redemption far exceeds the comprehension
of the human mind. The great condescension on the part of God is a mystery that is
beyond our fathoming. The greatness of the plan cannot be fully comprehended, nor
could infinite Wisdom devise a plan that would surpass it. It could be successful only by
the clothing of divinity with humanity, by Christ becoming man, and suffering the wrath
which sin has made because of the transgression of God's law. Through this plan the
great, the dreadful God can be just, and yet be the justifier of al who believe in Jesus, and
who receive him as their personal Saviour. This is the heavenly science of redemption, of
saving men from eternal ruin, and can be carried out through the incarnation of the Son of
God, through his triumph over sin and death. In seeking to fathom this plan, all finite
intel igences are baffled.
Before the world was created, infinite Wisdom provided for the terrible possibility of
man's disloyalty. Though man transgressed God's law, yet the law was not weakened
in the slightest particular. It stands fast forever and ever as his eternal throne. No
hope could be found for man through the alteration of God's law, but God so loved
the world the he gave himself in Christ to the world to bear the penalty of man's
transgression. God suffered with his Son, as the divine Being alone could suffer, in order
that the world might become reconciled to him."
Review and Herald, 29 October, 1895 (part 2)
"From the moment that Christ entered the world, the whole confederacy of Satanic
agencies was set at work to deceive and overthrow him as Adam had been deceived and
overthrown. Could he win the victory over Christ, the world that God had created would
become his empire....Satan saw the image of God in the character and person of
Jesus Christ. He knew that if Christ carried out his plan, his Satanic authority would
be at an end. Therefore, the life of Christ was a perpetual warfare against Satanic
agencies. Satan rallied the whole energies of apostasy against the Son of God. The
conflict increased in fierceness and malignity, as again and again the prey was taken out
of his hands. Satan assailed Christ through every conceivable form of temptation....
Failing to lead Christ into sin, the prince of darkness gathered together his human
agencies in the religious world, and instil ed into men the enmity which he felt against the
champion of truth. He led them to reject Christ, to expel the Prince of truth from his
504

territory. For a time success seemed to attend his efforts...The condition of the world at
the time of Christ is well described by the prophet Isaiah. He says that the people were
found "transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing away from our God,
speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of
falsehood. And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off; for truth
is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth
from evil maketh himself a prey; and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was
no judgment. And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no
intercessor; therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it
sustained him. For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation
upon his head. The condition of the world previous to the first appearing of Christ is a
picture of the condition of the world just previous to his second advent. The same iniquity
wil exist; Satan manifests the same delusive power upon the minds of men. He is setting
his trained agents to work, and moving them to intense activity. He is securing his army
of human agents to engage in the last conflict against the Prince of life, to
overthrow the law of God, which is the foundation of his throne. Satan will work with
miraculous presentations to confirm men in the belief that he is what he claims to be,--the
prince of this world,--and that victory is his. He will turn his forces against those who are
loyal to God; but though he may cause pain, distress, and human agony, he cannot defile
the soul. He may cause affliction to the people of God as he did to Christ, but he cannot
cause one of Christ's little ones to perish. The people of God in these last days must
expect to enter into the thick of the conflict; for the prophetic word says: "The dragon was
wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep
the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
The EG White 1888 Materials p 526, 527; Manuscript Release #1037; MS 25, 9 Jan, 1890
"The Lord Jesus awakens an interest in man by encouraging him to draw nigh and
become acquainted with His character. 'This is life eternal, that they might know Thee
the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent' [John 17:3]. We do not
contemplate as we should the character of God. 'God so loved the world, that He
gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life [John 3:16]. Although Satan has misinterpreted God's purposes,
falsified His character, and caused man to look upon God in a false light, yet
through the ages God's love for man has never ceased. Christ's work was to
reveal the Father as merciful, compassionate, full of goodness and truth. The
character of Christ represented the character of God. The only begotten Son of God
sweeps back the hellish shadow in which Satan has enveloped the Father, and
declares, 'I and My Father are one; look on Me and behold God.' Through every
hour, through all ages, God's love stands revealed as without a parallel. When the
fulness of time was come, a suitable channel was prepared in Christ Jesus, through
whom the streams of heavenly grace could be poured into the world. God so loved that
He made a gift ot the world which defies all computation. That the abundance of His
grace should be revealed, He could not give less than fulness, nor was it possible for Him
to give more."
The Ellen White 1888 Materials, Vol 3 p 932
"It is easier to crush and destroy the world than to reform it, but Christ gave His life to
reform it. Disorder, darkness and death cover the world like a funeral pall. Cannot men
limited in experience learn by sitting at Jesus' feet? By beholding His ways and His
works, and viewing His self-denying life, they become changed. 'Learn of me,' He says,
'for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shal find rest [peace] unto your souls.' Matt
11:29" (parenthesis is original).
505

Ellen White 1888 Materials, Vol 3 p 1048, 1050
"The great want of the soul is Jesus, the hope of glory. Through the Holy Spirit this unity
may be attained and love for the brethren will abound, and men wil take knowledge of us
that we have been with Jesus and learned of Him. Our life will be a reflection of His
holy character. As believers in Him we shal represent His meekness of spirit, His
gentleness of demeanor. Individually the church of God must answer the prayer of Christ
till we all come into the unity of the Spirit. What is it that causes dissension and discord?
It is the result of walking apart from Christ.......(p 1050) Spiritual things are spiritually
discerned, and the glory of our Redeemer is His character; this we must behold with
spiritual vision. I would pray as did the apostle, 'that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of
Him; the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the
hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints'[ Eph.
1:17, 18]."
506

Conclusion
Jesus said that HIS words were eternal life. HIS life reflected the true character of His
Father. Did He do a faulty job of reflecting God's character? Did He omit the "black, evil,
wrathful, murdering, out-of-control" side of the Father's character? Hardly. Where should
the Christian rest his/her faith? Is it in Christ Jesus our Lord - the Spoken Living Word of
the Father - or in a Book? Do you worship the Bible or the God of the Bible who sent His
Son to show us the truth about His character?
Review and Herald, 9 March, 1905 p 3, 4
"We are to copy no human being. There is no human being wise enough to be our
criterion. We are to look to the man Christ Jesus, who is complete in the perfection
of righteousness and holiness. He is the author and finisher of our faith. He is the
pattern Man. His experience is the measure of the experience that we are to gain. His
character is our model. Let us, then, take our minds off the perplexities and the difficulties
of this life, and fix them on him, that by beholding we may be changed into his likeness.
We may behold Christ to good purpose. We may safely look to him; for he is all-wise. As
we look to him and think of him, he will be formed within, the hope of glory. Let us strive
with all the power that God has given us to be among the hundred and forty-four
thousand."
8 Testimonies for the Church, p 265
"Christ came to teach human beings what God desires them to know. In the heavens
above, in the earth, in the broad waters of the ocean, we see the handiwork of God. All
created things testify to His power, His wisdom, His love. But not from the stars or the
ocean or the cataract can we learn of the personality of God as it is revealed in Christ.
God saw that a clearer revelation than nature was needed to portray both His
personality and His character. He sent His Son into the world to reveal, so far as could
be endured by human sight, the nature and the attributes of the invisible God."
Ellen White, Signs of the Times 11 June, 894 p 6
"The origin of false commandments may be clearly discerned by the principles
which underlie them. All that is not in accordance with the known and expressed will of
God, is at enmity with God, and has its origin in the synagogue of Satan. The will of God
is expressed in his law, and sin is the transgression of the law. Those who disregard
the commandments of God, and teach for doctrines the commandments of men, are
working in Satan's line, and are in harmony with the great leader of apostasy. When the
Jews were claiming Abraham for their father, while not doing the works of Abraham,
Jesus said to them: 'Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do;
he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no
truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the
father of it.' 'He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.
For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the
devil.'"
Signs of the Times, 23 April, 1896
"The inhabitants of worlds unfallen could view in this case the attributes of Satan and the
character of God. The law of God is a transcript of his character. The rebel leader (Satan)
was in opposition to the law of God, and revealed the fact that his principles were those
that actuated one who is lawless, disobedient, unholy, an accuser, a liar, and a murderer.
The true character of the ruler of the synagogue was laid bare, and it was made manifest
that he was on the side of the great rebel, tho sanctimoniously professing to be very
punctilious concerning the law of God. He knew not the principle of love that underlies
the commandments, ...yet the ruler never forgave Christ for departing from the maxims,
customs, and commandments of men, with which the rabbis had burdened the law of God
and obscured its spiritual significance."
507

If things said to be commanded by the Lord (including Bible verses) don't line up with the
words, teachings and life example of Christ, it isn't truth! If it doesn't line up with the 10
commandments, it isn't truth! If it doesn't line up with the principles of love, it isn't truth!
Isaiah 8:20
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because
there is no light in them."
Christ is the law and testimony! Jesus was the Law of God Incarnate - the law of the 10
commandments - which includes "thou shalt not kil ." And Jesus defined that law further -
"Don't even think angry thoughts, not even about your enemies." After the close of
probation, would Jesus command the 144,000 to take swords and destroy the babies of
Satan-worshippers? To take virgins captive? To plunder their goods? Why not? The
Satan-worshippers would be completely possessed by the devil since the spirit of God
would be withdrawn from the earth ( GC p 36). Their probation will be over. Their "cup of
iniquity" would be full.
These horrendous actions which are so abhorrent to us, are the actions which were said
to have been performed by the ancient Israelites, and that it was a direct command from a
holy God. Should the 144,000 murder modern day pagans in like manner, when their
probation is sealed? Would it be right to break the sixth commandment then?
The Father's character doesn't change! If it was law-abiding to murder pagans 3000
years ago, then it must stil be law-abiding today! But the 144000 won't even have "guile
in their mouths" let alone blood on their hands. The Father's character is in their
foreheads.
John 17:3
"This is life eternal that they may KNOW Thee (know the character of) the only true God
and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent."
How do we know the character of God? By looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of
our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
SPTED.206.001 (Ellen White)
"The religion of Jesus Christ never degrades the receiver, it never makes him coarse or
rough, discourteous or self-important, passionate or hard-hearted. On the contrary, it
refines the taste, sanctifies the judgment, and purifies and ennobles the thoughts, by
bringing them into captivity to Jesus Christ. God's ideal for his children is higher than the
highest human thought can reach. The living God has given in his holy law a
transcript of his character. The greatest teacher the world has ever known is Jesus
Christ. And what is the standard he has given for all who believe in him to reach? -
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." As God
is perfect in his high sphere of action, so man may be perfect in his human sphere.
The ideal of Christian character is Christlikeness. There is opened before us a path of
continual advancement. We have an object to reach, a standard to gain, which includes
everything good and pure and noble and elevated. There should be continual striving and
constant progress onward and upward toward perfection of character. (See 2 Tim. 3: 14-
17; Rom. 15:4; Col. 2:8-10)."
508

What is the benefit of knowing that God is not a 3 in 1 or a 1 in 3 trinity, if we still
don't understand the true character of God? There is no point in knowing that the
Creator is not a trinity, if we are still confused about God's character. There is no
point in knowing the Creator is not a trinity, if we still believe the One True God has
the "blended" character of the trinity god. It is by beholding we become changed.
The character that we suppose our God has, that same character will be
re
produced in us. W
e had better be sure we know just what God's character is like for
that character wil be our character as time progresses.
Who is drawn to an out of control, double-minded god! Such a god, does not draw
followers after him through infinite love as did Jesus!
John 12:32
"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, wil draw al men unto me."
The impostor, the "blended god," doesn't draw adherents through love, but gains
"worship" in two different ways; through:
· fear whereby compliance is secured through fear of punishment; and
· promises of power rewards are offered to those who cooperate.
Even a superficial study of communistic and dictatorial/tyrannical regimes reveals that the
underlying principle of these structures is a spirit of dominance and control over others
not a spirit of drawing or attracting adherents through goodness and love. These regimes
employ two strategies that attempt to secure "worship" or compliance. - P
ro
mises of
power and fear. Refer to the following sources:
· Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, Tortured for Christ, (1967), Hodder & Stoughton; (1998)
The International Christian Association, Switzerland;
· Ted Kazmierski, Then Nothing Will Fail, (1998), Verand Press, NSW, Australia.
Do Christians genuinely worship the One True God? Or do they envision Him to be a
blended god; a god with a dark side; a mean side; a forceful and angry side to His
character? From where do Christians find their concept of God originating? From the
Bible. And this is correct.
The Bible truly contains the truth about God's character, but it must be studied in the light
of Jesus Christ. The Son of God fulfilled the law of God and gave His life as a perfect
testimony (Isaiah 8:20: 28:10).
Christ kept His Father's law (the 10 commandments perfectly). He came to "show us [the
character of] the Father" (John 14:8-10) Christ told His Father that the world didn't know
Him, nor His Son (John 17:25; 1 John 3:1). Christ told the disciples they didn't know
"what spirit they were of" (Luke 9:35). Christ told the Jewish leaders that they didn't know
His Father's character either and that they were of their father the devil (John 8:44, 54,55).
Paul admitted he and the other early Christians didn't know the Father's character well
enough either - only "seeing through a glass darkly." (2 Cor 3:17-4:6)
It is doubtful that sinful humanity possesses the capacity to comprehend the Father's
character in any real depth at this stage, but it is prophesied that the 144,000 WILL know
the Father's character and that HIS loving character wil be internalised, for the Father's
name wil be written in their foreheads - His Son's perfect and loving character wil be
reflected in their characters (Rev 14:1). They will know their God (Daniel 11:32). They
wil know how to love their enemies (Matt 5:44)and they will do so because the love of
God motivates them to think as He thinks (Rev 12:17).
2 Timothy 2:15
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
509

Some Bible writers appeared to be badly effected by the paganism around them
and to have transferred their knowledge of pagan gods' characters onto the
character of the One True God. God HAS preserved the truth in the Bible, about His
character, but we must dig for it "as for buried treasure." We need to search the
Bible "with all our hearts" so that we can discover the true character of God.
John 17:3
"This is life eternal that they may know thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ,
whom Thou hast sent.
Jeremiah 29:11-14
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and
not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye cal upon me, and ye shal go
and pray unto me, and I wil hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me,
when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the
LORD:"
We can "know our God" (Daniel 11:32) and have His name written in our foreheads
(Revelation 14:1).
510

Appendix
Baal Worship Involved Cannibalism
Alexander Hyslop in the Two Babylons reveals that the worship of Baal was worship of a
combination of the fire-god and the serpent-god, which necessitated the eating of the
burnt sacrifice which was the flesh of children. Hyslop writes:
""In the mythology of the primitive world," says Owen, "the serpent is
universally the symbol of the sun." In Egypt, one of the commonest symbols of
the sun, or sun-god, is a disc with a serpent around it. The original reason of
that identification seems just to have been that, as the sun was the great
enlightener of the physical world, so the serpent was held to have been the
great enlightener of the spiritual, by giving mankind the "knowledge of good
and evil".... It is not wonderful, then, the fire-worship and serpent-worship
should be conjoined. The serpent, also, as "renewing its youth" every
year, was plausibly represented to those who wished an excuse for idolatry as
a meet emblem of the sun, the great regenerator, who every year
regenerates and renews the face of nature, and who, when deified, was
worshipped as the grand Regenerator of the souls of men.
"In the chapter under consideration, the "great fiery serpent" is represented
with all the emblems of royalty. All its heads are encircled with "crowns or
diadems"; and so in Egypt, the serpent of fire, or serpent of the sun, in
Greek was called the Basilisk, that is, the "royal serpent," to identify it with
Moloch, which name, while it recalls the ideas both of fire and blood,
properly signifies "the King." The Basilisk was always, among the
Egyptians, and among many nations besides, regarded as "the very type of
majesty and dominion." As such, its image was worn affixed to the head-
dress of the Egyptian monarchs; and it was not lawful for any one else to
wear it. The sun identified with this serpent was cal ed "P'ouro," which signifies
at one "the Fire" and "the King," and from this very name the epithet "Purros,"
the "Fiery," is given to the "Great seven-crowned serpent" of our text. 77
Thus was the Sun, the Great Fire-god, identified with the Serpent. But he had
also a human representative, and that was Tammuz, for whom the
daughters of Israel lamented, in other words Nimrod. We have already
seen the identity of Nimrod and Zoroaster. Now, Zoroaster was not only the
head of the Chaldean Mysteries, but, as all admit, the head of the fire-
worshippers.( see note below) The title given to Nimrod, as the first of the
Babylonian kings, by Berosus, indicates the same thing. That title is Alorus,
that is, "the god of fire." As Nimrod, "the god of fire," was Molk-Gheber, or, "the
Mighty king," inasmuch as he was the first who was cal ed Moloch, or King,
and the first who began to be "mighty" (Gheber) on the earth, we see at once
how it was that the "passing through the fire to Moloch" originated, and how
the god of fire among the Romans came to be cal ed "Mulkiber." 78*
77 The word Purros in the text does not exclude the idea of "Red," for the sun-god was
painted red to identify him with Moloch, at once the god of fire and god of blood.--
(WILKINSON). The primary leading idea, however, is that of Fire.
78 Commonly spelled Mulciber (OVID, Art. Am.); but the Roman c was hard. From the
epithet "Gheber," the Parsees, or fire-worshippers of India, are stil called "Guebres."
511

It was only after his death, however, that he appears to have been deified.
Then, retrospectively, he was worshipped as the child of the Sun, or the Sun
incarnate. In his own life-time, however, he set up no higher pretensions than
that of being Bol-Khan, or Priest of Baal, from which the other name of the
Roman fire-god Vulcan is evidently derived. Everything in the history of
Vulcan exactly agrees with that of Nimrod...79... Vulcan was the head and
chief of the Cyclops, that is, "the kings of flame." 80 ....
"Then the mode in which the rites of Tammuz or Adonis were celebrated in
Syria was essentially the same as the rites of Osiris" (in Egypt).
"Nimrod was the head of the fire-worshippers. Vulcan was the forger of the
thunderbolts by which such havoc was made among the enemies of the gods.
Ninus, or Nimrod, in his wars with the king of Bactria, seems to have carried on
the conflict in a similar way. From Arnobius we learn, that when the Assyrians
under Ninus made war against the Bactrians, the warfare was waged not only
by the sword and bodily strength, but by magic and by means derived from the
secret instructions of the Chaldeans. When it is known that the historical
Cyclops are, by the historian Castor, traced up to the very time of Saturn or
Belus, the first king of Babylon, and when we learn that Jupiter (who was
worshipped in the very same character as Ninus, "the child"), when fighting
against the Titans, "received from the Cyclops aid" by means of "dazzling
lightnings and thunders," we may have some pretty clear idea of the magic arts
derived from the Chaldean Mysteries, which Ninus employed against the
Bactrian king. There is evidence that, down to a late period, the priests of the
Chaldean Mysteries knew the composition of the formidable Greek fire, which
burned under water, and the secret of which has been lost; and there can be
little doubt that Nimrod, in erecting his power, availed himself of such or similar
scientific secrets, which he and his associates alone possessed."
"In these, and other respects yet to be noticed, there is an exact coincidence
between Vulcan, the god of fire of the Romans, and Nimrod, the fire-god of
Babylon. In the case of the classic Vulcan, it is only in his character of the fire-
god as a physical agent that he is popularly represented. But it was in his
spiritual aspects, in cleansing and regenerating the souls of men, that the fire-
worship told most effectually on the world. The power, the popularity, and skill
of Nimrod, as wel as the seductive nature of the system itself, enabled him to
spread the delusive doctrine far and wide, as he was represented under the
well-known name of Phaethon, ( see note below) as on the point of "setting the
whole world on fire," or (without the poetical metaphor) of involving all mankind
in the guilt of fire-worship."
79 Nimrod, as universal king, was Khuk-hold, "King of the world." As such, the emblem of his
power was the bull's horns. Hence the origin of the Cuckhold's horns.
80 Kuclops, from Khuk, "king," and Lohb, "flame." The image of the great god was represented
with three eyes--one in the forehead; hence the story of the Cyclops with the one eye in the
forehead.
512

"There is reason to believe that the same practice obtained in our own land in
the times of the Druids. We know that they offered human sacrifices to their
bloody gods. We have evidence that they made "their children pass through
the fire to Moloch," and that makes it highly probable that they also
offered them in sacrifice; for, from Jeremiah 32:35, compared with
Jeremiah 19:5, we find that these two things were parts of one and the
same system. The god whom the Druids worshipped was Baal, as the blazing
Baal-fires show, and the last-cited passage proves that children were offered in
sacrifice to Baal. When "the fruit of the body" was thus offered, it was "for
th
e sin of the soul." An
d it was a p
rinciple of the Mosaic law, a principle
no doubt derived from the patriarchal faith, that the priest must partake
o
f whatever was offered as a sin-offering (Num 18:9,10). H
ence, th
e
p
riests of N
imrod or B
aal were n ecessarily r
equired to eat of the human
sa
crifices; an
d thus it has come to pass that "Cahna-Bal," 81
th
e "Priest of
Ba
al," is the established word in our own tongue for a
devourer of human
fl
esh. 82

Now, if this worship of the sacred serpent of the Sun, the great fire-god, was so
universal in Rome, what symbol could more graphically portray the idolatrous
power of Pagan Imperial Rome than the "Great Fiery Serpent"? No doubt it
was to set forth this very thing that the Imperial standard itself--the standard of
the Pagan Emperor of Rome, as Pontifex Maximus, Head of the great system
of fire-worship and serpent-worship--was a serpent elevated on a lofty
pole, and so coloured, as to exhibit it as a recognised symbol of fire-
worship."
"As Zoroaster was head of the fire-worshippers, so Tammuz was evidently
the same. We have seen evidence already that sufficiently proves the
identity of Tammuz and Nimrod; but a few words may still more decisively
prove it, and cast further light on the primitive fire-worship. 1. In the first
place, Tammuz and Adonis are proved to be the same divinity. Jerome, who
lived in Palestine when the rites of Tammuz were observed, up to the very
time when he wrote, expressly identifies Tammuz and Adonis, in his
Commentary on Ezekiel, where the Jewish women are represented as
weeping for Tammuz; and the testimony of Jerome on this subject is
universally admitted. Then the mode in which the rites of Tammuz or Adonis
were celebrated in Syria was essentially the same as the rites of Osiris. The
statement of Lucian (De Dea Syria) strikingly shows this, and Bunsen
distinctly admits it. The identity of Osiris and Nimrod has been largely
proved in the body of this work. When, therefore, Tammuz or Adonis is
identified with Osiris, the identification of Tammuz with Nimrod follows of
course. And then this entirely agrees with the language of Bion, in his
Lament for Adonis, where he represents Venus as going in a frenzy of grief,
like a Bacchant, after the death of Adonis, through the woods and val eys,
and "cal ing upon her Assyrian husband."
81 The word Cahna is the emphatic form of Cahn. Cahn is "a priest," Cahna is "the priest."
82 From the historian Castor (in Armenian translation of EUSEBIUS) we learn that it was under
Bel, or Belus, that is Baal, that the Cyclops lived; and the Scholiast on Aeschylus states that
these Cyclops were the brethren of Kronos, who was also Bel or Bal, as we have elsewhere
seen. The eye in their forehead shows that originally this name was a name of the great god; for
that eye in India and Greece is found the characteristic of the supreme divinity. The Cyclops,
then, had been representatives of that God--in other words, priests, and priests of Bel or Bal.
Now, we find that the Cyclops were well-known as cannibals, Referre ritus Cyclopum, "to bring
back the rites of the Cyclops," meaning to revive the practice of eating human flesh. (OVID,
Metam.)
513

"It equal y agrees with the statement of Maimonides, that when Tammuz was
put to death, the grand scene of weeping for that death was in the temple of
Babylon. 2. Now, if Tammuz was Nimrod, the examination of the meaning of
the name 83 confirms the connection of Nimrod with the first fire-worship. After
what has already been advanced, there needs no argument to show that, as
the Chaldeans were the first who introduced the name and power of kings
(SYNCELLUS), and as Nimrod was unquestionably the first of these kings, and
the first, consequently, that bore the title of Moloch, or king, so it was in honour
of him that the "children were made to pass through the fire to Moloch."
But the intention of that passing through the fire was undoubtedly to
purify. The name Tammuz has evidently reference to this, for it signifies
"to perfect," that is, "to purify" * "by fire"; and if Nimrod was, as the Paschal
Chronicle, and the general voice of antiquity, represent him to have been, the
originator of fire-worship, this name very exactly expresses his character in that
respect."
"And this also, no doubt, reconciled the parents who actually sacrificed their
children to Moloch, to the cruel sacrifice, the belief being cherished that the fire
that consumed them also "perfected" them, and made them meet for eternal
happiness. As both the passing through the fire, and the burning in the fire,
were essential rites in the worship of Moloch or Nimrod, this is an argument that
Nimrod was Tammuz. As the priest and representative of the perfecting or
purifying fire, it was he that carried on the work of perfecting or purifying by fire,
and so he was called by its name." (end quote A. Hyslop)
http://www.biblestudy.org/bibleref/twobaby/twobaby.html
Associate Professor of religious Studies at Arizona University, Jason David BeDuhn,
notes in his article Eucharist or Yasna? Antecedents of Manichaean Food Ritual:
"This passage refers to the Zoroastrian ceremony known as atas buzurg
kardan accompanied, as is usual by the atas-zohr. This rituals entails
purifying a fire through a series of indirect kindlings. The astas-zohr is added
as a ritual feeding and strengthening of the fire. The fire is fed with the fat of a
sacrificed beneficent animal, known as the gospand. In addition, a small
portion of the gospand roast flesh is ritually consumed by the priest. 'This
portion of roast meat, and the roast meat in general, constitutes a zohr to the
gods.' This basic procedure of making an offering to the gods through priestly
consumption of the offerings, approximates the Manichean view."
http://www.nau.edu/human/religion/beduhn/Eucharist%20or%20Yasna.pdf
83 From tam, "to perfect," and muz, "to burn."
514

Statements from Catholic Authorities
Statements by Pope John Paul II on the Sept. 11 attacks and The Vatican
Council and Papal statements on Islam.
http://landru.i-link-2.net/shnyves/wlegitimate_defense.htm

"Is there anything in scripture that indicates the authority of government
includes punishing the guilty or protecting the innocent?"
"Rom. 13:3-4 "For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you
wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you wil
receive its approval; for it is God's servant for your good. But if you do what is
wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain!
It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. " NRSV, see NAB
The following information from the Catholic Catechism (1994) comes from http://landru.i-
lin
k-2.net/shnyves/wlegitimate_defense.htm
Legitimate defense against Terror - Catholic Teaching in light of the Terrorist
a ttacks.
The analysis of the current situation, war as a result of the World Trade Center and
Pentagon terrorist attacks, would perhaps benefit from keeping in mind several facts.
a. A group of people committed mass murder on innocent civilians.
b. This group has done similar acts in the past and vows to continue.
c. The group has worked to elude capture and trial, moving across international
borders.
d. The group is apparently aided by friendly countries who harbor, aid, finance, and
guide them.
e. Governments have a duty to protect their citizens, apprehend and punish
criminals, and to stop ongoing conspiracies to harm innocent people.
f. Normally this would be accomplished through international cooperation of police
agencies, but there is no cooperation from some governments. The failure to
cooperate allows the criminals to again attack innocent civilians.
g. Therefore, should not the world's nations whose people are the targets of terror,
take action to enforce the rule of law, and to protect their people? Would not
military action of this type be just if the conduct of any such action conforms
to the moral law?
"The war-like acts of last Tuesday [Sept. 11, 2001] were appal ing attacks not only against
our nation but against al humanity. Our nation, in collaboration with others, has a
moral right and a grave obligation to defend the common good against such
terrorist attacks. Therefore, we support efforts by our nation and the global
community to seek out and hold accountable, in accord with national and
international law, those individuals, groups and governments which are
responsible. It is incumbent upon all citizens to recognize this common threat, and to be
wil ing to make appropriate sacrifices in support of our nation's multi-faceted and long-
term effort to respond in a morally responsible way. ... We pray that you will find just, wise
and effective ways to respond with resolve and restraint to the long-term task of ending
terrorism..." From a letter to President Bush by Most Reverend Joseph A. Fiorenza,
President, USCCB [U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops] Full Text. and Statement of Oct.
9, 2001 http://landru.i-link-2.net/shnyves/wlegitimate_defense.htm
515

The

Current Catholic Catechism ( 1994)
"2321 The prohibition of murder does not abrogate the right to render an unjust aggressor
unable to inflict harm. Legitimate defense is a grave duty for whoever is responsible for
the lives of others or the common good"
"2297 Terrorism threatens, wounds, and kil s indiscriminately; it is gravely against justice
and charity." http://landru.i-link-2.net/shnyves/wlegitimate_defense.htm
"2263 The legitimate defense of persons and societies is not an exception to the
prohibition against the murder of the innocent that constitutes intentional killing. "The act
of self-defense can have a double effect: the preservation of one's own life; and the killing
of the aggressor.... The one is intended, the other is not." [St. Thomas Aquinas, STh II-II,
64, 7, corp. art.] (See the Aquinas link below.)
2264 Love toward oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality. Therefore it
is legitimate to insist on respect for one's own right to life. Someone who defends his life
is not guilty of murder even if he is forced to deal his aggressor a lethal blow:
If a man in self-defense uses more than necessary violence, it wil be unlawful: whereas if
he repels force with moderation, his defense will be lawful.... Nor is it necessary for
salvation that a man omit the act of moderate self-defense to avoid kil ing the other man,
since one is bound to take more care of one's own life than of another's.[St. Thomas
Aquinas, STh II-II, 64, 7, corp. art.] (end quote from Catechism)
(Point to Ponder: Regarding point # 2264 above of the Catechism; Jesus trusted
His personal safety to His Father's care. Jesus said we are to love each other as we
love ourselves not less than ourselves. Jesus said we are to love our enemies,
not kill them - Matthew 5:44).
The Current Catholic Catechism (1994) continued)
2265 Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for someone responsible
for another's life. Preserving the common good requires rendering the unjust aggressor
unable to inflict harm. To this end, those holding legitimate authority have the right to
repel by armed force aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their charge.[St.
Thomas Aquinas, STh II-II, 64, 7, corp. art.]" See respect for human life. [One should
consider the meaning of "grave duty". See the discussion of "grave matter"in the
Catechism sections 1854-1862.]
"2310 Public authorities, in this case [of just war], have the right and duty to impose on
citizens the obligations necessary for national defense.
2313 Non-combatants, wounded soldiers, and prisoners must be respected and treated
humanely.
Actions deliberately contrary to the law of nations and to its universal principles are
crimes, as are the orders that command such actions. Blind obedience does not suffice to
excuse those who carry them out. Thus the extermination of a people, nation, or
ethnic minority must be condemned as a mortal sin. One is morally bound to resist
orders that command genocide.
http://landru.i-link-2.net/shnyves/wlegitimate_defense.htm
There is a definite change noted in the 1994 Catholic Catechism and the current
statements by Catholic leaders. There appears to be a change toward supporting a death
penalty.
516

Wrath
The fol owing article categories al texts in the Bible which contain words
which are translated "wrath" in the King James Bible. (list unfinished at time
of printing).
#639 (aph) properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasional y a person;
also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire:--anger(-gry), + before, countenance, face, +
forebearing, forehead, + (long-)suffering, nose, nostril, snout, X worthy, wrath.
Genesis 39:19; Exodus 22:24; Exodus 32:10; Exodus 32:11; Exodus 32:12;
Numbers 11:33; Deuteronomy 11:17; Deuteronomy 29:23 (x2); Deuteronomy 29:28 (x3);
I Samuel 28:18; II Kings 23:26 (x4); II Chronicles 12:12; II Chronicles 28:11;II Chronicles
28:13; II Chronicles 29:10; II Chronicles 30:8; Ezra 8:22; Ezra 10:14; Job 14:13; Job 16:9;
Job 19:11; Job 20:23; Job 20:28;Job 32:2; Job 32:3; Job 32:5; Job 36:13; Job 40:11; Job
42:7; Psalms 2:5; Psalms 2:12; Psalms 21:9; Psalms 37:8; Psalms 55:3;
#5678 (ebrah) 1) outpouring, overflow, excess, fury, wrath, arrogance 1a)
overflow, excess, outburst 1b) arrogance 1c) overflowing rage or fury outburst of passion
Genesis 49:7; Job 21:30;
#2740 (charown) 1) anger, heat, burning (of anger) 1a) always used of God's anger, a
burning of anger:--sore displeasure, fierce(-ness), fury, (fierce) wrath(-ful)
Exodus 15:7; Nehemiah 13:18; Psalms 58:9;
#7107 (qatsaph) 1) to be displeased, be angry, fret oneself, be wroth 1a) (Qal) to be
wroth, to be full of wrath, to be furious 1b) (Hiphil) to provoke to wrath or anger 1c)
(Hithpael) to put oneself in a rage, anger oneself
Leviticus 10:6; Deuteronomy 9:7; Deuteronomy 9:8; Deuteronomy 9:22;
#7110 (qetseph) 1) wrath, anger 1a) of God 1b) of man 2) splinter, twig, broken twig
2a) meaning dubious
Numbers 1:53; Numbers 16:46; Numbers 18:5; Deuteronomy 29:28 (x3); Joshua 9:20;
Joshua 22:20; I Chronicles 27:24; II Chronicles 19:2; II Chronicles 19:10;II Chronicles
24:18; II Chronicles 29:8; II Chronicles 32:25; II Chronicles 32:26; Esther 1:18; Psalms
38:1; (hot displeasure)
#2534 (chemah) 1) heat, rage, hot displeasure, indignation, anger, wrath, poison,
bottles 1a) heat 1a1) fever 1a2) venom, poison (fig.) 1b) burning anger, rage
Numbers 25:11; Deuteronomy 29:23; (x2);Deuteronomy 29:28 (x3); II Samuel 11:20;
II Kings 22:13; II Kings 22:17; II Chronicles 12:7;II Chronicles 34:21; II Chronicles 34:25; II
Chronicles 36:16;Esther 2:1; Esther 3:5; Esther 7:7; Esther 7:10; Job 19:29; Job 21:20;
Job 36:18; Psalms 37:8 (anger); Psalms 38:1; Psalms 59:13;
#3708 (ka`ac) or ( ka`as) from #3707 (ka`ac) (1) anger, vexation, provocation, grief
1a) vexation 1a1) of men 1a2) of God 1b) vexation, grief, frustration
Deuteronomy 32:27; II Kings 23:26 (x4); Job 5:2;
517

#2734 (charah) 1) to be hot, furious, burn, become angry, be kindled 1a) (Qal) to burn,
kindle (anger) 1b) (Niphal) to be angry with, be incensed 1c) (Hiphil) to burn, kindle 1d)
(Hithpael) to heat oneself in vexation
Commenting on Numbers 16:15, the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
Vol 1 p 877, states that the Hebrew word charah (#2734) which is translated as
"very wrath" in the KJV is translated "exceedingly sad" in the Septuagint (LXX).
II Kings 23:26 (x4)
#7264 (ragaz) to quiver (with any violent emotion, especial y anger or fear):--be
afraid, stand in awe, disquiet, fall out, fret, move, provoke, quake, rage, shake,
tremble, trouble, be wroth.
# 7265r@gaz (Aramaic) regaz corresponding to <07264> 1) (Aphel) to rage,
enrage
Ezra 5:12;
# 7109 qtsaph kets-af' (Aramaic) from 7108; rage:--wrath. see HEBREW for 07108
Ezra 7:23
#7108 q@tsaph (Aramaic) kets-af' corresponding to <07107>; ; v AV-furious 1; 1
1) (P'al) to be or become angry, be wroth
#2194 (angry) za`am zaw-am' a primitive root; ; v AV-indignation 4, defy 3, abhor 2,
angry 2, abominable 1; 12 1) to denounce, express indignation, be indignant 1a) (Qal)
1a1) to have indignation, be indignant, be angrily indignant, be defiant 1a2) to be
abhorrent 1a3) to express indignation in speech, denounce, curse 1b) (Niphal) to show
indignation, show anger
Unfinished - Texts still to be classified:
Psalms 69:24; Psalms 76:10; Psalms 78:31; Psalms 78:38; Psalms 78:49; Psalms 79:6;
Psalms 85:3; Psalms 88:7; Psalms 88:16; Psalms 89:46; Psalms 90:7; Psalms 90:9;
Psalms 90:11; Psalms 95:11; Psalms 102:10; Psalms 106:23; Psalms 106:40; Psalms
110:5; Psalms 124:3; Psalms 138:7; Proverbs 11:4; Proverbs 11:23; Proverbs 12:16;
Proverbs 14:29; Proverbs 14:35; Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 16:14;
Proverbs 19:12; Proverbs 19:19; Proverbs 21:14; Proverbs 21:24; Proverbs 24:18;
Proverbs 27:3; Proverbs 27:4; Proverbs 29:8; Proverbs 30:33; Ecclesiastes 5:17; Isaiah
9:19; Isaiah 10:6; Isaiah 13:9; Isaiah 13:13; Isaiah 14:6; Isaiah 16:6; Isaiah 54:8; Isaiah
60:10; Jeremiah 7:29; Jeremiah 10:10; Jeremiah 18:20; Jeremiah 21:5; Jeremiah 32:37;
Jeremiah 44:8; Jeremiah 48:30; Jeremiah 50:13; Lamentations 2:2; Lamentations 3:1;
Ezekiel 7:12; Ezekiel 7:14; Ezekiel 7:19; Ezekiel 13:15; Ezekiel 21:31; Ezekiel 22:21;
Ezekiel 22:31; Ezekiel 38:19; Hosea 5:10; Hosea 13:11; Amos 1:11; Nahum 1:2;
Habakkuk 3:2; Habakkuk 3:8; Zephaniah 1:15; Zephaniah 1:18; Zechariah 7:12;
Zechariah 8:14;
518

New Testament:
Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7; Luke 4:28; Luke 21:23; John 3:36; Acts 19:28; Romans 1:18;
Romans 2:5; Romans 2:8; Romans 4:15; Romans 5:9; Romans 9:22; Romans 12:19;
Romans 13:4; Romans 13:5; II Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:20; Ephesians 2:3;
Ephesians 4:26; Ephesians 4:31; Ephesians 5:6; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:6;
Colossians 3:8; I Thessalonians 1:10; I Thessalonians 2:16; I Thessalonians 5:9; I
Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 3:11; Hebrews 4:3; Hebrews 11:27; James 1:19; James 1:20;
Revelation of John 6:16; Revelation of John 6:17; Revelation of John 11:18; Revelation of
John 12:12; Revelation of John 14:8; Revelation of John 14:10; Revelation of John 14:19;
Revelation of John 15:1; Revelation of John 15:7; Revelation of John 16:1; Revelation of
John 16:19; Revelation of John 18:3; Revelation of John 19:15
Later updates will answer objections from the following passages:
Isa 24:1-6
Isa 13:6-13
Rom 11:22
Isa 24:3
519

Sources (unfinished list)
Barrett, David V (2001) The New Believers Sects, 'Cults' and Alternative Religions,
Cassell &Co: London
Hyslop, Alexander (1853) The Two Babylons or The Papal Worship Proved to be the
Worship of Nimrod and His Wife
Rice, George E (1982):Christ in Collision, Pacific Press
Sims, Daniel, The Hope of Israel Baptist Mission, P.O. Box 911, Powder Springs, GA
30127. http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/messiah.htm
Krosney, Herbert (2006) The Lost Gospel : The Quest for the Gospel fo Judas Isacriot,
Krosney Productions, National Geographic: Washington
520

Messianic Prophecies Fulfilled
Mr Daniel Sims, refers to his role as "a missionary to the Jewish people." His organisation
is called, The Hope of Israel Baptist Mission. Their mailing address is The Hope Of Israel
Baptist Mission, P.O. Box 911, Powder Springs, GA 30127. The fol owing information on
the Messiah comes from their website. http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/messiah.htm
Fulfilled Prophecy
Tenakh/Hebrew
New Testament
Scripture
His pre-existence
Micah 5:2
John 1:1, 14
Born of the seed of a woman
Genesis 3:15
Matthew 1:18
Of the seed of Abraham
Genesis 12:3
Matthew 1:1-16
All nations blessed by Genesis 12:3
Matthew 8:5, 10
Abraham's seed
God would provide Himself a Genesis 22:8
John 1:29
Lamb as an offering
From the tribe of Judah
Genesis 49:10
Matthew 1:1-3
Heir to the throne of David
Isaiah 9:6-7
Matthew 1:1
Called "The mighty God, The Isaiah 9:6
Matthew 1:23
everlasting Father"
Born in Bethlehem
Micah 5:2
Matthew 2:1
Born of a virgin
Isaiah 7:14
Matthew 1:18
His name called Immanuel, Isaiah 7:14
Matthew 1:23
"God with us"
Declared to be the Son of God
Psalm 2:7
Matthew 3:17
His messenger before Him in Malachi 4:5-6
Luke 1:17
spirit of Elijah
Preceded by a messenger to Malachi 3:1
Matthew 11:7-11
prepare His way
Messenger crying "Prepare ye Isaiah 40:3
Matthew 3:3
the way of the Lord"
Would be a Prophet of the Deuteronomy
Matthew 2:15
children of Israel
18:15
521

Called out of Egypt
Hosea 11:1
Matthew 2:15
Slaughter of the children
Jeremiah 31:15
Matthew2:18
Judges 13:5; Amos
Would be a Nazarene
2:11;
Matthew 2:23
Lam. 4:7
Brought light to Zabulon &
Nephthalm, Galilee of the Isaiah 9:1-2
Matthew 4:15
Gentiles
Presented with gifts
Psalm 72:10
Matthew 2:1, 11
Matthew 21:42; Mark
Rejected by His own
Isaiah 53:3
8:31, 12:10; Luke 9:22,
17:25
He is the stone which the Psalm 118:22-23;
builders rejected which became Isaiah 28:16
Matthew 21:42; I Peter 2:7
the headstone
A stone of stumbling to Israel
Isaiah 8:14-15
I Peter 2:8
He entered Jerusalem as a king
Zechariah 9:9
Matthew 21:5
riding on an ass
Betrayed by a friend
Psalms 41:9
John 13:21
Sold for 30 pieces of silver
Zechariah 11:12
Matthew 26:15; Luke 22:5
The 30 pieces of silver given Zechariah 11:12
Matthew 27:9-10
for the potter's field
The 30 pieces of silver thrown Zechariah 11:13
Matthew 27:5
in the temple
Forsaken by His disciples
Zechariah 13:7
Matthew 26:56
Accused by false witnesses
Psalm 35:11
Matthew 26:60
Silent to accusations
Isaiah 53:7
Matthew 27:14
Heal blind/deaf/lame/dumb
Isaiah35:5-6;
Matthew 11:5
Isaiah 29:18
Preached

to

the Isaiah 61:1
Matthew 11:5
522

poor/brokenhearted/captives
Came to bring a sword, not Micah 7:6
Matthew 10:34-35
peace
He bore our sickness
Isaiah 53:4
Matthew 8:16-17
Spat upon, smitten and Isaiah 50:6, 53:5
Matthew 27:26, 30
scourged
Smitten on the cheek
Micah 5:1
Matthew 27:30
Hated without a cause
Psalm 35:19
Matthew 27:23
The sacrificial lamb
Isaiah 53:5
John 1:29
Isaiah

42:6; Romans 11:27/Galatians
Given for a covenant
Jeremiah 31:31-34
3:17, 4:24/Hebrews 8:6, 8,
10; 10:16, 29; 12:24; 13:20
Would not strive or cry
Isaiah 42:2-3
Mark 7:36
People would hear not and see Isaiah 6:9-10
Matthew 13:14-15
not
People trust in traditions of Isaiah 29:13
Matthew 15:9
men
People give God lip service
Isaiah 29:13
Matthew 15:8
God delights in Him
Isaiah 42:1
Matthew 3:17, 17:5
Wounded for our sins
Isaiah 53:5
John 6:51
He bore the sins of many
Isaiah 53:10-12
Mark 10:45
Messiah not killed for Himself
Daniel 9:26
Matthew 20:28
Isaiah 55:5, 60:3,
65:1; Malachi
Gentiles flock to Him
1:11;
Matthew 8:10
II Samuel 22:44-
45; Psalm 2:7-8
Crucified with criminals
Isaiah 53:12
Matthew 27:35
His body was pierced
Zechariah 12:10; John 20:25, 27
523

Ps. 22:16
Thirsty during execution
Psalm 22:16
John 19:28
Given vinegar and gall for Psalm 69:21
Matthew 27:34
thirst
Soldiers gambled for his Psalm 22:18
Matthew 27:35
garment
People mocked, "He trusted in Psalm 22:7-8
Matthew 27:43
God, let Him deliver him!"
People sat there looking at Him
Psalm 22:17
Matthew 27:36
Cried, "My God, my God why Psalm 22:1
Matthew 27:46
hast thou forsaken me?"
Darkness over the land
Amos 8:9
Matthew 27:45
No bones broken
Psalm

34:20, John 19:33-36
Numbers 9:12
Side pierced
Zechariah 12:10
John 19:34
Buried with the rich
Isaiah 53:9
Matthew 27:57, 60
Resurrected from the dead
Psalm 16:10-11; Mark 16:6
49:15
Priest after the order of Psalm 110:4
Hebrews 5:5-6; 6:20; 7:15-
Melchizedek
17
Ascended to right hand of God
Psalm 68:18
Luke 24:51
LORD said unto Him, "Sit thou
Matt 22:44; Mark 12:36;,
at my right hand, until I make Psalm 110:1
16:19; Luke 20:42-43;
thine enemies thy footstool
Acts 2:34-35; Hebrews
1:13
His coming glory
Malachi 3:2-3
Luke 3:17
524

Over 300 Messianic Prophecies
Gen. 3:15.....He will bruise Satan's head.....Heb. 2:14, 1 Jn. 3:18
Gen. 9:26,27...The God of Shem will be the Son of Shem...Lu. 3:36
Gen. 12:3...As Abraham's seed,will bless all nations...Acts. 3:25,26
Gen. 12:7...The Promise made to Abraham's Seed...Gal. 3:16
Gen. 14:18...A priest after Melchizedek...Heb. 6:20
Gen. 14:18........A King also........Heb. 7:2
Gen. 14:18...The Last Supper foreshadowed...Mt. 26:26-29
Gen. 17:19.......The Seed of Isaac.......Rom. 9:7
Gen. 22:8...The Lamb of God promised...Jn. 1:29
Gen. 22:18...As Isaac's seed, will bless all nations...Gal. 3:16
Gen.26:2-5..The Seed of Isaac promised as the Redeemer..Heb.11:18
Gen. 49:10...The time of His coming...Lu. 2:1-7; Gal. 4:4
Gen. 49:10.......The Seed of Judah.......Lu. 3:33
Gen. 49:10......Called Shiloh or One Sent......Jn. 17:3
Gen. 49:10...To come before Judah lost identity...Jn. 11:47-52
Gen. 49:10...To Him shall the obedience of the people be...Jn. 10:16
Ex. 3:13,14........The Great "I Am".......Jn. 4:26
Ex. 12:5...A Lamb without blemish...1 Pet. 1:19
Ex. 12:13...The blood of the Lamb saves from wrath...Rom. 5:8
Ex. 12:21-27...Christ is our Passover...1 Cor. 5;7
Ex. 12:46...Not a bone of the Lamb to be broken...Jn. 19:31-36
Ex. 15:2...His exaltation predicted as Yeshua...Acts 7:55,56
Ex. 15:11...His Character-Holiness...Luke 1:35; Acts 4:27
Ex. 17:6...The Spiritual Rock of Israel...1 Cor. 10;4
Ex. 33:19...His Character-Merciful...Lu. 1:72
Lev.14:11..The leper cleansed-Sign to priesthood..Lu.5:12-14; Acts 6:7
Lev.16:15-17...Prefigures Christ's once-for-all death...Heb. 9:7-14
Lev.16:27...Suffering outside the Camp...Mt. 27:33; Heb. 13:11, 12
Lev.17:11...The Blood-the life of the flesh...Mt. 26;28; Mk. 10:45
Lev.17:11...It is the blood that makes atonement...1 Jn. 3:14-18
Lev.23:36-37...The Drink-offering: "If any man thirst." ..Jn. 19:31-36
Num. 9:12...Not a bone of Him broken...John 19:31-36
Num. 21:9...The serpent on a pole-Christ lifted up...Jn. 3:14-18
Num. 24:17...Time: "I shall see him, but not now."...Gal. 4:4
Deut. 18:15..."This is of a truth that prophet."...Jn. 6:14
Deut. 18:15-16..."Had ye believed Moses, ye would believe me."...Jn.
5:45-47
Deut. 18:18...Sent by the Father to speak His word...Jn. 8:28, 29
Deut. 18:19...Whoever will not hear must bear his sin...Jn. 12:15,
Deut. 21:23...Cursed is he that hangs on a tree...Gal. 3:10-13
Ruth 4:4-9...Christ, our kinsman, has redeemed us...Eph. 1:3-7
1 Sam. 2:10...Shall be an anointed King to the Lord...Mt. 28:18; Jn. 12:15
2 Sam. 7:12...David's Seed...Mt. 1:1
2 Sam. 7:14a...The Son of God... Lu. 1:32
2 Sam. 7:16...David's house established forever...Lu. 3:31; Rev. 22:16
2 Ki. 2:11...The bodily ascension to heaven illustrated...Lu. 24:51
1 Chr. 17:11...David's Seed...Mt. 1:1; 9:27
1 Chr. 17:12, 13a...To reign on David's throne forever...Lu. 1:32, 33
1 Chr. 17:13a..."I will be His Father, He...my Son."...Heb. 1:5
525

Job 19:23-27...The Resurrection predicted...Jn. 5:24-29
Psa. 2:1-3...The enmity of kings foreordained...Acts 4:25-28
Psa. 2:2...To own the title, Anointed (Christ)...Acts 2:36
Ps. 2:6...His Character-Holiness...Jn. 8:46; Rev. 3:7
Ps. 2:6...To own the title King...Mt. 2:2
Ps. 2:7...Declared the Beloved Son...Mt. 3;17
Psa. 2:7, 8...The Crucifixion and Resurrection intimated...Acts 13:29-33
Psa. 2:12...Life comes through faith in Him...Jn. 20:31
Psa. 8:2...The mouths of babes perfect His praise...Mt. 21:16
Psa. 8:5, 6...His humiliation and exaltation...Lu. 24:50-53; 1 Cor. 15:27
Psa. 16:10...Was not to see corruption...Acts 2:31
Psa. 16:9-11...Was to arise from the dead...Jn. 20:9
Psa. 17;15...The resurrection predicted...Lu. 24:6
Psa. 22:1...Forsaken because of sins of others...2 Cor. 5:21
Psa. 22:1...Words spoken from Calvary, "My God..." Mk. 15:34
Psa. 22:2...Darkness upon Calvary...Mt. 27:45
Psa. 22:7...They shoot out the lip and shake the head...Mt. 27:39
Psa. 22:8.."He trusted in God, let Him deliver Him"...Mt. 27:43
Psa. 22:9......Born the Saviour......Lu. 2:7
Psa. 22:14...Died of a broken (ruptured)heart...Jn. 19:34
Psa. 22:14,15...Suffered agony on Calvary...Mk. 15:34-37
Psa. 22:15........He thirsted........Jn. 19:28
Psa. 22:16...They pierced His hands and His feet....Jn. 19:34,37;20:27
Psa. 22:17,18...Stripped Him before the stares of men...Lu. 23:34,35
Psa. 22:18.....They parted His garments.....Jn. 19:23,24
Psa. 22:20,21...He committed Himself to God...Lu.23:46
Psa. 22:20,21..Satanic power bruising the Redeemer's heel..Heb. 2:14
Psa. 22:22.....His Resurrection declared.....Jn. 20:17
Psa. 22:27...He shall be the governor of the nations...Col 1:16
Psa. 22:31......"It is finished"......Jn. 19:30
Psa. 23:1...."I am the Good Shephard"....Jn. 10:11
Psa. 24:3......His exaltation predicted......Acts 1:11; Phil. 2:9
Psa. 30:3......His resurrection predicted......Acts 2:32
Psa. 31:5..."Into thy hands I commit my spirit"...Lu. 23:46
Psa. 31:11...His acquaintances fled from Him...Mk. 14:50
Psa. 31:13...They took counsel to put Him to death...Jn. 11:53
Psa. 31:14,15..." He trusted in God, let Him deliver him"...Mt. 27:43
Psa. 34:20.....Not a bone of Him broken.....Jn 19:31-36
Psa. 35:11....False witnesses rose up against Him....Mt. 26:59
Psa. 35:19...He was hated without a cause...Jn. 15:25
Psa. 38:11.....His friends stood afar off.....Lu. 23:49
Psa. 40:2-5...The joy of His resurrection predicted...Jn. 20:20
Psa. 40:6-8....His delight-the will of the Father....Jn. 4:34
Psa. 40:9....He was to preach the Righteousness in Israel....Mt. 4:17
Psa. 40:14...Confronted by adversaries in the Garden...Jn. 18:4-6
Psa. 41:9.....Betrayed by a familiar friend.....Jn. 13:18
Psa. 45:2...Words of Grace come from His lips...Lu. 4:22
Psa. 45:6...To own the title, God or Elohim...Heb. 1:8
Psa. 45:7...A special anointing by the Holy Spirit...Mt.3:16; Heb.1:9
Psa. 45:7,8...Called the Christ (Messiah or Anointed)...Lu. 2:11
526

Psa. 55:12-14...Betrayed by a friend, not an enemy...Jn. 13:18
Psa. 55:15...Unrepentant death of the Betrayer...Mt. 27:3-5; Acts 1:16-19
Psa. 68:18...To give gifts to men...Eph. 4:7-16
Psa. 68:18...Ascended into Heaven...Lu. 24:51
Psa. 69:4...Hated without a cause...Jn. 15:25
Psa. 69:8...A stranger to own brethren...Lu. 8;20,21
Psa. 69:9...Zealous for the Lord's House...Jn. 2:17
Psa. 69:14-20...Messiah's anguish of soul before crucifixion...Mt. 26:36-45
Psa. 69:20..."My soul is exceeding sorrowful."...Mt. 26:38
Psa. 69:21...Given vinegar in thirst...Mt. 27:34
Psa. 69:26...The Saviour given and smitten by God...Jn. 17:4; 18:11
Psa. 72:10,11...Great persons were to visit Him...Mt. 2:1-11
Psa. 72:16...The corn of wheat to fall into the Ground...Jn. 12:24
Psa. 72:17...His name, Yinon, will produce offspring...Jn. 1:12,13
Psa. 72:17...All nations shall be blessed by Him...Acts 2:11,12,41
Psa. 78:1.2...He would teach in parables...Mt. 13:34-35
Psa. 78:2b...To speak the Wisdom of God with authority...Mt. 7:29
Psa. 88:8...They stood afar off and watched...Lu. 23:49
Psa. 89:27...Emmanuel to be higher than earthly kings...Lu. 1:32,33
Psa. 89:35-37...David's Seed, throne, kingdom endure forever...Lu. 1:32,33
Psa. 89:36-37...His character-Faithfulness...Rev. 1:5
Psa. 90:2...He is from everlasting (Micah 5:2)...Jn. 1:1
Psa. 91:11,12...Identified as Messianic; used to tempt Christ...Lu. 4;10,11
Psa. 97:9...His exaltation predicted...Acts 1:11;Eph. 1:20
Psa. 100:5...His character-Goodness...Mt. 19:16,17
Psa. 102:1-11...The Suffering and Reproach of Calvary...Jn. 21:16-30
Psa. 102:25-27...Messiah is the Preexistent Son...Heb. 1:10-12
Psa. 109:25...Ridiculed...Mt. 27:39
Psa. 110:1...Son of David...Mt. 22:43
Psa. 110:1...To ascend to the right-hand of the Father...Mk.16:19
Psa. 110:1...David's son called Lord...Mt. 22:44,45
Psa. 110:4...A priest after Melchizedek's order...Heb. 6:20
Psa. 112:4...His character-Compassionate, Gracious, et al... Mt. 9;36
Psa. 118:17,18...Messiah's Resurrection assured...Lu. 24:5-7;1 Cor. 15:20
Psa. 118:22,23...The rejected stone is Head of the corner...Mt. 21:42,43
Psa. 118:26a...The Blessed One presented to Israel...Mt. 21:9
Psa. 118:26b...To come while Temple standing...Mt. 21;12-15
Psa. 132:11...The Seed of David(the fruit of His Body)...Lu. 1:32
Psa. 138:1-6...The supremacy of David's Seed amazes kings... Mt. 2:2-6
Psa. 147:3,6...The earthly ministry of Christ described...Lu. 4:18
Psa. 1:23...He will send the Spirit of God... Jn. 16;7
Song. 5;16...The altogether lovely One...Jn. 1:17
Isa. 6:1...When Isaiah saw His glory... Jn. 12:40-41
Isa. 6:9-10...Parables fall on deaf ears...Mt. 13:13-15
Isa. 6:9-12...Blinded to Christ and deaf to His words...Acts. 28:23-29
Isa. 7:14...To be born of a virgin...Lu. 1:35
Isa. 7:14...To be Emmanuel-God with us... Mt. 1:18-23
Isa. 8:8...Called Emmanuel...Mt. 28:20
Isa. 8:14...A stone of stumbling, a Rock of offense... 1 Pet. 2:8
Isa. 9:1,2...His ministry to begin in Galilee...Mt. 4:12-17
527

Isa. 9:6...A child born-Humanity...Lu. 1:31
Isa. 9:6...A Son given-Deity...Lu. 1:32; Jn. 1;14; 1 Tim. 3:16
Isa. 9:6...Declared to be the Son of God with power... Rom. 1:3,4
Isa. 9:6...The Wonderful One, Peleh...Lu. 4:22
Isa. 9:6...The Counsellor, Yaatz...Mt. 13:54
Isa. 9:6...The Mighty God, El Gibor...Mt. 11:20
Isa. 9:6...The Everlasting Father, Avi Adth...Jn. 8:58
Isa. 9:6...The Prince of Peace, Sar Shalom...Jn . 16:33
Isa. 9:7...To establish an everlasting kingdom...Lu. 1:32-33
Isa. 9:7...His Character-Just...Jn. 5:30
Isa. 9:7...No end to his Government, Throne, and Peace...Lu. 1:32-33
Isa. 11:1...Called a Nazarene-the Branch, Netzer...Mt. 2:23
Isa. 11:1...A rod out of Jesse-Son of Jesse...Lu. 3:23,32
Isa. 11:2...The anointed One by the Spirit...Mt. 3;16,17
Isa. 11:2...His Character-Wisdom, Understanding, et al....Jn. 4:4-26
Isa. 11:4...His Character-Truth...Jn. 14:6
Isa. 11:10...The Gentiles seek Him...Jn. 12:18-21
Isa. 12:2...Called Jesus-Yeshua...Mt. 1:21
Isa. 25:8...The Resurrection predicted...I Cor. 15:54
Isa. 26:19...His power of Resurrection predicted...Jn. 11:43,44
Isa. 28:16...The Messiah is the precious corner stone...Acts 4:11,12
Isa. 29:13...He indicated hypocritical obedience to His Word...Mt. 15:7-9
Isa. 29:14...The wise are confounded by the Word...I Cor. 1:18-31
Isa. 32:2...A Refuge-A man shall be a hiding place...Mt. 23:37
Isa. 35:4...He will come and save you...Mt. 1:21
Isa. 35:5...To have a ministry of miracles...Mt. 11:4-6
Isa. 40:3,4...Preceded by forerunner...Jn. 1:23
Isa. 40:9..."Behold your God."...Jn. 1:36;19:14
Isa. 40:11...A shepherd-compassionatelife-giver...Jn. 10:10-18
Isa. 42:1-4...The Servant-as a faithful, patient redeemer... Mt.12:18-21
Isa. 42:2...Meek and lowly... Mt. 11:28-30
Isa. 42:3...He brings hope for the hopeless... Jn. 4
Isa. 42:4...The nations shall wait on His teachings... Jn. 12:20-26
Isa. 42:6...The Light (salvation) of the Gentiles...Lu. 2:32
Isa. 42:1,6...His is a Worldwide compassion... Mt. 28:19,20
Isa. 42:7...Blind eyes opened... Jn. 9:25-38
Isa. 43:11...He is the only Saviour... Acts. 4:12
Isa. 44:3...He will send the Spirit of God... Jn. 16:7,13
Isa. 45:23...He will be the Judge... Jn. 5:22;Rom. 14:11
Isa. 48:12...The First and the Last...Jn. 1:30;Rev. 1:8,17
Isa. 48:17...He came as a Teacher...Jn. 3:2
Isa. 49:1...Called from the womb-His humanity...Mt. 1:18
Isa. 49:5...A Servant from the womb...Lu. 1:31;Phil. 2:7
Isa. 49:6...He is Salvation for Israel...Lu. 2:29-32
Isa. 49:6...He is the Light of the Gentiles...Acts 13:47
Isa. 49:6...He is Salvation unto the ends of the earth... Acts 15:7-18
Isa. 49:7...He is despised of the Nation... Jn. 8:48-49
Isa. 50:3...Heaven is clothed in black at His humiliation... Lu. 23:44,45
Isa. 50:4...He is a learned counsellor for the weary... Mt. 11:28,29
Isa. 50:5...The Servant bound willingly to obedience... Mt. 26:39
528

Isa. 50:6a..."I gave my back to the smiters."... Mt. 27:26
Isa. 50:6b...He was smitten on the cheeks... Mt. 26:67
Isa. 50:6c...He was spat upon... Mt. 27:30
Isa. 52:7...To publish good tidings of peace... Lu. 4:14,15
Isa. 52:13...The Servant exalted...Acts 1:8-11; Eph. 1:19-22
Isa. 52:13...Behold, My Servant... Mt. 17:5; Phil. 2:5-8
Isa. 52:14...The Servant shockingly abused... Lu. 18:31-34; Mt. 26:67,68
Isa. 52:15...Nations startled by message of the Servant... Rom. 15:18-21
Isa. 52:15...His blood shed to make atonement for all... Rev. 1:5
Isa. 53:1...His people would not believe Him... Jn. 12:37-38
Isa. 53:2a...He would grow up in a poor family.... Lu. 2:7
Isa. 53:2b...Appearance of an ordinary man... Phil. 2:7-8
Isa. 53:3a...Despised.... Lu. 4:28-29
Isa. 53:3b...Rejected... Mt. 27:21-23
Isa. 53:3c...Great sorrow and grief... Lu. 19:41-42
Isa. 53:3d...Men hide from being associated with Him... Mk. 14:50-52
Isa. 53:4a...He would have a healing ministry... Lu. 6:17-19
Isa. 53:4b...He would bear the sins of the world... 1 Pet. 2:24
Isa. 53:4c...Thought to be cursed by God... Mt. 27:41-43
Isa. 53:5a...Bears penalty for mankind's transgressions... Lu. 23:33
Isa. 53:5b...His sacrifice would provide peace between man and God...
Col. 1:20
Isa. 53:5c...His back would be whipped... Mt. 27:26
Isa. 53:6a...He would be the sin-bearer for all mankind...Gal. 1:4
Isa. 53:6b...God's will that He bear sin for all mankind... 1 Jn. 4:10
Isa. 53:7a...Oppressed and afflicted... Mt. 27:27-31
Isa. 53:7b...Silent before his accusers... Mt. 27:12-14
Isa. 53:7c...Sacrificial lamb... Jn. 1:29
Isa. 53:8a...Confined and persecuted... Mt. 26:47-27:31
Isa. 53:8b...He would be judged... Jn. 18:13-22
Isa. 53:8c...Killed.... Mt. 27:35
Isa. 53:8d...Dies for the sins of the world... 1 Jn. 2:2
Isa. 53:9a...Buried in a rich man's grave... Mt. 27:57
Isa. 53:9b...Innocent and had done no violence... Mk. 15:3
Isa. 53:9c...No deceit in his mouth... Jn. 18:38
Isa. 53:10a...God's will that He die for mankind... Jn. 18:11
Isa. 53:10b...An offering for sin... Mt. 20:28
Isa. 53:10c...Resurrected and live forever.... Mk. 16:16
Isa. 53:10d...He would prosper... Jn. 17:1-5
Isa. 53:11a...God fully satisfied with His suffering... Jn. 12:27
Isa. 53:11b...God's servant... Rom. 5:18-19
Isa. 53:11c...He would justify man before God... Rom. 5:8-9
Isa. 53:11d...The sin-bearer for all mankind... Heb. 9:28
Isa. 53:12a...Exalted by God because of his sacrifice... Mt. 28:18
Isa. 53:12b...He would give up his life to save mankind... Lu. 23:46
Isa. 53:12c...Grouped with criminals... Lu. 23:32
Isa. 53:12d...Sin-bearer for all mankind... 2 Cor. 5:21
Isa. 53:12e...Intercede to God in behalf of mankind... Lu. 23:34
Isa. 55:3...Resurrected by God... Acts 13:34
Isa. 55:4...A witness... Jn. 18:37
529

Isa. 59:15-16a...He would come to provide salvation... Jn. 6:40
Isa. 59:15-16b...Intercessor between man and God... Mt. 10:32
Isa. 59:20...He would come to Zion as their Redeemer... Lu. 2:38
Isa. 61:1-2a...The Spirit of God upon him... Mt. 3:16-17
Isa. 61:1-2b...The Messiah would preach the good news... Lu. 4:17-21
Isa. 61:1-2c...Provide freedom from the bondage of sin and death... Jn.
8:31-32
Isa. 61:1-2...Proclaim a period of grace... Jn. 5:24
Jer.23:5-6a...Descendant of David...Lu. 3:23-31
Jer. 23:5-6b...The Messiah would be God... Jn. 13:13
Jer. 23:5-6c...The Messiah would be both God and Man... 1 Tim. 3:16
Jer. 31:22...Born of a virgin... Mt. 1:18-20
Jer. 31:31...The Messiah would be the new covenant... Mt. 26:28
Jer. 33:14-15...Descendant of David... Lu. 3:23-31
Eze.17:22-24...Descendant of David... Lk. 3:23-31
Eze.34:23-24...Descendant of David... Mt. 1:1
Dan. 7:13-14a...He would ascend into heaven... Acts 1:9-11
Dan. 7:13-14b...Highly exalted... Eph. 1:20-22
Dan. 7:13-14c...His dominion would be everlasting... Lu. 1:31-33
Dan. 9:24a...To make an end to sins... Gal. 1:3-5
Dan. 9:24b...He would be holy... Lu. 1:35
Dan. 9:25...Announced to his people 483 years, to the exact day, after the
decree to rebuild the city of Jerusalem... Jn. 12:12-13
Dan. 9:26a...Killed... Mt. 27:35
Dan. 9:26b...Die for the sins of the world... Heb. 2:9
Dan. 9:26c...Killed before the destruction of the temple... Mt. 27:50-51
Dan. 10:5-6...Messiah in a glorified state... Rev. 1:13-16
Hos. 13:14...He would defeat death... 1 Cor. 15:55-57
Joel 2:32...Offer salvation to all mankind... Rom. 10:12-13
Mic. 5:2a...Born in Bethlehem... Mt. 2:1-2
Mic. 5:2b...God's servant... Jn. 15:10
Mic. 5:2c...From everlasting... Jn. 8:58
Hag. 2:6-9...He would visit the second Temple... Lu. 2:27-32
Hag. 2:23...Descendant of Zerubbabel... Lu. 3:23-27
Zech. 3:8...God's servant... Jn. 17:4
Zech. 6:12-13...Priest and King... Heb. 8:1
Zech. 9:9a...Greeted with rejoicing in Jerusalem... Mt. 21:8-10
Zech. 9:9b...Beheld as King... Jn. 12:12-13
Zech. 9:9c...The Messiah would be just... Jn. 5:30
Zech. 9:9d...The Messiah would bring salvation... Luke 19:10
Zech. 9:9e...The Messiah would be humble... Mt. 11:29
Zech. 9:9f...Presented to Jerusalem riding on a donkey... Mt. 21:6-9
Zech. 10:4...The cornerstone... Eph. 2:20
Zech. 11:4-6a...At His coming, Israel to have unfit leaders... Mt. 23:1-4
Zech. 11:4-6b...Rejection causes God to remove His protection.. Lu.
19:41-44
Zech. 11:4-6c...Rejected in favor of another king... Jn. 19:13-15
Zech. 11:7...Ministry to "poor," the believing remnant... Mt. 9:35-36
Zech. 11:8a...Unbelief forces Messiah to reject them... Mt. 23:33
Zech. 11:8b...Despised... Mt. 27:20
530

Zech. 11:9...Stops ministering to the those who rejected Him... Mt. 13:10-
11
Zech. 11:10-11a...Rejection causes God to remove protection... Lu. 19:41-
44
Zech. 11:10-11b...The Messiah would be God... Jn. 14:7
Zech. 11:12-13a...Betrayed for thirty pieces of silver... Mt. 26:14-15
Zech. 11:12-13b...Rejected... Mt. 26:14-15
Zech. 11:12-13c...Thirty pieces of silver thrown into the house of the
Lord... Mt. 27:3-5
Zech. 11:12-13d...The Messiah would be God... Jn. 12:45
Zech. 12:10a...The Messiah's body would be pierced... Jn. 19:34-37
Zech. 12:10b...The Messiah would be both God and man... Jn. 10:30
Zech. 12:10c...The Messiah would be rejected... Jn. 1:11
Zech. 13:7a...God's will He die for mankind... Jn. 18:11
Zech. 13:7b...A violent death... Mt. 27:35
Zech. 13:7c...Both God and man.. Jn. 14:9
Zech. 13:7d...Israel scattered as a result of rejecting Him... Mt. 26:31-56
Mal. 3:1a...Messenger to prepare the way for Messiah... Mt. 11:10
Mal. 3:1b...Sudden appearance at the temple... Mk. 11:15-16
Mal. 3:1c...Messenger of the new covenant... Lu. 4:43
Mal. 4:5...Forerunner in the spirit of Elijah... Mt. 3:1-2
Mal. 4:6...Forerunner would turn many to righteousness... Lu. 1:16-17
531

To Meet the Bridegroom
Ellen White, Christ's Object Lessons, p 405- 421 (1900)
"Christ with His disciples is seated upon the Mount of Olives. The sun has set behind the
mountains, and the heavens are curtained with the shades of evening. In full view is a
dwelling house lighted up brilliantly as if for some festive scene. The light streams from
the openings, and an expectant company wait around, indicating that a marriage
procession is soon to appear. In many parts of the East, wedding festivities are held in the
evening. The bridegroom goes forth to meet his bride and bring her to his home. By
torchlight the bridal party proceed from her father's house to his own, where a feast is
provided for the invited guests. In the scene upon which Christ looks, a company are
awaiting the appearance of the bridal party, intending to join the procession. Lingering
near the bride's house are ten young women robed in white. Each carries a lighted lamp
and a small flagon for oil. All are anxiously watching for the appearance of the
bridegroom. But there is a delay. Hour after hour passes; the watchers become weary
and fall asleep. At midnight the cry is heard, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to
meet him." The sleepers, suddenly awaking, spring to their feet. They see the procession
moving on, bright with torches and glad with music. They hear the voice of the
bridegroom and the voice of the bride. The ten maidens seize their lamps and begin to
trim them, in haste to go forth. But five have neglected to fil their flasks with oil. They did
not anticipate so long a delay, and they have not prepared for the emergency. In distress
they appeal to their wiser companions saying, 'Give us of your oil; for our lamps are going
out.' (Margin.) But the waiting five, with their freshly trimmed lamps, have emptied their
flagons. They have no oil to spare, and they answer, 'Not so; lest there be not enough for
us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.' (406) While they
went to buy, the procession moved on, and left them behind. The five with lighted lamps
joined the throng and entered the house with the bridal train, and the door was shut.
When the foolish virgins reached the banqueting hall, they received an unexpected
denial. The master of the feast declared, 'I know you not.' They were left standing without,
in the empty street, in the blackness of the night. As Christ sat looking upon the party that
waited for the bridegroom, He told His disciples the story of the ten virgins, by their
experience illustrating the experience of the church that shal live just before His second
coming. The two classes of watchers represent the two classes who profess to be waiting
for their Lord. They are called virgins because they profess a pure faith. By the lamps is
represented the word of God. The psalmist says, 'Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a
light unto may path.' Ps. 119:105. The oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Thus the Spirit is
represented in the prophecy of Zechariah. 'The angel that talked with me came again,' he
says, 'and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, and said unto me, What
seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick al of gold, with a bowl
upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps,
which are upon the top thereof; and two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the
bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. So I answered and spake to the angel that
talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? . . . Then he answered and spake unto
me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by
power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts. . . . And I answered again, and said unto
him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the
golden oil out of themselves? . . . Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that
stand by the Lord of the whole earth.' Zech. 4:1-14. (408) From the two olive trees the
golden oil was emptied through the golden pipes into the bowl of the candlestick, and
thence into the golden lamps that gave light to the sanctuary. So from the holy ones that
stand in God's presence His Spirit is imparted to the human instrumentalities who are
consecrated to His service. The mission of the two anointed ones is to communicate to
God's people that heavenly grace which alone can make His word a lamp to the feet and
a light to the path. "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts."
Zech. 4:6. In the parable, al the ten virgins went out to meet the bridegroom. All had
lamps and vessels for oil. For a time there was seen no difference between them. So
532

with the church that lives just before Christ's second coming. All have a knowledge
of the Scriptures. All have heard the message of Christ's near approach, and confidently
expect His appearing. But as in the parable, so it is now. A time of waiting intervenes,
faith is tried; and when the cry is heard, 'Behold, the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to
meet Him,' many are unready. They have no oil in their vessels with their lamps. They are
destitute of the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit of God a knowledge of His word is of no
avail. The theory of truth, unaccompanied by the Holy Spirit, cannot quicken the
soul or sanctify the heart. One may be familiar with the commands and promises of
the Bible; but unless the Spirit of God sets the truth home, the character will not be
transformed. Without the enlightenment of the Spirit, men will not be able to
distinguish truth from error, and they will fall under the masterful temptations of
Satan. (411) The class represented by the foolish virgins are not hypocrites. They
have a regard for the truth, they have advocated the truth, they are attracted to
those who believe the truth; but they have not yielded themselves to the Holy
Spirit's working. They have not fallen upon the Rock, Christ Jesus, and permitted
their old nature to be broken up. This class are represented also by the stony-
ground hearers. They receive the word with readiness, but they fail of assimilating
its principles. Its influence is not abiding. The Spirit works upon man's heart,
according to his desire and consent implanting in him a new nature; but the class
re
presented the foolish virgins have been content with a superficial work. T
hey do
not know God. They have not studied His character; they have not held
communion with Him; therefore they do not know how to trust, how to look
and live. Their service to God degenerates into a form. 'They come unto thee as
the people cometh, and they sit before thee as My people, and they hear thy words, but
they wil not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after
their covetousness.' Eze. 33:31. The apostle Paul points out that this wil be the special
characteristic of those who live just before Christ's second coming. He says, 'In the last
days perilous times shall come: for men shall be lovers of their own selves; . . . lovers of
pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof.' 2 Tim. 3:1-5. This is the class that in time of peril are found crying, Peace and
safety. They lull their hearts into security, and dream not of danger. When startled from
their lethargy, they discern their destitution, and entreat others to supply their lack; but in
spiritual things no man can make up another's deficiency. The grace of God has been
freely offered to every soul. The message of the gospel has been heralded, 'Let him that
is athirst come. And whosoever wil , let him take the water of life freely.' Rev. 22:17. But
character is not transferable. No man can believe for another. No man can receive the
Spirit for another. No man can impart to another the character which is the fruit of the
Spirit's working. 'Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it [the land], as I live, saith the
Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own
souls by their righteousness. Eze. 14:20. (412) It is in a crisis that character is revealed.
When the earnest voice proclaimed at midnight, 'Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye
out to meet him,' and the sleeping virgins were roused from their slumbers, it was seen
who had made preparation for the event. Both parties were taken unawares; but one was
prepared for the emergency, and the other was found without preparation. So now, a
sudden and unlooked-for calamity, something that brings the soul face to face with death,
will show whether there is any real faith in the promises of God. It will show whether the
soul is sustained by grace. The great final test comes at the close of human probation,
when it wil be too late for the soul's need to be supplied. The ten virgins are watching in
the evening of this earth's history. All claim to be Christians. All have a call, a name, a
lamp, and all profess to be doing God's service. All apparently wait for Christ's appearing.
But five are unready. Five will be found surprised, dismayed, outside the banquet hall.
At the final day, many will claim admission to Christ's kingdom, saying, 'We have eaten
and drunk in Thy presence, and Thou hast taught in our streets.' 'Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done
many wonderful works?' But the answer is, 'I tel you, I know you not whence ye are;
depart from Me.' Luke 13:26, 27; Matt. 7:22. In this life they have not entered into
fellowship with Christ; therefore they know not the language of heaven, they are
533

strangers to its joy. 'What man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which
is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.' I Cor. 2:11.
(413) Saddest of all words that ever fell on mortal ear are those words of doom, 'I know
you not.' The fellowship of the Spirit, which you have slighted, could alone make you one
with the joyous throng at the marriage feast. In that scene you cannot participate. Its light
would fal on blinded eyes, its melody upon deaf ears. Its love and joy could awake no
chord of gladness in the world-benumbed heart. You are shut out from heaven by your
own unfitness for its companionship. We cannot be ready to meet the Lord by waking
when the cry is heard, "Behold, the Bridegroom!" and then gathering up our empty lamps
to have them replenished. We cannot keep Christ apart from our lives here, and yet be
fitted for His companionship in heaven. (414) In the parable the wise virgins had oil in
their vessels with their lamps. Their light burned with undimmed flame through the
night of watching. It helped to swell the illumination for the bridegroom's honor.
Shining out in the darkness, it helped to illuminate the way to the home of the bridegroom,
to the marriage feast. So 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 becomes a
transforming power in the life of the receiver. By implanting 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 glorify God, to lighten the path to the Bridegroom's home, to the city of
God, to the marriage supper of the Lamb. The coming of the bridegroom was at
midnight--the darkest hour. So the coming of Christ will take place in the darkest period of
this earth's history. The days of Noah and Lot pictured the condition of the world just
before the coming of the Son of man. The Scriptures pointing forward to this time declare
that Satan wil work with all power and 'with all deceivableness of unrighteousness.' 2
Thess. 2:9, 10. His working is plainly revealed by the rapidly increasing darkness, the
multitudinous errors, heresies, and delusions of these last days. Not only is Satan leading
the world captive, but his deceptions are leavening the professed churches of our Lord
Jesus Christ. The great apostasy wil develop into darkness deep as midnight,
impenetrable as sackcloth of hair. To God's people it will be a night of trial, a night of
weeping, a night of persecution for the truth's sake. But out of that night of darkness
God's light wil shine. (415) He causes 'the light to shine out of darkness.' 2 Cor. 4:6.
When 'the earth was without form, and void, and darkness was upon the face of the
deep,' 'the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be
light; and there was light.' Gen. 1:2,3. So in the night of spiritual darkness, God's word
goes forth, 'Let there be light.' To His people He says, 'Arise, shine; for thy light is come,
and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.' Isa. 60:1. 'Behold,' says the Scripture, 'the
darkness shal cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise
upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee.' Isa. 60:2. It is the darkness of
misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their
knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted.
At this time a message 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. 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, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God wil
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. 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. (416) The light of the
Sun of Righteousness is to shine forth in good works--in words of truth and deeds of
holiness. 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 synagogue
534

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
deliverance 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.' Luke 4:18, 19. This was the work
He commissioned His disciples to do. 'Ye are the light of the world,' He said. 'Let your
light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven. Matt. 5:14, 16. (417) 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
morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go
before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.' Isa. 58:7, 8. Thus in the night of
spiritual darkness God's glory is to shine forth through His church in lifting up the bowed
down and comforting those that mourn. 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. 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 love of
Christ can satisfy. If Christ is abiding in us, our hearts wil be full of divine sympathy. The
sealed fountains of earnest, Christlike love will be unsealed. (418) God cal s not only for
our gifts for the needy, but for our cheerful 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. 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. Tel them that
there is a balm in Gilead and a Physician there. Light is a blessing, a universal blessing,
pouring forth its treasures 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. The
message of hope and mercy is to be carried to the ends of the earth. Whosoever wil , may
reach forth and take hold of God's strength and make peace with Him, and he shal make
peace. No longer are the heathen to be wrapped in midnight darkness. The gloom is to
disappear before the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness. The power of hel has
been overcome. 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 continual y transferred
to man that enables 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. (419) In the great and measureless gift of the Holy Spirit are contained
al of heaven's resources. It is not because of any restriction on the part of God that the
riches of His grace do not flow earthward to men. If all were wil ing to receive, all would
become filled with His Spirit. It is the privilege of every soul to be a living channel through
which God can communicate to the world the treasures of His grace, the unsearchable
riches of Christ. There is nothing that Christ desires so much as agents who wil represent
to the world His Spirit and character. There is nothing that the world needs so much as
the manifestation through humanity of the Saviour's love. All heaven is waiting for
channels through which can be poured the holy oil to be a joy and blessing to human
hearts. Christ has made every provision that His church shall be a transformed body,
il umined with the Light of the world, possessing the glory of Emmanuel. It is His purpose
that every Christian shall be surrounded with a spiritual atmosphere of light and peace.
He desires that we shal reveal His own joy in our lives. The indwel ing of the Spirit will be
shown by the outflowing of heavenly love. The divine fullness wil flow through the
consecrated human agent, to be given forth to others. The Sun of Righteousness has
535

'healing in His wings.' Mal. 4:2. So from every true disciple is to be diffused an influence
for life, courage, helpfulness, and true healing. The religion of Christ means more than
the forgiveness of sin; it means taking away our sins, and fil ing the vacuum with the
graces of the Holy Spirit. It means divine il umination, rejoicing in God. It means a heart
emptied of self, and blessed with the abiding presence of Christ. When Christ reigns in
the soul, there is purity, freedom from sin. The glory, the fullness, the completeness of the
gospel plan is fulfilled in the life. The acceptance of the Saviour brings a glow of perfect
peace, perfect love, perfect assurance. The beauty and fragrance of the character of
Christ revealed in the life testifies that God has indeed sent His Son into the world to be
its Saviour. (420) Christ does not bid His followers strive to shine. He says, Let your
light shine. If you have received the grace of God, the light is in you. Remove the
obstructions, and the Lord's glory wil be revealed. The light will shine forth to penetrate
and dispel the darkness. You cannot help shining within the range of your influence.
The revelation of His own glory in the form of humanity wil bring heaven so near to men
that the beauty adorning the inner temple will be seen in every soul in whom the Saviour
dwells. Men will be captivated by the glory of an abiding Christ. And in currents of praise
and thanksgiving from the many souls thus won to God, glory wil flow back to the great
Giver. 'Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.' Isa.
60:1. To those who go out to meet the Bridegroom is this message given. Christ is
coming with power and great glory. He is coming with His own glory and with the glory of
the Father. He is coming with all the holy angels with Him. While al the world is plunged
in darkness, there will be light in every dwelling of the saints. They wil catch the first light
of His second appearing. The unsul ied light will shine from His splendor, and Christ the
Redeemer will be admired by al who have served Him. While the wicked flee from His
presence, Christ's followers wil rejoice. The patriarch Job, looking down to the time of
Christ's second advent, said, 'Whom I shal see for myself, and mine eyes shal behold,
and not a stranger.' Job 19:27, margin. To His faithful followers Christ has been a daily
companion and familiar friend. They have lived in close contact, in constant communion
with God. Upon them the glory of the Lord has risen. In them the light of the knowledge of
the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ has been reflected. Now they rejoice in the
undimmed rays of the brightness and glory of the King in His majesty. They are prepared
for the communion of heaven; for they have heaven in their hearts. (421.001) With
uplifted heads, with the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness shining upon them,
with rejoicing that their redemption draweth nigh, they go forth to meet the Bridegroom,
saying, 'Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us.' Isa. 25:9.
'And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters,
and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia; for the Lord God omnipotent
reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him; for the marriage of the Lamb
is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. . . . And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed
are they which are cal ed unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.' 'He is Lord of lords, and
King of kings; and they that are with Him are cal ed, and chosen, and faithful.' Rev. 19:6-
9; 17:14.
536

Questions for Objectors
1. What was Satan's number one accusation against God? That the law of God
could not be kept by sinful humanity. That the law was unjust. That the Law-giver
was at fault for having such a faulty law.
Signs of the Times, 16 January, 1896
"Satan declared that it was impossible for the sons and daughters of Adam
to keep the law of God, and thus charged upon God a lack of wisdom and
love. If they could not keep the law, then there was fault with the Lawgiver.
Men who are under the control of Satan repeat these accusations against
God, in asserting that men can not keep the law of God."
Signs of the Times, 22 December, 1914
"Satan had declared that the law of God was faulty, and that the good of the
universe demanded a change in its requirement. In attacking the law, he
thought to overthrow the authority of its Author, and gain for himself the
su
preme allegiance. But through the plan of salvation, the precepts of the law
were to be proved perfect and immutable, that at last only glory and love
might rise to God throughout the universe, ascribing glory and honor and
praise to Him that sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever."
Ellen White, Signs of the Times, 5 February, 1894
"At the time when sin had become a science, when the hostility of man was
most violent against heaven, when rebel ion struck its roots deep into the
human heart, when vice was consecrated as a part of religion, when Satan
exulted in the idea that he had led men to such a state of evil that God
would destroy the world, Jesus was sent into the world, not to condemn
it, but, amazing grace! to save the world. The unfallen worlds watched
with intense interest to see Jehovah arise and sweep away the
inhabitants of the earth, and Satan boasted that if God did do this, he
would complete his plans and secure for himself the allegiance of
unfallen worlds. H
e had arguments ready by which to
cast blame upon
God, and to spread his rebellion to the world's above; but at this crisis,
instead of destroying the world, God sent his Son to save it. The apostle
caught a glimpse of the plan, and he kindled into inspiration upon the great
theme. Language cannot express his conception, but ever fal s below the
reality. John exclaims: 'Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed
upon us, that we should be called the sons of God; therefore the world
knoweth us not, because it knew him not.' Before the coming of Christ to
the world evidences abundant had been given that God loved the human race.
But in the gift of Christ to a race so undeserving was demonstrated the love of
God beyond al dispute. This gift outweighed all else, showed that his love
could not be measured. .... The only-begotten Son of God accepts all the
liabilities that fall upon the transgressor of the law, vindicates its
unchangeable and holy character. The death of Christ removes every
argument that Satan could bring against the precepts of Jehovah. Satan
has declared that men could not enter the kingdom of heaven unless the
law was abolished and a way devised by which transgressors could be
re
instated into the favor of God, and made heirs of heaven. H
e made the
claim that the law must be changed, that the reins of government must
be slackened in heaven, that sin must be tolerated, and sinners pitied
a nd saved in their sins. But every such plea was cast aside when Christ died
as a substitute for the sinner. He who was made equal with God bore the sin
of the transgressor, and thereby made a channel whereby the love of God
could be communicated to a fal en world, and his grace and power imparted to
those who came to Christ in penitence for their sin."
537

If the worst possible time did not provoke God to destroy the world, is there
ever a time which is evil enough to require that God put aside the principles
of His holy law? According to Ellen White, at the worst possible time of
rebellion and confusion, when everyone including the inhabitants of
unfallen worlds expected God to destroy everyone on the earth, God
responded in love by saving the world, and not by destroying it.
2. Are you willing to destroy faith in the Father's love and in the love of Jesus
Christ for sinners, by retaining the belief that the Old Testament commands
to kill heretics, were inspired by God? It is not my intention to destroy faith in
any of the words which have proceeded from the mouth of God. However, I do
need to be sure just which words have actual y originated with God and make a
distinction between those words and those which have only been SAID to have
originated with God. Jesus Himself demonstrated this problem. Should we deny
His testimony in favour of the Old Testament sayings which contradict Christ's
sayings and personal testimony? Does your faith in the claim that ALL the Old
Testament writings are the word of God, exceed your faith that Jesus Himself is the
"word of God made audible? Revelation 19:13 "And he was clothed with a vesture
dipped in blood: and his name is cal ed The Word of God." Christ is the spirit /
character of God. Ellen White states in the Desire of Ages, p 19 "By coming to
dwell with us, Jesus was to reveal God both to men and to angels. He was the
Word of God,--God's thought made audible." This cannot be said for Moses,
Joshua, Elijah, David or any of the prophets and certainly not ALL the writings in
the Bible which were repeatedly edited over the centuries. Only the Son of God is
the Word of God according to the Bible and to Ellen White. He alone is God's
thought made audible. By retaining the idea that all writings in the Old Testament,
which have been assumed to have been inspired by God, are in fact inspired, on
the basis of that traditional belief - is to place tradition over the example of Jesus
Christ. The standard given us to differentiate that which is divine from that which is
not divine, is clear. It is the 10 commandments which embody the character of
God Himself. Anything that does not harmonise with the law of God the
character of God does not have its origin with God but with His enemy Satan or
Satan's agents. What is preventing God's people from examining all the writings
which are claimed to be 'sacred' in order to ascertain which align with the sacred
standard; the law of God and which fall short of that perfect standard and are
simply the traditions of men as Isaiah 8:20 advises? The standard given us to
differentiate that which is divine from that which is not divine, is clear. It is the 10
commandments which embody the character of God Himself. Anything that does
not harmonise with the law of God the character of God does not have its origin
with God but with His enemy Satan or Satan's agents. The Christian's faith is
supposed to be placed in Jesus not in a book. Does not a God of love draw all
men unto Him?
3. Who shall we believe Jesus or the words attributed to Moses?
Jesus said to the Jews that they had heard it said that they should perform
retributive violence eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
burning for burning, wound for wound and stripe for stripe" (Exodus 21:24-25) but
that He told them to love their enemies, to pray for them, to forgive them (Matt 5).
Where had the people 'heard' the instructions of retributive violence? From the
Mosiac law. (Christ did not state that Moses actually wrote those words, but that
the people had heard those words which were incidentally recorded in the Mosiac
record as being divinely spoken and given to Moses). Who's advice should a
Christian follow? Christ's instructions which are spirit and life - or the Old
Testament instruction? Obviously one set of instructions are in harmony with the
moral standard of God the 10 commandments and the other instructions are
not in harmony with the 10 commandments. Christ's words harmonise with the
great moral standard which reflects and embodies His character. The OT
instructions fol ow a familiar, pagan standard which was also practiced by heathen
countries eg Islamic Law (Sharia) under the Taliban regime.The law of retaliation
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(lex talionis) is carried over to Islam. The Qur'an (Koran), Suram (chapter) 5:45
states: "And We ordained therein for them: Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose,
ear for ear, tooth for tooth and wounds equal for equal. But if anyone remits the
retaliation by way of charity, it shal be for him an expiation. And whosoever does
not judge by that which Allah has revealed, such are the Zalimun (polytheists and
wrongdoers...) http://www.americanthinker.com/articles_print.php?article_id=4671
4. On what basis do the Jews claim that the present day passages of retaliatory laws
were given to Moses by God? On what evidence can they sustain that claim?
Tradition and nothing but tradition. Those retaliatory laws do not harmonise with
the 10 commandments. If we are to accept that somehow those laws of violent
retaliation DO harmonise with the 10 commandments and exhibit the love of Christ
and demonstrate His instructions in the New Testament to love one's neighbour and
enemies, then we must consider the suggestion that Mohammand was also
inspired by the One True God and His Son Jesus. But is this correct? Obviously
not, for it is the spirit of antichrist which would purposely injure and maime one of
God's children or His enemies. I must therefore, apply the advice of Jesus Christ
to my life. What do I do with the Mosiac instruction to 'fight fire with fire?' Since it is
so out of harmony with the law of love, of which Jesus said, "Hang ALL the law and
the prophets," I am left with no other conclusion that to consider it as being non-
genuine. I imagine such evil instruction was added to God's words a situation
about which Ellen White speaks. It seems likely that this was done for political gain
by the Jewish leaders. If the Roman Catholics thought it a clever strategy to add 1
John 5:7,8 to the New Testament to support their doctrine of the trinity, isn't it
conceivable that the Jewish leaders saw political value in adding to the true words
of the prophets in their day? This was a problem in Isaiah's day and he instructed
the people how to tell whether the prophets were actually speaking the words of
God or whether they were just making a false claim of being in reception of a divine
message (Isaiah 8). The same deceptive strategy (of pretending one is a prophet
of God) was utilised many times in 'theocracies' eg. the Egyptian reign of the female
pharaoh Hatshepsut - she ruled for 15 years by claiming that the gods made a
special divine rule to permit a female to hold the office of pharaoh. In the OT, many
times God was given the credit for authorising heinous crimes which just
happened to be the sinful behaviour that the Israelites wished to perform anyway.
(See section in Objects re the Amalekites).
5. Did the life of Jesus demonstrate perfectly to humanity, the completeness of the
Father's character? yes. John 14:9-11 "Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so
long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip (David, Sherlene)?
he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the
Father? (10) Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the
words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in
me, he doeth the works. (11) Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in
me: or else believe me for the very works' sake." (In other words, Jesus might
have been saying, "if you can't see that I'm the divine Son of God by my character,
then at least believe it because of the good works you see me doing. Those works
reflect the Father's character.")
6. Did the life of Jesus show humanity how to live perfectly in every sphere of
interaction with our neighbours or was Christ's example somehow faulty?
7. Should humanity fol ow exactly in Jesus' ways? Ellen White states that 'when the
character of Christ is reproduced perfectly in His people, then He will come.'
8. Didn't Jesus say that His words are "spirit and they are life?" Jesus is referring to
"eternal life" (John 6:63). If some of the words attributed to Moses contradict
those spoken by Jesus, which words are most likely to be at fault?
9. Was there ever a time when God says it is legal for any being in the entire universe
to break even one of the precepts of His law? Did Jesus mention any exceptions?
James certainly didn't. James 2:10 ""For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and
yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."
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10.Is there any occasion where perhaps we might apply the same elasticity as is
applied to the 6th commandment, to the 4th commandment or the 7th commandment?
Is it legal, on a special occasion - 'when God commands it' - to keep Sunday holy
instead of the 7th day which is expressly stated in the 10 commandments? Or is
there an occasion when God commands it for us to commit adultery in defiance
of the prohibition placed upon such immorality in the 10 commandments? Such a
suggestion is outrageous. We KNOW that God wil not change His law on the
Sabbath for it is everlasting. We KNOW that God wil not permit adultery ever.
But aren't all 10 commandments permanently binding upon all humanity? Why do
Christians suppose that God's law is weak in one area and that even non-
trinitarians and SDAs can accept that God is flexible regarding the 6th
commandment and condones the condemnation and kil ing of those He came to
save even of the babies?
11.It is common for so-cal ed theocracies to employ the death penalty to "solve" a
"heretic problem"and to commit genocide. eg. Hitler claimed that god was
instructing him also in his programme to rid the world of Jews. The Muslims claim
that Allah told them through the holy prophet Mohammed, and it is written down in
their holy book every word which is inspired to kill heretics for the glory of god.
Was the Israelite 'theocracy' any different to Islamic theocracies operating today?
Both annihilated heretics, committed genocide and employed the death penalty
even on their own society's members. Is one system 'godly' and the other satanic?
How can that be? Jesus said, "By their fruits ye shall know them." The fruit of both
theocracies condone genocide. In contrast, the fruit of the spirit of God is love, joy,
peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance
against such there is no law. But there is a law against genocide and torture. It is
the 6th commandment of the moral law of God.
12.If God 'legalised murder,' by condoning killing in some special circumstances, then
it would appear that He has watered down His immutable law to permit in certain
cases, the very act He has outlawed. Did God mean, "You will not murder anyone
in anger, but if you are not angry and you think it is necessary, you can end this
person's probation and kil him as long as you yourself are not angry?"
13.It is impossible to murder someone without killing them. But is it possible to
deliberately kil someone without murdering them? We are told by the legal
profession that murder is intentional and often has (selfish) anger attached to it.
Can a person intentionally, with pre-meditation - kil a heretic and their children
and it not be considered murder?
14.Jesus stated in Matt 5 that to even be angry with a person is to break the 6th
commandment in the mind/heart. The Israelites were supposedly instructed by
Moses, via God, that they were to kill heretics and their children, without mercy
(Deut 7:2; 13:8). Can a sinful, human being or a saint perform a pre-meditated
killing of a heretic - or a baby - without any trace of anger, unkindness, without
thoughts of self-righteousness, without also any thoughts of mercy or regret? Can
a saint who carries out such an action remain sinless with a clear conscience?
Would such an act bring joy and richness in their spiritual relationship with God? Or
would they wonder how a god of love could command something so horrifying as
the murder of a baby?
15.If it is accepted that in the OT, God is saying that we must not accidental y kill
someone, but we can do it intentionally if we decide it is absolutely necessary, then
why can't this rule apply to the 144000 in the last days when the wicked wil be
demon-possessed? I suggest that this doctrine of 'necessary murders' reveal
tremendous lack of faith in God's power to reform sinners and to protect His
children against the wicked. The Israelites suffered from lack of faith, but the
144000 will not falter in faith and Christ will reproduce the Father's character in their
lives. The Father's name/law/character will be in the forehead of the redeemed.
They wil be saved by faith in the loving character of the Father and will keep the
loving laws of His government.
16.Is Jesus our perfect example? If so, where did Jesus give an example of legalised
killing in His ministry? Even though serious threats were made to take Christ's life
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(and the crucifixion would have been considered an extreme threat), Christ Himself
did not consider it an act of love or of righteousness to protect Himself. He
refused to perform a 'necessary murder' of His enemies. He would not authorise
the use of physical violence even if self-defence. The Messianic prophecy assured
us that there was no violence in Him (Isaiah 53:9).
17.Christ told Peter not to consider physical violence (Matt 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." Was Christ's prophecy incorrect? Are there exceptions to
Christ's prediction that all who take the sword will perish with the sword?
18.In Luke's gospel, when Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, the
disciples even asked Him, if they should use the sword against their enemies in self
defence? (Luke 22:49) Christ answered, "Suffer ye thus far." Put up even with
this. Do not retaliate even though it has come to violence on their part. Was
Christ's example consistent?
19.Christ had the perfect opportunity to advocate self-defence and to set humanity an
example by physically attacking his enemies by praying for His Father to send
down fire to consume them. His enemies' probation was over - at least Judas
Iscariot's was over and Jesus could have put Judas "out of his misery" and killed
him quickly IF such actions were in harmony with the divine manner of dealing with
unrepentant sinners. However, the example Christ set was not "to fight fire with
fire" or to retaliate with violence or even to act in self-defence. In all situations of
personal danger, Christ submitted to His Father's will and trusted that the Father
would protect Him. He instructed the disciples that He could ask His Father to send
angels to hide Him or to make a way through the middle of the mob just as His
Father had done many times before to ensure the safety of His Son. Was this an
example of love or stupidity? Of faith or faithlessness?
20.Can law-breaking somehow become legalised law-keeping? Or in the same
manner, can legal actions be illegal or considered to be law-breaking?
21.If God's law commands, "Thou shalt NOT kil " are there exceptions whereby this law
can be annulled? (eg. For the special situation concerning heretics?)
22.If the law is a transcript of God's character, then whose character does law-
breaking demonstrate? If not committing adultery and not committing murder
honour God, who is honoured when sinners commit fornication and murder?
23.Jesus predicted there would be a time when supposed "Christians" would kil God's
real people, (whom they supposed were heretics) thinking they were honouring
God. But they did these things because they didn't KNOW the Father, nor His Son.
John 16:2, 3 "They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that
whosoever kil eth you will think that he doeth God service. (3) And these things wil
they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me." Romans 8:9
states that, "if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of His." What is the
spirit of Christ? Gal 5:22, 23. "The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-
suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, against such there
is no law." Does Christ's spirit ever change? Does He ever bring forth the works of
the flesh?
24.What does Paul say are the fruit of the spirit of Satan? Gal.5.19-21 "Now the works
of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lasciviousness, (20) Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife,
seditions, heresies, (21) Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revel ings, and such like:
of the which I tel you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do
such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." Shouldn't there be a section
inserted in Paul's statement that reassures us that SOME evil doers will be in
heaven? Perhaps Paul is required to say, "Those who do these evil works can,
under certain circumstances, enter heaven, but on the condition that they they only
sin and break God's law when it is 'necessary" - for example, the ancient Israelites
who murdered men, women, children and infants; kidnapped women; raped them;
and pillaged 'under God's express command'?
25.Does the spirit of Jesus does change? Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ the same
yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
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26.Can any evil gift come from God? James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect
gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning."
27.Can God, the Author of Goodness bring forth the works of the flesh? Matthew 7:18
"A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good
fruit." Luke 6:43 "For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a
corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." James 3:12 "Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear
olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh."
28.Does God only think good thoughts toward humanity? Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know
the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of
evil, to give you an expected end."
29.Is God is of one loving mind and spirit or does He have a 'bad, evil' side to His
character?
30.Did Jesus only demonstrate the 'good, nice, kind, merciful' side of God's character?
If so, He didn't really give humanity a true representation of His Father and He lied
when He told Philip that He had shown him and us, the Father (John 14:8-10).
31.Does God participate in evil? If the violent aspects which are attributed to God in
the Old Testament were valid and accurate descriptions of His character, then
those same traits would have to have been demonstrated in Christ's life, because
He came to show us the Father. Violent traits simply are not evidence in the life of
Jesus Christ for according to the Messianic prophecy "there was no violence in
Him" (Isaiah 53:9).
32.Were the perceptions of the prophets always correct? eg In the book of Jeremiah
It is written many times" Thus saith Lord I will bring evil upon you." Does God bring
evil upon us? Or is it just human to blame God when things go wrong? (as did
Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden). Isn't our reality exactly perceived, the way
we believe it?
33.Jewish mentality, beliefs and perceptions of God, as recorded in the OT, have
caused millions of people throughout history to reject God on this very subject point
that God commands some people to kill other people, including babies. Yet like
the OT Jews, Christianity today refuses to see that you cannot harmonise the old
with the new. You must be born again and understand that the Son came to show
us the Father. Why? Because the OT scribes and editors who put the oral laws to
print, and formed the OT, gave a distorted view of God's character. If they already
had given a perfect portrayal of God's character, why did Jesus tell these men who
could recite the Torah, that they didn't know His Father nor Him? (John 8:19).
34.If you thought God told you to stone someone to death today for breaking the
Sabbath etc, would you stone the person? If your answer is 'no', why not? A true
Christian would base their response on, not the OT death penalty law, but on the
example and teachings of Jesus because He upheld the principles of love in the 10
commandments. The only person who we have authority to kil , is the old self. If
anyone should be stoned, it is self. Jesus taught us, "Judge not, pul the log out of
your own eye, he who has never sinned can cast the first stone" (Matt 7:1-5; John
8:7). The words of Jesus Christ are the audible words of God. Rev.19.13 "And he
was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is cal ed The Word of
God."
35.It is obvious that Jesus disapproved or refused to sanction the Old Testament
record in 2 Kings chapter 1, when Elijah supposedly called down fire from heaven
to consume Ahab's soldiers. When the disciples wanted to call down fire from
heaven to consume those who insulted Jesus by refusing Him hospitality. They
referred to this OT story. Jesus refused to comment on the story, but rebuked the
disciples, tel ing them, "Ye know not what spirit ye are of" (Luke 9:53). The way the
events were recorded were not reflective or in harmony with the character life and
teachings of Jesus, but of pagan gods and their attributes. Which person
demonstrated that God's spirit motivated them the violent spirit attributed to Elijah
or the peaceful spirit of Jesus?
36.The wicked have and will be destroyed but not the way the majority perceive.
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Would God kil or destroy those for whom He was willing to die? John 10:15;
Luke.9.56 "For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save
them."
37.Jesus said that it was lawful to do good, but evil to destroy. Luke.6.9 'Then said
Jesus unto them, I wil ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do
good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?" Who is the destroyer? It is
Apol yon which is Satan - Rev 9:11. Who was a murderer from the beginning?
John 8:44 Satan. Who is endeavouring to force people to break God's law? Satan.
Why would Christians assist Satan by saying that sometimes, God's law can be set
aside, in exceptional circumstances when it is necessary that heretics and pagans
be exterminated?
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