Who Told You You Were Naked?

In our morning family worship we were continuing with the story of Saul and his visitation to the witch of Endor. I didn't expect to read what I am about to share with you in this note. This applies to all those who are ministering for the Lord through the Word, and to parents too. You'll see why in a moment. Let's firstly begin with the quote that started the ball rolling:

Satan impersonating Samuel, when Saul visited the witch of Endor.

'The demon's message to Saul, although it was a denunciation of sin and a prophecy of retribution, was not meant to reform him, but to goad him to despair and ruin.' {Patriachs and Prophets, p.688}

The message that was given to Saul, was one that denounced sin in his life, and also contained prophecy of things to come and the punishment of the wicked, but....BUT IT DID NOT CONVICT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOW GOD COULD EMPOWER HIM TO BE RIGHTEOUS, EVEN AS HE IS RIGHTEOUS. This sounds like the counterfeit of the Holy Spirit's work. The Holy Spirit:

'Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.' {John 16:7, 8}

The work of the Holy Spirit is threefold:

1. Convicts of sin (which can only come through Him opening our eyes to the Law of God: see 1 John 3:4)

2. Judgment

3. Righteousness (The Commandments are righteousness, and Christ our righteousness, meaning that He wants to clothe us with a life of obedience to the Law of God: see Psalms 119:172; Jeremiah 23:6; Deuteronomy 6:25)

Our message as God's people are to be balanced. If I am posting up posts that speak on:

*a 'prophecy of retribution'

* a 'denunciation of sin'

BUT I do not give hope for souls, by pointing them to the Lamb of God Who takes away the very sin that I am denouncing, and teaching men how to, then in the words of the servant of the Lord, it is 'The demon's message'. It is what it is, friends.

Such messages that we have the boldness to call, 'The Three Angel's Messages', bear the signtaure of Satan. Not only is this so because of the fact that Christ and His righteousness is not the theme for contemplation in these posts/messages, but also because the fruit that it bears in the lives of those who take heed to it are such (once again in the words of the servant of the Lord) that it drives to,'despair and ruin'.

Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

I have often heard the above Scripture used to say that we can judge whether someone is a Christian or not, by the fruit of character that they bear. Well, people if that is the case, then none of us are Christians because we have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory (character). That is no acid test to a person's heart, for they could be struggling just likeyou and I. One needs to couple that with the fruit of their labour. In the Spirit of Prophecy, we see this Scripture placed in its correct context:

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.

'In these days of peril we are not to accept everything that men bring to us as truth. As professed teachers from God come to us declaring that they have a message from God, it is proper to inquire carefully, How do we know that this is truth? Jesus has told us that "false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many" (Matt. 24:11). But we need not be deceived; for the Word of God gives us a test whereby we may know what is truth. The prophet says, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isa. 8:20). {2SM 99.1}

Ye shall know them by their fruits.' {The Review and Herald, Feb. 23, 1892.}

So, if our message is just a bunch of warnings about the coming judgment, and rebuking sin, without pointing people to Christ, then not only is it the message of Satan, but it will bear the fruit of his message, which is bringing souls to despair and eventually ruin.

The question is, when a truth is presented to you, and your heart is heavy: "WHO told you you were naked?"

This question was asked by God to Adam when Adam and Eve sinned and God called to him. Adam acknowledged that he was naked, but notice that in their knowledge or conviction of sin, they did three things:

*they were afraid

*they hid themselves

*they sewed their own garments of fig leaves in order to hide their shame.

God asked them WHO was it that opened their eyes to their condition? This implies that it surely wasn't God that did so, so it must have been that old serpent, and accuser of the brethren,the devil. Just look at the fruit of when he opens your eyes to your sin, it is the same that we see in Adam and Eve, and similar to what we see in the story of Saul:

*FEAR

*DESPAIR

*HIDING FROM GOD, BECAUSE OF OUR SHAME. THIS IS BECAUSE THE DEVIL HAS INVESTED GOD WITH HIS OWN ATTRIBUTES THAT GOD IS TO BE FEARED, AND IS LOOKING DOWN ON YOU WITH EYEBROWS DOWN AND SHAKING HIS HEAD IN GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT. GOD'S WAY IS IN THE SANCTUARY, AND THERE WE SEE THAT THE BROKEN LAW IS COVERED WITH THE MERCY....YES MERCY SEAT! GOD DELIGHTS IN MERCY! HOWEVER, YOU SURE WON'T FEEL THAT WHEN THE MESSAGE OF SATAN COMES TO YOU.

*ESTABLISHING YOUR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS: ADHERING TO ALL THE OUTWARD REFORMS, JUST SO THAT YOU CAN MAKE YOURSELF RIGHT WITH GOD!

We also see such fruit in the story of Judas. He knew his sin, and what did it lead him to do? Hang himself!....WHO told him he was naked?

We see the accuser of the brethren at work in the story of Joshua and the Angel. Jesus was there to interpose, so that Joshua wouldn't be overwhelmed by te accusations of the devil.....WHO told him he was naked?

So how will we know that the message bears the impress of God? You will see denunctiation of sin, and prophecy of coming retribution, but you will see shining in great glory, the 'SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS with HEALING in His wings':

HEALING

It was at this time that Elijah was sent, as God's chosen messenger, to the people of Israel....And while he came to the people as a reprover of sin, his message offered the balm of Gilead to the sin-sick souls of all who desired to be healed. {RH, August 14, 1913 par. 3}

WON'T BE RUNNING FROM GOD, BUT FEEL DRAWN TO HIM

Come unto Me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. {Matthew 11:28}

NO FIG LEAVES WILL BE SEWN TO COVER YOUR SHAME, BUT YOU WILL CAST YOUSELF AT HIS FEET, FOR HIM TO LIVE HIS LIFE IN YOU

'Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision('mareh':Christ in the Most Holy Place), and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and [upon] the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel....' {Daniel 10:8, 10-12}

Examples:

*The woman at the well: Jesus told her of her sin, but she didn't feel condemned but filled with joy she left her waterpot and testified to others of the love that she had found from He Who had saved her.

*Nicodemus: Jesus rebuked the fact that Nicodemus, being a ruler, a teacher ought to have known the fundamentals of conversion. Yet we read in 'The Desire of Ages', that he felt no offense by Jesus' words, but instead was led to study the Scriptures in a new light: for life for his soul.

*The woman caught in adultery: In the words, "Go and sin no more", Jesus denounced her sin of adultery, but yet in that very same message, He gave her hope that she aws forgiven and now empowered by Christ Word to live a sinless life. I am sure she was forever grateful, and not fearful.

Also as parents we must remember that we are win our children's hearts to Christ. While we reprove and correct them for the sins that they commit, we must always do so giving them hope of change, as well as doing so in the Spirit of Christ. They are to know that when we are disciplining them that we do sobecause we love them and it is fo their best good that we don't allow negative traits of character to go unnocticed and unchecked. That's not always easy, and even when it is easy, we must ask the Lord how we shall deal with the child, because only He knows how to reach the heart.

The Milk of the Word or the Meat?

Hebrews

5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

Daniel

12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words [are] closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

In the first Scripture, God is describing a people who 'ought to be teachers', but were lacking in the basic principles of Christianity. Who are these 'teachers'? Well, we would expect by virtue of the fact that they 'ought to be teachers', they must be those who have some form of knowledge that God entrusted to them to pass on, correct?

The second Scripture adds some more light to who this group of people are, who posess such wealth of knowledge. The word 'wise', actually means 'teachers'; and yes, the 'wise' in this verse also are distinguished by their knowledge. Please bear in mind that in Daniel 12, these people are the genuine, converted teachers. They are the wise virgins, who have an intellectual and spiritual settling into the Truth. What I am referring to are those who have a profession of being the wise, in this verse.

Now let's refine our search, so to speak. The context of Daniel 12, is the prophecies in the book of Daniel. Bringing it home, there are many of us (me included) who have an understanding of the 'strong meat' of the Word; we 'ought to be teachers', sharing with others the final warning message for this hour, but yet 'ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.'

Please don't misunderstand me, I wholeheartedly believe that the revival and reformation of God's Church will come from the understanding and application of the lessons gleaned from the books of Daniel and the Revelation (see The Faith I Live By, p.345). What I am saying is that the meat of God's Word serves to revive, awaken, bringing us to a realisation and an urgency of the times we are in, and most importantly it is the revelation of Jesus Christ. BUT....BUT if we are studying and teaching the meat of the Word, and we are STILL ALLOWING THE CARNAL MAN TO REIGN OVER US DAY IN AND DAY OUT; if WE POSESS NOT THE PRINCIPLES OF THE LOVE OF GOD (1 COR 13), BUT IN OUR HOMES WE ARE LOSING OUR TEMPER WITH OUR CHILDREN; WE ARE BUSY GIVING BIBLE STUDIES OUT THERE BUT WE ARE FAILING TO BE THE PRIEST OF OUR HOME; WE ARE RISING UP AGAINST THE GODLY AUTHORITY OF OUR HUSBANDS; WE ARE BACKBITING AND HAVING VARIANCE AMONG US AS BRETHREN; if these things are present in our lives, the message is simple:

'ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.'

The story of Nicodemus brings out this truth even more:

'"Rabbi," he said, "we know that Thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that Thou doest, except God be with him." By speaking of Christ's rare gifts as a teacher, and also of His wonderful power to perform miracles, he hoped to pave the way for his interview. His words were designed to express and to invite confidence; but they really expressed unbelief. He did not acknowledge Jesus to be the Messiah, but only a teacher sent from God. {DA 168.3}

Instead of recognizing this salutation, Jesus bent His eyes upon the speaker, as if reading his very soul. In His infinite wisdom He saw before Him a seeker after truth. He knew the object of this visit, and with a desire to deepen the conviction already resting upon His listener's mind, He came directly to the point, saying solemnly, yet kindly, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born from above he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3, margin. {DA 168.4}

Nicodemus had come to the Lord thinking to enter into a discussion with Him, but Jesus laid bare the FOUNDATION PRINCIPLES OF TRUTH. He said to Nicodemus, It is not theoretical knowledge you need so much as spiritual regeneration. You need not to have your curiosity satisfied, but to have a new heart. You must receive a new life from above before you can appreciate heavenly things. Until this change takes place, making all things new, it will result in no saving good for you to discuss with Me My authority or My mission.' {DA 171.1}

[Note: JESUS BY-PASSED HIS INTELLECTUAL DISCUSSION, AND DEALT WITH HIS NEED: THE 'FOUNDATION PRINCIPLES OF TRUTH; or as Hebrews states: 'FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE ORACLES OF GOD.']

'Nicodemus had heard the preaching of John the Baptist concerning repentance and baptism, and pointing the people to One who should baptize with the Holy Spirit. He himself had felt that there was a lack of spirituality among the Jews, that, to a great degree, they were controlled by bigotry and worldly ambition. He had hoped for a better state of things at the Messiah's coming. Yet the heart-searching message of the Baptist had failed to work in him conviction of sin. {DA 171.2}

There is no safety for one who has merely a legal religion, a form of godliness. The Christian's life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit. {DA 172.1}

"Art thou a MASTER OF ISRAEL, and knowest not these things?" Jesus asked. Surely one entrusted with the RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION of the people should not be ignorant of truths so important. {DA 173.4}

Not through controversy and discussion is the soul enlightened. We must look and live. Nicodemus received the lesson, and carried it with him. He searched the Scriptures in a new way, not for the discussion of a theory, but in order to receive life for the soul. He began to see the kingdom of heaven as he submitted himself to the leading of the Holy Spirit.' {DA 175.2}