Admetus & Alcestis

The news has recently highlighted the shortage of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ventilators (life support breathing apparatus) in each hospital, district, state and country of the world, during this COVID-19 (China Outbreak Virus In December 2019) global pandemic. Much is being said about the difficult position that the ICU doctors are being placed in with the exponential rise in the number of cases, having to decide which one of the severely affected patients will be connected to any given one of these life-saving devices — who will live and who will die; and all of this amidst the backdrop of the legal implications and other consequences of their decision. Will there be patients who selflessly offer to give their opportunity for life to another?

This all reminds us of another story, in a different setting almost 2000 years ago, where someone was going to die. 

Christ had just returned to Heaven as our Great High Priest and He had counselled His faithful followers to “love one another as I have loved you”; this love was to flow out to the whole world as a witness of the Life that He had lived and that He offers to freely give us; each one of us now can live this life for, “The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ. DA 805  

The ancient Greeks had a story that was well known throughout all of the world at the time of the apostles, to illustrate their most sublime idea of love. Admetus, a noble, handsome young man with all the personal qualities of excellence, fell sick with a disease that the oracle of the gods said would be fatal unless someone would die in his place. His friends went from one to another, "Would you be willing to die for Admetus?" "Sorry," they said, "we like him but we couldn't die for him." His parents were asked, and they said, "Oh, we love our son, but, sorry, we couldn't die for him." Finally his friends asked the beautiful girl who loved him, Alcestis. "Yes," she said, "because he is such a good man and because the world needs him so, I am willing to die for him!" 

Crowed the Greek philosophers: "This is love — someone willing to die for a good man!" 

How could the apostles be such a threat to Plato's noble concept? 

The apostles objected, that wasn't it at all. So, how did their love differ so much from the common idea of love?

There is a higher, purer Love.

Remembering the well known story above they said -

One will hardly die for a righteous man—though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows His love [agape] for us in that while we were yet sinners [enemies, verse 10] Christ died for us. Romans 5:7,8. 

Die, actually give your life for your enemies!

Now that is LOVE! 

Ordinary human love is dependent on the beauty or goodness of its object. Humans choose for friends those who are nice to them, who please them. Humans fall in love with one who is considered beautiful, happy, intelligent, and attractive, and they turn away from one who is deemed to be ugly, mean, ignorant, or offensive. In contrast, agape is not awakened by, or dependent on, beauty or goodness in its object. It stands alone - sovereign, independent. Therefore it is free to love all; “bad” people, even enemies! None of the ancients had ever even dreamed of a love like this. 

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (verse 5)

Christ’s true followers will always love exactly as He does. 

Our time has come.

We will reflect His character perfectly as He abides in our heart, hastening the time when He can come to take us to Himself for eternity. 

“THIS IS THE BIG ONE!”

With a look behind the private veil of just one home in this world, we can all have opportunity to pause and reflect on what has happened in the past few days and weeks. 

Every day of their lives this particular couple have been waiting for something to occur that would clearly indicate to all that Christ is coming very soon. This expectation of His imminent return, which was built into them from birth, has affected every decision that they have made in their long married life together. But, over the years the question has always been lurking, “How would it all happen? Suddenly? Unexpectedly? Natural disaster? Terrorist attack? Economic collapse? Nuclear war? Many of the things that Christ had said would happen have been steadily increasing, but have not yet had enough overall influence to gain the attention of earth’s massive population. One definite conclusion that they had reached from their Biblical study, was that we can all be sure that whatever the event is going to be, it will come in a way that it was not expected to come.

For several weeks now, the wife of this home has been saying that she could see this current situation closing in and described her thoughts this way; “I can see this giant tsunami coming slowly towards us and there is not one thing that we can do to escape it. It is going to swamp us and everything will be affected!” Her husband kept saying, “I hope that you are right, but I cannot see how this can possibly do all of the things that you are claiming that it will.” Each day, of the past week, he has had to admit, “Well, you were right, they have just done it!” Yesterday, with things changing hourly, mid afternoon was a turning point in his thinking; he stated —  “This is - THE BIG ONE!” 

He was, in actuality, echoing the voices of the many experts around the world, who are sure of this and have been openly declaring the same for some time now. No one “out there” had ever predicted that something as simple as a microscopic virus would be capable of a global pandemic, or of producing such enormous changes to the world as we knew it. It has already begun to impact every aspect of the life of every person in every country of the world and is expanding daily. We are yet to see the full affects as the southern hemisphere moves into the “flu season” of the winter months, and as if what has happened already in the northern hemisphere is not enough, so much more is about to unfold in the many populous countries on the continents of Africa and South America also. There has never been anything like this in the entire history of the world since the Noahic flood; not one of the major crises in history has ever been so wide spread or so multi faceted in its affect. This now has the potential of being more than the “big one” that will give everyone on planet earth the opportunity to see, and to hopefully consider, what is going on in this world and decide to “prepare to meet thy God” when He comes soon to take His faithful ones to Himself for eternity. 

While it seems like a giant tsunami slowly coming towards us, it has in reality all happened quite rapidly, forcing governments around the world to hourly make extreme decisions and to take action to protect their citizens and their economies from the seemingly unstoppable affects of COVID-19 (China Outbreak Virus In December 2019). Many of these decisions have instantly swept away activities that we have always been free to participate in, and have stolen the civil liberties of individuals, without even a word of protest from the people, or even from those individuals and organisations who have always fought so strongly to protect them. Absolute control of the entire population of earth by a crown shaped virus! 

Maybe one good thing will be noticed out of this scenario — that many of the activities deemed so important in this world will be seen to be totally unnecessary, or if still considered necessary, will be seen to be able to occur in a much easier and more cost effective way. 

It is very clear to us all that the governments are not going to be able to “bail out” each and every sector that is urgently appealing for assistance; so we can see that increasing numbers of the population are going to be affected from this point on, in ways not ever even dreamed of before. Some are saying that even if it all passes quickly, and there is no sign of the possibility of that occurring at this point, the whole world will never be the same again; the measures taken under these emergency (or even panic) conditions will be left in place permanently, changing life as we knew it.  

As our Precious Saviour, Who has promised to never leave us nor forsake us, said, when describing the scenes just prior to His second coming, “There shall be signs…and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” Luke 21:25,26

THIS IS IT!

Churches Closed, Homes Open

With many countries totally banning or restricting the size of social gatherings due to COVID-19 (China Outbreak Virus In December 2019) churches are being affected indefinitely due to the rapidity of the spread of this virus. Homes will be the most likely venue of choice, for church members of all ages, to fill this void.

This is an opportune time for us all to consider and respectfully offer prayers for the many believers worldwide who have been isolated for various lengths of time and for various reasons, and who have worshipped God weekly in their homes. 

The conditions in the world at the time also made it necessary for the early Christians to hold their worship services and other meetings in homes. Here are a few examples: 

And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. Acts 28:30,31

Greet Priscilla and Aquila... Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Romans 16:3-5 

The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. 1 Corinthians 16:19 

Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. Colossians 4:15 

Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, and to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: Philemon 1:1,2 

God bless all of His faithful believers around the world who, host or attend church in a home each week, claiming the promise of Christ; “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20

The Fulness of Time

Seventy weeks (490 years) are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks (483 years). Daniel 9:24,25

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son…Galatians 4:4

God and Christ knew from the beginning, of the apostasy of Satan and of the fall of Adam through the deceptive power of the apostate. The plan of salvation was designed to redeem the fallen race, to give them another trial. Christ was appointed to the office of Mediator from the creation of God, set up from everlasting to be our substitute and surety. Before the world was made, it was arranged that the divinity of Christ should be enshrouded in humanity. “A body,” said Christ, “hast thou prepared me” (Hebrews 10:5). But He did not come in human form until the fullness of time had expired. Then He came to our world, a babe in Bethlehem. 1SM 250

The Saviour's coming was foretold in Eden. When Adam and Eve first heard the promise, they looked for its speedy fulfillment. They joyfully welcomed their first-born son, hoping that he might be the Deliverer. But the fulfillment of the promise tarried. Those who first received it died without the sight. From the days of Enoch the promise was repeated through patriarchs and prophets, keeping alive the hope of His appearing, and yet He came not. The prophecy of Daniel revealed the time of His advent, but not all rightly interpreted the message. Century after century passed away; the voices of the prophets ceased. The hand of the oppressor was heavy upon Israel, and many were ready to exclaim, “The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth.” Ezekiel 12:22. 

But like the stars in the vast circuit of their appointed path, God's purposes know no haste and no delay…So in heaven's council the hour for the coming of Christ had been determined. When the great clock of time pointed to that hour, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. DA 31,32

As we near the second coming of Jesus the situation is very similar, in both the world and the church, to what it was at Christ’s first advent. As pagan Rome ruled the world then, so we see the march towards the Papacy once more taking control of the world today. Amongst God's people we have apathy and worldliness. Prophecy is being fulfilled before our eyes but many are blind to this fact. Most are ignorant of how close we are to the second appearing of our Lord and Saviour. But once again, when “the great clock of time” points to the hour that has been set by God, Jesus will return to this earth — not this time as a helpless baby — but as King of kings and Lord of lords. The fulness of time will have come once again and God will send His Son to come and gather His other children and take them home to heaven. 

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. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

All For Jesus

Uplifting sacred music for you to enjoy as you follow along:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7mqKMNlyXA

The Day of Rest

As the world turns the sun is lowering in the western sky and The Day of Rest and gladness has begun for those near the International Date Line. It will continue to begin in each country, for the household of faith, for the next 24 hours, and end 24 hours later. For 6000 unbroken years this weekly memorial of Creation, and the Rest that Christ our Creator gives to us every moment, has been preserved by God’s faithful. He ceased from His work after creating this earth and we cease from our works and rest in Him alone - The LORD of the Sabbath.

Here are a few quotes on the subject from the 1888 “Most Precious Message”:

The Christ/Sabbath connection – acknowledge His divinity and the true spiritual rest of the Sabbath continues. Only in Christ is this possible.

We cannot compel someone to keep the Sabbath or to be saved.

It is the sign of true rest for eternity with God.

Stop our own works and allow God to do the work in us. “To will and to do of His good pleasure.”

All our works are wrought in Him and they are right – that is indeed rest.

Keep it holy, it is. It is impossible to make it holy, only God can. We can't make ourselves holy to keep it holy. Only if we have The Holy One dwelling in us.

The same power that sanctified the day, sanctifies us.

We come and rest on the Word that created and upholds the universe. A little piece of Eden preserved. Identical to the rest enjoyed by the saints through all eternity.

We can have Heaven now and that is a delight.

The Sabbath is a sign of His perfect creation, the seal of a perfect new creation in Christ.

Anything that keeps before us the creative power of Christ must tend to renew our spiritual strength and courage. This is just the design of the Sabbath. The greatest reinforcement in the battle. The Sabbath is the grand fulcrum for the lever of faith. It lifts the soul to the heights of heaven, God's throne, to hold communion with Him.

It is His ability to create that measures the power of God. The gospel tells of the same power that He uses to create and bring worlds into existence is now exerted for the salvation of men. Redemption is creation. “Commit the keeping of your soul to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:19.

He shares all with us. The Life lived so that we can live it is a fact. Lose connection and you will go straight back to the old ways – doubt and hesitancy. Believe Christ's word and allow it to work. The Sabbath is absolute rest in Him and His word. Everything placed in subjection to the plan as long as he is in subjection to God.

Unless I recognise His creative power in my life, moment by moment, my Sabbath keeping is a fraud. Unless I am resting in Him every moment, all week, my Sabbath keeping is a farce.

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. Genesis 2:1-3

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Exodus 20:8-11

Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you…Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord…for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. Exodus 31:13-17

We hope that you have a blessed and holy Sabbath!

Christ's Perfect Plan for Your Health

Today we are seeing a huge change in focus from the health aspects of COVID-19 (China Outbreak Virus In December 2019), to the economic affects. Questions are now being asked about the ability of individuals and businesses to economically survive the impact of what has now been declared a global pandemic. Despite this change of focus, we still cannot avoid the reality of each individual’s susceptibility to contracting this virus. While there are still so many unanswered questions regarding transmission, timeframes, possible immunity, etc., there is much that we can all personally do toward the prevention, and if necessary the treatment, of this serious health emergency. 

The following brief summary of the God given plan for your health, which is easily implemented and available to every person on the planet, will prove to be of enormous value to you and your family, not only at this time, but as a permanent lifestyle guide for you. There has been much research undertaken into these eight natural “doctors”, so, you will be easily able to search for more information on any or all of them, if you so desire.

This is the way Christ reintroduced His Biblical health plan to His church in the modern era: 

Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power—these are the true remedies. Every person should have a knowledge of nature's remedial agencies and how to apply them. MH 127

DR HEALTH:

Diet: The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy promote the totally vegetarian diet of — fruits, grains, nuts and vegetables — which was the diet originally given by the Creator. This diet provides protection from disease and also ensures optimal physical and intellectual strength. Not only is the quality of what we eat important but also how we eat it, how much we eat and at what times i.e. time, type and amount. 

Rest: Adequate nightly rest prepares us for the next day as well as allowing our body time to repair. Christ gave us the Sabbath, a weekly reminder of how He would like us to rest in Him every moment of every day.

H2O: Our body is approximately 70% water. Internally we need a minimum of 6-8 glasses/day (A guide for quantity of water needed/day/person = Weight in kg x 2.2 x 17ml). Externally, water is used not only for washing regularly but also for hydrotherapy to fight & treat disease and for rapid recovery from injury when used in its liquid, vapour (steam) and solid (ice) forms. 

Exercise: Regularly in fresh air to promote circulation and all body functions. The best form is useful manual labour. Brisk walking can also be very beneficial.

Air: Deep breathing rejuvenates all cells and is essential for the cardio-vascular system. It assists the lungs in fighting off infection & can also be helpful for relaxation from stress. 

Light from the Sun: Safe sun exposure is important for both maintenance of good health and as a remedy for illness. It helps to control our body weight, hormone levels and the manufacture of Vitamin D.

Trust in Divine Power: Knowing God's love for me personally, I can be perfectly content to trust to His will in every aspect of my life. His forgiveness removes guilt, which has a positive effect on the immune system. An attitude of gratitude and praise will assist in the fight against disease and infection. His righteousness brings health.

Harmony: A balanced, temperate lifestyle, free from all harmful substances, with moderation of  even the healthful, is required to both maintain health and to fight disease. 

Christ anointed the eyes of a blind man with clay and bade him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam....He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.” John 9:7. The cure could be wrought only by the power of the Great Healer, yet Christ made use of the simple agencies of nature….He sanctioned the use of simple and natural remedies. MH 233


It is very important to note at this stage, that only Christ, the Creator, can heal our illnesses of both body and mind. If attempted in our own strength, any relief will be superficial and short-lived at best. He has given the above remedies to assist in this work, but it is only the Name that is above every name, as He continually lives His life in and through us, that can bring true and lasting health.

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 2

The Safest Place

Today, our time, the WHO has officially declared COVID-19 (“China Outbreak Virus In December 19”) a global pandemic. 

A few thoughts:

The Lord has shown me that precious souls are starving, and dying for want of the present, sealing truth, the meat in due season; and that the swift messengers should speed on their way, and feed the flock with the present truth. I heard an Angel say, “speed the swift messengers, speed the swift messengers; for the case of every soul will soon be decided, either for Life, or for Death.” 

I saw that those who had the means, were required to help speed those messengers, that God had called to labor in his cause, and as they went from place to place, they would be safe from the prevailing pestilence. But if any went that were not sent of God, they would be in danger of being cut down by the pestilence; therefore all should earnestly seek for duty, and be sure and move by the direction of the Holy Spirit. 

What we have seen and heard of the pestilence, is but the beginning of what we shall see and hear. Soon the dead and dying will be all around us. I saw that some will be so hardened, as to even make sport of the judgments of God. Then the slain of the Lord will be from one end of the earth, to the other; they will not be lamented, gathered, nor buried; but their ill savor will come up from the face of the whole earth. Those only who have the seal of the living God, will be sheltered from the storm of wrath, that will soon fall on the heads of those who have rejected the truth. PT September 1, 1849

Satan is exercising his power. He sweeps away the ripening harvest, and famine and distress follow. He imparts to the air a deadly taint, and thousands perish by the pestilence. These visitations are to become more and more frequent and disastrous. Destruction will be upon both man and beast. GC 589

The world see the very class whom they have mocked and derided, and desired to exterminate, pass unharmed through pestilence, tempest, and earthquake. He who is to the transgressors of His law a devouring fire, is to His people a safe pavilion. GC 654

Now is the time when we are to confess and forsake our sins that they may go beforehand to judgment and be blotted out. Now is the time to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” It is dangerous to delay this work. Satan is even now seeking by disasters upon sea and land to seal the fate of as many as possible. What is the defense of the people of God at this time? It is a living connection with heaven. If we would dwell in safety from the noisome pestilence, if we would be preserved from dangers seen and unseen, we must hide in God; we must secure the protecting care of Jesus and holy angels. In these days of peril, the Lord would have us walk before him in humility. Instead of trying to cover our sins, he would have us confess them…We profess to be the depositaries of God's law. We profess to be building up “the old waste places,” and to be raising up “the foundations of many generations.” If this great and solemn work has indeed been committed to us, how important that we depart from all iniquity! HS 155

Satan is working in the atmosphere; he is poisoning the atmosphere, and here we are dependent upon God for our lives—our present and eternal lives. And being in the position that we are, we need to be wide awake, wholly devoted, wholly converted, wholly consecrated to God. But we seem to sit as though we were paralyzed. God of heaven, wake us up!

God has not restrained the powers of darkness from carrying forward their deadly work of vitiating the air, one of the sources of life and nutrition, with a deadly miasma. Not only is vegetable life affected but man suffers from pestilence...Famines will increase. Pestilences will sweep away thousands…I have been shown that the Spirit of the Lord is being withdrawn from the earth. God's keeping power will soon be refused to all who continue to disregard His commandments. LDE 26,27

Natural means, used in accordance with God's will, bring about supernatural results. We ask for a miracle, and the Lord directs the mind to some simple remedy. We ask to be kept from the pestilence that walketh in darkness, that is stalking with such power through the world; we are then to cooperate with God, observing the laws of health and life. Having done all that we possibly can, we are to keep asking in faith for health and strength. We are to eat that food which will preserve the health of the body. God gives us no encouragement that He will do for us what we can do for ourselves. Natural laws are to be obeyed. We are not to fail of doing our part. God says to us, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” 

We cannot disregard the laws of nature without disregarding the laws of God. We cannot expect the Lord to work a miracle for us while we neglect the simple remedies He has provided for our use, which, aptly and opportunely applied, will bring about a miraculous result.

Therefore, pray, believe, and work. 2SM 346,347

“The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them.” God commissions His angels to save His chosen ones from calamity, to guard them from “the pestilence that walketh in darkness” and “the destruction that wasteth at noonday.” TA 22

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. Romans 14:8

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress:

my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee…from the noisome pestilence…

Thou shalt not be afraid…for the pestilence that walketh in darkness;

nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side,

and ten thousand at thy right hand;

but it shall not come nigh thee…

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge,

even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee,

neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee,

to keep thee in all thy ways…

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him:

I will be with him in trouble;

I will deliver him, and honour him.

With long life will I satisfy him,

and shew him my salvation. 

Psalm 91