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Abiding in the Father and His Son |
Let The Dead Speak February 2012 Issue
By ITH Ministries
God has given me light regarding our periodicals. What is it?--He has said that the dead are to speak. How?--Their works shall follow them. We are to repeat the words of the pioneers in our work, who knew what it cost to search for the truth as for hidden treasure, and who labored to lay the foundation of our work. They moved forward step by step under the influence of the Spirit of God. One by one these pioneers are passing away. The word given me is, Let that which these men have written in the past be reproduced. Review and Herald - May 25, 1905
Stephen Haskell - The Cross and its Shadow - Part 5 James White - Millennium Bible Adventism - Sermon 5
Stephen HaskellThe Cross and It's Shadow Part 5 OF 5 Chapter 41NaphtaliIn Jacob's dying blessing, Judah was compared to a
lion, Dan to a serpent, Issachar to a strong ass, Benjamin to a wolf, but Naphtali indicates a character
quite different from Issachar, couching down between two burdens, or Judah with his kingly power; yet Naphtali
has a precious gift that every one may Covet: Naphtali does not represent the
unruly tongue that Let no one think because
Naphtali spoke There will be twelve thousand
of the tribe of Naphtali that throughout all eternity will In Moses' last blessing, of
Naphtali he said, Because we are not
Naphtali joined with the rest of Israel in crowning David king at Hebron, and the record states that with other northern tribes they brought large quantities of provisions to Hebron at that time. 1 Chron 12:40 Barak, of Kadesh-Naphtali, is the only great hero of this tribe, mentioned in the Bible. The battle fought by him under the direction of Deborah the prophetess was in many respects the greatest battle fought by the ancient people of God, and is a type, or object lesson, of the great battle of Armageddon. Judges 4:6-24 The territory bordering on the west shore of the Sea of Galilee and extending northward, was given to Naphtali. It was a fertile country, and during the reign of Solomon was one of his commissariat districts, in charge of Ahimaaz, a son-in-law of the king. 1 Kings 4:7,15 The territory of Naphtali lay in the path of the Syrian and Assyrian invaders. It was from the goodly land of Naphtali that Ben-hadad and Tiglath-pileser had their first taste of the plunder of the Israelites. In 730 B.C, Tiglath-pileser overran the whole of the north of Israel, and the tribe of Naphtali was carried captive into Assyria. In the time of Christ,
Naphtali no longer possessed the shore of the Sea of Galilee, but it was to be far more renowned than when held by
him. Isaiah, more than seven hundred years before Christ, had prophesied that the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali
would see a great light, Isa 9:1, 2; Matt 4:15, 16 and in fulfilment of it, Jesus, the The tribe of Naphtali sprang
from four sons of Naphtali. Gen. 46:24. Chapter 42GadThe prophetic words of his dying father open up a
volume in the life and character of this son: The secret of the Gadites' being victorious over their enemies, is given in the
account of one of their great battles: When Peter found that he was actually sinking beneath the waves that he had been
walking upon, he cried, To every backslider the Lord sends this message: Again the Lord asks: The Lord requires but one thing of the backslider: Only acknowledge thine
iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the Lord thy God. Jer 3:13 To every backslider the Lord says, Hear the Lord pleading with the backslider: On one of the gates of the city of God, the name of Gad will be written, Gad, the one who was overcome by a troop, but at the last became the victor. Twelve thousand of the one hundred forty-four thousand will also be marshaled under the name of Gad Rev 7: 4,5 - twelve thousand, who arise from backslidings and defeat, acknowledge their transgressions, claim the promises of God, wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb, and enter as victors the city of God. Rev 7:14 It is very difficult for the human heart to reinstate one who has betrayed his
confidence and has spurned love and friendship; but the infinite God will not only heal our backslidings and
love us freely, but He also says, Because they were shepherds, the Gadites requested that their portion be given
them out of the land first conquered Their inheritance lay between the territory of Reuben on the south and the half tribe of Manasseh on the north. At first the inheritance of Gad embraced half of Gilead; later they possessed all of it. 1 Chron 5:11, 16 They became so closely identified with Gilead, that in some cases the name Gilead is used synonymously with Gad. The character of the tribe was throughout fierce and warlike, Gad, although separated from the rest of Israel west of the Jordan, still
retained some connection with them. From the following words of Ahab we should infer that Gad was considered a
part of the northern kingdom: Tiglath-pileser carried Gad captive into Assyria, 1 Chron 5:26 and the
Ammonites inhabited their cities in the days of Jeremiah. The prophet bewails the condition in the following
words: Barzillai, the friend of David, was a Gileadite; 2 Sam 19:32-39 and so was
Jephthah, that Elijah was honoured by God as only one other person was ever honored; Heb 11:5 and when the time for his translation drew near, he crossed over Jordan into the land of his childhood, where, by the grace of God, he had gained that strength of character which enabled him fearlessly to rebuke Ahab and Jezebel his wife. It was from his own native land of Gilead that the chariots of God bore him in triumph into heaven. 2 Kings 2:7-14 Once he has returned to earth, when he with
Moses The tribe of Gad were the descendants of the seven sons of Gad. Gen. 46:16. Chapter 43AsherOf his childhood and early manhood we know nothing, only that he grew up with his brethren, and went into Egypt with the rest of the family. Asher had four sons and a daughter named Sarah, from whom sprang the tribe which bore his name. 1 Chron 7:30 When the books of the Chronicles were written, the men of the tribe of Asher
were spoken of as When all Israel gathered at Hebron to make David king over Israel, Asher
gathered forty thousand that were Since the name Asher (Aser, the Greek form of the word) is given to one division of the one hundred and forty-four thousand Rev 7:6 the character of Asher is the most important thing for us to consider; and as little or nothing is recorded of his life, we shall have to take the prophetic words of Jacob and Moses as a guide in the study. The patriarch Jacob's dying blessing on Asher was, When Moses pronounced his parting blessing upon the tribes of Israel, he said,
Asher seems to have had an amiable disposition; for he was acceptable to his
brethren. The precious promise, It is a glorious thing to dip the foot in oil! Oil is a symbol of the Holy
Spirit; the one whose feet even, are anointed with the Spirit of God, will pass over the rough places in life
with a heart full of praise and thanksgiving. Under the feet of such a one will be iron and brass a firm
foundation. He will not sink amid the pitfalls of life, for God assures him, There are some of the human family who are so imbued with the Spirit of God, and follow so closely in the Saviour's bloodstained footsteps, 1 Peter 2:21 that their feet seem clad with brass, resembling the feet of their Master. Others have their feet covered with iron; they, too, have special strength given them, but do not come into such intimate relationship with the Master as their brethren. Twelve thousand of the one hundred and forty-four thousand will be of the tribe
of Asher, - those who will dip their feet in oil, and will be so filled with the Spirit of God that they will
let the Lord by His Spirit smooth the rough places in their pathway. Like Zerubbabel, the mountains of
difficulties will become plains before them. Zech 4:6, 7 They will yield The Bible gives little more of the history of the tribe of Asher than is given of him as an individual. The tribe is mentioned in connection with the other tribes; but no independent action is recorded of the tribe in the sacred history. Asher is the only tribe west of the Jordan, except Simeon, which furnished no
hero or judge to the nation. The obscurity which enshrouds the members of the tribe is pierced by only one noted
character, - Anna the prophetess, who The territory of Asher bordered on the Great Sea, and embraced Mount Carmel,
the scene of Elijah's great victory, and continued northward. The descendants of Asher did not have the fierce,
warlike propensities of some of the other tribes, and did not drive out the former inhabitants of the land;
When Israel was numbered at Sinai, Asher was a strong tribe; Num 1:40, 41 but
in the days of David they had become so reduced that their name is not mentioned in the selection of chief
rulers. 1 Chron 27:16-22 Although as a tribe they, departed from the ways of the Lord, yet among them were
honest hearts who feared God. When Hezekiah held his great Passover and invited all Israel to join in
celebrating the feast at Jerusalem, some entire tribes laughed at the messengers and mocked them;
Asher had four sons and a daughter, from whom sprang the tribe which bore his
name. 1 Chron. 7:30. Chapter 44IssacharJacob likens him to the patient ass or donkey,
bearing two such heavy burdens that he couches down beneath them. The fact that this is not a common animal, but
a Many lose the blessing by murmuring and complaining when they are required to carry double burdens. But Issachar was sustained by the thought of the pleasant land in store and the rest by and by. The same hope will sustain burden-bearers at the present day. In the battle of Megiddo we find Issachar true to the character portrayed in
Jacob's dying blessing. It takes all the different phases of Christian character to represent the perfect character of Christ. The burden-bearer fills as important a place in the work of God as the kingly Judah or the Levitical teacher. There will be twelve thousand of each class in that wonderful company, - the one
hundred and forty-four thousand, The children of Issachar were a laborious, hardy, valiant tribe, patient in
labour and invincible in war. They Many places noted in sacred history were within the borders of Issachar. It was
there that the great victory of Barak and Deborah was won By, the rich blessings that came into her 2 Kings 4:12-37 she, realized the
truthfulness of the words, It was at the gate of the city of Nain in the borders of Issachar, that the
Saviour's words, The same territory that was hallowed by the footsteps of the Saviour and the
prophets of God, also witnessed the power of the devil. Endor, in the land of Issachar, was where Saul committed
the crowning sin of his life by consulting the witch, and thus took himself entirely out of the hands of God and
became a prey of the devil. 1 Samuel 28:7-25 Saul was slain because he asked counsel Jezreel, situated in the fertile plain of Esdraelon, was the scene of the wicked murder of Naboth; I kings 21:1-19 and in the streets of the same city, dogs ate the flesh of Jezebel. 2 Kings 9:30-37 Tola, under whose rule of twenty-three years Israel had rest, was of the tribe
of Issachar. Judges 10:1,2 Baasha, who ruled over the northern kingdom twenty-four years, was an Issacharite.
Issachar was the center of Jezebel's power, and the Baal worship introduced by her exerted an influence long after her death. About five years before Issachar was carried captive into Assyria by
Shalmaneser, 2 Kings 17:3-6 Hezekiah celebrated his great Passover at Jerusalem. The tribe of Issachar had so
far departed from the true worship that they had forgotten to make the necessary purifications; yet some of them
responded to the invitation, and went to the feast, though ceremonially unfit to partake of it. Hezekiah was in
close enough touch with the Lord to discern that the desire in the heart to serve God was of more consequence
than forms and ceremonies. He allowed them to eat of the Passover, and, as they partook of it, he offered the
following prayer: Issachar had four sons, from whom sprang the tribe which bore his name. 1
Chron. 7: 1. Chapter 45ZebulunDuring his life, Jacob allowed circumstances and his love for Rachel to influence him; but when he faced death, he acknowledged God's original plan of marriage. Genesis 2:24 Zebulun was the youngest son of Leah; he was older than Joseph, and was born
while Jacob was serving Laban. Jacob on his deathbed prophetically located Zebulun's inheritance, saying,
Zebulun's portion in the promised land lay between the territories of Naphtali and Issachar, bordering on the southern part of the west shore of the Sea of Galilee, and is supposed to have extended also to the shore of the Great Sea. Moses, in his parting blessing, spoke of Zebulun as a sea-faring people. Deuteronomy 33:18,19 The Bible records nothing of Zebulun as an individual, except his birth. Three sons are ascribed to him, who became the founders of the tribe which bore his name. Numbers 26:26,27 There is no record of the tribe having taken any part in the events of the wandering or the conquest of Palestine. Deborah, in her song of triumph after the battle of Megiddo, says that among the
tribes of Zebulun were those who handled In the battle which was a type of the great battle of Armageddon, Zebulun
Twelve thousand of the one hundred and forty-four thousand will enter the city
of God under the name of Zebulun, - twelve thousand who, when the enemies of the Lord are numerous and popular,
will expose It was pure love that actuated Zebulun in that ancient battle, for Deborah says,
After Israel returned from captivity and the cause of God was again in a crisis, Nehemiah, a self-supporting worker, came forward and did what others could not do. When the Saviour hung dead upon the cross and ignominy was heaped upon His disciples, Joseph and Nicodemus, two rich men holding high positions, came forward and performed a work for the Saviour which those who loved Him perhaps more sincerely were not able to do. While Zebulun and Naphtali may not have loved God more than the other tribes,
yet from the record given by Deborah, it would seem that they turned the tide of the battle by risking their
lives, and they It seems that Zebulun was an intelligent tribe, blessed with this world's goods; but when there came a crisis in the cause of the Lord, we find them risking all to maintain the honor of God's name. Over two hundred years later there was another crisis in the cause of God. Saul
was dead, and the true hearted in Israel, Who is prepared to perfect such a character in the fear of God, and have the seal of God placed upon his forehead? Who will covet Zebulun's character so earnestly that he will be willing to expose to reproach his life for Christ's sake? The land of Zebulun has the high honor of being the childhood home of Jesus. Nazareth was situated within its borders. The people here had an opportunity of seeing and hearing more of Christ than those in any other place. Isaiah prophesied that the land of Zebulun would see a great light. Isaiah 9:1,2 Truly this prophecy was fulfilled, for they had within their borders the greatest Light this world has ever seen. The first miracle performed by Jesus was at Cana in Zebulun. It was also in Cana that the nobleman came to Jesus asking for the life of his son, and the request, like every other prayer of faith, was granted by the Great Physician. Zebulun had three sons, whose descendants formed the tribe which bore his name.
Gen. 46: 14. Chapter 46JosephJoseph received one of the three portions of the birthright. It is interesting to note that each part of that birthright has been immortalized. Judah, in his home life, perfected such a character that the honor of being the
progenitor of Christ was bestowed upon him; and before the throne of God in heaven, holy beings point to Christ
and say, Levi triumphed in the time of a great crisis in the cause of God, and thus perfected a character which entitled him to the priesthood, whose work was a shadow of that of the great High Priest in heaven. Hebrews 8:1-5 Joseph, separated from his brethren, surrounded by idolaters in a strange land, gained a victory which entitled him to the double portion of the inheritance. Two portions of the promised land were given to the family of Joseph; and throughout eternity, these two divisions of that distinct company, - the one hundred and forty-four thousand, - bearing the names, one of Joseph and the other of Manasseh, the son of Joseph, will be a reminder of his faithfulness. Revelation 7:6,8 This was prophetically announced in the blessing given by his father:
Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob, and the first-born of Rachel, the beloved Wife. Genesis 30:22-24 The first seventeen years of his life were spent with his father's household. Genesis 37:2 The principal points recorded in the early life of Joseph were the great love of Jacob for the lad, the coat of many colors, Joseph's dreams, and his being sold into Egypt. There was evidently a marked significance to that coat of many colors, Joseph was not a child when given the coat, but a young man seventeen years of age, with an exemplary character. The old father knew that Reuben had forfeited his right to officiate as priest of the household; and as the patriarch watched the godly life of Joseph, it would be only natural that he should select him as the one worthy to fill the holy office, It is possible that in vision he may, have been permitted to see the great heavenly Priest; and that he made the coat as a faint representation of the priestly robe to be worn by his descendants. But God sees not as man sees; from that group of envious, jealous sons, plotting murder in their hearts, the Lord took one, and purified and refined him until his descendants were fitted to fill the holy office of the priesthood. The dreams of Joseph, revealing that the family would bow down before him, were more than the jealous hearts of the ten brothers could endure. Benjamin, the twelfth son, was but a child at this time. When Joseph came to his brothers in the field, at a distance from their father, it would seem that all but Reuben had murderous designs against him. Jewish tradition states that Simeon bound Joseph before they lowered him into the pit, designing that he should perish there; otherwise he might have climbed out, and escaped. When the dreams of Joseph's childhood were fulfilled, and his brothers bowed with their faces to the earth before him, then he remembered his dreams. Genesis 42:6-9 May we not conclude that Joseph, when he commanded the officers to take Simeon and bind him before their eyes, remembered how Simeon once bound himself, unmindful of his cries for mercy, while these same men looked on without any pity for him? Simeon must also have remembered it, for Reuben had just reminded the brothers of their cruelty to Joseph. Genesis 42:21-24 Joseph had no resentment in his heart; he could say to those men, The psalmist says, When considering the strict integrity of Joseph in the midst of Egyptian
darkness, we must not forget that Rachel, his mother, lived until he was about sixteen years of age. After she
had, by her godly instruction, fortified her son for the great life-work before him, God in mercy laid Rachel to
rest before Joseph was sold into Egypt, so she was spared that great sorrow. And throughout eternity she will
see the fruit of her training; for it was no doubt his mother's godly instruction that enabled Joseph to connect
with God so closely that The Septuagint translation of Gen. 49:26 joins the mother's name with the
father's in the blessing: Happy the mother that gives, and thrice happy the child that receives, such
instruction. There is a power in godly training in childhood, that moulds the character. It places a Joseph saw the hand of God in all the events of his life. Job manifested the
same spirit; for after God had permitted the devil to take away, all his earthly possessions, he left the devil
out of the reckoning entirely, and said, The first years of Joseph's life in Egypt were passed in the house of Potiphar,
who made him overseer of all his interests. Genesis 39:4-6. Joseph's personal appearance is spoken of as After several years of prison life, at the age of thirty, Genesis 41:46 he stood before Pharaoh and interpreted the king's dreams, but he was careful to attribute all the honor to God. Then he was exalted to the second place in the kingdom, Genesis 41:43 where he taught the Egyptian senators wisdom. Psalms 105:21,22 During the seven years of plenty, Joseph laid up large quantities of grain for use during the seven years of famine. He married an Egyptian wife, and his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, were born during these seven years of plenty. Genesis 41:45,50-52 Joseph had been chief ruler in Egypt nine years, Genesis 41:46,47; 45:6 when his brothers came to Egypt to buy food. It is interesting to note that when Joseph told his brothers that he would keep Benjamin as an hostage, he had the satisfaction of hearing Judah, the very one who, years before, had suggested selling Joseph to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver, offer to become his bondman for life, in place of Benjamin. Genesis 44:33 Joseph had the privilege of sustaining his father and his brothers many years, and of seeing the fulfilment of his youthful dreams. During Joseph's long life of one hundred and ten years, we have no record of
his ever proving untrue to God in any way. He died with a firm faith in the promise made to Isaac, and Jacob.
His last words were, When the voice of Christ shall call the sleeping saints from their dusty beds,
Joseph will spring forth clad in glorious immortality, to greet the Two large tribes sprang from the two sons of Joseph. Gen, 46:27. Joseph received one part of the birthright,- the double portion of the
inheritance. 1 Chron. 5 : 1.
Chapter 47BenjaminWhile little is recorded of Benjamin as an individual, the tribe which bore his name acted a prominent part in the history of the children of Israel. The character of the tribe seems to be portrayed by the prophetic words of Jacob
in his parting blessing: This same stubborn spirit was shown by the tribe of Benjamin fighting until they were nearly exterminated, rather than deliver up the wicked men of Gibeah, that they might be punished. Judges 20:12-48 Notwithstanding they were at this time reduced in number to six hundred, yet in the time of David they had again become a numerous tribe. 1 Chronicles 7:6-12 In the days of the judges, the Benjamites could furnish seven hundred men that
could About three hundred and fifty years later, we read that the mighty men of
Benjamin Benjamin's territory lay north of Judah's, the boundary, line between the two tribes running through the city of Jerusalem. After the great crisis which resulted from the unfortunate transaction at Gibeah, Judges 19:14-39 there were many things that mould have a tendency to change the stubborn, self-willed nature of the tribe. For twenty years the sacred ark of the Lord remained within their borders, in Kirjath-jearim, with a priest to take charge of it. 1 Samuel 7:1,2 Ramah, a city of Benjamin, was the home of Samuel the prophet, who had an altar
built unto the Lord in this place, and offered sacrifices. Samuel The prophetic words of Moses in his parting blessing on the tribes, indicate
that there would be a decided change from the character portrayed by Jacob: The same fearless character that Jacob compared to a wolf, destroying
everything before it, is changed by the converting power of the Spirit of God; and the strength once used to
destroy, is now used to protect the people and interests of the Lord. It is interesting to notice the similarity between the character of the ancient
tribe and that of the leading apostle to the Gentiles, who said of himself, Saul, afterward called Paul, is first introduced to witnessing the stoning of
Stephen and The blessing given by Moses says, Ehud, under whom the land had rest fourscore years, was a Benjamite. Judges
3:15,30 He was left-handed, and it seems that by using his left hand, he was able more adroitly to slay Eglon,
king of Moab, who was oppressing Israel. Judges 3:21-26 Saul, the first king of Israel, was of the tribe of
Benjamin. 1 Samuel 9:21 God not only anointed Saul king over Israel, but He Benjamin had ten sons from whom sprang the tribe of Benjamin. Gen. 46:21. Ehud, who judged eighty years. Judges 3:21-26. Chapter 48ManassehAfter repeating to Joseph the promise of the land
of Canaan which had been given to Abraham and renewed to Isaac and Jacob, the old patriarch said, Joseph placed the first-born at Jacob's right hand and the youngest at his left;
but the aged patriarch laid his right hand on the head of the younger, and his left hand upon the head of the
eldest as he blessed them. When Joseph saw it, he attempted to place Jacob's right hand on the head of Manasseh,
the eldest, saying, Like his great Uncle Esau, Manasseh, although the first-born, received the
second place in the blessing; but the circumstances were entirely different. Manasseh did nothing to forfeit his
privileges in the family blessing. While he did not have the war-like propensities of Ephraim, which enabled him
to build up the kingdom of Israel, yet Manasseh's name will outlive that of Ephraim. There was one portion of
the patriarch's blessing which seemed to be shared more largely by Manasseh than by his more prosperous brother.
The blessing of the Lord was prized by Manasseh and his descendants. Although
they lived at a distance from the center of the nation, and from the temple, and though they had become a part
of the northern kingdom, yet they took an interest in all the reforms instituted by the good kings of Judah.
When King Asa broke down the idols and renewed the worship of the Lord, they came to him The work of reform in the days of Josiah was also carried to the land of Manasseh. 2 Chronicles 34:1-6 They did not lose their interest in the temple at Jerusalem, but gave of their means to restore it after its defilement during the reigns of Manasseh and Amon. 2 Chronicles 34:9 It is supposed that the eightieth Psalm was written by some inspired penman of the house of Joseph during one of these seasons of reform. Little is recorded of the tribe of Manasseh after the settlement in Canaan, but it is gratifying, that faint and scattered as the passages are that refer to that tribe, they all indicate a desire on the part of many to serve the Lord. The blessing of the Angel rested upon Manasseh, and while Ephraim and Manasseh were the names of the two portions given to Joseph in the earthly possession, the names given to the two divisions of the one hundred and forty-four thousand in the kingdom of God will be Manasseh (Greek, Manases) and Joseph. Revelation 7:6,8 The name of Manasseh is thus immortalized, while that of Ephraim sinks into oblivion. Gideon, the greatest of the judges, was of the tribe of Manasseh. He seems to have been the only great warrior in the western half of the tribe; the eastern portion were more warlike. When David went out with the Philistines to battle against Saul, warriors from
Manasseh joined. themselves to David; but when the lords of the Philistines would not allow David to go with
them to the battle, seven mighty warriors, After the death of Saul, eighteen thousand of the half tribe of Manasseh
The five daughters of Zelophehad, of the tribe of Manasseh, are the first women mentioned in the Bible as holding an inheritance in their own name and right. Numbers 27:1-8 If Reuben had never lost his birthright through sin, or if Dan had not formed a character so near akin to Satan that his name was omitted from the list of the twelve tribes, Manasseh's name might never have been given to one of the divisions of the one hundred and forty-four thousand. In all this experience are lessons for every child of God. When God says, The pathway of time is strewn with the wrecks of character, - men who were once
true and faithful members of the Israel of God, Romans 2:28,29 and who were The only son of Manasseh mentioned is Machir, whose mother was a concubine;
from him sprang the tribe of Manasseh. 1 Chronicles 7:14.
Chapter 49The One Hundred and Forty-Four ThousandThe redeemed of the Lord are an innumerable company, which no man can number; but among that multitude is one separate company, who are numbered and are designated by their number,-one hundred and forty-four thousand. This company is composed of twelve different divisions, each containing twelve thousand redeemed souls; and each division bears the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. (Rev. 7:4-8) The list given in Revelation varies somewhat from the list of the twelve sons of Jacob, (1 Chr. 2:1,2) as Dan is omitted, and the extra division is given the name of Manasseh, Joseph's eldest son. This company have special privileges. They stand upon Mount Zion with Christ,
and The great reaper death has laid one generation after another of the saints of
God in the silent tomb; and lest some might fear that the grave would be the final end of the faithful, God gave
the following pledge through His prophet: The one hundred and forty-four thousand are redeemed from the earth-from among men. (Rev. 14:3,4) They are alive upon the earth when the Saviour comes, and will be translated, together with the innumerable host who will come from their dusty beds, clad in glorious immortality, when Christ comes in the clouds of heaven. (1 Thess. 4:16,17) The one hundred and forty-four thousand are distinguished from all others by
their having the seal of the living God in their foreheads. All who have this seal are included in this company.
(Rev. 7:2-4) This distinguishing mark is called the We are familiar with the term The Bible was given through prophets, - holy men whom God used as mouthpieces, to make His will known to His people; (2 Peter 1:20,21) but the law of God-the ten commandments-was not given through any human agent. God the Father, Christ the Son, and myriads of heavenly beings came down upon Mount Sinai, (Ps. 68:17) when the ten commandments were proclaimed to the vast multitude of Israel- over a million people. (Duet. 4:10,13,32,33) Then, lest there might be some mistake in writing out the law which He had given, God called Moses up into the mountain, and gave him two tables of stone, upon which He any had engraved with His own finger the same ten commandments that He had spoken in the hearing of the multitude. (Duet. 10:1-5; Ex. 31:18; 32:15,19) This law will be the standard by which every son and daughter of Adam will be judged. (James 2:10-12) Has God attached His seal to this law, whereby all may know its binding claims? Remembering that the seal must contain, first, the tame of the one issuing the law; second, the office or authority tested in the lawgiver; and third, the territory over which he roles, let us look for the seal in the law of God. The first three commandments, and also the fifth, mention the name of God, (Ex. 20:3-7,12) but do not distinguish Him from other gods. (1 Cor.8:5) the last five commandments show our duty to our fellow men, but do not contain the name of God. (Ex. 20:13-17) The fourth commandment contains, first, the name, The fourth commandment requires all who dwell in the territory of the Lord God the Creator, to keep holy the seventh day of the week, which He has sanctified and blessed, (Gen. 2:2-3) as a memorial of His creative work. The Sabbath commandment contains the seal of the law. The word sign is
sometimes used as a synonym for God blessed and sanctified the Sabbath; (Gen. 2:2) and to the one who will keep
it holy, it is a sign, or seal, of God's power to sanctify him. (Eze. 20:12, Isa. 58:13,14)) There is a
knowledge of God in the proper observance of the Sabbath. During the Dark Ages, when the word of God was hidden from the people, the seal
was taken from God's law. Sunday, the first day of the week, a day upon which God worked, (Gen. 1:1-5; Eze 46:1)
was substituted for the seventh-day Sabbath, upon which He rested. (Gen. 2:3) The Lord revealed through Daniel
the prophet that a power would arise which should After that period had passed and the Bible was again in the hands of the people, the true Sabbath of the fourth commandment was to be restored and observed. The breach in the law would be repaired, (Isa. 58: 12) and the law sealed among the disciples of the Lord, who would be eagerly looking for His return. (Isa. 8:16,17) In Rev. 7:2, this sealing message is represented as coming from the east, or sunrising. We should understand from this that it would begin like the sunrising, first a faint light, steadily increasing until it lightens the whole earth. Four angels were commissioned to hold the four winds until the work was accomplished. Winds are a symbol of war. (Dan. 11:40) In fulfillment of this we should expect to find that during some period of the world's history the winds of war were miraculously held, while the work of restoring the seal to the law of God was going forward in the earth. There have always been upon the earth some adherents of the seventh-day
Sabbath; but the work of restoring the breach which had been made in the law was begun about 1845, by those who
were then watching for the second coming of the Lord. After the time set for Him to come had passed, in the
autumn of 1844, the attention of those who had expected Christ to return to the earth at that time was directed
to the heavenly sanctuary, where by faith they saw Christ officiating as their High Priest. As they followed the
Saviour in His work, In 1848 occurred one of the greatest upheavals in the national affairs of Europe that had been for many centuries. Decided changes were made in some of the leading nations. In a brief period of time, many of the crowned heads of Europe submitted themselves to the people. It looked as if universal war was inevitable. In the midst of the turmoil and strife, came a sudden calm. No man could assign any reason for it, but the student of prophecy knew that the angels were holding the winds until the servants of God could be sealed in their foreheads. The forehead is the seat of the intellect; and when the honest in heart see and acknowledge the binding claims of God's law, they will keep holy the Sabbath. The seal placed in the forehead by the angel can not be read by man, for God alone can read the heart. Simply resting upon the seventh day from all physical work will not place the seal upon the forehead of any one. The resting is necessary, but with the rest must be also the holy and sanctified life that is in harmony with the holy and sanctified day. (Isa. 58:13) Ezekiel saw an angel placing a The Sabbath reform-the sealing work of Rev. 7:1-4-arose as the sun. For some years there were only a few that kept the Sabbath of the fourth commandment; but as individuals here and there, in all parts of the world, found that the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation teaches that the seventh day is the Sabbath, and that Christ (Luke 4:16) and the apostles (Acts 17:2; 16:13; 18:4,11) kept it, they accepted it; (Romans 3:19) and to-day in every division of the earth there are those who honor God as the Creator, by keeping holy the day which He sanctified and blessed as a memorial of His creative work. In the Christian church there is neither Jew nor Gentile; all are one in Christ Jesus.(Gal. 3:28) We are all grafted into the family of Abraham. (Romans 11:17-21) The one hundred and forty-four thousand are not necessarily literal descendants of the Jews, (Romans 11:21-23; 9:6-9,24-26) but they are those who have received the seal of the living God in their foreheads, whose lives are in harmony with the holy precepts of Jehovah. (Rev. 7:3) In Rev. 14:9-14 we are told of a power that is opposed to God's law, and that has a mark which it will try to enforce upon the people by means of the civil power. (Rev 13:13-18) Since the Sabbath of the Lord is given by Jehovah as a sign of His power and His right to rule, the counterfeit Sabbath, or Sunday, the first day of the week, will be the mark of the opposing power. God's law commands all to keep holy the seventh day of the week, God's memorial of creation; but the laws of the land will command all to rest upon Sunday, the first day of the week. (Rev. 13:16,17; Rev. 14:7,9,12) When this test comes, each person will have to decide for himself. Many, like
Peter and John, when they faced the magistrates and imprisonment, will say, This conflict will continue, says John, until the dragon, Satan, will become so
angry with the church that he will Out of this conflict the one hundred and forty-four thousand will be gathered.
Their experience will be similar to that of the children of Israel coming out of Egypt. Pharaoh would not allow
them to rest on the Sabbath. He called the instruction of Moses and Aaron Satan was determined that the Israelites should not honor the Sabbath of the Lord; but God delivered His people and destroyed Pharaoh and all his host. (Ex. 14:19-31) On earth the distinguishing mark of the one hundred and forty-four thousand is
the seal of God in their foreheads; in heaven it will be the wonderful song which they will sing: As the twelve tribes, after crossing the Red Sea, all united in the song of triumph, so the last representatives of the twelve tribes of Israel on earth, as they stand a mighty phalanx on the sea of glass before the throne of God in heaven, will sing the song of Moses and the Lamb. The one hundred and forty-four thousand receive the seal of the living God in
their foreheads. Rev. 7:2-4. A seal attached to a legal document must give the name, office, or authority, of the one issuing the document, and the territory over which he rules. God has a seal; this seal is connected with His law. Rev. 7:3,4; Isa. 8:16. The fourth commandment contains the seal of the law of God. It gives His name,- Lord God; His authority,- the Creator; and His territory,-the heaven and earth which He has made. Ex. 20:8-11. Sign and seal are synonymous terms. Rom. 4:11.
Chapter 50The Lost TribesMuch has been said and written about the lost tribes of Israel, and many fanciful theories have been invented in regard to them. We will not attempt to follow any of these lines of argument, but will speak of those tribes which are truly lost. In the previous chapters we have seen that Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin, and Manasseh, not only had a part in the land of Palestine, but that their names are immortalized, and will be represented in the kingdom of God throughout eternity, while the names of Ephraim and Dan sink into oblivion. They are the lost tribes of Israel. Why was proud Ephraim, who was the strength of the kingdom of Israel, and Dan, who was surpassed only by Judah in the number of its warriors when they entered the promised land, left out of the final great gathering of Israel as tribes? Ephraim was the son of an Egyptian princess who was an idolater, as far as we have any record. It is very probable that most of Ephraim's life was spent among the Egyptians, for we can hardly suppose that with his proud connections he associated much with the Israelites in Goshen, until a king arose that knew not Joseph.Exodus 1:8. Manasseh lived in the same surroundings; but the fact that Ephraim had received first place in the blessing of the patriarch, may have filled his heart with pride and given a different mould to his life. Ephraim was about twenty-one years of age when he received Jacob's blessing. He had the godly example of his father before him for many years; for Joseph lived to see Ephraim's children of the third generation. Genesis 50:23 Only one glimpse of the individual life of Ephraim is given. The record states
that his sons, in a marauding expedition, stole the cattle belonging to the men of Gath, and the men of Gath
slew them. Another illustrious descendant of Beriah was his daughter, Sherah, who built two cities. 1 Chronicles 7:24. Samuel, the last judge of Israel, was of the tribe of Ephraim. It was in Shiloh that Hannah gave Samuel to Eli, the priest. 1 Samuel 2:24-28. Samuel is one of the strong characters of the Bible. Few men have filled so many offices during a long and useful life as did Samuel. He officiated as priest, but he was not a priest. 1 Samuel 7:9. He judged Israel all the days of his life. 1 Samuel 7:15. He was also a great educator, and established the schools of the prophets. When but a child Samuel was entrusted with the Spirit of prophecy, (1 Samuel 3:1-21) and it is usually supposed that a portion of the Bible was written by him. Ephraim as a tribe had many advantages; but they failed to profit by them. They were envious and jealous, always sensitive over supposed slights. Judges 8:1; 2 Samuel 19:41-43 After the death of Solomon, the kingdom was divided, and from that time the history of Ephraim is the history of the kingdom of Israel. Jeroboam, their first king, was an Ephrathite. It was God that rent the kingdom
out of the hands of Rehoboam, and gave ten tribes to Jeroboam; 1 Kings 11:29-31 and if he had walked humbly with
God, an entirely different history would have been written of Ephraim. It was the same spirit of jealousy and
suspicion that had marred the history of his tribe, that influenced Jeroboam to make the golden calves, and set
them up in Bethel and Dan, thus establishing a system of idolatrous worship. 1 Kings 12:26-33 The Lord sent a
message of warning, and even performed a miracle upon the person of the king; 1 Kings 13:1-6 but There are few things more mournful than the steady descent of the haughty, jealous tribe of Ephraim from the pinnacle of success, - their leader the leader of the entire nation, and the center of the worship at Shiloh within their borders, - to the sudden captivity and total oblivion which closed its career. Some most pathetic messages were sent by the Lord to the tribe of Ephraim.
Almost the whole of Hosea's testimonies were entreaties for Ephraim to repent. The Lord pleaded with Ephraim, saying, Idolatry was the great sin of Ephraim; he failed to appreciate the sacred
things of God. After the pleadings of the Lord were rejected, then the word went forth, There are many idolaters in the world today, traveling the same road over which
Ephraim passed. They are not worshiping idols made of metal, wood, or stone, for the popular gods of the present
day are not of that form; they are money, wealth, pleasure, and high position. God is calling after them, but
they, like Ephraim, are joined to their idols. Like Ephraim of old, they are reckoned as a part of the church of
God, but the theatre and pleasure resorts have more attraction for them than the house of prayer, and worldly
society is more enjoyable than the companionship of saints. They will one day be taken captive by a King greater
than the kings of Assyria and Babylon. The great King of all kings will arise and shake terribly the earth.
Dan was the fifth son of Jacob, and his descendants composed one of the strong
tribes of Israel. Sixty-four thousand four hundred warriors were marshaled under the standard of Dan as they
entered the promised land. Numbers 26:42,43 For some reason the large tribe of Dan was given one of the smallest
portions of the inheritance, and in time they pushed northward and fought against When the tabernacle was built in the wilderness, God especially endowed
Aholiab, of the tribe of Dan, with wisdom to Years afterward, when Solomon built the temple, Hiram, king of Tyre, sent a descendant of Dan, one still possessing the gifts given his forefathers by the Lord, to make the cunning work in gold, silver, and brass, for the temple, 2 Chronicles 2:13,14 in Jerusalem. The tribe of Dan still kept its place among the Israelites in the time of David; 1 Chronicles 27:22 but after that the name as applied to the tribe vanishes, and it is seldom mentioned, except when referring to the northern city by that name. Samson is the only ruler furnished Israel by the tribe of Dan. He judged Israel
for twenty years. Judges 13:2; 15:20 The blessing pronounced upon Dan by Jacob, portrays his character: Dan was the first son born of the concubines, but the old patriarch gave him an honored place among the tribes of Israel. Naturally he was endowed with the quick, keen discernment that makes a good judge; but he did not exercise the gift as God designed; he used it in detecting the evil in others, instead of the good.
The psalmist asks the question, Reuben, by Ephraim and Dan, with the same opportunities that their brethren had of overcoming evil traits in their characters, failed to gain the victory, and are not reckoned with the one hundred and forty-four thousand who will stand on God's holy hill and abide in His tabernacle. In families all over the land today the same story is being repeated. Brothers,
reared by the same parents, surrounded by the same environments, are passing over the same experiences as are
recorded of the sons of Jacob. Of them, 1ike the wheat and the tares, the commandment is given, The same Christ who once walked the earth, clothed in human form, will by His
divine Spirit, dwell in every human being who will open wide the door of his heart and bid Him enter. He who
will meditate upon Christ, and study His sinless life, by beholding the glory of the Lord will be
SERMON FIVE TEXT: But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Dan.12:4. The time of the end noted in the text is not the end itself. It is evidently a period of time just prior to the end. In the time of the end many were to run to and fro, and knowledge upon the grand subject before the prophet's mind, was to be increased. The words of the book, named in the text, are undoubtedly the prophecy of Daniel, the several chains of which reach down to the close of all earthly kingdoms at the second coming of Christ. Shut up the words, and seal the book. Prophecy is history in advance. To the prophets themselves, their own prophecies could afford but little light, the prophetic scenery spread out before them being the history of the future. The apostle, speaking of the prophecies relative to the plan of salvation, embracing the sufferings of Christ at his first advent, and also the glory that should follow at his second advent says: "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you; searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us, they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven; which things the angels desire to look into." 1 Pet.1:10-12. The prophecies relative to the first advent of Christ were not an especial light to the prophets in their day. But they were given for the benefit of the believing about the time of their fulfillment. From the very nature of the case, they were, in a degree at least, shut up until about that time. So with those prophecies which relate to the second advent. They were not designed for the especial benefit of the prophets, the apostles, the martyrs, or the reformers; but they are an especial light to those who live in the time of the end. The book was to be shut up and sealed until that period of time should arrive, called the time of the end. What then? Many shall run to and fro. Whether this be fulfilled in turning and searching to and fro in the Scriptures for light upon the subject of the fulfillment of prophecy, or by men called of God to the work, traveling to and fro with the message from God to the people upon this subject, the fulfillment is evident. Both have been done within the last half century as never before. Duffield on Prophecy, p. 373, says: "The word translated, run to and fro, is metaphorically used to denote investigation, close, diligent, accurate observation - just as the eyes of the Lord are said to run to and fro. The reference is not to missionary exertions in particular, but to the study of the Scriptures, especially the sealed book of prophecy."
And knowledge shall be increased. This does not mean general knowledge; but the words must be limited to the subject presented to Daniel. The book of Daniel contains chains of prophecy which reach down to the end of earthly kingdoms, and the Judgment. Chapters 11 and 12 are one chain, reaching down to the time when Michael shall stand up, the time of trouble such as never was, and the resurrection of many. Chap. 12:1, 2. In verse 6, one says to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?" The end of the wonders is the close of these scenes connected with the Judgment. In the next verse the answer is given by the man clothed in linen, with a most solemn oath, with both hands raised to heaven. But says Daniel: I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?" Verse 8. The prophet here makes earnest inquiries relative to the scenes connected with the second advent. Read the angel's reply: "Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and
sealed till the time of the end." Here are two classes, the wicked and the wise. The wise are those who are being purified and made white. They are wise in reference to the things of God, and the kingdom of Heaven. They understand by the opening prophecies the events which terminate the wonders shown to the prophet. They see these things clearly, believe, prepare, and rejoice in the blessed hope. Here we should be impressed with the practical bearing of the Second Advent faith and hope. The truly wise, those who are being purified, and made white, and tried,
understand. They will listen to the voice of warning, and will be instructed, and will understand that the day of
the Lord is coming, and hasteth greatly. They will be waiting and watching, and will be ready when the Lord shall
come. Of these Paul speaks: "And unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto
salvation." Heb.9:28. Or, as Peter exhorts: "Wherefore, beloved, loved, seeing that ye look for such things, be
diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." 2 Peter 3:14. Again, "Seeing then that
all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness."
Verse 11. That there is a period of time in which the church is especially to look for the second coming of Christ, is evident. Many, however, take the ground that it was right for the early Christians to look for Christ's second coming in their day, that it has been scriptural for the followers of Christ in each generation since to expect his coming in their day, and that nothing more, in this respect, is required of the church at this time. It is true that some of the early church received the idea that Christ would come in their day. And it is evident that the Thessalonian church thus believed from the fact that the apostle in his second epistle to them, corrects this error. He says: "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that Man of Sin be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God." 2 Thess.2:1-4. From this testimony we conclude that there were those who had taught the
Thessalonians to expect the second advent in their day. But the apostle exhorts them not to be troubled with this
idea, and warns them against being deceived by it. He then states that the day of Christ would not come, except
there came a falling away first, and that Man of Sin (the Papacy) be revealed. He points the church of Christ down
over the period of the apostasy, and the twelve hundred and sixty years of Papal supremacy, to near our time, and
guards all the way with a warning against being deceived with the idea that Christ might come during that
period. What a beautiful harmony in the testimonies of the angel and of Paul. The angel says to Daniel, "The words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end." Paul says to his brethren, "That day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that Man of Sin be revealed." The apostle's warning reaches down to the time of the end, where the words were to be unsealed. This plainly shows that the last half century has been the period for the subject of the second advent to be brought out, and this the only time that the church of Christ could scripturally look for the coming of the Lord. |
