The Adventist Watch

Did Ellen White instruct us to follow Uriah Smith's Daniel and the Revelation?

torystcyr@gmail.com (Tory St.Cyr) — Sat, 03 May 2025 20:19:54 GMT

Ellen White endorsed Uriah Smith’s Daniel and the Revelation book. Does this mean that this book contains all the correct viewpoints? Let's address this elephant that seems to never leave the room.

Uriah Smith's Daniel and the Revelation book is one of the most recommended books for Seventh-day Adventists. Smith's in-depth verse-by-verse coverage of Daniel and Revelation makes it an easy choice for those who truly want to understand Bible prophecy. As a matter of fact, Smith's book remains one of my favorite books on prophecy even though I disagree with a number of his views. His book is one of the reasons I became interested in prophecy, and a copy of this book will always be a part of my library.

Unfortunately, there is a silent debate among Adventists regarding Uriah Smith's Daniel and the Revelation book. Should all his views be considered the official and only views of the Seventh-day Adventist Church? From his view of Turkey being the King of the North (also called the Eastern question), to the Daily being Paganism, to 666 representing Vicarius Filii Dei, Uriah Smith's views expressed in his book are popular among Adventists.* However, other views of prophecy have popped up among our church members, which have challenged many of the Daniel and Revelation author's views.

This divergence of views has some Historicalists and even some Traditionalists believing that the Church is moving away from sound Adventist theology. Others have suggested that a break from the views expressed in Daniel and the Revelation is flat-out apostasy!

Although I understand why many of our members hold Uriah Smith's writings near and dear, I also believe we as Seventh-day Adventists should try to be as balanced as possible regarding our approach to interpreting Bible prophecy—especially when clear and cut instructions are lacking from Inspiration.

Make no mistake—Ellen White was very fond of Uriah Smith’s Daniel and the Revelation . Here’s one of her most glowing statements in support of Smith’s book:

"The grand instruction contained in Daniel and Revelation has been eagerly perused by many in Australia. This book has been the means of bringing many precious souls to a knowledge of the truth. Everything that can be done should be done to circulate Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation. I know of no other book that can take the place of this one. It is God’s helping hand."

While it’s important to know what Ellen White said about Smith’s book, it’s equally important to recognize what Ellen White did not say. In other words, Daniel and the Revelation is an important book, but nowhere does she suggest that every viewpoint made in the book is correct. Those who view Smith’s Daniel and the Revelation book in this manner are inadvertently viewing his book as an extension of Ellen White’s inspiration. This was not the meaning behind Ellen White’s glowing remarks of his book, nor should Adventists push this narrative in order to propagate their preferred views of Bible prophecy.

Those who place Smith’s book on an inspiration pedestal should see that Smith’s contemporaries did not see his book in this fashion. We know this to be true because when there was a controversy as to the meaning of the Daily, Ellen White made it clear what her position was:

I now ask that my ministering brethren shall not make use of my writings in their arguments regarding this question [“the daily”]; for I have had no instruction on the point under discussion, and I see no need for the controversy. Regarding this matter under present conditions, silence is eloquence . Selected Messages Vol 1 p. 164

Although the subject of the Daily was covered by Uriah Smith, notice that the brethren did not refer to Smith's writings for the meaning of the Daily. We should also notice that Ellen White did not refer them to Smith’s book for its meaning either. This reveals to us that during the time of the pioneers, Smith’s book had not been placed upon the inspiration pedestal that it is today.

As Seventh-day Adventists, we should do our best to take Ellen White at her word without embellishing or reading into the intent of those words. If she thought Uriah Smith's book was a means to bring souls to the truth, then accept her statement at face without conjecture. Daniel and the Revelation is a book that has led and continues to lead those to a knowledge of the truth. This reveals to us that truth is found in Smith's book but that doesn't mean everything in Smith's book is truth. Personally, I can attest to Ellen White's words. Reading Smith's book has given me a desire to study and has also led me to the truth.

Glowingly as her remarks are, we still should see that Ellen White is simply recommending Uriah Smith's book. However, we should also understand that Ellen White also recommended other books besides Daniel and the Revelation. Here are a few of her recommendations:

The Life of St. Paul by Conybeare and Howson, I regard as a book of great merit, and one of rare usefulness to the earnest student of the New Testament history . Signs of the Times, February 22, 1883

For those who can procure it, D'Aubigne's History of the Reformation will be both interesting and profitable. From this work we may gain some knowledge of what has been accomplished in the past in the great work of reform . Review and Herald, December 26, 1882

Although Ellen White's recommendations were not as forward as her recommendation of Smith's book, we should be able to understand that just because Ellen White expresses the importance of a book does not mean that she is placing her stamp of approval upon everything that's written in the book.

Therefore, I believe we should see Smith’s Daniel and the Revelation for what it is—an amazing book on prophecy that is called God’s helping hand, that should continue to be circulated to bring many precious souls to the truth.

*I have called them Uriah Smith's views although they may not have originated with him.

What does it mean to be dead to the law?

torystcyr@gmail.com (Tory St.Cyr) — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 12:11:36 GMT

In Romans 7:4, we have an interesting statement given by Paul. He says, “ Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ …”

Because so many honest Christians believe Paul’s message to the early church was that the law was no longer binding, many who read this text believe that Paul was doubling down on the assertion that believers no longer need to keep the law.

However, a closer analysis of this chapter reveals that Paul’s message was less about the law and more about an inner struggle that every believer who truly recognizes their sinfulness will have.

However, in order to understand the full scope of Paul’s message, we must understand how Jewish law viewed the relationship between a husband and wife.

The Woman Who is Bound to Her Husband

Romans 7:1 - Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?

Here, Paul reminds his readers that the law only has dominion over those who are living. It is important to see that the context of Paul’s thesis pivots around death and the law.

Romans 7:2 - For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband .

To support Paul’s opening statement, he now gives his readers an example that everyone could relate to—marriage. According to Jewish law, the husband was the only party in a marriage that could initiate divorce. Notice how this fact is brought out in a conversation between Jesus and the Pharisees:

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so . Matthew 19:7-8

Notice, that it was the men who were suffered to put away their wives, not the wives who were suffered to put away their husbands. This brings into context why Paul reminded his readers that a woman was bound by the law to her husband as long as he was living. She was bound because only the husband could initiate divorce while both parties were still living. The woman’s only hope to be released from her husband was if he died.

Another man?

Paul doubles down on his example, by reiterating that a woman who was married to another man while her husband was still living was called an adulteress.

Romans 7:3 - So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man .

However, I want you to notice that at the end of the text, it says “another man.” This phrase should reveal to you that there are two men in the picture. The first man was her first husband, and the second man was her new husband. While this may seem basic, many Evangelicals have been taught the lie that the first marriage was to the law. This is incorrect. The woman was not bound to the law through the law; the woman was bound to her FIRST HUSBAND through the law.

Dead To The Law

Romans 7:4 - Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God .

Paul then makes a powerful and conclusive statement by telling his readers that they have also become dead to the law. However, is Paul telling us we can sin freely? What does Paul mean?

The Law, Sin, and Death

Paul understood that there’s a relation between the law, sin, and death. According to Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death…” Well, what is sin? According to 1John 3:4 – “Sin is the transgression of the law.” When we look at these components wholistically, we should see a clear system of truth.

The law has no saving power. It can only point out that you are out of compliance with God. Being out of compliance with God means that we have sinned. When we have sinned there are wages to that sin, and it’s called eternal death. Because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, we all deserve the final death. However, when we accept Christ as our personal Savior, we become dead with Him. In essence, His death becomes our death.

Already dead

Several years ago, there was an active shooter situation where many people unfortunately lost their lives. However, there was one survivor in particular who miraculously made it out alive. When the news anchor asked him how he survived in the face of certain death, the man revealed that he simply laid down and pretended he was already dead.

You see, he understood that the shooter was looking to kill people that were alive. Thus, when the shooter skipped over him, it was because the gunman believed he had already killed the man.

This example perfectly explains the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because we have broken the law and sinned, death’s only job is to destroy us. However, Galatians 2:20 says, “ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me .”

So now, when death seeks to kill me, it cannot because according to its records, I’m already dead! When death sees me, it sees Christ, and thus I am dead with Christ, however, I’m still living! This is the power of the Gospel.

Two Husbands

Now we must determine who the two husbands are.

The Second Husband – An analysis of Romans 7 reveals that Christ is the second husband. We know this because Verse 4 says, we “should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead.” This we know Jesus is our second husband.
The First Husband – When we understand the context of Paul’s epistle, we should understand that our first husband is our flesh. Paul often called him the old man. " Knowing this, that our OLD MAN is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin ." Romans 6:6

Once we understand that we are married to the old man, we should see that just like the woman who was bound by her husband to the law, we are also bound to our flesh. And just like the woman could not legally divorce her husband, we cannot physically divorce our flesh. The woman bound by her husband’s only hope was that her first husband would die. Only then would the law recognize her as being released from her husband. The same thing exists for us. We cannot get rid of our flesh. The desire to sin is part of us. Psalms 51:5 says, “ Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me .” Because we are sinners and married to our flesh, there’s only one thing can do to get rid of the Old Man—we have to kill him.

Self must die. This spiritual death is why Paul said, I die daily (1Corinthians 15:31). This death comes from spending more time in God’s Word and less time doing worldly things. More time in prayer and less time on social media. More time with Christ means less time with your flesh.

Conclusion: The Law Is Not Dead To Us; We Are Dead To The Law

It is not the law that is dead—it is us who are dead. Through the power of Christ, we must die to self daily and only then can we get from under the Old Man and live a fulfilling life in Christ Jesus.

Question: What does Inspiration say about Broken Families?

torystcyr@gmail.com (Tory St.Cyr) — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 12:46:33 GMT

Here's a question that I received from one of my Youtube subscribers:

Question - ..." I was raised in the church and I have questions about what Ellen White says about the churches responsibility to the family? The second question I have is how do we as people in the last days apply what this messenger says to broken families today ? Last question is, how does a person whose family is broken find the answers not only in the spirit of prophecy but in God’s word? " - Jeremy

Response - Depending on the severity of the issue, I am inclined to recommend that you seek a licensed counselor or a trustworthy, Bible-believing Pastor. However, I will do my best to answer your questions:

Although you asked about Ellen White, I believe it's best to answer from the Word of God first, then we will then look for a few quotations from the Messenger to the Adventist Church to add context.

Broken Families in the Bible

Adam and Eve.

Eve gave Adam the fruit and got them not only kicked out of their home but cursed the world. Then afterward, one son killed the other…and he got banished. Now, I don’t know about you, but if there’s one family that was broken…it was Adam and Eve’s. 1. What did God do? He promised them of a coming savior. Just as God gave them a promise, broken families should also look for promises in God’s Word, but don’t only read them…CLAIM THEM: Jeremiah 30:17, Psalm 51:12, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Malachi 4:6 .

Jacob's family

Jacob lied to his father and feuded with his brother. However, he wrestled with Christ. Thus, although our family life may be in turmoil, it is our duty to wrestle with God in prayer. If you’re the only one who is willing to pray in your home, then you need to regularly find a quiet place to agonize with the Lord over your family problems.

Joseph's family

Joseph’s father played favorites with him which resulted in him getting sold into slavery. For years he spent in a bad place for something that wasn’t his fault; however, through adversity, he still remained faithful to God. While you are in the crucible, your prayer is to remain faithful to God. Continue studying his word, praying, fasting, and attending church if possible. Maintain that relationship with God at all times.

David's family

Of all the broken families, David’s family ranks at the top. The Bible reveals David took his soldier's wife and had him killed. As a result, their first son died. However, this was not the end of David's tumultuous road. David had another son named Amnon, who raped Tamar, his own sister. If things couldn't get any worse, David's other son, Absalom, tried to kill him but ended up losing his own life. I don’t know what type of brokenness you may be facing, but this brokenness is on another level. But after a while, what did David do? He realized how culpable he was in all of this. He recognized that his actions may have often been the cause of much of his pain. Thus we can see in Psalms 51:2-3 he told God, " Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me ." In essence, in our brokenness, we must ask God to show us if we are contributing to our state of being and seek God's forgiveness.

What does the Bible say about family brokenness?

Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law . Luke 12:51-53

And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand . Matt 12:2

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit . Psalm 34:18

Casting all your anxieties on him because he cares for you . 1 Peter 5:7

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ . Gal 6:2

What does Ellen White say about family brokenness?

The Church as a Watchman—The Lord would use the church school as an aid to the parents in educating and preparing their children for this time before us. Then let the church take hold of the schoolwork in earnest and make it what the Lord desires it to be. God has appointed the church as a watchman, to have a jealous care over the youth and children, and as a sentinel to see the approach of the enemy and give warning of danger. But the church does not realize the situation. She is sleeping on guard. In this time of peril fathers and mothers must arouse and work as for life, or many of the youth will be forever lost. CG 312

We are laborers together with God. We must have spiritual workers; not only workers who labor in the pulpit for the churches, but those who will do personal work among the people. Too much time is devoted to the churches in preaching. This is not attended with the best results. The work of the Lord's ambassadors is to organize a company of workers to hunt for the souls who need help; but hours are spent in preaching that had better be devoted to personal, house-to-house labor. In the spirit of Christ, with a heart all aglow with His love, seek to win those in the family. AUCR Feb 25, 1907

When a church is visited by wise and experienced workmen, let these men find out if there is not something for them to do for that church that will be a blessing to families. Converse with them in regard to their spiritual advancement. Show them that they are under obligation to work as those who have received the grace of God. The missionary spirit must be kept awake; and in order for this spirit to live, the members of the church must be laborers together with God. It is time that unselfish, consecrated workmen should enter into families who have already accepted the truth, and yet have not worked for its advancement. It is time that our preaching brethren should minister not only in the congregation, but in families. Come close to your brethren; seek for them, help them; come close to the hearts as one touched with the feelings of their infirmities. Thus we may achieve victories that our small faith has not grasped. The members of these families should be given some labor to perform for the good of souls. Mutual love and confidence will give them moral force to be laborers together with God. AUCR Feb 25, 1907

Those who labor for God have but just begun the work when they have given a discourse in the desk. After this comes the real labor, the visiting from house to house, conversing with members of families, praying with them, and coming close in sympathy to those whom we wish to benefit. It will not detract from the dignity of a minister of Christ to be awake to see and realize the temporal burdens and cares of the families he visits, and to be useful, seeking to relieve them where he can by engaging in physical labor. In this way he can have a power of influence to disarm opposition and break down prejudice, that he would fail to have if he were in every other respect fully efficient as a minister of Christ. 3T 558

“He preaches to the people, but makes no after effort to follow up the sermons given. He said he could not visit families, that he just despised that kind of labor.” You can imagine the condition of a flock unvisited by the shepherd. I have repeatedly had this matter presented before me, that the men who are ordained to preach the word should be educated to make full proof of their ministry in their personal labors in families, talking with the members of the family, understanding their spiritual condition, encouraging, reproving with all long-suffering and doctrine, praying with them, binding up his interest with their hearts and souls. This is the work of a faithful shepherd. PH002 17

Let all share the expense. Let the church see that those who ought to receive its benefits are attending the school. Poor families should be assisted. CG 313

Many cherish wrong-doing by speaking fretfully and impatiently. This course is not excused by the words, “Oh, it is only my way!” None should ever speak words that wound and bruise. We should bear one another’s burdens, thus fulfilling the law of God. Oh, how many we might save by showing them sympathy and tenderness, by helping them to bear their burdens! How many are lost because others, instead of manifesting toward them a spirit of love, indulge in a spirit of criticism, magnifying their mistakes! We are not to sanction the wrong course of a brother, but we are to try to save him from sin, instead of condemning him for being in sin. We all have infirmities, and we should be willing to make allowance for the infirmities of others. Ms 21, 1092

Question 2: How do we as people in the last days apply what this messenger says to broken families today?

Answer : I believe, the best way to apply it is to create an atmosphere in our churches and our homes of being a blessing to others. Sometimes, we as believers focus more on the standards of the church, and as a result, we focus on maintaining an attitude of holiness while neglecting some of the core principles of Christianity —love, gentleness, acceptance, friendliness, patience, and encouragement. Instead of believing these characteristics will just manifest themselves because it's church, we must be intentional about these things and facilitate an atmosphere where these characteristics can not just be seen, but also thrive.

One of the main purposes of the church is for the gathering of believers. In this gathering we learn, we share experiences, but we also can network. Thus, if the church is lacking, don't wait on the Pastor or Elders to begin a ministry or program, it is up to you to find like-minded people in the church or in other churches and network together to find methods to facilitate broken families. It may also be beneficial to incorporate a Christian counselor in your network as well.

Question 3: How does a person whose family is broken find the answers not only in the spirit of prophecy but in God’s word?

The way to find answers is first through fasting and prayer. We fast to keep our minds open to hear God's voice. However, please know that voice may not always come through His written Word. Sometimes that voice may come through a sermon, a Bible text, a video, a conversation, and even an audible voice; however, we have to be attentive to know that it is God who is speaking to us. You can also ask others as there is always someone out there who has gone through what you are going through.

In conclusion, we can see that there is a place for broken families in the Church. The Church is to minister to them and pray for them. If you are reading this and you find yourself part of a broken family, just remember that God loves you and although you may feel like you've been abandoned, He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb 13:5). My prayer is that God will mend our broken families back together. God bless!

Did Jesus preach in Hell?

torystcyr@gmail.com (Tory St.Cyr) — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 01:26:43 GMT

1Peter 3:18-19 says, " For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison ."

According to the text, Jesus preached to the spirits in prison. The question that we must answer is—who were these spirits and where was this prison? In order to do that, we must understand the context of 1Peter 3:18-19.

In order to understand the context of 1Peter 3:18-19, we must see a recurring principle in Peter's epistles. This recurring pattern is found in multiple places, but they all consist of these three parts:

Refer to the crucifixion of Christ.
Correlate Christ's death, burial, and resurrection to believers who have spiritually died and resurrected as new creatures.
Recall believers past life before they were spiritually crucified with Christ.

Now, watch all three parts of this pattern play out in 1Peter 2:24-25 :

[ 1 ] Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, [ 2 ] that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed . [ 3 ] For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls .

Again, we see this pattern in 1Peter 4:1-3 : [ 1 ] Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: [ 2 ] for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. [ 3 ] For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries :

Hopefully, you can clearly see this theme in both of the above references. However, what you may not yet realize is that this theme also occurs in 1Peter 3:18-19! Notice what it says:

[ 1 ] For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, [ 2 ] being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; [ 3 ] Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Hopefully, you can see why it was necessary to see the pattern before explaining the meaning of verse 18 & 19. What we must understand is that we are those spirits who Christ preached to in prison! Now, that you understand who Jesus preached to, let's understand how we hermeneutically arrived at this conclusion:

Are we spirits?

In the original Greek, the word for spirit can have various interpretations. As Seventh-day Adventists, we should understand the concept of the Spirit if we understand the state of the dead. According to Gen 2:7, God created Adam from the dust of the earth, breathed into his nostrils, and he became a living soul. In studying the breath that God gave Adam, we also understand, that according to Job 27:3, this breath is also known as His spirit.

Spirit in the New Testament often refers to the Holy Spirit or angels; however, because the spirit is also understood to be the source of our lives, the spirit is also seen as our essence in the New Testament. Here are a few examples:

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God . 1Corinthians 2:11

To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus . 1Corinthians 5:5

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect . Hebrews 12:23

Beloved, believe not every spirit , but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world . 1John 4:1

In this manner, we believers embody our spirits and thus our spirits represent the very essence of who we are. If we can understand this concept, then we should be able to see that the spirits that Christ preached to were believers.

Where is the Prison?

Now that we understand we are the spirits referred to in 1Peter 3, we also must see that the prison being referred to is this earth.

As students of the Bible, we should see that this earth becomes a prison for Satan at the Second Coming. Regarding this earth at that time, the prophet Jeremiah says, " I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger ." Jeremiah 4:26

According to the Prophet Isaiah, this is the time when Satan will " be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit ." Isaiah 14:12-15

The Bible makes it plain that earth becomes a prison for Satan, but what we may not realize is that those of us who are in sin are already considered to be Satan's prisoners. Notice what the prophet says next:

They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners ? Isaiah 14:16-17

We were these prisoners! And we were not able to escape Satan's prison of wickedness. However, it was Jesus who came down to this earth and fulfilled the following promise:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives , and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised . Luke 4:18

Conclusion

If I we were to rewrite 1Peter 3:18-21 to encompass this understanding of the text, it would look like this:

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, [thus, just like Christ, we believers] being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit : (vs. 18)

[And it was by the Holy Spirt] which also he went and preached unto [us], the spirits in prison ; (vs. 19)

[Yes, it was us who] sometime were disobedient , [and just like] when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water . (vs. 20)

[We can see that just like they were saved by water] The like figure whereunto even [the water of] baptism doth also now save us ... (vs. 21)

Additional Information

How do the violent take the Kingdom of Heaven by force?

torystcyr@gmail.com (Tory St.Cyr) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 23:13:29 GMT

According to Matthew 12:11, the Bible says, " And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force ."

In this article, you will learn what the Kingdom of Heaven is, and what did Jesus mean when He said it would be taken by force.

When John the Baptist began his ministry, he said, " Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand " Matthew 3:2 . When he said " at hand ," he meant near. In essence, he was telling them that the kingdom of heaven was almost there. This kingdom could not be the literal kingdom of Jerusalem as that kingdom had existed for centuries. John the Baptist wasn't referring to the New Jerusalem as that Kingdom of Heaven was and still is in heaven and doesn't descend until the end of the world. Also, there's no power in the universe that can ever cause that kingdom to suffer violence.

Kingdom of Heaven

So what kingdom is being referred to here? In order to understand the Kingdom of Heaven, we must listen to how Christ defined it:

" And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you ." Luke 17:20-21

From the lips of Jesus, we can begin to understand what He meant by the Kingdom of Heaven. When we become Christians or followers of Jesus, He becomes our king and we become citizens of heaven. However, we are not literally in heaven yet, thus, this kingdom reaches all the way from heaven to earth. Therefore, even though we don't live in heaven, by the mere fact we become its citizens through faith in Christ is how John (knowing Christ was soon to come) could proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand.

Violence

Now that we understand what the Kingdom of Heaven is, let's determine what is this violence that occurs in it.

Most scholars seem to suggest that this violence referred to by Jesus was a physical violence that came with following Christ. There's some truth to that, however, I don't think this violence was a physical violence. If the Kingdom of Heaven was a spiritual kingdom, then the violence it suffered also had to be spiritual. Now with that understanding, notice how Christ referred to himself in the prior chapter, He said, " Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword ." Matthew 10:34

Jesus explains this violence that the Kingdom of Heaven suffers in the next verse:

" For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household ." (vs. 35)

Israel, at the time of John, had veered away from the truth to such a degree that when John began to preach repentance, it was foreign to them. Thus, anyone who accepted John's message often lost family and friends because of their profession of faith. So when Christ came, He didn't come to agree and pacify the unbelieving Jews, He came with straight truth, and that truth would cut them to their core. In essence, He came with a sword.

Conclusion

We should now understand that in order to become part of the kingdom that John preached about, we may have to go against the world, and "suffer violence" to our relationships, our careers, and sometimes our reputations. However, the citizenship of the Kingdom of Heaven is the most important and thus even though we are going against the grain, we don't let anyone get in our way of citizenship. It is in this manner, that we take the Kingdom of Heaven by force, regardless of what anyone does or says.

Does keeping the Sabbath save us?

torystcyr@gmail.com (Tory St.Cyr) — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 09:59:21 GMT

Seventh-day Adventists are called to preach the Sabbath truth. In case we are not sure what this means, please read the following statement from our Prophet:

The days in which we live are times that call for constant vigilance, times in which God's people should be awake to do a great work in presenting the light on the Sabbath question. They should arouse, and warn the inhabitants of the world that Christ is soon coming the second time with power and great glory . RH March 26,1908

Are we preaching a works-based gospel?

How many of us have tried to witness to our non-Adventists friends and family only for them to respond saying Adventists are preaching a works-based gospel? I don't know about you, but I find this to be one of the most frustrating interactions when witnessing to others. As a life long Adventist, I can guarantee that this is not part of our message, nor have I heard any of my Pastors preach a salvation-by-Sabbath sermon. However, as I started thinking about this idea, I began to wonder if our message is not the problem but rather the way we are conveying our message. What if people are hearing how we preach the Sabbath and that is what prompts them to suggest we are preaching salvation by works?

Now, obviously, there are a multitude of individuals who use this reasoning just as an excuse from keeping the Sabbath. However, I believe there may be some souls who truly believe that the Sabbath is a works-based doctrine simply by the way we are preaching it.

I am a member of a few Facebook groups that discuss Bible topics. In these groups I can almost always tell who the Adventists is based on their posts. Every post seems to be about keeping the Sabbath; every rebuke refers back to the Ten Commandments. While, we are called to preach the Sabbath truth, I believe we should be careful about oversaturating the gospel with Sabbath, Sabbath, and more Sabbath. Jesus said, " Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves ." Matthew 10:16. In the context of this discussion, the text is telling us that we have to be wise in preaching this message to the world. Not everyone can bear being hit over the head with this Sabbath truth day in and day out. Some people will only accept this truth simply by seeing us live the Sabbath—meaning, they will see our love for the Sabbath and how we enjoy spending this time with the Lord and that will prompt a change in them. The problem is, many of us are so cranky during Sabbath hours that it becomes a deterrent for those observing us.

Some people may accept an invitation to your church on Sabbath. Another may actually respond better by sitting down and discussing God's Word with you. What I'm saying is that there's not a one-size-fits-all way to spread the gospel; this is why we must be in tune with the Holy Spirit so that we can be led to know how to spread this truth.

So the next time you are witnessing to someone about the Sabbath, ask the Holy Spirit how you should convey this message to the individual. Sometimes, you are only there to plant the seed. God may have someone else prepared to water it and another to reap a harvest.

Ultimately, we must be in tune with God and His Word in order to be the best witnesses, but even then, they may still reject the Sabbath. But if that happens, we want to make sure they are rejecting the Sabbath because of the message...not because of the messenger.