MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
April 12, 2023
God’s Saving Enmity
Part 15
DELIVERED OUT OF ANTITYPICAL SPIRITUAL LIONS
“At my first defense no one took my part, but all forsook me. . . .But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear [the gospel]: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the LION.” 2 Tim. 4:16, 17, R.V.Who said/wrote these words, and under what circumstances? Apostle Paul, writing of his own trial at the court of the ROMAN Caesars! The Roman or “Romish element” is ever present throughout the great controversy between truth and error till it’s astounding climax, revealed in the inter-linked, end-time prophecies of Daniel and Revelation! The lion is the animal “beast” symbol of Rome.
“Continuing His instruction to His disciples [and first evangelists of the Christian dispensation], Jesus said, ‘BEWARE of men’ [meaning] They were not to put implicit confidence in those who KNEW NOT GOD, and open to them their counsels; for this would give Satan [‘the enemy of God and man’] and his AGENTS an ADVANTAGE. Men’s inventions often COUNTERWORK God’s plans.
“Those who build the TEMPLE of the Lord [the spiritual kingdom/church/bride] are to build according for the pattern shown in the mount [to Moses],—the divine similitude. God is DISHONORED and the gospel BETRAYED when His servants depend on the counsel of who are NOT under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.[‘By their fruits ye shall know them’]. Worldly wisdom is ‘foolishness with God.’ Those who rely on it will SURELY err.
“‘They will deliver you up to councils. . . . yea and before governors and kings shall ye be brought for My sake, for a testimony to them and the Gentiles.’ Matt. 10: 17, 18, R.V. PERSECUTION WILL SPREAD THE LIGHT. [‘The blood of martyrs was the seed of the gospel’ for over a thousand years starting in 538 A.D. in the Old World]. The servants of Christ will be brought before the GREAT MEN OF THE WORLD, who, but for this, might never hear the gospel. The truth has been MISREPRESENTED to these men. They have listened to FALSE CHARGES concerning the faith of Christ’s disciples. Often their ONLY means of learning its true character is the TESTIMONY of those who are BROUGHT TO TRIAL for their faith [not because of any evil or wicked deeds].
“Under EXAMINATION they are required to answer, and their judges to LISTEN to the testimony borne [as in ‘the word of their testimony’]: ‘It shall be given you,’ says Jesus, ‘in that same hour WHAT ye shall speak. For it is NOT ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father, which speaketh IN you.’ As the Holy Spirit of God ILLUMINATES the minds of His servants, the TRUTH will be presented in its DIVINE power and preciousness.
“Those who REJECT the [cutting, unpopular, yet present, testing] truth will stand to ACCUSE AND OPPRESS the disciples. But UNDER LOSS, SUFFERING, and even DEATH, the disciples are to REVEAL THE MEEKNESS of their divine Example. Thus will be seen the CONTRAST between Satan’s agents and the representatives of Christ. The Savior will be LIFTED UP before the rulers of the people [‘the kings and great men of the earth’].”
“The disciples were not endowed with COURAGE AND FORTITUDE OF MARTYRS UNTIL SUCH GRACE is needed. Then the Savior’s promise was fulfilled. [Here are examples]:
“When Peter and John testified before the Sanhedrin council, men ‘marveled; and took knowledge of them, that THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS.’ Acts 4:13. Of Stephen it is written that ‘all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the FACE OF AN ANGEL.’ Men ‘were NOT ABLE to resist the WISDOM AND THE SPIRIT by which he spake.’ Acts 16: 15, 10.
“And PAUL, writing of his own trial at the court of Caesars, says, ‘At my first defense no one took my part, but ALL forsook me. . . But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me: that THROUGH me the MESSAGE might be FULLY proclaimed, and that the Gentiles might hear; and I was DELIVERED OUT OF THE MOUTH OF THE LION.’ 2 Tim. 4:16,17, R.V.” -E. G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 354, Apr. 1950, Pacific Press Publishing Asso. (All emphasis and words in brackets mine). To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.