Patriarchs and Prophets 26

January 1, 2005
1:26

"Many look back to the Israelites, and Marvel at their unbelief and murmuring, feeling that they themselves would not have been so ungrateful; but when their faith is tested, even by little trials, they manifest no more faith or patience then did ancient Israel.
When brought into strait places, they murmur at the process by which God has chosen to purify them. Though their present needs are supplied, many are unwilling to trust God for the future, and they are in constant anxiety lest poverty shall come upon them, and their children shall be left to suffer. Some are always anticipating evil or magnifying the difficulties that really exists, so that their eyes are blinded to the many blessings which demand their gratitude. The obstacles they encounter, instead of leading them to seek help from God, the only Source of strength, separate them from him, because they awaken unrest and repining."

Patriarchs and Prophets 25

January 1, 2005
1:25
"The obstacles that hinder our progress will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit.
Those who defer obedience till every shadow of uncertainty disappears and there remains no risk of failure or defeat, will never obey at all."
October 28, 2016

Patriarchs and Prophets 23

January 1, 2005
01:23

"He who has once yielded to temptation will yoeld more readily the second time. Every repetition of the sin lessens his power of resistance... Every seed of indulgence sown will bear fruit."

10-26-2016

Isaiah 52

Verse 13-15
"He shall be exalted and lifted up."
Sigve Tonstad points out that this is the word that Jesus uses when he is says that he will be lifted up as the serpent was lifted up (John 3:14).

Sigve points out that this does not mean a physical lifting but a royal exaltation as Isaiah mentions. "When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I am [he]." (John 8:28)

This is how the truth is exalted, by letting the liar take his course he reveals himself as a liar.

October 24, 2016

Patriarchs and Prophets 4

January 1, 2005
01:04

Chapter 4
“Since the divine law is as sacred as God Himself, only one equal with God could make atonement for its transgression.”

“To Adam, the offering of the first sacrifice was a most painful ceremony. His hand must be raised to take life, which only God could give. It was the first time he had ever witnessed death, and he knew that had he been obedient to God, there would have been no death of man or beast. As he slew the innocent victim, he trembled at the thought that this must shed the blood of the spotless Lamb of God. This scene gave him a deeper and more Vivid sense of the greatness of his transgression, which nothing but the death of God’s dear Son could expiate.”

Let’s say that evil was indeed inherent in God’s creation… he bestowed upon his creation the virtue of free-will which has the potential for evil. Let’s say that God did create his own transgression.
Even then, his willingness to receive and satisfy the punishment for his own transgression makes him righteous. He has paid the price for sin, leaving us free to choose as we will.
But the problem with this picture is that it no longer carries the element of divine and infinite love since God is only ever paying for his own transgression. There is only cosmic justice in which every free-agent is accountable for their own choices.

Spetember 27, 2016

Patriarchs and Prophets 3

January 1, 2005
01:03

Chapter 3
“Had the principles enjoined in the law of God been cherished by the fallen race, this sentence, though growing out of the results of sin, would have proved a blessing to them; but man’s abuse of the supremacy thus given him has too often rendered the lot of women very bitter and made her life a burden.”

Genesis 2:17
“That very day they would be doomed to death.”

September 27, 2016