PRISONERS OF

HOPE March 2008

EDITORIAL..BROTHER N. NKOMO
The PoH team would like to thank those of you that have continued to provide us with email
and physical addresses of SDA‘s that they would like to receive this newsletter. We encourage
you to continue to send those addresses to us as our prayer is that you and as many as you love
will be blessed.
Do you as a dear reader, during your devotional times with God, ever come across a quotation
that seems to speak directly to an issue that seems to be plaguing us as a people and that pro-
vides a succinct, almost perfectly worded response to your questionings. Do you, dear reader,
ever come across light that gives you that gut wrenching feeling as you look at your life in view
of eternity? I came across on such quote a few weeks ago. The servant of the Lord wrote: “He
who has not sufficient faith in Christ to believe that He can keep him from sin-
ning, has not the faith that will give him an entrance into the kingdom of God.
Manuscript 161, 1897, p9.”
The root of much of current discussion within our church on the topic of leading a sinless life is
centered around the nature of Jesus Christ, our Hope and Glory, when He came and dwelt
amongst us. One the one end of the spectrum are those that believe that Christ took the nature
of pre-fall Adam who was created in His (God) likeness (Gen 5:1) and on the other end are
those, who correctly so, believe that Christ took upon Himself the nature of post-fall Adam
whose descendents were in his (Adam) own likeness after his image (Gen 5:3). In the middle
are a host of people that realize the absurdity of the first position but fear the sure result of ac-
cepting the true position. They then come up with various lukewarm compromise positions that
God abominates.
“He who has not sufficient faith in Christ to believe that He can keep him from
sinning”: The statement by nature of its construction leaves one in no doubt that the Advent-
ist who has ―sufficient faith‖ must and will believe that Our Redeemer can keep him from sin- INSIDE THIS ISSUE
ning. The problem for most of us is that sin is an enjoyable thing. It is in fact so enjoyable that
we do not truly desire to forsake it and as such we allow ourselves to remain trapped by it. Editorial ..................................... ……1
Many of us think that it is enough for us that we do not partake of a certain sin and yet fail to God‘s Original Syllabus ............. .….2
realise that that falls short of God‘s desire that we, like Enoch, should find sin detestable and be Three Angels……………...……….….....3
unable to dwell in its vicinity. Many of us need to move from the theoretical knowledge about Tricks of the Devil…..……………..…..5
hating sin and actually implement the gen that we have. The beauty of it all is that The Father
Lift up Your Heads..................... …..6
gave us a prophecy with promise in the garden of Eden that we only have to claim. After Adam
and Eve had shown their respective weaknesses during their blame- game in the garden, God Enoch Pleased God .................... …..7
said ―I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed‖. That Contact Details ........................... …..8
enmity is a ―good‖ hatred as it pertains to our character development in eschewing evil, and we
cannot do it on our own but have to rely on Him who died on the cross so that we, that have
―sufficient faith‖, will not be partakers of the second death.
“...has not the faith that will give him an entrance into the kingdom of God.” It is
explicitly unambiguous from the quotation that if you do not believe that Jehovah our Right-
eousness can give you the power, by faith, to stop sinning then your lack of faith will prevent
you from entering through the pearly gates into the Kingdom of Heaven and forever dwelling
with the redeemed. The heart of the issue boils down to who you believe has the greater power;
fallen Lucifer or Perfect Jesus. If you do not believe that the Living bread can keep you from
sinning then you in effect charge the Lion of Judah of being a liar for in inspiring Paul to write ―
1Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is]
faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the tempta-
tion also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].‖

Dear reader, no matter on which side of the fence you sit of the related issue about the nature of
Christ...and all those that are in between, Sr Ellen was inspired to give us a plain statement and
we should accept it without any ―ifs‖, ―buts‖ or other questions if we are to make it into Canaan.
 GOD‘S ORIGINAL SYLLABUS. PART 1 BY SISTER T. NKOMO
"Used as a text-book in our schools, the Bible will do for stitution is good, the education of both should receive at-
mind and morals what cannot be done by books of science tention. . . Parents, especially mothers, should be the only
or philosophy. As a book to discipline and strengthen the teachers of such infant minds. They should not educate
intellect and ennoble, purify, and refine the character, it is from books. The children generally will be inquisitive to
without a rival."--Sp. T. on Ed., p. 53. learn the things of nature. They will ask questions in regard
to the things they see and hear, and parents should im-
The following is a selection of quotes taken from the Spirit prove the opportunity to instruct and patiently answer
of Prophecy, telling us of God‘s desire for His schools. At these little inquiries.--Healthful Living, p.151
the end, I pray that we will take a critical look at what has
become of our church schools and decide if God‘s master (EGW urges us to ensure that the homes we choose are best
plan is being followed. The author‘s comments will be in for our children in terms of surroundings and environ-
brackets.) ―Let the history and experience of those who ment)
have made mistakes be a warning to others.‖—EGW, Se- The only school-room for children from eight to ten years
ries A, No. 7, p. 11. of age should be in the open air, amid the opening flowers
(It is never too late to change) and nature's beautiful scenery. And their only text-book
"It is most difficult to practice right principles after having should be the treasures of nature. These lessons, imprinted
been so long accustomed to the practices of the world, but upon the minds of young children, amid the pleasant, at-
reforms must be entered into with heart and soul and will. tractive scenes of nature, will not soon be forgotten."C.E.,
Errors may be hoary with age, p. 9.
but age does not make error (Though following this advice
truth, nor truth error. Alto- means that housework may
gether too long have the old not be completed by the end of
customs and habits been fol- the day, God‘s children are
lowed. The Lord would now souls worth saving)
have every idea that is false "Does not mother remember
put away from teachers and that she herself had to learn in
students."--Idem. jots and tittles before she
could be helpful? It is a wrong
Throughout the books of the to children to refuse to teach
Bible and in the Spirit of them little by little. Keep these
Prophecy (SOP) writings, we children with you. Let them
see how God has given a Mas- ask questions, and in patience
ter plan for virtually every answer them. Give your little
facet of our lives- health, children something to do; and
dress, behavior, recreation. He let them have the happiness of
has made it easy for us to supposing they help you.
know what His will is for our lives, how to best order our There must be no repulsing of your children when trying to
lives in a manner that reflects His character. God did the do proper things. If they make mistakes, if accidents hap-
same with something very important-our schools. We read pen, and things break do not blame. Their whole future life
in SOP how until about the age of 8-10, the child‘s only depends upon the education you give them in their child-
school should be the home. Thereafter, these children are hood years."--P.C., Dec. 15,1897.
to be sent to schools that will prepare them not only for
usefulness on this earth, but most importantly, for entry (The most important textbook…)"Whatever business par-
into God‘s courts. ( Do we parents realise what God‘s pri- ents may think suitable for their children, whether they de-
orities are for the children He has lent us?) This is why God sire them to be manufacturers, agriculturists, mechanics,
ordained church or to follow some professional calling, they would reap
schools, as our great advantages from the discipline of an education. Your
foundation is to be children should have an opportunity to study the Bible in
God’s children are the Bible and the the school."--Idem.
souls worth saving Bible alone.
(The world will (Should we seek accreditation, should we copy the world‘s
perceive you to be methods?)
odd, but God‘s people were to be a peculiar people, let us If a worldly influence is to bear sway in our school, then
strive to be singular) sell it out to worldlings, and let them take the entire con-
"During the first six or seven years of a child's life, special trol, and those who have invested their means in that insti-
attention should be given to its physical training, rather tution will establish another school to be conducted, not
than to the intellect. After this period, if the physical con- on the plan of popular schools, nor according to the
2
desires of principal and teachers, but upon the plan ―When the Lord requires us to be distinct and peculiar,
which God has specified. . . . In the system of instruction how can we crave popularity or seek to imitate the cus-
used in the common schools, the most essential part of toms and practices of the world? ‗Know ye not that the
education is neglected; viz., the religion of the Bible. Edu- friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever
cation not only affects to a great degree the life of the stu- therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of
dents in this world, but its influence extends to eternity."- God.‘ James 4:4. ―To lower the standard in order to se-
-Test. 31, pp. 21, 24. cure popularity and an increase of numbers, and then to
make this increase a cause of rejoicing, shows great
(We have blindness.‖—6 T, pp. 142-143.
the Great
Physician (Evolution, all religions are the same, etc..?)
as our "A decided reform is needed in the lessons given to the
teacher) children and youth in our schools. Students need lessons
―Shall we which they have not yet received. We are not at liberty to
represent teach that which shall meet the world's standard, or the
before the standard of the church, simply because it is the custom to
world that do so. . . . The Lord has signified that a reform must be
our physi- made by those who have placed human wisdom in the
cians must place of the living oracles. Human wisdom is foolishness,
follow the for it misses the whole of God's providence, which looks
pattern of the world before they can be qualified to act as into eternity. The Word must be searched, yea, eaten, in
successful physicians? This is the question that is now order to purify and prepare men to become members of
testing the faith of some of our brethren. Let not any of the royal family, children of the heavenly King. From the
our brethren displease the Lord by advocating in their first, schools conducted by Seventh-day Adventists
assemblies the idea that we need to obtain from unbeliev- should take the Word of God as their lesson book, and in
ers a higher education than that specified by the Lord. doing this teachers and students will find hidden treas-
EGW, to J.A. Burden, October 11, 1909; Medical ures, the higher education. That which the Lord has spo-
Ministry, p. 62. ken . . . is to be strictly regarded."-- P.C., "Need of Re-
form in Educational Work." …… To Be Continued

THREE ANGELS
We as Adventists have been given a special and solemn
work to do in proclaiming the first, second and third an-
We need to be prepared for the times that are fast ap-
gels‘ messages. In proclaiming these messages there needs
proaching us. Our bodies are a living sacrifice to be given
to be in us a special preparation not only spiritually, but
to God. They are the dwelling place of God the Holy Spirit
physically as well; especially if we are to give the loud cry.
and we are to treat it as such. If we daily thought about
What we do not seem to understand is that although the
this before we put any unclean thing in our temples we
health message is not to take to place of the everlasting
gospel, it is its right hand. The two cannot be divorced
from one another. During the time of trouble, when our
freedoms have been taken away from us because of our
proclamations, it is the health message that will gain us
access to proclaim the three angels‘ messages. And even
now, in our time of preparation, it is the health message
that gains us ground in people‘s hearts.
As religious aggression subverts the liberties of our nation,
those who would stand for freedom of conscience will be
placed in unfavorable positions. For their own sake they
should, while they have opportunity, become intelligent in
regard to disease, its causes, prevention, and cure. And
those who do this will find a field of labor anywhere. There would not grieve the Holy Spirit as we do now.
will be suffering ones, plenty of them, who will need help,
not only among those of our own faith but largely among
those who know not the truth (CH, p.506). I wish to tell The health reform, I was shown, is a part of the third an-
you that soon there will be no work done in ministerial gel's message and is just as closely connected with it as are
lines but medical missionary work (CH, p.533). the arm and hand with the human body. 1T, p.486

3
Tea, coffee, tobacco, and alcohol we must present as sinful more with them. RH May 27, 1902
indulgences. We cannot place on the same ground, meat,
How heavy those words are. We need to take a decided
eggs, butter, cheese, and such articles placed upon the ta-
stand on what we believe in and whether you believe it or
ble. These are not to be borne in front, as the burden of our
not, the issue of flesh foods is a very vital part of our salva-
work. The former--tea, coffee, tobacco, beer, wine, and all
tion, especially to those who have light on the matter and
spirituous liquors--are not to be taken moderately, but dis-
refuse to follow the light. We are now living in the antitypi-
carded. 3SM, p.287
cal Day of Atonement. A time when we are to be solemnly
True temperance teaches us to dispense entirely with eve- and earnestly searching our hearts; searching to see
rything hurtful and to use judiciously that which is health- whether there are any dear sins, any idols that we hold dear
ful. PP, to us above God. This is a time of much prayer and fasting
p.562
Now and onward till the close of time the people of God
Pure air, should be more earnest, more wide-awake, not trusting in
sunlight, their own wisdom, but in the wisdom of their Leader. They
abstemi- should set aside days for fasting and prayer. Entire absti-
ousness, nence from food may not be required, but they should eat
rest, exer- sparingly of the most simple food. CD, p188, 189
cise,
The true fasting which should be recommended to all is
proper
abstinence from every stimulating kind of food, and the
diet, the
proper use of wholesome, simple food, which God has pro-
use of wa-
vided in abundance. Men need to think less of what they
ter, trust in
shall eat and drink of temporal food, and much more in
divine
regard to the food from heaven, that will give tone and vi-
power--
tality to the whole religious experience. MM, p.283
these are the true remedies. MH, p.127
The leaven of godliness has not entirely lost its power. At
Whatever injures the health not only lessens physical vigor
the time when the danger and depression of the church are
but tends to weaken the mental and moral powers. Indul-
greatest, the little company who are standing in the light
gence in any unhealthful practice makes it more difficult
will be sighing and crying for the abominations that are
for one to discriminate between right and wrong and hence
done in the land. But more especially will their prayers
more difficult to resist evil. MH, p128
arise in behalf of the church because its members are doing
If we are unable to resist evil it means we will sin. If we sin after the manner of the world. 5T 209, 210
we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. If we sin, our pen-
So
alty is death. Why not got back to the drawing board? Why
not go back to the blueprint given to us by God Himself?

God is trying to lead us back, step by step, to His original

design - that man should subsist upon the natural products
of the earth.
..true fasting should Among those
who are waiting
be recommended to for the coming of
all…. the Lord meat
eating will even-
tually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their
diet. We should ever keep this end in view and endeavor to
work steadily toward it. CH, p.450
much lies ahead of us brothers and sisters. If you will not
Greater reforms should be seen among the people who hear from the mouths of laymen, preachers or ordained
claim to be looking for the soon appearing of Christ. Health ministers what the Lord has to say, then search for your-
reform is to do among our people a work which it has not selves and hear the Word of God thus showing yourselves
yet done. There are those who ought to be awake to the approved. Hear it and keep it. The coming of the Lord is
danger of meat eating who are still eating the flesh of ani- nigh at hand. He will no longer tarry. I would that we
mals, thus endangering the physical, mental, and spiritual would not be found wanting, but ready to be received in
health. Many who are now only half converted on the ques- glory. Standing firm upon the Word and His testimonies.
tion of meat eating will go from God's people, to walk no

4
 TRICKS OF THE DEVIL…..BY BROTHER E. PREWITT
‘I’m called to do what I like’ trick
Moses almost fell for this one. He enjoyed many things,
but public speaking and Egyptian vacations were not
among them. Our Savior had no relish for a life of rejec-
tion and personal sorrow. Paul was constrained by the
love of Christ to put his life on the line. ―We are troubled
on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but
not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down,
but not destroyed,‖ was his testimony. 2Co 4:8-9. There
are many that, while burdened to know God‘s will for
their life, have written off the uncomfortable options.
Their thoughts find roots in a great truth, namely that
God wants His children to be happy.
But they siphon that truth through a
very narrow-minded filter. God
wanted Moses and Paul to have the
greatest joy possible in the long
term. He often calls men and women
to work for him in ways that war
against every fiber of their being that
they might be fitted for eternity with
him. Personal evangelism involves
personal rejection, but they that ―be
teachers shall shine as the brightness
of the skies, and they that turn many
to righteousness as the stars for ever
and ever.‖ Be open. If you are called
to a self-denying work for others you
must evaluate that call based on your
aptitudes, not your attitudes.
‘God let it happen’ trick
A Time magazine a few years ago had
on the title the words ―God is good; God is all powerful;
Evil exists; the Philosopher‘s Dilemma.‖ God can not be
blamed for men‘s foolish attempt to separate cause and
effect. ―The curse causeless will not come.‖ Pr 26:2. The
life of man, due to the history of man, brings one caused
curse after another. The weakness of the human body,
the human mind, the human will, are the results of the
choices of our forbears. Accidents, illness, war; these re-
quire no vengeance on the part of God. They are life on a
planet ceaselessly cursing itself. While a Loving hand
watches the pressures of the curse and refuses to let them
overwhelm the searching soul, God can not be blamed for
any of the pain here. Man let it happen and God did not
exterminate him. That is all the blame that Heaven will
bear. Thank God for that.
‘The slippery slope’ trick -a
When someone is just crossing over the doorstep from
pleasure seeking to conscientiousness, he is welcomed by
offers of peace and joy. That is what draws him to enter
5
the door at the sacrifice of some cherished pleasures. But
just on the worldly side of the gate a band of picketing
men carry placards warning of the oppression experi-
enced by everyone entering the narrow opening. ―Giving
up chicken is just the first step!‖ ―Caffeine today; fun to-
morrow!‖ ―Those that enter here must ALWAYS be con-
sistent!‖ ―Admit that its wrong then freedom is gone!‖
―Want plight? Read White!‖ The fears seem grounded.
But this is only an earthly version of the ―I won‘t like
heaven trick.‖ The offers of Peace and Joy are substantial,
and those that give up ―all things‖ to get them, ―count
them but trash‖ that they might win Christ. Part of the
deception involves a severe exag-
geration of the fun derived from
the lessor life-style. While we may
enjoy poor food, revealing dress,
and any number of other little
vices, we do not get that much joy
from them. It is partly because we
get so little joy in life that we cling
with such fervor to the bits that we
do get. Give the bits up and you get
a meal.
‘The slippery slope’ trick—b
At the same moment that Satan
portrays the ―dangers‖ of stepping
onto the reform slide and entering
into a life of ever steeper and faster
commitments leading to who
knows where, he places the feet of
his listeners on a yet steeper slide.
The compromise slope is nearly
horizontal at its top, and you may
walk up and down the slope without even realiz-
ing a change of altitude. This gives a sense of se-
curity. If compromising on little issues in life
doesn‘t make any significant difference in your
spirituality, why fuss over conscientiousness? But
the path of religious life is lined with the wrecks of
men that stepped just a few steps too far down
and lost their balance. Just at that point where the
soul begins to slide, signs on the incline ask those
sliding down ―why be a hypocrite? If you aren‘t
going to obey all the way, give it all up.‖ ―You
really knew better. Too late now.‖ ―Shame on you!
If your mother saw you here…‖ The soul filled
with shame looses nerve and strength to hold on
and slow the fall. It is not safe to violate your con-
science in little things. Take the high road with no
regrets. Continued on P8
 LIFT UP YOUR HEADS
Mt 24:7,8 ―For nation shall rise against nation, and king-
dom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pes-
tilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these [are]
the beginning of sorrows.‖

Nature groaneth the more day by day

Earthquake hits much of England
News: The biggest earthquake in the UK for nearly 25
years has shaken homes across large parts of England.

People in Newcastle, Yorkshire, London, Manchester, the

Midlands and Norfolk and also parts of Wales, felt the
tremor just before 0100 GMT.

The British Geological Survey (BGS) said the epicentre of

the 5.3 magnitude quake was near Market Rasen, Lincoln-
only speculate upon but given our knowledge of the power
shire.
behind the scenes I am left in no doubt that ―running‖ or-
ders are issued from the beast power. This is especially so
Comment: Nature has continued to sound the warning
when one notices the symbols depicted and enacted in the
that Christ‘s coming is drawing near. What should catch
picture above that was released to the world media.
our attention as Adventists waiting for our Lord to appear
in the sky is not so much the fact that this was the biggest
quake in a quarter of a century, but rather the frequency of The Writing’s On The Wall
earthquakes in the UK.
In Gibbons‘ epic 6 volume tome entitled "The History Of
Below is a listing of records from the BGS detailing the oc- The Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire", he
currences of quakes: listed five basic reasons as to how the mighty Roman Em-
Apr 2007 - Magnitude (4.3) pire was destroyed. Let us read through them and apply
Dec 2006 - Magnitude (3.5) them to a greater extent to what is currently transpiring in
Sep 2002 - Magnitude (5.0) the only superpower of our age and to a lesser extent our
Oct 2001 - Magnitude (4.1) own countries. If we do so faithfully we will realise that the
Sep 2000 - Magnitude (4.2) ―writing is on the wall‖ and few can interpret it!
Apr 1990 - Magnitude (5.1) 1) The institution of marriage, that pre-dated the fall of
Jul 1984 - Magnitude (5.4) man along with the Sabbath, was undermined through
Jun 1931 – Magnitude (6.1) rampant divorce which led to the decimation of family val-
We will note from the statistics in the 5 decades from the ues.
1930 through to the 1980 there was only a single earth- 2) The economic stability of the empire was destabilized
quake. The next 2 decades brought about 3 earthquakes due to the imposition of higher taxes on the citizenry.
and already our current decade has suffered 5 earthquakes. These taxes where introduced to pay for deficit government
We ignore the lessons that nature gives us at our own peril. spending, food for all in society and for government-
sponsored activities of diversion, such as circuses and
Cuban leader meets Vatican envoy sports.
News: Cuba's new President Raul Castro has met a senior 3) The drive for personal pleasure had become very in-
Vatican official for his first diplomatic talks since taking tense, even to the point of obsession. Gibbons noted that,
over on Sunday. at the very end, sports had become more exciting and bru-
President Castro, former leader Fidel Castro's brother, met tal.
Vatican Secretary of State Tarciscio Bertone in Havana. 4) People lost their faith (at that time pagan), both relig-
iously and in their government. Paganism gave way to
Comment: As seems customary for most countries in the Christianity and the efficient Roman Government gave way
world, as soon as any leader takes over the running of a to chaos and disintegration .
country he either pays a pilgrimage to the Vatican or hosts 5) Hidden conspirators were working within the govern-
an emissary from the Vatican within a short time. In the ment to secretly destroy it. They worked quietly, invisibly
case of Raul Castro, 3 days after receiving his nomination and deceitfully; during the entire time secretly dismantling
to lead Cuba he hosted the Vatican‘s number two man. the government of the Roman Empire and yet publicly pro-
What discussions really go on behind closed doors one can claiming their unswerving support of it.
6
 ENOCH PLEASED GOD..SR WHITE
Gen 5:21-24 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and his duties to the world; but he was ever under the influ-
begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he ence of Jesus. He reflected Christ's character, exhibiting
begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons the same qualities of goodness, mercy, tender compas-
and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hun- sion, sympathy, forbearance, meekness, humility, and
dred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God:
and he [was] not; for God took him.
Heb 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should
not see death; and was not found, because God had
translated him: for before his translation he had this tes-
timony, that he pleased God.
To such communion God is calling us. As was Enoch's
must be their holiness of character who shall be re-
deemed from among men at the Lord's second coming.
8T, p.331
Be ambitious, for the Master's glory, to cultivate every
grace of character. In every phase of your character build-
ing you are to please God. This you may do; for Enoch
pleased Him though living in a degenerate age. And there love. His association with Christ day by day transformed
him into the image of Him with whom he was so inti-
are Enochs in this our day. COL, p.332
mately connected. Day by day he was growing away from
Enoch's righteous life was in marked contrast with the his own way into Christ's way, the heavenly, the divine, in
wicked people around him. His piety, his purity, his un- his thoughts and feelings. He was constantly inquiring,
swerving integrity were the result of his walking with ―is this the way of the Lord?‖ His was a constant growth,
God, while the wickedness of the world was the result of and he had fellowship with the Father and the Son. This
their walking with the deceiver of mankind. There never is genuine sanctification. RH April 28, 1891
has been and never will be an age when the moral dark-
ness will be so dense as when Enoch lived a life of irre- He did not make his abode with the wicked. He did not
locate in Sodom, thinking to save Sodom. He placed him-
proachable righteousness. MS 1900, p.43
self and his family where the atmosphere would be as
Enoch's walk with God was not in a trance or a vision, but pure as possible. Then at times he went forth to the in-
in all the duties of his daily life. He did not become a her- habitants of the world with his God-given message. Every
mit, shutting himself entirely from the world; for he had, visit he made to the world was painful to him. He saw
in the world, a work to do for God. In the family and in and understood something of the leprosy of sin. After
his intercourse with men, as a husband and father, a proclaiming his message, he always took back with him
friend, a citizen, he was the steadfast, unwavering servant to his place of retirement some who had received the
of warning. Some of these became overcomers, and died
before the Flood came. But some had lived so long in the
corrupting influence of sin that they could not endure
righteousness. MS 1900, p42

Enoch was a public teacher of the truth in the age in

which he lived. He taught the truth; he lived the truth;
and the character of the teacher was in every way harmo-
nious with the greatness and sacredness of his mission.
Enoch was a prophet who spoke as he was moved by the
Holy Ghost. He was a light amid the moral darkness, a
pattern man, a man who walked with God, being obedi-
ent to his law,--that law which Satan had refused to obey,
which Adam had transgressed, which Abel obeyed, and
God. His faith waxed stronger, his love became more ar- because of his obedience was murdered. Now God would
dent, with the lapse of centuries. To him prayer was as demonstrate to the universe the falsity of Satan's charge
the breath of the soul. He lived in the atmosphere of that men could not keep God's law. He would demon-
heaven. 8T p.329/330 strate that though man had sinned, he could so relate
himself to God that he would have the mind and spirit of
Enoch kept the Lord ever before him, and the Inspired God. This holy man was selected to denounce the wicked-
Word says that he "walked with God." He made Christ his ness of the world, and to give evidence that man can keep
constant companion. He was in the world, and performed the law. RH, April 15, 1909

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PRISONERS OF
HOPE
The bulk of this newsletter is
authored by members of the
Mowbray SDA church whose
desire is to provide a thought
provoking newsletter for Ad-
ventists dwelling on the banks
of Jordan; in the process ap-
pealing to entire fidelity to the
Bible and the Spirit of Proph-
ecy.
He was a fearless reprover of sin. While he preached the love of God in Christ to the peo-
ple of his time, and pleaded with them to forsake their evil ways, he rebuked the prevail-
ing iniquity and warned the men of his generation that judgment would surely be visited
upon the transgressor. It was the Spirit of Christ that spoke through Enoch; that Spirit is
manifested, not alone in utterances of love, compassion, and entreaty; it is not smooth
things only that are spoken by holy men. God puts into the heart and lips of His messen-
gers truths to utter that are keen and cutting as a two-edged sword. PP, p.86
Jude 1:14-15 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Be-
hold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and
to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have
ungodly committed, and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners have spoken
against him.
The power of God that wrought with His servant was felt by those who heard. Some gave
heed to the warning and renounced their sins, but the multitudes mocked at the solemn
message. The servants of God are to bear a similar message to the world in the last days,
and it will also be received with unbelief and mockery. 8T 330
As year after year passed, deeper and deeper grew the tide of human guilt, darker and
darker gathered the clouds of divine judgment. Yet Enoch, the witness of faith, held on
his way, warning, pleading, and teaching, striving to turn back the tide of guilt and to stay
the bolts of vengeance. The men of that generation mocked the folly of him who sought
not to gather gold or silver, or to build up possessions here. But Enoch's heart was upon
eternal treasures. He had looked upon the celestial city. He had seen the King in His glory
in the midst of Zion. The greater the existing iniquity, the more earnest was his longing
for the home of God. While still on earth, he dwelt, by faith, in the realms of light. 8T,
p.330
Following the promptings of their corrupt hearts and the teachings of a deceptive philoso-
phy, men will rebel against the authority of Heaven. But like Enoch, God's people will
seek for purity of heart and conformity to His will, until they shall reflect the likeness of
Christ. Like Enoch, they will warn the world of the Lord's second coming and of the judg-
ments to be visited upon transgression, and by their holy conversation and example they
will condemn the sins of the ungodly. PP, p.89
Tricks of the devil…..continued from P5
One other thought—Prayers of repentance and faith do wonders even for those on high-speed de-
clines. God can pick you off the slide. If Satan didn‘t know this, he wouldn‘t bother placing the
hopeless signs all over the path. He fears you might exercise trust.
‘I will go and minister to my friends’ trick
This is the opposite side of the ―I am called to do what I want‖ false coin. The dupe rea-
sons that he can do God‘s work anywhere in the world and he might as well do it among
his buddies. This thought is not always errant. Jesus told the Gadarene to return and
show his friends the great things that God had done for him. But when it is a violation of
Romans 13:14, ―make no provision for the flesh,‖ it is foolhardy decision that has led to
the spiritual apostasy of thousands. ―Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the counte-
nance of his friend.‖ Proverbs 27:17. Children that will one day make good soldiers make
poor fodder in the mean time. If they have recently left the vices of alcohol, tobacco,
drugs, immorality, and idleness, do not send them back to minister to their own until
they have grown strong in the faith. The author writes from sad experience on this point.
Contact Information:
+27(0)21 556 9971 086 608 7075 +27(0)83 268 7575
poh@itshe.com  PO Box 34197, Rhodes Gift, 7007, Cape Town, South Africa
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