Dial Daily Bread: Keep Your Heart Alert to What the Bridegroom May Do

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

When Paul says "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ" (2 Cor. 5:10), he does not denigrate what the apostle John says about judgment and agape. John says:

(1) "Everyone who loves [with agape] is born of God and knows God" (1 John 4:7). The obvious implication: if we haven't learned how to love with agape, we don't know God. That's what he says next:

(2) "He who does not love [with agape] does not know God, for God is agape" (vs. 8). The highest equation in the universe!

(3) "In this the love [agape] of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son ..." (vs. 9). We learn agape only by long beholding the sacrifice of Christ to the point that we don't "know anything ... except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (cf. 1 Cor. 2:2). The heart is won. Now the Lord Jesus wants an entire world church enlightened by His agape, and so won by heart.

(4) "In this is agape, not that we loved God [with agape], but that He loved us [with agape] ..." (1 John 4:10). His church does not take the initiative; the Bridegroom does that, and she does the responding to Him.

(5) "Agape has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world" (vs. 17). Keeping the Ten Commandments is preparation for the final judgment; but the one supreme question we will be asked as we stand before the Lord Jesus in final judgment will be, "Have you learned how to love (with agape)?"

(6) Paul agrees: "Love [agape] does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love [agape] is the fulfillment of the law" (Rom. 13:10).

All these many long years, the Bridegroom-to-be has longed for His beloved to grow up out of childhood unto "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13). We cannot duplicate the sacrifice of Christ on His cross, but we can learn to appreciate it. If any bridegroom has that from his bride, he will have a happy marriage.

Growing up should be great fun; kids love it, even before their time. A world church may appear to be very lethargic; but don't make a superficial judgment. The Bridegroom is not finished yet. Keep your heart alert to what He may do.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 11, 2007.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: The Door Standing Open in Heaven

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The apostle John was shown "a door standing open in heaven" (Rev. 4:1). There he saw scenes the whole world should know about.

No one in heaven, in earth, or even in hell, could "prevail" to break the seven seals that kept that mysterious book (scroll) closed in the hand of the One who sat on the throne of the universe. John wept "much." Then "the Lamb," all bruised and mangled in His death, "prevailed"--the Son of God crucified. He broke the seven seals! He had saved the universe from ruin! (chapter 5).

John saw all the redeemed people overcome with joy as they cried, "Salvation belongs to our God" (7:10). But that doesn't mean primarily that God Himself is now "saved," although in a sense that can be true. The idea is that God's redeemed ascribe their "salvation to Him."

That mangled Lamb gave them salvation; it was He who took the initiative 100 percent in saving them. He was the Good Shepherd who went on a long journey to seek and find them. By His "much more abounding grace" (Rom. 5:20) they were saved. Their song of triumph in Revelation 7 is the same as Paul's word in Ephesians, "By grace you have been saved through faith" but their faith was not the means of their salvation. Immediately they insist that their faith is not "of [themselves]" (2:8, 9). They take no credit for their "decision to accept Christ."

As Paul says in Romans 5:15-18, it was Christ who gave them the "gift" of "justification of life" even "while we were still sinners" (vs. 8). Just let your heart begin to grasp this, and you will throw yourself down with them "before the throne" even as that great multitude did, that crowd that "no one could count" (Rev. 7:9, Good News Bible).

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: December 16, 2005.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Could Time Go on Endlessly and Still Be "In the Last Days"?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Several times the New Testament speaks as though the apostles were living in "the last days," and that "the end of the world" began with Christ's resurrection. Does that mean that now is not "the time of the end" that Daniel speaks of? Could time could go on endlessly and still forever be "the last days"?

Both Daniel and Revelation are crystal clear that after 1260 years of papal oppression and persecution "the time of the end" would begin (see Dan. 7:25; 11:32-35; Rev. 12:4-6; 13:5, etc.). Jesus' own prophecy of Matthew 24 also is clear: we are today living when His coming "is near, even at the doors" (vs. 33, King James Version).

There is no contradiction when all the Bible expressions are looked at in context. "In these last days" in Hebrews 1:2 means: in this recent consummation of history when the Son of God began a new era by His incarnation and resurrection. When John says, "it is the last hour" in 1 John 2:18, he is not trying to contradict Daniel and Revelation; he is trying to assure his readers that the "many antichrists" already in the world prove that the great controversy between Christ and Satan has begun its final phase.

Peter's "these last times" contrasts Christ's being "foreordained before the foundation of the world" with His "manifestation" in these recent times (1 Peter 1:20). Again, "the foundation of the world" in Hebrews 9:26 is contrasted with the "appearance" of Christ "at the end" or at the consummation of the ages--His recent incarnation.

The rendering, "the ends of the ages have come," in 1 Corinthians 10:11 means "the fulfillment of the ages has come." In other words, after waiting 4000 years for the Messiah to appear, the apostles saw a new age beginning.

But Matthew 24 and Daniel and Revelation all make clear: we are living in a special era known as "the time of the end" pinpointed by specific time prophecies. Jesus said of Daniel, "whoever reads, let him understand" (Matt. 24:15). Christ will return; and His coming "is near, even at the doors."

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: October 24, 2000.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Is It Possible … ?

Dear Friends of “Dial Daily Bread,”

Since the terrible 9/11 when terrorists destroyed the Trade Towers in New York City, it has been generally understood that long-held Constitutional liberties are steadily being curtailed. Thoughtful people who reverence the truths of Revelation 13 increasingly warn us that the time of trouble looms just before us. In the war on terrorism can be heard the roar of a lamb-like, peace-loving "beast" that has been cruelly attacked and is finally aroused to roar "as a dragon."

• Is it possible that due to all-too-common human error some of this rage against terrorists can be directed against peaceful people whose religious beliefs are popularly judged as "extremist"?

• Is it possible that a healthy proclamation of "Christian faith" that is thoroughly Bible-based can be labeled as "hate literature"?

• Is it possible that religious prejudices that ran riot in the 1260 years of the Dark Ages can be revived?

Yes, what Jesus said in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 is clear: loyalty to Him will be termed disloyalty to earthly governments. There is a cosmic Enemy at work in "the great controversy between Christ and Satan" who wants to bring about the silencing of God's last Good News message to the world.

Yes, the ominous prophecies of Revelation 13 will be fulfilled.

But wait a moment: something else will be fulfilled. Don't forget that Revelation 14 follows Revelation 13. A message is to sound clearly and powerfully all over the world, a message of "everlasting Good News" such as the world has never heard proclaimed in clarity and power. The earth is to be "lightened" with the glory of the message in its end-time realities. The powerful truths of justification by faith will come to the fore and take center stage in contrast to the helpless vanities proclaimed by "Babylon."

Revelation 14 is now in process of fulfillment, but Revelation 18 is still "in a great degree" future, rendered so by the unbelief of God's people in the past. Jesus says emphatically, "Let not your heart be troubled" (John 14:1-3).

Welcome every opportunity to spread abroad a most precious message that must yet lighten the earth with glory. Don't let fear engulf your thinking. Let Jesus draw you closer to Himself. He is not afraid!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: February 4, 2003.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: A Sanctifying Message That Will Finally Be Full-blown

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Two thousand years ago God's people were expecting their long-awaited Messiah to appear. But when He came as a Baby in Bethlehem, they did not recognize Him, and the leaders of the true church of that day led the people to murder Him.

Now God's people are expecting a great blessing to come from Heaven, that is, the long-promised "latter rain," the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that will "lighten the earth with glory" (Rev. 18:1-4). It will be a message that will prepare God's people for the second coming of Jesus.

Not everyone on earth will be converted, for many will reject the message as many rejected Jesus long ago; but the message will seek out honest hearts everywhere who will respond. The Lord will be honored.

The message of the "everlasting gospel" will be presented so clearly and powerfully that Christ will be uplifted as the crucified Son of God. He not only died for the world in a corporate sense but He also died for each individual soul. And each soul who permits his heart to be moved by the "love of Christ [that] constrains us" (2 Cor. 5:14, 15) will be sanctified by the message that will finally be full-blown.

The watching universe will be amazed at the transformations that the pure, true gospel will accomplish, as Paul said, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes" (Rom. 1:16). But Satan's cleverness has confused "the truth of the gospel" even as "certain men [who] came from James" (the early leader of the church in Paul's day) confused even Peter and Barnabas (Gal. 2:5, 12-14). The story of that stumbling on the part of the early leaders of the church is not well known (cf. Gal. 2:1-13). Paul was right! And his Book of Romans is "the clearest gospel of all."

This often neglected story of human fallibility encourages us to study "the truth of the gospel" (vss. 5, 14) for ourselves. Even today, sincere, converted leaders can err and mislead people, even the "faithful" such as Barnabas long ago.

There is no prayer that Heaven is more eager to answer than the prayer of an honest heart who wants to understand truth! The Lord would rather empty heaven of angels, sending them all down here to help one soul, than allow that soul to become misled.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: January 28, 2007.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: A Message That Will Always Lift You Up, Never Cast You Down

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Angels are not human beings. And especially, they are not humans who have died. The Bible tells us that they were created higher than we were. Speaking of "man," it says, "You made him a little lower than the angels" (Heb. 2:6, 7). They are not flesh and blood as we are, although they can assume the appearance of human beings on special occasions.

We read who they are: they are "ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation" (1:14). You can't "see" a "spirit." But angels are sent by the Father on a mission to each one of us who believes. You may never hear an angel speak to you audibly, but that's not the point. As a "spirit" the angel comes to you with a message that may be deeper yet clearer than human language can put it. And it will always be in total harmony with the Bible. And it will always lift you up, never cast you down.

For example, you are tempted to discouragement. You don't clearly know the reason; a dark cloud seems to hover over you which is deeper than words. Have you ever been in that situation?

Then you remember the invitation of Jesus to come to His Father in prayer. You kneel, and you wait before Him; just "wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14).

Let me assure you: He will send one of His "ministering spirits," an angel, to give you a message of encouragement. It may not be in words your physical ears hear, but it will be a far deeper message that comes in a conviction of truth. Your heart burden will be lifted.

You will never be proud, because you have a special connection with heaven. You will never "think of [yourself] more highly than [you] ought to think, but ... think soberly, as God has dealt to each one the measure of faith" (Rom. 12:3). You will hold your head high in self-respect, knowing you are a "servant" of everyone just as Jesus was. He came "not to be served, but to serve" (Matt. 20:28). And then you will know your true joy in life.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 23, 2003.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: The "Sheep" and the "Goats"--Did They Have It Backward?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Someone asked a very thoughtful question about the final Day of Judgment.

In that last Day the "righteous" express surprise that the Lord praises them and says, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in." They respond in genuine humility, "Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?" You must be telling someone else, "Come!" This must be a mistake--we have never thought ourselves worthy to enter Your kingdom.

But the King will assure them, No, it's you I mean, "Come!" because whenever you demonstrated love for someone else, it was Me you were blessing! (Matt. 25:31-40). These are the "[sheep] gathered before Him."

Then Jesus tells how the goats will respond when He tells them, "Depart from Me" (vs. 41). They will argue, protesting that they deserve to enter in, He has made a mistake in His judgment. Look at all the good things we have done!

As Jesus taught us in the Sermon on the Mount, the "goats" will argue, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, ... and done many wonders in Your name?" (7:21-23). Again, the "goats" will have it backward as much as the "sheep" had it backward!

Now for the question that was asked: "If it's so wise for us to walk softly and not talk with a false assurance, why does Paul say so confidently, 'There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day'"? (2 Tim. 4:8). Doesn't that sound a little like some pride similar to what the "goats" will express on that "Day"?

Superficially that is true. But remember, these words were written just hours or minutes before Paul was beheaded for the sake of Jesus. Nero has condemned him; any moment now the soldier will walk in and say, Follow me; I must behead you! Paul was not reviewing all the good works he had done; all he said was, "I have kept the faith" (vs. 7).

If you will keep the faith until your last hour, you can have that same confidence. But meanwhile, until then, walk and talk "softly" (see 1 Kings 21:27, King James Version, which says Ahab in his repentance after a terribly sinful life "went softly").

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: September 14, 2003.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Sin Has No "Home" in the Vast Universe of God!

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Our Savior "condemned sin in the flesh," the fallen, sinful flesh that all of us have inherited from our fallen father, Adam. In so doing, Christ has saved the human race! He forever outlawed sin in the vast universe of God by defeating it in its last lair. Sin has no "home," no refuge now, in the vast universe of God!

Sin does not reside in things; it resides in human hearts. Satan as the fallen Lucifer had tempted the other worlds to join him in rebellion, but they refused. (Temptation is not sin; what's sin, is giving in.) Only our first parents, Adam and Eve, believed the fallen Lucifer's lies against God.

No way could Christ have defeated sin if the dogma of the Immaculate Conception were true: if in His incarnation Christ had taken upon Himself the unfallen, sinless nature of Adam in the Garden, sin would have been forever enshrined and crowned in our human flesh and then Satan would have forever won the great controversy between Christ and Satan.

Doubtless there are many sincere people who have never thought this through; they don't realize that their dogma proclaimed in 1854, and required of all to believe, is a stroke of victory in favor of the enemy in the great controversy.

In mercy to the remnant church and the world, the Lord sent a most precious message to His people over 120 years ago that told the saving truth in a clear way so simple that a child could understand. Christ took on His sinless nature our fallen, sinful nature, so that He might save the human race from sin. "Tempted in all points like as we are [tempted], yet without sin" (Heb. 4:15, King James Version), He has delivered the whole human race from captivity to sin.

Most do not understand it, or believe it; but nonetheless it is true. And the Lord has promised in Revelation 18:1-4 that the full beautiful truth will yet "lighten the earth with glory."

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: July 11, 2008.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: A Fresh New Revelation of Grace

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The most precious message of Christ's righteousness exalts the cross of Christ and what He accomplished there for the world. He reversed the judicial "condemnation" that our fallen father Adam brought upon the human race and as the second Adam pronounced upon us instead a "judicial ... verdict of acquittal " (Rom. 5:15-18; The Revised English Bible). By His sacrifice upon His cross He gave the Father the legal right to treat "every one" in the world as though he has never sinned!

You may have thought about this a thousand times, but each new morning it's a fresh new revelation of grace. The Father demonstrates what "you shall be perfect" means by "mak[ing] His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and send[ing] rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matt. 5:48, 45). And so, by His much more abounding grace (Rom. 5:20) which He bestows on us "in Christ," He enables us to treat others the same way; and to our amazement, we discover that we begin to win souls! We discover in the most unforeseen places someone who is hungry and thirsty for the bread of life and the water of life that we can now share, and what a joy it is to meet that person.

When you know yourself and confess yourself to be empty, that you are eternally hungry and thirsty, you are prepared to be "filled" (Matt. 5:6), and no one is ever "filled," without at the same time his "cup runs over" (Psalm 23:5). Then everybody who comes in contact with you is blessed. You are continually exuding that much more abounding grace; there's no end to it. You've found a new life.

What's happening is that God's New Covenant is playing itself out in you; all the promises He made to Abraham are being kept and fulfilled in you as a child of Abraham. (You know, of course, that not one human soul will enter any of the gates of the New Jerusalem except as a child of Abraham [cf. Rom. 4:1-16], and that is what you are if your heart has just begun to "comprehend ... the width and length and depth and height [of the] love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God"; Eph. 3:17-19.)

It's real! You are not the water of life but you are a channel through which it can flow.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: August 6, 2007.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Must the Triumph of the Gospel Await a Future Generation?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Some day, somewhere, someone, will understand the "everlasting gospel" of Jesus Christ so clearly that "another angel" will come down from heaven "having great power" and will "lighten the earth" with the glory of that full-orbed truth. Multitudes who now sit in darkness will see a great light and will come to it (Rev. 18:1-4, King James Version; Matt. 4:16).

It won't be only "some one" who understands; there will be many who are in heartfelt union around the world, of "every nation, tribe, tongue, and people" (Rev. 14:6). No more theological squabbles! That unity will be as much a miracle as the insight of that "some one" who will see crystal clear what the gospel is with no contradicting confusion.

That unity will be in fulfillment of the prayer of Jesus in John 17, "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word: that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I [am] in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me" (vss. 20, 21). "The world" will not believe until they see that "one-ness."

Those who will understand the gospel and be in union will receive "the seal of God in their foreheads" (Rev. 7:1-4), obviously a symbol of a heart understanding of truth that has also gripped the understanding of the mind. They will have pondered and studied; and they will believe Jesus' promise, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).

They will graduate out of Old Covenant living into the bright sunlight of the New Covenant. The Old Covenant will no longer produce "bondage" in them, but they will "stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free" (Gal. 5:1). They will overcome where ancient Israel stumbled and fell. Instead of crucifying Christ "again" and "put[ting] Him to an open shame" (Heb. 6:6), they will surrender self to be "crucified with Christ" (Gal. 2:20).

As soon as they receive "the seal of God" and "follow the Lamb" (the crucified and risen "Savior of the world"), the enemy will launch against them his "mark of the beast" in an attempt to frighten them into submission (Rev. 13:16, 17). But "perfect love" (agape) has at last "cast out fear" (1 John 4:18) and they are seated with Christ on His throne to bring to a triumphant close "the great controversy" with Satan (Rev. 3:21).

But must this glorious triumph of the gospel await a future generation? Are there some out there who long to see the victory come now?

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: June 11, 2007.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: "Blessing" or "To Bless"—What's the Difference?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The noun "blessing" means something that gives happiness. The verb "to bless" means to make someone happy. But in Psalm 103 it all seems turned around: we are told to "bless the Lord, O my soul" (vs. 1). How could any of us mere mortals, sinful at that, make the great Lord of heaven and earth happy?

The Psalm tells us how--remember all the wonderful things He constantly does for us: "forget not all His benefits" (vs. 2). We were created in the image of Him; we are created to be like Him, and He is therefore like us in this particular: it makes Him happy when we appreciate Him for what He is.

The story of Barzillai in 2 Samuel, chapter 19, is one of the happiest little narratives in the Bible. King David had sinned and ruined his own security and happiness; Absalom had rebelled against him; and the king had to flee for his life.

Barzillai did all he could to care for King David during this crisis. "Barzillai was a very aged man, 80 years old. And he had provided the king with supplies" while the king was in flight from his enemy. The old man said he could no longer "discern between the good and bad," or "taste what I eat or what I drink," or "hear any longer the voice of singing" (vss. 32, 35).

But Barzillai found for himself forever an honorable place in the Holy Bible because he chose to be unselfish and to help "the Lord's anointed" in a time of need. This old man was living under the glorious New Covenant, for God had promised that under it, wherever you go throughout the world, "you shall be a blessing" (Gen. 12:2, 3).

Yes, under the New Covenant, everywhere you go you will leave behind the memory of making people happy (in the eternal sense). That in itself is reward enough for anybody.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 8, 2008.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Thank God for Love!

Dear Friends of “Dial Daily Bread,”

When somebody important loves you and tells you so, you are flooded with happiness. As a wise writer once said, such love is a precious gift from Jesus. It begins with mother and father loving you; but we are to "leave ... father and ... mother, and cleave" to that other somebody important. Thank God for love!

But can you imagine how the biblical Daniel felt when a holy angel from heaven addressed him, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved," individually, especially (9:23; 10:11, 19). At this time, it was Medo-Persian rule. Likely, his three loyal friends of youth, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, were no longer around (we never hear of them again). He was lonely, still in exile, engulfed with perpetual paganism all around him, hated, envied by the leadership of the nation; he probably had no family; he had suffered an intimate personal violence unspeakable for a Hebrew—castrated in his teenage youth, apparently abandoned of heaven as a deserved spoil of divine national retribution.

But now an angel as a personal friend (unusual!?) throws into a conversation parenthetically this tidbit of information—the intelligences of heaven, what Paul calls "the whole family in heaven and earth" (Eph. 3:15), talk about him behind his back in endearing terms. He means something special at the headquarters of God. They love him as an individual!

Daniel's "works" did not evoke this special affection; it was his faith. He was respected as a kind of hero; when he had prayed with “his windows open toward Jerusalem” he had risked his life for devotion to this "family in heaven" (Dan. 6:10). When he went into the lions' den it was with a committed resignation, partly in trust that the Lord might deliver him, partly as surrender in case his being devoured by beasts might somehow honor God (as with Christians later in the days of pagan Rome). This reliance on God as "Father in heaven" knit Daniel's soul with that of the Son of God who from eternity had committed Himself to be one with us. He was "greatly beloved" by Him, and the angel realized it.

Wait on your knees, "Wait, I say, on the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14). The same angel has a word for you, too. Your happiness will lead you to total obedience to all God's commandments, to loving service (2 Cor. 5:14, 15).

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: September 14, 2006.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: The Only Man in Eternity Who Can Say, "Look to Me ..."

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Jesus of Nazareth is the only Man in eternity who can say to everyone, "Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth!" (Isa. 45:22).

To "look" means the same as "behold." John the Baptist lifted his voice and "cried" saying, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). To "look" in the sense of "behold" is to look earnestly with faith, which is a heart appreciation of who Jesus is and what He has done and what He has given to "every man."

The apostle Paul was at his keenest in his thinking when he wrote Romans chapter five: "God's act of grace is out of all proportion to Adam's wrongdoing. For if the wrongdoing of that one man brought death upon so many, its effect is vastly exceeded by the grace of God and the gift that came to so many by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ" (see Rom. 5:15-21, The Revised English Bible).

Salvation is totally by the grace of the Lord Jesus, yes, and by the grace of the Father. The sacrifice of Christ has made it possible for the Father to treat "every man" as though he has never sinned! This is monumental grace!

To "believe" in Jesus is not the same as believing that 2 + 2 = 4; it is the human heart appreciating what it cost the Son of God to save us--He died our second death. He looked ahead of Himself down a tunnel that had no light at the end of it. Jesus did not simply go to sleep for a weekend. No, He went to hell and suffered the agony of hell--that was what it meant to die our second death!

We are just little children, all of us, in our understanding! May the Lord be gracious and permit us to grow! Not one person in God's eternal kingdom will feel or will say that he deserves to be there.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 13, 2009.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Why Was Daniel So "Greatly Beloved"?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

"Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God, yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, 'O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; ...'" (Dan. 9:20-23).

______________________________________________

After reading Daniel's prayer in chapter 9, verses 4-19, can we have a doubt that the Lord hears prayer? Does He notice the wants of His humble child? No sooner does Daniel's prayer begin to ascend to heaven, than the command is issued to the mighty angel to "fly swiftly" to his help! There is no loitering in the "offices" of Heaven. Swifter than an e-mail, the answer comes "in appearance like a flash of lightning" (Ezek. 1:14). Trembling child, have faith in God!

What made Daniel to be "greatly beloved"? Does God have some favorite people whom He loves more than others? No, for Christ gave His blood for all of us equally. He did something for the entire human race. He has redeemed us all. If He died to save the world, He has given the gift of salvation to the world--but it's a gift that has to be received by faith.

By His sacrifice on His cross, the Son of God has given the gift of justification to "every man," but you can do like Esau did who had the "birthright" but "despised" it and "sold" it (Gen. 25:33, 34; Heb. 12:16, 17). Paul makes clear that what Christ did for humanity was more than make them a mere "offer." No less than five times in one short passage he declares that Christ gave us a "free gift" of justification (Rom. 5:15-18).

Daniel believed this "Good News" and chose to respond. For him Christ's legal justification became the experience of justification by faith. This is what made him obedient. What the angel says to Daniel, he says to you also. Instead of saying, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son," say, "God so loved me. ..."

--Robert J. Wieland

From: The Gospel in Daniel, pp. 133, 134 (2004).
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: A "Princess" and the Good News of the New Covenant

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Throughout history it is deeply engrained in human thinking that salvation is initially dependant on human initiative. Nothing happens until like the prodigal son we say, "I will arise and go" (Luke 15:18). But did Jesus teach that the salvation of the prodigal son was due to his own initiative? In eternity, will he boast, "I'm here because I came home"? Or will he thank God for his father's love that spoke hope to his heart even while he was sitting in the pigsty? Was it his own initiative that drove him to "arise and go" or was it the drawing of that love?

It appears that the teaching of Jesus was clear that "If I am lifted up from the earth, [I] will draw all peoples to Myself" (John 12:32). He did not teach that those who are saved at last are those who come under their own self-starter power.

No Bible character was in a more hopeless condition of failure and frustration than Sarai, wife of Abram. She desperately prayed for 25 years that God's will be done in her life to get her pregnant. She knew it was the will of God, but nothing happened, only failure. She was bitter; and before you condemn her, put yourself in her place. We learn an interesting lesson in reading of what the Lord did for her.

He did not tell her, "When you straighten yourself up and stop being angry with Me, then I will enable you to get pregnant!" Rather He spoke New Covenant Good News to her soul; and all she did was listen. There was nothing she could do but listen and believe! (And that, incidentally, is exactly the meaning of the Hebrew word for "obey" in Exodus 19:5.) The Lord gave her the glorious Good News that her name was changed to "Princess," He promised to make her "a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her" (Gen. 17:16), and the naked Good News itself changed her heart! The Good News in that New Covenant promise reconciled her alienated heart to God. Yes, she believed; but look again, the initiative was taken by God.

By the way, what can the dead do on the resurrection day to help resurrect themselves? Or is their part simply to "hear His voice and come forth"? (John 5:28, 29). For sure, that "voice" is going to be glorious Good News, isn't it? Maybe we should start learning how to "listen" to it now.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: January 26, 2003.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: A Special Day of Listening to the Lord

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Did Jesus teach us that in these last days we will be living in the cosmic Day of Atonement? Did He teach that in Daniel's "time of the end" (11:35; 12:4) we will live ever more reconciled to God and to His holy law, at-one with His holy character of love [agape]?

It's impossible to read what Jesus says in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 and not realize that this is true. We are living in a special time that transcends all "business as usual" philosophy: "When you see all these things, know that it is near, at the very doors. ... As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. ... Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming" (Matt. 24:33-42). "Take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly" (Luke 21:34).

God's people in the time of Moses were permitted to "carouse," that is, have parties, also to drink (moderately); and to seek to become millionaires was legitimate--but not on the Day of Atonement. That was a special day of listening to the Lord, of heart-searching, of yielding to the Holy Spirit, to be "at-one" with Him in heart and character.

Jesus said that in the great cosmic Day of Atonement "the powers of the heavens will be shaken" (Matt. 24:29). We probably can't explain that--yet; but only those who today have learned to live in the great Day of Atonement will then be "able to stand."

But Good News: come to Jesus; He will teach you today.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: August 23, 2004.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Can We Help Christ Win the Great Controversy?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

There is indeed a great controversy between Christ and Satan. And those who believe in Christ believe that He will win, in the end. This is called "the blessed hope" (Titus 2:13).

Can human beings help Him win that great controversy? Many will say, "No, God is sovereign; He is almighty; He is the Captain of this ship; we are only passengers." And in one sense that is true.

But there is another truth that is begging for recognition: the long delay in finishing the great controversy is not God's fault, but the fault of His people who have delayed His will. When one compares Christ's message to "the angel of the church of the Laodiceans" in Revelation 3:14-21 with chapter 19:1-8, it becomes readily apparent that the Bride of the Lamb should have "made herself ready" long ago. The great controversy cannot be finally concluded until she does, because you can't have a marriage without a bride having made herself ready!

Yes, Christ needs the cooperation of His people, because "the Head [cannot say] to the feet, 'I have no need of you'" (1 Cor. 12:21). One's feet are very lowly in comparison with one's head; but no one wants to lose them.

The time must come when not only is Satan defeated at Christ's cross, but Christ's people must also defeat him. "Our brethren ... overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony" (Rev. 12:10, 11). Only then can the final chorus of rejoicing break out in heaven (vs. 12).

You are important; all Heaven is watching. And the Savior's "much more abounding grace" is given to you, not merely offered. Rejoice and thank God for the privilege of having an important part in the final battle of the great controversy.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: March 23, 2002.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: How Could There Be "War in Heaven"?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

We can understand how war breaks out in this dark, sinful world; but how could there be "war in heaven"? (Rev. 12:7) Heaven is a perfect place! Who started it?

The Bible says clearly that sin originated with Lucifer, the highest of the angels (Eze. 28:12-15; Isa. 14:12-14). He sought to spread rebellion. And many angels joined him ("a third of the stars," Rev 12:4). But who started the conflict that resulted in "the great dragon [being] cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan" (vs. 9)?

A very wise writer says that Lucifer's new idea of "the ... exaltation of self, contrary to the Creator's plan, awakened forebodings of evil in minds to whom God's glory was supreme." This quiet, clever, secret "exaltation of self" would have gone on and on had it not been that some "minds" loyal to God were "awakened" to oppose it. They were the ones who started the "war in heaven"! They were not content to let this underhanded work proceed unopposed.

Our text seems clear: "And war broke out in heaven: Michael and His angels fought against the dragon [that is, took the initiative]; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any more" (Rev. 12:7, 8). There is no suggestion that literal swords or guns were used. Two-thirds of the angels thought through the clever lies of Lucifer and his supporting angels, and rejected them. Today the Holy Spirit still takes the initiative in opposing evil. Thank God! And we should cooperate with Him and stop opposing His initiatives.

Satan was "cast to the earth" because our first parents welcomed him (Genesis 3). Now the cosmic controversy continues here until "our brethren ... overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony" (two things!), "and they did not love their lives to the death" (Rev. 12:10-11). When among them that original "exaltation of self" is renounced, the final victory will come. So, "Let us be glad and rejoice." Why? "For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready" (19:6, 7). AT LAST!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: January 10, 2002.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: A Clearer Vision of Christ's Substitution

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

For ages, millions have died trusting in Christ as their Substitute. For the most part, their idea of substitution has been "vicarious." Christ stands in their place, like an insurance company stands in your place when you suffer a loss. Or, as a lawyer stands before the judge in your place in a court case.

Now, in this Day of Atonement, God's idea of substitution is a clearer one, a "shared" one. It's not that "vicarious" substitution is wrong; but the closer God's people come to the Savior, the clearer is their vision of His substitution.

For example, in the Day of Atonement they "[sing] as it were, a new song before the throne," a song that no other group in history could sing (Rev. 14:1-5). This indicates a new experience in relating to Christ, a new and dearer understanding of Him. Further, they "follow the Lamb wherever He goes," indicating a new experience that means a closer identity with Him as the crucified One and as their High Priest.

It can't be a righteousness by works experience that is "new," for legalism can never inspire a body of God's people to follow Christ so closely in His closing High Priestly ministry. It must be a righteousness by faith experience that is "new." The goal is changed from merely preparing a body of people to die and then come up in the first resurrection (a wonderful goal that requires the miracle of regeneration). But the "new song" that is sung prepares a body of people for translation at the second coming of Jesus. Thus it closes His ministry as High Priest, and inaugurates what leads to His coronation as King of kings.

How do these people identify so closely with "the Lamb"? It's not a fanatical "me first" to be among the 144,000 idea. Personal reward is the last thing on their minds. By mature faith they "grow up ... into Him," "to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:15, 13), identifying with Him.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: September 27, 2001.
Copyright © 2015 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Is There Biblical Basis for a Pre-Advent Judgment?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Is there biblical basis for the idea of a pre-Advent judgment? When we confess our sins, doesn't the Lord Jesus forgive us our sins, and hasn't He promised to cast them into the depths of the sea? Why then would He drag up out of the sea bottom that Titanic of shameful sin that He promised should be left there? Isn't this entire idea of a pre-Advent judgment something contrary to gospel common sense?

There are two biblical statements, both unquestionably inspired because they came from the lips of Jesus. And they are not out of context:

(1) He said to the Sadducees, "They which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that [eternal] world, and the resurrection from the dead ... [cannot] die any more" (Luke 20:35, 36, King James Version). He had already taught the reality of two resurrections--"those who have done good, to the resurrection of life" (John 5:28, 29), which obviously can take place only at His second Advent (1 Thess. 4:15-18), and that of "those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation." Revelation 20 quite clearly says it takes place at the close of the thousand-year post-Advent judgment (Rev. 20:4-7).

Before Jesus returns again as He promised and resurrects "those who have done good," somehow it must be determined, or "judged," who to resurrect in that first resurrection and who to leave sleeping on until the second. It's hardly common sense to say that God Himself (who presides at the Judgment) needs this investigative knowledge; He knows everything. But the "court" composed of the intelligences of the universe needs to know (and so do we!).

(2) Jesus spoke of "judgment" as of two kinds: condemnation and vindication. In this pre-Advent judgment Jesus leaves that Titanic of confessed and forsaken sin and guilt submerged where it is. The only people He agrees to judge are those who believe in Him, and He will vindicate them. The rest will judge themselves. It will be for them a "do-it-yourself" condemnation (John 12:47, 48).

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: May 24, 2000-1.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: An Invitation to Subscribe

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Many of you are studying the new Sabbath School quarterly on “Preparation for the End Time.” For those who are not already receiving "Sabbath School Today" (SST) we would like to invite you to subscribe (SST is free). You will receive weekly essays on the lessons in the context of the "most precious" 1888 message. Some of the essays are prepared from the writings of Robert J. Wieland, author of "Dial Daily Bread."

To begin a new subscription please reply to this e-mail with the words "Subscribe SST" in the body of the e-mail or in the heading. If you are already receiving "Sabbath School Today" THERE IS NO NEED TO RESUBSCRIBE; your subscription will continue.

Sincerely,

The "Dial Daily Bread" Staff