Sabbath School Today, Lesson 7, Quarter 2-18

Sabbath School Today
With the 1888 Message Dynamic

Preparation for the End Time
Lesson 7. Matthew 24 and 25

 

The spiritual condition of the church worldwide is pictured in the parable of the "Ten Virgins," all of whom "slept." When the cry went forth suddenly, "The Bridegroom cometh!" five sprang awake and trimmed their lamps to go to the "wedding." The other five had carelessly neglected to get the oil of the Holy Spirit, and it was too late now; they were shut out (Matt. 25:1-10).

This oil is not the Pentecost early rain proportions of the Holy Spirit. The oil represents the latter rain message which Christ commissions the Holy Spirit to give to a receptive church. Having received the message, the church experiences the Holy Spirit. Then follows the Spirit's voice, through His messengers, heard resoundingly throughout the world, giving the "loud cry," which lightens the earth with God's glory.

As we read the parable of the virgins together with what Revelation says about the "marriage of the Lamb" (Rev. 19:7, 8), it becomes clear that the five wise "virgins" sleeping is the same lethargy as the Bride-to-be neglecting to "make herself ready for the marriage." The parable does not say that the Bride eventually refused to "make herself ready." But the five foolish virgins did.

In some manner the five wise virgins do have oil in their lamps. They have been receptive to the Holy Spirit's last-day message. This receptivity serves them well for even though they too sleep, as do the five foolish virgins, when awakened by the cry, "The Bridegroom cometh" the oil is sufficient for their lighted lamps.

The Lord sent "the beginning" of the Holy Spirit's latter rain in a "most precious message" [1] delivered at the General Conference Session in Minneapolis in 1888. The essence of this message was the call of Christ to the leadership of the Laodicean church to "repent."

"[Revelation 3:14-20, quoted.] This message has not had the influence that it should have had upon the mind and heart of the believers. The true state of the church is to be presented before men, and they are to receive the word of God not as something originating with men, but as the word of God. Many have treated the message to the Laodiceans as it has come to them, as the word of man. Both message and messenger have been held in doubt by those who should have been the first to discern and act upon it as the word of God. Had they received the word of God sent to them, they would not now be in darkness." [2]

For decades the Seventh-day Adventist Church has denied her history, saying that the Minneapolis Conference was a case of mistaken identity--the 1888 message was only a "re-emphasis" of historic Protestantism, not the beginning of the latter rain and the loud cry; and whatever it was, it wasn't really rejected. There was only a temporary resistance which was later repented of and the sin of resistance was cancelled.

The message was indeed what Ellen White said it was--the beginning of the work of the fourth angel of Revelation 18; and in a great degree it was rejected, not by the church at large, but by the leadership of that era. And there has never been a true and faithful recovery and proclamation of the message. When we begin to grasp the enormity of these facts, we sense that no issue before us can compare in importance with the problem of actually insulting the Holy Spirit.

It was His plan that the General and local Conference leadership personnel not stand "aloof" or hostile to the message, but heartily receive it. Recognizing and joyfully accepting truth, the entire church leadership would have responded to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and our publishing houses and the Review and Herald would have joined unitedly and harmoniously in the glad work. The laity were ready and would have cooperated. Thus the gospel commission could have been completed in that generation. It wasn't.

What did not happen then must happen in the future. And the "scenario" will happen because the Lord Jesus has not died in vain. He will yet see of the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied (cf. Isaiah 53:11). He has many honest-hearted people in the Seventh-day Adventist Church who will be loyal to Him and to His truth, even unto death. Corporate and denominational repentance is the work embodied in the antitypical Day of Atonement. Satan is determined to oppose it to the bitter end. Let us make sure that we do not stand on the enemy's side.

In the hour of crisis the five foolish young women had been absorbed in self-interests, and had neglected to search for what Peter says is "the present truth" (2 Peter 1:12). What's happening behind the scenes is a wedding. The parable is clear as sunlight: "they that were ready went in with [the Bridegroom] to the marriage and the door was shut" (Matt. 25:10). The ones "ready" are the same as those who "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth" (Rev. 14:4). It's just that simple.

--Paul E. Penno

Endnotes:
[1] Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, pp. 91, 92.
[2] The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, p. 1051; cf. Letter S24, 1892.

Notes:
Pastor Paul Penno's video of this lesson is on the Internet at:
https://youtu.be/9KaOl-x86Ng

"Sabbath School Today" is on the Internet at: http://1888message.org/sst.htm

Dial Daily Bread: A Very Special Blessing Assigned to Women

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

The Bible tells the history correctly: when Adam "fell" into sin, he had someone who helped him fall--it was his wife, Eve. But the Bible does not lay a burden of guilt upon her alone. No way!

Our beloved brother Paul was not anti-feminist; he was simply a faithful servant of the Lord. He reviews the history of the fall of Adam. He reminds us, "Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. ..." (1 Tim. 2:13, 14).

On the surface, it sounds like a debit for "woman." But wait a moment, don't misunderstand: "The fall of man" was the work of both Adam and his wife Eve; they share the debit.

But the dear Lord has assigned to woman a very special blessing, which we celebrate Sunday by our Mother's Day.* It's to woman whom the Lord has granted the special privilege of being the first teacher we all have ever known; she is the one who wins our heart in infancy; it's a special privilege that the dear Lord has granted to her, worldwide.

She is the "teacher of the human race," teaching us in simplicity and tenderness; winning our estranged human hearts in infancy at our very beginning.

The dear heavenly Father has granted to her this inestimable privilege of being the first one really to teach us and to guide our infant steps; it may have been "the woman" in Eden who enticed Adam into sin; but that debit in history is vastly overcome and reversed by the privilege that "woman" has been given her of the Lord:--to be the teacher of the human race in infancy!

Thank Jesus for His tender fidelity in giving to "woman" this glorious privilege. We honor "her" on Mother's Day; and not only that, we thank the dear Lord for giving "her" to us!

--Robert J. Wieland

________________

* We realize that Mother's Day is celebrated this weekend in many countries of the world, but not all. However, the sentiment of this "Dial Daily Bread" is enduring.

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: May 9, 2009.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: A Change in the “Christian Experience”

Dear Friends of “Dial Daily Bread,”

As we come nearer to the end, a change comes in the “Christian experience” of God’s people. Their deepest heart concern ceases to be that of saving their own souls, to a concern for the glory of Christ in the closing hours of the “great controversy between Christ and Satan.” These people of God in the last days turn away from their previous concern for their own salvation to a concern for Another—that He emerge victorious from the “battle” He is in.

This change in “Christian experience” can be described in the terms the Lord Jesus uses in John 15: “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you” (vs. 15). As we come closer to the end, the concern of these “friends” is for that “battle” that Christ is in, and not for self.

This change in “Christian experience” orientation can also be described as graduating out of the Old Covenant “Christian experience” into the New. It’s coming out of the shadows into the bright sunlight of “present truth” (see 2 Peter 1:12). The “present truth” is New Covenant living, not Old.

This change is also passing from Revelation 18 into Revelation 19 where we find those four grand Hallelujah Choruses, each greater than Handel’s (vss. 1-17). It can at last be said that “the Lord God omnipotent reigns! ‘Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready’“ (19:6, 7). At last!

Although the Lord is “omnipotent,” He cannot force the nuptials. It cannot be said that He “reigns” until her nuptial devotion to Him as to a divine Husband is real. Thus there is a “woman” whose marital devotion He can only wait, and wait, to see. The good news that rejoices one’s heart is that this change in spiritual growth is actually taking place. Don’t be left behind!

—Robert J. Wieland

From the “Dial Daily Bread” Archive: July 17, 2008.
Copyright © 2018 by “Dial Daily Bread.”

Dial Daily Bread: How Does One Get This “Full Assurance of Faith”?

Dear Friends of “Dial Daily Bread,”

Just how does one get this most precious “full assurance of faith” (or “full assurance of hope unto the end”) that Hebrews speaks of (10:22; 6:11)? It would be nice if we were not constantly hounded by fear lest we won’t be saved at last. And on the other hand we have enough common sense to realize that “many” in the Last Day will come up to Christ expecting entrance into His kingdom and He must say, “I never knew you” (Matt. 7:23).

How do we “balance” this important issue of true versus false assurance? Just having our pastor tell us we’re okay is not enough. Realizing that nothing could be more critical to understand aright, we tread softly:

(1) Although there are billions who must settle this issue, the Father being infinite is concerned about you as if you were the only person on earth (see Matt. 10:29-31). Come into His presence and address Him as your personal heavenly Father, just as Jesus did (6:6). This is step #1--believe it.

(2) The Father wants you to be saved eternally, and His Son “gave Himself a ransom for all,” which means--including you (1 Tim. 2:3-6). He did His job faithfully. It follows that the only way you can end up lost is to impede, resist, reject the will of your heavenly Father, and of course, of Christ. In other words, do as Esau did, the man who had the birthright already but who “despised” it and “sold” it. This is step #2--believe this truth that is such good news.

(3) This will mean that you do not trust yourself; your fear will not be that the Lord may turn away from you; your fear will be that you may forget Him. He has promised to “hold” you by “your right hand” (Isa. 41:13). You can be like a spoiled, rebellious child and wriggle yourself out of His hand. Choose to let Him hold you. Realize, you’re lost if you don’t. Step #3--believe it.

(4) It follows that “the full assurance of faith” is already yours “in Christ,” as surely as Esau had the birthright (Gen. 25:34; Heb. 12:16). As our scripture says, “draw near with a true heart” (10:22). That is, simply be honest. All the angels in heaven plus the Holy Spirit can’t make you honest if you choose not to be. The decision is yours. Step #4--“draw near.”

The devil will flash into your mind a thousand things to do instead of that. As you “draw near” let the Holy Spirit convict you of what Christ is right now doing for you. Thank Him! “Hold fast the profession of [faith] without wavering.”  “He who  promised is faithful”  (10:23), so He will deliver you from the “fear of death” which “all [your] lifetime” has kept you in “bondage” (2:15).

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: September 12, 2003.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: A Tiny Inquiry Into the Gospel

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

Some day yet to come those who choose to follow Jesus will be of "one accord" as were His disciples at Pentecost. May that day come soon! (cf. Acts 2:1).

Then, united in their understanding of the "everlasting gospel" (Rev. 14:6, 7) they will be privileged to take up the cross on which self is crucified with Christ and will proclaim the message so clearly that the earth will be "lightened with His glory" (18:1-4, King James Version).

Is there something about the message that even now we may be of "one accord" in understanding? Let's try:

(1) "God so loved the world" (John 3:16). Not just the good people.

(2) "He gave His only begotten Son." Not just lent Him.

(3) "That whoever believes in Him should not perish." There's something about the "believes" that is vital; that may be where the dis-accord at present is hindering the whole-hearted "accord." Is it possible that the believing is something of the heart and not just a mental affirmation like believing 2 + 2 = 4? Romans 10:10 seems to suggest that: "For with the heart one believes to righteousness."

(4) If so, then could it be that to believe is to "comprehend" something? "The width and length and depth and height--to know the love [agape] of Christ which passes knowledge" (Eph. 3:18, 19)? The text dares to suggest that when God's people do "comprehend" this passes-knowledge-truth they will be ready to welcome Jesus at His second advent. (Perhaps our "Christian" dis-accord is due to not "comprehending"!)

(5) Genuine believing resolves the centuries-long conflict re faith and works: "Faith [is something] working through love" (Gal. 5:6; "faith which worketh by love," KJV). That must mean that when someone does believe, he is reconciled to God because he "receive[s] the reconciliation" (Rom. 5:11). The atonement was made long ago at Christ's cross; but it must be "received" by personal faith. In other words, to make it simple, the true idea is not "faith and works" but "faith which works." One can't be reconciled to God and not at the same time be reconciled to His holy law; therefore it must follow that a true experience of "believing" is what the Bible means by justification by faith (Rom. 5:1), which makes the believer "keep [become obedient to all] the commandments of God" (cf. Rev. 12:17; 14:12). Even when "Babylon" will persecute him for his obedience (14:8-10).

(6) If that's true, then it must follow that what we all need is to "see" something (Eph. 3:8, 9): what "Jesus Christ and Him crucified" means (1 Cor. 2:1, 2).

(7) "Seeing" that humbles proud human hearts; now what was "gain to me [self], I have counted loss for Christ" (Phil. 3:7, 8). It's impossible for a believer to do nothing: "the love [agape] of Christ constraineth us, ... not henceforth [to] live" for self but to be devoted to the One who died our "second death" for us (2 Cor. 5:14, 15, KJV; Rev. 2:11; 20:14).

This is just a tiny little inquiry into the gospel; can anybody say "amen" thus far?

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: December 6, 2006.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: How Does Christ Win the Final Battle?

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

What is the grand climax of the book of Revelation? It's not Bad News, but Good News!

True, the terrible fall of "Babylon" and the unthinkable "seven last plagues" figure largely. But they are eclipsed by the glorious triumph of that Lamb of God. He is "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS," who rides on that "white horse," and whose "eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself," who "was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, ... and the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses" (Rev. 19:11-14).

He wins the great war of eternity in His final battle with the "dragon," the Enemy who invented sin in heaven when his name was Lucifer, son of the morning, who made himself become "that serpent of old, ... the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world" (12:9).

And how does Christ win this final battle?

Revelation 19 discloses His triumph: He wins the heart and the hand of a difficult-to-win "woman." She finally surrenders her repentant soul to become His Bride. "The marriage of the Lamb" is the occasion for the rejoicing of the inhabitants of heaven, as heaven has never rejoiced in past eternity. John hears "as it were, the voice of a great multitude, ... the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!"

Christ is now triumphant! "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory," are the lyrics of four grand Hallelujah Choruses that ring through the reaches of infinitude, "for the marriage of the Lamb has come [at last!], and His wife has made herself ready" (vss. 6-9). Invitations to the wedding banquet are right now being accepted, and sadly, some rejected. The celebration is on! Come!

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: November 7, 2005.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: Revelation 13 Is Beginning to “Roll”

Dear Friends of “Dial Daily Bread,”

If your house is below a killer volcano that hasn’t erupted for over a hundred years, you go to bed at night feeling quite secure, don’t you? But suppose you know that suddenly it has started rumbling, wouldn’t common sense tell you to get out and live somewhere else? Or to change the metaphor, say you live beneath an avalanche that hasn’t moved for over a century; you don’t worry. But then you learn that very recently it has suddenly moved a foot or two, then what? Once that huge mass begins to break loose, you know it’s going to roll.

Daniel and Revelation tell us of future developments that will be cataclysmic. In particular, Revelation tells of two great world powers symbolized as the first “beast,” and then “another beast” (13:1, 11). The first has always “blasphemed” God’s “name” and made war with His true people and persecuted them for 1260 years of real time (in Bible prophecy, a day is symbolic of a literal year; cf. vs. 5; 12:6, 14; Num. 14:34; Ezek. 4:6).

The second starts off totally different from the first. He comes up out of a comparatively uninhabited wide expanse of land and conspicuously teaches liberty of conscience (has “two horns like a lamb”). He grows phenomenally into a world power greater than anything since the Roman Empire.

Over a century ago Senator H. W. Blair of New Hampshire introduced a bill that would have abandoned our religious liberty and forced the observance of a religious day of rest—all contrary both to the Bible and to the basic principle of the American Constitution.

Largely due to the energetic effort of two young men (E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones) who by pen and voice appealed for loyalty to the First Amendment, Sen. Blair’s project was defeated—but only for a time. This great nation continued to manifest its lamb-like spirit of civil and religious liberty (which included the principle of no pre-emptive attack in war).

Now the volcano has rumbled, the avalanche has shifted; this power has begun to roar “as a dragon.” Revelation 13 is at last beginning to “roll.” Simple common sense now confirms what God has said all along, “Come out of [Babylon], My people” (Rev. 14:8; 18:1-4).

—Robert J. Wieland

From the “Dial Daily Bread” Archive: March 12, 2003.
Copyright © 2018 by “Dial Daily Bread.”

Dial Daily Bread: The Most Important Activity Going on Today

Dear Friends of “Dial Daily Bread,”

Thoughtful Christians have one common question: "What is Jesus Christ doing now? He promised to come back; why doesn't He?"

Yes, He promised, "As the lightning ... so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. ... But of that day and hour no one knows, ... As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. ... They ... did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matt. 24:27-39). The angels promised the disciples, "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). That literal, personal return of Christ has not yet taken place.

The only answer that can possibly make sense is that His people are not yet ready for Him to come. The harvest is not yet ripe (see Mark 4:26-29). And what special ministry can make a people to be ready? Only the ministry of Christ as High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary (see Hebrews 8-10).

There was an earthly high priest in the ancient sanctuary--so there is a divine High Priest in the heavenly; there was an earthly lamb offered in the ancient sanctuary--Christ is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). As there was an annual day of atonement in the earthly sanctuary, so there is a cosmic Day of Atonement in the heavenly when the High Priest ministers in the Most Holy Apartment, the second apartment, of the heavenly sanctuary. The specific purpose of that ministry is to prepare a people for the second coming of Jesus.

Daniel understood there is a heavenly sanctuary--all the Israelites who were true to God understood it; it is natural then that when the angel in Daniel 8:13 answered the question "How long ... ?" by saying "unto 2300 days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed" (vs. 14, King James Version) it's natural that Daniel understood it was the heavenly sanctuary.

That great Day of Atonement ministry is the most important activity going on today in the heavenly universe. Keep in tune with it.

--Robert J. Wieland

From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: January 12, 1998.
Copyright © 2018 by "Dial Daily Bread."

Dial Daily Bread: The Final Work of the One True High Priest

Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"

For 2000 years, the gospel has been proclaimed in the world. But is it being proclaimed in its fullness, in its pristine power? Jesus proclaimed it by His words, by His life and great sacrifice on His cross, and by His resurrection. His disciples proclaimed the gospel clearly, for they "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6).

All kinds of sinners were redeemed from sin (see Paul's list in 1 Cor. 6:9, 10); and then he adds, "and such were some of you. But you were washed, ... sanctified, ... justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (vs. 11). The gospel was demonstrated to be "the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes" (Rom. 1:16).

The "power" was in the message that Paul especially proclaimed. But in history an enemy arose who obscured its light. Jesus and Paul warned against his (or its) perversion of the gospel (Matt. 24:24; Gal. 1:6, 7; 2 Thess. 2:3-7). Daniel describes this great development in history as the "little horn" (8:9-25; 7:8, 20-25). Revelation describes the same power as "the beast" (13:1-17). John calls this power "the Antichrist" (1 John 4:1-3). It obscures, twists, distorts, and misrepresents the pure true gospel so that its "power" to "save to the uttermost" is compromised.

It has been the curse of history. But now in the last days the gospel is to be restored in its full pristine power to be demonstrated again as "the power of God to salvation" in the great antitypical or cosmic Day of Atonement, when the world's true High Priest "cleanses the [heavenly] sanctuary" (see Dan. 8:14). This work will involve preparing a people for translation to see Jesus come the second time.

Luther, Calvin, and the Wesleys were led by God to launch the great Protestant Reformation. But in their day they could not grasp the full light of the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, that final work of the one true High Priest. That will fully recover "the truth of the gospel" that must "lighten the earth with glory" (Gal. 2:5; Rev. 18:1-4). Let that "light" come soon!

--Robert J. Wieland

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

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