The Watchmen's Blog (217)

Patriarchs and Prophets: Chapter 12: Abraham in Canaan

Abraham returned to Canaan "very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold." Lot was still with him, and again they came to Bethel, and pitched their tents by the altar which they had before erected. They soon found that increased possessions brought increased trouble. In the midst of hardships and trials they had dwelt together in harmony, but in their prosperity there was danger of strife between them. The pasturage was not sufficient for the flocks and herds of both, an

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Added by The Watchmen on March 14, 2009 at 5:41pm — No Comments

Patriarchs and Prophets: Chapter 11: The Call of Abraham

After the dispersion from Babel idolatry again became well-nigh universal, and the Lord finally left the hardened transgressors to follow their evil ways, while He chose Abraham, of the line of Shem, and made him the keeper of His law for future generations. Abraham had grown up in the midst of superstition and heathenism. Even his father's household, by whom the knowledge of God had been preserved, were yielding to the seductive influences surrounding them, and they "s

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Added by The Watchmen on March 14, 2009 at 5:39pm — No Comments

Patriarchs and Prophets: Chapter 10: The Tower of Babel

To repeople the desolate earth, which the Flood had so lately swept from its moral corruption, God had preserved but one family, the household of Noah, to whom He had declared, "Thee have I seen righteous before Me in this generation." Genesis 7:1. Yet in the three sons of Noah was speedily developed the same great distinction seen in the world before the Flood. In Shem, Ham, and Japheth, who were to be the founders of the human race, was foreshadowed the character of t

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Added by The Watchmen on March 14, 2009 at 5:38pm — No Comments

Patriarchs and Prophets: Chapter 9: The Literal Week

Like the Sabbath, the week originated at creation, and it has been preserved and brought down to us through Bible history. God Himself measured off the first week as a sample for successive weeks to the close of time. Like every other, it consisted of seven literal days. Six days were employed in the work of creation; upon the seventh, God rested, and He then blessed this day and set it apart as a day of rest for man. {PP 111.1}

In the law given from

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Added by The Watchmen on March 14, 2009 at 5:36pm — No Comments

Patriarchs and Prophets: Chapter 8: After the Flood

The waters rose fifteen cubits above the highest mountains. It often seemed to the family within the ark that they must perish, as for five long months their boat was tossed about, apparently at the mercy of wind and wave. It was a trying ordeal; but Noah's faith did not waver, for he had the assurance that the divine hand was upon the helm. {PP 105.1}

As the waters began to subside, the Lord caused the ark to drift into a spot protected by a group of mountains

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Added by The Watchmen on March 14, 2009 at 5:35pm — No Comments

Patriarchs and Prophets: Chapter 7: The Flood

In the days of Noah a double curse was resting upon the earth in consequence of Adam's transgression and of the murder committed by Cain. Yet this had not greatly changed the face of nature. There were evident tokens of decay, but the earth was still rich and beautiful in the gifts of God's providence. The hills were crowned with majestic trees supporting the fruit-laden branches of the vine. The vast, gardenlike plains were clothed with verdure, and sweet with the frag

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Added by The Watchmen on March 14, 2009 at 5:34pm — No Comments

Patriarchs and Prophets: Chapter 6: Seth and Enoch

To Adam was given another son, to be the inheritor of the divine promise, the heir of the spiritual birthright. The name Seth, given to this son, signified "appointed," or "compensation;" "for," said the mother, "God hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew." Seth was of more noble stature than Cain or Abel, and resembled Adam more closely than did his other sons. He was a worthy character, following in the steps of Abel. Yet he inherited no more n

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Added by The Watchmen on March 14, 2009 at 5:33pm — No Comments

Patriarchs and Prophets: Chapter 5: Cain and Abel Tested

Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam, differed widely in character. Abel had a spirit of loyalty to God; he saw justice and mercy in the Creator's dealings with the fallen race, and gratefully accepted the hope of redemption. But Cain cherished feelings of rebellion, and murmured against God because of the curse pronounced upon the earth and upon the human race for Adam's sin. He permitted his mind to run in the same channel that led to Satan's fall--indulging the desire for

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Added by The Watchmen on March 14, 2009 at 5:32pm — No Comments

Patriarchs and Prophets: Chapter 4: The Plan of Redemption

The fall of man filled all heaven with sorrow. The world that God had made was blighted with the curse of sin and inhabited by beings doomed to misery and death. There appeared no escape for those who had transgressed the law. Angels ceased their songs of praise. Throughout the heavenly courts there was mourning for the ruin that sin had wrought. {PP 63.1}

The Son of God, heaven's glorious Commander, was touched with pity for the fallen race. His heart was move

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Added by The Watchmen on March 14, 2009 at 5:31pm — No Comments

Patriarchs and Prophets: Chapter 3: The Temptation and Fall

No longer free to stir up rebellion in heaven, Satan's enmity against God found a new field in plotting the ruin of the human race. In the happiness and peace of the holy pair in Eden he beheld a vision of the bliss that to him was forever lost. Moved by envy, he determined to incite them to disobedience, and bring upon them the guilt and penalty of sin. He would change their love to distrust and their songs of praise to reproaches against their Maker. Thus he would not

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Added by The Watchmen on March 14, 2009 at 5:00pm — No Comments

Patriarchs and Prophets: Chapter 2: The Creation

"By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth." "For He spake, and it was;" "He commanded, and it stood fast." Psalm 33:6, 9. He "laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever." Psalm 104:5. {PP 44.1}

As the earth came forth from the hand of its Maker, it was exceedingly beautiful. Its surface was diversified with mountains, hills, and plains, interspersed with noble rivers and lov

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Added by The Watchmen on March 14, 2009 at 4:58pm — No Comments

Patriarchs and Prophets: Chapter 1: Why Was Sin Permitted

"God is love." 1 John 4:16. His nature, His law, is love. It ever has been; it ever will be. "The high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity," whose "ways are everlasting," changeth not. With Him "is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." Isaiah 57:15; Habakkuk 3:6; James 1:17. {PP 33.1}

Every manifestation of creative power is an expression of infinite love. The sovereignty of God involves fullness of blessing to all created beings. The psalmist says:

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Added by The Watchmen on March 14, 2009 at 4:57pm — No Comments

The Acts of the Apostles: Chapter 58: The Church Triumphant

More than eighteen centuries have passed since the apostles rested from their labors, but the history of their toils and sacrifices for Christ's sake is still among the most precious treasures of the church. This history, written under the direction of the Holy Spirit, was recorded in order that by it the followers of Christ in every age might be impelled to greater zeal and earnestness in the cause of the Saviour. {AA 593.1}

The commission that Christ gave to the

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Added by The Watchmen on February 2, 2009 at 10:25pm — No Comments

The Acts of the Apostles: Chapter 57: The Revelation

In the days of the apostles the Christian believers were filled with earnestness and enthusiasm. So untiringly did they labor for their Master that in a comparatively short time, notwithstanding fierce opposition, the gospel of the kingdom was sounded to all the inhabited parts of the earth. The zeal manifested at this time by the followers of Jesus has been recorded by the pen of inspiration for the encouragement of believers in every age. Of the church at Ephesus, which

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Added by The Watchmen on February 2, 2009 at 10:25pm — No Comments

The Acts of the Apostles: Chapter 56: Patmos

More than half a century had passed since the organization of the Christian church. During that time the gospel message had been constantly opposed. Its enemies had never relaxed their efforts, and had at last succeeded in enlisting the power of the Roman emperor against the Christians. {AA 568.1}

In the terrible persecution that followed, the apostle John did much to confirm and strengthen the faith of the believers. He bore a testimony which his adversaries could

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Added by The Watchmen on February 2, 2009 at 10:23pm — No Comments

The Acts of the Apostles: Chapter 55: Transformed by Grace

In the life of the disciple John true sanctification is exemplified. During the years of his close association with Christ, he was often warned and cautioned by the Saviour; and these reproofs he accepted. As the character of the Divine One was manifested to him, John saw his own deficiencies, and was humbled by the revelation. Day by day, in contrast with his own violent spirit, he beheld the tenderness and forbearance of Jesus, and heard His lessons of humility and pati

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Added by The Watchmen on February 2, 2009 at 10:22pm — No Comments

The Acts of the Apostles: Chapter 54: A Faithful Witness

After the ascension of Christ, John stands forth as a faithful, earnest laborer for the Master. With the other disciples he enjoyed the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, and with fresh zeal and power he continued to speak to the people the words of life, seeking to lead their thoughts to the Unseen. He was a powerful preacher, fervent, and deeply in earnest. In beautiful language and with a musical voice he told of the words and works of Christ, speaking i

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Added by The Watchmen on February 2, 2009 at 10:21pm — No Comments

The Acts of the Apostles: Chapter 53: John the Beloved

John is distinguished above the other apostles as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." John 21:20. He seems to have enjoyed to a pre-eminent degree the friendship of Christ, and he received many tokens of the Saviour's confidence and love. He was one of the three permitted to witness Christ's glory upon the mount of transfiguration and His agony in Gethsemane, and it was to his care that our Lord confided His mother in those last hours of anguish upon the cross. {AA 539.1}

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Added by The Watchmen on February 2, 2009 at 10:20pm — No Comments

The Acts of the Apostles: Chapter 52: Steadfast Unto the End

In the second letter addressed by Peter to those who had obtained "like precious faith" with himself, the apostle sets forth the divine plan for the development of Christian character. He writes: {AA 529.1}

"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: w

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Added by The Watchmen on February 2, 2009 at 10:19pm — No Comments

The Acts of the Apostles: Chapter 51: A Faithful Undershepherd

Little mention is made in the book of Acts of the later work of the apostle Peter. During the busy years of ministry that followed the outpouring of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, he was among those who put forth untiring efforts to reach the Jews who came to Jerusalem to worship at the time of the annual festivals. {AA 514.1}

As the number of believers multiplied in Jerusalem and in other places visited by the messengers of the cross, the talents possessed b

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Added by The Watchmen on February 2, 2009 at 10:18pm — No Comments