Should the principle of health reform be a test of fellowship? We are well familiar with the state- ment, “We are not to make the use of flesh food a test of fellowship.”11 Yet let us look at the chronological sequence as the servant of the Lord was given the advancing light: 1884: “Use less and less meat, until it is not used at all. If meat is discarded, if the taste is not educated in that direction, if a liking for fruits and grains is encouraged, it will soon be as God in the beginning designed it should be. No meat will be used by His people.”12 1890: “Again and again I have been shown that God is trying to lead us back, step by step, to His original design—that man should subsist upon the natural products of the earth. Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually be done away; flesh will cease to form a part of their diet. We should ever keep this end in view, and endeavor to work steadily toward it. I cannot think that in the practice of flesh eating we are in harmony with the light which God has been pleased to give us. All who are connected with our health institutions especially should be educating them- selves to subsist on fruits, grains, and vegetables. If we move from principle in these things, if we as Christian reformers educate our own taste, and bring our diet to God’s plan, then we may exert an influence upon others in this matter, which will be pleasing to God.”13 1898: “There is no safety in the eating of the flesh of dead animals, and in a short time the milk of the cows will also be excluded from the diet of God’s commandment-keeping people. In a short time it will not be safe to use anything that comes from the animal creation. Those who take God at His word, and obey His commandments with the whole heart, will be blessed. He will be their shield of protection. But the Lord will not be trifled with. Distrust, disobedience, alienation from God’s will and way, will place the sinner in a position where the Lord cannot give him His divine favor.14 1899: “The light given me is that it will not be very long before we shall have to give up using any animal food. Even milk will have to be discarded.”15 Why was the decisive step not taken? Why didn’t the question of abstain- ing from flesh already become a test of fellowship back in the days of Sister White, when the warnings were first is- sued? Simply because the leaders of her day refused to surrender themselves fully to practicing health reform. There- fore the people could certainly not be expected to do so! “God gave the light on health reform, and those who rejected it rejected God. One and another who knew better said that it all came from Dr. Kellogg, and they made war upon him.”16 “If church members do not act the part God has assigned them, the movement of health reform will go on without them, and it will be seen that God has removed their candlestick out of its place.”17 “The ministers must be converted before they can strengthen their breth- ren. They should not preach them- selves, but Christ and His righteous- ness. A reformation is needed among the people, but it should first begin its purifying work with the ministers. . . . “One important work of the ministry is to faithfully present to the people the health reform as it stands connected with the third angel’s message as part and parcel of the same work. they should not fail to adopt it themselves, and should urge it upon all who profess to believe the truth.”18 “When the third angel’s message is received in its fullness, health reform will be given its place in the councils of the conference, in the work of the church, in the home, at the table, and in all the household arrangements. Then the right arm will serve and protect the body.”19 “Can we possibly have confidence in ministers who at tables where flesh is served join with others in eating it?”20 Christ is going to have a perfected people when He comes back again, “that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27). In order to be perfected, what must happen to the church? “Those who have received instruc- tion regarding the evils of the use of flesh foods, tea and coffee, and rich and unhealthful food preparations, and who are determined to make a covenant with God by sacrifice, will not continue to indulge their appetite for food that they know to be unhealthful. God demands that the appetites be cleansed, and that self-denial be practiced in regard to those things which are not good. this is a work that will have to be done before His people can stand before Him a perfected people.”21 Sobering thoughts “It is just as much sin to violate the laws of our being as to break one of the Ten Commandments.”22 “When God shall work His strange work on the earth, when holy hands bear the ark no longer, woe will be upon the people.”23 “Satan has laid every measure pos- sible that nothing shall come among us as a people to reprove and rebuke us, and exhort us to put away our errors. But there is a people who will bear the ark of God. Some will go out from among us who will bear the ark no longer. But these cannot make walls to obstruct the truth; for it will go onward and upward to the end. In the past God has raised up men, and He still has men of opportuni- ty waiting, prepared to do His bidding— men who will go through restrictions which are only as walls daubed with untempered mortar. When God puts His Spirit upon men, they will work. They will proclaim the word of the Lord; they will lift up their voice like a trumpet. The truth will not be diminished or lose its power in their hands. They will show the people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins.”24 R references Selected Messages, bk. 2, p. 412. See Prophets and Kings, p. 453. Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 269 Medical Ministry, pp. 278, 279. The Ministry of Healing, p. 317. Medical Ministry, pp. 277, 278. Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 469, 470. The Medical Evangelist, April 1,1912. Manuscript Releases, vol. 15, pp. 276–280. Medical Ministry, p. 229. Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 159. Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 407
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 08:19:52 +0000
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