p. 1 | Untitled article by Eld. P. C. Rodman

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, March 17, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 14

A FEW THOUGHTS ON REV. XXI, 7.

By Eld. P. C. Rodman

BY ELD. P. C. RODMAN.

TEXT.—“He that overcometh shall inherit all these things.” (margin.)

We propose to notice the subject of overcoming. We consider it important; for he that overcometh shall inherit all these things. Then if we do not overcome we shall not inherit them, and so must be worthy of death.

I. What are we to overcome?

II. What shall we inherit if we overcome?

I. What are we to overcome?

1. We are to overcome self, or our carnal inclinations, and bring our powers to bow in humble submission to the will of Him who has called us to glory and virtue, being led by the Spirit of God. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Rom. viii, 14. But how can we know that we are led by the Spirit of God and not by the carnal or fleshly mind? “For they that are after the flesh, do mind [or obey] the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Rom. vii, 6. And these are contrary, the one to the other, so that if controlled by the carnal or fleshly mind, we cannot be obeying the truth or law of God; for “Thy law is the truth.” Ps. cxix, 142. So we are disobedient and cannot be saved with God’s loyal people, unless we repent and do works answerable to an amendment of life.

But what are the works of the flesh? Answer. “Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Gal. v, 19–21.

But you may say, We are not guilty of all these. Perhaps not; but are you innocent of them all? for instance idolatry? You say we do not worship idols. Are you sure? The apostle says, “Beware of covetousness, which is idolatry.” You may say, We do not covet riches to serve our lusts and carnal desires. Now look closely; for you do not want to be deceived and come short, by not being an overcomer. Have you brought your whole body into subjection to the will of God, or do you love to gratify your lusts and have them to lead you, instead of the Spirit of God? Do you do all to the glory of God? “Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. x, 31. Do you do thus? Do you do all that you do for this great object, or do you, when you are persuaded some kinds of food you have been in the habit of eating and come to love the taste of, knowing they are not the most healthful, continue to eat them, because they taste good? for the same reason may the tobacco-user and rum-drinker continue to smoke, chew and drink. Would you approve of such a course in them? You answer, No; it would be unreasonable; for they would prove themselves slaves to appetite. Pray, show the difference between the case of the tobacco-user and rum-drinker, and your own. Are you not as really serving appetite, and so proving yourself an idolater? Christians should eat to live; for the living praise the Lord, but the dead praise him not. Then if we pursue a course in eating and drinking that weakens our powers, shortening our days, we in a sense rob God by offering to him a lame sacrifice, and ceasing to praise him for the length of time that it was our privilege to.

Brethren, awake to righteousness and sin not. Make not a god of appetite. Hear the apostle speak of those that serve the god of appetite: “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.” Phil. iii, 18, 19. The apostle here gives to the idea of controlling the appetite, great importance. Shall we do it and be overcomers, and be saved from destruction? or shall we be careless, not informing ourselves, and ignorantly and wickedly go on to destruction when the way is being made plain for us to know ourselves, that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” so that we can if we will, glorify God in our bodies and spirits which are his?

Hear the apostle speak again: “Know ye not that they which run in a race, run all; but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air. But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Cor. ix, 24–27.

Here again, self-control is taught us as the way to victory; and is it not apparent that indulging the appetite by eating highly-seasoned food and stimulating meats, and drinking stimulating drinks, has been one cause why so many have fallen and given up the struggle for eternal life, thinking that perhaps they will be saved somehow, or that by some means they will reach the overcomers’ reward by being overcome; and so are being deceived?

But to return. We inquire, What is the fruit of the Spirit? It is “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Gal. v, 22–24. Then they are a loyal people, are they not? No law disobeyed, no law to condemn. So they have no penalty to suffer. Surely such a people will love, will have joy, and rejoice in the Lord, and praise him in the congregation of the righteous, for his victorious grace that has been given them, and because he has enabled them to live in obedience, thus overcoming self and bringing themselves into subjection to the will of God.

2. We are to overcome the world. Here some may say, I do not care what the world thinks of me, neither do I care for its frowns or court its favors. Now don’t be too fast. Let us inquire, first, do you obey the Lord cheerfully in all things, or do you sometimes neglect to obey for fear you may be thought singular in some things? I have known some to stay from meeting on the Sabbath because some of their friends came to see them, for fear they would be offended if they went, never for a moment thinking that the Lord might be displeased by their not going. Others will try to excuse themselves from obeying the instruction given the church through the Testimonies, not because it is not best for them to obey, both for health of body and mind, but because they fear they will appear singular; that their friends would not come to see them, and they would not want a visit from them if they should eat and drink and dress so peculiar. But will the Lord forsake and leave us if we cheerfully live up to the light brought out through the instrumentality of his own choosing, upon whom he is pleased to let the Spirit of prophecy rest? I think you answer, No. Then if we do not obey them for fear of the frowns of the world and neglect of friends, by whom are we overcome? “For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” 2 Pet. ii, 19. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” How then shall we show our faith in the third angel’s message as taught by this people? You answer. By humble obedience to the utterance of its voice in the health reform and all other points. Has not the testimony been given that before the loud cry

will be heard, ministers and people must come up in this part of the work? If Jesus could not do many mighty works in a certain place because of their unbelief, will not our unbelief hinder his work among us? It is a fearful thing to stand in the way of the work of God. “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good,” and so be co-workers with God, and he will give us the victory over self and the world through our Lord Jesus Christ. But if we are stubborn and refuse to obey, we shall be overcome and deceived, because we received not the love of the truth that we might be saved.

3. Another and third enemy to overcome is Satan; and a powerful foe he is, because of his wisdom and strength. He is also a decided enemy, and with malicious art watches each unguarded heart. To lead away from the truth, he works through the two foes previously mentioned, stirring up the enemies of God, the carnal mind and the world, to lead us to grieve the Holy Spirit, whereby we are sealed unto the day of redemption. For if he can persuade us to be carnally minded, it is death eternal, and so we are ruined; for the friendship of the world is enmity with God. Rom. viii, 6. James iv, 4.

Surely, then, Satan must be overcome. But how shall we successfully resist such a powerful foe, who is the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the hearts of the children of disobedience? Let the apostle answer: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary, the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist, steadfast in the faith.” 1 Peter v, 6–9. By faith are we united to Christ, and to God. Then if we stand fast in the Lord, let us know that he that is for us is more than all that can be against us. Then let us hold fast the beginning of our confidence without wavering, firm unto the end; for it hath great recompense of reward.

The judgment cry has led us to look for the Lord. The third angel’s message is informing us what we need to do; to escape the unmixed wine of the wrath of God, when probation ends. Have we confidence in this work? or does our confidence begin to waver as the testimony comes closer and closer? Beware. Satan will throw in doubts here, if possible, and overcome us. We have need of patient continuance in well-doing, until a moral character is formed, such as will enable us to say, Satan cometh and hath nothing in me. The last stain is taken from me, and my garments are washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb.

But to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and obey the testimony, makes me so different from the world, that it is a cross; but if we would be victors and wear the crown, we must bear the cross; and as the cross is in obeying present truth, it is by obeying we prove ourselves the disciples of Jesus; for my sheep, he says, hear my voice, and they follow me, and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish. Again he says, Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. And it is he that is to destroy death, and him which hath the power of death, that is, the Devil. Will he not lead us to victory? He will. Then heed his voice as he speaks in the third angel’s message; for there is nothing required but what is for our good; and if for our good it will be to our hurt not to do it. Let all take hold of health reform in the fear of the Lord as he leads the way. Don’t linger; for while we wait, Satan advances with his host and may ensnare us. Don’t begin to murmur, and wish to dictate as did ancient Israel, who were swallowed up, or fell in the wilderness; but like Gideon’s men, embrace the simple instrumentalities at the first bidding, and cry aloud and spare not, against all immoral and unhealthful habits of these last days, and so hasten on the loud cry of the third angel. Then will truth bear away the victory, and we shall share in its triumph with the 144,000, and join in singing the new song.

II. What shall we inherit? The text says, “All these things.” They are spoken of above. “And I saw a new Heaven and a new earth, for the first Heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write; for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the water of life freely.”

Is there not enough here to stimulate us to endure to the end? The same shall be saved. To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Rev. ii, 7. And so he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Then we shall be no more exposed to the world, and liable to be drawn away from God and his truth. “He that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.” So shall we be safe forever. “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed with white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” We shall reach the city, for we shall be marked as the property of God, and directed to the New Jerusalem, in care of holy angels. “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of Heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new name.” Shall we not then yield unto him, and bid him come in and control our entire being in all we do and say, having him to sup with us and we with him? If we will thus do, being overcomers, he will give us to share with him in his throne or power even as he has overcome and is set down with his Father in his throne. Shall we not say, It is enough? Lord command and we will obey. If need be, we will suffer with him, that we may also reign with him. Yes, give me affliction with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Let us have respect unto the recompense of reward. Amen.