Sabbath: Rules of Engagement
Daily Lesson for Sabbath 1st of March 2025
Image © Pacific Press
Read for This Week’s Study: Daniel 10:1-14, Revelation 13:1-8, Job 1:1-12, Job 2:1-7, John 12:31, John 14:30, Mark 6:5, Mark 9:29.
Memory Text:
“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8, NKJV).
A powerful narrative that reveals the nature of the cosmic conflict can be found in 1 Kings 18:19-40, Elijah on Mount Carmel, where the Lord exposes the so-called “gods of the nations.” Yet, there is more behind the scenes about these “gods” than that they are mere figments of pagan imagination. Behind the “gods” that the nations surrounding Israel thought they were worshiping was, actually, something else.
“ ‘They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they did not know, to new gods, new arrivals that your fathers did not fear’ ” (Deuteronomy 32:17, NKJV). Paul adds, “The things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons” (1 Corinthians 10:20, NKJV).
Behind the false “gods” of the nations, then, were actually demons in disguise. This means, then, that all of the texts of Scripture dealing with idolatry and the foreign gods are “cosmic conflict” texts.
With this background, the cosmic conflict theme is better understood. And this truth has massive implications for understanding more about the nature of this conflict and how it sheds light on the problem of evil.
*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, March 8.
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Much of what we say when we talk about angels and demons falls on deaf ears in our modern world. Our local pastor talked about this in his sermon this morning. When he was a theology student he was working at some menial task in industry to make some money to pay for his education. In the course of his conversation with his workmates he revealed that he was studying for the ministry. They were quite interested in what he was doing and asked him to explain more. So, he started at the very beginning with the conflict between God and Satan. They got the picture very quickly and said, you mean being a minister is like a professional Star Wars player. The conversation quickly devolved from there. They had no idea what he was talking about.
I am not suggesting that we stop believing in demonic forces, but I think we need to revise carefully how we talk about the forces of evil with our secular friends. When trying to explain difficult concepts to students, I always started with the visible and developed the idea that the explanation of "why it is so" has to explain what we can see, hear and touch.
Most of my secular friends have some sense of right and wrong. And most of them can see that part of understanding that sense of right and wrong has to do with selfishness and self-interest. The standard argument against bad behaviour in a public bar discussion about behaviour is, "The ratbags have got their snouts in the trough!" I hope that translates beyond the shores of Australia, but it sums up the self-interest behaviour that is perceived as the root of evil in public life.
It takes a great leap of understanding that this selfish behaviour is just the visible indicator of a cosmic conflict. The real issue is that when morality and ethics comes up in these discussions the secular mind is quick to point to instances where Christians have acted with selfish and self-centrered interest. It is a reminder to us that if we are going to call ourselves Christians we have a responsibility to act like one. A quiet consistent Christian living in harmony with the teachings of Jesus is the best argument we have. When we win that one we may have more success in convincing secular minds that there is a real "Star Wars" battle between Angels and Deamons which is affecting everyone.
We are engaged in real warfare whose consequences are eternal. Cosmic conflict is not a mythical battle but a real ongoing struggle in the spiritual realm with great fatal casualties. This battle demands a warfare strategy. "Strategy is the craft of the warrior and Know your enemy, know his sword" (Miyamoto Musashi, the legendary samurai and strategist). Understanding your enemy is part of an effective war strategy. Winning physical combat is not only about tactics but soldiers must have personal discipline. Like a Japanese warrior, we need to be spiritually disciplined to be able to face the formidable enemy in the cosmic battle. The rules of warfare (cosmic conflict) that we are engaged in demand four tactical competencies:
1. Armor of God - "Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-18).
2. Stay Spiritually Vigilant - "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8).
3. Live in Faith and Hope - "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." (1 John 5:4).
4. Holy Spirit – “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.
As soldiers of the Cross, victory us been won for us by the Greatest Warrior who defeated our adversary in heaven and on earth, Jesus Christ. Our part is to have faith in what He has accomplished for us. His victory will be ours.
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." - Revelation 12:11
Well said. Amen.
We've been studying the great controversy surrounding us, and it is essential to be aware of it. However, we cannot forget that the most critical conflict can happen within us, leading us to choose either the Spirit or the flesh.
Here I have a question ; There is/are the rule to be engage in Controversy???
It is easy for us to get away from the overall concept of this quarter.
So how does our God of Love and justice fit in with knowing the conflict of the ages?
To know about the conflict going on, puts us in a better position to be accountable for our faith.
Absolutely, I don't go around telling everyone about the ins and outs of evil, its origin, and the wiles of the devil useless in an appropriate setting, in plublic or on a one to one basis. What is more profitable is talking about the love of God. Yet when we talk about the love of God, the dark side of what is going on in this world is conversed also. Being knowledgeable of the conflict of the ages helps us to fit into the Armor of God, without it slipping off. We would not want the Armour of God that is not close fitting. Yes, putting on the armor of God properly is essential for us to stay in a close relationship with Christ. Staying in a close relationship with Christ, makes it possible to share our faith and hopes with others, even while we are quiet Christians living with the righteousness of Christ jumping off our skin like a static spark, or outspoken with righteousness of Christ emanating from our veins.
How, you may ask?
Whether quiet or outspoken we ask the Holy Spirit to guide us into surrender to Christ every thought, word, and deed. Act your natural self with a bridled tongue if needed, and stay humble. If your natural self is not laced with humility(Christ like in every word, deed, and thought), turn to the Holy Spirit for help.
How apropos to our discussion today are these words of Ellen White.
As long as you look to Christ, you are safe; but the moment you think of your sacrifices and difficulties, and begin to sympathize with and pet yourself, you lose your trust in God and are in great peril.
Many limit divine Providence and divorce mercy and love from His character. They urge that the greatness and majesty of God would forbid His interesting Himself in the concerns of the weakest of His creatures. "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."
It is difficult for human beings to give attention to the lesser matters of life while the mind is engaged in business of vast importance. But should not this union exist? Man formed in the image of his Maker should unite the larger responsibilities with the smaller. He may be engrossed with occupations of overwhelming importance and neglect the instruction which his children need. These duties may be looked upon as the lesser duties of life, when in reality they lie at the very foundation of society. The happiness of families and churches depends upon home influences. Eternal interests depend upon the proper discharge of the duties of this life. The world is not so much in need of great minds as of good men who will be a blessing in their homes. Volume 4 Testimonies to the Church 521.4 - 522.2
In summery be doers of the Word(Gods love and justice)not just hearers.
James 1:19
James 1:22
James 1:25
James 1:25 a hint of righteousness by works, absolutly not. Rather obedience by faith alone.
I remember that when Abraham went out from Ur by God telling Him to, Hebrews 11:8, it was by faith alone and counted to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6. The same, for us we obey because we have chosen to surrender to the will of God by fsith alone, because we love the One who 1st loved us.
Philippians 2:13.
1 John 4:19.
Thus we are engaged, rather than being just a part of what we were born into. And I am not taking about being born again. Being born again is being engaged.
John 3.
Thank Jehovah. This is a blessing indeed. I pray that more brethren will read your beautiful comment Bro' John.