In the Front Ranks of Reformers
(1909) 9T 158 Seventh-day
Adventists are handling momentous truths. More than forty years ago the
Lord gave us special light on health reform, but how are we walking in
that light? How many have refused to live in harmony with the counsels of
God! As a people, we should make advancement proportionate to the light
received. It is our duty to understand and respect the principles of
health reform. On the subject of temperance we should be in advance of all
other people; and yet there are among us well-instructed members of the
church, and even ministers of the gospel, who have little respect for the
light that God has given upon this subject. They eat as they please, and
work as they please.
Let those who are teachers and leaders in our cause take their stand
firmly on Bible ground in regard to health reform and give a straight
testimony to those who believe we are living in the last days of this
earth's history. A line of distinction must be drawn between those who
serve God, and those who serve themselves.
(1867) 1T 487 Shall those who
are "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the
great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He
might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar
people, zealous of good works," be behind the religionists of the day who
have no faith in the soon appearing of our Saviour? The peculiar people
whom He is purifying unto Himself, to be translated to heaven without
seeing death, should not be behind others in good works. In their efforts
to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God, they should be as far ahead of any
other class of people on the earth, as their profession is more exalted
than that of others.
Health Reform and Prayer for the Sick
(1909) 9T 164, 165 In order to be
purified and to remain pure, Seventh-day Adventists must have the Holy
Spirit in their hearts and in their homes. The Lord has given me light
that when the Israel of today humble themselves before Him, and cleanse
the soul temple from all defilement, He will hear their prayers in behalf
of the sick, and will bless in the use of His remedies for disease. When
in faith the human agent does all he can to combat disease, using the
simple methods of treatment that God has provided, his efforts will be
blessed of God. If, after so much light has been given, God's people will
cherish wrong habits, indulging self and refusing to reform, they will
suffer the sure consequences of transgression. If they are determined to
gratify perverted appetite at any cost, God will not miraculously save
them from the consequences of their indulgence. They "shall lie down in
sorrow." Isa. 50:11.
Those who choose to be presumptuous, saying, "The Lord has healed me, and
I need not restrict my diet; I can eat and drink as I please," will
erelong need, in body and soul, the restoring power of God. Because the
Lord has graciously healed you, you must not think you can link yourselves
up with the self-indulgent practices of the world. Do as Christ commanded
after His work of healing,--"go, and sin no more." John 8:11. Appetite
must not be your god.
(1867) 1T 560, 561 The health reform
is a branch of the special work of God for the benefit of His people. . .
. I saw that the reason why God did not hear the prayers of His servants
for the sick among us more fully was, that He could not be glorified in so
doing while they were violating the laws of health. And I also saw that He
designed the health reform and Health Institute to prepare the way for the
prayer of faith to be fully answered. Faith and good works should go hand
in hand in relieving the afflicted among us, and in fitting them to
glorify God here, and to be saved at the coming of Christ.
(1864) Sp. Gifts IV, 144, 145
Many have expected that God would keep them from sickness merely because
they have asked Him to do so. But God did not regard their prayers,
because their faith was not made perfect by works. God will not work a
miracle to keep those from sickness who have no care for themselves, but
are continually violating the laws of health, and make no efforts to
prevent disease. When we do all we can on our part to have health, then
may we expect that the blessed results will follow, and we can ask God in
faith to bless our efforts for the preservation of health. He will then
answer our prayer, if His name can be glorified thereby. But let all
understand that they have a work to do. God will not work in a miraculous
manner to preserve the health of persons who are taking a sure course to
make themselves sick, by their careless inattention to the laws of health.
Those who will gratify their appetite, and then suffer because of their
intemperance, and take drugs to relieve them, may be assured that God will
not interpose to save health and life which is so recklessly periled. The
cause has produced the effect. Many, as their last resort, follow the
directions in the word of God, and request the prayers of the elders of
the church for their restoration to health. God does not see fit to answer
prayers offered in behalf of such, for He knows that if they should be
restored to health, they would again sacrifice it upon the altar of
unhealthy appetite.
A Lesson From Israel's Failure
(1909) 9T 165 The Lord gave His
word to ancient Israel, that if they would cleave strictly to Him, and do
all His requirements, He would keep them from all the diseases such as He
had brought upon the Egyptians; but this promise was given on the
condition of obedience. Had the Israelites obeyed the instruction they
received, and profited by their advantages, they would have been the
world's object lesson of health and prosperity. The Israelites failed of
fulfilling God's purpose, and thus failed of receiving the blessings that
might have been theirs. But in Joseph and Daniel, in Moses and Elijah, and
many others, we have noble examples of the results of the true plan of
living. Like faithfulness today will produce like results. To us it is
written, "Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath
called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." I Peter 2:9.
(1905) M.H. 283 Had the
Israelites obeyed the instruction they received, and profited by their
advantages, they would have been the world's object lesson of health and
prosperity. If as a people they had lived according to God's plan, they
would have been preserved from the diseases that afflicted other nations.
Above any other people they would have possessed physical strength and
vigor of intellect.