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PRISONERS OF HOPE April 2011

EDITORIAL..BR N. NKOMO
In the compilation ―Last Day Events‖, the following two quotations are placed beneath each other: ―It is a
solemn statement that I make to the church, that not one in twenty whose names are registered upon the
church books are prepared to close their earthly history, and would be as verily without God and without
hope in the world as the common sinner. —ChS 41 (1893).
Those who have had opportunities to hear and receive of the truth and who have united with the Sev-
enth-day Adventist church, calling themselves the commandment-keeping people of God, and yet possess
no more vitality and consecration to God than do the nominal churches, will receive the plagues of God just
as verily as the churches who oppose the law of God. —19MR 176 (1898).‖
Recent events have brought these quotes to my mind, especially the first. I do understand that in and of
itself, the statement could possibly contain an element of hyperbole, and not meant to be taken literally,
but even then, the message being communicated would still remain – many of us as Adventists are not
ready to close our life‘s history. The recent event which has brought these words of inspiration to me is the
reaction of fellow Adventists to the Japanese tsunami.
As is the norm for us after every major disaster, whether good or bad, many an inch has been devoted in
the online space to how these are signs of the end of the world. Many a link has been made to news articles
depicting the horror of the situation, many a link to videos portraying the same, and many an interpreta-
tion in light of the Bible and end-time signs. I however found myself asking the question ―So what?‖ I will
explain shortly, but do not get me wrong. I understand that for many it is only in their times of deepest dis-
tress that they will turn to the Lord. I understand that for many, it is only when they see horrific images
that they will consider the word of God. I understand that these disasters can be used as Damascus mo-
ments for many that have either left the church or never been really in it. But my question remains for us
that are in the church, ―So what?‖
At the very core of our hearts, what do these signs and happening really mean to us? Do they merely repre-
sent another opportunity for us to trot out our standard quotes that there will be an increase in the number
of natural disasters before the coming of the Lord, or do they cause us to closer examine our lives to see if
we are ready to meet the Lord at the culmination of the signs? Do the signs give us impetus to be about our INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Fathers‘ work of making special effort to be co-labourers in the vineyard, or do they provide a platform to Editorial ......................... ……1
remain ―faceless‖ and only use words where personal labour would have garnered better results? Do the Stop Beating Yourself ... .….2
signs truly add anything to our appreciation of the lateness of the hour or have we begun to suffer from Perfection ...................... .….3
―sign fatigue‖ so that while we sympathise with those affected, the very signs that we write and talk about Health In Jesus ............. …..4
do not result in any discernable difference in the manner in which we live? Live Like You‘re Dying .. .….5
The last point in the above paragraph is really what got me thinking. It is very difficult for me to put into Are you Born Again ....... .….7
words the pain in my heart at the seeming lack of earnestness that is observable in lives of my fellow broth- Purity ............................. ….8
ers and sisters. I struggle to express the sadness that envelopes me when as Adventists we chose to reject,
in the manner in which we live our lives, the light provided to our church…and yet, we are quick to point
out the signs of the end in the air, on land and sea. You see, knowing the signs of the time and yet not living
to the full measure of the light you have received in regard to the health message will still result in you be-
ing among the lost 19 in 20 of Adventists. Knowing the signs but rejecting the dress message will result in
the same! Knowing the signs but turning away from any of the commandments will result in you being a
goat! Knowing the signs and at the same time loving elements of the world to the detriment of your soul
will result in you being a tare that Christ shall burn!
I ask the question, how is it between you and God? Are you ready to close your life‘s history? Has your keen
observance of signs showing that Christ‘s is literally at the door made any difference to the manner in
which you live your life? Do you have a greater sense of urgency because of what you see around you? Or
are the signs merely a proverb in your heart? I pray that we will all be among the few that do not fall off the
path less trodden.
 GRACE... BY SR T NKOMO
Here we are..still on this earth. Why didn‘t God just annihi-
late us when we dared to ignore His free gift of righteousness
to desire knowledge of good and EVIL? Why didn‘t He prefer
to keep only those who proved that they were able to be loyal
to their Creator? Why waste all this time, why care so much
about fallen man who‘s spent time proving over and over
again that they don‘t love Him as much as He loves them?
GRACE
From birth, we are programmed to disobedience. Why didn‘t
He just stop the trend before we spread over the whole world
and polluted it? Why wasn‘t He satisfied with the unfallen
worlds that He created? Why didn‘t He busy Himself visiting
these pure lands with their righteous inhabitants who know
what it means to be faithful? Why come visit this sin-sick, sin-
desiring world that would end up crucifying Him?
GRACE
Why consent to the humiliation of becoming a seed in a hu-
man? Why spend 9 months in a human vessel, helpless and
weak? Why agree to be born in a rude stable, poverty His lot
from birth till death? Why agree to be thought of as a bastard
child? Why consent to have His created creatures rule over
Him as His parents and guardians? A Man who could have
created tables and chairs, but preferring to help Joseph in the
carpentry shop , helping His ‗mother‘ when he had the power
to give and remove life from that same mother? Why spend
life teaching, praying and weeping over unrepentant men
who would end up plotting His life? Why waste His days
spending it with bickering, proud men (disciples) who had no
real conception of His true character, His mission- even when
He explained it to them-until after He died?
GRACE
Why bear with evil mankind? One minute Noah has found
grace in the eyes of the Lord and the next moment, he‘s
spurned that grace and has fallen low. Why waste grace on
useless people who one day are appreciative of his gifts, more
so after God has manifested great kindness towards them-as
was Noah when saved from the flood- and the next day be-
have as if God does not exist?
GRACE
Grace is what saves us. Grace is a free gift that God didn‘t
need to explain to anyone. He decided to love us more than
we could ever understand. Ps 84:11 ―For the LORD God is a
sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good
thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.‖ Not
only is He gracious towards those who walk uprightly, but He
gives them strength to become upright. Grace said ―I will die
for unthankful man.‖ Grace also said ―I will extend mercy to
2
the upright, whether they remain upright, or whether they
fall. But if they fall I will graciously give them the free gift of
victory. They can overcome in My strength.‖ Titus 2:11, 12
―For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared
to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and world-
ly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this
present world;‖
―We have every encouragement that if we daily surrender our
wills to God, the promise will be fulfilled, "And of His fullness
have we all received, and grace for grace." Every revealing of
the grace of Christ in our behalf is for us. We are to reveal His
grace in our lives, in thought, word, and deed. Let us not lose
our opportunity to speak and act Christ Jesus. We are to rep-
resent the mercy, the love, and the power of Christ,--the pow-
er that He has given us.‖ The Paulson Collection of EGW Let-
ters, 1895. 
There‘s nothing I can do to win Your love,
Not one thing I can do or say,
And there are times I feel so unworthy
That I don‘t want to pray.
Sometimes it‘s so hard to imagine
That Your gift of love is free,
That grace, greater than all my sins
Is the gift You bestowed on me.
Please help me Lord to remember,
I need but walk in Your light,
To know Your grace is sufficient
And I am precious in Thy sight.
And though my sins I can not hide,
They are washed away by Your grace,
Freely bestowed on this unworthy one
By Jesus who died in my place.
Then when my life on earth is finished,
By Your tender mercies and grace,
I will walk through the gates of heaven
And feel Your loving embrace.
Lora Cox
 MIRACLE AT SHARK PIT…..BY BR S KIBBEE
I grew up in Canada, the land of frozen ponds and hockey, of long distances and will swim directly toward the smell. Never-
painted autumn forests and majestic mountains. To me, the theless, I was at peace with my Lord. I would tread water until
ocean was a vast impersonal mystery; something I had seen and my fate was settled.
dipped my toes into, but had never really become personally ac-
About thirty minutes later, help arrived from the Tumon Fire
quainted with. That unfamiliarity changed one fateful Septem-
Department rescue team. They pulled me, exhausted and bleed-
ber day in Guam.
ing, into the boat and gave me the joyous news that all were ac-
On a holiday Monday, eight Christian friends and I gathered to- counted for. It seemed too good to be true - but not too good for
gether for a morning of recreation at a secluded beach known as God!
―Shark‘s Pit.‖ Seemingly unfortunate was the fact that my wife of
By His grace, Casey, my neighbor and coworker, returned to
seven weeks, battling illness, was unable to join in the fun.
shore as soon as danger arose. The Pastor‗s wife was brought
Accessing Shark‘s Pit required a half-mile hike along the water‘s back to shore, her life spared with the help of Steve, a nurse and
edge past rocks and coral, under trees, and through the surf. Bible worker in our group. Sandy rescued Bryan, ultimately
Breaking the reef with deafening intensity, the waves spoke loud- catching a current back to shore. Exhausted but alive, Pastor
ly to us as we made our trek. Each step through the surf was met caught this same current, and was spit up on shore further up the
with unexpected difficulty, as the water itself seemed to have beach. God was in complete control all along and knew in ad-
hands intent on pulling us under. Even our steps on dry ground vance who needed to be there that day.
were encumbered by large pieces of freshly dislodged coral, in-
How thankful I was that my wife‘s illness prevented her from
dicative of angry waters beyond.
joining us in the water and that she did
Arriving at our destination, my best not have to suffer the horrible ordeal of
friend, Bryan, our Pastor, my neigh- wondering whether or not I was still
bor, Sandy, and I were the first to enter alive. God knew just where she needed
the water. The Pastor‘s son, who, after to be. My good friend Carlos, following
being asked to join the group, simply the prompting of the Holy Spirit, chose
said, ―I don't feel like going in today.‖ to stay home and pray for us rather than
accompany the group to Shark‘s Pit that
We weren't in the water ten minutes
day. Praise God for good friends – pray-
when everything started going wrong.
ing friends!
Seeing the Pastor‘s arm waving franti-
cally, I called out, ―Are you okay?‖ In That day, the Lord had given me warn-
response he gave a gurgled, ―No!‖ The ing signs through the strong surf, the
strong pull of the current brought me deafening waves, and the ominous
quickly to his side, but I soon realized I was helpless to support washed up coral, to change my course. I sensed those little im-
someone who outweighed me by over seventy pounds. Next, I pressions of uneasiness, but I was so set on going in the water
found myself struggling to stay afloat and fighting the current and following my own way, that I pushed past the mighty wooing
with Bryan. My advice to you? Fight the current! You can do it! of God. ―Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is
We soon became tired and were separated. Our shouts and pray- yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is
ers could faintly be heard above the roaring waves. nigh.‖ Matthew 24:32.
I soon found myself swept out to the reef. A wave, perhaps fif- What about you, friend? Are you learning from the parable or
teen feet high, crashed down on top of me, knocking my flippers are you pushing past that ―still small voice‖ – those little impres-
and mask off, driving me under water and dragging me across sions to pursue a different course or respond in a different way
the coral. It was at this point I realized two things: I could very than what your flesh feels like doing?
likely lose my life, and my friends would likely lose theirs, as well.
In spite of my deafness to His warnings earlier, Praise God He
It was at this point that I turned over my struggle to God. I gave was not deaf to my cries! He is a tender, compassionate Father
up fighting and gave up doing it my way. It was then I gained Who is full of forgiveness and mercy. Let us tune in to Him as He
peace - that peace Philippians 4:7 describes as ―surpassing all instructs, "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,
understanding.‖ Though in my mind I was saying goodbye to my This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and
wife, my students, my friends and family, I knew that I was right when ye turn to the left." Isaiah 30:21. 
with God. If I died, so be it. Do you have that peace?
Note– The editors and compilers of this newsletter uphold standards of
Before I knew it, I was out in the calm, swelling waves beyond the
modesty and therefore do not endorse nor condone mixed swimming. We
reef, bleeding profusely from my back in Shark's Pit. Sharks have
also believe that God winks at the time of people’s ignorance.
an amazing ability to detect even minute amounts of blood from

3
 HEALTH IN JESUS PART 6 .... BY BR J HACHOMBWA
(C) DIET TEST DEVELOPS CHARACTER AND RE- still is being proven that God's health reform message is a
VEALS TRUE CHARACTER. great blessing and promotes good health. Over the years,
those who trust in God and who have faithfully carried out
"Those who use tobacco, tea, and coffee should lay aside
the divine health principles in their lives, have found out that
those idols... stimulants.,. Every heart will be tested, every
God's words and counsels, "are life to those who find them,
character developed." CD 426. "Those who transgress the
and health to all their flesh." Pro 4:20-22. "Oh, taste and see
laws of God in their physical organism will not be less slow to
that the Lord is good." Ps 34:8.
violate the law of God spoken from Sinai... The agitation of
the subject of reform in eating and drinking will develop E.G WHITE'S EXPERIENCE: At age 76 (1904) she wrote: "I
character and will unerringly bring to light those who make a accepted the light on health reform as it came to me. It has
'God of their bellies.' Phili 3:19." CH 39. ―A wonderful indif- been a great blessing to me. I have better health today, not-
ference has been manifested upon this important subject withstanding I am seventy-six years old, than I had in my
(diet) by those right at the heart of the work. The lack of sta- younger days. I thank God for the principles of health re-
bility in regard to the principles of health reform is a true in- form." CD 482. See also CD 483-4, 494.
dex of their character and their spiritual strength. They are
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHERS CONFIRM: "In more recent
deficient in thoroughness in their Christian experience." 4T
times basic principles advocated by Mrs. White have been
487. "A man is not converted unless his appetite and diet cor-
fully substantiated and repeatedly emphasized by the scien-
respond with his profession of faith." CD 297.
tific researchers of such men as Henry C. Sherman, Elmer V.
ANCIENT AND MODERN ISRAEL COMPARED ON McCollum, Clive McCay, Frederick J. Stare, and many others
HEALTH whose outstanding studies have proved that the liberal use of
whole-grain cereals, vegetables, fruits, along with nuts is the
1. DIET A TEST OF OBEDIENCE
proper means of enhacing and improving the dietary." 10BC
ANCIENT: God tested the obedience of ancient Israel on diet
391, Article, DIET.
as we have seen in Ex 16:4 and Deut 8:2-3.
"NUTRITIONAL ADEQUACY OF THE VEGETARIAN DIET.
MODERN: The Lord had been, still is, and will continue test-
Over a period of the past 75 years, many scientific studies
ing modem Israel on diet as we have read in the previous sec-
have been made of meatless dietaries... The results have
tion. CD 23, 34, 454, 426. We have also seen that God uses
shown the adequacy of a diet without flesh foods... The most
this test because it reveals the true character of an individual.
thorough and comprehensive investigation yet reported was
CH 39 and 4T 487.
done by Mervyn G. Hardinge and Frederick J. Stare ( 1954),
2. A PROMISE OF HEALTH. who made a comparative study of three types of dietaries –
ANCIENT Israel was promised health; "If you diligently heed the lacto-ovo-vegetarian, pure vegetarian, (no animal prod-
the voice of the Lord your God ... I will put none of the diseas- ucts), and nonvegetarian (meat diet)... Their findings indicate
that a lacto-ovo- vegetarian diet is adequate as a lifetime pro-
es on you... " Ex 15:26. "Serve the Lord your God ... and I will
take sickness away from the midst of you." Ex 23: 25. "The gram under normal as well as stress conditions." 10 BC 391,
Lord will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you article, DIET. "True science and inspiration are in perfect
with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt..." Deut 7:15. harmony." 4T 584. (see MH 462)

MODERN: God, through Mrs. E.G. White, promised good 4. OBEDIENCE TO HEALTH REFORM
health to the remnant, the SDA church, on condition of obe- ANCIENT Israel did not continue in obedience. The blessings
dience to the health reform message. She wrote: "I was shown of God are given on condition of obedience. It is written, "And
that God would give to His commandment keeping people a all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if
reform diet, and that as they received this, their DISEASE thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God." Deut
and SUFFERING would be GREATLY LESSENED, I was 28:2 (also verses 9 & 13). But Israel failed and so it is written,
shown that this work would progress.― The time of this vision "Had the Israelites obeyed the instruction they received, and
was 1863. CH 531 (CD 481-482). profited by their advantages, they would have been the
3. HEALTH PROMISE FULFILLED world's object-lesson of health and prosperity. If as a people
they had lived acceding to God's plan, they would have been
ANCIENT: As long as the Israelites obeyed God they had preserved from the diseases
good health and none was feeble (sickly) even though they that afflicted other nations.
numbered in millions, men alone (20 Years and above) were Above any other people they
600,000. Ex 12:37. The Bible reveals that the health promise would have possessed physi-
was fulfilled. The Bible reads: "There was not one feeble per- cal strength, and vigor of in-
son among their tribes." Ps. 105:37. "Neither did thy foot tellect. They would have
swell, these forty years." Deut 8:4. "There was no sickness been the mightiest nation on
among them. Their feet had not swollen in all their journeys, the earth. God said, 'Thou
neither had their clothes waxed old.‖ And the reason for this shall be blessed above all
was that, "God had given them angel's food, and purest water people.' Deut 7:14.― MH 283.
out of the flinty rock." 4SG-a 41. See also Ed 38, MM 277. p6
MODERN: In the history of the SDA church it has been and
4
 STORIES FROM THE FRONTLINE….. PS M MTENZI
Pastor Msafiri Mtenzi is a was somehow frustrated and discouraged. It seemed like my journey
frontline missionary based had been a waste of time. I began to ask myself many why questions.
in the Democratic Republic ―Had God really want me to come to this village? Was it my own
of Congo. He used to be a will? Did the people understand anything that I had presented? Had
missionary in Tanzania and I planted any seed in the village? To tell the truth, I went away un-
worked at Kibidula Institute, happy, tired and disappointed.
where our family spent After one year, I went to an area close to where all the disturbances
sometime as Missionaries. had occurred in order to plant a church. As I was passing in the vil-
We met him there while he was on furlough and I pray that some of lage street, near the central market, a young man called out at me
his stories from the front-line will be a blessing. and said, ―Oh pastor I know you, I know you very well, but I am sure
you don‘t know me‖, ―Who are you young man?‖ I asked him, ―I was
―Sometimes a go I went to the vast rift valley to plant churches for among the people who disturbed you last year when you came to our
Jesus. It was a really tough area. The area was extremely hot at that village to preach one evening. But pastor, I have good news for you.
time. This valley is a home to all kinds of mosquitos that enjoy feast- First of all, I want to apologize for what I did, but you know what? I
ing on people‘s blood throughout the year. This area is also home to am now an Adventist; I have accepted Jesus as my savior. Thanks a
many poisonous snakes of different color, size and length. I have lot for coming to our village. But once again, I am sorry for what hap-
seen people dying from snake bites with my own eyes several times. pened last year.‖
One evening, the Holy Spirit impressed me to go spend just one day The bible says, Ecclesiastes 11:6: ―In the morning sow your seed,
in a village about 14 km from where we were doing an evangelistic And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know
series in order to preach about the soon coming of Jesus. I went by which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be
myself because my friends had work to do to in the area in which we good‖.
were holding the evangelistic series and building a simple church. Sister White says “The good seed may for a time lie unno-
When I started setting up my equipment in the village, the people ticed in a cold, selfish, worldly heart, giving no evidence
started coming until there was a large group of them. As it was the that it has taken root; but afterward, as the Spirit of God
dry season when I visited, it was extremely dusty in the village. breathes on the soul, the hidden seed springs up, and at
When everything was ready, I prayed and started the presentation. last bears fruit to the glory of God. In our life-work we
The presentation was about the second coming of Jesus and how we know not which shall prosper, this or that. This is not a
are all to get ready for big event. For a few minutes all went well but question for us to settle. We are to do our work, and leave
thereafter, things began to change. Several drunkards came to where the results with God. ………"So shall My word be that
we were and began to really disturb me. I tried all I could to stop goeth forth out of My mouth; it shall not return unto Me
them, but it was all in vain. They were making noise and making void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it
jokes about all the truths that I was presenting. They also engaged in shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." "He that
picking up handfuls of dust and throwing them into the air. Finally, I goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall
told my listeners that it was better that I close off the meeting be- doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves
cause I was getting nowhere, but the village ladies encourage me to with him."-Christ's Object Lessons, 65.
continue and not let the disturbances deter me. They also tried hard The words of the young man greatly encouraged me, and were a re-
to stop the drunkards from disturbing the presentation but they minder that though we may not see immediate fruit in the work that
failed. The devil was actually on the ground to confuse the meeting. we do for Christ, the Holy Spirit can continue to work. Our job is to
Finally, I decided to close the meeting and head back to our base. plant the seed. I could then answer the questions I had: God had re-
This made the rowdy drunkards even madder at me. They actually ally wanted me to go to the village. It had not been my own will. Peo-
started screaming in my face like they were possessed by demons. I ple had understood the message, and the seed had been planted. 

5
…continued from p 4
MODERN: "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 Ellsha,
and many others, we have noble examples of the results of
the true plan of living. Like faithfulness today will produce
like results." MH 285.
SOME WILL OBEY: ―We have been given the work of ad-
vancing health reform... Beware how you place yourself in
opposition to the work of health reform. It will go forward."
CD 38. Concerning ―reform diet‖ she wrote, "I was shown
that this work would progress." CH 531 " 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 endeav-
or to work steadily toward it." CD 380-381.
MANY WILL FAIL: "The subject of health reform has been
presented in the churches; but the light has not been hearti-
ly received. CD 455. "There has been a continual backsliding
in health reform." CD 33." Our people are constantly retro-
grading upon health reform... Will they discard tea, coffee,
flesh meats, and all other stimulating food?" CH 85. ―Many
who are now only half converted on the question of meat
eating will go from God's people to walk no more with
them." CD 382. "The controlling power of appetite will
prove the ruin of thousands, when, if they had conquered on
this point, they would have had moral power to gain the vic-
tory over every other temptation of Satan." CD 59.
APPETITE APPETITE APPETITE
"Example after ex-
ample might be cit-
ed to show the ef-
fects of yielding to
appetite." CD 149
1. FALL OF AD-
AM, Gen 3:6
"Adam and Eve fell
through intemper-
ate appetite." CD
70
2. PEOPLE OF
NOAH'S TIME, Matt 24:37-39. "The world had become so
corrupt through indulgence of appetite and debased passion
in the days of Noah that God destroyed its inhabitants by
the waters of the flood." Te 95.
3. SODOM AND GOMORRAH, Luke 17:28-29, Ezekiel
16:49. "As men multiplied upon the earth after the flood,
they again forgot God, and corrupted their ways before
Him ... The gratification of unnatural appetite led to the sins
that caused the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah." CD
147 (see also 2T 371)
4. ESAU, Heb12:16, Gen 25:29-34." Esau lusted for a fa-
vorite dish, and sacrificed his birthright to gratify appetite."
CD 148.
5. ISRAEL'S FAILURE, Num 11:4-6, 31-33, Ps 78:27-31
―If the Israelites had been obedient to the words of God, He
would have bestowed upon them special blessings. But they
fell in consequence of the indulgence of appetite and pas-
sion. They would not be obedient to the words of God. In-
dulgence of perverted appetite led them into numerous and
grievous sins. If they had made the requirements of God
their first consideration, and their physical wants second-
ary, in submission to God's choice of proper food for them,
not one of them would have fallen in the wilderness. They
would have been established in the goodly land of Canaan a
holy, health people, with not a feeble one in all their tribes."
1SM 277-8
6. FALL OF BABYLON, DAN 5:1-2, 26-28, 30. ―God as-
cribes the fall of Babylon to her gluttony and drunkenness.
Indulgence of appetite and passion was the foundation of all
their sins." CD 147.
7. ALEXANDER "THE GREAT" Alexander and Caesar
found it much easier to subdue a Kingdom than to rule their
own spirits. After conquering nations, the world's so-called
great men fell, one of them through the indulgence of appe-
tite, a victim of intemperance and the other through pre-
sumption and mad ambition." 4T 348. "Alexander died in
the prime of life and at the height of his conquest being only
about thirty three years old at the time of his decease. It is
said that as a result of drunken debauch he was seized with
a violent fever and from this he died eleven days later, June
13, 323 BC." Bible readings for the Home, Pilgrims' books,
1987 edition by Vance Ferret, page 155.
8. TODAY IN THE LAST DAYS, Matt 24:37-38. "The
controlling power of appetite will prove the ruin of thou-
sands... As we near the close of time, Satan's temptation to
indulge appetite will be more powerful and more difficult to
overcome." CD 59. "The sin of this age is gluttony in eating
and drinking. Indulgence of appetite is the God which many
worship." CD 409.
ALL THESE EXAMPLES—tthey fell because of indul-
gence of appetite. But why did they fall on appetite?
(a) lndulgence of appetite is the foundation of all sins.. CD
147, 153.
(b) Appetite is one of the three strongest temptations CD
147, 151.
"The demon of intemperance ... is of giant strength and hard
to overcome." CH 609.
(c) Appetite is Satan's strongest hold on humanity. CD 150,
426.
(d) Victory on appetite assures victory on every other sin.
CD 59, 485, CH 125, 573.
Jesus overcame on appetite and then every other tempta-
tion that followed.
A gluttonous child ―was considered hopeless" and was
stoned to death. CD133, Deut 21:20-21.
To fail on appetite is to loose the whole battle of life, taken
captive by Satan. "Through appetite, Satan controls the
mind and the whole being." CD 167. In fact "indulged appe-
tite is the greatest hindrance to mental improvement and
soul sanctification." CD 45 TBC
6
 HOW TO STUDY THE BIBLE...BR WILLIAM MILLER
In studying the Bible, I have found the following rules to be
of great service to myself, and now give them to the public by
special request. Every rule should be well studied, in connec-
tion with the scripture references, if the Bible student would
be at all benefited by them.
1. All Scripture is necessary, and may be understood by dili-
gent application and study (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
2. Every word must have it‘s proper bearing on the subject
presented in the Bible (Matthew 5:17, 18).
3. Scripture must be it‘s own expositor [explainer], since it is
a rule of itself. If I depend on a minister or teacher to explain
it to me, and they should guess at it's meaning, or desire to
have it so on account of their creed, or thought to be wise…
then their guessing, desire, creed, or wisdom is my rule and
not the Bible! (Psalm 19:7-11;119:97-105; Matthew 23:8-10; 1
Corinthians 2:12-16; Ezekiel 34:18,19; Luke 11:52; Malachi
2:7, 8).
4. To understand doctrine, bring
all the Scriptures together on the
subject you wish to know; then let
every word have it‘s proper influ-
ence, and if you can form your
theory without contradiction, you
cannot be in error (Isaiah 28:7-
29; 35:8; Proverbs 19:27; Luke
24:27,44, 45; James 5:19; 2 Peter
1:19, 20).
5. Nothing revealed in Scripture
can or will be hid from those who
ask in faith, nothing wavering
(Deuteronomy 29:29; Matthew
10:26,27; 1 Corinthians 2:10; Philippians 3:15; Isaiah
45:11; Matthew 21:22; John 14:13, 14; 15:7; James 1:5, 6; 1
John 5:13-15).
6. God has revealed things to come, by visions, in figures and
parables; and in this way the same things are often-times re-
vealed again and again, by different visions, or in different
figures and parables. If you wish to understand them, you
must combine all in one (Psalms 89:19; Hosea
12:10; Habakkuk 2:2; Acts 2:17; 1 Corinthians 10:6; Hebrews
9:9, 24; Psalms 78:2; Matthew 13:13, 34;Genesis 41:1-
32; Daniel 2:7, 8; Acts 10:9-16).
7. Visions are always mentioned as such (1 Corinthians 12:1).
8. How to know when a word is used figuratively. If it makes
good sense as it stands, and does no violence to the simple
laws of nature, then it must be understood literally; if not
(then it must be understood) figuratively (Revelation
12:1,2; 17:3-7).
9. Figures always have a figurative meaning, and are used
much in prophecy to represent future times, and events;
such as mountains. meaning governments; beasts. meaning
kingdoms; waters. meaning people; lamp. meaning Word of
God; day. meaning year (Daniel 2:35, 44; 7:8, 17; Revelation
17:1, 15; Psalm 119:105; Ezekiel 4:6).
10. To learn the true meaning of figures, trace you figurative
word through the Bible, and, where you find it explained, put
it on your figure, and if it makes good sense, you need look
no further; if not, look again.
11. Figures sometimes have two or more different significa-
tions; as day is used in a figurative sense to represent three
different periods of time. 1. indefinite. 2. definite, a day for a
year. 3. day for a thousand years (Ecclesiastes 7:14; Ezekiel
4:6; 2 Peter 3:8).
12. Parables are used as comparisons to illustrate subjects,
and must be explained in the same way as figures, by the
subject and Bible (Mark 4:13).
13. To know whether we have the
true historical event for the fulfill-
ment of a prophecy. if you find eve-
ry word of the prophecy [after the
figures are understood] is literally
fulfilled, then you may know that
your history is the true event. But,
if one word lacks a fulfillment,
then you must look for another
event, or wait its future develop-
ment. For God takes care that his-
tory and prophecy agrees, so that
the true, believing children of God
may never be ashamed (Psalm
21:5;Isaiah 14:17-19; 1 Peter 2:6; Revelation 17:17; Acts 3:18).
14. The most important rule of all is, that you must have
faith. It must be a faith that requires a sacrifice, and, if tried,
would give up the dearest object on earth, the world and all
its desires, character, living, occupation, friends, home, com-
forts, and worldly honors. If any of these should hinder our
believing any part of God's word, it would show our faith to
be vain. Nor can we believe, so long as one of these motives
lies lurking in our hearts. We must believe that God will nev-
er forfeit His word. And we can have confidence that He
takes notice of the sparrow, and numbers the hairs of our
head, will guard the translation of His own word, and throw
a barrier around it, and prevent those who sincerely trust in
God, and put implicit confidence in His word, from erring far
from the truth, though they may not understand the Hebrew
or Greek.
7

PRISONERS OF
HOPE
This newsletter is authored
by members of the SDA
church whose desire is to
provide a thought provoking
newsletter for Adventists
dwelling on the banks of
Jordan; in the process ap-
pealing to entire fidelity to
the Bible and the Spirit of
Prophecy.
 +27(0)21 556 4628 086 608 7075 +27(0)83 268 7575 www.scribd.com/PrisonersOfHope
prisonersofhope@gmail.com  2 Silversands, Quuens Close, 7441, Cape Town, South Africa
GOOD HEALTH
1. WHAT did the apostle John wish concerning Gaius?
"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy
soul prospereth." 3 John 2.
2. What did God promise His people anciently?
"And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I
will take sickness away from the midst of thee." Ex. 23:25.
3. Upon what conditions was freedom from disease promised?
"If thou wilt diligently harken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is
right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I
will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I
am the Lord that healeth thee." Ex. 15:26.
4. What does the psalmist say the Lord does for His people?
"Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases." Ps. 103:3.
5. What constituted a large part of Christ's ministry? "Who went about doing
good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil." Acts 10:38. See Luke 13:16. "And
Jesus went about all Galilee, . . . healing all manner of sickness and all manner of dis-
ease among the people." Matt. 4:23.
6. Why should the health of the body be preserved?
"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit,
which are God's." 1 Cor. 6:20.
7. What is the body of the believer said to be?
"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you,
which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" Verse 19.
8. What will God do to those who defile this temple?
"If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is ho-
ly, which temple ye are." 1 Cor. 3:17.
9. What example did Daniel set in this matter?
"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the
king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank." Dan. 1:8.
10. With what food did he ask to be provided?
"Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and wa-
ter to drink." Verse 12.
11. What was the original diet prescribed for man?
"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face
of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it
shall be for meat." Gen. 1:29.
12. Why did the Lord restrict the Hebrews in their diet?
"For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be
a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Thou shalt
not eat any abominable thing." Deut. 14:2,3.
NOTE.-Both mind and body are affected by the food we eat.
13. What effect does cheerfulness have upon the health?
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." Prov. 17:22.
14. How did the Saviour provide rest for His disciples?
"And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile."
Mark 6:31.
15. How are we exhorted to present our bodies to God?
"I beseech you. . . that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto
God." Rom. 12:1.
16. What high purpose should control our habits of life?
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1
Cor. 10:31.
8