In an age when, as never before, the world and the churches are departing from the faith, when men and women are arising on every side proclaiming in strong, confident language that they have the message from Heaven for this time, the need to pay attention to the following instruction becomes especially imperative:
"While warning men to beware of accepting anything unless it is truth, we should also warn them not to imperil their souls by rejecting messages of light, but to press out of the darkness by earnest study of the word of God." Testimonies to Ministers, p.110.
While on the one hand, we must be careful not to accept error, yet at the same time we must be afraid lest we reject the truth. Truth is not measured by the channels through which it comes but only as to whether that which comes is the truth. "In our day few are listening for the voice of God, and ready to accept truth in whatever guise it may be presented." D.A.232.
Today, there are many discordant voices, facing us with the task of discerning the true voice of the true Shepherd. In view of this, there needs to be deeply underlined in our mnds the principle that God does not give any new light to displace or make of none effect the light already given. Therefore the new must be measured by the old and if it is necessary for the old to be displaced so that the "new" can stand, then the "new" is not from above.
Therefore the Lord has said to us, "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, which is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." Jer.6:16.
"All whom God is leading will manifest a high regard for the Scriptures in which His voice is heard... "From the first record of creation to the closing promise, we are reading of His works and listening to His voice.... "Read the Bible and regard it as the voice of God speaking directly to you.... "Have you been seeking to study the sacred oracles in order that you may hear the voice of God out of His word?... "Take heed how you hear... "The word of the living God is not merely written but spoken!... "A voice speaks to us from the oracles of God's word... "Let those who have heard only traditions and human theories and maxims hear the voice of Him whose word can renew the soul unto everlasting life... "This is the rest with which you may cause the weary to rest. And this is the refreshing. Yet they would not hear!" Isaiah 28:12.
At one time the prophet Ezekiel was in vision set down in the midst of a large valley. Before him lay a dismal scene. Throughout its whole extent the valley was covered with the bones of the dead. The question was asked, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' The prophet replied, 'O Lord God, Thou knowest.' What could the might and power of man accomplish with these dead bones? The prophet could see no hope of life being imparted to them. But as he looked, the power of God began to work. The scattered bones were shaken, and began to come together, 'bone to his bone,' and were bound together by sinews. They were covered with flesh and as the Lord breathed upon the bodies thus formed, the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceeding great army...
The souls of those whom we desire to save are the representation which Ezekiel saw in vision, a valley of dry bones. They are dead in trespasses and sins, but God would have us deal with them as though they were living. Were the question put to us, "Son of man, can these bones live? our answer would be only the confession of ignorance, 'O Lord, Thou knowest.' To all appearance there is nothing to lead us to hope for their restoration. Yet nevertheless the word of the prophecy must be spoken even to those who are like the dry bones in the valley. We are in no wise to be deterred from fulfilling our commission by the listlessness, dullness, the lack of spiritual perception, in those upon whom the Word of God is brought to bear. We are to preach the word of life to those whom we may judge to be as hopeless subjects as though they were in their graves...
Though they may seem unwilling to hear or to receive the light of truth, without questioning or wavering we are to do our part. We are to repeat to them the message. 'Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." Eph.5:14. This message is life to the soul that receives it.
It is not the human agent that is to inspire with life. The Lord God of Israel will do that part, quickening the lifeless spiritual nature into activity. The breath of the Lord of hosts must enter into the lifeless bodies. In the judgment, when all secrets are laid bare, it will be known that the voice of God spoke through the human agent, and arouse the torpid conscience, and stirred the lifeless faculties, and moved sinners to repentance and contrition, and forsaking of sins. It will be clearly seen that through the human agent faith in Jesus Christ was imparted to the soul, and spiritual life from Heaven was breathed upon one who was dead in trespasses and sins, and he was quickened with spiritual life.
"Satan cannot hold the dead in his grasp when the Son of God bids them live. He cannot hold in spiritual death one soul who in faith receives Christ's word of power. God is saying to all who are dead in trespasses and sins, 'Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead.' Eph.5:14. That word is eternal life. As the word of God which bade the first man live, still gives us life; as Christ's word, 'Young man, I say unto thee, Arise,' gave life to the youth of Nain, so that word, 'Arise from the dead,' is life to the soul that receives it. God 'hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.' Col.1:13. It is all offered us in His word. If we receive the word, we have the deliverance." Desire of Ages, p.320.
But not only does this simile of the dry bones apply to the world, but also to those who have been blessed with great light; for they also are like the skeletons of the valley. They have the form of men, the framework of the body; but they have not spiritual life. But the parable does not leave the dry bones merely knit together into the forms of men; for it is not enough that there is symmetry of limb and feature. The breath of life must vivify the bodies, that they may stand upright, and spring into activity. These bones represent the whole house of Israel, the church of God, and the hope of the church is the vivifying influence of the Holy Spirit. The Lord must breathe upon the dry bones, that they may live.
The Spirit of God with its vivifying power, must be in every human agent, that every spiritual muscle and sinew maybe in exercise. Without the Holy Spirit, without the breath of God, there is torpidity of conscience, loss of spiritual life. Many who are without spiritual life have their names on the church records, but they are not written in the Lamb's book of life. They may be joined to the church, but they are not united to the Lord. They may be diligent in the performance of a certain set of duties, and may be regarded as living men, but many are among those who have 'a name to live but are dead.' Unless there is genuine conversion of the soul to God, unless the vital breath of God quickens the soul to spiritual life; unless the professors of truth are actuated by heaven-born principle, they are not born of the incorruptible seed which liveth and abideth forever. The dead are often made to pass as the living; for those who are working out what they term salvation after their own ideas, have not God working in them to will and to do of His good pleasure. This class is well represented as the valley of dry bones Ezekiel saw in vision." E.G. White's commentary on Ezekiel 37; Bible Commentary, Vol.4, p.1165,1166.
We pray for a revival. If we would but revive belief in the simple word of God, and recognize it as a living thing, and as the source of all life and power, there would be a revival of religion.
"Awake, thou that sleepest; arise from the dead, and Christ will give thee light." Eph.5:14.
"The entrance of thy word giveth light." Psalm 119:130.
And to the soul that receives the word in faith, the Lord says, "You were once darkness but now you are light in the Lord." Eph.5:8.
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p.s. And the light of life which is thus imparted is in like manner sustained, by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God, shall man live! Matt.4:4.
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Topic: Is there hope for the valley of dry bones? (Read 9868 times)
