Gods Sabbath

G OD ’ S W ITNESSES

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riod of servitude in Egypt, followed by imprisonment in a foul dungeon (see Genesis 37:12–28 and Genesis 39:19–20). Likewise, Daniel and his three friends would never have in cluded a lifetime spent in Babylonian captivity if given the oppor tunity to outline their future (see Daniel 1:1–7). John the Baptist would not have asked for a Roman prison nor for beheading (see Matthew 14:1–12). The apostle Paul would not have chosen the in firmity of weak eyesight (see Acts 9:9; Galatians 6:11), his arrest (see Acts 21), or a martyr’s death (see Acts of the Apostles, 509), and Job would never have chosen to have his possessions swept away, his children annihilated, and his health broken down until he was suffering as few ever have (see Job 1:13 – 2:10). Because we would never plan suffering for ourselves nor for our loved ones, we tend to cherish the thought that our Heavenly Fa ther would not permit such things to happen to us either. Despite clear evidence that He does allow such suffering, some go so far as to say that the only thing God will ever do for His children is to bless them with health, prosperity, and life. They reason that be cause God is all-powerful and all-loving, He will never allow suf fering or death to overtake His children unless their lack of faith prevents Him from exercising His will. Consequently, if a believ er dies, or suffers ill-health or misfortune, they conclude that the only reason for such suffering is the presence of unbelief or hidden sin, or both. This false belief, combined with a spirit of self-confi dence and exaltation, makes it easy for them to pass judgment on others. Thus, in their eyes, every Christian who has died down through the ages, including the mighty apostles, prophets and martyrs, is judged as wanting in faith and righteousness. While such serious error is maintained, it is impossible for God to achieve His deep, wonderful, and yet mysterious purpose in those who hold such views, so they consequently fail to enter into His rest. Losses, suffering, and bereavement for which their belief provides no place, will confuse and trouble them, leading them to doubt the goodness, mercy, and love of their heavenly Father. They will be plagued with doubts as to what they have An Extreme View