Gods Sabbath

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E NTERING INTO G OD ’ S S ABBATH R EST

“I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.” Colossians 1:24. NRSV. In this respect, we too can enjoy a privilege the angels will never experience. We can provide a witness for God which the sinless, heavenly host, being completely separated from poverty, distress, disease, persecution, and death, can never give. What makes this privilege even more meaningful, is that our witness is so essential to the cause of God that the great controversy can not be finished without it. This is why God declares that we are His witnesses, called to reveal by declaration and demonstration that He is Truth. “‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the L ORD , ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the L ORD , and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,’ de clares the L ORD , ‘that I am God.’” Isaiah 43:10–12. Unfortunately, the average professed Christian imagines that witnessing is nothing more than speaking in support of God, just as political supporters make speeches in favor of their candi dates. If this were so, God’s children would never need to be placed in distressing situations where they suffer and sometimes die. But, while preaching the Word and having the courage to share our convictions with others is a vital part of the Christian witness, God requires more than that. He needs Christians whose lives prove by demonstration that the law can be kept to advantage, no matter what their circumstances may be. It is for this reason that the Lord permits Satan to afflict His children from time to time. This is why He allowed Satan to sweep away Job’s possessions, kill his children, and take away his health. This also explains why John the Baptist perished, Lazarus was stricken with a fatal illness, and the martyrs faith fully demonstrated that the awful pressure of persecution and How can we Witness?