INSTRUCTION FROM HEAVEN:
Choosing
the Best Jewels
Vance Ferrell 1 - A Basket of Jewels - A Spirit of Prophecy compilation2 - Instruction from Heaven: Rings and Jewelry [WM-1 130]3 - The Adventist Wedding Ring [WM-156] November 19864 - Illegal: Wedding Ring Ruling [WM-162] April 19875 - Ringing Down the Standard [WM-164] May 19876 - The Power and Magic of Finger Rings [MB-75-77] April 1987 Extracts from a 200-year-old book on their occult nature and origins (Order Book for this) When God called His people to judgment or wanted them to dedicate themselves anew to Him, He had them take off their jewelry and put away their "strange gods." This is a lesson to us today. Genesis 35:1-4; Exodus 33:1-6; Isaiah 3:16-21 and 4:2-3. "If any man will come after Me, let deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. "-Luke 9:23. "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."-Matthew 7:14. "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. "And they shall be Mine,--saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. "Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not." -Malachi 3:16-18 "Constantine, in order to recommend the new religion to the heathen, transferred into it the outward adornments to which they had been accustomed in their own. It is not necessary to go into a subject, which the diligence of Protestant writers has made familiar to most of us. The use of temples.. dedicated to particular saints .. incense. . candles. . holy water. . processions. . the ring in marriage, turning to the east, images at a later date . . are all of pagan origin, and sanctified by their adoption into the Church."-John Henry Newman, Development of Christian Doctrine, p. 373. 1 - A Basket of JewelsA Spirit of Prophecy compilation"For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto Himself, and Israel for His peculiar treasure." Psalm 135:4 "Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. Isaiah 62:3 "Christ's redeemed ones are His jewels, His precious and peculiar treasure. 'They shall be as the stones of a crown'-'the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.' Zechariah 9:16. Ephesians 1:18. In them 'He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied.' Isaiah 53:11." 6 Testimonies, 309. "Think you not that Christ values those who live wholly for Him? Think you not that He visits those who, like the beloved John in exile, are for His sake in hard and trying places? God will not suffer one of His true-hearted workers to be left alone, to struggle against great odds and be overcome. "He preserves as a precious jewel everyone whose life is hid with Christ in Him. Of every such one He says: 'I . . will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee.' Haggai 2:23." Ministry of Heating, 488. 'Jesus said, 'Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure Is, there will your heart be also.' "The instruction is to 'lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.' It is for your own interest to secure heavenly riches. These alone, of all that you possess, are really yours. The treasure laid up in heaven is imperishable. No fire or flood can destroy it, no thief despoil it, no moth or rust corrupt it; for it is in the keeping of God . . "The disciples of Christ are called His Jewels, His precious and peculiar treasure. He says, 'They shall be as the stones of a crown.' 'I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.' Zechariah 9:16; Isaiah 13:12. Christ looks upon His people in their purity and perfection as the reward of all His sufferings, His humiliation, and His love, and the supplement of His glory-Christ, the great Center, from whom radiates all glory." Mount of Blessing, 89-90. "Christians are Christ's jewels. They are to shine brightly for Him, shedding forth the light of His loveliness. Their luster depends on the polishing they receive. They may choose to be polished or to remain unpolished. But every one who is pronounced worthy of a place in the Lord's temple must submit to the polishing process. Without the polishing that the Lord gives they can reflect no more light than a common pebble." "Christ says to man, 'You are mine. I have bought you. You are now only a rough stone, but if you will place yourself in My hands, I will polish you, and the luster with which you shall shine will bring honor to My name. No man shall pluck you out of My hand. I will make you My peculiar treasure. On My coronation day, you will be a jewel in My crown of rejoicing.' "The divine Worker spends little time on worthless material. Only the precious jewels does He polish after the similitude of a palace, cutting away all the rough edges. This process is severe and trying; it hurts human pride. Christ cuts deep into the experience that man in his self-sufficiency has regarded as complete, and takes away self-uplifting from the character. He cuts away the surplus surface, and putting the stone to the polishing wheel, presses it close, that all roughness may be worn away. Then, holding the jewel up to the light, the Master sees in it a reflection of Himself, and He pronounces it worthy of a place in His casket. In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee . . and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts.' Blessed be the experience, however severe, that gives new value to the stone, and causes it to shine with living brightness. "God will not suffer one of His true-hearted workers to be left alone to struggle against great odds and be overcome. He preserves as a precious jewel every one whose life is hid with Christ in God. Of every such an one He says, 'I. . will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee.' "- 4 Bible Commentary, 1177. 'All the luster possessed by those who have gained the richest experience is but the reflection of the light of the Sun of righteousness. He who lives nearest to Jesus shines the brightest . . The luster of the tiniest gem in God's casket will glorify Him. There are many. . who during this life do not seem to be particularly honored. But the Lord sees those who serve Him [Mal. 3:17, quoted]."- 4 Bible Commentary, 1184. "WITH THIS RING I THEE DO WED"Thousands of marriages are made lasting with rings every day of the year. But did you ever stop to consider that a couple cannot found an enduring marriage on gold, silver, or diamonds? Many people think that the "lock" in wedlock is a gold ring. It is their earnest hope that the ring on each of their fingers will hold their marriage together. But this thought is not correct. It matters not whether it be an elaborate diamond ring or a simple gold wedding band; every month there are thousands of women who file for divorce while wearing them. Do you desire a marriage that will last? Then you want to base it on the Bible and prayer, and family worship together every morning and evening. This is what makes a marriage stick together, not rings and bracelets, earrings or eye shadow. The wedding ring may be ancient--but it was not given to you by the God of Heaven. Study its past history and you will recognize the truth of this fact. Let not your hopes of marital permanence be based upon a golden ornament encircling your finger. That is not what will give you a lasting marriage, a virtuous spouse, or protection through the day. Turn your eyes upward. It is only a life dedicated, day by day, to God that can bring to you the desires of your heart. The very real fact is that it is so easy to substitute makeup and ornaments for that which we really need-a pleading with our heavenly Father every day for help for ourselves and our loved ones. Only He can protect us, our husband, wife, children, and our very marriage! Indeed, far more than keepsakes, decorations or adornments,-that which is needed in the homes of our nation is the forgiving, enabling grace of Jesus Christ. It is families established on prayer, study, and obedience to the Inspired Word of God. This is our great need! "'With this prayer dedicating our home to God, I thee do wed. For, now, let us address our marriage vows to the God of heaven, that He may be the basis, center, and purpose of out union from this time forth and forever more. Let us kneel and dedicate to Him our marriage, and our intertwined lives, and every child that He may graciously grant us. In heaven above, He will now declare us man and wife,--and in His strength we shall remain such till death do us part." -Vance Ferrell Continue |