LESSON 18:
Simple Remedies
1: There are simple plants which contain healing properties. We can use these in time of sickness with no denial of faith in God. Although we call these simple remedies "herbs," yet not only small plants are used, but also bushes, and even parts of trees, such as the leaves, bark and roots.
2: In regard to praying for the sick and ministering to their needs, many think that no remedies should be used, but only "faith and prayer." But in the Bible, simple remedies were used, such as water and medicinal plants. The use of certain herbs that the Lord has made to grow for the good of mankind, is in harmony with the exercise of faith.
3: In order to best care for myself, I must become acquainted with myself. I must be a learner always as to how to take care off this building, the body God has given me, that I may preserve it in the very best condition of health. I must eat those things which will be for my very best good physically and I must take special care to have my clothing such as will induce a healthful circulation of the blood to my limbs. I must not deprive myself of exercise and air. I must get all the sunlight that it is possible for me to obtain.
4: I must have wisdom to be a faithful guardian of my body. For example, it would be unwise for me to sit in a draught of cool or cold air, and thus expose myself to a cold. I should not sit with cold feet and limbs, for this will drive back the blood from the extremities to the brain or internal organs, and thus cause congestion and physical problems.
5: I should eat regularly of the most healthful food, which will make the best quality of blood, and I should not work intemperately if it is in my power to avoid doing so.
6: And when I violate the laws God has established in my being, I am to repent and reform, and place myself in the most favorable condition under the healing agents that God has provided in nature: pure air, pure water, and the healing, precious, sunlight. Indeed, the true remedies are pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, and trust in divine power.
7: Water can be used in many ways to relieve suffering. Clear, warm water, taken before eating (half a quart, more or less), will never do any harm, but will rather be productive of good.
8: A cup of tea made from catnip herb will quiet the nerves. Hop tea will induce sleep. Hop poultices over the stomach will relieve pain. If the eyes are weak, or if there is pain or inflammation in them, soft flannel cloths wet in hot water and salt, will bring relief quickly.
9: When the head is congested, if the feet and limbs are put in a bath with a little mustard, relief will be obtained.
10: There are many more simple remedies, which will do much to restore healthful action to the body. All these simple preparations the Lord expects us to use for ourselves; but man's extremities are God's opportunities.
11: If we neglect to do that which is within the reach of nearly every family, and ask the Lord to relieve pain, when we are too indolent to make use of these remedies within our power, it is simply presumption. The Lord expects us to work in order that we may obtain food. He does not propose that we shall gather the harvest unless we break the sod, till the soil, and cultivate the produce. But as we do our part, He sends the rain and the sunshine and the clouds to cause vegetation to flourish. We are to cooperate with God; working with Him in everything we undertake. And, as a result of our cooperation with Him, the seedtime and harvests of life take place.
12:
God has caused to grow out of the ground herbs for the use of man and if
we understand the nature of these roots and herbs, and make a right use of
them, there would not be a necessity of running for the doctor so
frequently, and people would be in much better health than they are today.
13: When the Lord told Hezekiah that He would spare his life for fifteen additional years, and then, as a sign that He would fulfill His promise, caused the sun to go back ten degrees, why did He not put His direct, healing power upon the king? For instead, He told him to use a simple remedy: to apply a bunch of figs to his sore. In doing this, the simple remedy of nature was blessed of God, and healing came to his body. The God of nature desires that we shall use natural remedies now.
14: When nature's remedies are used for physical disease, the sick should be pointed to Jesus as the only One who can heal the maladies of both the soul and the body.
15: In case of sickness, the cause should be ascertained, unhealthful conditions should be changed, and wrong habits corrected. Then nature is to be assisted in her effort to expel the impurities and to reestablish right conditions in the system.
16: There are many ways of practicing the healing art, but there is only one way that Heaven approves. God's remedies are the simple agencies of nature that will not tax or debilitate the system through their powerful properties. Pure air and water, cleanliness, a proper diet, purity of life, and a firm trust in God, are remedies for the want of which thousands are dying. Yet fresh air, exercise, pure water, and clean premises are within the reach of all.
17: Those, who minister by the bedside of the sick, need more than human help that they may bring the needed aid. If we are ignorant of the power of divine grace, we will not be able to help the afflicted ones, but will only aggravate the difficulty. If we have a firm hold on God, we will be able to bring them strength, courage and help.
18: One of most beneficial remedies is pulverized charcoal in a bag and used in fomentation (hot water toweling or blanket applications). This is a most helpful remedy. If wet in smartweed, and then boiled, it is still better. It has been used for serious conditions, and even for injured and bruised hands, and inflammation.
19: Learn and teach the use of the simple remedies, and the special blessing of the Lord may be expected as you work with these healing agencies which are within the reach of all. The above information was adapted from the small booklet, "The Use of Herbs," by E. G. White.
20: Friends, there are many problems and trials today. And there are many people who need help badly. Signs all around us reveal that our world is headed in the same direction that Noah's world took. Our Lord said, "As it was in the days of Noah." (Matthew 24:37) Noah's day is described as "the wickedness of man was great . . and .. every imagination . . of his heart was only evil continually." Genesis 6:5.
21: A storm is about to break over this world. Trouble is ahead, more severe than man has ever known or experienced in history. Our God is concerned. He has three signals, three special messengers for us to prepare us and get us ready for the storm.
22: These three special messages for us are known in the Bible as the Three Angel's Message. These angels have specific messages for a specific time, which are very, very important
23: These angels represent a group of people, who are responsible for giving these messages to the world which is drifting to its destruction. These messages are timely warnings for us all.
24: Let us first consider the first angel: "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred and tongue and people.
25: This angel has an everlasting gospel to preach. The gospel is the good news of salvation only through Jesus Christ and His blood. This is a universal gospel and will reach everywhere and everybody in this world.
26: Out of about 213 countries in the world, this gospel of salvation has already gone to about 200 countries! It is being preached in literally hundreds of languages even in the remote places of the world.
27: This message also tells us to, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." (Rev. 14:7.) Let us divide this message into three divisions. First of all we have, "Fear God."
28: This is a fear or reverence. We acknowledge Him as God, the Creator of this universe and are afraid to do anything that might displease Him. We are afraid to dishonor Him and so we keep all His commandments.
29: The next part is, "for the hour of His judgment is come." Not that it came already or that it will come but it is come. In our previous study, we learned this. The judgment has begun in 1844 according to the prophecy and is in session now.
30: The third part is: "Worship Him that made the heavens and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Here, we are plainly warned against idolatry or image worship. We are to worship Him only who has created this universe. How do we do that? Please listen.
31: "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work: but the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work: thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man servant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within they gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the Seventh-day! Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it!" (Ex. 20:8:11.)
32: The Seventh-day of the week which is Saturday is the sign or the mark or seal of the Creator. When we keep the seventh day holy, we worship Him. It is actually the birth date of this world that comes once every week, lest we forget Him. We cannot change anyone's birthday; similarly, this also cannot be changed or obliterated. God says, "It is a sign between Me and you for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed. When we keep His day holy, we worship Him. By observing some other day we do not worship Him.
33: And there followed another angel saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen that great city because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." (Rev. 14:8.) This is a warning about an apostate religion, which has its own system of worship. It also means any system of religion, which is not in accordance with the word of God. We are to have our eyes and ears opened, so that we will not be deceived by any kind of false system of religion. This is now being preached in this world, especially by a group of people represented here as the 2nd angel.
34: "And the third angel followed them saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
35: "And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." (Rev. 14:9:12.)
36: This beast is not actually an animal. It stands for a kingdom that opposes God and sets its own system of religion. It has its own mark. Just as the Creator has a mark or a sign which is the Seventh-day or Saturday, this power too has a separate day as its mark. All those who keep this day, worship him and take his mark on their foreheads and hands.
37: The Bible tells us that God is a jealous God and if any one worship somebody else, instead of Him, he will surely; be punished. Definite signs and evidences have been given in the Bible to exactly pinpoint this beast power. But we will not take time tonight to study this. Just let us note the last part of this message.
38: Those who do not worship this beast are called saints. They have three signs:first, they have patience; secondly, they keep all of God's commandments and thirdly, they have the faith of Jesus and the Spirit of Prophecy.
39: If you want to be one of the saints in this group, look for these three signs and this is the group of people represented here as three angels. They are the ones who are going to the length and breadth of this world with these messages and right here you have the privilege of listening to these messages.
40: The world will soon come to an end. Now is the time to turn our minds and worship the true God by keeping His day holy; be keeping all His commandments and to have the faith of Jesus and patiently wait for the return of Jesus. He has promised and it will be fulfilled. You can be either with those that are ready or with those that worship the beast; which side do you want to take?
41: May God bless us so that we can make the right choice now and be saved in His kingdom when Jesus comes back to take us home.
