What is an evidence we are being controlled by the Holy Spirit? Galatians 5:22-23
In the Garden of Eden, mankind could freely eat of every tree except which? Genesis 2:17 Note: In the center of the word death is “eat”. By intemperance dEATh has entered our world.
Does temperance teach it is okay to use hurtful things if used in moderation? 1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9
True temperance teaches us to dispense entirely with everything hurtful, and to use judiciously that which is healthful. {Child Guidance Page 398.3} Note: This includes; soda pop, teas, alcohol, flesh meats, tobacco in all forms, etc.
Jesus warned us to take heed to ourselves lest what would happen? Luke 21:34-36 Note: The word of God places the sin of gluttony in the same catalogue with drunkenness. {Counsels on Health Page 71.2}
The Gentiles will think it strange that you run not with them in what? 1 Peter 4:3-5
Note: Our temperance or intemperance will be brought up in the judgement.
Every man that striveth for the mastery is what, in how many things? 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Note: Margin says another way this could be translated is “self control”.
A bishop must be sober, just, holy, and what? Titus 1:7-8
The aged men must be sober, grave, and what? Titus 2:1-2
Temperance is included in behavior as becometh what? Titus 2:3-4
Note: “All who would perfect holiness in the fear of God must learn the lessons of temperance and self-control.” {Desire of Ages page 101.2}
What shall no man see without holiness? Hebrews 12:14
“What a thought! Gluttons in heaven! No, no; such will never enter the pearly gates of the golden city of God.” {Counsels on Diet and Foods page 125.3}
“The controlling power of appetite will prove the ruin of thousands, who, if they had conquered on this point, would have had the moral power to gain the victory over every other temptation. But those who are slaves to appetite will fail of perfecting Christian character. The continual transgression of man for over six thousand years has brought sickness, pain, and death as its fruit. And as we draw near the close of time, Satan’s temptations to indulge appetite will be more powerful, and more difficult to resist.” {Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene page 154.2}
What was Peter not negligent to put us always in remembrance of? 2 Peter 1:12
Note: This is the only place in the entire Bible where the phrase “present truth” can be found.
What are “these things” Peter was referring to? 2Pe 1:4-8
Note: Verse 6 shows us, an intemperate man is an impatient man.
“It is impossible for an intemperate man to be a Christian, for his higher powers are brought into slavery to the passions.” {Counsels on Health page 36.1}
What three things must the saints have in these last days? Revelation 14:12
When Paul taught the faith of Jesus what three things did he include? Act 24:24-25
Note: The preaching of Christian temperance will make ruler’s tremble.
It was Paul’s manner to reason out of what? Act 17:2
Note: The only scriptures Paul had to reason with Felix out of was the Old Testament. Therefore, somewhere the Hebrew Scriptures must contain the message of temperance.
Where in the Old Testament scriptures do we find the message of temperance? Proverbs 16:32; 25:28; 24:13; 25:27, 16
We should not be among riotous eaters of what? Proverbs 23:20-21
If we are given to appetite what should we do when we eat with rulers? Proverbs 23:1-3
Do we have an example of any youthful Hebrews showing temperance while eating with rulers? Dan 1:5, 8
What did Daniel and his friends ask to eat and drink instead of the flesh diet for ten days? Dan 1:12-15
Note: Pulse is a plant based diet which consisted of fruits, nuts, grain, and vegetables. These youthful teens chose to drink simple water instead of the intemperate and exciting beverages of Babylon. The only way for Daniel and his friends to have known this requirement of God is if they had read of it somewhere earlier in the Hebrew Scriptures before them. It is very possible they were claiming the promises of Proverbs 23:1-3 when this situation arose.
Daniel was a prince, what counsel did he have as a prince regarding his eating habits? Ecclesiastes 10:16-17
Note: Not only was Daniel considered a prince, but Christ through His blood “hath made us kings and priests unto God” Revelation 1:5-6. This counsel in Ecclesiastes is for us as well!
How was a rebellious son who is a glutton and drunkard dealt with in the Old Testament? Deuteronomy 21:18-21
Note: Although the punishment of death is not instantly seen today as it was in the Old Testament, the reward of the glutton and drunkard remains the same today. It is not however a physical death by stoning, but “the second death” spoken of in Revelation 21:8.
“The word of God places the sin of gluttony in the same catalogue with drunkenness. So offensive was this sin in the sight of God that He gave directions to Moses that a child who would not be restrained on the point of appetite, but would gorge himself with anything his taste might crave, should be brought by his parents before the rulers of Israel, and should be stoned to death. The condition of the glutton was considered hopeless. He would be of no use to others, and was a curse to himself. No dependence could be placed upon him in anything. His influence would be ever contaminating others, and the world would be better without such a character; for his terrible defects would be perpetuated. None who have a sense of their accountability to God will allow the animal propensities to control reason. Those who do this are not Christians…” {Counsels on Diet and Foods page 133.2}
What does the second angel’s message say? Revelation 14:8
What sins led to the fall of ancient Babylon? Daniel 5:1, 30-31
Note: It was while Babylon was indulging in a drunken feast that this mighty nation was overcome. Babylon fell through the sin of intemperance. This warning against intemperance is including in the second and fourth angel’s message of Revelation 14:8 and Revelation 18:2.
Speaking to Israel, God’s church
Eze 16:48 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.
Eze 16:49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
Eze 16:50 And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.
Isa 13:19 And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees’ excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
“The gratification of unnatural appetite led to the sins that caused the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. God ascribes the fall of Babylon to her gluttony and drunkenness. Indulgence of appetite and passion was the foundation of all their sins.” {Counsels on Health page 110.1}
Note: That is the second angel’s message (Revelation 14:8).
Rev 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.[Glory = Character Exo 33:18 Ex 34:5-7]
Rev 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
Rev 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Isa 27:6 He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.