October-December
Every time a child is born, we try to observe their personality. At times we may assume that they may become a doctor, another may say they are better fitted for a teacher, so we keep assuming, then when they grow older, they choose something for themselves, which might change numerous times until they reach adulthood. Knowing what course to follow is important both for a meaningful and healthy life. Of John the Baptist we read that even before he was born his parents were informed about the course their son should follow. Of him it is written that “he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17).
“In this age, just prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven, God calls for men who will prepare a people to stand in the great day of the Lord. Just such a work as that which John did, is to be carried on in these last days. . . . In preparing the way for Christ’s first advent, he was a representative of those who are to prepare a people for our Lord’s second coming.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 101.
Since we live in the last moments of this earth’s history, we may be sure that we were born for the same purpose as was John the Baptist. This implies that whatever we do and wherever we go, we should always keep in mind the purpose for which we were born, and prepare ourselves and our children to be fitted for this great work of preparation that is needed prior to the Lord’s appearing.
As we consider the matter of his work, “John was to go forth as Jehovah’s messenger, to bring to men the light of God. He must give a new direction to their thoughts. He must impress them with the holiness of God’s requirements, and their need of His perfect righteousness. Such a messenger must be holy. He must be a temple for the indwelling Spirit of God. In order to fulfill his mission, he must have a sound physical constitution, and mental and spiritual strength. Therefore it would be necessary for him to control the appetites and passions. He must be able so to control all his powers that he could stand among men as unmoved by surrounding circumstances as the rocks and mountains of the wilderness.”—Ibid., p. 100.
When the angel came to Zacharias, he also gave him some valuable instruction in regards to his diet: “For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb” (Luke 1:15). Why is abstinence from wine and strong drink important in the life of those who prepare the way for Christ’s second coming? Solomon declares that “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1).
“Mental confusion and dullness are often the result of errors in diet.”—Education, p. 204. “Peace of mind is lost. There is dissension, strife, and discord. Impatient words are spoken, and unkind deeds are done; dishonest practices are followed, and anger is manifested—and all because the nerves of the brain are disturbed by the abuse heaped on the stomach. . . The affliction of the stomach afflicts the brain.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 53.
To Zacharias and Elizabeth was impressed the fact that their son was preparing for a sacred work, and it was important for him to have a healthy diet in order to be fitted for it. As we consider our generation, we are weaker physically than any previous generation and on the other hand, the enemy with whom we are battling has gained more cunning. Therefore, as we are preparing for the same work, it is important to live a healthy lifestyle, to be always aware of the spiritual warfare and aware of the signs of the times that are fast fulfilling.
“In the natural order of things, the son of Zacharias would have been educated for the priesthood. But the training of the rabbinical schools would have unfitted him for his work. God did not send him to the teachers of theology to learn how to interpret the Scriptures. He called him to the desert, that he might learn of nature and nature’s God.
“[John] chose to forgo the enjoyments and luxuries of life for the stern discipline of the wilderness. Here his surroundings were favorable to habits of simplicity and self-denial. Uninterrupted by the clamor of the world, he could here study the lessons of nature, of revelation, and of Providence.”—Ibid., p. 101.
As he was preparing for this marvelous work, in the midst of nature, his life “was not spent in idleness, in ascetic gloom, or in selfish isolation. From time to time he went forth to mingle with men; and he was ever an interested observer of what was passing in the world. From his quiet retreat he watched the unfolding of events. With vision illuminated by the divine Spirit he studied the characters of men, that he might understand how to reach their hearts with the message of heaven. The burden of his mission was upon him. In solitude, by meditation and prayer, he sought to gird up his soul for the lifework before him.”—Ibid., p. 102.
As we approach the end times, we realize that to progress in our knowledge of God and prepare for this work, we should look for secluded places in nature where we can be reminded about God’s love and be daily taught by Him. “There is not one family in a hundred who will be improved physically, mentally, or spiritually, by residing in the city. Faith, hope, love, happiness, can far better be gained in retired places, where there are fields and hills and trees.”—The Adventist Home, p. 137.
Another important aspect in his preparation was the faithful work of his righteous parents. They understood the mission of their son and the responsibility that was in their hands to rightly educate him. Therefore, they kept reminding him about the great work that he must do so he would always bear that in mind whatever decisions he would make: “The words of the angel to Zacharias had been often repeated to John by his Godfearing parents. From childhood his mission had been kept before him, and he had accepted the holy trust.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 101.
Many times, we tend to forget the reasons why we are here, and we need a constant reminder that we are just pilgrims on this earth longing for a better country, and while we are here we are to be used as God’s messengers to prepare the way for the second coming. We need to constantly be reminded about our mission as we go about our daily business. If we keep this thought in our mind, we will notice that our Christian experience would be quite different: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).
When the time came, a voice was heard in the wilderness. There are many voices that we hear throughout the day, but what made John’s voice so noticeable? With a heart filled with love for sinners, earnestly he called his listeners to a genuine change. “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). This was the voice of God calling sinners to repentance. This voice is heard throughout the Bible spoken by the mouth of His servants. This voice is to sound courageously in this age more than ever before. “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isaiah 58:1).
John the Baptist was so faithful to his mission that even “Herod was affected as he listened to the powerful, pointed testimonies of John, and with deep interest he inquired what he must do to become his disciple. John was acquainted with the fact that he was about to marry his brother’s wife, while her husband was yet living, and faithfully told Herod that this was not lawful.”—Early Writings, p.145
John’s mission was brief but of great value. Jesus declared that among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist (Luke 7:28). His most precious truth was, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). While pointing people to the Savior, he himself looked unto Him and became transformed. Self was lost in Christ, and he lived for the sole purpose of faithfully fulfilling his mission. Therefore, his success and popularity didn’t affect his precious soul. When asked about himself, he was ever pointing to only One, to the Saviour to come, whose shoes he was not worthy to bear. “Looking in faith to the Redeemer, John had risen to the height of self-abnegation. He sought not to attract men to himself, but to lift their thoughts higher and still higher, until they should rest upon the Lamb of God. He himself had been only a voice, a cry in the wilderness. Now with joy he accepted silence and obscurity, that the eyes of all might be turned to the Light of life.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 179. [Emphasis added.]
“Thus the Baptist declared God’s message to Israel. Many gave heed to his instruction. Many sacrificed all in order to obey. Multitudes followed this new teacher from place to place, and not a few cherished the hope that he might be the Messiah. But as John saw the people turning to him, he sought every opportunity of directing their faith to Him who was to come.”—Ibid., p. 108.
John understood his mission and didn’t allow anything to come in between him and the work. When his disciples begun, to follow Jesus he was comforted, knowing that his mission was fulfilled. Soon after that, he was put into prison and his faith was tried again: “There were hours when the whisperings of demons tortured his spirit, and the shadow of a terrible fear crept over him. Could it be that the long-hoped-for Deliverer had not yet appeared? Then what meant the message that he himself had been impelled to bear? John had been bitterly disappointed in the result of his mission. . . . Had it been in vain?”—Ibid., p. 216. It is important to understand that Satan tries to discourage us all at times. Especially as we approach the crisis before us, he will try with all power to make us take our eyes from Jesus and look at self. As John battled with these thoughts, he “would not discuss his doubts and anxieties with his companions. He determined to send a message of inquiry to Jesus.”—Ibid.
“And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another” (Luke 7:19)? Graciously came the answer. “The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached” (Luke 7:22). This answer was enough for him to be encouraged again.
“Satan was permitted to cut short the earthly life of God’s messenger; but that life which ‘is hid with Christ in God,’ the destroyer could not reach. Colossians 3:3. Death itself only placed him forever beyond the power of temptation. Though no miraculous deliverance was granted John, he was not forsaken. He had always the companionship of heavenly angels, who opened to him the prophecies concerning Christ, and the precious promises of Scripture. These were his stay, as they were to be the stay of God’s people through the coming ages.”—Ibid., p. 224.
Although called by God, the prophet needed to grow just like the rest of us. “John had by nature the faults and weaknesses common to humanity, but the touch of divine love had transformed him.”—Ibid., p. 179.
There is a weighty work ahead of us and we must be fitted for it both physically and spiritually. John achieved this by daily looking unto the Saviour, being taught by him amid nature. He was an advocate for the commandments of God, he forgot himself and God was able to use him. Likewise today, God will use such people.
“The great subject of reform is to be agitated, and the public mind is to be stirred. Temperance in all things is to be connected with the message, to turn the people of God from their idolatry, their gluttony, and their extravagance in dress and other things.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 62. May the experience in our hearts and homes faithfully reflect that of John the Baptist and his parents!