Soli Deo Gloria

Picking up the story in verse 3, we see that the king ordered that select captives be taken to be taught and "trained to fill important positions his kingdom". We then understand in verse 4 the qualifications of these men, "children in whom was no blemish and well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom and cunning in knowledge, and understanding in science, and such as had the ability in them to stand in the king's palace", and verse 6, among these were Daniel and his three friends.

  Looking at these verses gives us lessons. The Lord said to Samuel, "man looketh on outward appearance".  Some people when converted to Christianity, become mediocre in all their ways. They do not seek excellence in all their service and tend to reason out that they can't do better than that and it is up to the Lord. However, we see in this story that Daniel and his three friends are among those learned men, intelligent men who have knowledge and understanding and through inspection they were chosen by Ashpenaz to be trained to stand before the King, to have an opportunity to witness for God.

  When I was still in college, I had a friend that is very intelligent. She topped the dean's list of the university every semester and she is a Seventh-day Adventist. Although she has high intellect, she doesn't boast of it. She has always been calm, silent and has never talked about her abilities. She faithfully dispenses all that she can for every duty given to her. But what made her character more remarkable is her knowledge on God's Word. She always reads the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. Now, our church always conducts evangelistic meetings every quarter and revelation seminars every month. Everytime we have those events, she has always been able to invite her classmates and many of them come and attend the meetings. At the end of the meetings, 2 of her friends were baptized into the church. I had the opportunity of asking them why they took heed to the invitation. One of them said,

  "It is because I can see God through her life. She stands out among the rest. First, I have been interested on her because she tops the class. Then, I saw her character- not boastful, calm, silent. Then, I saw that she always reads the Bible and that is her secret. I then became interested on who her God is"..

  We as God's people should manifest excellence in all things, however small, and give all in the very best of our ability, according to our ability. We should show to the world that God's people are in no way behind the world.  In that way, we may capture men's attention and point them to God who is the real author of our success. If we show ourselves to be deficient in knowledge, we cannot invite the world to follow Christ for we are showing them a poor representation of our God.

  Deut 28:13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail;and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

  Daniel and his three friends were excellent in all things. And in that manner, they were given the opportunity to witness before the King. It is God's will that we become the head and not the tail for our God is an excellent God and so, we must strive to be excellent also in all things. However, it is very noteworthy to look at the second part of the verse above, that there is a condition for God putting as above as ensamples to the world. This is also discussed in Daniel chapter 1.

  Daniel verse 5 begins to tell this story that a provision of the king's meat and the wine he drank is the diet to be given to these chosen men. In verse 8, we see Daniel and his friend's choice to not to defile themselves with these meats and obey God's command rather than men and they chose, in verse 12, the diet God  has prescribed. Here we see the secret why Daniel and his friends had all the intellect and knowledge and wisdom. It is because they have obeyed all of God's commandments including that of the proper diet.

  We, as God's people, are to be God's light to the world and thus, we are to show excellence in all things. However, we can only be excellent in all things if we follow God's commandment specially that of the proper diet. We know as Seventh-day Adventists that there is a big connection between the diet and the mind. A wrong diet, and even the wrong methods of eating, could benumb the senses and cloud the intellect.  We see in this story that Daniel has been observing the proper laws of health that he became excellent in all things. And so should we, the professed followers of Christ, be.

  When I was still young, I don't like to eat vegetables. Not a parcel of vegetable meat ever touched my tongue. My life also testified to this truth because I never understood the Bible whenever I read it. It was until I was in my second year in college that my life turned 180 degrees. I became a vegetarian- the last thing a person who knows me could ever expect! From that time on, I learned to love the scriptures and the spirit of prophecy. By observing the proper diet, my mind expanded to such lengths and understanding that I would never have imagined I would.

  These are solemn days of this earth's history. And above all other, this is to be the best time that we, his people, will stand above among many others. But we have been feasting on the king's meat yet that we have not been able to obtain the fullest blessing of a wise mind, skill, knowledge and intellect that God has intended to  bless us with.

  Another lesson for this story is that of home religion. We see in verse 8 that Daniel purposed in his heart. There is a choice that is involved and we know for a fact that this choice did not happen by chance. It is the result of years of proper mind training inside the home.

   Daniel and his associates had been trained by their parents to habits of strict temperance. They had been taught that God would hold them accountable for their capabilities, and that they must never dwarf or enfeeble their powers.   {PK 482.2}

  It is thus very important that we cultivate in our Adventist homes the lessons of temperance, as well as other lessons that Jesus has taught us. These lessons will work out to each family member's mind and will enable us to stand firm in all our tests in life.

  When I was young, my parents have always told me to eat vegetables. But I always refuse. Years later, it is now me urging them not to eat meat. There has been a time when I thought it is enough that I will follow the health laws by myself, my parents are already old and that I will just pray to God for mercy on their behalf. But after reading Daniel 1, I understand that although I am the daughter, I should never be selfish in following by myself the principles of God. All begins in the home, and it is my hope to not cease sharing to my family the beautiful benefits of God's health laws.

  We see in verse 7 that the king gave them new names. Patriarchs and Prophets records the reason for this,

  The king did not compel the Hebrew youth to renounce their faith in favor of idolatry, but he hoped to bring this about gradually. By giving them names significant of idolatry, by bringing them daily into close association with idolatrous customs, and under the influence of the seductive rites of heathen worship, he hoped to induce them to renounce the religion of their nation and to unite with the worship of the Babylonians.  {PK 481.1} 

  Here we see a picture of an agenda to infiltrate the young men with paganism. But we know in the story that Daniel and his friends did not in any way yield to these seductions and stood firm to God's law. They practiced self-denial by not yielding to the lust of the flesh, the appetite, and as a result, they came out "ten times better" (verse 20) than anyone else.

  Living at these times, we see a lot of temptations in the world. Evils without are, if we are kept unguarded, awakening the evils within us. But however unfavorable our circumstances and surroundings may be, we can still stand up for the right though the heavens fall. This is only possible when like Daniel, we exhibit the strictest integrity and self-denial that only in His strength, we can muster. I am always reminded of how Jesus was able to form such a perfect character while living in a place of all evil, Nazareth. It was recorded in Hebrews that he was "tempted like as we are, yet without sin". Daniel's example and above all, Christ's, proves to us that even though we are living in a place where all temptations beset, we can overcome through Jesus.

  It is my first time to be in a very big city like this. I was raised in a small town where there are no malls, no big and busy streets, and not much evil influences as the streets of Metro Manila has to offer. Everytime I go to the mall, a lot of temptations for the appetite are present.  Now, I understand the need of prayer before I go out for God to strengthen my decision that I would will to say no to these allurements.

  Daniel 1 gives us hope that by purposing and training the will to say no to sin, we can overcome the temptations of the enemy. It is not an excuse where you are for God has said, he will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

   Lastly, verse 18-20 presents to us how Daniel and his three friends were presented to the King and were found to be the best. We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and we will be held accountable for all the decisions that we make here on earth. It is best then to strive to present our bodies, a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God. And this does not just talk about our diet but including our actions, our decisions, our words, how we handle our opportunities, our time. May we be found faithful servants before the King someday.

Five years ago, I attended a revival meeting which talked about reform on music, media and food. From that time, I determined to stop listening and watching to worldly presentations. I was a struggling vegetarian at that time already and the messages inspired me to continue with what I started. However, through time, idleness and little compromises gave me the experience of Romans 7 and more and more guilt has piled up in my heart. Revelation 14 has helped me reinforce those truths in my mind. Every decision that I make, however small, is important in moulding my character. A little glance there, a little listening here, a little taste could also little by little damage my frontal lobe and lead to bigger compromises and eventually damage my character. It should be my endeavour as a Christian then, to purpose in my hearts not to indulge in anything that could damage my frontal lobe and impede my decision making, else, I would not be able to day by day choose right for God and later find myself short of bearing the Father's name.

  One thing that I have not been able to surrender yet is taking drugs every time I'm sick. I have already read those things when I studied the Medical Missionary Manual book that was given me and I believed (not in practice) the testimonies about drugs. I understood that natural remedies are the heaven ordained means in the healing of the sick. And, among all things I read, it is the line that says drugs are faithless medicines that I cannot forget. Still, every time I'm sick (I always get sick when I'm late in meals or late in time of sleep), I take drugs for the fear of complications. Studying the verses and having the evangelistic meeting in mind before me compelled me to have healthy mind to clearly hear God's voice. And I was convicted not to take any drugs whenever sick because it could hinder a clear connection between God and me that I won't be able to make the right choices.

  One week before the last week of class, I was really, really sick. I had tooth complications and because of this, my gums were swelling,  my teeth are aching much,  my head congested  because of the nerve connections from my mouth,  and my body really  enfeebled. I visited a dentist and he said I needed to have root canal or tooth extraction. I was so down after the visit because I knew it would give me a lot of problems and yet at that time I thought it was the only way to heal me. I cried and cried unto the Lord for help and deliverance and then He showed me to read again the chapter of the Counsels for the Church,  "Prayer for the Sick" . After reading, I knew God's way for me to heal and hope shined within my heart. I made a covenant with God and determined not to take in anything that would defile my body and make me unable to follow His leading. Later on, I texted the dentist and told him there is still a little swelling. By that time, I was applying charcoal poultice every night on my mouth and face and each day, the pain and the swelling little by little diminished. He told me that before my tooth extraction, I need to take three times a day for five days, medications. I was confounded with the idea but I chose to trust God's way. I knew that taking medicine would lead me to have clouded mind and it would make me unprepared to accept God's truths for me. I knew that it would make me less capable of choosing the right decisions for the Lord. And so, I chose not to have my tooth extracted, not to take the medications and just continue with the natural remedy. After five days, all the swelling and ache went away and I was glad to trust in God.

  The hundred and forty four thousand is comprised of people who determined to not take, see or listen to anything that would give them unhealthy minds to make right choices. Every step of their way is characterized by choosing that which is right even in the least and their foreheads are exercised to make decisions for God. In the end, they were fitted to bear the Father's name. My little decisions in keeping my mind clear from anything that defiles it, moulds my ability to make big decisions for Him. It moulds my right thinking to make right choices, to clearly hear God's voice and follow His will every moment, to make me like Him and perfectly reproduce His character by His grace.

   "And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:  And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth." Rev 14:2,3

  Here we see a picture of the hundred and forty four thousand singing a new song before God's throne. It also says that they are the only ones who know the song. Revelation 15:3 tells us this song is the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. Ellen White expounds this point:

  "And they sing “a new song” before the throne, a song which no man can learn save the hundred and forty and four thousand. It is the song of Moses and the Lamb,—a song of deliverance. None but the hundred and forty-four thousand can learn that song; for it is the song of their experience,—an experience such as no other company have ever had." {GC88 648.3}

  This song that the hundred and forty  four thousand sang was a song of deliverance and the reason why they were the only ones who knew the song is because they were the only ones who have that kind of experience. What is this experience?

  “These are they which came out of great tribulation;” [Revelation 14:1-5; 15:3; Revelation 7:14-17.] they have passed through the time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation; they have endured the anguish of the time of Jacob's trouble; they have stood without an intercessor through the final outpouring of God's judgments."  {GC88 648.3}

  The word tribulation comes from the Greek word thlipsis which means "pressure". This further means afflicted, burdened, persecuted and troubled. During the time of Jacob's trouble, the hundred and forty-four thousand experienced pressure both from within and without.  Without, because they have been hunted as they were blamed for the calamities and plagues that afflicted the world, and they suffered privation and hunger,  and,  within, since the intercessory work of Jesus has ended and they have deep anguish of soul as they searched their hearts for any sins that would separate them from the Lord. Because of their experience, they sung this new song- a song of deliverance. They were able to overcome by God's grace the pressure and had a rich experience nobody ever had.

  Looking at this experience tells me the right attitude that I should have now whenever I experience trials in my life. I remembered the book of James giving me a good discussion of this,

  "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. "Jas 1:2-4

  Sometimes, when I experience trials in my life, I murmur against God. I easily give up, lose hope and complain to God for the suffering that I am going through. But the Bible says I must be joyful instead, of these trials, for they work in me patience.

  The hundred and forty-four thousand have mastered self-denial. They have a perfect trust in the Heavenly Father, and have forgotten of self that they were permitted to bear the pressure in the last days. The Bible says that God will not suffer his people to be tempted above that they are able, and the Lord has permitted the hundred and forty-four thousand to carry the big pressure because they have been faithful to the little pressures they have in life. And this pressure has given them the rich experience. It has provided them a way to be more refined to the likeness and full stature of Christ Jesus.

  And so should I be. In the little trials I experience, I should trust in the hand of God, be faithful in the Lord, be patient and be joyful. Ellen White says,

  "The fact that we are called upon to endure trial proves that the Lord Jesus sees in us something very precious, which He desires to develop. If He saw in us nothing whereby He might glorify His name He would not spend time in refining us. We do not take special pains in pruning brambles. Christ does not cast worthless stones into His furnace. It is valuable ore that He tests. " {CCh 54.6}

  The Bible also gives this exhortation,

  "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world" Phil 2:14-15

  God permits his people to be "educated and disciplined in the school of trial". This He does because He knows this is a refining of their character and is an avenue for them to master self-denial. Sore may be the conflicts may be undergone but when God's strength is taken hold of, overcoming is possible. In this way, His people become more equipped and compassionate in the salvation of others.

  Thus, the lesson for me is to be patient and not to murmur in all the discouragements and trials that God permits me to undergo. If I will not do it now, I will not be able to bear the pressure then, even the pressure on the time of Jacob's trouble. I have understood that for every trial, God is working out patience in me, preparing me for a still greater trial, so that if I will be faithful step by step, I may stand in the last days.

  When I was sick, I really was down and even tried to question God. But the message of Revelation has reminded me that however severe may be the conflict without, I can trust God's love and leading. Trials are God's blessings that I may be purified from all the dross of my sins.

  The hundred and forty-four thousand also has undergone pressure from within. They have stood at that time without an intercessor and they have an anguish of soul as they were searching their hearts for sins not surrendered. But they have already "washed their robes by the blood of the Jesus Christ" that they are found blameless before the Lord. This class has still sinful natures and are still prone to temptation but because they have been faithful to yielding no to temptations, their minds have been sealed that by that time, they would not yield to any temptation anymore. They have so much been accustomed to saying no to sin that they would not sin anymore.

  There were a lot of truths that I have forsaken before. I knew all of them, read all of them, taught people about them but I have cherished sins secretly. There are times that I made the ministerial work of Christ for me in the heavenly sanctuary an insurance to plunge into sin over and over again. There were sins that I have cherished and I fooled myself into thinking that one day, I will be able to overcome them, that God will forgive me, that He will have mercy. I have known quotes like "Every repetition of the sin lessens his power of resistance, blinds his eyes, and stifles conviction."-- PP 268 and "God may and will forgive the repenting sinner, but though forgiven, the soul is marred; the power of the elevated thought possible to the unimpaired mind is destroyed. Through all time the soul bears the scars." {RH, December 8, 1891 par. 12} but I tolerated sin for the love of self. People see me as someone strong in the outside, but deep inside my heart I know I am rotting.

  God in His mercy continued to work in my life. He showed me that it is possible to overcome sin even with a sinful nature as evidenced by the lives of the hundred and forty-four thousand. He showed me that there is no time to procrastinate in my decisions for the time is not assured. If I would mess up with sin, I would little by little shut down the voice of God in my soul until I would no longer hear. If I do not stand and say no to sin in even the smallest confrontations I have with sin, I would not be able to stand in the time when God is not there to intercede for me anymore. While Christ is there for me pleading in the heavenly sanctuary, I should make it a purpose not to sin.

  Another thing that I learned is humility. The hundred and forty-four thousand, even when they have said no to sin, still did not reach the point that they thought themselves not needing God. They have deep anguish, heart searching and they did not have any moment thinking they are better enough.   This quote always rings in my mind,

  The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty you will appear in your own eyes; for your vision will be clearer, and your imperfections will be seen in broad and distinct contrast to His perfect nature.  {SC 64.2} 

  As I become closer and closer to Jesus, I would see who I really am and I would not reach the point of thinking I am already good enough. And so in whatever accomplishment that God may do through me, I should never think of self. In whatever victories I may have of sin, I should not credit it to myself, neither should I think I am in need of nothing, for really, a person who comes close to Jesus will search more and more of his heart and would clearly see his imperfections.

  "These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb". Rev 14:4

  The verses above show us a lot of points but I would just choose the second part.

  "These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth".

  The hundred and forty-four thousand has always looked up to Jesus until the mind of Jesus Christ was theirs. In every decision making that they face, they have looked to Jesus and has followed His will. Wherever and whatever He bids them go and do, they follow. When Christ presented to them the truths in the Most Holy place, they followed and lived up to them.  When Christ said to them, give this up, follow me, they did.

  Jesus has showed me a lot of things that I needed to surrender. He has showed me His will on some issues on my life and He has told me to follow Him. Years and years passed but I resisted His calling, I stopped following Him. However, He has always reminded me of this quote,

  "God does not require us to give up any thing that it is for our best interest to retain. In all that he does, he has the well-being of his children in view" {OW, December 1, 1909 par. 12} 

    It took me a long time, a lot of compromises, and a lot of mistakes and regrets before I finally gave up. I regretted how I wasted the times just to serve self. Today, I really hope to follow Jesus wherever He goes, whatever He says on every area of my life. Although I know every ray of light would be painful, I hope to surrender to His calling and live up to that which He makes clear unto my mind. I don't want to waste my life anymore. I want to follow Jesus wherever He leads me to. I want to follow His will in every area of my life.

   "And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God." Rev 14:5

  The hundred and forty four thousand are blameless. In their mouth was found no guile or deceit or any impurity. They have looked up to Jesus alone that they have no time to evil surmise, to talk of discouragements, to gossip and to use their tongues for evil purposes. This made them faultless before the Lord.

  I want to look up to Jesus Christ in every moment. I want to stop looking at other people and talk of their defects while I miss to see my own faults. I hope that every word that comes out of my mouth is for the edifying of its hearers. I want to glorify God with my mouth and not use it for cheap and low conversations. My lips are not made for it. It was made to give the Lord glory and praise. It was made to give encouragement to a weary soul.

  By God's grace, I will be able to change. I know when I talk with my closest friends; it would be very tempting to talk of people we know. But those things waste our time and drive all the good angels away. I would also overcome talking about my discouragements and problems. I don't want to dishonour God again with my words.

  Whenever I read the book Desire of Ages, my heart always get melted. I see His love, His sacrifice for me on the cross and all that He has done for me. And because of His love for me, I am determined to give Him back the glory. I want to love Him with all my heart.

  The story of the one hundred and forty-four thousand has inspired me. There are to be people in the last days that will condemn sin the flesh, they will be able to show the world that God is true, His words are true and they will be able to vindicate God’s character.