The Olympic Games

“In the hope of impressing vividly upon the minds of the Corinthian believers the importance of firm self-control, strict temperance, and unflagging zeal in the service of Christ, Paul in his letter to them made a striking comparison between the Christian warfare and the celebrated foot races held at stated intervals near Corinth. Of all the games instituted among the Greeks and the Romans, the foot races were the most ancient and the most highly esteemed. They were witnessed by kings, nobles, and statesmen. Young men of rank and wealth took part in them and shrank from no effort or discipline necessary to obtain the prize.” AA, p. 309.

Go for gold on this earth. The Christian race on this earth is for eternal life.
I.O.C. International Olympic Committee make all the decisions and rules. International Race Committee: In heaven there is the International Race Committee: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They make all the decisions and rules of the race
Where: The decision is made by the IOC as to which country the games will be held. Where: “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Rev. 12:12. The race will take place on this earth.
When – Time: The games will run for two weeks every four years. Time: “And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” Dan. 8:14. From here we see that the final leg of the race began in 1844.
Rules: Rules are established for the games as well as for the behaviour of the contestants. Rules for games: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Eccl. 12:13. “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” [sa. 8:20. To win this race you have to keep the rules which are the ten commandments.

Rules for behaviour: “Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Cor. 14:40.
Uniform: Every country has to wear a uniform when participating in the games. Uniform: “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest now that thou are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich: and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyeslave, that thou mayest see.” Rev. 3:17,18. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace: Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;.” Eph. 6:13-18.
Send a message: A message is sent to the whole world and every participating country is informed about the decisions of the IOC. Message sent to whole world: “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, Saying with a loud voice, 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. 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. 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: 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. 14:6-12.
Number. A certain number can participate in the games Number: “And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.” Rev. 7:4.
Judges: Judges to be set for making sure the games are they conducted according to
the rules set up by the IOC.		 Judges: “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Eccl. 12:14. “A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgement was set, and the books were opened.” Dan. 7:10. “For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.” Isa. 33:22.
CONTESTANTS CONTESTANTS
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so ran, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Cor. 9:24-27.
Decision: Each contestant makes their own decision. Made decision individually: “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Josh. 1:7,8.
Chosen: Each one is chosen according to their ability of performance. Made choice: “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Josh 24:15.
Commitment: They make a commitment that they will stick to the rules and do their
best		 Made commitment: “For the which cause 1 also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 2 Tim. 1:12. They make a commitment in baptism.
Agreement: They make an agreement with their coach that they will perform the best
they can.		 They set their goal and want to achieve: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 3:13,14. The goal is eternal life.
Set their goal: To get a gold medal. “The competitors in the ancient games, after they had submitted to self-denial and rigid discipline, were not even then sure of the victory. “Know ye not,” Paul asked, “that they which run in a race ran all, but one receiveth the prize?” However eagerly and earnestly the runners might strive, the prize could be awarded to but one. One hand only could grasp the coveted garland. Some might put forth the hand to secure it, another, an instant before them, might grasp the coveted treasure.” AA, p. 313.
To Achieve: They put their mind, body, and spirit to achieve and get a gold medal.
PREPARATION PREPARATION needed to achieve eternal life.
Training: They have a coach who trains them. Training or teaching: In order to receive the best training, you need a coach. “Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Mat. 28:19,20. God’s church is the coach for the Christian race.
Practice: What they learn they practice daily. Practicing: “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23. “But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfiilness of sin.” Heb. 3:13. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Gal. 5:25. “Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice,” Heb. 4:7.
Healthy food: They are temperate in everything they eat and eat special foods for
endurance and strength.		 Healthy living, Temperance: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Rom. 12:1. “(Touch not; taste not; handle not;” Col. 2:21. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Gal. 5:22,23.
Positive Thinking: Thinking they can get that gold medal. Positive thinking: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you… I can do all things through Christ which strengthened! me.” Phil.. 4:8,9,13.

“In referring to these races as a figure of the Christian warfare, Paul emphasized the
preparation necessary to the success of the contestants in the race – the preliminary discipline, the abstemious diet, the necessity for temperance. “Every man that striveth for the mastery,” he declared, “is temperate in all things.” The runners put aside every indulgence that would tend to weaken the physical powers, and by severe and continuous discipline trained their muscles to strength and endurance, that when the day of the contest should arrive, they might put the heaviest tax upon their powers. How much more important that the Christian, whose eternal interests are at stake, bring appetite and passion under subjection to reason and the will of God!

Never must he allow his attention to be diverted by amusements, luxuries, or ease. All his habits and passions must be brought under the strictest discipline. Reason, enlightened by the teachings of God’s word and guided by His Spirit, must hold the reins of control.” AA, p. 311.
SUPPORT SUPPORT
Mother and father: Mother and father are supporting them all the time.

Relatives: Relatives also offer their support.

 Jesus said: “lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Mat. 28:20.
Mother and father: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Pro. 22:6.
Friends: Friends help encouragement to go on. with Friends: “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Pro. 18:24.
Country: The country gives their support to cheer their spirit and help them finish the
race.		 Country: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
PERFORMANCE ACTUAL PERFORMANCE – obedience.
Stick to the rules: They obey all the rules. Stick to the rules: selves.” James 1:22.

“Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own
Good behaviour: They behave with good manners. Good Behaviour: “But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.” Jer. 7:23. “But thou, 0 man of God, flee these things: and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 2 Tim. 6:11,12.
Happiness: They are happy they can perform at the games. Always thinking to win the gold: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Col. 3:23, 24.

“Paul knew that his warfare against evil would not end so long as life should last. Ever he realized the need of putting a strict guard upon himself, that earthly desires might not overcome spiritual zeal. With all his power he continued to strive against natural inclinations.
Ever he kept before him the ideal to be attained, and this ideal he strove to reach by willing obedience to the law of God. His words, his practices, his passions – all were brought under the control of the Spirit of God.” AA, p. 314/315.

Endurance: “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Mat. 24:13.

“And after this has been done, the Christian must put forth the utmost exertion in order to gain the victory. In the Corinthian games the last few strides of the contestants in the race were made with agonizing effort to keep up undiminished speed. So the Christian, as he nears the goal, will press onward with even more zeal and determination than at the first of his course.”
AA,p. 311.
VICTORY VICTORY
After each game, when the race is finished, they receive the prize: gold, silver or
bronze.		 Receive the seal: “Saying Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” Rev. 7:3.

Receive His name: “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Rev. 22:14.

Receive a crown: ” Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Rev. 2:10.

Receive eternal life: “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:28. Only when they have finished the race will they receive the prize.

“Paul presents the contrast between the chaplet of fading laurel received by the victor in the foot races, and the crown of immortal glory that will be given to him who runs with triumph the Christian race. “They do it,” he declares, “To obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” To win a perishable prize, the Grecian runners spared themselves no toil or discipline. We are striving for a prize infinitely more valuable, even the crown of everlasting life. How much more careful should be our striving, how much more willing our sacrifice and self-denial.” AA, p. 311/312.
CELEBRATION CELEBRATION
They are congratulated and then they sing the national anthem. Later, they walk through the city where crowds of people welcome them. A feast is prepared for them and everybody is happy. They remember this, for all of their earthly lives. Well done: “His lord said unto him, Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the lord.” Mat. 25:21. “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” Gal. 5:7.

“They stand before the throne clad in richer robes than the most honored of the earth have ever worn. They are crowned with diadems more glorious than were ever placed upon the brow of earthly monarchs. The days of pain and weeping are forever ended. The KING of glory has wiped the tears from all faces; every cause of grief has been removed. Amid the waving of palm branches they pour forth a song of praise, clear, sweet, and harmonious; every voice takes up the strain, until the anthem swells through the vaults of heaven: “Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” And all the inhabitants of heaven respond
in the ascription: “Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever.” Revelation 7:10,12.” GC, p. 650/651.

“Upon the crystal sea before the throne, that sea of glass as it were mingled with fire, – so resplendent is it with the glory of God, – are gathered the company that have “gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name.” With the Lamb upon Mount Zion, “having the harps of God,” they stand, the hundred and forty and four thousand that were redeemed from among men; and there I heard, as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of a great thunder, “the voice of harpers harping with their harps.” And they sing “a new son” 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.” GC, p. 648/649.

“Such is not the case in the Christian warfare. Not one who complies with the conditions will be disappointed at the end of the race.

Not one who is earnest and persevering will fail of success. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. The weakest saint, as well as the strongest, may wear the crown of immortal glory. All may win who, through the power of divine grace, bring their lives into conformity to the will of Christ. The practice, in the details of life, of the principles laid down in God’s word, is too often looked upon as unimportant – a matter too trivial to demand attention. But in view of the issue at stake, nothing is small that will help or hinder. Every act casts its weight into the scale that determines life’s victory or defeat. And the reward to those who win will be in proportion to the energy and earnestness with which they have striven.” AA, p. 313/314.

Nada Stefanovic, Australia