Rebelion

When we think of witches, we think of evil – the powers of darkness. In the days of King Saul, witches were put to death. They were agents of the devil. In this Bible verse rebellion is equally sinful. If witchcraft is completely Satanic, worthy of death, rebellion is as offensive in the eyes of God. Satan is working over-time today to cause rebellion.

“The early Christians were often called to meet the powers of darkness face to face. By sophistry and by persecution the enemy endeavoured to turn them from the true faith. At the present time, when the end of all things earthly is rapidly approaching, Satan is putting forth desperate efforts to ensnare the world. He is devising many plans to occupy minds and to divert attention from the truths essential to salvation. In every city his agencies are busily organizing into parties those who are opposed to the law of God.

The arch deceiver is at work to introduce elements of confusion and rebellion, and men are being fired with a zeal that is not according to knowledge.” AA 219

What is rebellion? It is doing exactly the opposite of what someone tells you – especially an authority figure. You do the opposite, not necessarily because you believe it is right, but because you do not want to submit so you just do the opposite – sometimes you even have to violate conscience and it is a carefully planned rebellion. You may even know that they are right and you are wrong, as did Lucifer, but you must do the opposite out of principle. Many youth today are rebelling – they don’t like rules – they want to be free. They leave home at earlier âges to live life they way they choose with little or no guidelines or rules.

“Rebellion and apostasy are in the very air we breathe. We shall be affected by them unless we by faith hang our helpless souls upon Christ. If men are so easily misled now, how will they stand when Satan shall personate Christ, and work miracles? Who will be unmoved by his misrepresentations then-professing to be Christ when it is only Satan assuming the person of Christ, and apparently working the works of Christ?

What will hold God’s people from giving their allegiance to false Christs? ‘Go not after them’ (Luke 17:23).” 2SM 394

Rebellion is a major problem in the world today. It begins in the home. Children rebel against their parents’ restrictions and rules. It then extends outside the home to the classroom. Today, teachers hâve a greât difficulty teaching because of the rebellion that the students are having against the teachers and authorities. If rebellion is not controlled in families it will lead to rebellion in society – rebellion against the laws of the land, beginning with small rebellion and ending in large rebellion with criminals committing greater and greater crimes. When will it stop? Not until the Lord cornes. The state of society continues to degenerate as we read in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 ‘This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despises of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” There is no promise of improvement.

Sin is rebellion against God’s authority. God gives laws for man to abide by, but man chooses not to obey. Whether they claim they are weak, or simply do not feel it is important to keep some of the smaller laws – nonetheless, rebellion is sin. Often, especially in young people, they rebel, simply because they don’t want to obey. They may acknowledge that those in authority are correct, the laws are good, but just for the sake of rebelling they choose the wrong pathway.

It ail began with Satan in heaven. Just before he was cast out, Satan knew that he was wrong – he was convinced that God was right, but he had begun on the path of rebellion and was too proud to turn back. He had to rebel for the sake or rebellion – he refused to submit to the authority of God even though he knew God was right. Thus Satan is the father of rebellion.

“Lucifer was convinced that he was in the wrong.” PP 39. Yet he had begun on the path of rebellion and would not turn back. A rebellious person wants to serve himself; he does not want to serve anyone else. Young people get to an age when they no longer desire to serve their parents. “Lucifer’s disposition to serve himself instead of his Creator aroused a feeling of apprehension when observed by those who considered that the glory of God should be supreme.” PP 35/36.

“An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.” Proverbs. 17:11

Some people actually seek rebellion for the sake or rebelling. Satan is the real enemy – not people. While we acknowledge the fact that Satan is the father of ail rebellion on this earth. There are different ways that he causes rebellion in mankind. He tempts people to act in a certain way and when they listen to his voice it causes rebellion themselves or in other people. I want to address some of these causes so that we can avoid rebellion in
ourselves, and avoid causing rebellion in others.

We must remember ail the time though that people are not our enemies. Satan is our enemy and if people are against us, they are really only listening to Satan’s voice. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12

If Satan is the enemy, we will never win the battle on our own. We must let the Lord fight for us. “And ail this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17: 47

“Rebellion originated with Satan, and all rebellion against God is directly due to satanic influence. Those who set themselves against the government of God hâve entered into an alliance with the archapostate, and he will exercise his power and cunning to captivate the senses and mislead the understanding. He will cause everything to appear in a false light. Like our first parents, those who are under his bewitching spell see only the greet benefits to be received by transgression.

“No stronger evidence can be given of Satan’s delusive power than that many who are thus led by him deceive themselves with the belief that they are in the service of God. When Korah, Dathan, and Abiram rebelled against the authority of Moses, they thought they were opposing only a human leader, a man like themselves; and they came to believe that they were verily doing God service. But in rejecting God’s chosen instrument they rejected Christ; they insulted the Spirit of God. So, in the days of Christ, the Jewish scribes and elders, who professed greât zeal for the honour of God, crucified
His Son. The same spirit still exists in the hearts of those who set themselves to follow their own will in opposition to the will of God.” PP635

Call Rebellion by Us right name “I question whether genuine rebellion is ever curable. Study in Patriarchs and Prophets the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. This rebellion was extended, including more than two men. It was led by two hundred and fifty princes of the congregation, men of renown. Call rebellion by ils right name and apostasy by its right name, and then consider that the experience of the ancient people of God with ail its objectionable features was faithfully chronicled to pass into history…

if men and women who have the knowledge of the truth are so far separated from their great Leader that they will take the great leader of apostasy and name him Christ our Righteousness, it is because they have not sunk deep into the mines of the truth. They are not able to distinguish the precious ore from the base material.” 2SM 393 Rebellion can sometimes be the resuit of improper home training Every parent thinks that they are doing the best for their children. They feel that their way of training is right. But hâve we compared our methods of training with what the Lord has to say?

“Wherever we go, we see children indulged, petted, and praised without discretion. This tends to make them vain, bold, and conceited. The seeds of vanity are easily sown in the human heart by injudicious parents and guardians, who praise and indulge the young under their charge, with no thought of the future. Self-will and pride are evils that turned angels into demons and barred the gâtes of heaven against them. And yet parents, unconsciously, are systematically training their children to be the agents of Satan. , “By Becoming Slaves to Teen-age Children.- -How many toil-worn, burdened parents
hâve become slaves to their children, while, in harmony with their education and training, the children live to please, amuse, and glorify themselves. Parents sow the seed in the hearts of their children, which yields a harvest that they do not care to reap. Under this training, at the âge of ten, twelve, or sixteen, children think themselves very wise, imagine that they are prodigies, and regard themselves as altogether too knowing to be in subjection to their parents, and too elevated to stoop to the duties of everyday life. The love of pleasure controls their minds; and selfishness, pride, and rebellion work out their bitter results in their lives. They accept the insinuations of Satan and cultivate an unhallowed ambition to make a greât show in the world.” CG 178

What also tends to create rebellion in a child?

“Too much management is as bad as too little. The effort to ‘break the wilP of a child is a terrible mistake. Minds are constituted differently; while force may secure outward submission, the resuit with many children is a more determined rebellion of the heart. Even should the parent or teacher succeed in gaining the control he seeks, the outcome may be no less harmful to the child. The discipline of a human being who has reached the years of intelligence should differ from the training of a dumb animal. The beast is taught only submission to ils master. For the beast, the master is mind, judgment, and will. This method, sometimes employed in the training of children, makes them little more than automatons. Mind, will, conscience, are under the control of another. It is not God’s purpose that any mind should be thus dominated. Those who weaken or destroy individuality assume a responsibility that can resuit only in evil. While under authority, the children may appear like well-drilled soldiers; but when the control ceases, the character will be found to lack strength and steadfastness. Having never learned to govern himself, the youth recognizes no restraint except the requirement of parents
or teacher. This removed, he knows not how to use his liberty, and often gives himself up to indulgence that proves his ruin. “Since the surrender of the will is so much more difficult for some pupils than for others, the teacher should make obedience to his requirements as easy as possible. The will should be guided and molded, but not ignored or crushed.” Ed 288/9

But there needs to be a balance -Eli gave his sons no restreints and we see how faithful they were in their adult lives. On the other hand Abraham commanded his household after him, but he must hâve donc it in such a loving way because Isaac was not a rebellious child. “God had said of Abraham, “I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment.” Genesis 18:19. But Eli allowed his children to control him. The father became subject to the children. The curse of transgression was apparent in the corruption and evil that marked the course of his sons. They had no proper appreciation of the character of God or of the sacredness of His law. His service was to them a common thing. From childhood they had been accustomed to the sanctuary and ils service; but instead of becoming more revèrent, they had lost ail sense of ils holiness and ignificance. The father had not corrected their want of reverence for his authority, had not checked their disrespect for the solemn services of the sanctuary; and when they reached manhood, they were full of the deadly fruits of skepticism and rebellion.” PP 575/6

‘To manifest severity and to be exacting with children are great mistakes. Uniform firmness and unimpassioned control are necessary to the discipline of every family. Say what you mean calmly, move with consideration, and carry out what you say without deviation.

“It will pay to manifest affection in your association with your children. Do not repel them by lack of sympathy in their childish sports, joys, and griefs. Never let a frown gather upon your brow or a harsh word escape your lips. God writes ail these words in His book of records. Harsh words sour the temper and wound the hearts of children, and in some cases thèse wounds are difficult to heal. Rebellion is too frequently established in the hearts of children through the wrong discipline of the parents, when if a proper course had been taken, the children would hâve formed good and harmonious
characters.” 3T, 532/3

Impatience in the parents excites impatience in the children. “Passion manifested by the parents creâtes passion in the children and stirs up the evils of their nature…. Every time they lose self-control and speak and act impatiently, they sin against God.” CG 283

“When parents show a rough, severe, masterly spirit, a spirit of obstinacy and stubbornness is aroused in the children. Thus the parents fail to exert over their children the softening influence that they might.” CG 280

“Parents, can you not see that harsh words provoke resistance?” CG 280.

Now, while we hâve established the fact that a lot of the rebellion in children is caused by improper home training, it is no excuse for children to continue in their rebellious lifestyle. Some people, as mature adults, still blâme their character defects on improper home training and excuse themselves, by insisting that these problems cannot be changed. This is not the case at ail. Even though the leopard cannot change his spots, Jesus can. Jesus can do miracles, only our faith is lacking. Also, a person may hâve the best home training and still end up a rebel. We see the case of Gain and Abel. I am sure they both received the same training. One rebelled, one obeyed. So we simply cannot place ail the blâme of youth rebellion on parents.

This is only one of the causes and we want to eliminate that cause if at ail possible, to give the youth a better chance of being faithful in this terrible time we are living in. They hâve so many temptations facing them every day and they need our support to get through the most difficult years of their lives. Another reason that rebellion develops is jealousy.

“Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, and the two hundred and fifty princes who had joined them, first became jealous, then envious, and next rebellious. They had talked in regard to the position of Moses as ruler of the people until they imagined that it was a very enviable position, which any of them could fill as well as he. And they gave themselves up to discontent until they really deceived themselves and thought that Moses and Aaron had placed themselves in the position which they occupied in Israël. They said that Moses and Aaron exalted themselves above the congregation of the Lord in taking upon them the priesthood and the government, and that this office should not be conferred on their house alone. They said that it was sufficient for them if they were on a level with their brethren; for they were no more holy than the people, who were equally favoured with God’s peculiar presence and protection.” 3T 346/7.

When people become jealous of others, especially authority figures, rebellion sets in. They do not want to follow order and respect those in authority. While they acknowledge that the truths of the church are correct, they attack the messengers who bring the truth, finding fault with every small detail of their lives. God gives to each person talents according to their ability. He chooses leaders that He sees are capable of leading and should the time corne when they are no longer capable of filling that position, or if God wants a change, He will bring about a change through His body of believers. God is in control of His church, not man. Therefore it is of utmost importance that the members and especially leaders pray continually, asking God for guidance in order to lead according to His will. You may bring the right truths, but if they are spoken in the wrong way it will lead to rebellion.

“In seeking to correct or reform others, we should be careful of our words. They will be a savor of life unto life, or of death unto death. In giving reproof or counsel, many indulge in sharp, sevère speech, words not adapted to heal the wounded soûl. By thèse ill-advised expressions the spirit is chafed, and often the erring ones are stirred to rebellion.” GW 120.

When Jesus brought reproofs to the people, there were tears in His voice. Remember, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Prov. 15:1. If we turn a soûl away due to the incorrect manner in which we brought a reproof – causing them to be more offended, they will be led to rebel even more but we will hâve a priee to pay if we aided in that rebellion.

Another cause is doubt in the testimonies. Many people talk about the Bible and the Bible only as their guide. Yes, we must make sure that ail doctrines hâve their foundation in the Word of God. This does not mean we do not need the testimonies. It is dangerous to not take the Testimonies as a guide also. Those that disbelieve the Testimonies of Ellen G. White are walking on dangerous ground. They are not long in the faith – they will soon lose their way.

“It is Satan’s plan to weaken the faith of God’s people in the Tes t i monies.”

“Satan knows how to make his attacks. He works upon minds to excite jealousy and dissatisfaction toward those at the head of the work. The gifts are next questioned; then, of course, they hâve but little weight, and instruction given through vision is disregarded.” “Next follows skepticism in regard to the vital points of our faith, the pillars of our position, then doubt as to the Holy Scriptures, and then the downward march to perdition. When the Testimonies, which were once believed, are doubted and given up, Satan knows the deceived ones will not stop at this; and he redoubles his efforts till he launches them into open rebellion, which becomes incurable and ends in destruction.” “By giving place to doubts and unbelief in regard to the work of God, and by cherishing feelings of distrust and cruel jealousies, they are preparing themselves for complète deception. They rise up with bitter feelings against the ones who dare to speak of their errors and reprove their sins.” 5T 672

We ail hâve rebellious feelings now and then. We must get rid of them right away. Gain did not. He had rebellious thoughts and he cherished them – it led to his ruin. “Gain and Abel, the sons of Adam, differed widely in character. Abel had a spirit of loyalty to God; he saw justice and mercy in the Creator’s dealings with the fallen race, and gratefully accepted the hope of redemption. But Gain cherished feelings of rebellion, and murmured against God because of the curse pronounced upon the earth and upon the human race for Adam’s sin. He permitted his mind to run in the same channel that led to Satan’s fall-indulging the desire for self-exaltation and questioning the divine justice and authority.” PP 71.

We must acknowledge our rebellious feelings and ask the Lord to take them away. It is impossible, in our own strength, to rid ourselves of rebellion. Rebellion is as a chain around our neck tying us down to this earth – keeping us away from a closer walk with God. As we cry out to God for eliverance, He will delight to answer our prayer and deliver us from this bondage as He did the demoniacs in Gergesa, who could not even utter a sane word. Jesus read their hearts and saw their longing for freedom and He answered that longing. He will also answer your longing if you long to be free from the chain of sin. Rebellion resulted in King Saul severing his connection with God.

“On the morrow Saul must engage the Philistines in battle. The shadows of impending doom gathered dark about him; he longed for help and guidance. But it was in vain that he sought counsel from God. ‘The Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.’ The Lord never turned away a soûl that came to Him in sincerity and humility. Why did he turn Saul away unanswered? The king had by his own act forfeited the benefits of ail the methods of inquiring of God. He had rejected the counsel of Samuel the prophet; he had exiled David, the chosen of God; he had slain the priests of the Lord. Could he expect to be answered by God when he had eut off the channels of communication that Heaven had ordained? He had sinned away the Spirit of grâce, and could he be answered by dreams and revelations from the Lord? Saul did not turn to God with humility and repentance. It was not pardon for sin and reconciliation with God, that he sought, but deliverance from his foes. By his own stubbornness and rebellion he had eut himself off from God. There could be no return but by the way of penitence and contrition; but the proud monarch, in his anguish and despair, determined to seek help from another source.” PP 675.

If rebellion is not taken care of soon enough, it will lead to a person severing their connection with God. They can only rebel against God, His people, and His leaders, for so long until He will leave them to bear the fruit of their rebellion, which is a complète separation from Him. How sad to see people making their choice to follow the ways of this world in rebelling against the Word of God. Rebellion will always be in the midst of God’s people.

‘To the end of time, men will arise to create confusion and rebellion among those who claim to be representatives of the true God. Those who prophesy lies will encourage men to look upon sin as a light thing. When the terrible results of their evil deeds are made manifest, they will seek, if possible, to make the one who has faithfully warned them, responsible for their difficultes, even as the Jews charged Jeremiah with their evil fortunes. But as surely as the words of Jehovah through His prophet were vindicated anciently, so surely will the certainty of His messages be established today.” PK 442.

Satan seeks to stir up rebellion in God’s church. He will not leave the church alone. He is putting forth greât efforts to destroy the church and often his attacks corne from within the church. We must see and recognize this and pray, asking God for wisdom that we will not be affected by rebellious elements that Satan has brought within the church. Also that God, in His mighty power, can take care of the rebellious elements as Satan brings them. We are powerless against the mighty strength of Satan and are only able to conquer through Christ.

They willbe punished Not only children rebel, adults also. In the church rebellion arises when members don’t wish to fully comply with the requirements of the Lord. They desire to let down the standard. They feel that the standard is negotiable in some of the smaller details of the faith. When they see those strictly standing on the standard of the Lord, they call them fanatics. They would hâve called Jesus a fanatic if they lived in His day. Jesus has a standard and those who do not wish to stand on it, are rebels. “Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in ail that thou commandes! him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.” Joshua 1:18

“The forbearance of God has been very great-so greât that when we consider the continuous insuit to His holy commandments, we marvel. The Omnipotent One has been exerting a restraining power over His own attributes. But He wilïcertainly arise to punish the wicked, who so boldly defy the just claims of the Decalogue.” “God allows men a period of probation; but there is a point beyond which divine patience is exhausted, and the judgments of God are sure to follow. The Lord bears long with men, and with cities, mercifully giving warnings to save them from divine wrath; but a time will corne when pleadings for mercy will no longer be heard, and the rebellious element that continues to reject the light of truth will be blotted out, in mercy to themselves and to those who would otherwise be influenced by their example.” PK 275/6

“But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 1:20. There will be a final punishment for those who rebel, there is no escaping it. Once it is gone – it will never lise again.

‘Through Christ’s redeeming work the government of God stands justified. The Omnipotent One is made known as the God of love. Satan’s charges are refuted, and his character unveiled. Rebellion can never again arise. Sin can never again enter the universe. Through eternal âges ail are secure from apostasy. By love’s self-sacrifice, the inhabitants of earth and heaven are bound to their Creator in bonds of indissoluble union.” D A 26

Now that we hâve been reading about rebellion and ils offensive nature and some of the causes of it, what is the solution? Is there any solution? Is a rebel, a rebel for life – no hope?

To shun a rebel would only give them more reason to rebel. AH reasons and objects of rebellion must be removed and the love of God be brought in. Rebellion, especially in youth, is often met with sevère censure and ultimatums are given for reforms. Outwardly the ultimatums may bring about a change since the person does not want the consequences that will follow. However at some point in time the rebellion will rise again. It must be completely eliminated and only the love of Christ can do this. A soft answer turns away wrath. Yes, there is hope for everyone. The thief on the cross had hope. There is hope for the worst and vilest criminal. There is hope for the enemies of the faith. In the days of the Apostles, none of them ever thought that their worst enemy, Saul, would become the greatest champion for the faith of their time. But it happened. No one is hopeless. When faced with rebellion we need to pray and ask God for help to bring about repentance in the person. If we perceive rebellion in our hearts, don’t continue on that pathway. Get rid of those rebellious feelings against the church, against God, against His commàndments and rules for right living and for His leaders that He has chosen to lead His church. God has promised to take out our stony heart and give us a heart of flesh.

Then we can say like David, “I delight to do thy will O my God.” Ail the commandments and restrictions in the church would become a joy. We would happily comply with the guidelines God has set out in dress reform, health reform, Sabbath keeping etc. because we love the Lord. We would want to do more for the Lord. His commandments are a joy, they are not grievous. Jesus is coming soon and He wants us ail to be saved. Let us get rid of any rebellion we may hâve in our hearts and let Him hâve dominion in our lives.
AMEN

Wendy Eaton