I would like to start this message with a short story from my life when I first started walking with God. I had been taught in my childhood by my Mom that when I go to church it is not a common place – we go there and we meet God, and, believe me, I still have this noble thought and I teach people to have the same reverence when we go to the place where God is. I realise the reverence that such a great and Holy God should be approached with. The reason we go to church is to worship our Creator; He is not a common person but He is the Great God of the Universe and He should be worshiped in truth and spirit with the utmost reverence.
I remember how it was the first time I approached someone from the local church in Romania, because I was born in a “Christian country.” When I asked my friend and brother in Christ, George, how should I come to the church or what I should wear, the first impression I had was the reverence of people in that church. Everyone there was waiting silently in reverence to start the worship and let Christ speak to each heart willing to receive the blessings God has in store for us. Let us not forget that we have been created by God, in His own image and likeness, just as the Bible in the first pages describes—male and female God created He them with the purpose to worship Him and have fellowship; so do we on this earth and will continue doing through all eternity if we will be a faithful, persevering follower of Christ. So, do you know how much this impressed me, with the attitude of my brothers and sisters there?
So, my brother and sister—friend in Christ, we have seen in our previous study how God blessed the fugitive who had sinned against God and against his brother and father. He thought that God had forsaken him—running to escape for his life, wandering far away he from his dear ones–there in the wilderness God revealed Himself to the needy and poor Jacob, as a merciful God, full of compassion for sinners, not ready to punish but to give the opportunity to come back to Him. Instead of receiving what he deserved, Jacob amazingly discovered what a wonderful Saviour we have.
Allow me to say something regarding this elevated thought—is there something in your life too great for Jesus to forgive? Is there something you might think is unpardonable? Have you been separated from your Saviour, Jesus too long a time because of your repeated sin? There is good news, my friend. We have such a wonderful, compassionate Saviour that even if we have fallen into sin He still loves us with the same interest. Listen to this wonderful invitation in the book of John 7:37–38, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink. He that believeth in Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly will flow rivers of living water.” Those are the words of Jesus. Do you believe in Jesus? Is Jesus your personal Saviour? He is offering what you are looking for. Do you know why? Because Jesus Christ is patient and kind. Because Jesus Christ does not boast, He is not easily angered, He forgives all wrongs and He always protects, hopes, perseveres—Jesus Christ never fails, and you and I do not have to guess about Jesus because He proved His love for each and every one of us on the cross.
Let us read in Genesis 28:16–17, “And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
It has been said that, as human beings we need to worship something because man was created for such a purpose, to worship God – and have fellowship with one another, as we previously have seen. What we worship. . . well, that is a different matter, though it is one fraught with exceedingly important consequences especially in the last days when two groups of worshipers are made manifest–those who worship the Creator and those who worship the beast and his image. The story of Cain and Abel show two kinds of worshipers who appear after sin came into the world. One is acceptable and one is not, one is based on salvation by faith and the other one is based on works of the human flesh. One type of worship is focused solely on God—on His power, glory and grace—the other on humanity and on self. When we worship our Creator, what should be our attitude? Especially in this particular case—in His house. Let us see what the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy have to say about this issue so important in order to bring a true and reverent worship to the Majesty of Heaven.
“And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.” Exodus 2:23–25
“The time for Israel’s deliverance had come. But God’s purpose was to be accomplished in a manner to pour contempt on human pride. The deliverer was to go forth as a humble shepherd, with only a rod in his hand; but God would make that rod the symbol of His power. Leading his flocks one day near Horeb, ‘the mountain of God,’ Moses saw a bush in flames, branches, foliage, and trunk, all burning, yet seeming not to be consumed. He drew near to view the wonderful sight when a voice from out of the flame called him by name. With trembling lips he answered, ‘Here am I.’ He was warned not to approach irreverently: ‘Put off thy shoes from off thy feet; for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. . . . I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ It was He who, as the Angel of the covenant, had revealed Himself to the fathers in ages past. ‘And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.’
“Humility and reverence should characterize the deportment of all who come into the presence of God. In the name of Jesus we may come before Him with confidence, but we must not approach Him with the boldness of presumption, as though He were on a level with ourselves. There are those who address the great and all-powerful and holy God, who dwelleth in light unapproachable, as they would address an equal, or even an inferior. There are those who conduct themselves in His house as they would not presume to do in the audience chamber of an earthly ruler. These should remember that they are in His sight whom seraphim adore, before whom angels veil their faces. God is greatly to be reverenced; all who truly realize His presence will bow in humility before Him, and, like Jacob beholding the vision of God, they will cry out, ‘How dreadful is this place! This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 251–252 (emphasis mine)
We see, my friends, the message of encouragement and assurance God gave Jacob through a dream. What was Jacob’s response and what should be our response also?
This is the first mention in Genesis of “the house of God” (Genesis 28:17). Though for Jacob it was only a pillar of stone, Bethel became a significant place in sacred history. Here Jacob worshiped the God of his fathers. Here he made a vow of faithfulness to Him. And here, like Abraham, he promised to return to God a tithe—a tenth of his material blessings—as an act of worship.
Notice Jacob’s sense of fear and awe because of the presence of God. He must have understood better than ever before the greatness of God in contrast to himself, and thus the Bible records his attitude of fear, reverence, and awe. The next thing he does is worship. Here, too, we see a principle regarding the kind of attitude we should have in worship, an attitude that is revealed in Revelation 14:7, in the call to “fear God.”
Worship is not about approaching God as you would some buddy or pal. Our attitude should be that of a sinner in dire need of grace, falling before our Maker with a sense of need, fear, and gratefulness that God, the Creator of the universe, would love us and do so much in order to redeem us. How much awe, reverence, and fear do you have when you worship the Lord? Or is your heart hard, cold, and ungrateful? If the latter, how can you change?
Jacob’s vow at Bethel “was the outflow of a heart filled with gratitude for the assurance of God’s love and mercy. Jacob felt that God had claims upon him which he must acknowledge, and that the special tokens of divine favour granted him demanded a return. So does every blessing bestowed upon us call for a response to the Author of all our mercies. The Christian should often review his past life and recall with gratitude the precious deliverances that God has wrought for him. . . . He should recognize all of them as evidences of the watchcare of heavenly angels. In view of these innumerable blessings he should often ask, with subdued and grateful heart, ‘What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward me?’ Psalm 116:12.” –Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 187
There are many reasons why God requires from us this way of approaching Him, in fact the only acceptable approach. Maybe in your life as a Christian you have seen many costumes in your local church—years and years went by and no change in wrong habits or attitudes in worshiping the Creator. Maybe as a leader you have sensed the holiness and sacredness we must have, but only a few times you have done something to correct that wrong habit. I suggest to you, my dear brother or sister, change that attitude if you see something that dishonours God while He is being worshiped. We cannot come before an earthly king, president of a country, Ambassador or Consul, in a common way; we prepare ourselves for that meeting. How much more should we think of God and the place where we meet Him?
Unfortunately, I see as the Lord brings me to different countries that reverence is missing more and more as we approach the end of time. Do you know why? Satan likes gossips, irreverence in the sanctuary—noise, at times sleeping, children running about and uncontrolled by their parents, who may sit there looking at them and not disciplining them, sometimes an irreverent spirit—and many other things we may think are of less importance, but, please, believe me, they are not of less importance before God. What was the reason a war started in heaven? What was the issue, over what? Worship. Absolutely, yes—this was the reason for Lucifer’s fall. He wanted to be worshiped and, do you know, he still wants to get as much as he can, he wants absolute control over the minds and hearts of people. Jesus Christ, the true Witness in the book of Revelation says something that should catch our attention. There is described a category of people who bring worship to Satan. Revelation 3:9 “Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.” I have read something very important in the Spirit of Prophecy. I would like to share it with you:
“I saw a throne, and on it sat the Father and the Son. I gazed on Jesus’ countenance and admired His lovely person. The Father’s person I could not behold, for a cloud of glorious light covered Him. I asked Jesus if His Father had a form like Himself. He said He had, but I could not behold it, for said He, ‘If you should once behold the glory of His person, you would cease to exist.’ Before the throne I saw the Advent people—the church and the world. I saw two companies, one bowed down before the throne, deeply interested, while the other stood uninterested and careless. Those who were bowed before the throne would offer up their prayers and look to Jesus; then He would look to His Father, and appear to be pleading with Him. A light would come from the Father to the Son and from the Son to the praying company. Then I saw an exceeding bright light come from the Father to the Son, and from the Son it waved over the people before the throne. But few would receive this great light. Many came out from under it and immediately resisted it; others were careless and did not cherish the light, and it moved off from them. Some cherished it, and went and bowed down with the little praying company. This company all received the light and rejoiced in it, and their countenances shone with its glory.
“I saw the Father rise from the throne, and in a flaming chariot go into the holy of holies within the veil, and sit down. Then Jesus rose up from the throne, and the most of those who were bowed down arose with Him. I did not see one ray of light pass from Jesus to the careless multitude after He arose, and they were left in perfect darkness. Those who arose when Jesus did, kept their eyes fixed on Him as He left the throne and led them out a little way. Then He raised His right arm, and we heard His lovely voice saying, ‘Wait here; I am going to My Father to receive the kingdom; keep your garments spotless, and in a little while I will return from the wedding and receive you to Myself.’ Then a cloudy chariot, with wheels like flaming fire, surrounded by angels, came to where Jesus was. He stepped into the chariot and was borne to the holiest, where the Father sat. There I beheld Jesus, a great High Priest, standing before the Father. On the hem of His garment was a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate. Those who rose up with Jesus would send up their faith to Him in the holiest, and pray, ‘My Father, give us Thy Spirit.’ Then Jesus would breathe upon them the Holy Ghost. In that breath was light, power, and much love, joy, and peace. I turned to look at the company who were still bowed before the throne; they did not know that Jesus had left it. Satan appeared to be by the throne, trying to carry on the work of God. I saw them look up to the throne, and pray, ‘Father, give us Thy Spirit.’ Satan would then breathe upon them an unholy influence; in it there was light and much power, but no sweet love, joy, and peace. Satan’s object was to keep them deceived and to draw back and deceive God’s children. –Early Writings, p. 54–56
You see, my friend if we do not worship God in the right way, then we worship Satan. Jesus said, he who is not with Me is against Me. Paul, through the Holy Spirit, settled it clearly as to who is a true Jew and who is not. Romans 2:28–29 “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Then Paul goes further in Romans 9:6–8 “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, in Isaac shall thy seed shall be called. That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” Then in Galatians 3:29, Paul said, “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Ellen G. White, God’s servant, wrote in Testimonies for Ministers, p. 16 “Satan has a large confederacy, his church. Christ calls them the synagogue of Satan because the members are the children of sin. The members of Satan’s church have been constantly working to cast off the divine law, and confuse the distinction between good and evil. Satan is working with great power in and through the children of disobedience to exalt treason and apostasy as truth and loyalty. And at this time the power of his satanic inspiration is moving the living agencies to carry out the great rebellion against God that commenced in heaven.” Revelation 14:8 and Revelation 18:1–2 clearly tell us that Babylon is fallen and is becoming a dwelling place for demons, a prison for every foul spirit. The present truth is to be proclaimed until the end of the world. Jesus is coming soon, my friend, and we must be ready to meet Him. You and I should make sure to be in the ark (church) when Jesus comes. Little time remains for our preparation for eternity and how little attention we give to such an important event—the most important in one’s life. Because when Jesus comes there is no time for repentance or confession, for making us right with Christ. This requires time and preparation and now is that time. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
In Romans chapter five, the apostle Paul talks about the ultimate expression of divine love—Christ died for us while we were sinners. Then he writes these words, “And hope markets not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5
I would like to invite you to go to a place where you can sit at Jesus’ feet. Just admit your need and join those who have found a place of security and peace in His presence. Christ’s love is your greatest resource of happiness. Have you experienced the love of Christ poured out in your heart just as Jacob felt it that night? I invite you to allow Him to make you a survivor—to make you one who is greatly loved and can love greatly. Please remember that no one is perfect. Only Jesus is and He demonstrated it in His life while here on this earth. He knows what disappointments are, He knows your grief, pain and sorrows—we all have our dark moments of doubt and despair and anger as Jacob experienced that night—but do not let them get you down. Tell Him what you are afraid of, tell Him about the mistakes you keep making over and over. He understands. He has been through blood, sweat and tears in this dark world—He knows all about it. Let’s go to Him, just grab whatever faith you have and come to Jesus because He never turns His back on anyone who needs Him. The story of Jacob can be your story or mine. May God bless us richly as we come in faith to Him through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. May God help us to keep our eyes on Jesus and only on Jesus, this is my wish and prayer for you, my brother, my sister and my friend. Amen.
Nicholas Anca
London, Ontario