DINNING GOD'S WAY

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<div> The <I><B>first temptation</B></I> of mankind was on the point of appetite, questioning God's wisdom in this area.  To this day, mankind struggles with his appetite.  God said then:  "But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it," Gen. 2:17, just as now He says not to eat of the unclean meats as listed in Leviticus the eleventh chapter and Deuteronomy the fourteenth chapter.  God never intended for us to be eating the flesh of dead animals, nor is this the cuisine of the heavenly Canaan (Rev. 21:4).  Since God is teaching us to be holy here, wouldn't it make sense that He would also be training us to structure our pallets for the bounties of the heavenly kingdom?  As an example of God's training towards a fleshless diet, consider the wanderings of Israel for forty years, with the goal of the Promised Land [heaven] at stake.   Only the bread from heaven (manna) was to be provided for 40 years.  If this isn't a vegetarian diet, what is?  Consider also the length of time a man lived before the flood, and the rapid deterioration of mans longevity with the introduction of flesh food after the flood.  Nevertheless, God did distinguish, in His allocation of a flesh diet, the clean from the unclean.   Our first indication of this is found when the animals are entering into the ark "by two," but the clean "by sevens," Gen. 7:2.  In fact, God is so adamant about what we let pass our lips, so much so that at His Second Coming He will slay those who go against His rules, still eating pork and mice, Isa. 66:17.  Now, consider taking a look at a Bible based steak.  It must be lean, in fact totally lean, Lev. 7:23.  No juicy steak either because no blood can be present, Lev. 7:26.  To insure that this is the case, one must have it well done, in fact, very well done.  To eat kosher meat is to have it taste and feel like a leather belt.  Consider what God truly desires "above all things," 3Jo. 2:  "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper <U>and be in health</U>."  But how serious is God about health?  1Co. 3:16-17:  "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God… If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God <U>destroy</U>… Were all the sins, which have brought the wrath of God upon cities and nations, fully understood, their woes and calamities would be found to be the results of uncontrolled appetites and passions."  <U>1RH:159</U>.  "God gave the light on health reform, and those who rejected it, rejected God."  Ser.B 6:31.  <U>And this is the God ordained diet</U>:  "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed."  John 6:27.  See also:  Isa. 55:1-3; John 4:14; 6:35, 54-58.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto: heislord@teacher.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: heislord@teacher.com"><U><IMG SRC="28b5a960.gif" border=0 width="90" height="150" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>GENESIS 9:3</U></B> - This is the first permission by God to eat flesh.  Though the distinction between clean and unclean animals is not made here, it would not follow that Noah did not know the difference.  He brought clean and unclean beasts into the ark (Gen. 7:2) and he offered only clean animals as a burnt offering to God after the flood (Gen. 8:20).  The immutability of God's character (Jam. 1:17) precludes the possibility of construing this passage as permission to slaughter and eat all creatures.  Animals that were unclean for one purpose could not have become clean for another.  Also:  "Every living substance upon the face of the earth upon which man could subsist had been destroyed;  therefore God gave Noah permission to eat of the clean beasts which he had taken with him into the ark."  <U>1SP:79; 3SG:76</U>.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto: heislord@teacher.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: heislord@teacher.com"><U><IMG SRC="17c614a0.gif" border=0 width="97" height="74" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Deuteronomy 12:15,22</U></B><B> </B>-<B> </B>This is a modification of the law in effect during the wilderness wanderings, which prohibited the slaughter of animals for food except at the door of the tabernacle (Lev. 17:3-4).  This new law would apply to residence in Canaan.  Therefore, "the unclean and the clean may eat," means those who are Levitically unclean or clean.  The text does not say "you may eat," but you may eat "according to the blessing of the Lord."  What blessing or rather, we should ask what kind of food would God bless?  That God has consistently distinguished between clean and unclean articles should be quite clear, so let the reader come to the correct conclusion.  "By the inspiration of the Spirit of God, Paul the apostle writes that `whatsoever ye do,' even the natural act of eating or drinking, should be done, not to gratify a perverted appetite, but under a sense of responsibility, - `do all to the glory of God.'  Every part of the man is to be guarded; we are to beware lest that which is taken into the stomach shall banish from the mind high and holy thoughts.  May I not do as I please with myself? ask some, as if we were seeking to deprive them of a great good, when we present before them the necessity of eating intelligently, and conforming all their habits to the laws God has established."  CD:56.  The choice is yours, but God has set His seal on those who choose to dine the way He has proscribed.  So the reference to a blessing here is to a common meal, which is the theme of this verse.  Because a common meal was not a sacrificial one, ceremonial cleanliness would not be insisted upon as in the case of a sacrificial meal.  Consequently, when the people ate at their own homes the person who was not Levitically clean might also participate having the Lord's blessing.     </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto: heislord@teacher.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: heislord@teacher.com"><U><IMG SRC="17f64640.gif" border=0 width="100" height="100" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>MATTHEW 15:11</U></B> - Jesus is not changing or discussing God's clean and unclean meats law here.  But if we were to follow along with the thought that Jesus is discussing dietary laws here, then Jesus would be teaching us that it is no longer acceptable to "eat bread" (see verse 2).  Because, subject wise, that would have to be the article in question if diet is the focus here.  However, people who wish to make of this verse a cancellation of any of God's laws are falling into the trap of the individuals whom Christ condemns in verse 9.  Since this is ridiculous reasoning, the subject now becomes obvious, not a cancellation of God's laws, but worshipping God with your "<B>heart</B>" verse 8, 18&19.  Also their false "tradition" of "unwashen hands defileth," verse 20.  If Jesus was canceling anything, it is quite clear that it is their "tradition."  The entire discussion (verses 1-20) becomes clear when we read it in context.  Jesus turns their question (verse 2) around and points out that God wants a heart relationship with us, and that He is concerned only about "those things which proceed… [and] come forth from the heart" (verse 18).</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto: heislord@teacher.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: heislord@teacher.com"><U><IMG SRC="17d4c4c0.gif" border=0 width="76" height="76" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>MARK 7:19</U></B> - "...<I>purging all meats</I>."  The context deals, not with biological uncleanness, but with uncleanness supposedly incurred from the omission of ritual washing.  The kind of food the disciples ate (verses 2 and 5) are not even referred to, but only the way in which they ate.  Throughout, Christ deals with the problem of the "commandment of God" verses the "tradition of men."  It should be understood that the Greek word "bromata," translated "meats," means simply "that which is eaten," "<B>food</B>," and includes all kinds of food;  it never denotes the flesh of dead animals only as distinguished from other kinds of food.  To limit the words "purging all meats" to flesh foods and to conclude that Christ here abolished the distinction between clean and unclean flesh used as food (see Lev. CH. 11 & Deu. ch. 14) is to ignore completely the meaning of the Greek.  What the verse is really talking about again, is "unwashen hands," Mark 7:5, in that when the dirt that was taken in with the food, because of their "unwashen hands," dirt would be "purged" out "into the draught," along with the food.  So the purging is not the cleansing, or making all "food" clean, but only cleansing the dirt from the intestinal tract.  Thus, to purge the intestinal track is not the same discussion as if to discuss the "purging [of] all meats."  Christ here is dealing with a heart relationship among His people and Himself, not a dietary issue.  Eating (clean) food does not change or affect the heart, even when leaving the body.  See also Mat. 15:11.  Jesus is here declaring that ceremonial washings have nothing to do with food being clean or unclean.  These "Jews" that Jesus is addressing would have stoned Him (as before when claiming to be God) had He also claimed the authority to change God's law of clean and unclean meats.  The distinction between clean and unclean animals was not an issue among the Jews, nor was it an issue in the early church.  And if God's health laws were good for a person's health before the cross, then they would be good after the cross.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>ACTS 10:11-16</U></B> - Some people contend that Christ cleansed all food when He was here.  However, Peter knew nothing about it for he says in verse 14:  "Not so Lord for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean."  Peter did not know what the vision meant, nor had he been instructed ever by Christ during His lifetime, that all food articles where now considered clean, else he would not have made this statement, nor had trouble with eating the articles presented before him in vision.  It is very important to take note that he did not eat anything in the sheet, as he was instructed to do.  Think about it, if the Lord asked you to do something, would you want to argue with Him knowing the history of Jonah?  Verse 17 says, "Now while Peter doubted in himself what the vision which he had seen should mean," and again in verse 19, "While Peter thought on the vision."  Peter still could not understand the meaning of the vision.  For in verses 19-20 the Spirit said unto him, "go with them, <B>doubting nothing</B>:"  However, he must have understood the meaning of the vision later, just as we can, because when he entered into the house, Peter said:  "Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation;  <I><U>but God hath showed me that I should not call any man</U></I><I><B><U> </U></B></I><I><U>common or unclean</U></I>" (Verse 28).  The meaning was now clear.  It had nothing to do with diet, nor the canceling of God's dietary laws, as found in Leviticus Chapter 11 and  Deuteronomy Chapter 14;  else God is changeable and unreliable in His word to us for even salvation issues.  The gospel was to be preached to the Gentiles from henceforth.  This is the Biblical interpretation of the vision.  Any other conjecture stands in direct contradiction to this plainly interpreted (for us in verse 28) passage of Scripture.  To attempt to apply this passage to the canceling of the "unclean" foods law of God is a great misuse of Scripture.  That " `swine's' flesh was fit for food... is a very narrow, and erroneous interpretation, and is plainly contradicted in the scriptural account of the vision and its consequences."  <U>3SP:328</U>.                    </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>ROMANS 14:1-21</U></B> - When a person comes before the Lord and (verse 2) "believeth that he may eat all things:"  this would be in conjunction with God's laws.  As an example:  I believe I have freedom in Christ Jesus and "CAN DO ALL THINGS" (Phi. 4:12).  However, this then does not cancel God's laws and mean I can then go out and steal, murder, and commit adultery, but still love God.  Consider here that Paul in verses 2 and 3 does not cancel the law of not eating the blood with the flesh (see Gen. 9:4; Lev. 3:17; Deu. 12:16; Acts 15:20), neither does he here cancel the Holy Sabbath day, (see Acts 15:21) but is referring to days separate from the Sabbath (see Lev. 23:37-38; Col. 2:16).  Remember that the Greek word translated "<B>meat</B>" (verses 15,17,20) is "bromata," meaning "food" of all kinds.  Verses 14 and 20 refer to foods that were first offered to idols (see 1Co. 8:1,4,10; 10:19,28) and not to the clean and unclean meats law of God.  The point of the discourse is that no food is "unclean" just because it was offered to an idol.  However, if a man's conscience bothers him for eating such food, he should abstain, or if it causes offense for a brother, he should likewise not eat.  Sometimes it is helpful to carefully notice what a Bible text does not say as well as what it does say.  Verses 2 and 3 say nothing about what is eaten and therefore we could not possibly conclude which foods are now acceptable by the Lord.  We cannot assume "all things" (are eatable, verse 2) because we find nowhere in this passage a cancellation of God's clean and unclean meats law (see Lev. CH. 11 and Deu. CH. 14).  Also verses 5 and 6 say nothing about either worship or the Sabbath.  They simply talk about regarding a day.  To say this particular day is the Sabbath is an unwarranted assumption.  Rom. 14:1 sets the tone for the entire passage indicating that the discussion  focuses on "doubtful disputations" or disputes in doubtful matters.  Are unclean foods such as pork and mice - with those still partaking of these articles of food being put to death at His Second Coming (see Isa. 66:15-17) - a "doubtful" disputation (verse 1)?  Is the seventh day Sabbath, set apart by God at creation (Gen. 2:1-3), placed within the heart of the moral law (Exo. 20:8-11), a "doubtful" matter?  <U>Certainly not</U>!  In regards to God's Holy Sabbath day the key to our passage is found in verse 6 which states;  "He that regards the day regards it unto the Lord..."  The issue revolved around fast days, not every seventh day Sabbath day. Some Jewish Christians believed there was particular merit in fasting on certain days.  They judged others by their own standards.  The Pharisees fasted at least twice a week and boasted about it (Luke 18:12).  In Rom. 14, Paul is pointing out that to fast or not to fast on a certain day is a matter of individual conscience, not a matter of God's commandments.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>FIRST CORINTHIANS 10:25-28</U></B> - To conclude that God is giving new light in this passage about His dietary laws is to ignore the context and purpose of the discourse.  Notice verse 23 where Paul <B>twice</B> states:  "All things are lawful for me."  Does this then mean that Paul cancels his statement in Romans 13:9 and CAN "commit adultery," "steal," etcetera?  "<B>God forbid</B>," (see Gal. 2:17).  For he also says, "I myself serve the law of God" (Rom. 7:25).  This would include God's dietary laws (see Lev. CH. 11 and Deu. CH. 14).  The reason you are "asking no question for conscience sake" is because "we know that an idol is nothing" (1Co. 8:4) and food offered to an idol is only a problem to a "weak brother," (1Co. 8:10-14).  Eating "Whatsoever is sold in the shambles," (or market place) 1Co. 10:25, does not mean Paul is canceling God's clean and unclean meats law.  If Paul is canceling anything, it is that food "offered in sacrifice unto idols, [is no longer of any concern because] we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other [non-changing] God but one."  1Co. 8:4.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>FIRST TIMOTHY 4:3-5</U></B> - Note verse five.  Paul affirms that any created thing in the food line is acceptable as long as it meets two tests - it must be approved (or sanctified) by the word of God and it should be prayed over with thanksgiving.  To be "sanctified" by the Word of God would mean that it is "sanctioned" by that Word, making some law (Lev. 11; Deu. 14) still in effect.  And in order to pray over, and ask God's blessing for the food to be partaken of, we better be certain God has sanctioned it.  Just as we would not ask God to bless us in the killing of another human being, neither should we ask Him to bless us in the destruction of our bodies by blessing any unclean meats.     </div> <div> <A HREF="mailto: heislord@teacher.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: heislord@teacher.com"><U><IMG SRC="28a646e0.gif" border=0 width="100" height="110" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>THE BIBLE:</B></I></div> <bR> <div> Vegetarianism Is Best:  <U>Original Diet</U> - Gen. 1:29; 3:18.  <U>Flesh Added</U> - Gen. 9:3-4.  <U>Two Meals A Day</U> - Exo. 16:8; 1 Kings 17:6.  <U>Eat At Regular Times</U> - Ecc. 10:17.  <U>God Wanted His People To Return To His Original Diet</U> - Exo. 16:35.  (Compare Exo. 16:8,12-13 with Num. 11:4,32-33; Psa. 78:18,29-31).  <U>Note Also That Paul Classes Flesh Foods With Wine</U> - Rom. 14:21 (See Pro. 23:20).     </div> <bR> <div> Did you know that if you were to go out to your local farm and head for the barnyard and selected some fresh barnyard manure, then you went to the local U.S.D.A. meat market and selected a prime cut of choice U.S.D.A. meat, that now armed with the culprits you could subject the two specimens to be placed under the scrutiny of a micro-scopic examination, and there you would find that your U.S.D.A. choice meat would have more harmful germs and more colon germs per gram, compared to your barnyard manure.  From, "Legacy - The Heritage of a Unique International Medical Outreach," by Richard A. Schaefer.</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto: heislord@teacher.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: heislord@teacher.com"><U><IMG SRC="17e4b530.gif" border=0 width="75" height="83" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>WHAT SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS BELIEVE:</B></I></div> <bR> <div> "One of the strongest temptations that man has to meet, comes upon the point of appetite."  Ser.A:120; ST, December 1, 1914; 3T 486.  See also:  SpM:418; AUGA:403; PUR:274; YI:258.  "Indulgence of appetite was the foundation of all their sins.  Through appetite, Satan controlled the mind and being.  Thousands who might have lived, have prematurely passed into their graves, physical, mental, and moral wrecks.  They had good powers, but they sacrificed all to indulgence of appetite, which led them to lay the reins upon the neck of lust."  3T:561; TEP:14; CD 153; TSDF 163.  "All this weight of woe and accumulated suffering can be traced to the indulgence of appetite and passion."  4T:30.  See also: 2PRC:27,563; LLM:453; AURA:276; PC:3; 7MR:133.  "Intemperance lies at the foundation of all the evil in our world... A great variety of food is not essential for the sustenance of life;  instead, it injures the digestive organs, causing a war in the stomach."  S&T1:214.</div> <bR> <div> "Grains and fruits prepared free from grease, and in as natural a condition as possible, should be the food for the tables of all who claim to be preparing for translation to heaven."  2T:352.  "God demands that the appetites be cleansed, and that self-denial be practiced in regard to those things which are not good.  This is a work that will have to be done before His people can stand before Him a perfected people."  9T:153.  "We need to learn that indulged appetite is the greatest hindrance to mental improvement and soul sanctification.  With all our profession of health reform, many of us eat improperly.  Indulgence of appetite is the greatest cause of physical and mental debility, and lies largely at the foundation of feebleness and premature death.  Let the individual who is seeking to possess purity of spirit bear in mind that in Christ there is power to control the appetite."  9T:156.  "It is impossible for you to increase in spiritual strength while your appetite and passions are not under perfect control.  Says the inspired apostle:  `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.' "  2T:413.</div> <bR> <div> "The necessity for the men of this generation to call to their aid the power of the will, strengthened by the grace of God, in order to withstand the temptations of Satan and resist the least indulgence of perverted appetite is twice as great as it was several generations ago.  But the present generation have less power of self-control than had those who lived then.  Those who have indulged the appetite for these stimulants have transmitted their depraved appetites and passions to their children, and greater moral power is required to resist intemperance in all its forms.  The only perfectly safe course to pursue is to stand firmly on the side of temperance and not venture in the path of danger.  The great end for which Christ endured that long fast in the wilderness was to teach us the necessity of self-denial and temperance.  This work should commence at our tables and should be strictly carried out in all the concerns of life.  The Redeemer of the world came from heaven to help man in his weakness, that, in the power which Jesus came to bring him, he might become strong to overcome appetite and passion, and might be victor on every point."  3T:488.  "...whatever promotes physical health, promotes the development of a strong mind and a well balanced character.  Without health no one can as distinctly understand or as completely fulfil his obligations to himself, to his fellow beings, or to his Creator.  Therefore the health should be as faithfully guarded as the character."  ED:195.</div> <bR> <div> "Again and again I have been shown that God is trying to lead us back, step by step, to His original design,- that man  should subsist upon the natural products of the earth.  Vegetables, fruits, and grains should compose our diet... We are to return to God's original purpose in the creation of man.  Is it not time that all should aim to dispense with flesh foods?  How can those who are seeking to become pure, refined, and holy, that they may have the companionship of heavenly angels, continue to use as food anything that has so harmful an effect on soul and body?  How can they take the life of God's creatures that they may consume the flesh as a luxury?  Let them, rather, return to the wholesome and delicious food given to man in the beginning... <U>Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually be done away;  flesh will cease to form a part of their diet</U>.  We should ever keep this end in view, and endeavor to work steadily toward it.  I cannot think that in the practice of flesh eating we are in harmony with the light which God has been pleased to give us... Will the people who are seeking to become holy, pure, refined, that they may be introduced into the society of heavenly angels, continue to take the life of God's creatures, and enjoy their flesh as a luxury?  From what the Lord has shown me, this order of things will be changed, and God's peculiar people will exercise temperance in all things… God demands that the appetite be cleansed, and that self-denial be practiced in regard to those things which are not good.  This is a work that will have to be done before His people can stand before Him a perfected people."  CDF:380-381.  "Among those who are waiting for the coming of the Lord, meat eating will eventually be done away;  flesh will cease to form a part of their diet.  We should ever keep this end in view and endeavor to work steadily toward it.  I cannot think that in the practice of flesh eating we are in harmony with the light which God has been pleased to give us."   CG:383.  See Also:  CTBH:119; CH:450; LDE:81; MAR:62; TSDF:64.  "God cannot let His Holy Spirit rest upon those who, while they know how they should eat for health, persist in a course that will enfeeble mind and body."  CDF:55-56.  Every needless transgression of the laws which God has established in our being is virtually a violation of the law of God, and is as great a sin in the sight of Heaven as to break the Ten Commandments.  Ignorance upon this important subject is sin;  the light is now beaming upon us, and we are without excuse if we do not cherish the light and become intelligent in regard to these things, which it is our highest earthly interest to understand.  CH:40.  "After the fall, the eating of flesh was suffered, in order to shorten the period of the existence of the long-lived race.  It was allowed because of the hardness of the hearts of men."  TSDF:68; PH031:6; PC 362; SpM:46.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF=" mailto: heislord@teacher.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" mailto: heislord@teacher.com"><U><IMG SRC="18143430.gif" border=0 width="67" height="67" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </td> </tr></table></body>