The Book of James

Getting Ready for the Harvest

Lesson #11 for December 13, 2014

Scriptures: James 5:7-12; Romans 13:11; 1 Corinthians 3:13; Luke 7:39-50; Colossians 4:6[i].

1.    This lesson will focus on James 5:7-12 and how we should get ready for the outpouring of the latter rain. We do not know when Jesus will return. (Matthew 24:36ii) As in James 5:7-8, the New Testament speaks repeatedly about the parousia, the “coming” and “presence” of Jesus. So, what are we to be doing as we are waiting for the latter rain? James tells us that we are to wait patiently and endure. How does that compare with the parable of the ten virgins who were sleeping? (Matthew 25:1-13iii) Are we waiting patiently? Or, are we sleeping?

2.    The major example that James gave as an illustration is the story of the farmer who planted seed and then must wait for the early rain and the latter rain to ripen the harvest. In Palestine the early rains came in October or November, and the latter rains came in March or April. These rains are mentioned repeatedly in Scripture. (See [James 5:7; Deuteronomy 11:14; Jeremiah 5:24; 14:22; Joel 2:23]iv. Compare [Hosea 6:1-3; Joel 2:28-29; Habakkuk 3:17-18][v].)

Under the figure of the early and the latter rain, that falls in Eastern lands at seedtime and harvest, the Hebrew prophets foretold the bestowal of spiritual grace in extraordinary measure upon God’s church. The outpouring of the Spirit in the days of the apostles was the beginning of the early, or former rain, and glorious was the result.... But near the close of earth’s harvest, a special bestowal of spiritual grace is promised to prepare the church for the coming of the Son of man. This outpouring of the Spirit is likened to the falling of the latter rain; and it is for this added power that Christians are to send their petitions to the Lord of the harvest “in the time of the latter rain.” —Ellen G. White, Acts of the Apostles 54.2-55.1; AG 220.2; OFC 212.3; FLB 333.3; Mar 256.2; YRP 317.2-3. [Bold type and italics are added.]

3.    But, as we wait for the harvest, we must remember that it is impossible to distinguish between the tares and the wheat until the harvest time. (Matthew 13:24-30vi)

4.    How can we be sure that we are among the wheat and not among the tares? We must not be judgmental of people because we cannot tell what is happening or what will happen to them in the future.

5.    James 5:8vii suggests that Christ’s coming is near or perhaps even at hand. Two thousand years later, we are still waiting. How could that be near?

The angels of God in their messages to men represent time as very short.

Thus it has always been presented to me. It is true that time has continued longer than we expected in the early days of this message. Our Saviour did not appear as soon as we hoped. But has the Word of the Lord failed? Never! It should be remembered that the promises and the threatenings of God are alike conditional.—Ellen G. White, Manuscript 4, 1883; Ev 695.1.

6.    Read Matthew 4:17; 10:7; 24:33viii. Matthew is the only Gospel writer who talked about the kingdom of heaven. But, careful reading of these verses teaches us that there are two parts to that kingdom: A present spiritual reality, and a glorious future reality. All the New Testament writers looked forward to the imminent coming of Jesus. But, they never told us exactly when that will be. It is not that they did not want to know. See Acts 1:6-7ix. But, what would happen if God had told us the exact date when He will come? Wouldn’t a lot of people put off getting ready until the last minute? Perhaps, even too late? Do we have anything to do in preparation for that day? Don’t we need to prepare ourselves as well as others? (2 Peter 3:10-12[x]) We need to become settled into the truth (2 Peter 1:12)xi both intellectually and spiritually while avoiding temptation, enduring trials, and suffering for our faith. (Acts 14:22xii) Are any of us suffering for our faith? Won’t that happen to the whole church in the end?

Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads-it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved-just as soon as God’s people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed, it has begun already; the judgments of God are now upon the land, to give us warning, that we may know what is coming.—Ellen G. White, MS 173, 1902; S.D.A. Bible Commentary Vol. 4, p. 1161.6; LDE 219.4; Maranatha 200.2; FLB 287.7; OFC 83.6; 1MR 249.2-250.0; 10MR 252.1. [Bold type is added.]

7.    We are to become stones for the building of God’s spiritual temple. (1 Corinthians 3:11-12)xiii Such stones need to be hewed and shaped to fit perfectly in their assigned location. Paul went on to describe so-called believers who are nothing more than wood, hay, or straw. (1 Corinthians 3:12-15xiv) We certainly would not want to be among that group.

8.    We are now living more than 170 years after the Great Disappointment in 1844. Did God intend for this very long delay to take place? The children of Israel only had to wander in the wilderness for 40 years before entering Canaan. The history of ancient Israel makes it very clear that the biggest dangers to God’s people are not from the outside but from inside.

We have far more to fear from within than from without. . . . The unbelief indulged, the doubts expressed, the darkness cherished, encourage the presence of evil angels, and open the way for the accomplishment of Satan’s devices.—Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, March 22, 1887 par. 4; 1SM 122.3; LDE 156.2.

9.    Do we sometimes complain and grumble about what is happening in the church? If we see problems in the church, are we doing anything about them? Are we ever authorized to withhold our tithe? Or, avoid going to church? In his book James spoke about various problems within the church such as favoritism, evil surmising, evil speaking towards one another, envy, quarrels, and especially worldliness. If those problems existed in James’s day, what about our day? Could you make a list of the major problems in the Seventh-day Adventist Church today? What would be on your list? What could we do about those problems? James suggested that some of the solutions include faith, “the implanted word,” beholding the law of liberty, single-mindedness in godly wisdom, grace, clean hands and a pure heart, outward expressions of God’s inward workings, visiting the afflicted and forgotten, and sowing peace rather than discord. Are we exercising any of those characteristics? What do you think of his suggestions?

10.    Read James 5:10-11xv. James talked about the patience of Job and the prophets of the Old Testament. Of course, Job is the quintessential example of patience and faithfulness under trial and attack both physically and spiritually. What was Job’s major trial? Was it his physical illness? Or, was it the spiritual attacks from his so-called friends? Where did those spiritual attacks come from? See Job 4:13-19xvi, GNB. Satan himself was responsible. This, of course, is supported by Job 1 & 2xvii.

11.    Think about the examples of Daniel being thrown into the den of lions (Daniel 6xviii); Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fire (Daniel 3xix); and Elijah and Elisha whose lives were threatened repeatedly (2 Kings 1xx). Jeremiah (Jeremiah 33xxi) and Hanani (2 Chronicles 16xxii) were put in prison, Zechariah the son of Jehoiada was stoned (2 Chronicles 24:21-22xxiii), and Isaiah was sawn in half (Hebrews 11:37xxiv). Are we facing any of those kinds of problems? Are we experiencing or exhibiting patience and endurance in whatever problems we might face? Are we praying for the right things? Are we praying for more opportunities to witness for the truth? If we did, would we need more patience and endurance? (Read 2 Timothy 3:12-13xxv.)

12.    Read James 5:12xxvi. This verse is a bit of a puzzlement for scholars. It is very clear that in everything we do, we are to be as transparent as the sunlight. How often do we in subtle ways act deceitfully? Is it wrong even to say, “I feel fine” if someone asks us how we feel in the morning when, in fact, we are feeling terrible?

Everything that Christians do should be as transparent as the sunlight. Truth is of God; deception, in every one of its myriad forms, is of Satan.—Ellen G. White, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, pp. 66.2, 68.3. (Compare PK 252.3; RC 71.2,5; SD 64.5.)

13.    Read [Ephesians 4:15,29; Colossians 4:6]xxvii. Are we growing into the truth? Are our words and actions always helpful in building up not only ourselves but also those around us?

14.    Consider these words from Ellen White as she discussed the case of Elijah.

To wait patiently, to trust when everything looks dark, is the lesson that the leaders in God’s work need to learn. Heaven will not fail them in their day of adversity. Nothing is apparently more helpless, yet really more invincible, than the soul that feels its nothingness and relies wholly on God....

Trials will come, but go forward. This will strengthen your faith and fit you for service. The records of sacred history are written, not merely that we may read and wonder, but that the same faith which wrought in God’s servants of old may work in us.—Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, pp. 174.3-175.2.

Multitude have a wrong conception of God and His attributes, and are as truly serving a false god as were the worshipers of Baal. —Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings 177.1 [Bold type is added.]

15.    Do we really know how to rely “wholly on God”? Is our “conception of God and His attributes” correct? Is a true picture of God really a major issue in our church today?

16.    In all of this patience and endurance that we are supposed to exhibit, when do we reach the place where we need to exercise church discipline? At what point do we need to speak out against false doctrine, immoral behavior, divisive teachings, etc. in the church?

17.    The New Testament tells us many things about how to get ready for the second coming. How does the watchful waiting mentioned by James fit with Matthew 24:14xxviii and our understanding of the latter rain? Is that a time of watching and waiting? Or, a time of busy activity, spreading the truth? Is there a time when we should be speaking out against the evils we see in the world? Or, in the church?

18.    Few of us would question or doubt that God will make everything right in the end. But, how does that help us now? Will the time come when some of us will be tested like Job? Ezekiel was told just to be quiet about it when his wife died! (Ezekiel 24:15-19xxix) Hosea was told to marry an adulterous wife. (Hosea 1 & 2) And what if our conditions were as bad as Habakkuk’s as described in Habakkuk 3:17-18xxx?

19.    What should we learn about patience and endurance from the example of farmers? They certainly wait expectantly, sometimes patiently, praying for rain. Is that what we are supposed to do from a spiritual perspective? Is patience a dying art? How will we know when the time has come for us to put in the sickle to reap the harvest? Or, is that God’s job?

20.    It is not our responsibility to look around us to judge how others are doing. Our responsibility is to look at our own “field”-that is, those around us-to whom we might be able to witness. Meanwhile, of course, we should be praying for the latter rain. (See [Zechariah 10:1; Acts 2:1-3]xxxi.) Do you think you will be able to identify the time when the latter rain begins to be poured out? We certainly would not want to miss it, would we?

21.    We should remember, of course, that planting happens at the beginning of the whole process; harvesting takes place at the end. These points are obvious. But, sometimes, the long wait between those events seems interminable. When it comes to spiritual matters, Jesus Himself said that some might be planting and others harvesting, even side-by-side in time. How much seed planting and harvesting are we doing? Could we be doing more? Does seed planting and harvesting involve only bringing outsiders into the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Or, is there additional seed planting needed to help grow the faith and the experience of those who are already in the church?

22.    What are we supposed to do about injustice being done in the world around us? Are we supposed to patiently wait and endure and keep quiet about it? Is there ever a time for us to rise up and do something about injustice? Are we as Christians being persecuted? Perhaps in some countries but certainly not in many. Why not? Remember 2 Timothy 3:12 which says, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in union with Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

23.    We are hoping one day to live in a perfect society where everything will be loving and caring and there will never be trials. So, why do we need persecution to prepare us for that? Does persecution reveal the truth about our characters? In fact, could it perhaps identify which side we are on: the side of Christ or the side of Satan? What does it say about a Christian if he waits patiently in the face of persecution, financial loss, social ostracism, or even the threat of death without any hope of earthly gain? Surely, we believe that the time for the second coming is near. It is not a time for looking around inside the church and criticizing others. How much is included in enduring patiently? Does that include vigorously witnessing?

In the absence of persecution, there have drifted into our ranks some who appear sound, and their Christianity unquestionable, but who, if persecution should arise, would go out from us. In the crisis, they would see force in specious reasoning that has had an influence on their minds. Satan has prepared various snares to meet varied minds. When the law of God is made void the church will be sifted by fiery trials, and a larger proportion than we now anticipate, will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Instead of being strengthened when brought into strait places, many prove that they are not living branches of the True Vine....—Ellen White, General Conference Daily Bulletin, April 13, 1891 par 11; Maranatha 28.3; 2SM 368.1.

24.    As suggested by all of Scripture, are we enduring patiently and preparing for the final outpouring of the latter rain? Will we stand straight and tall, ready to give an answer to anyone who asks us the reasons for our faith? (1 Peter 3:15xxxii)

© 2014, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. Free distribution of all or of a portion of this material such as to a Bible study class is encouraged.

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i-James 5:7 Be patient, then, my friends, until the Lord comes. See how patient farmers are as they wait for their land to produce precious crops. They wait patiently for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You also must be patient. Keep your hopes high, for the day of the Lord's coming is near. 9 Do not complain against one another, my friends, so that God will not judge you. The Judge is near, ready to appear. 10 My friends, remember the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Take them as examples of patient endurance under suffering. 11 We call them happy because they endured. You have heard of Job's patience, and you know how the Lord provided for him in the end. For the Lord is full of mercy and compassion. 12 Above all, my friends, do not use an oath when you make a promise. Do not swear by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Say only "Yes" when you mean yes, and "No" when you mean no, and then you will not come under God's judgment.

Romans 13:11 You must do this, because you know that the time has come for you to wake up from your sleep. For the moment when we will be saved is closer now than it was when we first believed.

1 Corinthians 3:13 And the quality of each person's work will be seen when the Day of Christ exposes it. For on that Day fire will reveal everyone's work; the fire will test it and show its real quality.

Luke 7:39 When the Pharisee saw this, he said to himself, "If this man really were a prophet, he would know who this woman is who is touching him; he would know what kind of sinful life she lives!" 40 Jesus spoke up and said to him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Yes, Teacher," he said, "tell me." 41 "There were two men who owed money to a moneylender," Jesus began. "One owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other owed him fifty. 42 Neither of them could pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Which one, then, will love him more?" 43 "I suppose," answered Simon, "that it would be the one who was forgiven more." "You are right," said Jesus. 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your home, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45 You did not welcome me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing my feet since I came. 46 You provided no olive oil for my head, but she has covered my feet with perfume. 47 I tell you, then, the great love she has shown proves that her many sins have been forgiven. But whoever has been forgiven little shows only a little love." 48 Then Jesus said to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven." 49 The others sitting at the table began to say to themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" 50 But Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Colossians 4:6 Your speech should always be pleasant and interesting, and you should know how to give the right answer to everyone.

ii-Matthew 24:36 "No one knows, however, when that day and hour will come - neither the angels in heaven nor the Son; the Father alone knows.

iii-Matthew 25:1 "At that time the Kingdom of heaven will be like this. Once there were ten young women who took their oil lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and the other five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any extra oil with them, 4 while the wise ones took containers full of oil for their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was late in coming, so they began to nod and fall asleep. 6 "It was already midnight when the cry rang out, "Here is the bridegroom! Come and meet him!' 7 The ten young women woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 Then the foolish ones said to the wise ones, "Let us have some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.' 9 "No, indeed,' the wise ones answered, "there is not enough for you and for us. Go to the store and buy some for yourselves.' 10 So the foolish ones went off to buy some oil; and while they were gone, the bridegroom arrived. The five who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was closed. 11 "Later the others arrived. "Sir, sir! Let us in!' they cried out. 12 "Certainly not! I don't know you,' the bridegroom answered." 13 And Jesus concluded, "Watch out, then, because you do not know the day or the hour.

iv-James 5:7 Be patient, then, my friends, until the Lord comes. See how patient farmers are as they wait for their land to produce precious crops. They wait patiently for the autumn and spring rains.

Deuteronomy 11:14 If you do, he will send rain on your land when it is needed, in the autumn and in the spring, so that there will be grain, wine, and olive oil for you,

Jeremiah 5:24 You never thought to honor me, even though I send the autumn rains and the spring rains and give you the harvest season each year.

14:14 If you do, he will send rain on your land when it is needed, in the autumn and in the spring, so that there will be grain, wine, and olive oil for you,

Joel 2:23 "Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice at what the Lord your God has done for you. He has given you the right amount of autumn rain; he has poured down the winter rain for you and the spring rain as before.

v-Hosea 6:1 The people say, "Let's return to the Lord! He has hurt us, but he will be sure to heal us; he has wounded us, but he will bandage our wounds, won't he? 2 In two or three days he will revive us, and we will live in his presence. 3 Let us try to know the Lord. He will come to us as surely as the day dawns, as surely as the spring rains fall upon the earth."

Joel 2:28 "Afterward I will pour out my Spirit on everyone: your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your old people will have dreams, and your young people will see visions. 29 At that time I will pour out my Spirit even on servants, both men and women.

Habakkuk 3:17 Even though the fig trees have no fruit and no grapes grow on the vines, even though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no grain, even though the sheep all die and the cattle stalls are empty, 18 I will still be joyful and glad, because the Lord God is my savior.

vi-Matthew 13:24 Jesus told them another parable: "The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man sowed good seed in his field. 25 One night, when everyone was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 When the plants grew and the heads of grain began to form, then the weeds showed up. 27 The man's servants came to him and said, "Sir, it was good seed you sowed in your field; where did the weeds come from?' 28 "It was some enemy who did this,' he answered. "Do you want us to go and pull up the weeds?' they asked him. 29 "No,' he answered, "because as you gather the weeds you might pull up some of the wheat along with them. 30 Let the wheat and the weeds both grow together until harvest. Then I will tell the harvest workers to pull up the weeds first, tie them in bundles and burn them, and then to gather in the wheat and put it in my barn.' "

vii-James 5:8 You also must be patient. Keep your hopes high, for the day of the Lord's coming is near.

viii-Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach his message: "Turn away from your sins, because the Kingdom of heaven is near!"

10:7 Go and preach, "The Kingdom of heaven is near!'

24:33 In the same way, when you see all these things, you will know that the time is near, ready to begin.

ix-Acts 1:6 When the apostles met together with Jesus, they asked him, "Lord, will you at this time give the Kingdom back to Israel?" 7 Jesus said to them, "The times and occasions are set by my Father's own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will be.

x-2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be kindled and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire!

xi-2 Peter 1:12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these things, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.

xii-Acts 14:22 They strengthened the believers and encouraged them to remain true to the faith. "We must pass through many troubles to enter the Kingdom of God," they taught.

xiii-1 Corinthians 3:11 For God has already placed Jesus Christ as the one and only foundation, and no other foundation can be laid. 12 Some will use gold or silver or precious stones in building on the foundation; others will use wood or grass or straw.

xiv-1 Corinthians 3:12 Some will use gold or silver or precious stones in building on the foundation; others will use wood or grass or straw. 13 And the quality of each person's work will be seen when the Day of Christ exposes it. For on that Day fire will reveal everyone's work; the fire will test it and show its real quality. 14 If what was built on the foundation survives the fire, the builder will receive a reward. 15 But if your work is burnt up, then you will lose it; but you yourself will be saved, as if you had escaped through the fire.

xv-James 5:10 My friends, remember the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Take them as examples of patient endurance under suffering. 11 We call them happy because they endured. You have heard of Job's patience, and you know how the Lord provided for him in the end. For the Lord is full of mercy and compassion.

xvi-Job 4:13 Like a nightmare it disturbed my sleep. 14 I trembled and shuddered; my whole body shook with fear. 15 A light breeze touched my face, and my skin crawled with fright. 16 I could see something standing there; I stared, but couldn't tell what it was. Then I heard a voice out of the silence: 17 "Can anyone be righteous in the sight of God or be pure before his Creator? 18 God does not trust his heavenly servants; he finds fault even with his angels. 19 Do you think he will trust a creature of clay, a thing of dust that can be crushed like a moth?

xvii-Job 1:1 There was a man named Job, living in the land of Uz, who worshiped God and was faithful to him. He was a good man, careful not to do anything evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, one thousand head of cattle, and five hundred donkeys. He also had a large number of servants and was the richest man in the East. 4 Job's sons used to take turns giving a feast, to which all the others would come, and they always invited their three sisters to join them. 5 The morning after each feast, Job would get up early and offer sacrifices for each of his children in order to purify them. He always did this because he thought that one of them might have sinned by insulting God unintentionally. 6 When the day came for the heavenly beings to appear before the Lord, Satan was there among them. 7 The Lord asked him, "What have you been doing?" Satan answered, "I have been walking here and there, roaming around the earth." 8 "Did you notice my servant Job?" the Lord asked. "There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil." 9 Satan replied, "Would Job worship you if he got nothing out of it? 10 You have always protected him and his family and everything he owns. You bless everything he does, and you have given him enough cattle to fill the whole country. 11 But now suppose you take away everything he has - he will curse you to your face!" 12 "All right," the Lord said to Satan, "everything he has is in your power, but you must not hurt Job himself." So Satan left. 13 One day when Job's children were having a feast at the home of their oldest brother, 14 a messenger came running to Job. "We were plowing the fields with the oxen," he said, "and the donkeys were in a nearby pasture. 15 Suddenly the Sabeans attacked and stole them all. They killed every one of your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." 16 Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, "Lightning struck the sheep and the shepherds and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." 17 Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, "Three bands of Chaldean raiders attacked us, took away the camels, and killed all your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." 18 Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, "Your children were having a feast at the home of your oldest son, 19 when a storm swept in from the desert. It blew the house down and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." 20 Then Job got up and tore his clothes in grief. He shaved his head and threw himself face downward on the ground. 21 He said, "I was born with nothing, and I will die with nothing. The Lord gave, and now he has taken away. May his name be praised!" 22 In spite of everything that had happened, Job did not sin by blaming God.

xviii-Daniel 6:1 Darius decided to appoint a hundred and twenty governors to hold office throughout his empire. 2 In addition, he chose Daniel and two others to supervise the governors and to look after the king's interests. 3 Daniel soon showed that he could do better work than the other supervisors or the governors. Because he was so outstanding, the king considered putting him in charge of the whole empire. 4 Then the other supervisors and the governors tried to find something wrong with the way Daniel administered the empire, but they couldn't, because Daniel was reliable and did not do anything wrong or dishonest. 5 They said to each other, "We are not going to find anything of which to accuse Daniel unless it is something in connection with his religion." 6 So they went to see the king and said, "King Darius, may Your Majesty live forever! 7 All of us who administer your empire - the supervisors, the governors, the lieutenant governors, and the other officials - have agreed that Your Majesty should issue an order and enforce it strictly. Give orders that for thirty days no one be permitted to request anything from any god or from any human being except from Your Majesty. Anyone who violates this order is to be thrown into a pit filled with lions. 8 So let Your Majesty issue this order and sign it, and it will be in force, a law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be changed." 9 And so King Darius signed the order. 10 When Daniel learned that the order had been signed, he went home. In an upstairs room of his house there were windows that faced toward Jerusalem. There, just as he had always done, he knelt down at the open windows and prayed to God three times a day. 11 When Daniel's enemies observed him praying to God, 12 all of them went together to the king to accuse Daniel. They said, "Your Majesty, you signed an order that for the next thirty days anyone who requested anything from any god or from any human being except you, would be thrown into a pit filled with lions." The king replied, "Yes, that is a strict order, a law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be changed." 13 Then they said to the king, "Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, does not respect Your Majesty or obey the order you issued. He prays regularly three times a day." 14 When the king heard this, he was upset and did his best to find some way to rescue Daniel. He kept trying until sunset. 15 Then Daniel's enemies came back to the king and said to him, "Your Majesty knows that according to the laws of the Medes and Persians no order which the king issues can be changed." 16 So the king gave orders for Daniel to be taken and thrown into the pit filled with lions. He said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve so loyally, rescue you." 17 A stone was put over the mouth of the pit, and the king placed his own royal seal and the seal of his noblemen on the stone, so that no one could rescue Daniel. 18 Then the king returned to the palace and spent a sleepless night, without food or any form of entertainment. 19 At dawn the king got up and hurried to the pit. 20 When he got there, he called out anxiously, "Daniel, servant of the living God! Was the God you serve so loyally able to save you from the lions?" 21 Daniel answered, "May Your Majesty live forever! 22 God sent his angel to shut the mouths of the lions so that they would not hurt me. He did this because he knew that I was innocent and because I have not wronged you, Your Majesty." 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders for Daniel to be pulled up out of the pit. So they pulled him up and saw that he had not been hurt at all, for he trusted God. 24 Then the king gave orders to arrest all those who had accused Daniel, and he had them thrown, together with their wives and children, into the pit filled with lions. Before they even reached the bottom of the pit, the lions pounced on them and broke all their bones. 25 Then King Darius wrote to the people of all nations, races, and languages on earth: "Greetings! 26 I command that throughout my empire everyone should fear and respect Daniel's God. "He is a living God, and he will rule forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his power will never come to an end. 27 He saves and rescues; he performs wonders and miracles in heaven and on earth. He saved Daniel from being killed by the lions." 28 Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

xix-Daniel 3:1 King Nebuchadnezzar had a gold statue made, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and he had it set up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 Then the king gave orders for all his officials to come together - the princes, governors, lieutenant governors, commissioners, treasurers, judges, magistrates, and all the other officials of the provinces. They were to attend the dedication of the statue which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 3 When all these officials gathered for the dedication and stood in front of the statue, 4 a herald announced in a loud voice, "People of all nations, races, and languages! 5 You will hear the sound of the trumpets, followed by the playing of oboes, lyres, zithers, and harps; and then all the other instruments will join in. As soon as the music starts, you are to bow down and worship the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Anyone who does not bow down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace." 7 And so, as soon as they heard the sound of the instruments, the people of all the nations, races, and languages bowed down and worshiped the gold statue which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 8 It was then that some Babylonians took the opportunity to denounce the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "May Your Majesty live forever! 10 Your Majesty has issued an order that as soon as the music starts, everyone is to bow down and worship the gold statue, 11 and that anyone who does not bow down and worship it is to be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 There are some Jews whom you put in charge of the province of Babylon - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego - who are disobeying Your Majesty's orders. They do not worship your god or bow down to the statue you set up." 13 At that, the king flew into a rage and ordered the three men to be brought before him. 14 He said to them, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you refuse to worship my god and to bow down to the gold statue I have set up? 15 Now then, as soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets, oboes, lyres, zithers, harps, and all the other instruments, bow down and worship the statue. If you do not, you will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace. Do you think there is any god who can save you?" 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered, "Your Majesty, we will not try to defend ourselves. 17 If the God whom we serve is able to save us from the blazing furnace and from your power, then he will. 18 But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty may be sure that we will not worship your god, and we will not bow down to the gold statue that you have set up." 19 Then Nebuchadnezzar lost his temper, and his face turned red with anger at Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. So he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 And he commanded the strongest men in his army to tie the three men up and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up, fully dressed - shirts, robes, caps, and all - and threw them into the blazing furnace. 22 Now because the king had given strict orders for the furnace to be made extremely hot, the flames burned up the guards who took the men to the furnace. 23 Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, still tied up, fell into the heart of the blazing fire. 24 Suddenly Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement. He asked his officials, "Didn't we tie up three men and throw them into the blazing furnace?" They answered, "Yes, we did, Your Majesty." 25 "Then why do I see four men walking around in the fire?" he asked. "They are not tied up, and they show no sign of being hurt - and the fourth one looks like an angel." 26 So Nebuchadnezzar went up to the door of the blazing furnace and called out, "Shadrach! Meshach! Abednego! Servants of the Supreme God! Come out!" And they came out at once. 27 All the princes, governors, lieutenant governors, and other officials of the king gathered to look at the three men, who had not been harmed by the fire. Their hair was not singed, their clothes were not burned, and there was no smell of smoke on them. 28 The king said, "Praise the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel and rescued these men who serve and trust him. They disobeyed my orders and risked their lives rather than bow down and worship any god except their own. 29 "And now I command that if anyone of any nation, race, or language speaks disrespectfully of the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, he is to be torn limb from limb, and his house is to be made a pile of ruins. There is no other god who can rescue like this." 30 And the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to higher positions in the province of Babylon.

xx-2 Kings 1:1 After the death of King Ahab of Israel the country of Moab rebelled against Israel. 2 King Ahaziah of Israel fell off the balcony on the roof of his palace in Samaria and was seriously injured. So he sent some messengers to consult Baalzebub, the god of the Philistine city of Ekron, in order to find out whether or not he would recover. 3 But an angel of the Lord commanded Elijah, the prophet from Tishbe, to go and meet the messengers of King Ahaziah and ask them, "Why are you going to consult Baalzebub, the god of Ekron? Is it because you think there is no god in Israel? 4 Tell the king that the Lord says, "You will not recover from your injuries; you will die!' " Elijah did as the Lord commanded, 5 and the messengers returned to the king. "Why have you come back?" he asked. 6 They answered, "We were met by a man who told us to come back and tell you that the Lord says to you, "Why are you sending messengers to consult Baalzebub, the god of Ekron? Is it because you think there is no god in Israel? You will not recover from your injuries; you will die!' " 7 "What did the man look like?" the king asked. 8 "He was wearing a cloak made of animal skins, tied with a leather belt," they answered. "It's Elijah!" the king exclaimed. 9 Then he sent an officer with fifty men to get Elijah. The officer found him sitting on a hill and said to him, "Man of God, the king orders you to come down." 10 "If I am a man of God," Elijah answered, "may fire come down from heaven and kill you and your men!" At once fire came down and killed the officer and his men. 11 The king sent another officer with fifty men, who went up and said to Elijah, "Man of God, the king orders you to come down at once!" 12 "If I am a man of God," Elijah answered, "may fire come down from heaven and kill you and your men!" At once the fire of God came down and killed the officer and his men. 13 Once more the king sent an officer with fifty men. He went up the hill, fell on his knees in front of Elijah, and pleaded, "Man of God, be merciful to me and my men. Spare our lives! 14 The two other officers and their men were killed by fire from heaven; but please be merciful to me!" 15 The angel of the Lord said to Elijah, "Go down with him, and don't be afraid." So Elijah went with the officer to the king 16 and said to him, "This is what the Lord says: "Because you sent messengers to consult Baalzebub, the god of Ekron - as if there were no god in Israel to consult - you will not get well; you will die!' " 17 Ahaziah died, as the Lord had said through Elijah. Ahaziah had no sons, so his brother Joram succeeded him as king in the second year of the reign of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. 18 Everything else that King Ahaziah did is recorded in [The History of the Kings of Israel.]

xxi-Jeremiah 33:1 While I was still in prison in the courtyard, the Lord's message came to me again. 2 The Lord, who made the earth, who formed it and set it in place, spoke to me. He whose name is the Lord said, 3 "Call to me, and I will answer you; I will tell you wonderful and marvelous things that you know nothing about. 4 I, the Lord, the God of Israel, say that the houses of Jerusalem and the royal palace of Judah will be torn down as a result of the siege and the attack. 5 Some will fight against the Babylonians, who will fill the houses with the corpses of those whom I am going to strike down in my anger and fury. I have turned away from this city because of the evil things that its people have done. 6 But I will heal this city and its people and restore them to health. I will show them abundant peace and security. 7 I will make Judah and Israel prosperous, and I will rebuild them as they were before. 8 I will purify them from the sins that they have committed against me, and I will forgive their sins and their rebellion. 9 Jerusalem will be a source of joy, honor, and pride to me; and every nation in the world will fear and tremble when they hear about the good things that I do for the people of Jerusalem and about the prosperity that I bring to the city." 10 The Lord said, "People are saying that this place is like a desert, that it has no people or animals living in it. And they are right; the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem are empty; no people or animals live there. But in these places you will hear again 11 the shouts of gladness and joy and the happy sounds of wedding feasts. You will hear people sing as they bring thank offerings to my Temple; they will say, "Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, because he is good and his love is eternal.' I will make this land as prosperous as it was before. I, the Lord, have spoken." 12 The Lord Almighty said, "In this land that is like a desert and where no people or animals live, there will once again be pastures where shepherds can take their sheep. 13 In the towns in the hill country, in the foothills, and in southern Judah, in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem, and in the towns of Judah, shepherds will once again count their sheep. I, the Lord, have spoken." 14 The Lord said, "The time is coming when I will fulfill the promise that I made to the people of Israel and Judah. 15 At that time I will choose as king a righteous descendant of David. That king will do what is right and just throughout the land. 16 The people of Judah and of Jerusalem will be rescued and will live in safety. The city will be called "The Lord Our Salvation.' 17 I, the Lord, promise that there will always be a descendant of David to be king of Israel 18 and that there will always be priests from the tribe of Levi to serve me and to offer burnt offerings, grain offerings, and sacrifices." 19 The Lord said to me, 20 "I have made a covenant with the day and with the night, so that they always come at their proper times; and that covenant can never be broken. 21 In the same way I have made a covenant with my servant David that he would always have a descendant to be king, and I have made a covenant with the priests from the tribe of Levi that they would always serve me; and those covenants can never be broken. 22 I will increase the number of descendants of my servant David and the number of priests from the tribe of Levi, so that it will be as impossible to count them as it is to count the stars in the sky or the grains of sand on the seashore." 23 The Lord said to me, 24 "Have you noticed how people are saying that I have rejected Israel and Judah, the two families that I chose? And so they look with contempt on my people and no longer consider them a nation. 25 But I, the Lord, have a covenant with day and night, and I have made the laws that control earth and sky. 26 And just as surely as I have done this, so I will maintain my covenant with Jacob's descendants and with my servant David. I will choose one of David's descendants to rule over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will be merciful to my people and make them prosperous again."

xxii-2 Chronicles 16:1 In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of King Asa of Judah, King Baasha of Israel invaded Judah and started to fortify Ramah in order to cut off all traffic in and out of Judah. 2 So Asa took silver and gold from the treasuries of the Temple and the palace and sent it to Damascus, to King Benhadad of Syria, with this message: 3 "Let us be allies, as our fathers were. This silver and gold is a present for you. Now break your alliance with King Baasha of Israel so that he will have to pull his troops out of my territory." 4 Benhadad agreed to Asa's proposal and sent his commanding officers and their armies to attack the cities of Israel. They captured Ijon, Dan, Abel Beth Maacah, and all the cities of Naphtali where supplies were stored. 5 When King Baasha heard what was happening, he stopped fortifying Ramah and abandoned the work. 6 Then King Asa gathered men from throughout Judah and had them carry off the stones and timbers that Baasha had been using at Ramah, and they used them to fortify the cities of Geba and Mizpah. 7 At that time the prophet Hanani went to King Asa and said, "Because you relied on the king of Syria instead of relying on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Israel has escaped from you. 8 Didn't the Ethiopians and the Libyans have large armies with many chariots and cavalry troops? But because you relied on the Lord, he gave you victory over them. 9 The Lord keeps close watch over the whole world, to give strength to those whose hearts are loyal to him. You have acted foolishly, and so from now on you will always be at war." 10 This made Asa so angry with the prophet that he had him put in chains. It was at this same time that Asa began treating some of the people cruelly. 11 All the events of Asa's reign from beginning to end are recorded in [The History of the Kings of Judah and Israel.] 12 In the thirty-ninth year that Asa was king, he was crippled by a severe foot disease; but even then he did not turn to the Lord for help, but to doctors. 13 Two years later he died 14 and was buried in the rock tomb which he had carved out for himself in David's City. They used spices and perfumed oils to prepare his body for burial, and they built a huge bonfire to mourn his death.

xxiii-2 Chronicles 24:21 King Joash joined in a conspiracy against Zechariah, and on the king's orders the people stoned Zechariah in the Temple courtyard. 22 The king forgot about the loyal service that Zechariah's father Jehoiada had given him, and he had Zechariah killed. As Zechariah was dying, he called out, "May the Lord see what you are doing and punish you!"

xxiv-Hebrews 11:37 They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were killed by the sword. They went around clothed in skins of sheep or goats - poor, persecuted, and mistreated.

xxv-2 Timothy 3:12 Everyone who wants to live a godly life in union with Christ Jesus will be persecuted; 13 and evil persons and impostors will keep on going from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves.

xxvi-James 5:12 Above all, my friends, do not use an oath when you make a promise. Do not swear by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Say only "Yes" when you mean yes, and "No" when you mean no, and then you will not come under God's judgment.

xxvii-Ephesians 4:15 Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ, who is the head. 29 Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.

Colossians 4:6 Your speech should always be pleasant and interesting, and you should know how to give the right answer to everyone.

xxviii-Matthew 24:14 And this Good News about the Kingdom will be preached through all the world for a witness to all people; and then the end will come.

xxix-Ezekiel 24:15 The Lord spoke to me. 16 "Mortal man," he said, "with one blow I am going to take away the person you love most. You are not to complain or cry or shed any tears. 17 Don't let your sobbing be heard. Do not go bareheaded or barefoot as a sign of mourning. Don't cover your face or eat the food that mourners eat." 18 Early in the day I was talking with the people. That evening my wife died, and the next day I did as I had been told. 19 The people asked me, "Why are you acting like this?"

xxx-Habakkuk 3:17 Even though the fig trees have no fruit and no grapes grow on the vines, even though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no grain, even though the sheep all die and the cattle stalls are empty, 18 I will still be joyful and glad, because the Lord God is my savior.

xxxi-Zechariah 10:1 Ask the Lord for rain in the spring of the year. It is the Lord who sends rain clouds and showers, making the fields green for everyone.

Acts 2:1 When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place. 2 Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there.

xxxii-1 Peter 3:15 But have reverence for Christ in your hearts, and honor him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you,

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