God’s End Time Vegetarian Diet: Bible Truth or Human Invention?

Part 2: Restoring God’s Diet for the Last Generation

David Qualls

Table of Contents for Part 2

Introduction
Eight Bible Health Principals
       1. How God Created Us
       2. The Mind Body Connection
       3. Healing and Forgiveness—Jesus Shows the Way
       4. Body Temple Principle
       5. Sin Affects Things — Cause and Effect
       6. Temperance in All Things
       7. New Life and the New Covenant
       8. Glorifying God
Under the Old Law?
From Eden to Eden
       The Original Diet
       Diet after Sin Entered the World
       Diet After the Flood
       The Exodus in Type and Antitype
       The Three Elijahs
       Daniel, the 2300 Days, and Health
       The Day of Atonement
       God’s Last Generation
       The Gospel is About Restoration
       Curse Rests More Heavily
       Destroying the Earth
       The Heavenly Diet
NEWSTART
Summary of Part 2

Introduction

In Part 1, Romans 14 and Related Texts — Meats, Drinks, and Sabbath Days, we examined six New Testament passages that are commonly used to question the healthy lifestyle practices of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We showed from the Bible how these passages do not support the commonly held belief that dietary restrictions and other health practices of the OT were removed at the cross. We recognized that Jesus came down from heaven to die on the cross so that He could cleanse men and women. He did not come down to earth to die on the cross to cleanse the pig and make it clean.

In this document (Part 2), we will examine a Biblical basis for the health-related lifestyle practices of the Advent movement and why it is important to God’s people in the last generation. This is not intended as a medically prescriptive regimen, but rather a Scriptural (theological) foundation for choosing to live a healthy lifestyle in this generation.

Please note that in Part 2 (this paper), it is expected that you are somewhat familiar with topics such as the 2300 days, the Day of Atonement, the prophetic significance of the year A.D. 1844, the three angel’s messages, and kindred truths. To learn more about these topics, please see http://www.collisionwithprophecy.org/.

The Bible has a surprising amount to say about health. We serve a loving, kind Father and He wants us to live life to the fullest.

Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10.

There are all kinds of reasons from a temporal standpoint as to the benefits of following health practices. The world provides much in this area. But, this article has another angle. We want to provide spiritual reasons, Biblical reasons for why we should adhere to certain health practices. We will give special attention to how this relates to living in the last generation right before Jesus comes the second time.

We begin by introducing eight principles from the Bible as to why we should be interested in this subject. These eight principles are not the same as the eight natural laws of health. We will get to that later.

Eight Bible Health Principals

1. How God Created Us

David makes an important observation when he states, “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Psalms 139:14. Overcome with awe at the magnificence of the creation of God in forming humankind, David can’t help but extol His Creator. In fact, God Himself stated it at the end of creation week: “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” Genesis 1:31. (Emphasis supplied throughout this document.)

The human beings were the crowning act of God’s creative actions. How anyone could entertain the notion that a slowly evolving mass of cells could one day produce the complexities of the human body and mind is incomprehensible. The delicate intricacies of the human eye, with its interdependent complexities, alone provide more than sufficient evidence that this was no chance happening. We are here by design.

And just as the eye and countless other complex systems of the human body testify of an intelligent Designer, so they also testify to the fact that those delicate and complex systems respond according to how we treat them. In other words, if we treat our bodies well by feeding them properly with good nutrition, exercise, and rest, we discover that we feel much better and are able to be more of a blessing to others around us.

Don’t you think that our Maker, our Creator, would know what is best for us? Would He not tell us what is good for us in the area of health? Thankfully, the answer is Yes. We will see more of what He has to say to us in the sections below.

2. The Mind Body Connection

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2.

Here is a significant Bible principle. God wants us to be in good health, not only spiritually, but also physically and mentally. The three are tied together and are interdependent. If we are groggy from poor physical health, do you think we will be able to praise God and make spiritual progress as well as if we were alert? The obvious answer is No. Now notice this next verse:

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

God wants to sanctify (set apart for holy purpose) us wholly (completely). Now why would the verse include our bodies as being preserved blameless? We could understand our soul being preserved blameless, and perhaps our spirit (mind), but our bodies also? It turns out that God wants all of us, the physical, mental, and spiritual, to be sanctified and set apart for His holy purpose; to be preserved blameless. And let’s not miss the significance of the Second Coming in this verse. Here is a clue that the Bible author has provided. As we approach the time of the Second Coming, this verse will become more and more important. We will see more of this below.

3. Healing and Forgiveness—Jesus Shows the Way

David says something profound in the book of Psalms: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.” Psalms 103:3-4. Did you catch the significance of it? This is an example of Hebrew parallelism. It is a poetic couplet. Two similar ways of saying essentially the same thing. God forgives and heals. The two are linked together. Sin has caused disease. We are victims of disease, partly because of our own choices and partly because of the choices of others. But God forgives and He heals.

In fact, the best manifestation of God’s forgiving and healing work was in the earthly ministry of Jesus. He spent more time healing than he did preaching. Many a weary soul found relief from guilt as well as from physical sickness during the ministry of Jesus. Now notice this story from Matthew chapter 9:

“And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.” Matthew 9:2-8.

Here, Jesus first forgives the man and tells him to be of good cheer. The man was coming to Jesus to receive physical healing. Instead Jesus offers him forgiveness first and then healing afterwards. Jesus knows that physical healing will not really last if the mind and spirit are burdened down with guilt. The stress of unforsaken sin, of burdensome guilt, block true healing from taking place. Jesus knows what must be done and in what order. Solomon, the wise man, said it this way: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Proverbs 17:22.

Christ is our example (1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6). We also have been given the ministry of helping others by bringing them the good news of salvation and healing.

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-20.

4. Body Temple Principle

When Jesus was approaching the end of His earthly ministry, He promised to send the Comforter, the Holy Spirit of truth (John 15:26) to His followers. On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out in large measure. The work of the Holy Spirit is to convict of sin, convert, cleanse, sanctify, comfort, and lead into all truth (John 16:8; John 3:5; Titus 3:5; John 15:26; John 16:13). Now notice something very important:

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19.

One of the most profound and significant statements in all the Bible is this verse. You and I are the temple, the dwelling place, the habitation, of the Holy Spirit. God Himself wants to come and live inside of you and me. He wants to tabernacle with us just as He did with Israel of old. We are His temple. We do not own ourselves. We belong to God. We must therefore do all in our power and through His grace to keep that body temple clean, and pure, and healthy so that we can welcome the very presence of God into our bodies, our minds, our spirit. In another place, the Bible tells us:

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.

Just as Jesus cleansed the temple here on earth (John 2:13-16), so He wants to cleanse our soul temples so that He may dwell there. He wants to communicate with us and to share many good things with us. He wants to live out His life in and through us (Galatians 2:20). Having a healthy body and mind allows Him to do this most effectively. But if we choose to defile our bodies by sin and by indulging in intemperance, God will have to destroy us.

5. Sin Affects Things — Cause and Effect

When God created this earth, He declared it to be “very good.” Genesis 1:31. But then sin entered as an unwelcome intruder. Along with the “freedom” and the knowledge of good and evil, came suffering, woe, and death. God cursed the earth because of sin (Genesis 3:16-19). As the sin grew worse over time so the curse grew worse.

Here we find a very important lesson. In fact it is spelled out, tucked away in the back half of a verse in Proverbs, “...so the curse causeless shall not come.” Proverbs 26:2.

The curse causeless shall not come. In other words, we reap what we sow. Paul states it like this:

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8.

How we treat our bodies or minds has far reaching consequences to our soul. It works the other way as well. If we do not have a right attitude toward spiritual matters, toward God, it will affect our minds and our bodies.

Soon after Israel entered the land of Canaan, God had them perform a rather strange exercise. He had them separate into groups, one group standing on one mountain (Mount Gerizim) and another group on an adjacent mountain (Mount Ebal). The one group was to shout out the blessings of God while the other group would reply with the curses of God. It’s an important lesson that God was teaching.

“Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day...” Deuteronomy 11:26-28.

It’s really quite simple. Sin, breaking God’s commandments, is the cause of the curse. As we obey God and cooperate with Him (by His grace), He will work to lift that curse from us.

But there is one more thing we must remember. As disobedience increases, so does the curse. Just as God cursed the ground and the living things on the earth after sin entered the world (Genesis 3), so as sin increases, the curse increases. Disease among humans and animals increases. This is an important lesson that we will look at more below. The Bible clearly teaches that sin will increase as we approach the end of time.

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13.

“And as it was in the days of Noe [Noah], so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.” Luke 17:26.

“Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 17:28-30.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Timothy 3:1.

6. Temperance in All Things

Paul “reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come.” Acts 24:25.

How fitting it is for Paul to use the analogy of a race (physical exercise) in the following passage:

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run... I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

Don’t miss the significance of this passage. Paul compares the Christian life to a race, a marathon. He says that every one who strives for the mastery (to win) will be temperate in all things. He then says that he keeps under his body and brings it into subjection. In other words, his mind controls his body and not the other way around. Our cravings don’t have to control us if we will choose to take control by God’s grace.

Note that the word temperate above is the Greek word, egkrateuomai. Strong’s (1467) defines this as: “1 to be self-controlled, continent. 1a to exhibit self-government, conduct one’s self temperately. 1b in a figure drawn from athletes, who in preparing themselves for the games abstained from unwholesome food, wine, and sexual indulgence.”

Temperance is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). Could it be that those who are striving to live healthful, temperate lives are those who are in possession of the Holy Spirit? If a church or individual cares little or nothing about living temperately and healthfully according to all that God has commanded, are they likely to have the true Holy Spirit dwelling in them? It’s worth asking the question. The Bible admonishes us to test the spirits (1 John 4:1).

See also, Titus 1:8; 2:2 and 2 Peter 1:6 for further references to temperance.

7. New Life and the New Covenant

God has promised something wonderful. It’s called the new covenant. What does He say He will do?

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.” Hebrews 8:10.

Now notice this. Jesus tells us we must be born again (new life). He has promised this new birth if we will confess and forsake our sins (2 Chronicles 7:14; 1 John 1:9). Here is a powerful promise that He offers to all who comply with these conditions:

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you...” Romans 6:11-14.

Can you get a glimpse of the power contained in these verses? God tells us to reckon ourselves dead indeed unto sin. What does that word reckon mean? It is interesting to note what the Enhanced Strong’s Concordance says about this:

“[3049] logizomai: ... 3c to determine, purpose, decide. Additional Information: This word deals with reality. If I ‘logizomai’ or reckon that my bank book has $25 in it, it has $25 in it. Otherwise I am deceiving myself. This word refers to facts not suppositions.”

Did you catch that? It says that “this word deals with reality.” In other words, I must believe that I am dead to sin. That is what God’s Word says. Will I believe it? Will my faith go to work based on that belief (James 2:20)? After all, that is what New Testament faith and belief are all about. It is a faith that works (Galatians 5:6).

The Bible contains power to overcome every bad and unhealthy practice. God’s word is creative. When He speaks, it is immediately a reality. Interestingly, the word logizomai is the same word used by Paul in Romans when we see the translated words like counted, imputed and reckoned, in relation to being justified. It is a reality, not a fictitious covering over of sin.

8. Glorifying God

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.

Among Revelation’s last messages to sinners is a call to give glory to God:

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” Revelation 14:6-7.

What is one way that we bring glory to God?

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:20.

Where are we to glorify God? In our spirit, yes. But also in our bodies. How we treat our body affects our ability to glorify God. Whether we keep our body pure and clean will make a significant difference in how well we can glorify our Creator and Redeemer.

Scriptures are replete with the concept of God’s glory being synonymous with character. It also says much about the saints bringing glory to God by His empowering them to fruitful, righteous living. For example, Moses asked God to show him His glory. God’s response was to show him His character (Exodus 33:18-19; 34:6-7). In Romans 3:23, Paul parallels sin and coming short of God’s glory, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Ephesians 3:16-21 speaks of God’s glory being revealed in the lives of His saints because of what God is doing in their lives, while Philippians 1:11 declares God is glorified by the fruits of righteousness in the lives of His followers, “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

The Bible predicts that the whole world will one day be filled with the glory of the Lord (Numbers 14:21; Psalms 72:19: Isaiah 40:5). The remarks from Numbers and Isaiah are especially powerful, since God places His own honor on the line: “But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord” (Numbers 14:21). “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it” (Isaiah 40:5).

“As truly as I live,” and “the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it” are the best guarantees one could ask for! God’s last generation will bring glory to Him. Revelation 18:1 proclaims that “the earth was lightened with his glory.”

Under the Old Law?

Here we want to insert a few thoughts about the OT law and how that relates to health practices for Christians. Many Christians believe that the OT laws were done away with and were nailed to the cross. We examined some of this in Part 1 of this paper when we looked at texts such as Colossians 2:13-17, Ephesians 2:15, and others.

What about this concept? Doesn’t Paul say that we Christians are no longer under the law, that it was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ and now that Christ has come, we are free from the law? Galatians 3:23-26.

Paul is exactly correct. Christians are no longer under the law. The law does not bring righteousness nor salvation. That was never its purpose. Christians are saved by grace through faith, not by works, and not by the law. Ephesians 2:8-10.

But, let’s allow Paul to have his full say in this matter. After all, some of his writings are not that easily understood and interpreted, as Peter would later affirm (2 Peter 3:16).

The truth is, the law is what points out sin; it shows us our exceeding sinfulness. Like a mirror it reveals the real truth about us. As we peer into it, we discover to our horror that we are filthy, dirty, rotten. We need cleansing. We begin trying to clean ourselves up, but all our efforts prove futile; it just seems to get worse. The law condemns us. What are we to do?

Like a schoolmaster, the law drives us to the only source where we can find the forgiveness, the cleansing that we so desperately need. We flee to Christ and His cross. He receives us, cleanses and forgives us, covers our filthy past with His pure righteousness, He cleanses us and takes away our selfish hearts and gives us a new heart. He then writes His law in our hearts (the new covenant—Hebrews 8:10), sheds His love into our hearts (Romans 5:5), and then He lives out His perfect life in us (Galatians 2:20).

Now, what do you think is happening when Christ is living within us? Our old man of sin is crucified (Romans 6:6). We are dead to sin. We are alive to the Spirit. We allow Christ to live out His life in us. Romans chapter 6 and 8.

With Christ living out His life in us (with our old man of sin crucified), will we be obedient to the law or will be breaking the law of God? The obvious answer is that we (really it’s Christ within us) will be keeping the law (Romans 8:4). Are we then living under the law? God forbid. People who obey the law are not under the law. We are living under grace—grace that gives us power to obey (2 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 3:7).

Paul says that Christ is the end of the law, meaning that Christ completely fulfilled it—He filled it up (Romans 10:4). Christ was the only man who lived a perfect life from birth to death, completely fulfilling God’s holy law.

With that in mind, when we allow Christ to live out His life in us, what happens? We keep the law (actually Christ keeps the law in us). Thus, we are partakers of the Divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Amazing grace!

We need to let Paul say all that he says on this topic. Many Christians don’t put the full picture together. They think that law-keeping is somehow legalism. But that is completely against what the Bible teaches. Legalism is when we attempt to keep the law outwardly in order to gain salvation (apart from Christ). But, allowing Christ to live out His life in us, is not legalism. What is the end result of doing this? We keep the law of God by faith. No wonder, Revelation sums it all up by saying, “here are they that keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12.

What was the problem in the first place? Was it the law? No. Did the law produce Satan and all the tragedy around us? No. So what is the problem? It is sin. What is sin? It is the transgression of the law (breaking the law). Ahh! So what if Christ is able to keep the law within us (by our surrendering to Him every moment), and to forgive us our past transgressions through His blood? Then the problem is solved. Obedience to the law is restored; not just in a legal sense, but in reality; in us. Paul says it all when he writes: “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:4.

In addition to the above, we must note that the Bible speaks of several different laws. There was the Ten Commandment moral law written by the fenger of God in stone (showing its eternal significance). There was the ceremonial law of Moses which was written by Moses. There were health laws, civil laws, natural law, etc. The only law that was done away with and nailed to the cross was the shadowy ceremonial law of sacrifices and ordinances that pointed forward to Christ. Since these pointed toward Christ, now that Christ was come it was no longer necessary to continue practicing ceremonies that foreshadowed His coming. Thus they were abolished at the cross. But the Ten Commandment law and other laws were not done away with.

From Eden to Eden

The Eden home of our first parents was paradise. God had created all things beautiful and perfect. Adam and Eve were created in perfect health and happiness. There was no death, disease, or bloodshed.

Fast-forward about 7,000 years and we come to the new Eden, paradise restored. Of course, 1,000 years before, the paradise of heaven will have been the blissful home of the saints. “The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.” Psalms 37:29.

But what happens in between these two major events; between the two Edens? In the following sections we will discover more details of what transpired between Eden lost and Eden restored. We will focus more upon our time and how all these events are building up to and converging on the last days just before we enter the true Promised Land (heaven and the New Earth).

We note two items of interest as we travel the time between the two Edens: (1) God specifies what is an acceptable diet, and (2) God adjusts the diet according to changing conditions.

The Original Diet

After God created all things in beautiful, perfect harmony, He pronounced them “very good.” Genesis 1:31. He then proceeded to instruct mankind what they could eat.

“I have provided all kinds of grain and all kinds of fruit for you to eat; but for all the wild animals and for all the birds I have provided grass and leafy plants for food.” Genesis 1:29-30 Today’s English Version.

The King James Version has “seeds” in place of the “grain” above. Thus the diet for humankind in Eden was fruits, nuts, and grains. The animals had a diet of grass and plants.

God knew what was good for man and He did not leave them in doubt as to what they should eat. Our Creator cares enough about us to keep us informed regarding what is best for us.

Diet after Sin Entered the World

After Adam and Eve fell, the world changed. The first couple was banished from the Garden of Eden and from partaking of the Tree of Life. God cursed the ground. Additionally, He made an adjustment to their diet.

“Thorns also and thistles shall it [the ground] bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field.” Genesis 3:18.

So now, the diet consisted of fruits, nuts, grains, and vegetables. Apparently, God knew that sin would cause deficiencies in people that would be supplied by the nutritional elements found in vegetables. Additionally, with the curse of sin, fruits, nuts, and grains would not always be readily available everywhere and at all times and seasons. Thus God, in infinite wisdom and foresight, provided a supplement to the original diet.

Diet After the Flood

To accommodate further changes brought about by the devastation of the flood, God permitted man to eat animal products. After all, there was no vegetation growing right after the flood. Furthermore, with the seasons and other effects of the curse of sin worsening, a vegetarian diet would not always be easily obtainable in all places throughout the yearly cycle.

“Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.” Genesis 9:3-4.

Note that God placed restrictions on what kind of animal products could be eaten and how they must be prepared. Here it explicitly forbids eating meat with blood in it. Leviticus 17:10-16 spells it out more clearly. This is carried over into the New Testament times where we see the early Christian church enjoin its members to not eat meat containing blood or anything that had been strangled (Acts 15:29).

Furthermore, we note that the concept of clean and unclean animals was already known at this time. Right before the flood, the animals came into the ark under the guidance of an angel in a certain manner.

“Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.” Genesis 7:2 (also v. 8; 8:20).

Of course, later God spelled out in more detail in Leviticus chapter 11 and in Deuteronomy 14:3-21, what constitutes clean and unclean animals. Furthermore, God solemnly enjoined that:

“It shall be a perpetual statute for your generations throughout all your dwellings, that ye eat neither fat nor blood.” Leviticus 3:17.

We must ask the question: do the typical restuarants and the typical grocery stores provide meat products that conform to God’s stipulations? The answer is a decided no. Unless we were to purchase kosher meats from a source that follows Biblical laws or prepared our own in accordance with these same laws, we cannot in good conscience partake of meat. To do so would be a violation of God’ requirements.

What if we were to follow the stipulations in the above Scripture today? How much more healthy would we be and how much disease, death, hospitals, doctor visits, medication, expense, lost work time, lost service for our Master, and untold misery and sin would be prevented. Our failure to follow God’s ways are literally ruining or greatly taxing our modern economies.

And so we have seen a progression of God’s allowed diet from Eden to the time after the flood. It is interesting to note that the average lifespan of humans before the introduction of animal flesh for food was close to 800 or 900 years (see Genesis 5). After meat was permitted, the average lifespan quickly deteriorated until by the time of David it was said to be 72 years.

“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” Psalms 90:10.

Doubtless there were other factors that contributed to this sharp decline, nevertheless, we must admit that animal flesh foods were never God’s ideal for His children. It was only a necessity because of the continuing situation after sin entered and after the flood.

The Exodus in Type and Antitype

Even though God allowed animal flesh to be a part of the diet, it is interesting that at certain periods and in certain special situations God instructed His people to refrain from eating meat and instead provided them with an alternative diet. One such case is the Exodus. We must not lose the significance of this. God was bringing His people out of bondage and preparing to take them into the Promised Land. What can we who are journeying towards the heavenly Canaan (the real Promised Land) learn from this experience?

What was the diet in the Exodus?

“Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you.... And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.... And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.” Exodus 16:4, 31, 35.

What did God promise the Children of Israel? On what condition?

“...If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.” Exodus 15:26.

What happened to the people when they lusted after their old Egyptian diet?

“And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.... Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat.” Number 11:4-6, 13.

What did God finally do?

“And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day’s journey on this side, and as it were a day’s journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp.” Numbers 11:31-32.

What was the result?

“And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great plague. And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted.” Numbers 11:33-34.

The Exodus event was a type (figure or representation) of the time in which we are now living. Serious students of Bible prophecy have recognized that since around the time of 1844, God has been calling out a special people to prepare them for the heavenly Canaan. Let’s notice some of the parallels to our time. Please note that antitype means a mirror image or copy of something that happens spiritually after the cross which is represented by events on a literal and smaller scale before the cross. For example, the sacrifice of a lamb was a type of the real thing (Christ).

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning...” Romans 15:4.

“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples [as examples]: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Corinthians 10:11.

The parallels are unmistakable. The Sabbath, the Law of God, the special diet, the special privileges, the sanctuary service, and many other parallels are found between the Exodus in Egypt and the Exodus that began by God calling His people out of darkness and deception in 1844. This provides us with yet another evidence of God’s giving His people special light and privileges in the end-times, including in the area of health and diet.

The Three Elijahs

Another parallel between the type in the OT and the antitype of our day can be found in the story of Elijah. In this case, there are actually three occasions, as we shall see.

There are many parallels between Elijah of the OT, John the Baptist, and God’s remnant end-time people. Note this prophetic statement significantly right at the end of the OT:

“Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Malachi 4:4-6.

Note three things brought out here:

1. Law of Moses along with the other commands, statutes, and judgments.
2. Elijah the prophet (or at least someone bearing a similar message) would come before the coming of Christ.
• Right before the First Advent of Christ
• Right before the Second Advent of Christ
3. He would cause people to turn (repent).

The angel speaking to the godly parents of John the Baptist, said:

“And he [John the Baptist] shall go before him [Jesus] in the spirit and power of Elias [Elijah]...” Luke 1:17.

John the Baptist was to bear a similar message for a similar purpose as did Elijah before. He was called to prepare people for the First Coming of Jesus.

We remember that Elijah was to call people back to God. He rebuked the sun worship of the god of Baal. He pointed out the sins of the people, called them back to the commandments of God, and challenged them to make a decision.

“And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.”1 Kings 16:30-31.

Let’s not miss the significance of Jezebel. She is referred to in Revelation as a symbol of false religion. Here, we notice that Ahab, king of Israel marries the idolater, Jezebel. Symbolically, we have the state (King Ahab) joining up with false religion (Jezebel); Church and State combined.

“And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.” 1 Kings 18:17-18.

“And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.” 1 Kings 18:21.

Just as Elijah and John the Baptist preached messages of reformation and of a revival of true godliness, so as earth approaches its final hour, God sends a special message to warn the world to prepare for His coming. This message can be found in Revelation 14:6-12 — the three angel’s messages.

God’s last message to the world is a call out of pagan sun worship, out of false systems of religion, back to keeping the commandments of God, of giving glory to God.

We’ve already discovered above that part of giving God glory (Rev. 14:7) is to take care of our mental and physical health—our bodies. “...therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:20. Now note what Jesus says would happen:

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias [Elijah] truly shall first come, and restore all things.” Matthew 17:11.

This applies to both the message of John the Baptist right before Jesus’ First Coming and to the Elijah message that would appear just before Jesus’ Second Coming. What are the “all things” that Elijah would restore?

1. Restoration of keeping God’s commandments; all of them.
2. Restoration of keeping the Seventh-day Sabbath.

“And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Isaiah 58:12-14.

3. Restoration of the health principles of the Bible; of the original diet that God had intended for man.

Notice the progression in the diet of Elijah away from animal flesh foods:

“And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.” 1 Kings 17:6

“And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.” 1 Kings 17:11-14.

“And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.” 1 Kings 19:6.

So the progression was from non-vegetarian to vegetarian:

1. Bread, animal flesh, water
2. Bread, oil
3. Bread, water

[Please note that the above progression does not mean we should give up oil. Nowhere does the Bible indicate we should remove oil from our diets (although there are certain oils that are better than others and certainly excessive amounts are harmful). The Bible does, however, make clear that animal flesh was at times considered by God to be off limits for His people. The lesson we can take from these passages, when taken in context with all that the Bible has to say on these topics, is that animal flesh food, at certain points in history, were proscribed by God. Simplicity in diet is another valid lesson we may learn here.]

Turning to John the Baptist (the second Elijah), we find that his diet was a simple one as well:

“And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey.” Mark 1:6 (also Matthew 3:4).

What are the locusts being referred to here? It turns out that locust trees are otherwise known as carob trees.

The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua) is cultivated extensively in lands bordering on the Mediterranean Sea, and is common in Palestine from Hebron northward. Its fruit, which matures in the late spring, is borne in flat pods somewhat the shape of the Lima bean, and from six to ten inches in length. The pods and beans may be eaten raw, cooked, or ground into flour and made into bread. They may be dried and preserved indefinitely. Though not particularly palatable, the carob has a substantial nutritive value, and has long been a staple article of the diet of the poorer classes in the Near East. The Tosephta (Ma‘aseroth 2. 19 [84]) lists carob pods as a kind of food, and the Mishnah (Ma‘aseroth 1. 3, Soncino ed. of the Talmud p. 256) specifies that, as a food, they are to be tithed... Incidentally, in English, the carob is commonly known as a locust, and its beans are popularly called “St.-John’s-bread.” English grain dealers are said to supply carob pods as feed for cattle under the name “locusts.” —SDA Bible Commentary on Mt 3:4.

Likewise, the diet of the end-time generation of God’s people, the remnant of Revelation 12:17, also keep to the Biblical diet that God prescribed.

The following table compares the three Elijahs in history.

Elijah was a type or figure of those who are translated without seeing death at the Second Coming of Christ. These faithful people will have a similar experience as Elijah. They will give a pointed testimony and reprove the world of sin as did Elijah.

It is interesting to see who God selected to have join Him with His Son at the transfiguration of Christ (Matthew 17:1-3). Moses and Elijah were honored to join with the Father and the Son in that glorious event. Moses represented all those who will die and then be resurrected to everlasting life (Jude 9). Elijah represented all those who will be translated at the Second Coming without seeing death. Both Moses and Elijah ate a vegetarian diet in their later years. For both, a vegetarian diet was God’s prescribed diet while here on earth.

Daniel, the 2300 Days, and Health

It’s interesting to note that Daniel, the primary book of the OT containing the prophetic picture of the end time, starts out with a story involving dietary concerns (Daniel 1:5-20). Good students of prophecy realize that in order to understand the more complex prophecies in the book of Daniel, one must first understand the significance and meaning of the stories in the early part of the book. The stories are not just for bedtime for the children. They give important clues as to what the issues are in the prophecies to follow.

So, when Daniel and his companions find themselves captives in Babylon, what is the first major issue that confronts them? Eating the kings meat and drinking his wine. What is their decision? They choose to not eat the meat and drink the wine. Instead they ask for a vegetarian diet. What is the result? They stand firm for truth, have much sharper and wiser minds, can discern spiritual things (interpret the king’s dream), gain the favor of God, and gain the favor and respect of their captives.

This story sets up the rest of the book. God’s people will not compromise, even over something like diet. But even more significant is that the issue setting up this prophetic book is one of diet and its spiritual implications. Those who follow God’s diet enjoy much better spiritual health. This enables them to withstand the tests and trials forced upon them. This is significant for those of us who are living in the very times that the book of Daniel foretells. As we face the tests of the end time, will we follow God’s appointed diet? Does it really matter? Does God care?

It is quite significant that right before the 2300 year prophecy starts, we find health and diet as an issue in worshiping God. At other end of the 2300 year prophecy, we find a group of people who also are taking a stand on the issue of health and diet. At both ends of the Bible’s longest time prophecy we find diet and worship are interrelated issues.

The Day of Atonement

The first angel’s message of Revelation proclaims with a loud voice, “Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come...” Revelation 14:7. By studying the prophecies of Daniel, we find that this judgment is speaking of the investigative judgment beginning at the end of the 2300 years (Daniel 7; 8:14). We recognize that this is the antitypical Day of Atonement, Israel’s most solemn day of the year. It is a time of judgment and cleansing. God would have a clean people.

“And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD. It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.” Leviticus 16:29-31.

This is one more reason why God’s people are called to choose a healthy lifestyle and to return to the diet that God intended for His people. While Christ is ministering in the heavenly sanctuary, cleansing it of the sins of the saints, God’s people are cooperating below by allowing the Holy Spirit to cleanse our body temples of all sin and defilement (1 Corinthians 6:19).

Prophetically in the book of Revelation, we see the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary opened up and the ark of the covenant (testament) is seen:

“And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament...” Revelation 11:19.

What items were in the ark?

“...and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant.” Hebrews 9:4.

Remember the significance of the manna? From the section on the Exodus above, we discovered that God was providing His people with a vegetarian diet while they were preparing to enter into the land of promise. Also, the law of God is found inside the ark. As we learned in Part 1 of this study, the Sixth commandment requires that we not kill. That would include hurting our own bodies by eating a diet that would be harmful to us.

“...he [Paul] reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come...” Acts 24:25.

Notice here that Paul preaches of judgment to come; a future time when the world will be judged. Revelation tells of a time when the message goes out proclaiming that the time of judgment is come (Rev. 14:7). It is interesting to note that Paul connects righteousness, temperance, and judgment. The message is clear. If we want to receive the fullness of the righteousness of Christ and to stand in the judgment, we will be temperate in all things, including in our diet. Only thus will God be able to cleanse our body temples so that He can cleanse [blot out] our record of sin in the sanctuary above.

God’s Last Generation

God will have a people in the end-times who will be like Moses, like Elijah, like Daniel, like John the Baptist, and yes, like Jesus. They will keep God’s law and have the faith of Jesus. They will experience complete victory over sin. They will not allow anything to interfere with the work of the Holy Spirit in cleansing their body, spirit, and soul. They will cooperate with this cleansing work as they look in faith to their Great High Priest ministering in the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary.

In the midst of worldwide apostasy and sin, God will point to them and say, “here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12.

In the book of Job God asks Satan, “Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?” Job 1:8. In the book of Revelation, God declares that there is a whole group of Jobs at the end time. “Here they are,” He says; “These are my faithful, patient, enduring, saints.” They “keep the commandments of God,” and they have “the faith of Jesus” (Rev 14:12).

Revelation mentions the “patience” of the saints. This reminds us of what James says, “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job...” (James 5:11). And his admonition to “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh” (James 5:8). Job vindicated God’s character by his patient, enduring faithfulness. Similarly, God’s patient, enduring saints at the end of time will vindicate God’s character.

Enoch, Job, Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, and Jesus Himself are forerunners of those who are overcomers in Revelation’s final generation. Just as Christ is the forerunner and firstfruits of those who will be resurrected to life eternal, so He is a forerunner of and example for those who will overcome as He overcame (Revelation 3:21). Because of His victory and example, the last generation will have victory. Christ ultimately wins in the end because of what He did while on this earth and because of what He does through His people in earth’s last generation. Jesus is at the center; He is the Author and Finisher, the focus of the last generation and of the whole universe as He is vindicated in His faithful remnant.

All of these have one thing in common. Enoch, Job, Moses, Elijah, John the Baptist, and Jesus were more interested in vindicating the character of God than in saving their own lives. In the case of Moses and Jesus, and arguably the others as well, they were willing to give up their own salvation in order to save others. This is the experience of the last generation. They are more interested in vindicating God’s name, His character than in having their own names in the book of life.

Part of the success of God’s people in overcoming the beast and his image, is the God-given messages of health and diet reform. Like faithful Daniel and his companions, they are willing to take a firm stand for truth.

The Gospel is About Restoration

Note the occurances of the word restore in the following texts:

“He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me... Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.” Psalm 51:10, 12.

“...thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” Isaiah 58:12.

“I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD...” Jeremiah 30:17.

“Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias [Elijah] truly shall first come, and restore all things.” Matthew 17:11.

Watch the progression in the following seven texts. These follow the graph below. Watch as we move from glory to glory.

1. “God created man in his own image.” Genesis 1:27.
2. “I have created him for my glory.” Isaiah 43:7.
3. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23.
4. “We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:2.
5. “We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18.
6. “God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27.
7. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18.

Notice those last two verses above. Where is Christ? Answer, “in you.” Where will the glory be revealed? Answer, “in us.” Who gets the glory in all of this? “I have created him for my glory.” Isaiah 43:7.

And now, we remember that the first angel’s message (Revelation 14:7) calls for the people to give glory to God for the hour of His judgment is come. How do we give glory to God? By allowing Him to have full use of our body temple, to dwell fully in us, to reveal His glory in and through us.

“...therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:20.

“To restore in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created, to promote the development of body, mind, and soul, that the divine purpose in his creation might be realized—this was to be the work of redemption. This is the object of education, the great object of life.” — Ellen G. White, Education, p. 15.

Curse Rests More Heavily

One thing we have noticed in the above sections is that the curse of sin rests more heavily upon God’s creation as we approach the end of time. As we saw in the section entitled, 5. Sin Affects Things — Cause and Effect above, the effects of sin and the subsequent curse are only worsening. This impacts God’s creation more and more. No longer is it safe to eat the animal products as it was in former times. The modern techniques of mass production of animals in the agribusiness is contributing to more and more disease and problems. Notwithstanding the fact of modern advances in sciences, technology, and agricultural practices, the whole problem of the meat industry only seems to worsen. For every advance, there seems to crop up another, worse problem to take the place of the one just solved.

God in His mercy has prepared an increase in knowledge of His word and of His creation so that we may choose a better, more healthy diet. This coincides with His desire that we have clear minds and healthy bodies (as much as possible in a sinful world) so we can better serve Him and to enable us to better withstand the fiery trials and temptations of earth’s last days.

Destroying the Earth

In all of this, we must not forget a most interesting verse tucked away in Revelation. It talks of the time of judgment (Investigative Judgment). This verse comes right before the verse that refers to the ark of the covenant.

“And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” Revelation 11:18.

Part of the destruction of the earth, of God’s creation, is the modern techniques of cattle and animal production and the ever increasing demand for meat products. It is quite well known that much more land, water, and other resources are required to raise a given amount of food based on livestock than upon an equivalent proportion of grain or other vegetarian food. For more information along this line, please refer to chapter 19 of the book, Proof Positive, by Neil Nedley, M.D. A copy of the book can be obtained from http://www.amazon.com.

Furthermore, in many instances the treatment of animals as they are penned up in large modern facilities is outright cruelty. In past centuries, this was not nearly the problem that is has become today. While we do not advocate the radical views of some in this area, we still are cognizant that these are God’s creatures and as such are due as much gentle treatment and freedom to roam free on the range as is possible.

All of these factors enter into the decision of Christians as they weigh the evidence of Scriptures, science, and the world around them. God is calling His people to separate from the surrounding evil practices; to come out and be separate and touch not the unclean thing (2 Corinthians 6:17).

The Heavenly Diet

Part of the restoration of all things that the Elijah message will bring about, is a restoration of the diet that God intended for His children. What will the diet be in heaven and in the New Earth?

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox...They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD.” Isaiah 11:6-9.

“And they...shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them....The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 65:21, 25.

“And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat [food], whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.” Ezekiel 47:12.

“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7.

“In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” Revelation 22:2.

All will be peace and harmony in heaven. There will be no killing of animals or disease. The diet will be a delectable choice of fruits, nuts, and grains—a vegetarian diet.

Do we have to wait until we arrive in heaven before we can begin to enjoy heaven’s ways?

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3.

“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:5-6.

It is our privilege to begin now, in our present world, a cultivation of the atmosphere of heaven. With our soul temples cleansed by the Spirit of Christ; with our hearts in-dwelt with Jesus, we may live in the rich ambiance of heaven. We may share that beauty with others around us so they can be benefited as well.

NEWSTART

God provides eight natural doctors to help restore us to good health and to assist in keeping that health. Fittingly, it is in the form of the acronym, NEWSTART. God says,

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Nutrition
Exercise
Water
Sunshine
Temperance
Air
Rest
Trust in God

Natural Remedies
“Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power—these are the true remedies. Every person should have a knowledge of nature’s remedial agencies and how to apply them. It is essential both to understand the principles involved in the treatment of the sick and to have a practical training that will enable one rightly to use this knowledge. The use of natural remedies requires an amount of care and effort that many are not willing to give. Nature’s process of healing and upbuilding is gradual, and to the impatient it seems slow. The surrender of hurtful indulgences requires sacrifice. But in the end it will be found that nature, untrammeled, does her work wisely and well. Those who persevere in obedience to her laws will reap the reward in health of body and health of mind.”— Ellen G. White, Ministry of Healing, p. 127.

Summary of Part 2

The chart below (link provided below) shows a high-level overview of the timeline of salvation history and of the various diets that God allowed and enjoined upon His people. It also shows the parallels to our time and the restoration of all things as we prepare to enter the Promised Land, the heavenly Canaan. (Note, to print out the timeline, set your browser print setting to landscape mode.)

Dietary Timeline (GIF file will open in new browser window)

As we have seen in this paper, the Bible provides many principles, commands, admonitions, and stories to guide us in our decision as to what is in God’s plan for our lives in the areas of health, temperance, and diet. We have seen that this has a significant impact upon the end-times and how God’s people endure the trials of the time of trouble. Like Moses, Elijah, Daniel, and John the Baptist, God’s end-time, last-generation will restore all things. They will give the last message of hope, restoration, and warning to the world. They will live their lives in such a way so that God is glorified in them.

By their choices in diet, health, and other lifestyle issues, these people will show that they have surrendered to Christ and are preparing to live with Him and the other saints throughout eternity. They are anxious to join their Savior. They desire that nothing stands in the way between them and their Jesus. They are willing to answer the call,

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2.

May it be so in our lives. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20.

David Qualls is an active member of the Tulsa, Oklahoma Seventh-day Adventist Church. Raised a Seventh-day Adventist by godly parents, he turned his back on God in his teens, but by the grace of God returned to the faith of his youth with a strong desire to serve God and to help others prepare for His soon coming. He has served in several self-supporting ministries and currently resides near Tulsa with his wife, Ruth. Having earned degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, he currently works in the software development field for a large telecommunications firm. Taking an active interest in current theological issues within the Remnant Church, he desires to let God use him to spread the true gospel and to help others avoid being blown about by every wind of doctrine.