Gas Mask

Abraham was not a stranger to the people of Sodom, and his worship of the unseen God had been a matter of ridicule among them; but his victory over greatly superior forces, and his magnanimous disposition of the prisoners and spoil, excited wonder and admiration. Patriachs and Prophets 157.2

The “time of trouble, such as never was,” is soon to open upon us; and we shall need an experience which we do not now possess and which many are too indolent to obtain. It is often the case that trouble is greater in anticipation than in reality; but this is not true of the crisis before us. The most vivid presentation cannot reach the magnitude of the ordeal. In that time of trial, every soul must stand for himself before God. “Though Noah, Daniel, and Job” were in the land, “as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.” Ezekiel 14:20. The Great Controversy 622.4

In this day and age, it seems impossible to filter what gets to our senses. Just recently, there was a report on an online game known as ‘the Blue Whale’ from an online support network. It is linked to the death of more than 100 teenagers. Surprisingly, the admin states “you carry out each task diligently, and no one has to know about it, when you finish a task, you send me a photo. And at the end of the game, you die, are you ready?” and floods of youth, maybe discerning it as a jest, begin the game and slowly but surely play their way to death. Sad, but true. As a solution, our internet providers provide parental controls to curb the situation. Our parents and guardians can tell us how well that works.

I would ask, what’s the true Parental Control? Or Child Lock? First of all, would we notice? The pen of inspiration notes,

In the twilight two strangers drew near to the city gate. They were apparently travelers coming in to tarry for the night. None could discern in those humble wayfarers the mighty heralds of divine judgment, and little dreamed the gay, careless multitude that in their treatment of these heavenly messengers that very night they would reach the climax of the guilt which doomed their proud city. But there was one man who manifested kindly attention toward the strangers and invited them to his home. Lot did not know their true character, but politeness and hospitality were habitual with him; they were a part of his religion–lessons that he had learned from the example of Abraham. Had he not cultivated a spirit of courtesy, he might have been left to perish with the rest of Sodom. Many a household, in closing its doors against a stranger, has shut out God’s messenger, who would have brought blessing and hope and peace. Patriachs and Prophets 158.1

Would we notice? When we live in a world of doubt and skepticism? When the law of God is made void, and unbelief seems to be in the very air we breathe, would we notice? When rebellion and apostasy are in the very air we breathe, would we notice? We need a Gas Mask! This is strong faith and earnest prayer, to resist all these influences, and battle successfully against the powers of darkness. We shall be affected by them unless we, by faith, hang our helpless souls upon Christ. Jesus says, “Go not after them” (Luke 17:23). “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:15-17) “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Our Savior wants us to trust in Him, believing His words so fully that we shall bring heaven into our lives here below. We can make heaven in heart and home as we pass along if our lives are hid with Christ in God. Thus we can bring joy and comfort into the lives of others. Christ’s joy will remain in us, and our joy will be full. I long for heaven, there we get the Christian’s summer, in there, trials cannot be recalled, the family is happy, our realization will be greater than our expectation, it is a place full of joy, an atmosphere of no pain, there Holiness reigns supreme, there’s perfect order, full equality, rest is promised and the spirit of unselfish love reigns.

To conclude, Ephesians 6:11-18 tells us,

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

This is the true Gas Mask.