INSTRUCTION FROM HEAVEN:
Choosing
the Best Jewels
Vance
Ferrell
6 - The
Power and Magic of Finger Rings [MB-75-77] April 1987 Extracts from a
200-year-old book on their occult nature and origins (Order
Book for this)
When God
called His people to judgment or wanted them to dedicate themselves anew
to Him, He had them take off their jewelry and put away their
"strange gods." This is a lesson to us today. Genesis 35:1-4;
Exodus 33:1-6; Isaiah 3:16-21 and 4:2-3.
"If
any man will come after Me, let deny himself, and take up his cross daily,
and follow Me. "-Luke 9:23.
"Strait
is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there
be that find it."-Matthew 7:14.
"Then
they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord
hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him
for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.
"And
they shall be Mine,--saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up
My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that
serveth him.
"Then
shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between
him that serveth God and him that serveth him not." -Malachi 3:16-18
"Constantine,
in order to recommend the new religion to the heathen, transferred into it
the outward adornments to which they had been accustomed in their own. It
is not necessary to go into a subject, which the diligence of Protestant
writers has made familiar to most of us. The use of temples.. dedicated to
particular saints .. incense. . candles. . holy water. . processions. .
the ring in marriage, turning to the east, images at a later date . . are
all of pagan origin, and sanctified by their adoption into the
Church."-John Henry Newman, Development of Christian Doctrine, p.
373.
A Spirit of Prophecy
compilation
"For
the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto Himself, and Israel for His peculiar
treasure." Psalm 135:4
"Thou
shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem
in the hand of thy God. Isaiah 62:3
"Christ's
redeemed ones are His jewels, His precious and peculiar treasure. 'They
shall be as the stones of a crown'-'the riches of the glory of His
inheritance in the saints.' Zechariah 9:16.
Ephesians
1:18. In them 'He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be
satisfied.' Isaiah 53:11." 6 Testimonies, 309.
"Think
you not that Christ values those who live wholly for Him? Think you not
that He visits those who, like the beloved John in exile, are for His sake
in hard and trying places? God will not suffer one of His true-hearted
workers to be left alone, to struggle against great odds and be overcome.
"He
preserves as a precious jewel everyone whose life is hid with Christ in
Him. Of every such one He says: 'I . . will make thee as a signet: for I
have chosen thee.' Haggai 2:23." Ministry of Heating, 488.
'Jesus
said, 'Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor
rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for
where your treasure Is, there will your heart be also.'
"The
instruction is to 'lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.' It is for
your own interest to secure heavenly riches. These alone, of all that you
possess, are really yours. The treasure laid up in heaven is imperishable.
No fire or flood can destroy it, no thief despoil it, no moth or rust
corrupt it; for it is in the keeping of God . .
"The
disciples of Christ are called His Jewels, His precious and peculiar
treasure. He says, 'They shall be as the stones of a crown.' 'I will make
a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of
Ophir.' Zechariah 9:16; Isaiah 13:12. Christ looks upon His people in
their purity and perfection as the reward of all His sufferings, His
humiliation, and His love, and the supplement of His glory-Christ, the
great Center, from whom radiates all glory." Mount of Blessing,
89-90.
"Christians
are Christ's jewels. They are to shine brightly for Him, shedding forth
the light of His loveliness. Their luster depends on the polishing they
receive. They may choose to be polished or to remain unpolished. But every
one who is pronounced worthy of a place in the Lord's temple must submit
to the polishing process. Without the polishing that the Lord gives they
can reflect no more light than a common pebble."
"Christ
says to man, 'You are mine. I have bought you. You are now only a rough
stone, but if you will place yourself in My hands, I will polish you, and
the luster with which you shall shine will bring honor to My name. No man
shall pluck you out of My hand. I will make you My peculiar treasure. On
My coronation day, you will be a jewel in My crown of rejoicing.'
"The
divine Worker spends little time on worthless material. Only the
precious jewels does He polish after the similitude of a palace, cutting
away all the rough edges. This process is severe and trying; it hurts
human pride. Christ cuts deep into the experience that man in his
self-sufficiency has regarded as complete, and takes away self-uplifting
from the character. He cuts away the surplus surface, and putting the
stone to the polishing wheel, presses it close, that all roughness may be
worn away. Then, holding the jewel up to the light, the Master sees in it
a reflection of Himself, and He pronounces it worthy of a place in His casket.
In that
day, saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee . . and will make thee as a
signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts.' Blessed be the
experience, however severe, that gives new value to the stone, and causes
it to shine with living brightness.
"God
will not suffer one of His true-hearted workers to be left alone to
struggle against great odds and be overcome. He preserves as a precious
jewel every one whose life is hid with Christ in God. Of every such an one
He says, 'I. . will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee.'
"- 4 Bible Commentary, 1177.
'All the
luster possessed by those who have gained the richest experience is but
the reflection of the light of the Sun of righteousness. He who lives
nearest to Jesus shines the brightest . . The luster of the tiniest gem in
God's casket will glorify Him. There are many. . who during this life do
not seem to be particularly honored. But the Lord sees those who serve Him
[Mal. 3:17, quoted]."- 4 Bible Commentary, 1184.
"WITH THIS RING I THEE DO WED"
Thousands
of marriages are made lasting with rings every day of the year. But did
you ever stop to consider that a couple cannot found an enduring marriage
on gold, silver, or diamonds?
Many people
think that the "lock" in wedlock is a gold ring. It is their
earnest hope that the ring on each of their fingers will hold their
marriage together. But this thought is not correct. It matters not whether
it be an elaborate diamond ring or a simple gold wedding band; every month
there are thousands of women who file for divorce while wearing them.
Do you
desire a marriage that will last? Then you want to base it on the Bible
and prayer, and family worship together every morning and evening. This is
what makes a marriage stick together, not rings and bracelets, earrings or
eye shadow.
The wedding
ring may be ancient--but it was not given to you by the God of Heaven.
Study its past history and you will recognize the truth of this fact. Let
not your hopes of marital permanence be based upon a golden ornament
encircling your finger. That is not what will give you a lasting marriage,
a virtuous spouse, or protection through the day. Turn your eyes upward.
It is only a life dedicated, day by day, to God that can bring to you the
desires of your heart.
The very
real fact is that it is so easy to substitute makeup and ornaments for
that which we really need-a pleading with our heavenly Father every day
for help for ourselves and our loved ones. Only He can protect us, our
husband, wife, children, and our very marriage!
Indeed, far
more than keepsakes, decorations or adornments,-that which is needed in
the homes of our nation is the forgiving, enabling grace of Jesus Christ.
It is families established on prayer, study, and obedience to the Inspired
Word of God. This is our great need!
"'With
this prayer dedicating our home to God, I thee do wed. For, now, let us
address our marriage vows to the God of heaven, that He may be the basis,
center, and purpose of out union from this time forth and forever more.
Let us kneel and dedicate to Him our marriage, and our intertwined lives,
and every child that He may graciously grant us. In heaven above, He will
now declare us man and wife,--and in His strength we shall remain such
till death do us part."
-Vance
Ferrell
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