"For in him you have been enriched in every way--in all your speaking and in all your knowledge--because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed." 1 Corinthians 1:5-7.
The story of how Adventists became health-minded remains a remarkable account of providential leading through the gift of prophecy. The church came to accept and advocate the principles of healthful living at a time when most people gave little attention to the care of their bodies. The emphasis on health consciousness is a trend of more recent years. Modern Adventist health education with its healthcare system of hospitals is an outgrowth of early prophetic guidance.
You can enjoy the fellowship of a health-minded people! You can share in advanced knowledge about health! You will find this knowledge helpful and dependable!
Dr. U. D. Register, eminent nutritionist of Loma Linda University School of Health, once stated: "For approximately fifty years Ellen G. White wrote extensively in the field of health and nutrition. She advocated many principles of health for which there was no available scientific evidence at the time. Now these principles have been verified by science in a remarkable way."
In this lesson you will discover—
ADVENTISTS AND THE HEALTH MESSAGE
1. How does the Bible picture God's people and message being presented just before the second coming of Jesus? Revelation 14:6-12.
Revelation 14:6-14 (NKJV) Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people--
7) saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water." 8 )And another angel followed, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." 9) Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10) "he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11) "And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." 12) Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. 13) Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." 14) Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.
Note: The Advent movement is described prophetically in Revelation 14:6-14 along with the unique threefold message it proclaims. This prophecy pictures a church that keeps all the commandments of God, including the Bible Sabbath.
2. What prophecy foretold special guidance for the church? Joel 2:28, 29.
Joel 2:28-32 (NIV) 'And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29) Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
Note: The Adventist pioneers referred to Joel 2:28-32 more than any other text in supporting the gift of prophecy in the church. They also found support in the New Testament, in that the last church represented by "the remnant" has the "testimony of Jesus," which is identified as the gift of prophecy in Revelation 19:10 (NKJV) And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
3. How did the gift of prophecy help to direct a program for healthful living?
Note: In a remarkable manner God worked in the early days of the Adventist Church to bring His commandment-keeping people into harmony with the physical laws of health. In Otsego, Michigan, June 6, 1863, God opened the subject of health to Ellen G. White in a vision. She saw this vision less than two weeks after the first General Conference session. It was providentially timed to coincide with the organization of the denomination. You can read about it in Counsels on Diet and Foods, page 481.
4. When did the program of health education and health care begin?
Note: At the fourth annual meeting of the General Conference in 1866 the church leaders passed a resolution to spread the knowledge of healthful living. Our first health magazine, The Health Reformer, appeared also in 1866, edited by H. S. Lay, M.D. That same year this physician became medical director of The Western Health Reform Institute in Battle Creek, Michigan, which was our first hospital. This was the beginning of the present chain of hospitals which form the modern Adventist health-care system.
5. How did Christ set an example of a twofold ministry? Mark 2:9-12.
Mark 2:9-12 (NIV) Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 10) But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . ." He said to the paralytic, 11) "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12) He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"
Note: In the healing of the paralytic, Jesus restored the diseased soul of a man before healing his body. In the care of the blind man mentioned in John 9, Jesus began the work of restoration differently. He began by physically opening the men's eyes, closed since birth. John 9:14-17 (NIV) Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath. 15) Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. "He put mud on my eyes," the man replied, "and I washed, and now I see." 16) Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others asked, "How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?" So they were divided. 17) Finally they turned again to the blind man, "What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened." The man replied, "He is a prophet."
This reveals that the step from physical healing to conversion came easily. As soon as the blind man's eyes were opened, he knew that Jesus the healer was also the Messiah. In his immediate confidence and faith he enthusiastically accepted Christ as his Savior. This twofold approach to the restoration of man makes the health ministry, like the right arm of the body, a much-needed and practical one. It is an effective manner in which to spread the gospel.
John 9:24-38 (NIV) A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. "Give glory to God, " they said. "We know this man is a sinner." 25) He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" 26) Then they asked him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" 27) He answered, "I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?" 28) Then they hurled insults at him and said, "You are this fellow's disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29) We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don't even know where he comes from." 30) The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31) We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. 32) Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33) If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." 34) To this they replied, "You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!" And they threw him out. 35) Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" 36) "Who is he, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me so that I may believe in him." 37) Jesus said, "You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you." 38) Then the man said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.
6. What is the relationship between healthful living and spirituality? Romans 12:1.
Romans 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God——this is your spiritual act of worship.
Note: God will do His best to restore what sin has damaged. This necessarily includes the purification and strengthening of our physical as well as our spiritual powers. The Christian, who by faith submits himself to God's way of restoring man, will gladly follow His teachings regarding the care and health of his body. This is a definite part of sanctification and spiritual worship.
7. Carefully consider some of the spirit of prophecy health counsels given, beginning a century ago:
Best Diet
1868—"Eat largely of fruits and vegetables."—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 63.
1905—"Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator. These foods, prepared in as simple and natural a manner as possible, are the most healthful and nourishing."—The Ministry of Healing, p. 296.
1905—"Fine-flour bread is lacking in nutritive elements to be found in bread made from the whole wheat. "—The Ministry of Healing, p. Use of Animal Fat
1868—"Sister H needs to confine herself strictly to a diet of grains, fruits, and vegetables, cooked without flesh or grease of any kind."—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 62.
Note: "Grease is defined by Webster as 'Animal fat, especially when soft; any fatty, oily, or unctuous substance.' Ellen White stated that olives, properly prepared, may be eaten with benefit at every meal, the oil in them providing a substitute for animal oil and butter...This seems to indicate that a limited amount of fat, particularly from vegetable sources, is a part of a healthy dietary." See https://m.egwwritings.org/en/book/384.2905#2906
1869—"Grains and fruits prepared free from grease, and in as natural a condition as possible, should be the food for the tables of all who claim to be preparing for translation to heaven."—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 352.
1896—"Both the blood and the fat of animals are consumed as a luxury. But the Lord gave special direction that these should not be eaten. Why? Because their use would make a diseased current of blood in the human system. The disregard for the Lord's special directions has brought a variety of difficulties and diseases upon human beings."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, pp. 393, 394.
Use of Meat
1864—"Many die of disease caused wholly by meat-eating, yet the world does not seem to be the wiser. "—Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4b, p. 147.
1865—"Pork, although one of the most common articles of diet, is one of the most injurious."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 392; see also Selected Messages, vol. 2, p. 417.
1896—"Cancers, tumors, and all inflammatory diseases are largely caused by meat eating. From the light God has given me, the prevalence of cancer and tumors is largely due to gross living on dead flesh."—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 388.
Use of Sugar
1870—"Large quantities of milk and sugar eaten together are injurious. "—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 369.
1905—" Far too much sugar is ordinarily used in food.— "The Ministry of Healing, p. 301. Use of Salt
1883—" Food should be prepared in as simple a manner as possible, free from condiments and spices, and even from an undue amount of salt. "—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 340.
Note: Modern health educators are advising people to reduce the intake of salt, fats, especially animal fats, in order to reduce the danger of hypertension, atherosclerosis, and death from heart attacks.
CHECKING THE COUNSELS ON HEALTHFUL LIVING
8. How do Ellen G. White's counsels on healthful living of a century ago check out with the latest scientific facts?
Seventh-day Adventists live an average of ten extra years more than the general population. Read about it here:
CAUTION REGARDING HOW THE HEALTH MESSAGE IS TO BE SHARED
"The question whether we shall eat butter, meat, or cheese, is not to be presented to anyone as a test, but we are to educate and to show the evils of the things that are objectionable. Those who gather up these things and drive them upon others do not know what work they are doing. The Word of God has given tests to His people. The keeping of God's holy law, the Sabbath, is a test, a sign between God and His people throughout their generations forever. Forever this is the burden of the third angel's message--the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Tea, coffee, tobacco, and alcohol we must present as sinful indulgences. We cannot place on the same ground, meat, eggs, butter, cheese, and such articles placed upon the table. These are not to be borne in front, as the burden of our work. The former--tea, coffee, tobacco, beer, wine, and all spiritous liquors--are not to be taken moderately, but discarded. The poisonous narcotics are not to be treated in the same way as the subject of eggs, butter, and cheese." --Selected Messages, Book 3, p. 287
HERITAGE TIE
The Adventist Philosophy of Health Care
Health education, cause and effect relationships between the physical, mental and spiritual dimensions and the laws of God and preventive measures by natural means are to be emphasized:
"The only hope of better things is in the education of the people in right principles. Let physicians teach the people that restorative power is not in drugs, but in nature. Disease is an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from a violation of the laws of health. In case of sickness, the cause should be ascertained. Unhealthful conditions should be changed, wrong habits corrected. Then nature is to be assisted in her effort to expel impurities and to re-establish right conditions in the system.
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.
Too little attention is generally given to the preservation of health. It is far better to prevent disease than to know how to treat it when contracted. It is the duty of every person, for his own sake, and for the sake of humanity, to inform himself in regard to the laws of life and conscientiously to obey them. All need to become acquainted with that most wonderful of all organisms, the human body. They should understand the functions of the various organs and the dependence of one upon another for the healthy action of all. They should study the influence of the mind upon the body, and of the body upon the mind, and the laws by which they are governed." --The Ministry of Healing pp. 127-128
"Reform, continual reform, must be kept before the people, and by our example we must enforce our teachings. True religion and the laws of health go hand in hand. It is impossible to work for the salvation of men and women without presenting to them the need of breaking away from sinful gratifications, which destroy the health, debase the soul, and prevent divine truth from impressing the mind. Men and women must be taught to take a careful review of every habit and every practice, and at once put away those things that cause an unhealthy condition of the body, and thus cast a dark shadow over the mind."-Counsels on Health, p. 445.
"Those who act as teachers are to be intelligent in regard to disease and its causes, understanding that every action of the human agent should be in perfect harmony with the laws of life. The light God has given on health reform is for our salvation and the salvation of the world. Men and women should be informed in regard to the human habitation, fitted up by our Creator as His dwelling place, and over which He desires us to be faithful stewards. "For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."--Review and Herald, Nov. 12, 1901.
"He [God] desires our health institutions to stand as witnesses for the truth. They are to give character to the work which must be carried forward in these last days in restoring man through a reformation of the habits, appetites, and passions. Seventh-day Adventists are to be represented to the world by the advance principles of health reform which God has given us."--Medical Ministry, p. 187.
Unless otherwise designated, scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION�. Copyright � 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.