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PRISONERS OF HOPE July 2010

EDITORIAL..BR N. NKOMO
I have had one of those months that has been very difficult for me on many angles. Though going
through a personal wrestling time with my Lord, much of my agony has come from an enforced
realisation that we are not all “Israel that are Israel”. Clearer and yet clearer has it come to my
view that many of us are not willing to fight, aided by the Holy Spirit, for the things that we know
to be right. More and more evident has it become to me that many of us prefer the sins and joys
of this world than standing as a peculiar people, different to the world. Well, states the Bible; “By
their fruits ye shall know them”. I have, in the last month witnessed many a tree I assumed would
bear figs, bearing thorns and thistles instead.
Waking early a few days ago, I found myself reflecting on all this and the words “I seldom
weep”, from EGW kept coming to me as I at last identified with them. Below is the quotation
that these words are from:
“Many of our people are lukewarm. They occupy the position of Meroz, neither for nor against,
neither cold nor hot. They hear the words of Christ, but do them not. If they remain in this state,
he will reject them with abhorrence. Many in Battle Creek who have had great light, great oppor-
tunities, and every spiritual advantage, praise Christ and the world with the same breath. They
bow themselves before God and mammon. They make merry with the children of the world, and
yet claim to be blessed with the children of God. They wish to have Christ as their Saviour, but
will not bear the cross and wear his yoke. May the Lord have mercy upon you; for if you go on in
this way, nothing but evil can be prophesied concerning you.
The patience of God has an object, but you are defeating it. He is allowing a state of things to
come that you would fain see counteracted by and by, but it will be too late. God commanded Eli-
jah to anoint the cruel and deceitful Hazael king over Syria, that he might be a scourge to idola-
trous Israel. Who knows whether God will not give you up to the deceptions you love? Who
knows but that the preachers who are faithful, firm, and true may be the last who shall offer the
gospel of peace to our unthankful churches? It may be that the destroyers are already training
under the hand of Satan and only wait the departure of a few more standard-bearers to take their
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
places, and with the voice of the false prophet cry, Peace, peace, when the Lord hath not spoken
peace. I seldom weep, but now I find my eyes blinded with tears; they are falling upon my pa- Editorial ......................... ……1
per as I write. It may be that ere long all prophesyings among us will be at an end, and the voice Why Socks? ................... .….2
which has stirred the people may no longer disturb their carnal slumbers. Love your husbands ...... .….3
When God shall work his strange work on the earth, when holy hands bear the ark no longer, Health in Jesus .............. ..…5
woe will be upon the people. Oh, that thou hadst known, even thou, in this thy day, the things Eat, drink, be merry ...... …..6
that belong unto the peace. Oh, that our people may, as did Nineveh, repent with all their might Free radicals .................. …..8
and believe with all their heart, that God may turn away his fierce anger from them.” PH117 The author of liberty………..9
p59,60
These words above, though written about 128 years ago, are even more applicable to us in this
day and age than they were to Battle Creek back then. We have had even greater light and greater
spiritual advantages than they, and yet we continue to make merry with the world, and claim to
be blessed with the children of God. I struggle to understand how it is, in light of the light that we
have, that as a people we continue to walk in darkness. I find it difficult to understand how we
feel when we walk in open rebellion to a straightforward “thus saith the Lord”, and yet continue
to make a pretence of worship every Sabbath and call ourselves Adventists. Do we not realise
that we are verily breaking the 3rd commandment when we say we are Christians and yet fail to
do those things that Christ has commanded us in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy? Friends, now
is not the time to have even a toe in the world. We are nearing home! O that we would repent as
did Nineveh, before the voice which has stirred our hearts in days past is no longer able to disturb
our carnal slumber. Let us put away all sin, whether public or hidden. Let us stop being dazzled
by the stars of the world, for they, like the 3rd part of the stirs that left heaven under their leader
the devil, are fallen. I too seldom weep, but what I see is just too much for me to stem
the tide of tears.
 WHY ARE YOU WEARING SOCKS?... BY SR T NKOMO
Recently we visited someone and a guest came in and noticed child. Mothers generally pay more attention to the former
our style of dress. Immediately the question was “Why are than to the latter. It is doubtless very pretty and becoming to
you wearing winter clothes?” The host questioned this friend dress a little girl in short skirts, covering her daintily-shaped
and the friend replied “They‟re wearing long sleeves and ankle and handsome limb with a thin, silken or cotton stock-
socks.” (To which I replied “But it‟s light top and it‟ not as if ing, encasing her foot in a thin-soled and exquisitely shaped
I‟m wearing a vest underneath.” My husband‟s reply was shoe, while her shoulders are loaded with cloak, furs, and
“Well, we‟re not any different to you!” (this person also had a scarf. She looks well--presents an elegant appearance, in fact,
light, long-sleeved top and a long skirt.‟ But the reply was and the mother is pleased thereat. It is really distressing to
“But I‟m not wearing socks.” This made me laugh because (in witness this manner of dressing children during the winter
general) professional men wear closed shoes and socks in any months.Dressing their extremities so thinly is not only un-
weather, as well as long-sleeved shirts. Yet no-one would ever comfortable, but unhealthful as well. {HR, January 1, 1874
look at them and accuse them of being dressed in „winter par. 1}
clothing.‟ So what‟s the difference between them and the rest
Then there‟s the other aspect/reason why we cover our ankles
of normal society? And why were we dressed that way?
and legs all the time. “We cannot, if we would, conceal the
“There is but one woman in a thousand who clothes her limbs fact that women have feet and limbs that were made for
as she should. Whatever may be the length of the dress, fe- use. But in regard to the exposure, this is on the other side
males should clothe their limbs as thoroughly of the question. We have traveled extensively
as the males. This may be done by wearing the past twenty-five years, and have been eye-
lined pants gathered into a band and fas- witnesses to many indecent exposures of the
tened about the ankle, or made full and ta- limbs. But the most common exposure is seen
pering at the bottom; and these should come upon the streets in light snow, or wet and
down long enough to meet the shoe. The mud. Both hands are required to elevate the
limbs and ankles thus clothed are protected dress, that it may clear the wet and filth. It is
against a current of air. If the limbs and feet a common thing to see the dress raised one-
half of a yard, exposing an almost unclad an-
are kept comfortable with warm clothing, the
kle to the sight of gentlemen, but no one
circulation will be equalized, and the blood
seems to blush at this immodest exposure.
will remain healthy and pure, because it is
No one's sensitive modesty seems shocked for
not chilled or hindered in its natural passage
the reason that this is customary. It is fash-
through the system.”--How to Live, No. 6, pp.
ion, and for this reason it is endured. No
63
outcry of immodesty is heard, although
So. The first reason, is for health. it is so in the fullest sense. {HR, May 1, 1872 par. 18}
Notice the following quote, which deals with how in winter, But does the popular style of woman's dress always hide her
we cover our children‟s torsos with more coverings than we feet from the public gaze? See that lady passing over the mud-
do for our limbs. “The many coverings over the chest and dy street, holding her skirts nearly twice as far from the
lungs induce the blood to these parts, and the animal heat ground as ours (This ‘ours’ was in reference to the reform
thus retained weakens and debilitates these delicate organs, dress that God showed her we should wear-a dress that was
causing congestion and inflammation. The head, lungs, heart, about 9 inches off the ground, worn with the tapered pants-
liver, and kidneys have too much blood, while the limbs have ie. that come in towards the leg, as opposed to straight down
not enough for warmth and proper development. The result -pants that go right down to the shoes) exposing, not only
is, the blood-vessels in the limbs contract because they are her feet, but her nearly-naked limbs. Similar exposures are
not filled and cannot contain the due proportion of blood frequent as she ascends and descends the stairs, as she is
which nature designed they should, and they are always chil- helped into, and out of carriages. These exposures are disa-
ly. Because this chilliness is habitual, it is not noticed by chil- greeable, if not shameful; and a style of dress which makes
dren who are thus unhealthfully dressed.” {HR, January 1, their frequent occurrence almost certain, (Consider how
1877 par. 7} nowadays exposed ankles are the NORM) we must regard as
a poor safeguard of modesty and virtue.” HR May 1, 1872
The limbs of our children should be thoroughly and sensibly
clad with as many coverings as other portions of the body. So that‟s the second reason-modesty. 
There is a fashionable way and a healthful way to dress a
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 LOVE YOUR HUSBANDS…..BY SR L CLEMENTS
Titus 2 urges older sisters to teach the younger sisters to love "serve you?".
their husbands. It seems to me that a woman married a hus-
FAITH LOOKS AHEAD,
band in the first place because she already greatly loved him.
But Titus states that this is something that young wives need HOPE LOOKS UP,
to learn and apparently it is something that older wives LOVE LOOKS AROUND TO SEE WHO IT CAN HELP.
should have already learned through experience. For with
Wives, every day ask yourself - "How can I serve my husband
each passing year of marriage, the need for love and commit-
today?". Plan your service, put some thought into it, pray for
ment becomes greater. So the Titus passage is not speaking
God's blessing on your plan and do it, whether you "feel" like
of the "feelings" of love so active among the young, but the
it or not. Of course we are all working toward a genuine atti-
acts of love learned by experience. The early days and weeks
tude of willing and cheerful giving. But don't let a weak atti-
a bride and groom spend together are usually full of the
tude stop you from doing good, especially to your husband.
"feelings" of love - they giggle, embrace and kiss often. Those
The heart follows the hand and your attitude will be greatly
of us who have already been down that road look on with the
helped along if you will put your hand to good works. Prov.
deflating knowledge that time usually has a way of cooling off
16:3 assures us that if you "commit your works unto the
those intense feelings. The struggles and trials common to
Lord" that "your thoughts will be established." God will help
man have a way of invading every marriage and wearing
you both to will (feelings) and to do His good pleasure
down the "honeymoon" feelings, making our journey more
(Phil. 2:13). Don't think that just because you do
difficult and our life a lot more serious. But the genuine af-
not feel anything loving or kind toward your husband that
fection that is born of a life-long commitment to each other
you will be excused from obeying the commandment
is deeper and more meaningful as each year passes and each
to do the works of love for your husband. Trust God, He will
trial is faced together.
establish our feelings if we
True love does not depend on how you feel (or don't feel) - it will put our hands to loving
is something you do - and do - and do - and do. Love is not works.
an inclination, it's a demonstration in giving. For God so
I believe most women have
LOVED the world that He GAVE His only begotten son. And
a special ability to sense and
Christ himself taught us that there is no greater love than a
anticipate other's needs. We
man who lays down his life for his friends.
know what is helpful, kind,
There is a popular cafeteria here in Texas called Luby's comforting and encouraging
where customers pass in front of a long line of delectable to our husbands. We need
foods. There are servers standing side by side in front of the to turn our thoughts delib-
dishes and as the line of customers passes by, each server is erately in that direction
calling out "serve you?" - "serve you?". I love this example and do the works of love
and bring it to mind often as a reminder of the attitude I de- for our husbands as our dai-
sire to manifest. We use this saying in our familyand in the
ly priority. 
Ecclesia and during church when we notice an especially lov-
ing service. We often repeat to one another - "serve you?" -

Continued….At first I balked at this. To have long sleeves
even in summer? To never wear sandals (unless worn with
socks which is NOT my style) ever again in public? But expe-
rience has shown me that the medical writings (See the
„Hygienic Health Reform‟ link at www.temcat.com) and the
inspired writings are correct. It really is healthier and more
comfortable. We took a walk in the afternoon sun one day
and I was wearing a short-sleeved top. But the heat of the
sun beating down on my bare arms was unbearable so I put
on my jersey (I only had one light long-sleeved top at the
time and it was in the laundry that day.) and I felt much bet-
ter! According to other physicians, we only need sunlight on
our faces and hands anyway, so if we do do this, we will not
suffer from lack of Vitamin D, as I used to fear.
EGW tells us that true dress reform requires us to carry a
cross. There are many sisters out there who are being
mocked for dressing modestly and healthfully, who are being
told that they are „acting holier than thou‟ though they do not
they look down upon those who do not follow modest dress
reform. Obedience to God‟s laws, when rendered with a pure
heart, will allow us to be clothed in His righteousness one
day. Let us be faithful till then. 

3
The virtuous wife in Proverbs 31 shows us many examples of
loving works for her husband:
She is faithful and trustworthy (v. 11-12)
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he
shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil
all the days of her life.
She does her husband good "all the days of her life." She does
her husband no harm. She is prudent. She is able to discern
what is proper to be done under various circumstances of time
and place. She has good judgment. Faithfulness and trust
are every wife's first and foremost obligation to her
husband. For an unfaithful wife shames her husband and
causes rottenness to his bones, grief to her children, and brings
dishonor and disgrace to herself, to her Ecclesia and to God's
Holy Ways.
What we sisters need to understand clearly is that if we do evil
to our husbands, be it by unfaithfulness, disinterest, lack of
affection, mismanagement of the household, etc., we are de-
stroying the very basis of our own happiness. The way to peace
and happiness is God's Way through Christ, not through the
flesh.
We must keep ourselves mentally and physically only unto our
own husbands. We must be careful to keep ourselves out of any
situation where we are alone with any other man besides our
husbands. One-on-one private or public activities, however
seemingly wholesome or innocent, are inappropriate and in the
very least an appearance of evil. Wives, first and foremost, we
must commit ourselves to be chaste and faithful to our own
husbands. This commitment is not based on our husband's
worthiness, it is based on our Godly duty and character. Noth-
ing shows our true character and virtue more than the faithful-
ness and loyalty we maintain to our own husbands.
Abigail's example comes to mind in this regard (1 Samuel 25).
Being married to a self-centered, obnoxious, drunken fool such
as Nabal did not change Abigail's obligation as a wife to do
good to her husband. Nabal's unworthiness as a proper hus-
band only intensified the beauty of the integrity and wisdom of
Abigail. Her refreshing wisdom and humility before a Godly
man like David was genuine
because she had practiced it
in her life in dealing with a
fool like Nabal.
She is industrious (v. 13-22)
She seeketh wool, and flax,
and worketh willingly with
her hands . . . she bringeth
her food from afar. She
riseth also while it is yet
night, and giveth meat to
her household . . .with the
fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her
loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. . . her candle
goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle. . .
she stretcheth out her hand to the poor. . . all her household
are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings .
She not only works hard, she deliberately plans to work hard.
This shows in her children, her housekeeping, her meals, her
financial thriftiness, and the multitude of her good works. Her
plans are mostly for the aid and comfort of others.
One aspect that greatly adds to and enhances her efficiency is
her willingness to rise up early in the morning before her
household. (Compare Mark 1:35, an example of our Lord's ris-
ing up a great while before day - before his disciples - and pray-
ing to prepare for the day's work.) The virtuous wife is the
manager of the home and the day's activities. In rising early,
she can begin her day in prayer and can see that her husband
and children are properly cared for before they leave for the
duties of the day. The specific scriptural habit of early rising
has much to do with the welfare of the family. It takes a great
deal of self-sacrifice to implement this early rising as a habit in
your life. If there is one thing I remember well about being a
young wife and mother, it is the desire for sleep. However, the
benefits of your availability and service to your family in the
morning far outweigh the few minutes of sleep time you give
up. "Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty: open thine eyes,
and thou shalt be satisfied with bread." (Prov. 20:13)
She speaks with kindness and wisdom (v. 26)
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the
law of kindness.
"The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom. . . the lips of the
righteous know what is acceptable." (Prov. 10:31-32). There are
many scriptures about the tongue of a woman - mostly nega-
tive. But a virtuous wife will keep the law of God in her heart
that she may be able to remember to do righteousness and
speak with wisdom. (Prov. 37:30-31) Kindness is a "law" to be
kept and obeyed.
Many of the Jews have a habit of adding a blessing or a cursing
after they speak names - like, "may his days be prospered" or
"may his bones rot." While the cursings do not fit into the "law"
of kindness, endearments do. "Speaking comfortably" to your
husband can be a blessing to you both. It will enhance your
loving attitude and be a constant reminder to you of your com-
mitment to your husband. Sarah used this kind of speaking
even when she was speaking within herself (calling her hus-
band, "my lord." Gen. 18:12). Speaking with the tongue of
kindness has a healing and calming effect on both the hearer
AND the speaker.
Try to deliberately season your words to your husband with
grace, truth and your best courtesy. "Let your conversation be
always with grace, seasoned with salt." (Col. 4:6). TBC
4
 HEALTH IN JESUS.... BY BR J HACHOMBWA
GOD'S DESIRE. 1. "Health is a blessing of which few appreciate the value."
1. THE FATHER: “The desire of God for every human be- ML 134.
ing is expressed in the words, „Beloved, I wish above all 2. "It is an easy matter to lose the health, but it is difficult to
things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy
regain it." ML 142.
soul prospereth.‟ 3 John 2.” MH 113. Again we read that,
"„Above all things,‟ God desires us to „be in health‟--health of 3. "Hearth is a great treasure. It is the richest possession
body and of soul.” MH 288. It is the Lord “Who forgives all mortals can have." CH186.
your iniquities, who heals all your diseases.” Ps 103:3. So in summary, health is not appreciated, easily lost, difficult
"God desires suffering human beings to be taught how to to regain, and is our richest possession. Do you care for your
avoid sickness by the practice of correct habits of eating,health? The choice is yours and yours only, to obey and be
drinking, and dressing." CH 221 “I was shown that God healthy or to disobey and be sickly. "Every man has the op-
would give to His commandment-keeping people a reform portunity, to a great extent, of making himself whatever he
diet, and that as they received this, their disease and suffer-
chooses to be." "There is much sterling truth in the adage,
ing would be greatly lessened. I was shown that this work 'Every man is the architect of his own fortune." CD 15, 29.
would progress.” CH 531 We are to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy, ac-
2. THE SON: ”Christ feels the woes of every sufferer. When ceptable to God. Rom 12:1. Jesus commanded us to love the
evil spirits rend a human frame, Christ Lord with our whole being, Mark 12:30
feels the curse. When fever is burning (Deut 6:5) and this can be better ful-
up the life current, He feels the agony. filled when we are in good health.
And He is just as willing to heal the "OUR FIRST DUTY, one which we owe
sick now as when He was personally to God, to ourselves, and to our fellow
on earth. Christ's servants are His rep- men, is to obey laws of God, which in-
resentatives, the channels for His clude the laws of health." CD 21."
working. He desires through them to Therefore, glorify God in your body
exercise His healing power.” DA 823- and in your spirit, which are God's".
824. We read of Him that He was 1Cor 6:20.
moved with compassion and healed
REASONS FOR HEALTH RE-
the sick. Matt 14:14, 20:34; Mark 1:41 -
FORM.
42. Jesus is the same today; He is our high priest who feels
our sufferings Heb 13:8; 4:15. "Christ... the Sun of Righteous- "Our heavenly Father sent the light of health reform to:"
ness arises, 'with healing in His wings.' Mal 4: 2." MH 115, 1. To dispel gloom and darkness that has been gathering
32. Jesus said "I have come that they may have life, and that because of intemperance.
they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10.
2. To lessen the train of evils which have resulted because
3. THE HOLY SPIRIT: The Holy Spirit empowered Jesus to of intemperate eating and drinking.
heal the sick, Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38. Healing is one of the
spiritual gifts, 1Cor 12:9. “Christ's presence (by the Holy 3. To separate His people from the world in spirit and prac-
Spirit, John 16:7, 13-14) in the heart is a vitalizing power, tice.
strengthening the entire being.” CH 253. “The influence of 4. To make believing parents and their children to be living
the Spirit of God is the very best medicine for disease. Heav- representatives of Christ.
en is all health.” CH 28.
5. To attain to Christian perfection, for it is impossible to
achieve this while appetite is indulged.
WHAT IS HEALTH?
Health is a condition of perfect well being physically, mental- 6. To help us escape many temptations on appetite, inclina-
ly and spiritually. A state of complete physical, mental, and tions, pleasures, and sensual.
spiritual well being glorifies God and is a blessing to fellow 7. To preserve health by being temperate in all things - in
men. "The inquiry with every one should be,...'How can I do labor, in eating and drinking.
most for the glory of God and the benefit of my fellow men?”
"The children of God cannot glorify Him with sickly bodies 8. To sanctify through the truth those who love purity and
or dwarfed minds." CD 15, 18. Think of these three quota- holiness. Preparation for the life to come. 
tions:
5
 9. To secure the highest possible development of mind and for He had passed through them and healed all their sick.”
soul and body. SC 11. “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages,
teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the
10. To promote our happiness in this life and to aid our
kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease
preparation for the life to come.
among the people.” Matt 9:35.
CD 22-23
HOW WAS JESUS’ HEALTH?
JESUS AND HEALTH.
“His was a life of health. Physically as well as spiritually He
HIS MISSION: Jesus said, “I have come that they may was represented by the sacrificial lamb, „without blemish and
have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” without spot.‟ 1 Peter 1:19. In body as in soul He was an ex-
John10:10. “Our Lord Jesus Christ…it was His mission to ample of what God designed all humanity to be through obe-
bring to men complete restoration; He came to give them dience to His laws.” MH 51. “The offerings presented to the
health and peace and perfection of character… From Him Lord were to be without blemish. These offerings represent-
flowed a stream of healing power, and in body and mind and ed Christ, and from this it is evident that Jesus Himself was
soul men were made whole.” MH 17. free from physical deformity. He was the „lamb without
TIME JESUS SPENT HEALING. blemish and without spot.‟ 1 Peter 1:19. His physical struc-
ture was not marred by any defect; His body was strong and
“During His ministry, Jesus devoted more time to healing healthy. And throughout His lifetime He lived in conformity
the sick than to preaching.” “Not until the last sufferer had to nature's laws.” DA 50-51. “This world is a vast lazar house,
been relieved did Jesus cease His work.” “He did not meas- but Christ came to heal the sick, to proclaim deliverance to
ure His work by hours.” MH 19, 29, 500. “There were whole the captives of Satan. He was in Himself health and
villages where there was not a moan of sickness in any house, strength.” DA 823 (Luke 4:18.) TBC

EAT DRINK AND BE MERRY…..BY SR K NARANJO

Of all the bible refer- bring no fruit to perfection. that if we are partakers of
ences to eating and the partying of this world we will not have any fruit that will
drinking and merrying, come to perfection. Think and ponder those thoughts….
most represent some-
So, the point being, what should be our goal, what
thing that fulfills our
should be our focus and how do we make the adjust-
selfish desires to fill
ment?
ourselves with the lusts
of life and be accepted by John 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my
others as we have things blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. says that we are to
in common with the eat and drink of Jesus… He is the bread of life… we are to
world. Those that par- daily read and study His Word that it becomes a part of us…
take of these things will We are to confess our sins and believe with all our
be blinded as to whom hearts in the promises of God that he has pardoned us. Q:
they are really serving I wonder sometimes if we really believe this… Q: Do we let
and worshiping. The bible says we cannot serve two mas- this penetrate deep into our soul?
ters…
Josh 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD,
There are a few references that directly refer to the saving choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the
of souls along the lines of feasting and eating and celebrat- gods which your fathers served that were on the other side
ing. One especially is when the Prodigal Son returns of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye
home. … there is much merriment as this one that was lost dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
is now found and returned to the fold. says that we are to choose you this day whom ye will serve…
If we truly want to be partakers of the heavenly then this should be our priority each day as we go about our tasks
there is something we must begin to do on a daily basis. and duties…
Most of you know these things…. We are given solemn ad- Parties and festivities of this world serve a different
vice in master … often times the party is nothing like we thought it
Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, would be and it doesn‟t last….and it takes you down…one
which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked step at a time. 
with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and

6
The love, joy, and peace of Jesus does last and will sus-
tain us when all else falls away…. Satan does not want you to
know what treasures Christ has in store for you….
Q: I have often wondered and prayed and asked God con-
tinually for understanding. Q: When it is our effort to
move forward and when is it time to wait patiently? Q:
What part do I play in this plan and how does it all work to-
gether?
Q: I have been asking these questions my whole Christian
life and haven‟t you also wondered these things? By God‟s
leading grace, I found these answers in the Bible and in
SOP. Read the parable of the Talents in Christ‟s Object Les-
sons.
It is up to us to begin work on our characters… we cannot
just sit around in limbo and hope that lightning will strike
us and we are changed. Or think that „OH, we are waiting
for the latter rain..‟ It does not happen this way… It is not
by accident. God expects the highest standard. He expects
perfection from us.
“A noble character is earned by individual effort though the
merits and grace of Christ. God gives us the talents, the
powers of the mind we form the character. It is formed by
hard, stern battles with self. Conflict after conflict must be
waged against hereditary tendencies.”. ( 331) And our bad
habits.
“Heavenly intelligences will work with the human agent who
seeks with determined faith that perfection of character
which will reach out to perfection in action…. Christ says, I
am at your right hand to help you. The will of man cooper-
ates with the will of God.”(332)
1. We should look to Jesus, the perfect pattern;
2. we should pray for the aid of the Holy Spirit,
3. and in His strength we should seek to train every
trait of our characters…
“His angels are appointed to watch over us…. The angels
will be by our side, prompting us to a better course, choos-
ing our words for us, and influencing our actions.”(342)
Then it is us that must choose to do these things even
though it may be difficult, challenging and new to us.
Making a new path illustration…. If you ride your bike
down a dirt path on your daily mission, it will be difficult to
change. Take a different route one that may even be short-
er. For a while it may be rough going through the vegeta-
tion but after many times you will have a nice path. And, the
old one will start to fill in with vegetation. This is what hap-
pens in our minds when we make new and better choices.
The old path is easy but the new one is difficult at first but
with much repetition it will be workable. We can be in-
structed along the new and better choice pathway step by
step. Daniel did this… Joseph did this… there could not be
found mistakes in any of the things that they did because
they had heavenly instruction
along the way.
Isa 30:21 And thine ears
shall hear a word behind
thee, saying, This is the
way, walk ye in it, when
ye turn to the right hand,
and when ye turn to the
left. says that we will hear in
one‟s mind or heart and are
bidden to walk this way and
choose the right course direc-
tionally or morally.
“We have no time to waste, no
time to devote to selfish pleas-
ure, no time for indulgence of sin. It is now that we are to
form characters for the future, immortal life. “(342)
Mark 9:49 For every one shall be salted with fire,
and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. says
that we will be salted with fire… wow… the salt makes the
sacrifice acceptable to God… we are to be living sacrifices…
salted with fire of affliction that makes us perfect.
Luke 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed
baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh,
the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he
shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with
fire: Jesus will baptize with fire and the Holy Ghost….. how
I long for this purity!
Gulf stream illustration: We were on a ship once
launching from Miami, Florida to the Caribbean Islands.
Not long after, someone told me to come up on the top deck
and look at the Gulf Stream. I had no clue that this could
even be visible. This is a channel of warm water that origi-
nates in the gulf and continues to circle around the Atlantic
and provides the British Isles with warm currents during the
winter of the year.
When I went up on top…. Yes, I could see it… all around us
was deep ocean blue water and then there was this river of
choppy water lighter than the rest in appearance and cutting
through the ocean and going on its own course. Amazing!
When we came into the strange stream of choppy water we
had to work against it because it was strong and wanting to
take us in its direction. After 15 minutes or so we were free
of the Gulf stream and now smooth sailing on to the islands.
I thought that this could be a good illustration of our Chris-
tian life. The ocean is the world and very vast but we are the
Gulf Stream that is strong and cuts through the ocean and
makes our own path and will not be diverted but will want
to take others with us if they get into our stream.
Q: How many of you want to start today to begin
making changes in our characters to make our elec-
tion sure? 
7
 FREE RADICALS AND ANTIOXIDANTS
I. What are free radicals?
Free radicals are molecules or atoms that are electrically imbal-
anced in their outermost shell of electrons; they have unpaired elec-
trons in their outer shells.
I. What is oxidation?
1) The loss of electrons or the combining with oxygen. 2) Every
time a substance looses an electron, a free radical is formed. 3) Free
radicals are unstable; they want to have another electron, so they
will grab an electron the neighboring atom. 4) The atom which lost
an electron is oxidized and becomes a free radical itself. 5) Free
radicals damage the cell membranes and lead to diseases.
III. Free radicals are good in the right place
1) Excellent germ killers. 2) Important in energy production.
IV. Free radicals are bad in the wrong place
1) Free radicals can oxidize other molecules very rapidly so that
trouble builds up.
V. What can increase or produce unwanted free radicals?
1) Smog ; 2) Excessive exercise; 3) Aging; 4) Trauma, injury, in-
flammation; 5) Too much or too little oxygen for too long
6) Too much ultraviolet light or radiation in gen-
eral; 7) Overeating of good food; 8) High fat di-
ets; 9) Stress; 10) Chronic disease states; 11) In-
flammation
VI. Examples
1) Fatty acids, triglycerides and cholesterol are
easily oxidized. When oxygen shares its elec-
trons at a double bond between 2 carbon atoms,
fats become “oxy-fats”. 2) Oxy-fats absorbed
from the intestines are made into LDL cholester-
ol. 3) Oxy-fats easily become part of the cells.
These are “toxic radicals.” 4) Oxy-fats make cell membranes stiffer
(more available to the passage of harmful substances). 5) Oxy-fats
affect the walls of mitochondria, nucleus, and other components of
the cell and affects their proper function.
6) This fat oxidation process “burns” up essential oils necessary for
the body. 7) Oxy-fats may be regarded by the immune system as
foreign chemicals that need to be eaten up. Macrophages become
full of oxy-fat and sluggish. Pulse waves of the heart beat kills them
and packs them into arterial walls. Fighting oxy-fats weakens the
immune system. 8) Oxidized LDL cholesterol and oxidized grease
particles can gradually plug up arteries. Oxidized grease is sticky
like sludge. It tends to foster development of clots & obstructions
which lead to strokes and heart attacks. 9) Excessive numbers of
normal white blood cells can attack joints spilling out free radicals.
This can cause arthritis and gradual destruction of joints. 10) Toxic
lipid free radicals are involved in the following diseases: a) Arterial
atherosclerosis and cell aging—through tissue damage caused by
oxidation of cell membranes, interaction with fatty acids, and effect
on chemical formation. b) Diabetes c) Cataract formation
d) Cancer—damage to genetic material in the cell nucleus and inter-
ference with the immune system. e) Parkinson‟s disease
VII. Low Levels
1) Studies indicate that having too few antioxidants is a bad thing.
One study, published in 1983 in the British medical journal The
Lancet, found that people with low blood levels of selenium were
twice as likely to develop cancer compared with people with normal
8
levels. 2) Another study, published in 1986 in the New England
Journal of Medicine (NEJM), found that patients with a certain
type of lung cancer were four times more likely to be deficient in
beta carotene than a control group. 3) A 1989 study from the Neth-
erlands associated low selenium levels with an increased risk of
heart attacks. The Harvard-based Physicians Health Study -- which
has recorded the lifestyles of some 50,000 male health profession-
als for the past 15 years -- found that men who ate a diet rich in vit-
amin E (from nuts, seeds and soybeans) were half as likely to devel-
op heart disease as those with very low levels of dietary vitamin E.
4) Skin cancer patients given daily selenium supplements were
twice as likely to survive their cancer as those patients not given
selenium, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
reported in 1996. 5) Extra selenium, a mineral needed only in trace
quantities, reduced the risk of prostate, colorectal and lung cancer,
according to the National Institutes of Health's Clinical Center (as
reported in 1997 and 1998 in journals such as the American Journal
of Epidemiology, Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Review).
VIII. Free radicals attack prevention
1) Most of your oil should come from the whole
plant, not extracted oils. 2) Eat lots of anti-oxidants
like Vitamin A (beta-carotene), Vitamin C, Vitamin E,
and selenium. Vitamin E protects the cell membranes
against free radical damage. Selenium important for
the production of enzymes which aid in the destruction
of free radicals. 3) Anti-oxidants can prevent oxida-
tion, destroy free radicals, block the formation of can-
cer causing chemicals, enhance the immune system
functioning, especially against tumors. 4) High anti-
oxidant diet decreases the risk of cardiovascular dis-
ease, cancer and lowers death rates. 5) Nuts and grains should be
kept whole until ready to use or ground for only a short period of
time. The outer layer of grains prevents oxidation—ground whole
corn becomes “rancid” (full of oxidized lipids) within a couple of
months at room temperature but whole corn can be stored up to a
thousand years. The covering on wheat and rice is not as efficient.
IX. Can antioxidants turn on you?
1) Several studies have shown that people who did not get the daily
recommended allowance of vitamin C had an increase in free-
radical damage to their DNA. But, paradoxically, people who took
mega doses of C also had an increase in DNA damage. 2) Think of
antioxidants as drugs, antioxidants are not necessarily safe. Rapidly
multiplying cancer cells can use antioxidants to their advantage to
fuel their growth. So taking mega doses of antioxidants at the
wrong time essentially arms the bad guy with the weapons to stay
alive and multiply. 3) Fruit and vegetables are rich in antioxidants,
but these plants contain hundreds of other chemicals. Nutrients
from food enable the body to make its own antioxidants.
X. The List of Antioxidants
1) Supplements; a) Vitamin A beta-carotene b) Vitamin C c) Seleni-
um d) Vitamin E 2) Foods
Green tea, red grapes, tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit,
apples, onions, garlic, chives, broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower,
soybeans, citrus fruits, carrots, whole grains, nuts, beans, legumes,
cherries, broccoli sprouts, collards, turnips, turnip greens. 

1. How is the bondage of Israel in Egypt described?
"And the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and theycried, and their cry came up unto God by reason
of the bondage." Ex. 2:23. Compare with James 5:1-4.
2. Who heard their groaning?
"God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob." Verse 24.
PRISONERS OF
HOPE
This newsletter is authored
by members of the SDA
church whose desire is to
provide a thought provoking
newsletter for Adventists
dwelling on the banks of
Jordan; in the process ap-
pealing to entire fidelity to
the Bible and the Spirit of
Prophecy.
THE AUTHOR OF LIBERTY
3. What did God say to Moses?
"Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto Me: and I have also seen the oppression where-
with the Egyptians oppress them. Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring
forth My people the children of Israel out of Egypt." Ex. 3:9,10.
4. In giving Israel His law, how did God describe Himself?
"I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage."Ex. 20:2.
5. What provision did God make against slavery and oppression in Israel?
"And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the
seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee. And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let
him go away empty: thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy wine-press:
of that wherewith the Lord thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him. And thou shalt remember that thou
wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to-
day." Deut. 15:12-15. "Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt."
Ex. 22:21. See 2 Cor. 1:3,4.
6. What was one reason assigned why Israel should keep the Sabbath?
"And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence
through a mighty hand and by a stretched-out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath
day."Deut. 5:15.
7. What proclamation was to be made throughout the land of Israel every fifty years?
"And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it
shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his
family." Lev. 25:10.
8. Because Israel failed to do this, became oppressive, and disregarded and misused the Sabbath, what did God
do?
"Therefore thus saith the Lord; Ye have not harkened unto Me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and
every man to his neighbor: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the Lord, to thesword, to the pestilence, and to
the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth."Jer. 34:17. See also Jer. 17:24-27; 2
Chron. 36:19-21.
9. What fault did God find with the way in which Israel came to celebrate her fasts and seasons of worship?
"Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labors. Behold, ye fast
for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness."Isa. 58:3,4.
10. What does God set forth as the acceptable fast to Him?
"Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the
oppressed go free, and that yebreak every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thoubring the poor
that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from
thine own flesh?" Verses 6, 7.
11. What was Christ's mission to this world?
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me
to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liber-
ty them that are bruised." Luke 4:18.
12. In what condition are those who commit sin?
"Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin."John 8:34.
13. Why was Christ's name to be called Jesus?
"And thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins."Matt. 1:21.
14. What lies at the root of all sin?
"When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin." James 1:15. " I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou
shalt not covet."Rom. 7:7.
15. By what scripture is the equality of rights clearly shown?
"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."Lev. 19:18.
16. What rule of conduct has Christ laid down in harmony with this command?
"Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." Matt. 7:12.
17. Who alone can cleanse men's hearts from selfishness?
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we
must be saved." Acts 4:12. See also 1 John 1:9.
18. Who alone, then, can give men real freedom?
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."John 8:36.
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