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I have spoken, in previous studies, about the topic of courtesy. I have discussed it in a number of ways, explaining that it is a way that we express love for others, because we are thinking of what we would like should we be in their situation. It is a direct fulfillment of the Bible’s Golden Rule, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the Law and the prophets.” (Mat 7:12) Courtesy is necessary for any sanctifying relationship, and ultimately, life has all of its real value in our relationship with others.
We read, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecc 12:13) The Law is an expression of relationships. You may or may not have not noticed this, but every one of the 10 Commandments involves a relationship with someone else. You may have heard the 10 Commandments described before as a transcript of the divine character. It certainly is that, but why? Why is that an appropriate description? How we worship our Creator, how we honor our parents, how we respect the persons and property of our fellow human beings… the Law teaches us the character of the Father and Son by showing what the relationship between Them looks like as manifest in us, in humanity, in Their creation. Seen that way, the 10 Commandments becomes not only a set of behaviors, not only a set of promises, but a description, a true transcript of the character of Yahweh, because it reveals what love looks like. It shows the intended relationship between two intelligent beings that exist in the image of their Heavenly Father.
This is why the Biblical marriage, the Biblical “love story” of a man and a woman, is the only one that blesses and sanctifies according to the divine will, because it is the only one that represents the Father and Son in Their spiritual relationship. The Scriptures tell us that angels look into human interactions, especially those between men and women, and it benefits them. We read, “Neither was the man created for the woman, but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head, because of the angels. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.” (1Cor 11:9-12) There are roles ordained by Yahweh, certainly, but as Paul makes it clear, neither is more “important” than the other, for neither can exist without the other. Angels take knowledge of this, and rejoice that they learn more about the Creator and His creation.
The 144,000 are restored to that image. We inherit everlasting life without seeing death, because before the end, we perfect that character. That means that we perfect agape-love. We perfect, as much as possible with our limited human languages, communication. We perfect relationships. We perfect courtesy. We are guided by angels – as a people we are guided by the Third Gospel Angel – and we in turn teach them lessons that cannot be easily expressed in words. Herein also is a perfect, mutually beneficial relationship.
I want us to see “courtesy” in a new way after today’s study. I want us to see it as a necessary element of our sanctification, which is really the process of perfecting character, communication, and relationships. As we come to see the world as it truly is, for that is the worldview of the 144,000, we will begin to realize how important this “little thing” truly is in the grand scheme of eternity. Our Father is preparing us to do great, cosmic, things in the age to come, and He is training us in very specific ways, so that our testimony then will be as it is right now, “I do always those things that please Him.” (John 8:29)
Angels see the world as it truly is, as much as created beings can. They see scenes of rejoicing, and praise, and worship, and peace. But we know the generation in which we live. While they do see these things, drawing strength and comfort from them, far more often, and far more commonly, they see scenes of great sorrow, pain, and terror.
It is natural to be tempted to take life for granted; most of us here seldom if ever go unfed, unclothed, or unsheltered. We have had painful pasts, many of us, and to varying degrees, but our Father has rescued us and brought us to a safe and loving Family. Most of the world does not have what we are blessed to have, and for which we are always to be thankful. We have angels to minister to our needs, to protect us from danger, and to inspire us to do our Father’s will. We have constant companions, who are waiting eagerly for the day they can have an open and observable relationship with us… but as we come to see the world as they do, as it truly is, we will come to realize that this relationship has already begun, and it is consequential. How well do we treat our angelic companions?
As I have pointed out, angels look into human life and relationships. Our biological processes do not offend them. The necessities of our material persons do not bother them… but what does bother them are matters of the spirit, of the lack of Christ’s character in His creations, especially in those who profess to be His redeemed people. What bothers them is the manifestation of the carnal spirit. It would be easy to point this out as an obvious fact if we were talking about the world, and even the nominal Churches. We, as Yahshua’s Church, could say, “Why would we offend the angels? We have victory over sin.” This we do, and we would never knowingly violate one of our Father’s commandments; but remember, angels have their home in the Heavenly Kingdom. Angels have the perfect and pure music of the divine realm in their ears. Angels have the society of sinless beings as their common environment… and it is a very different environment than the one in which we live, and to which we have been accustomed.
Angels are eternally gracious, and patient, and understanding, and they know that we are being drawn out of gross darkness. They know that our Father is longsuffering with us as we awaken out of our ignorance of righteousness. Yet they cannot help but note the difference between where we are now, and where we will someday be. Now, this might sound a little bit like I am contradicting the message of The Parable of the Banana, but I see this as a motivational idea. I do not want to offend my invisible companions. I would never do it deliberately, but because of agape, because of love, because of the sense of courtesy that Christ has placed within me, I do not want to offend them out of ignorance either. I desire the ongoing work in me to be completed speedily, so that I may be fit for the society of my divine friends. I will be careful with my words, and with my actions, not because I am afraid of breaking the Law, or being judged by my works… but because I do not wish to cause any distress, to the least degree, to those whom my Father has sent to accompany me. Shall I not love them also with my Father’s perfect love? Are they not also my fellow-servants? (Rev 22:9) Their work is difficult enough as it is.
It is true that our Father carefully and patiently leads us no faster than we can go, and cuts out from us all the defects of character, all the blind spots of unawareness. Just as we are strengthened to endure this miraculous process, so the angels are strengthened to stand by us as we experience it. They are sensitive to the slightest deviation from holiness, but they have also been given great capacity to endure scenes of suffering, death, and torment, far greater than the average human being could witness and remain healthy, or sane. It is a blessing that they have been made such effective guardians, guides, and witnesses, but surely, it cannot be a pleasant task.
Inspiration tells us that when Yahshua was suffering during His earthly ministry, invisible companions longed to relieve Him. This was especially true as He hung, dying on the cross for our sakes. How easily the least powerful angel could have rescued Him, and struck down His tormentors! Yet they were prevented from doing so, because it was through that suffering that Yahshua was suited to be our Sacrifice: “For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” (Heb 2:10)
Just as our growth is sometimes unpleasant to the senses, and chastening is unpleasant in the moment, (Heb 12:11) so the work of being our spiritual ministers is at times unpleasant to the angels, and when we think of how many crimes, many of them violent, take place every single moment of every single day… it can feel overwhelming to even consider. Who would enjoy seeing a loved one being attacked, robbed, violated, or killed? And yet, angels who love us go through this on a constant basis. If we are to see the world as it is, as the 144,000, then we must solemnly acknowledge that these things are so. If Yahweh were not constantly pouring His Spirit out on His servants, both angelic and human, the entire world would fall apart, just like Noah’s Ark would have collapsed under the violence of the flood.
Soon we will see what the world looks like without that restraining Spirit of Yahweh, and it is only by mighty miracles that our lives will be preserved. Even now, while we all may have relatively comfortable lives, what about the rest of the world? Wouldn’t it be selfish not to desire the soon return of Christ, to end this global suffering? Consider how, even before the earth got anywhere near this evil, Paul wrote, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” (Rom 8:22) That was long before there were 8 billion people living under the crushing weight of sin. It is little wonder that the apostles, who saw into these things with spiritual eyes, said, “Even so, come Lord Yahshua.” (Rev 22:20) Come quickly, they said. The Bible ends with just these words.
We have a work to do, and a little time yet in which to prepare. Tribulation will come, yes, and cut us off from many of those things we now take for granted, but we can prepare for that. By appreciating what we have, by being overwhelmingly thankful for it, by realizing that none of us “deserve” anything we have been blessed to receive, this will prepare us so that, when we are temporarily deprived for righteousness’ sake, it is not as great a burden. By faith we look forward to our eternal inheritance, and not for selfish reasons, but so that, being secure in our own future, we can focus on getting others to where we are. And for those who are not yet secure in the Covenant of Yahshua, again the appeal goes out to you from the Holy Spirit, come to Yahshua and abide with us in Him, so that you, along with and among His 144,000, may help to prepare others for the times ahead, both the time of trouble, and the everlasting time of glory.
So what do we do now? How does the saint respond to this knowledge? How do we look at the world in harmony with our Father’s will, as His sanctified servants? Can we see the world through angels’ eyes?
Some years ago I was invited to a Sabbath service in Florida. It was held by a group of Messianic SDAs who were still, I think, operating under the authority of the SDA General Conference in some capacity. The friend who invited me had been studying with the CSDA Church for some time. She knew that we kept feast days, like these Messianic believers, and that we respected the names “Yahweh” and “Yahshua,” and so she thought that I would feel “at home” at this service. The problem is, she had been somewhat resistant to a really clear understanding of the Trademark Law as the Mark of The Beast, and so she didn’t see this group’s connection with, and submission to, the Conference to be that big of a deal. She thought that since we had so many things in common, I would enjoy associating with them.
I wouldn’t call it an unpleasant experience. The traditional music, the decorations, and what I remember of the service itself was certainly more palatable to me than what the nominal Church was offering. And yet, I could feel the weight of the Spirit on me. It wasn’t that I was doing anything wrong by attending to learn about this group, and the event was certainly used by the Father to generate a good conversation between my friend and I afterwards, but I could feel the separation between us, between the true Church of Yahshua, and this group that did not know the will and desire of our Father. They did not know that they were united with His enemy, the great oppressor of His people.
The person I was with thought it was a wonderful celebration, but I was uncomfortable, even sorrowful. These people, as dedicated as they were outwardly to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, were those who would agree to put my brethren in jail. I could not rejoice with them. I could not unite with Christ in them, for He was not there. He may have been “with” some of them, of course, but He was not “in” them. I cannot feel at home in any Church but this one, this Creation Seventh Day Adventist Church, because in every other either the faith of Yahshua, or the Commandments of Yahweh, are being ignored, downplayed, or downright violated. Now I was courteous, I greeted them, and I did not feel any inspiration to make whips out of reeds and drive them from the building, but I did not visit them a second time. I explained to my friend that while it was an interesting learning experience, and I didn’t regret witnessing it, I could not consider it a second home in Christ.
The angels see these things. They see what natural eyes miss. They see spirits, and characters, in everyone, whether it be the Spirit of Yahshua, or the spirit of the world. They look past outward similarities and understand the hearts of saints and sinners. Despite our defects, even until we discover them and put them away, they are pleased to dwell with us. And because our Father’s grace rests on them, they are comfortable with us, and at peace. The Scriptures remind us, “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Heb 13:2) This happens more often for the Church than for others, because they see Yahshua in us, who are One with Him in spirit, and they rejoice.
They are pleased to dwell with us. We are pleasant to be around, compared to the rest of the world that ignores or rejects its Creator, and that often rejoices in cruelty. But this is why we have this obligation also in agape-love. We are always to be courteous, and kind, and clean, and tidy. And yes, this is natural to all in whom Christ dwells, and increasingly so as we are sanctified, but we are to deliberately and actively press forward in sanctification. We are to understand the importance of pressing ever forward in holiness. To that end it is also natural for the Holy Spirit to give us reminders to display courteous and loving behavior, so that it will always be a conscious and loving decision to do so.
The saint is consciously, and lovingly, courteous and considerate. This is not so that he will be made righteous by works, nor so that he will be rewarded for them. No, our righteousness comes by faith, and our reward is our unity with the Father and Son. But because our faith tells us that we have a large number of observers, our agape would not have us unnecessarily distress them. We read, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” (Heb 12:1) That is it… “Run with patience.” Because we have a great cloud of witnesses, we come to the balance: let Yah do His work on us in His own time, as described in The Parable of the Banana, even while we press forward knowing that time is short. “Run with patience.”
We love our Father’s servants, and we want them to be as comfortable as possible around us. We are being prepared for their society. It may seem a little thing, yes, and it is more important to focus on our fellow human beings, who need examples of love more than the angels do, but it is the same spirit that motivates both. We cannot do one without the other.
When we speak and act, and reflect the principles of Heaven, and that in an unforced, sincere way, the angels love to gather near. We are a sanctuary for them in this world of violence, vulgarity, and disdain for the Creator. What little things we see to do, we do. What little flaws in our environment we realize we can fix, we fix them. One of the most immediately impactful things to me about our CSDA Camp Meetings in Tennessee, which were the first that I ever attended, was that there was a great emphasis on care for the campground. We were encouraged to be meticulous in how clean we were to keep the kitchen, the restrooms, the bedrooms, and of course the sanctuary area where the services and meetings were held. To some it might seem strange for a Church to put emphasis on these things, but it was necessary for our understanding of holiness. Angels would gather in those places to worship with us, and even though we could not see them with our natural eyes, we knew that they were there.
The Scriptures tell us that, while we are yet alive, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” (Ecc 9:10) This doesn’t just refer to great deeds of sacrifice, nobility, and heroism. There is a place for those things, of course, but it is also about the daily tasks: sweeping the floor, folding the laundry, and making the meals. In these things we also honor our Lord. (1Cor 10:31) It is also about the little acts we do when nobody is looking to make life easier for the people with whom we share our space. The angels appreciate such gestures, even if nobody else notices. We are the contrast to the wickedness of the world, and when we do little things to be orderly, just like when we whisper words of worship and appreciation for our Father, it does not go undetected.
SDAs have the concept of the “Recording Angel” as described in the writings of Ellen White and other places. Unfortunately, this idea has come to be used as a source of fear, like the fairy-tales of pagan cultures to teach children obedience. “Watch what you do in secret,” they say, “because your Recording Angel will write it down!”
I am not going to criticize our pioneers. What was written about the recording angel is correct, and valid, and a lot of people need to be brought to the realization that every idle word will come into judgment. But not every truth is a motivating truth. Not every fact is a reason to act. In a sense, the work of the recording angel, when used for motivation, sets up an artificial, non-faith based reason to adopt good behavior, and that does treat believers as if they were spiritual children. Our Father desires a harvest of mature, wise saints. Who will be redeemed if, in the judgment, they are asked, “Why did you keep the Sabbath holy?” and the response is, “I didn’t want my recording angel to tell on me.”
I am not saying it is wrong to understand the work of our angels, and it does lend itself to the solemnity of the judgment, but what I have heard sometimes taught in the mainstream SDA Church about this subject isn’t the attitude that is going to get anyone translated. “Be good, because you are being watched.”
Just as with the Investigative Judgment, they have the doctrine correct on paper, but the character of their understanding is imperfect. We are loved by our Father. We are loved by our guardian spirits. They long to befriend us, and even if it seems like the conversation is one-sided for the moment, and we are to focus on Yahshua and those who need His healing rather than our invisible fellow-servants, the Spirit of agape teaches us how we are to act toward them as well. We act righteously in secret, not because we are trying to avoid punishment for secret sins, but because it is our new, born-again nature, and because we wish to cooperate with, and be comfortable to, our companions. This is, I think, an easy enough idea for the heart of love, and the mind of Christ, to grasp.
Faith, love, and courtesy are virtues even, and especially, when no being of flesh is around to observe them.
Now, it may seem that we have had a rather solemn message today. We have spoken about judgment, and invisible recorders, and the coming time of trouble. I hope this will be a blessing to those who hear and read these words, and that it will lead them to healthy reflection. And yet, in all this, remember… everything that comes to us from our Father is Good News. Do we have an angel recording all of our words and actions? Yes. To some, that may seem almost like a threat: “You’d better be good, because the angels are watching you!” But the commandments of Yahweh are not grievous. The methods of Yahweh are not grievous, and are never to be seen as a heavy burden. To us, who are the children of a God of Love, we know that we have been blessed by good companions with whom we share this life, helpers that will never leave us, and a motivating principle to be courteous, actively and consciously courteous, in all that we do. In this way we show appreciation and agape-love to our Father’s messengers, to our fellow man, and ultimately to our Creator Himself, who has given to us this wonderful, blessed, and ever-lasting life.
David.
An Enduring Witness
“Believers should be taught that even though they may be poor, they need not be unclean or untidy in their persons or in their homes. Help must be given in this line to those who seem to have no sense of the meaning and importance of cleanliness. They are to be taught that those who are to represent the high and holy God must keep their souls pure and clean, and that this purity must extend to their dress and to everything in the home, so that the ministering angels will have evidence that the truth has wrought a change in the life, purifying the soul and refining the tastes. Those who, after receiving the truth, make no change in word or deportment, in dress or surroundings, are living to themselves, not to Christ. They have not been created anew in Christ Jesus, unto purification and holiness...” [The Adventist Home, p. 22]
“Above all things else, let parents surround their children with an atmosphere of cheerfulness, courtesy, and love. A home where love dwells, and where it is expressed in looks, in words, and in acts, is a place where angels delight to manifest their presence.” [The Review and Herald, May 26, 1910]
“If the Lord abides with us, we shall feel that we are members of Christ’s family in heaven. We shall realize that angels are watching us, and our manners will be gentle and forbearing. We shall be fitting up for an entrance into the courts of heaven, by cultivating courtesy and godliness. Our conversation will be holy, and our thoughts will be upon heavenly things.” [The Review and Herald, February 21, 1888]