Well, I'm assuming it's an American family enjoying prosperous times, which is typical of the way
life once was for people living in the United States when government served its purpose of protecting the rights of the individual. When our government respected the principles of the Constitition is when we had the most liberty, and people all around the world could see that America was truly blessed.
I was hoping I could express my view on the contrasting pitures without quoting EGW, but her excerpts are so explanatory that it's worth the risk I'm taking of sounding like John (not that that's a bad thing): [Speaking of Babylon] "To Nebuchadnezzar, the king, the true object of national government was represented under the figure of a great tree, whose height 'reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: the leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under its shadow the beasts of the field dwelt, and among its branches the birds of the air had their habitation. Daniel 4:11, 12. This representation shows the character of a government that protects and upbuilds the nation. God exalted Babylon that it might fulfill this purpose. Prosperity attended the nation until it
reached a height of wealth and power that has never since been equaled -- fitly represented in the
Scriptures by the inspired symbol, a "head of gold." Daniel 2:38. But the king failed of recognizing the power that had exalted him. Nebuchadnezzar in the pride of
his heart said: "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the
might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?" Daniel 4:30. Instead of being a protector of men, Babylon became a proud and cruel oppressor. The words of
Inspiration picturing the cruelty and greed of rulers in Israel reveal the secret of Babylon's fall and
of the fall of many another kingdoms since the world began: "Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you
with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not
strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was
broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that
which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them." Ezekiel 34:3, 4. God has revealed in His law the principles that underlie all true prosperity both of nations and of individuals. In contrast, the starving Ethiopian represents the conditions that befall man when he has been deprived of liberty. If you're thinking that the American family is selfish as it sits down to a table loaded with mountains of food when there's starving Ethiopians on the other side of the world, just remember that when the United States was at its height of prosperity and freedom, is when it gave the most to other countries, out of the kindness of people's heart rather than government coercion. And, that's my take. Film at eleven.
3 comments:
Someone had this on facebook and some of the feedback was interesting. Would like to hear yours.
I just have no idea.
Lisa said...
Well, I'm assuming it's an American family enjoying prosperous times, which is typical of the way
life once was for people living in the United States when government served its purpose of protecting the rights of the individual. When our government respected the principles of the Constitition is when we had the most liberty, and people all around the world could see that America was truly blessed.
I was hoping I could express my view on the contrasting pitures without quoting EGW, but her excerpts are so explanatory that it's worth the risk I'm taking of sounding like John (not that that's a bad thing): [Speaking of Babylon] "To Nebuchadnezzar, the king, the true object of national government was represented under the figure of a great tree, whose height 'reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: the leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under its shadow the beasts of the field dwelt, and among its branches the birds of the air had their habitation. Daniel 4:11, 12. This representation shows the character of a government that protects and upbuilds the nation.
God exalted Babylon that it might fulfill this purpose. Prosperity attended the nation until it
reached a height of wealth and power that has never since been equaled -- fitly represented in the
Scriptures by the inspired symbol, a "head of gold." Daniel 2:38.
But the king failed of recognizing the power that had exalted him. Nebuchadnezzar in the pride of
his heart said: "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the
might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?" Daniel 4:30.
Instead of being a protector of men, Babylon became a proud and cruel oppressor. The words of
Inspiration picturing the cruelty and greed of rulers in Israel reveal the secret of Babylon's fall and
of the fall of many another kingdoms since the world began: "Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you
with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not
strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was
broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that
which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them." Ezekiel 34:3, 4.
God has revealed in His law the principles that underlie all true prosperity both of nations and of individuals.
In contrast, the starving Ethiopian represents the conditions that befall man when he has been deprived of liberty.
If you're thinking that the American family is selfish as it sits down to a table loaded with mountains of food when there's starving Ethiopians on the other side of the world, just remember that when the United States was at its height of prosperity and freedom, is when it gave the most to other countries, out of the kindness of people's heart rather than government coercion.
And, that's my take. Film at eleven.
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