Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Oath Taking 195Man is so corrupt that laws are made to throw the responsibilityupon his own head. Some men do not fear to lie to their fellow man; butthey have been taught, and the restraining Spirit of God has impressedthem, that it is a fearful thing to lie to God. The case of Ananias andSapphira his wife is given for an example. The matter is carried fromman to God, so that if one bears false witness, it is not to man, but tothe great God, who reads the heart, and knows the exact truth in everycase. Our laws make it a high crime to take a false oath. God has oftenvisited judgment upon the false swearer, and even while the oath wason his lips, the destroying angel has cut him down. This was to provea terror to evildoers.I saw that if there is anyone on earth who can consistently testifyunder oath, it is the Christian. He lives in the light of God’scountenance. He grows strong in His strength. And when matters ofimportance must be decided by law, there is no one who can so wellappeal to God as the Christian. I was bidden by the angel to noticethat God swears by Himself. Genesis 22:16; Hebrews 6:13, 17. He [203]swore to Abraham (Genesis 26:3), to Isaac (Psalm 105:9; Jeremiah11:5), and to David (Psalm 132:11; Acts 2:30). God required of thechildren of Israel an oath between man and man. Exodus 22:10, 11.Jesus submitted to the oath in the hour of His trial. The high priestsaid unto Him: “I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell uswhether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said unto him:“Thou hast said.” If Jesus in His teachings to His disciples referred tothe judicial oath, He would have reproved the high priest, and thereenforced His teachings, for the good of His followers present. Satanhas been pleased that some have viewed oath taking in a wrong light;for it has given him opportunity to oppress them and take from themtheir Lord’s money. The stewards of God must be more wise, lay theirplans, and prepare themselves to withstand Satan’s devices; for he isto make greater efforts than ever before.Some, I saw, have a prejudice against our rulers and laws; but ifit were not for law, this world would be in an awful condition. Godrestrains our rulers; for the hearts of all are in His hands. Bounds areset, beyond which they cannot go. Many of the rulers are those whomSatan controls; but I saw that God has His agents, even among therulers. And some of them will yet be converted to the truth. They arenow acting the part that God would have them. When Satan works