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Counsels for the Church
and take from them their Lord’s money. I saw that the words of our
Lord, “Swear not at all,” do not touch the judicial oath. “Let your
communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than
these cometh of evil.” This refers to common conversation. Some
exaggerate in their language. Some swear by their own life; others
swear by their head—as sure as they live; as sure as they have a head.
Some take heaven and earth to witness that such things are so. Some
hope that God will strike them out of existence if what they are saying
is not true. It is this kind of common swearing against which Jesus
warns His disciples.
I saw that the Lord still has something to do with the laws of the
land. While Jesus is in the sanctuary, God’s restraining Spirit is felt by
rulers and people. But Satan controls to a great extent the mass of the
world, and were it not for the laws of the land, we should experience
much suffering. I was shown that when it is actually necessary, and
they are called upon to testify in a lawful manner, it is no violation
of God’s word for His children to solemnly take God to witness that
what they say is the truth, and nothing but the truth.
I saw that if there is anyone on earth who can consistently tes-
tify under oath, it is the Christian. He lives in the light of God’s
countenance. He grows strong in His strength. And when matters of
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importance must be decided by law, there is no one who can so well
appeal to God as the Christian. I was bidden by the angel to notice
that God swears by Himself
Excitement Concerning Politics
Those who teach the Bible in our churches and our schools are not
at liberty to unite in making apparent their prejudices for or against
political men or measures, because by so doing they stir up the minds
of others, leading each to advocate his favorite theory. There are
among those professing to believe present truth, some who will thus
be stirred up to express their sentiments and political preferences, so
that division will be brought into the church.
The Lord would have His people bury political questions. On these
themes silence is eloquence. Christ calls upon His followers to come
into unity on the pure gospel principles which are plainly revealed in
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Testimonies for the Church 1:201-203